Holiday Food Budgeting

A big part of the holidays is special meals and snacks.  Everyone seems to have favorite foods that they associate with holiday time. Buying the ingredients for holiday meals may mean a big jump in your food bill.   Here are some ways to help you serve your family’s favorite holiday foods without spending too much.

1.  Prepare less food.  

Many people eat too much during the holidays.  When you plan meals, think about cutting back on some of the extras. You can save money by preparing fewer foods, serving smaller portions of meat, and focusing more on vegetables and other side dishes.

2.  Plan to use leftovers.

As you are planning meals for the holidays, think about how you can make the best use of leftovers.  Leftovers are a real budget-saver.  Look for simple recipes you haven’t tried before to keep meals interesting

3.  Be a well-prepared shopper.

Before going to the grocery store, check your cabinets to see what you already have.  Read the grocery ads to learn what is on sale, make a grocery list and stick to it.   Use coupons for foods you are sure you will use.

4.  Serve water as well as other beverages.

Family members and friends will drink fewer more expensive beverages if water is available.  Drinking water also will help cut calories!

5.  Use fewer paper products.

No need to use paper tablecloths and napkins.   Paper plates, glasses, and cups are an unnecessary expense, too.  Use plates and glasses and have family members help wash the dishes.  You will be helping to protect the environment, too!

6.  Invite your guests to a potluck meal.

Ask your guests to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. Potluck meals can be delicious and certainly can lower the cost of holiday meals.  Having everyone contribute also reduces time and energy you would normally spend in preparing for the meal.

Remember….

The most important thing about the holidays is not about serving expensive foods.  It is about spending time with family and friends. 

 Adapted from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Get Moving!

We often find ourselves stuck inside during the winter months, unable to get out and be active.  Whether it is snow, ice or just too cold to go outside – what can you do inside your home to help you and your kids burn calories. When you can’t get outside to take a walk or go for a run, here are some tips to help you get moving inside your home! Get your kids to join in with you and make it a fun day. Invite a few friends over and make it a party.

• Stairmaster
  
  Use the stairs in your house to get moving.  Play some music to get you in the right mood.  Have your kids walk with you and see if they can count the number of steps.

• Dance Party!
  
  Put on your favorite music and have a dance party right in your own home.  Have a contest to see who has the best dance moves.  Divide into groups to create a new dance routine and teach it to everyone in the room. 

• We'll Be Right Back...
  
  While watching TV, get moving during the commercial breaks.  Make sure you are up and doing something during the break to wake your body!  Here are some fun things to try while your TV show is on break: 


• Hop on one foot


• Jumping jacks


• Running in place


• Push ups/sit ups

• Fun & Games
  
  Kids can play games together inside the house instead of watching TV or playing video games.  Here is a list of games to play inside if there is room.


• Hide and Seek


• Hopscotch


• Jump Rope

• Exercise DVDs
  
  You can find exercise DVDs in your local library.  You can play the DVDs on a home player or on your computer.  Try all the DVDs in the library and decide which one you like the best.
  
  
  
  

Whatever the season, it is always possible to get moving and burn some calories. Don’t let the winter blues slow you down. Keep moving….all year long! 

Festive Fruit! Healthy Holiday Dessert Ideas For Celebrating with Friends and Family

Serving fruit for dessert is a low cost, healthy, and tasty end to any holiday meal.  In fact, the ingredients for this fruit compote recipe might already be waiting for you in your kitchen!  Serving fruit for dessert adds fiber to your diet.  Fruit also provides a healthier choice to more common desserts, like cakes and pies. These foods have a lot of added sugar and fat..

The winter months can be harder when shopping for fresh fruit.  Fresh fruits  can cost more out of season, and may travel from a warm climate far away to arrive on your grocery store shelves. When fruit travels a long way it may not be as fresh and taste as good. . 

Don’t have fresh fruit on hand?  Frozen fruit without added sugar, dried fruit, and canned fruit packed in its own juice are all money saving and tasty choices.. They are just as healthy for you as  fresh fruit.  These fruits are picked at their peak of ripeness and flavor, and then quickly canned, dried or frozen to make sure they stay tasty.  Look for these types of fruit and stock up when they are on sale.  They will last for several months in your freezer or in your pantry, and are ready to use when you are.  Use as much or as little fruit as you need, and save the rest for another time.

Speaking of time, the holiday season is so busy, especially for the cook, and this recipe for fruit compote is a real time saver! It can be made one or two days ahead of your holiday meal, takes about 20 minutes to prepare, and is stored in your refrigerator.  Serve it warm, or at room temperature with a little low fat vanilla yogurt on top.  It is a healthy, delicious, and refreshing end to your holiday feast.

Family Meals

A busy work day can make it hard for families to eat dinner together every day. Let’s make a comeback with family meals! You can make a shared family meal healthy without taking a lot of time to prepare. Family meals can also be a great way to connect with your kids. Here are three steps that you can take to help create fun and enjoyable family dinners

1. PLAN!
   
   Look through the calendar and choose at least one day of the week to schedule a family meal.  It doesn’t have to be dinner - breakfast, lunch, and even snacks count too!


2. PREPARE!
   
   Do you have the supplies needed for the dinner? How about including your kids! Having your kids help prepare meals can be fun. Let them set the dinner plates on the table, toss the salad in the salad bowl or allow them to be your taste-testers before the meal is served.


3. EAT!
   
    Wait until everyone is seated before eating the meal. This can be a chance for the family to  all eat at the same time.  Take this time to talk to your kids and ask about their day. Family meals give parents a chance to be role models in eating healthy. Plan to have family meal time each week!