CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOO CHRISTMAS!

I EFFING LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

I did a post on this about a month ago and we got together some good recipes... let me see if I can find it.

Ok, here you go.... I do NOT know what happened to it, but there are a lot of words added to it. You should be able to decypher the recipes though lol
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/353811-lets-get-a-jump-on-the-holidays?hl=lets+get+a+jump+on+the+holidays#posts-4962618

Since this is literally my job right now...:D
I've made this turkey, and it is delicious - brining makes it so juicy and flavorful, that you'll need less gravy! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html
I've never tried this recipe - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/apple-and-onion-stuffin-muffins-recipe/index.html - but in general I think the idea of baking stuffing in muffin tins is great for portion control!
If you want a mashed potato dish, I'd do sweet potatoes or yams, or possibly blue/purple potatoes, which are much more nutritious than your average white potato - for a savory version add roasted garlic, chives, and non fat greek yogurt, or for a sweet version try a little maple syrup or honey, spices (allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom etc.) and a small handful chopped, toasted nuts!
You could avoid a heavy mashed potato dish with something like this http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roasted-potatoes-carrots-parsnips-and-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html, that would still be filling, but is less likely to include fattier (dairy/sugary) things!
Homemade cranberry sauce - maybe with stevia, to cut down on cals - is always delicious, super easy, and is great with citrus zest!
Sauteed green beans, baked squash, roasted brussels sprouts....any simply prepared, seasonal, vegetable would be a great, easy, low-cal and nutritious side dish!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/riesling-poached-pears-with-cardamom-cream-recipe/index.html poached pears make a great, healthy dessert (or as healthy as a holiday dessert can be!), and are also stunning if you use a red wine. another option would be sweet potato pie (again, sweet potatoes are better for you!), less diet friendly but definitely better than some other options, or anything with small, individual sized servings - say, little ramekins with apple/pear crisps (that are mostly fruit!).

For drinks, you could try mulled cider, or wine - totally appropriate to the holiday, and the warmth and all of the spices, and overall richness of the drink, will likely mean you'll down fewer Otherwise, try to keep it simple, and balance out an liquor with stuff like seltzers/lime or lemon juice etc.! A vegetable crudite with a non-fat greek yogurt dip, deviled eggs (made mostly with mustard and not mayo), roasted butternut squash soup (low on cream), stuffed mushrooms (depending on what you stuff them with), roasted pear/blue cheese/watercress salad, pomegranate/arugula/pecorino, roasted beet hummus with pita chips...all would be great hors d'oeuvres or appetizers!

Good luck planning!!

For several years, I have been using Cooking Light recipes for Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Potato Casserole and Pumpkin Pie. My family loves them all! They may not be exactly "healthy," but they are still an excellent part of a "splurge" meal but still much lighter than the traditional recipes. You should be able to go to the Cooking Light website and find them all (and many more). Good luck!

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