Trim the Tree and Your Waistline: Healthy Holiday Treats

You're watching your wallet and your waistline this holiday season. You can enjoy tasty and healthy holiday treats without breaking the calorie bank or your bottom (line). Your guests' interest will skyrocket when you tell guests the treats and snacks are low in calories or fat. Fruits gift the healthy treats with bursts of flavor and nutrients.

Key Lime Pie: Fake It

Key Lime Pie is sort of green, somewhat tart and refreshing. Make your own low-calorie version of the pie by substituting the ingredients. Use individual dessert cups or shot glasses to make mini desserts. Crush a low-fat graham cracker on the bottom of the dish. Add crushed walnuts or almonds. Scoop in some fat-free Key Lime pie flavored yogurt. Top off with fat-free whipped cream. Decorate with a slice of lime.

Pears, No Partridge

Set a pear at center stage and wait for the applause. A baked pear, drizzled in flavor-infused chocolate adds a hint of elegance to any holiday spread. Peel two pears, remove their stems and core them from the bottom. Boil in 2 cups of water with one cinnamon stick, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg. Remove pears after 35 minutes, or when pears are tender. Drain excess liquid from pears and stand them up in small dessert bowls.

Melt one quarter cup of semi-sweetened dark chocolate chips and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in the microwave, for 10 seconds. Stir the chocolate and microwave for another 10 seconds or until the chocolate is melted. Drip the chocolate over the pears and serve.

Lightest Blueberry Mousse

Serve up a blue dessert using a 3 ounces of blue, sweetened gelatin and 8 ounces of whipped topping. Make the gelatin by adding one and a half cups of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Mix in the whipped topping. Refrigerate for half an hour and then drop in some clean, fresh blueberries. Let it set completely. Serve with miniature chocolate penguins or top with marshmallow snowmen.

Apple Crisp Not Pie

Share the delightful aroma of cinnamon and apples, without the fat-laden crust of a pie. Bake apple crisp instead for a satisfying and healthier treat. Peel and core eight Granny Smith apples. You can mix and match apples you have on hand. Cut the apples into bite-sized pieces and place in a baking dish. Drip three teaspoons of lemon juice onto the apples.

Mix together 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup of slivered almonds, one third cup of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg. Drizzle one tablespoon of honey on the top. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with a scoop of fat-free ice cream or frozen yogurt, fat-free whipped cream or non-fat Greek yogurt.

Sources

Personal Experience
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Poached-Pears-with-Chocolate-Sauce
http://www.food.com/recipe/healthy-apple-crisp-212972