Cooking with Josephine

As the holidays approach, it’s easy to overindulge and get off track when it comes to eating healthy.

Though you may not always have control of what foods are being prepared, here are some tips to make help you make better choices this holiday season:

• Don’t skip meals to save up for dinner. You are more likely to overeat when skipping meals.

• Offer to bring a healthier version of a favored dish, so that you can enjoy eating without the guilt.

• Prepare your dishes from scratch so you can control the amount of fat, sugar and sodium.

• Load half your plate with vegetables. Then add small portions of the not-so-healthy sides.

• Eat slowly so you don’t overeat.

• Choose dishes that you love and can’t get any other time of the year.

• Stay active! Go for a walk before and after meals.

That said, here are some healthier versions of some holiday favorites.

Apple Cranberry Stuffing

Serves 8-12

INGREDIENTS

12 cups toasted bread cubes

3 cups onion, diced

3 cups apple, peeled and diced

2 cups celery, diced

2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup unsalted butter

2 large eggs

3 Tbs. fennel seed

3 Tbs. fresh sage, chopped

3 Tbs. fresh thyme, chopped

3 Tbs. fresh rosemary, chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush a 9x13” baking dish with softened butter or olive oil.

2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion and cook for 3 minutes.

3. Add apples, cranberries, fennel seed and herbs. Sauté until vegetables are soft. Add salt and pepper to your liking.

4. Add one cup of broth. Once it begins to simmer, turn off the heat. Pour over bread and toss until well coated.

5. In a bowl, whisk eggs and the remaining broth. Pour over the bread mixture and mix until all the bread is well coated.

6. Transfer to the baking dish and cover with foil.

7. Bake for 45 minutes.

Pumpkin Spice whipped Yogurt Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

Crust

2 cups 2% plain Greek yogurt

2/3 cup pumpkin puree

½ cup heavy whipping cream

4 Tbs. 100% pure maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. pumpkin spice

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all ingredients except the pumpkin puree to the mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, whisk on low for until everything is well blended, about 30 seconds.

2. Slowly increase speed and scrape the sides of the bowl.

3. Continue mixing until soft peaks form and stand up without falling for about 3 or 4 minutes.

4. Once peaks form, gently fold in the pumpkin puree using a spoon or rubber spatula.

5. Refrigerate for one hour.

6. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.