Holiday Treats!!

 EVERYONE needs a treat or two during the holidays! These special goodies are fancy enough to share, delicious enough to want to keep all to yourself, easy enough to make in a hurry, and an added bonus? They won't wreck your eating plan!!  Missed the episode? Catch it here!

A fancy dessert spread that is surprisingly
quick and easy to throw together!

Stovetop Cookies

Traditional favorites on a favorite holiday plate!
Jen made this in first grade!

1/2 C Milk
1 1/2 C Sugar Substitute

Both versions are pictured here. Original on the right,
updated coconut version on the right!

3 generous T cocoa

1 C chopped pecans
2 C flaked coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 C Crunch Peanut Butter
1 tsp vanilla

Combine milk, sugar substitute and cocoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring consistantly to prevent scalding. When steaming and starting to bubble along the sides of the pan, add remaining ingredients. Stir together until well combined.

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, spoon out onto lined baking sheet or plate and allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes before eating.

**Option: If you like it and are using carbs, use oatmeal in place of the coconut or substitute 1 cup of the coconut for the oatmeal! You can also use dried fruits in for added flavor and fiber!*

Chocolate dipped strawberries are dazzling,
festive, fun, and surprisingly easy!!

Stuffed Strawberries/Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

1 Bag sugar free chocolate chips
1 pint strawberries, washed
1 block softened cream cheese

1/3 C sugar substitute

1 tsp vanilla

In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar substitute and vanilla. Set aside.

Create a double boiler by setting a bowl over a saucepan with 1/2 in water in the bottom. Bring water to a boil, turn down to medium low and allow to gently simmer. Put chocolate chips in bowl and melt slowly, stirring often.

Hull the strawberries and cut a well into the stem area of each one. (If desired, stem and hull half and leave the other half for just plain dipping!)

Fill the hole with a small spoonful of cream cheese mix (about 1/2 tsp). Dip the berries cream cheese side down to seal. If desired, cover the entire berry with chocolate!

To dip the unhulled berries, hold the strawberry by the stem and dip into the chocolate - that was easy!

So, you're going to have some chocolate left over after the dipping spree with the strawberries. Here's what to do with THAT:

Easy Overnight Meringues

These take a little planning, but are surprisingly easy to throw
together! Bonus - egg whites are PURE PROTEIN! Can't beat that!!

3 egg whites, room temperature

8 T Sugar Substitute

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Spoon or pipe onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 200 for 2 hours then turn off oven and allow to go for at least 8 hours (we do these overnight!). Garnish with leftover melted chocolate, dried fruit, berries - whatever you like!!

**Option: add some flavor and color to them by adding 1 tsp vanilla, freeze dried fruits, cocoa powder, or other flavor extracts. Make sure if you're adding fruit that you fold it in gently after the peaks form!**

So, now that you have some quick and easy recipes you can throw together in a pinch - GO MAKE YOUR OWN! When you do, leave us a comment and tell us what you did! 

Holiday Brunch Ideas!

The holiday season is upon us! That means entertaining - a lot! One fun way to entertain - and a fun thing to do for your kids on Christmas morning - is to have a fun brunch filled with small bites!

Our brunch spread included:

Mimosas

Sausage Balls

Egg Cups

Fresh Fruit 

Coffee

Milk

Mimosas
These festive drinks are a nice way to wake up the family on a cold Christmas morning. Adult and kid versions are given here!

Sue enjoying her Mimosa in a favorite Christmas glass!

Ingredients:

For the adults:

2 Cups Orange juice (we used a low-acid variety, but you can use whichever one you like and tolerate best!) - more if needed!
1 bottle champagne (we used a Brut [dry])


For the kids:

2 Cups Orange Juice
4 cups ginger ale, seltzer, or lemon-lime soda

Pour juice into a 2 qt pitcher. Add champagne and stir gently to combine. If needed, add more juice to taste. Pour into wine glasses or champagne flutes and enjoy!

**TIP** for a festive presentation, garnish the glass with a strawberry or float a maraschino cherry on the bottom (my daughter's favorite!)








Sausage Balls
This baking mix staple gets an upgrade!

This is a tradition in our family! Every
holiday morning from Thanksgiving to Christmas
to Easter and birthdays!

Ingredients:

1-1 lb roll breakfast sausage (look for one with no MSG!)
2 C shredded cheese (we used smoked Gouda for a special change!)
1 C baking mix (ours was a gluten-free variety)
1/4 C water

Combine all ingredients in a bowl with your hands until well combined. Using a small ice-cream or cookie scoop, shape into balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes or until browned and sizzling. Place on paper towels to drain off before serving - these are great hot out of the oven or room temperature!!

These nuggets are chock full of protein
and flavor and are a kid-pleaser!

Egg Cups
So simple. So easy. SO GOOD!!!

Ingredients:

8 eggs
1/2 C heavy cream

1 1/2 C shredded cheese (we used Jarlsburg Swiss for this - but you can use whichever cheese is your favorite!)
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled

Combine eggs and cream in a large bowl with whisk until well blended. Divide cheese and bacon evenly into 12 greased muffin tins (liners won't work for this - the egg will stick horribly to them!) Add egg mixture 1/4 c at a time until it is all used (it will divide evenly). Bake at 350 about 15 minutes or until puffy and browned slightly. They will deflate when you take them out of the oven so don't freak out! It's normal!! Remove from tins and allow to cool for a couple of minutes before eating.

For our fruit kabobs we took strawberries, cut pineapple, bananas, grapes, and orange sections and skewered them on wooden skewers! The kids thought it was greatness!

For the perfect pot of coffee:  Fill your coffee maker with cold water. Add 1/2 C ground coffee of choice (we grind our own!) and turn it on! Once brewed, flavor with fat free half and half and raw sugar or stevia, if desired. For some festive variation, add some cinnamon or nutmeg to the grounds before brewing and sweeten with honey or maple syrup!

Have fun with your milk and add food coloring for the kids! My kids' choices: Pink and red, of course!