There is nothing so sweet as the smiles from loved ones during the holiday season. And what isn’t there to smile about? The season is full of family gatherings, holiday parties, beautifully wrapped presents, and yummy treats! Ah, yes…all of the tasty and sugary treats. While they come with the season, in large quantities, they also hinder good health.
This season, alternate confections with sweet, healthy snacks that are good for your family, but also help combat your sweet tooth. If you are in need of some inspiration, try setting out one of the following:
You don’t have to feel bad about letting your kids munch on these. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, manganese, folate (B9), and potassium. And they taste great! Give them a light coating of dark chocolate (an excellent source of antioxidants), and you’ve got a crowd pleaser.
Save that extra dark chocolate for this easy-to-make snack. Stick some bananas in the freezer. Once they are solid, cover them in dark chocolate and then roll them in crushed peanuts. Bananas are a great source of potassium, which can lower blood pressure. Additionally, peanuts are protein-rich and help you have sustained energy long after you’ve stopped munching.
This dessert can be made a multitude of different ways. Take plain yogurt and layer it with your favorite granola mix, dried raisins or cranberries, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of honey. This concoction offers a nice serving of calcium and protein. And it may become a family favorite.
Warm up and crisp afternoon with this naturally sweet bite. Slice an apple in half and cut out the core. In a small bowl mix some quick oats, butter and a touch of brown sugar. Spoon your mixture into the center of the apple and bake them for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Feel free to experiment with the mixture: add honey, raisins, or cinnamon.
Photo via How Sweet Eats
Keep it simple with a sweet and salty, grab-and-go mix. You can make this as flavorful as you would like. Fill a bowl with your favorite nuts, or a mixture, and throw in dried fruit. Not sweet enough? Add dark chocolate chips! This is a fun snack that you can leave out on the table for little hands to nosh on all day.
Healthy and filling! Slice apples up and set them on a tray next to a bowl filled with Peanut Butter for dipping. If this doesn’t sound sugary enough for your little sweeties, add some honey to your peanut butter mixture. This is an option, you won’t need to fill bad about and your children will love.
Look, it’s the holidays! Indulging is part of all of the fun the season has to offer. But don’t undo the healthy efforts you’ve maintained throughout the rest of the year in a matter of just a month or two. Alternate between feasting on all the candied goodies and some naturally sweet and healthy options. Chances are, your kids won’t know the difference between the snacks and desserts that simply taste good and those that are actually good for them.
For all your other holiday fun, fuel up with these healthy options! This holiday you can give yourself the gift of getting an early start on your health-related New Year’s Resolutions.
RecTennis is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization | © 2024 RecTennis | Privacy Policy
I hereby consent to emergency medical and/or hospital service that may be rendered by or at accredited hospitals, by appointed physicians, in the event such need arises in the opinion of the duly licensed physician.
Acceptance of my entry in these events is without responsibility of any kind by the USTA/Pacific Northwest Section (USTA/PNW) and any other entity sponsoring the event. I do hereby for and on behalf of myself and my heirs and legal representatives RELEASE and forever discharge the USTA/PNW, its officers and representatives, from any and all claims, demands, and injuries, howsoever arising, whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA/PNW and its representatives, representatives of other sponsoring entities, or by third parties, which injuries may be in any way related to my activities during the tournament and any period traveling to or from the events described, and all such claims are hereby WAIVED AND RELEASED, and I covenant not to sue therefore. The parent or guardian by signing below, does hereby agree to INDEMNIFY and hold harmless the USTA/PNW Section and its representatives and the sponsoring entity from any liability which they may incur to the entrant, howsoever arising and whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA/PNW, its representatives, or the sponsoring body. I also give USTA/PNW permission to create a USTA account for myself and everyone in my party who is participating in the event.
I agree to be filmed and photographed by The United States Tennis Association (“USTA”) in connection with such participation and that the USTA will own any and all rights in such film and photography of me (hereinafter referred to as “Footage”). This will permit the USTA to proceed with taking such Footage and I now waive, as to the USTA and its successors, assigns and licensees, all personal right and objections to any use to be made of me, my name, likeness, voice or personality in connection with the use of the Footage in any media for any and all purposes, including trade, advertising and promotional purposes, in perpetuity and without further compensation. I understand that in proceeding with filming and photography of the Footage, the USTA will do so in full reliance on the foregoing permission.
By checking the box below you agree that you can currently answer no to the following questions: 1. In the last 14 days, have you experienced COVID-19 symptoms? Symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of these symptoms: (a) fever of 100.4 or over; (b) chills: (c) repeated shaking with chills; (d) muscle pain; (e) headaches; (f) sore throat; and (g) new loss of taste or smell? 2. In the last 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19? If you’ve tested positive, but subsequently tested negative for COVID-19 twice in a row, 24 hours apart, have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and other symptoms have resolved, then you can answer “no” 3. Have you been exposed to any individual who has symptoms of or has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or traveled to any known hot-spots for COVID-19? Exposure means a household member, intimate partner, or other individuals in prolonged close contact (within 6 feet for more than 10 consecutive minutes).
Players, participants, and any spectators or individuals that are participating in USTA and USTA PNW tournaments, programs, activities or events, acknowledge the risks associated with tennis, accept those risks voluntarily, and in consideration of their acceptance in the USTA and USTA PNW tournaments, programs, activities or events, assume all loss or damage, and any claim or demand therefore on account of injury and/or exposure to infectious syndromes or diseases to the person or property or resulting in illness and/or death arising out of or related to their participation, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. By participating or attending a tournament, program, activity or event, the players, participants, and any spectators assume all risks whether known or unknown. Furthermore, players, participants, and spectators agree to hold harmless the USTA, USTA PNW, and the host facility, their officials, (Released Parties) and the Released Parties employees and agents with respect to any injury or loss caused by negligence or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.
