I requested your favorite healthy holiday dessert recipes and here’s what I have to share with everybody this Holiday Season. Enjoy in good health!
Donna’s recipe is kind of a “desserty holiday punch drink”.
In a large bowl, combine a mixture of chopped fruits. She likes to use strawberries, bananas, and either mango or pineapple. Top off the bowl with a fruit juice of your choice. She likes to use pineapple or orange juice. Make sure that there is enough liquid so that the fruit is “swimming” in the bowl. Drop in a cinnamon stick or two for holiday flavor. Pour desired amount into a cup and enjoy! To make more festive, spike it with vodka.
Susan’s recipe from healthy-girl.com is Gooey Caramel Coconut Brownies
Ingredients:
One 18.25-oz. box moist-style devil’s food cake mix
One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin (Libby’s is best!)
1 sugar-free caramel pudding snack with 60 calories or less (like the kind by Snack Pack)
1/4 cup light or fat-free caramel dip (like the kinds by Marzetti)
2 tbsp. finely chopped pecans
2 tbsp. shredded sweetened coconut, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9″ X 13″ baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix with pumpkin. Stir until blended. (Batter will be thick.) Spread into the baking pan and smooth out the top. (See HG Tip!)
Bake in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 – 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine pudding, caramel dip, pecans, and coconut. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until brownies are ready to serve.
Evenly spread pudding mixture over brownies. Slice and enjoy! (Refrigerate leftovers.)
MAKES 16 SERVINGS
HG Tip! Spray a spatula with nonstick spray and use to smooth out the batter in the pan; the spray will keep the batter from sticking to the spatula.
15 Minute Holiday Workout
It’s that crazy time of year where we have parties, events, mixers, family, gifts, travel, and on and on it seems. It’s easy to get derailed on your workouts and lose time for them. I suggest setting your alarm for 15 minutes earlier each morning and do this workout, regardless of whether or not you plan to workout that day. It’ll be insurance just in case the Holidays get in your way unexpectedly.
1.) Sit on the edge of your bed after waking up. Place your hands palms down and arms straight. Slowly lift each knee up towards your chest one at a time. Perform 2 rounds of 25 repetitions each side.
2.) Now, stand up and turn around and face your bed. Place hands on top of bed and keeping your legs straight kick back into a hip extension and return back to starting position. Burn those Glutes! Perform 2 sets of 25 repetitions each leg.
3.) Remain standing, turn sideways, one hand on the hip, the other on the bed and kick the outer leg up to about 45 degrees, keeping it straight and return. Perform 2 sets of 25 repetitions each side.
4.) Let’s move on to some upper body now. On to the floor for some basic push ups. Girls, you can do these alternate style on your knees. Perform 2 rounds of 15 repetitions (or more).
5.) Now my favorite part … some abs! Lay down on your back, legs straight, arms straight and back over your head. Proceed into a sit up while tucking your chin into your chest and reaching with your arms towards your shin/feet. Try to touch your feet if you can, but a touch below the knee is fine. Now, come back to original laying position slowly, feeling each vertebrae as you descend back down. Perform 2 sets of 15 repetitions on these.
6.) Last, let’s end with some cardio to get the heart beating healthy and the blood oxygenated and flowing. Snap up and give me 2 rounds of 30 jumping jacks. There you have it … you’re ready to seize the day and make the most of the hectic holiday season while staying in shape and feeling great!