Healthy Holiday Recipes

With the holiday season in sight, excitement fills the air as we get to take a break from our daily obligations, spend some time with loved ones, and, of course, enjoy some delicious food.

But there is a problem:

We also feel anxious. After all, we’ve spent the last months training diligently and eating well, and the season of indulgence threatens our progress.

The good news is, we don’t have to lose what we’ve worked for. With a bit of thought, we can make it work.

Your Nutrition Matters Most

Contrary to what many believe, your training merely directs the body toward an adaptation. For example, if you lift heavy weights, your training leads your body toward becoming stronger and more muscular.

But, your nutrition is what makes all of these adaptations a possibility. For example, you might be lifting heavy weights often, but if you don’t take care to eat enough calories and protein, your body won’t have the energy and building blocks it needs to recover well between workouts and adapt positively.

So, no matter your specific fitness and health goals, it’s important to pay adequate attention to your nutrition.

Still, this doesn’t mean that you can never enjoy yourself or take a few days off your nutritional plan. By all means, take the occasional break, and enjoy some of your guilty pleasures. What you do for most of the year matters a lot more than what you do for a few days around the holiday season.

The great news is, there is plenty of nutrition software and recipe databases that make our entire approach to healthy eating much more comfortable.

Two Healthy And Delicious Recipes to Try This Holiday Season

Here are two simple and healthy recipes to enjoy this holiday season:

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

To pull this recipe off, all you need are:

2 lbs Brussel Sprouts (trimmed and halved)
¼ C Vinegar
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to about 360 degrees F (180 C)
Spread the Brussel sprouts, vinegar, and olive oil on a baking sheet, and add salt and pepper.
Roast for around 15 to 20 minutes until sprouts become a light brown, and enjoy.

Brussel sprouts are fantastic for the immune system because they are full of many vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Thanks to that, they are excellent for our immunity, bone, and blood health.

Check out the full recipe HERE

2. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Broccoli and quinoa are both incredibly healthy, full of nutrients, and beneficial for our immunity. So, it’s only natural that we find a way to put them in the same recipe and boost our health this holiday season.

Plus, both foods are low in calories and make for fantastic weight loss dishes.

You’ll need:

2.5 C Fresh Broccoli
1 ½ C Cooked Quinoa (cooled)
1 C Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
3 Whole Eggs
3 Tbsp Almond Flour
Salt & Pepper to taste

How to:

1. Preheat your oven to around 360 degrees F (180 C) and oil up a casserole dish.
2. Heat the broccoli by following the package instructions.
3. Meanwhile, beat the eggs and mix them with the cooked quinoa, cottage cheese, and flour. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Once the broccoli is done, drain it well and add it to the mixture.
5. Add everything into the casserole dish and put it in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Plus, thanks to the increasingly more sophisticated meal planning software services out there, staying on track with your nutrition is easier than it ever was.

Check out the full recipe HERE

How to Exercise During The Holiday Season

Let’s face it:

Most people don’t like going to the gym around the holiday season, and that’s fair. The holiday season is about taking a break and spending time with loved ones.

A great way to keep active during this time is to find group activities you can do with your family. For example, you can play games together, having sporting matches, and go hiking.