Have a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving with These Tips!

So, here it is, my first blog post! I decided to create a blog to share recipes, workouts and just general healthy thoughts.  Since the holiday season is just about to start, I decided to start my blog off with a healthy Thanksgiving post.

Thanksgiving, a holiday revolved around eating delicious foods.  Just because it’s a day basically dedicated to eating, doesn’t mean your healthy ways have to go out the window. Follow these tips to enjoy your day the healthy way!

Enjoy a simple healthy breakfast, such as a yogurt parfait with vanilla yogurt, granola and your favorite fruit.  This way you won’t go into the holiday meal starving and ready to gorge yourself.  Once you’ve arrived, allow yourself to have a small plate of appetizers and then spend your time catching up with family and friends instead of standing by the table full of food.

If you’re hosting the main event, you can’t go wrong with providing lots of yummy veggies for sides!  Roast butternut squash or sweet potatoes with olive oil and some cinnamon and nutmeg for a Vitamin A filled side.  Sauté broccoli florets or brussels sprouts in olive oil with some garlic and onion powder for a delicious, healthy option.  For a healthier twist on mashed potatoes, use fat-free milk and half the butter.  White turkey is a great source of lean protein and contains minerals like selenium and zinc.  Have some turkey and then pile your plate with vegetables and then enjoy one serving of a favorite, less healthy, side.

If dessert is your downfall, bring a fruit salad to share!  Use a small plate, enjoy a small slice of pie, and then pile your plate with fruit.  Say no to whipped topping and after dinner drinks to shave off unwanted calories.

This year, I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my boyfriend’s family and have searched high and low for a delicious recipe to share with them!  I’ve found these perfect Black Raspberry-Brie Bites on Not Derby Pie’s awesome blog!

Black Raspberry-Brie Bites

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed and rolled to 1/8-inch thick
  • 1/2 cup raspberry or black raspberry preserves
  • 32 frozen raspberries or black raspberries, thawed and drained
  • Wedge brie cheese, cut into 32 bite-size squares
  • Powdered Sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Working with one pastry sheet at a time, slice into 16 squares. I start by slicing into four equal quarters, then slice each of those into four quarters to make each square the same size.
  • In the center of each square, place 1 piece of brie, 1 raspberry and a dollop of jam.
  • Wet your fingers, and run them along all four edges of a square.
  • Bring the four corners together, pinch at the center, and pinch along the edges to seal.
  • When all turnovers/bundles are created, place them 1/2-inch apart on baking sheets.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden.
  • Let cool 5 minutes, sprinkle a small amount of powdered sugar on top, then serve warm.

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Follow me on instagram so you can see the finished product on the big day!

Don’t forget to exercise!  Start your day off with a little movement. Go for a walk with your family, find a Turkey Trot in your area or head to the gym for a total body workout.  Then, after the main course, have the whole family join in for a touch football game to work of some calories before dessert.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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