Healthy Holiday Treats

Traditionally, the holiday season provides us with an ample amount of 'unhealthy' food choices. Eating healthy while also enjoying socializing can become a somewhat mysterious endeavor. However, it is possible to maintain your healthy eating habits while also enjoying variations on 'traditional' dishes. Here we will share some recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth while avoiding refined sugars. Welcome to the world of fruit and its natural sweetness. No refined sugars, powders, or artificial sweeteners allowed!

Fruit can be enjoyed in a wide variety of states. Fruit juice can be enjoyed freshly squeezed, prepared in a juicer, or from a concentrate. Mashed fruit can be used in baked goods, as a spread/jam or as a topping. Pureed fruit can be enjoyed as a syrup or topping, amongst other uses. Both methods are great for homemade baby foods. Whole fruit can be poached, steamed, baked, eaten raw, or sliced/cubed/diced into baked goods. Of course, there is dry fruit which has been dehydrated and contains high sugar amounts. This can be used in fruit breads, cereals, granola, or used as a snack. Let's go experimenting….

Mixed Fruit and Nut Balls (makes 12-14) great for entertaining!

¼ cup chopped dates
¼ cup dried cherries, chopped
¼ dried pineapple, chopped
¼ cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons carob or cocoa powder
¼ cup unsweetened coconut
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
¼ cup sunflower seeds
Ground almonds

Place all ingredients into blender/food processor and grind together. Form mixture into 24-26 small balls. Roll in ground almonds. Store in airtight container. Each serving (2 balls) contains: 94 cal, 2g protein, 6g fat, 2mg sodium, 104mg potassium. Exchange: 1 fruit, 1 fat.

Tropical Sweet Potatoes (serves 6) wonderful for your holiday feast!

6 sweet potatoes
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate
¼ cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate
2 cups cranberries, halved

Steam sweet potatoes til tender. While they are cooking, combine remaining ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook over medium heat til cranberries 'pop' and the sauce thickens. Stir frequently. Place sweet potatoes into mixing bowl and add fruit mixture. Mix thoroughly while mashing with a fork. Add a dollop of butter, if desired, prior to serving.

Cranberry Orange Bread (serves 8-12) great gift idea!

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons orange grind, grated
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup cranberries, chopped
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup almonds or walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350. Combine fruit, nut, egg, juice, oil, and grind together. Add in dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly. Pour into an oiled 9x5" baking pan. Bake in 350 oven for about 45-50 minutes, til toothpick comes out clean when poked into center. Cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

Apple Cheese Pie (serves 6-8) dessert or gift!
(spinach provides a surprise sweetness!)

4 apples, peeled/cored/sliced
3 bunches spinach leaves (Cooks To 1 Cup) Rinsed And Chopped
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup lowfat ricotta cheese
1 cup lowfat milk (dairy or soy)
¼ cup apple juice, frozen concentrate
3 tablespoons Neufchatel Cheese
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Crust:
3 cups bread crumbs
3 tablespoons apple juice, frozen concentrate

Preheat oven to 350. Steam spinach and apples until tender. Cool. Set aside.
Combine bread crumbs and 3 tablespoons juice in bowl.
Lightly grease a 9" pie pan and press bread crumbs onto bottom and sides.
In large bowl, mix together eggs, cheese, milk, 1/4 cup juice concentrate and cinnamon. Add spinach and apples.
Pour into pie pan. Bake in 350 oven for about 50 minutes, til knife comes out clean when poked into center.
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These are but a sampling of fruit sweetened delights available to you once you begin experimenting with the wonderfully natural array of choices available. For these, and other recipes, look in my cookbook titled 'Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth Naturally' - available for purchase online at http://www.myuniquecookery.blogspot.com.