Holiday Dessert Survival Tips

Holiday Dessert Survival Tips

So, how can we eat those delicious Christmas desserts scattered around the family dining table without feeling guilty? Trust me, I know it’s tempting…we have all been there. Here are some friendly tips on how to survive the holiday dessert temptations with a recipe to make your own guilt-free dessert!

1.) Make sure to keep up with your daily exercise routine. The cold weather is not an excuse to stay in all day by the fireplace and drink hot chocolate. You are more than welcome to do that AFTER your daily exercise. Think of it as a reward. If the weather is absolutely awful, there are always indoor exercises that can make you break a sweat. If you have stairs in the house, climb up and down them a few times or jog up and down the last step. This way, you will include the cardio portion of your workout. If you don’t have weights, use canned foods or milk jugs to lift weights.

2.) If you are hosting the Christmas party at your house, don’t be tempted to eat all the food and desserts you make. Make your food items and store it away. If you see it out, you will mindlessly snack on it every chance you get. Also, if yourself or family members have health concerns, do your research online to find substitutes to make your desserts low cholesterol, low fat, or even sugar free. This will make it a healthier option for you and the family.

3.) Remember to keep your portions under control. Who said you should avoid the temptation to eat ANY desserts at a Christmas party?? A small piece of cake or a mini slice of pie is completely okay. It is Christmas after all right? However, keep your portions under control and don’t go overboard with a large piece of each dessert item at the party.

4.) Holidays are not all about the food. Keep yourself busy with crafts and decorating the house with at home materials to avoid the temptation of eating all the time. If you are at the party and can’t get away from the food, suggest some games, like cards or board games, to get everyone involved and to keep you from snacking constantly.

5.) Last tip: Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

Here is a recipe for Chocolate Cake that my family has used for many years. It’s simple to make and has zero cholesterol!

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

3 cups white sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Remove this ingredient if you want Vanilla Cake)

1 cup vegetable oil

3 cups water

3 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt. Add sugar and mix together.
3. Add oil, water and vanilla and mix together.
4. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.