Healthy Holiday Recipes

The holidays are here! The holidays are a time filled with wonderful family, and delicious food. If you are looking for healthy and yummy recipes to try out this holiday season... look no further.

Here are 4 recipes for you to enjoy without the guilt. Don't forget, before indulging in all the tasty treats, dishes, and sides, to take Lifetones Digestive Enzymes to help assist your body in digestion! 

1. Christmas Cheese Balls

Ingredients:
4, 8oz. packages of softened cream cheese
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 can chopped ripe olives, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
minced fresh parsley
paprika
assorted crackers 

Directions:
1. Beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese in a small bowl
2. Stir in pecans, milk, olives, garlic, and salt
3. Divide mixture into thirds, and roll each into a ball
4. Roll 1 ball in parsley, 1 ball in the pecans, and 1 ball in the paprika. Cover and refrigerate 
5. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving, serve with crackers

Recipe By: Taste of Home

2. Minted Beat Salad

Ingredients:
5 medium fresh beets
2 tablespoons of water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint

Directions:
1. Trim the tops of the beets, and scrub clean. Place beets in a microwave safe dish, drizzle with water, and microwave covered for about 14-15 minutes until easily pierced with a fork
2. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut the beets into 3/4 in. pieces
3. In a bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper until blended. Add olives, beets, and 1 tablespoon of mint, toss to coat. Refrigerate covered, until cool, then top with remaining 1 tablespoon of mint

Recipe by: Taste of Home

3. Dark Chocolate Bark with Cherries

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons quinoa
½ cup dried tart cherries
2 cups dark chocolate chips
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons roasted salted pepitas

Directions:
1. Over medium low heat, for about 3-5 minutes, toast the quinoa until golden
2. Chop the dried cherries
3. Fill a skillet half way with water and bring to a simmer. Place the chocolate in a metal or glass bowl, and place the bowl on top of the water, stir until melted. When the chocolate is fully melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of quinoa, ¼ cup of the cherries, and ¼ cup of the pepitas
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the chocolate mixture over the parchment. Sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of quinoa, ¼ cup cherries, and 2 tablespoons pepitas
5. Place in the fridge for at least 15 minutes until hardened

Recipe by: A Couple Cooks

4. Healthy Gingerbread Loaf

Ingredients: 
1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

For the glaze:
2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coconut oil

For the topping:
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons pistachios 

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line a loaf pan with parchment
2. Whisk coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, egg, vanilla, and almond milk until smooth
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt and add to the first mixture 
4. Pour the batter into a loaf pan, and sprinkle the top with coarse sugar
5. Bake for about 35-45 minutes
6. To make the topping: Add white chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth and melted
7. Drizzle the topping over the cooled loaf, and top with the cranberries and pistachios 

Recipe by: Ambitious Kitchen

We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday this year! Be sure to let us know which recipes were your favorite!