25 Days of Healthy Holiday Treats

Hey guys! It's the 1st day of December... Who's excited? Let's start counting down to Christmas with 25 healthy yummy treats!

These treats are amazing, they're less than 300 calories per serving, but sweet enough to give out as gifts!

25. Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookies
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 12 minutes, chill: 4 hours
Find the full recipe here

24. Buttermilk Pralines - the pecans will give you plenty of monounsaturated (good) fat!
Time: Cook: 25 minutes, stand: 20 minutes
Find the full recipe here

23. Mini Raspberry Tarts - top it off with fruit!
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 11 minutes
Find the full recipe here

22. White Chocolate Holiday Bark - loaded with dried cranberries and antioxidant-rich almonds!
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, chill: 30 minutes
Find full recipe here

21. Linzer Thumbprints
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, chill: 15 minutes
Find full recipe here

20. Turtle Bars
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 30 minutes
Find full recipe here

19. Chewy Ginger Cookies
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, chill: 2 hours, bake: 15 minutes
Find full recipe here

18. Cranberry-Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies - whole wheat, fiber-rich oats, and omega-3-rich walnuts goodness!
Time: Prep: 10 minutes, chill: 8 hours, bake: 10 minutes
Find full recipe here

17. Cinnamon Streusel Crisps
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 9 minutes
Find full recipe here

16. Chocolate Chip-Butterscotch Bars
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, cook: 35 minutes
Find full recipe here

15. Peppermint Ice Cream Cake
Time: Prep: 10 minutes, bake: 28 minutes, freeze: 6 hours
Find full recipe here

14. Coconut Chiffon Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting - made with eggs and oil instead of butter!
Time: Prep: 35 minutes, cook: 20 minutes, cool: 20 minutes
Find full recipe here

We're halfway there!

13. Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies
Time: Prep: 10 minutes, chill: 1 hour, cook: 12 minutes

12. Gingerbread Cookies



11. Fruit Jellies - made with fresh fruit!
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, chill: 1 hour
Find full recipe here

10. Cream Cheese Meltaways with Lemon Glaze
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 10 minutes, stand: 30 minutes
Find full recipe here

9. Classic Iced Sugar Cookies
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, chill: 1 hour, cook: 10 minutes
Find full recipe here

8. Mint-Chocolate Truffles
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, chill: 1 hour, cook: 10 minutes
Find full recipe here

7. Black and White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, cook: 14 minutes
Find full recipe here

6. Micro Mini Cheesecakes
Time: Prep: 10 minutes, cook: 20 minutes
Find full recipe here

5. Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins
Time: Prep: 15 minutes, cook: 25 minutes
Find full recipe here

4. Brownie Bourbon Balls
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 30 minutes
Find full recipe here

3. Coffee-Hazelnut Biscotti - perfect with a morning cup of coffee!
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 48 minutes
Find full recipe here

It's Christmas Eve!

2. Lemon Bars
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 40 minutes
Find full recipe here

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1. White Peppermint Snowballs
Time: Prep: 20 minutes, cook: 12 minutes
Find full recipe here

Hope you guys will enjoy all these yummy holiday treats! Remember to stay happy and healthy this Christmas, and leave the belly to Santa!

Jessica Shum

References:
Health.com. (2011). 25 Days of Healthy Holiday Treats. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/thumbnails/0,,20324208,00.html

Prepare Your Family for the Winter Season!

Greater Vancouver is known for is unpredictable weather, but this year we have been hearing many predictions that it may be one of our coldest winters in 20 years [1]. Winter is one of the favourite seasons for kids – playing around in the snow and enjoying all the holiday festivities! However, for parents it may be quite the challenge without key preparations.

Stay Warm:

Playing in around in the snow and going out into the cold weather means dressing up your children appropriately. This will keep them warm and they will be less likely to get sick. Here is a video for some tips on clothing layering essentials:

It is also important to prepare your home and vehicles for possible winter storms. Planning ahead will allow you to comfortable and safely carry on during the winter season. Here are some tips to help get winter-ready and fun safe! [2]

Home:

• Shovel the snow on your driveway and sidewalk for fellow neighbours to walk safely
• Keep children safe; don’t let them play in roadside snow piles
• Have your furnace inspected
• Shut off outside water before snow arrives
• Assess the trees on your property and trim dead branches to reduce the danger of them falling on power lines or your house during a storm
• Have a flashlight, electric lantern, and extra batteries in the house
• Consider an alternative safe heating system

Vehicles:

Colder temperatures demand a lot of your vehicle and it is important to get you and your family around safely. Visit a qualified technician to ensure your vehicle is in good working condition, and when it snows – drive when necessary and only with good winter tires. Here are some items to keep in you car in the case of an emergency:

• Jumper cables
• Shovel
• Traction pads or chains
• Ice scraper
• Flare
• Blanket, warm gloves and boots
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Cell phone

For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit these websites:

Provincial Emergency Program

Port Coquitlam Winter Safety

Fortis BC

I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Cheers,

Krystal :)

References:

[1] The Vancouver Sun (2011). BC winter forecast to be coldest on record. Retrieved from http://www.vancouversun.com/winter+forecast+coldest+record/5530689/story.html

[2] Port Coquitlam (2010). Prepare for winter. Retrieved from http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/City_Hall/City_Departments/Fire___Emergency_Services/Emergency_Preparedness/Prepare_For_Winter.htm