A Healthy, Happy Christmas (pt 2.)

And we're back for part 2! Before you scroll past, hear us out. A healthy Christmas does NOT mean only eating salads and skipping all your favourite desserts. Moderation is a huge element, and we're here to give a few creative ideas that may make some menu decisions easier! Don't feel the need to change everything - pick one or two that appeal to you. To make it easier, we have broken it down into categories.

Enjoy these menu item ideas that will leave you feeling happy and healthy!

Main Meals:

•    Roast turkey, lamb, beef fillet or pork (one is enough – too much choice often confuses the enjoyment)

•    Whole baked salmon – stuff with lemon slices, dill and almonds and bake in foil on the BBQ or in the oven; serve with a bowl of light sour cream mixed with horseradish

•    BBQ meats – kebabs, steak, lamb cutlets or lean gourmet sausages

•    Seafood and fish – grilled, barbecued or baked (keep these simple to enjoy their delicate flavours)

Side Dishes:

•    Medley of roast vegetables; drizzle with honey or maple syrup and balsamic vinegar

•    Roast vegetable salad – potato, pumpkin, kumara, yams, parsnip, beetroot, baby onions can all be roasted in advance, then cut up and dressed to make a salad; toasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious garnish

•    Vegetable kebabs – thread pieces of kumara, courgette, mushrooms, pineapple, red onion and cherry tomatoes onto skewers and barbecue

Dessert:

•    Pavlova or meringue crushed and mixed with lemon yoghurt, blueberries and walnuts and served in individual glass bowls

•    Mango jelly garnished with fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries

•    Ice cream Christmas pudding made by mixing brandy-soaked dried fruit in softened light ice cream and then freezing in a pudding bowl

Snacks/Nibblies:

•    Bowls of roasted nuts, muscatels and figs

•    Chocolate-covered strawberries – mix of white chocolate, dark chocolate and plain strawberries 

•    Hummus or salsa with vegetable sticks

•    Mini pikelets topped with extra-light cream cheese, smoked salmon slices and capers

We challenge you to swap one menu item this year for a healthier option, and see how much you (and your guests) like it!

Keep an eye out later this week for a part 3 that involves some general bonus tips on how to have a healthy, happy Christmas this year.

(And as always, feel free to share your favourite creative ideas in the comment section below!)