Live Healthy NYC: We Give Thanks!The start of this holiday season...

Live Healthy NYC:

We Give Thanks!
The start of this holiday season...: We Give Thanks! The start of this holiday season has taken us all by storm! Literally. Those of us who live on the East Coas...

We Give Thanks!

The start of this holiday season has taken us all by storm! Literally.

Those of us who live on the East Coast experienced first hand how Mother Nature is a force not to be reckoned with! Nearly three weeks ago, Hurricane Sandy swept us away. Halloween was not put on hold and the kids who dressed as monsters didn't scare us half as much as a major power outage, a gasoline shortage, daily routines disrupted, and communities and homes torn apart.

It has been amazing to see how we as a community have come together to help repair and rebuild communities for those who have lost their homes. Supplies of water, batteries, clothing, and non-perishable foods have been donated in great abundance. Adults and children alike can be seen physically loading trucks with these goods and helping to pump out the water and clean debris.  

Everyone is doing their part to help. There are still a number of organizations that are accepting donations such as the American Red Cross, Roy Neiderhoffer's Foundation, and the Mayor's Fund, just to name a few. It is not too late to help out!

The worst of the storm has truly bought out the best in so many people.

And, this is where we are thankful. As the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, we give thanks for what we have, and we give help to others who aren't as fortunate.  

Whether you are volunteering your time on this holiday to help feed others or feeding your family and friends for this holiday, it is a time to share your generosity of spirit and kindness towards yourself and others.  

In keeping with kindness, I am often asked to share tips re: how to stay healthy for Thanksgiving. It's a meal filled with butter and calories. But, there are ways to eat healthy. Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight. With a little know-how, you can satisfy your desire for traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast. After all, being stuffed is a good idea only if you are a turkey!

#1)Get Active- Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories before you ever indulge in your favorite foods.

#2) Eat Breakfast- While you might think it makes sense to save up calories for the big meal, eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast- such as an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk. This way, you won't be starving when you arrive at the gathering. Eating a nutritious meal with protein and fiber before you arrive takes the edge off your appetite and allows you to be more discriminating in your food and beverage choices.  

#3) Lighten Up -Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, and calories.

#4 ) Police Your Portions- Thanksgiving tables are bountiful and beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before you fill your plate, survey the buffet table and decide what you're going to choose. Then select reasonable-sized portions of foods you cannot live without. Don't waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long. Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that only come around once a year so you can enjoy desirable, traditional foods. Skip the "seconds". Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings.

#5) Slow Down- It's not a race!

Eating slowly, putting your fork down between bites, and tasting each mouthful is one of the easiest ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food, experts say. Choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness.

#6) Go Easy on Alcohol- Don't forget those alcohol calories that can add up quickly.

#7) Be Realistic- 

The holiday season is a time for celebration. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, this is a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss.

#8) Focus on Family and Friends- Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious bounty of food. It's a time to celebrate relationships with family and friends. The main event should be family and friends socializing, spending quality time together, not just what is on the buffet. I have included a few recipes for a healthier holiday.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Raisins and Pecans:

5 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 ounce raisins

1 ounce chopped pecans

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup water

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F  

2.Spread sweet potatoes in a single layer in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with raisins and chopped pecans.

3.In a small bowl, mix the butter, syrup and water. Pour the mixture over potatoes.

4.Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven 50 to 60 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.

Garlicky Green Beans:

2 pounds beans, green, trimmed
3 tablespoon oil, olive, extra-virgin
3 tablespoon garlic, minced
3 tablespoon parsley, fresh, minced
1 tablespoon tarragon, fresh
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper, black ground, to taste

Preparation:

1.Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a large bowl of ice water next to the stove.

2.Add half the green beans to the boiling water and cook until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes.

3.Transfer the beans with a slotted spoon to the ice water to cool. Repeat with the remaining beans. Place a kitchen towel on a baking sheet and use a slotted spoon to transfer the beans from the ice water; blot dry with another towel.

4.Just before serving, heat oil in a large Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the green beans and stir. Add parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 3 minutes.

Cranberry-Cherry Relish Recipe:

 12 ounce(s) cranberries, fresh or frozen, (3 cups)
10 ounce(s) cherries, sweet, dark, (2 cups)
2 medium pear, bosc, or Anjou, firm, ripe, peeled and cubed
3/4 cup(s) vinegar, cider
1/2 cup(s) sugar, brown, light, packed  1 pinch nutmeg, ground
1 pinch cinnamon, ground

Preparation:

1.Combine cranberries, cherries, pears, vinegar, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large heavy saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring often to prevent sticking.

2.Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is tender and the relish has thickened, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool.

Maple-Walnut Apple Crisp:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup regular oats

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup chilled butter or stick margarine, cut into small pieces

3 tablespoons chopped walnuts

7 cups sliced peeled Rome apple (about 3 pounds)

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 375°.

2.Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, oats, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly. Stir in walnuts.

3.Combine apple and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss

well. Spoon apple mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish or 1 1/2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.