Thanksgiving has past and now it is on to Christmas, Chanukah, etc. just a side note 2009 Chanukah begins at sundown on Friday December 11.
Most of us who wear CPAP- BiPAP need a little help in the weight department and have decided that come Jan 1 those New year’s resolutions will stick!
Why wait why not start now to reduce those calories.
Today I would like to share with you some of the alternatives we are using in our household to curb some of those calories.
Christmas tends to be the season of the Ham. Since we do not really eat pork we found that a Turkey ham is a good alternative. Turkey ham is lower in calories and taste good. To get that great Ham glaze forget about the brown sugar. Use a brown sugar substitute. We use apple sauce with crushed oranges with zest or about a cup of cumquats. A few cherries and blueberries to garnish and it’s a great lower calorie alternative.
Turkey is also a staple for the Christmas holidays in our home. We purchase Turkey Breast only. Thaw completely and remove the skin. Now use dried soy bread crumbs, garlic powder, kosher sea salt (has a better taste than table salt), fresh crushed pepper and mix dry ingredients in a large plastic bag. Mix 4 egg whites with 1 teaspoon orange Zest and cover Turkey Breast well. Want to add a little spice to egg mixture finely chop one jalapeño pepper and blend well. Place Turkey Breast in bag and get someone to help you shake and coat with dry mixture. Place in a Turkey roasting pan and cook as directed on Turkey package. No need to add moisture, but may need to tent last hour to keep from over browning.
Forget about all those sweet deserts and side dishes. Serve turkey or ham with garden fresh large salad. A multi grain dinner roll and your good to go. Now if you are southern you have to have pecan pie. Here is a low calorie alternative. Carmel Jell-O pudding. Cook variety not instant unless that is what you want. Cook caramel flavored Jell-O pudding and let cool. Take half of mixture and blend half tub sugar free cool whip. Use juice glasses and layer Jell-O pudding on bottom then a layer of cool whip pudding mixture some pecans to top and small dab of cool whip on top. You get that pecan pie taste without the extra calories.
If Pecan pie isn’t your thing try this… Take fresh strawberries and dip in chocolate sugar free pudding. Lower calories than paraffin chocolate dip.
Need an appetizer? Take Fat Free refried beans, mix with diced onion, celery, bell pepper and place in large serving bowl. Instead of Corn Chip use Veggie chips such as carrot, green bean, sweet potatoes etc. (Fresh celery, carrots, cucumber if you prefer).
This is my lower Holiday calorie tips.