The term healthy holidays might seem like an oxymoron, but you can have fun eating this season without sacrificing nutrition. Eating healthier during the holiday season supports your immune system and hopefully helps to fend off colds and illnesses that plague this time of year. Also, by creating healthy options for the holidays you are teaching your children the value of nutrition. Cooking with children is time well spent together, those are memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

Simple Healthy Holiday Treat Ideas:
• Fresh fruit with yogurt dip.
Cut up some fresh fruit, put them on a kebab, or simply lay them on a plate and offer some yogurt (or soy yogurt) dip. The flavored yogurts tend to have a lot of added sugars in them, so I opt for plain yogurt and puree some frozen berry juice into it (add honey if you like). Dip and enjoy!
• Fruit and Nut Balls
Use a quarter cup of the following: dates, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, coconut, dried pineapple, 2 tablespoons of carob powder, and ground almonds. Place all ingredients except ground almonds in a food processor and grind. Roll into balls and roll in the ground almonds. Keep in an airtight container.
• Warmed Fruit
Slice baked apples or pears on a plate and drizzle with honey.
• Popcorn and Cranberries
Pop up some organic popcorn and toss with cranberries. A low fat nutritious treat you can take with you.
• Healthy Rice Crispy Treats
Use your standard recipe but substitute brown rice cereal and add some flax seed meal for a nutty kick.
• Chocolate covered nuts
Love the health benefits of nuts and want to add a little chocolate zing? Simply melt some chocolate over a double boiler and dip the nuts in the chocolate. Let nuts rest and dry. Put them out at your next gathering or when guests come over.
• Making cut out cookies? Try replacing the white flour with ½ whole wheat flour and ½ cake flour.


All of these recipes can be easily made in minutes and are perfect for kids to help with. While it is inevitable that cookies with be eaten and treats will be made, make sure you take some time to keep yourself healthy. Some simple tips are: getting outside, exercising, drink plenty of water, eat a larger portion of healthy veggies, and most importantly have fun!