Healthy Holiday Party!!

The holidays are upon us so we hosted a holiday party this Saturday and had a wonderful time with friends and family!

As a Health Coach, I can’t keep myself from serving healthy fare at any occasion. Here’s a viewing of what was served in my home to give you some ideas for your future parties!

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Always serve water to your guests, keep them hydrated with a refreshing twist of cucumber-lemon water. Rinse your cucumber and lemons well. I used organic cucumbers because they don’t have the wax coating like conventional cucumbers. If using conventional cucumbers, always peel so the wax does not end up in your water and in your guests bellies. Wash produce well, then slice up 2 cucumbers and 2 lemons, add fresh filtered water and keep refilling all night. Your guests will drink a lot of this since it tastes so much better than plain water!!

Okay, let’s start with dessert first! This is an assortment of fresh fruit served with a decadent chocolate avocado dip, my stepmom first introduced me to this on her blog, Apple crumbles. I had to tell my guests the secret ingredient because no one could guess. So delicious and full of healthy fats!! You can also cut the avocado amount in half and substitute in green peas to lower the fat content. Again, no one would ever know!

Cheese pyramid and wall of cheese constructed by my talented husband!

And goat cheese balls, recipe from Eating Well Magazine.

Cut 6 dried apricots into quarters, then take 1 teaspoon of soft goat cheese, press dried apricot into center, then roll into a ball.

Roll goat cheese ball in crushed pistachio nuts. Repeat until you have 24.

This is super simple and a hit with my guests!!

Chopped veggies for hummus and bean dip (not pictured) along with pistachio nuts and grainy crackers.

Pistachios are great for parties, they must  be opened one at a time, which encourages slower eating.

Hmmm, there’s the chocolate dip again, along with more veggies on the table.

Roasted butternut squash and fuji apples. Quite the savory dish. Cut, peel, and cube a medium size butternut squash. Cut, core, and cube 4 apples. Toss in olive oil, along with sea salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. All spices to taste. Roast covered with foil at 400 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour until soft.

Another show stealer was the whole wheat veggie & chicken sausage bread. This is a healthified version of sausage bread I grew up enjoying in Utica, NY. Made with organic whole wheat dough from Publix bakery, Greenwise sun-dried tomato and herb chicken sausage, sweet bell peppers, organic spinach, and fresh grated mozzarella (not the pre-shredded cheese).

I wish you Health, Happiness, and Harmony in the New Year!!

Be well,

Pam