Halloween is just days away which means the holiday season is almost underway. That means parties, get togethers and lots of holiday meals. Lindsey Rogers talked with Wichita Falls health experts about how you can enjoy those treats without adding the extra pounds that typically go with them.
Every New Years millions make the pledge to lose that extra weight gained during the holidays. But, we found out, if you get a head start now, you can enjoy your favorite treats and not have to worry about the New Year's resolution.
Candy, cakes, cookies, pie and who doesn't like stuffing? It's part of many peoples' holiday traditions but it can lead to a larger waist line.
"If you give the body too much to process at one time it's going to be a broken down system and that's what's happening. They're getting too much and overloading the body," said Clinical Nutritionist Dr. Donna F. Smith.
So be sure and eat in moderation. But don't wait until after the damage is done to jump start a healthier lifestyle.
"If you want to begin to prepare to have the meals you want to have. Start exercising now," said Gold's Gym General Manager Kevin Byrket.
For those who may not be able to make it to the gym, Byrket says a brisk walk around the neighborhood will work just fine.
"Just make sure you are working hard enough and long enough your heart rate goes up. When it's elevated is when you'll see the real benefits," Byrket said.
He says 30 minutes of cardio three times a week will make a big difference.
"That'll change your metabolism and increase your system and you won't have to end up counting all those calories," Byrket said.
Plus, if you're already in the routine, it'll be that much easier to turn down all those extra temptations.
"People who go into the holidays eating and they've been paying attention to eating healthy and making good food choices, eating moderately. They go into the holidays with that frame of mind and habit and attitude," Dr. Smith said.
Dr. Smith suggests eating at the same times each day. She also says one way to avoid feeling guilty after leaving one of those holiday parties is to never arrive on an empty stomach.
If you're the one hosting the party, Here are some healthier options to offer your guests.
- Vampire Slayer’s Chili
- Baked Candy Apples
- Brownie Cupcake Bites
- Mulled Apple Cranberry Cider
Vampire Slayer’s Chili
Despite the fact that we start with a whole bulb of garlic, the flavor of this chili is not harsh or overpowering. The reason? Slow cooking garlic transforms its flavor into something rich and mellow, allowing the taste of the other ingredients to shine through.
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients
1 medium garlic bulb (about 15 cloves), separated and peeled
1 pound ground skinless turkey breast
1 (10-ounce) package of fresh cremini, or white mushrooms, cut into quarters
1 large onion, chopped
1 (14 ½ ounce) can diced tomatoes in sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce (no salt added)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ cup light sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Bring a small saucepan halfway filled with water to a boil. Add the garlic; reduce the heat and simmer 2 minutes. Drain. Transfer the garlic to a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker.
- Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, stirring frequently to break it up, until almost cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, chili powder, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and cloves; mix well. Cover and cook until the turkey and vegetables are fork-tender, 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. Serve with the sour cream and cilantro.
Per serving (1 ½ cups chili with 1 tablespoon sour cream and ½ tablespoon chopped cilantro): 302 Cal, 4 g Fat, 2 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 80 mg Chol, 418 mg Sod, 31 g Carb, 8 g Fib, 35 g Prot, 105 mg Calc.
Weight Watchers Points Value: 6
Baked Candy Apples
POINTS® Value: 3
Sevings: 4
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 18 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Nothing says fall like fresh apple cider. We gave ours a cranberry kick and then spiced it with cinnamon and cloves.
Mulled Apple-Cranberry Cider
Ingredients
3 cup(s) apple cider
3 cup(s) cranberry juice cocktail
1 Tbsp unpacked brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 Tbsp orange zest
3 average cinnamon stick(s)
Instructions
· Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to simmer; simmer for 15 minutes. Strain into mugs and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 40 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Like the classic but with a delicious caramel-candy twist.
Ingredients
4 medium apple(s), unpeeled, Granny Smith recommended
1/2 cup(s) water
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 average cinnamon stick(s)
7 piece(s) Weight Watchers by Whitman's Caramel Medallions, or Pecan Crowns
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 350°F. Using a melon baller or paring knife, de-stem and core each apple, leaving the bottoms intact.
· Place cored apples in an 8-inch glass baking dish. Pour water around apples in baking dish. Add lemon juice and cinnamon sticks.
· Cut candy into 1/4-inch pieces. Set aside 8 teaspoons of candy pieces. Place remaining candy pieces into each apple.
· Place apples in oven and bake until apples are thoroughly cooked and fork-tender, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven briefly and top each apple with 2 teaspoons candy. Return to oven and bake until candy is just melted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove promptly and serve warm. Yields 1 baked apple per serving.
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 24
Preparation Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 14 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Halloween treats don't get any cuter. We made these mini so you can pop one in your mouth and still have a little candy.
Brownie Cupcake Bites
Ingredients
21 oz regular brownies, dry mix
1/2 cup(s) water
1/2 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce
2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
1 1/2 cup(s) lite whipped topping
1 1/4 oz candy corn, about 24 pieces
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 mini muffin tin holes with mini cupcake wrappers.
· In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, water, applesauce and egg whites. Mix 50 times with a wooden spoon (use 50 strokes); do not under mix. Pour brownie mixture into prepared muffin tins.
· Bake cupcakes until a tester inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely; remove cupcakes from pan. Before serving, decorate each cooled cupcake with a tablespoon dollop of whipped topping and 1 piece of candy corn. Yields 1 cupcake per serving.
