Holiday Grocery Shopping!
What’s in your December grocery basket? Do you buy the same things as the rest of the year? Or, do you take a chance and try special, seasonal foods? These 5 foods are must-haves for my December grocery basket and I suggest you try them, too. They taste great as they add color, crunch and a hefty dose of good nutrition to your day!
5 Great Choices for a December Grocery Basket!
1. Fresh Cranberries: Wash and chop them up to add to your healthy muffin or pancake batter. Or, make a simple, cooked cranberry sauce recipe by cooking one 12 oz. bag cranberries + ¼ cup sugar + ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice + 1 tablespoon grated orange zest. It’s a fantastic, fresh flavor for the season.
2. Nuts in the Shell: Offer these nuts as a healthy party choice, along with a nut cracker. It’s fun to guess which nut comes in which shell. If it’s a party with kids, then see who can juggle 3 large walnuts in the shell – which isn’t that easy. For all ages, nuts supply great flavors, fiber and healthy fat. To boost their flavor, try toasting nuts by using this ‘how to’ article.
3. Pomegranates: Treat yourself to a sweet/tart fruit that is a most rich red color. There are different ways to peel a pomegranate and the easiest I’ve found is to do it in 4 steps. 1. With a sharp knife, cut ½ inch off the top and bottom, flat. 2. Rest the pomegranate on a cutting board on the flat bottom and make about 6 straight cuts from top-to-bottom being careful not to damage the inner fruit. 3. Place the entire fruit into a large bowl of water and then ‘pop’ open one of the segments with both thumbs and gently rub the special seeds, called arils, away from the white membrane. 4. Collect the arils by pouring off the water through a strainer.
4. Butternut Squash: This is a perfect choice for learning to roast vegetables. Peel the outer skin with a good quality vegetable peeler, or just wash it well and leave the skin on. Here’s a great video showing how to cut the squash open and I’ve used her technique – it really works! After you cut it open, then scoop out the seeds and carefully cut the squash into bite-size pieces. Scatter them on a flat baking pan with short sides, add a cut-up onion and spritz very lightly with olive oil, salt and black pepper. Finish by sprinkling with fresh chopped or dried rosemary. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 25 minutes. Even kids love the sweet flavor of roasted butternut squash.
5. Dark Chocolate 70% cocoa or higher: In moderation this sweet choice is a good one compared to other rich holiday desserts. The main reason is that dark chocolate comes with science-based health benefits. It can contain up to 85% cocoa and, along with the intensity of flavor, dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants called flavonols that can reduce inflammation and lower the risk for serious and chronic diseases. Also, the darker the chocolate, the less sugar that’s used to make it into a chocolate bar — an extra bonus.
Healthy Holidays are Happy Holidays!
Good nutrition is a huge part of being well and feeling energetic day-after-day. So, during this holiday season, step out and make a firm promise to yourself to rely on good nutrition for a healthy and happy life. For help with your promise, LIKE my Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration. Sign up for my free e-book with 3 Tasty Meals. Invest in your future health with my menu and recipe e-book bundle. I’m here to help!
What will be in your December grocery basket?
Good ideas Cindy, have you ever tried making your own dark chocolate in order to control the amount of sugar/junk in it?
I’m so glad to hear your comment, Dale. No, I have not tried to make my own healthy version of dark chocolate…have you? Thank you for your interest!