Healthy Hanukkah Helpings
Consider this fact: Unlike other Jewish holidays, such as, say, Rosh Hashana, where apples and honey are the most recognized food of the holiday or Passover, where bitter herbs, eggs and harroset (a mixture of chopped apples and dried fruits with wine) play a prominent role on the plate – Hanukkah is all about The Gap. Case in point, here are 3 very Gap-alicious foods associated with Hanukkah:
- Hanukkah gelt (i.e. milk chocolate coins),
- Suphganiot (i.e. jelly-filled donuts) and, wait for it….
- Latkes (i.e deep fried potatoes and onions!).
Something is wrong with this picture! Even though I’m Jewish, like most of us, I am still going to many Christmas and holiday parties, facing all the challenges related to them. But to top it off, I’ve got calorie-laden Hanukkah food to contend with as well. I’m sure many of you who are reading this must be in the same boat.
So, to all of you who delightfully celebrate in the 8 days of Hanukkah, I assure you it doesn’t mean we’re necessarily in for 8 days of overeating as well! With a little planning, it can be a real festival of lights not a festival of fright (when you get on the scale, that is).
Here are some Decision-Free and Healthy Solutions/Phase 2 ideas for a low-calorie and healthy Hanukkah celebration. Anyone else have other ideas? Happy holidays everyone!
Decision-Free Recipes:
HMR Latkes
http://www.hmrdiet.com/Enjoy/Recipes/40/Risotto_Latkes
“Gelt” shake
Blend an HMR Chocolate shake with 1 teaspoon of malted powder or Ovaltine® and ½ of a Chocolate Chocolate BeneFit bar (frozen in chunks). Add 6-8 ice cubes and blend.
Healthy Solutions/Phase 2 Recipes:
Spice Latkes
http://www.hmrdiet.com/Enjoy/Recipes/417/Spicy_Mushroom_Risotto_Latkes
“Spin the Dreidel” Soup
1 HMR 500 Chicken Soup
1 veggie bouillon cube
1 HMR Pasta Fagioli Entree
1 parsnip (chopped into ¾ inch cubes, 1 sweet potato (3/4 inch cubes), 1 cup of cauliflower florets, 1 cup of Brussels sprouts (halved)
Garlic and onion powder, to taste
Place on a sheet pan. Spray with Olive Oil Pam®. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until veggies are caramelized (stir the veggies half way through).
Make the HMR Chicken Soup according to directions, using a bouillon cube for added flavor. Put in a BIG bowl.
Add the heated Pasta Fagioli entrée, roasted veggies, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy and spin the dreidel!
About the Author
Jenny has been a health educator at HMR since 2002, helping patients build healthier lifestyles and lose weight. She has 3 little girls at home and uses all the skills she’s learned at HMR to be a role model to them while at the same time making living a healthy lifestyle lots of fun!
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