When: Dec 14 (Sat), 2019 10am
Where: Harte of the Kitchen, Twain Harte, CA
Cost: $25
It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday season. But the feasts and parties that mark it can tax the arteries and strain the waistline. By eating just 200 extra calories a day — a piece of pecan pie and a tumbler of eggnog here, a couple latkes and some butter cookies there — you could pack on two to three pounds over this five- to six-week period. That doesn’t sound like much, except few people shed that extra weight in the following months and years. You don’t need to deprive yourself, eat only boring foods, or take your treats with a side order of guilt. Instead, by practicing a bit of defensive eating and cooking, you can come through the holidays without making “go on a diet” one of your New Year’s resolutions.
We will cover:
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Cooking from (and for) the heart. Show family and friends that you really care about them, be creative with recipes less of the “bad" oils and fats and increasing oils high in Omega 3’s and “skinny" saturated fats like, coconut oil. Prepare turkey, wild game or salmon instead of red meat.
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Preparing your body for a party or dinner. Before setting out for a party, eat something so you don’t arrive famished. Pre-party snacks combine complex carbohydrates with protein and unsaturated fat, like apple slices with peanut butter or a slice of turkey and avocado on whole-wheat pita bread.
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Drink to your health. A glass of eggnog can set you back 500 calories; wine, beer, and mixed drinks range from 150 to 225 calories. If you drink alcohol, have a glass of water or juice-flavored seltzer in between drinks. Above all, avoid alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol increases your appetite and diminishes your ability to control what you eat.
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Make room for veggies. At meals and parties, don’t ignore fruits and vegetables. They make great snacks and even better side or main dishes — unless they’re slathered with creamy sauces.
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Pay attention to what really matters. Although food is an integral part of the holidays, put the focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer. If balance and moderation are your usual guides, it’s okay to indulge or overeat once in a while.
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Selecting healthy meats and other proteins. The right meat is an important part of a healthy diet. It can provide prot8 and important essential amino acids. But there are other options available if you know what to look for.
Join me at The Harte of the Kitchen to learn how to maneuver through the holidays with health and happiness.
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