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Creating healthy holiday traditions for the whole family

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

It’s official – we’ve entered the holiday season!

Bring on the nostalgic holiday decorations, marathon-shopping sessions, and all night baking parties, I’m ready for them.

What I’m not ready for are the sugar comas, tighter pants, and minor guilt that comes with it. Not fun.

Unfortunately, the holiday season can sometimes be perceived as a time to throw healthy living out the window and just give in to indulgence. Everywhere we turn there’s another cookie swap, holiday party, or another slice of grandma’s famous pie that she only makes once a year staring us in the face. It’s hard to say no to spending time with your family and friends and I’m not sure I’d want to.

That’s why this year I’m striving for balance during the holidays and introducing a few fun activities to keep the family active through the holiday season.

Holiday Lights Run/ Walk:

My family has a long standing Christmas Eve tradition of loading up the family SUV and taking a mini tour of all the holiday lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. We spend about thirty minutes looping this street or that and stopping to admire the pretty lights along the way.

This year, instead of driving, I’m proposing the new tradition of a Holiday Lights Run/Walk 5k. Before Christmas dessert, we can all strap on our running sneakers, load up on silly Christmas accessories (who doesn’t love running in a glowing Rudolph nose or light up Santa hat?) and do a tour of lights on foot.

Christmas Morning Toys:

Remember what it was like to wake up on Christmas morning, rip open the packaging of your favorite toy, and immediately want to bring it outside to play with it? Well, why not keep that tradition alive as an adult?

Head to the sports section of your nearest boxed retailer and purchase one of those plastic multi-sport sets. Give it to you favorite brother/sister/ significant other/best friend on Christmas morning and challenge them to a game outside. Who could resist a mini game of family soccer?

Snowing where you are? Throw a top hat, carrot, and scarf in a box and propose the challenge of building a snowman. Or put a bow on a sled and take it to the hills. Think like a kid and just have fun!

Shopping Cardio:

Yes, shopping cardio! But, I’m not talking about the stressed-out shopping that usually occurs during the holidays. Let’s have fun with it and turn it into an active game!

Instead of finding the closest spot, park in the farthest lot and take your time walking to the mall. You lose the stress of circiling for a spot AND get in extra exercise at the same time. The same can be said for taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator/escalator, making a game of waiting in long lines, and just enjoying spending time with loved ones.

What are some of your favorite family traditions for staying active during the holidays?

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Winter Squash with Savory Uncle Sam Meatless Stuffing Recipe

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

I discovered something amazing yesterday. Amazing.

You see, I was prompted with the challenge of creating something savory using an Attune product. Sounds easy enough, I’m always one to experiment in the kitchen and I love a good challenge. Challenge accepted.

Now, what to make?

*cue me staring at a box of Uncle Sam’s waiting for it to speak to me*

Here’s where that discovery comes into play. You know Uncle Sam Cereal? Well, turns out, if you add some milk to it – and cook it to mush with a little seasoning– it begins to take on the texture of faux meat crumbles. Pretty nifty, right?

You can mold the ‘crumbles’ into a burger patty, created a ‘meat’loaf, orrrrr use it as a stuffing for my new favorite winter squash dish.

Don’t believe me? See for yourself.

_{Winter Squash with Savory Uncle Sam Stuffing}

What you’ll need:

1 winter squash (I went with a hubbard squash, but acorn or pumpkin would work too)
4 cups Uncle Sam Original cereal
2 cups milk
1 cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped mushrooms
½ cup of ricotta cheese (divided)
1 teaspoon dried fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

Start by pre-heating the oven to 400 degrees and prepping the winter squash.

The squash needs to be halved, cleaned, and further divided into quarters. Place the quarters on a baking sheet, sprinkle with some salt and pepper, and roast for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

The squash should come out with a light caramelization and be soft enough to easily cut with a fork.

While the squash is baking, start the stuffing by adding 4 cups of Uncle Sam’s to a small saucepan on medium-high heat.

Slowly add the 2 cups of milk

And bring to a boil.

The next part happens fairly quickly. You’ll want to stir the mix until it turns into a thick ball of mush (it will turn the consistency of faux meat crumbles). Once all of the milk has cooked-in or evaporated, remove the mix from the heat and place to the side.

Next, in a medium frying pan, begin sautéeing the onion and mushrooms in a little olive oil.

When they turn soft, add the Uncle Sam’s mix and season with fennel seeds, oregano, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, fill the roasted squash with the savory Uncle Sam’s stuffing and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese and sprinkle of oregano to garnish.

The savory Uncle Sam’s stuffing takes on a faux meat texture/ taste that complement’s the natural sweetness of the winter squash in a sweet and savory sort of way. Personally, I was a fan, but I’ll let you try and see for yourself.

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Photo Recipe: Cocoa Crispy Crusted French Toast

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Do you ever get tired of following rules?

I do. I hate them. That’s why I’m an awful baker – too many rules. You make one little mistake – let’s say mistaking a little t with a big T when it comes to baking soda – and POOF everything is ruined. Not cool.

Cooking, though, cooking is a whole other story. It’s more of a feel-as-you-go process with cooking. No rules needed. Not in the mood for black beans? Use navy beans – no one will care. Out of carrots? No worries – that soup will live on.

Want to add a chocolate crunch to your morning french toast? Go for it! And that’s what I did. I had an idea, ignored the rules and ended up with a cocoa crispy crusted french toast. Here’s my recipe in photos – sans the rules, of course. (Tip: If you’re unsure of the recipe or process, scroll over the photos for hidden tips.)