Healthy Indulgence

It's easy to overindulge in treats during the holidays, but making healthy choices doesn't mean turning to lifeless dull snacks. Take time to stock up on health conscious indulgences that will keep you on track in making life long positive changes to your food choices.

1. Lovin' Scoopful is a "good for your soul" gourmet light ice cream exploding with flavor. It has half the fat and a third fewer calories when compared to regular gourmet ice cream and it packs an added punch. With every container of ice cream you buy, 25% of profits go to Special Olympics. Several flavors have about the same number of calories as a Red Delicious Apple and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

2. Speaking of Red Delicious, stock up on fruit! Starting the day off with a piece of fruit will jump start your digestive system and give you an instant burst of energy. Having a basket of "ready to go" fruit handy (preferably organic) gives you quick options for a healthy snack you can grab on your way out the door.

3. Go nuts! Seriously. Nuts can have a bad rap because of fat content, but a handful of nuts each day can help lower cholesterol and because it takes longer to digest nuts, the energy from them sticks with you and can help curb cravings.

How to pull it all together for delicious food all day long:

Start your day off with an apple (or fruit of your choice) early in the morning. Two hours later eat a high fiber hot breakfast cereal (I like a 7 grain). To make it extra tasty top it with a tablespoon of chopped pecans, a few dried cranberries, and a smidgen of honey (or stevia) for taste. For lunch start with fresh baby spinach. Spinach is rich in vitamins and nutrients with few calories. Instead of using a salad dressing, top it with sliced strawberries, blueberries, and a tablespoon of sliced almonds. Limit the almonds, but for the rest of the salad ingredients you can eat your heart's desire. Fill up on it! Wrap up your day with a wrap, but eat early. The later you eat, the harder it is to burn those calories before you go to bed. A good way to store fat is to eat and go right to bed. Avoid it! Starting with a low fat flour tortilla pile it high with fresh (uncooked) spinach from lunch. Rather than topping with fruit and nuts, top it with 3-4 ounces of grilled meat (trim any fat) and a thin slice of avocado. In all cases, eat slowly and savor your food. Chewing improves digestion and helps you get the most of the nutrients in your food. After dinner, serve yourself a 1/2 cup serving of your favorite Lovin' Scoopful Ice Cream. With the dinner wrap above, try Rockin' Raspberry Cheesecake. The tangy raspberry works great with the wrap.

Start making healthy choices now and reap the rewards in 2011. Happy Holidays!