The year 2020 is finally coming to a close. I’m sure many of us never thought we would say that! This year has been full of ups and downs, emotional breakthroughs and hopefully, some wins. Learning to navigate through struggles is never easy but often where we find our strengths and can be the most rewarding. No matter what burdens, stresses and lessons this past year has taught us, reflecting on the past and celebrating the incoming new year seems to be a great way to create a vision of exactly what you are ready to accomplish in 2021!
Resetting Health Goals
Many of us want to start the year with a celebration and also want to reset our health goals. This past year, I have personally seen some additional pounds and adjustments in my normal exercise routine. The pandemic brought on forced isolation and caused changes in our routines. My preference is to exercise in groups as I find it to be the most motivating. I also enjoy goals like races to train for, which have obviously been put on hold.
January seems to be the time where we look back on the past big holiday seasons filled with overeating and often gluttonous amounts of sugar and calories brought on by family traditions and the “it’s only once a year” reasoning. So, now it’s time to pay attention to the scale. Reminder: healthy doesn’t have to be boring OR lacking in flavorful fun.
Healthy Cocktail & Appetizer Recipes
I put together a few healthy cocktails and an appetizer to share. This year, as we are still ringing in the new year while social distancing, it might not have the typical numbers that you are accustomed to seeing and with that transition, we can put in a little bit more time and love to what we are creating and sharing. The craft cocktails below are handcrafted with high-quality ingredients and the results were showstoppers in my crowd.
BEET SNEAK MARTINI
The color is beautiful and the beets are a conversation starter. Guests think they won’t like it but I have never had one person not finish their drink!
3 beets cooked and peeled (Pro tip: Trader Joe’s sells beets that are pre-packaged, cooked and peeled. Easy time saver that doesn’t affect flavor.)
2 apples
1 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
Apple juice
Vodka
Blend beets, apples, lemon and ginger in a high powered mixer such as a Vitamix. Strain. Use 1 cup of strained juice and approximately 2 ounces vodka, and place in a cocktail shaker with apple juice to taste as a sweetener, and ice. Pour in cocktail glass of choice and garnish with lemon wedge and/or crystallized ginger.
PARADISE ORCHID
The homemade apple cider makes this drink. Your whole house will smell amazing and festive. After you make this homemade, you’ll never buy it in the store again! Making it at home also cuts down on the sugar, which is not even needed when you have the right ingredients to start with.
Bourbon actually has health benefits that many might not be aware of. Too much of anything is never a good thing but a little whisky can do a body good. It’s known to lower the bad HDL cholesterol, is low in carbs, sugar and calories. It also contains antioxidants and absorbs harmful chemical compounds. Learn more about the benefits of bourbon here.
2 oz bourbon
1 oz St. Germaine Elderflower Liquor
2 oz apple cider (Here is a homemade recipe I love: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-apple-cider/)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Champagne
Add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and elderflower into a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a coupe glass and top with champagne. Float a dried apple on top (you can find at Trader Joe’s).
NACHO AVERAGE APPETIZER
1 bag flax seed tortilla chips
2 cups shredded brussel sprouts
2 cups shaved butternut squash
1 onion sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped sage
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
1 cup goat cheese
1 cup low fat white cheddar grated
Preheat oven to 375. Place brussel sprouts sprinkled with thyme on large baking sheet tossed with olive oil and salt/pepper to taste. Roast for 20 minutes then toss ingredients with a spatula. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until cooked to your desired texture (brussel sprouts can get overcooked and squash can get mushy). Place chips on oven safe tray and top with vegetable mixture, then top with cheese and bake in oven again until cheese is melted. Serve hot.