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
