Tag Archives: Healthy

Celebrating and Still Staying Healthy During the Holidays

December 13, 2017
Sandra Shields, Healthy Food and Wellness Blogger, Health Coach, Balanced Living, Clean Beauty Consultant
3 comments
Energetic, Health & Wellness, Healthier Baking, Healthier Desserts, Healthy, Healthy Finger Foods, Healthy Holiday, Healthy Holiday Food, Healthy Main Dish, Healthy Snacks, Lifestyle, Positive

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The holiday season is in full swing and so is cold and flu season. We all want to stay healthy and enjoy this festive time of the year. Indulging in too many sugary treats and processed food when temptation is all around us can derail our best intentions and set us up for unwanted weight gain, sluggishness, bloating, fatigue, lower immunity and brain fog.

We all want to enjoy the gatherings, parties and festivities. You don’t have to be perfect with your eating, but a little extra care and attention can make a very big difference on how you feel going into the New Year without having to sign up for a new gym membership or crash dieting.

A good way to stay energetic, positive and healthy through the holidays is to get in the kitchen and make some healthy meals and your own healthier treats and snacks to take to holiday gatherings.

Here’s a few ideas from the recipe index to get you started.

Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Vegetables

Beef Paprikash with Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Cocktail Meatballs with Honey Orange BBQ Sauce

Zucchini Tomato Quiche

Oven Roasted Carrots with Cumin, Lime and Pumpkin Seeds

Lacinato Kale with Garlic and Almonds

No Bake Peppermint Ice Caps

Roasted Red Pepper Tapanade

Very Vanilla Truffles

Vanilla Pear Bread

Sweet and Salty Spiced Nuts

Grain Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake

Enjoy your holidays, and remember, there are many other ways to be festive, and food is just one part. We all love to eat, but other activities can be just as rewarding, if not more so in the long run, such as playing board games, going ice skating or other outdoor activities, playing good music, enjoying all the lights and decorations, taking in a movie (I’m thinking the new Star Wars), meeting someone for a coffee date, finding a new favorite read, watching movie classics, or even starting a new traditional food favorite that is good for you that people look forward to every year including yourself!

Happy and Healthy!

Sam

Lemon Baked Cod with Cucumber Plum Salsa

If you are looking for a fresh and light entree, this Lemon Baked Cod with Cucumber and Plum Salsa is perfect! The salsa is delicious over fish, and with just a few ingredients.

Lemon Baked Cod with Cucumber Plum Salsa

I am trying to eat seafood twice a week, and I like creative ways to enjoy it. Cod is a good source of B-12, selenium, phosphorus, protein, choline, Omega 3 and more. A fruit and vegetable salsa on top of the baked cod with the tang of a splash of white balsamic makes this the perfect spring dish, and also fantastic for the waistline, being a source of lean protein, while still being very satisfying! Gotta go try on my swimsuits soon. Does anyone else dread shopping for those? I love the quote, “Unlike Swimsuits, Flip Flops Fit Year after Year!” 🙂

Lemon Baked Cod with Cucumber Plum Salsa

Lemon Baked Cod with Cucumber Plum Salsa

Preheat the oven to 350º degrees F.

First the Salsa:

You want your salsa to have time to sit while the fish is cooked to marry the flavors.

Ingredients:

2 Ripe Plums, washed, peeled and diced

1/2 English Cucumber, peeled and diced

1/4 Cup of Red Onion, finely diced

2 Tablespoons of White Balsamic Vinegar (my go to 12 Year Aged White Balsamic – I don’t receive commission for sharing this. If you have an oil and vinegar shop, get yours there. It is superior.)

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions for the Salsa: After you have chopped everything, toss the plums, cucumber and red onion with the white balsamic and salt, and set aside to meld the flavors. Now the fish!

Ingredients for the Cod:

4 Wild Caught Cod Filets

Zest of One Lemon

2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste (don’t be stingy, the fish will thank you.)

Directions: Brush a tablespoon of olive oil on the fish, both sides. Use more if needed. Season your fish with sea salt and black pepper, and rub it with the lemon zest. In a non-stick, oven safe skillet, add the other tablespoon of olive oil, and heat to a shimmer over medium-high. Add your seasoned fish, and cook three minutes, then flip the fish gently and cook for another three minutes. Pop the fish in the oven and bake for five to seven minutes, or until the fish registers 145º degrees in the center. Be careful to check it after five minutes, because you do not want dry fish, and it cooks fast. Remove the cooked fish from the oven and drizzle the lemon juice. When serving, mound the Cucumber Plum Salsa generously on top of the fish….delightful!