Holiday Cheer

Holiday Cheer 

That time of year is near to provide a healthy holiday eating cheer. Eating healthy at the holidays can be as easy as it was eating with SFA all year. Let us feed you some tips to remember to take home with you this holiday season.

      Do not skip meals while at home. Remember to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t forget to treat yourself with a dessert too! Check out the recipe below, it’s your classic Christmas dessert made over!

      Choose a smaller plate! Bigger plates invite more calories, sticking with a smaller plate will help you with portion control without restricting your favorite foods!

      Put fruits & vegetables at the front of your homemade buffet line! This will remind you to add these options first.

      Eat s-l-o-w. Enjoy your meal as much as you’re enjoying the holidays!

      Get moving! Get the family together and go head-to-head with your own football game! Choose any sport for that matter, and get the family moving!

Dark Chocolate Almond Seed Bark

     

 1 pound(s) dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent cacao)

   1 1/4 cup(s) roasted whole almonds

      3/4 cup(s) salted roasted pumpkin seeds

     3/4 cup(s) sunflower seeds

 

Directions

1.      Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, finely chop the chocolate. In a bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, heat the chopped chocolate, stirring occasionally, until it is about two-thirds melted; do not let the bowl touch the water. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted and the temperature registers 90 degrees F on a candy thermometer. If the chocolate has not melted completely and is still too cool, set it over the saucepan for 1 or 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly; do not overheat.

2.      Stir the almonds and seeds into the chocolate and spread onto the prepared baking sheet in a 1/2-inch-thick layer, making sure the nuts and seeds are completely covered in chocolate. Refrigerate the bark for about 10 minutes, until hardened. Invert the bark onto a work surface. Remove the parchment paper, break into 25 pieces, and store or serve.

Did you know…

Dark chocolate provides flavonoids, antioxidants, and flavonoids. These provide protection from environmental toxins, help the body’s cell resist damage, and positive influences on heart health!

Nuts & Seeds are also nutrient-dense, meaning that it provides a plentiful amount nutrients such as magnesium, fiber, zinc, selenium, copper, and  of course protein! This holiday season you can have a sinful snack without getting put on the naughty list!

References:

Cleveland Clinic. (2013). Heart and Vascular Health & Prevention. Retrieved From: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/chocolate.aspx

Delish. (2013). Dark Chocolate Bark with Roasted Almond and Seeds. Retrieved From:   http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/dark-chocolate-bark-roasted-almonds-seeds-recipe-fw0311                                                                                    

North American Vegetarian Society. (2013). Nuts and Seeds. Retrieved From: http://www.navs-online.org/nutrition/healthfulfoods/nutsandseeds.php

Presents Picture. (2013). Retrieved From: http://ivysays.com/2011/12/13/ivys-christmas-wish-list-2/

Happy Holidays Picture. (2013). Retrieved From: http://www.trchamber.com/2009/09/welcome-to-the-three-rivers-area-chamber-of-commerce-website/

Blog written by SFA interns: Nikki Jupe and Rachel Trammell