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"ASK ALINA" BLOG

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

12/20/2013

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December holidays have been known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, but did you know it is also the most fattening time of the year as well? The fact is that an average American gains a few pounds during the month of holiday parties, family gatherings and food gift galore.

Because many holiday dishes are drenched with fattening dressings, I suggest making your own and then bringing them to group gatherings. Why not share the joy of healthy eating with friends and family? Here are some ideas on how to “accessorize” your holiday favorites, so you don’t deprive yourself of fitting into a fabulous New Year’s outfit!

Smoked Salt: To get the smoky flavor of fatty ham, simply add Smoked Salt to your side dishes. It goes great with lightly sautéed spinach with Portobello mushrooms and tomatoes.

Fresh rosemary, thyme and sage: Use these fresh herbs to season your meals – this way you will get holiday flavor without adding extra calories. Try adding them to your roasted sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, broccoli and Brussels sprouts to create a colorful holiday dish.

Go Green with Green Beans – Enjoy your green beans simply roasted with a touch of extra virgin olive oil and almond slivers. You will get lots of protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied. 

Mashed Potatoes Alternative – Try adding a mashed celery root, parsnips or cauliflower to your mashed potatoes to cut down the calories and the starch.

Stuffing – forget low-quality stuffing with wheat bread. Gluten is so last year! Make your own with Sprouted Ezekiel Bread – (recipe below)

Desserts – Opt for dark chocolate bark (recipe below) that is high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Better than Turkey – if you are still looking for a high-protein, meaty dish, then try this Chicken-Less Chicken with Gravy! It tastes and looks like poultry, but is 100% vegan and cholesterol free!

 

BETTER THAN TURKEY DINNER RECIPE

 
Protein Source:

1 Package of Lightly-Seasoned Beyond Meat Chicken, roughly chopped



Raw Vegan Mushroom Gravy

1 pound of sliced baby bella mushrooms

1/2 cup walnuts, soaked overnight and drained

1/2  cup cashews, soaked overnight and drained

1/2 cup Coconut Aminos (it is a soy-sauce substitute)

1/2  cup flax seeds, ground

4 cups filtered water

1 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground

1 clove garlic

Place mushrooms in coconut aminos and marinate for 1-2 hours.

In a high-speed blender, blend coconut aminos, water, pepper, walnuts, cashews and garlic  until creamy. Pour into a serving dish and stir in the mushrooms.  Let gravy set for 30 minutes to thicken.

Pour the gravy over the chicken-less chicken and serve with your favorite side dishes. My favorite meal would be this entrée with the stuffing, Brussels sprouts and cooked cranberries combined with cooked pears.







HEALTHY STUFFING

▪    1/2 a loaf of Ezekiel Bread

▪    1 sweet onion, chopped

▪    3 stalks of celery, chopped

▪    1 tbsp olive oil

▪    1 1/2 cups of veggie stock

▪    ¼ cup chopped walnuts

▪    1 tbsp fresh rosemary

▪    1 tbsp fresh thyme

▪    1 tbsp fresh sage

▪    Sea salt + black pepper to taste

Toast the bread until dry and crispy and cut in small pieces. Set aside.

In a pan, sauté celery and onions until onion is translucent. Add seasoning and walnuts and stir in for about a minute.

Add the bread pieces and let soak until desired consistency is reached.







ANTIOXIDANT CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY BARK

2 cups of dark chocolate chips

1.5 cups of walnuts

1.5 cups dry sour cherries

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup goji berries for topping

1/3 cup raw cacao nibs

Melt chocolate in a pan on the stove. Remove from stove and mix in walnuts, cacao nibs and sour cherries. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Place saran wrap on top of a rectangular plate and pour the chocolate mixture on top.

Cover with another piece of wrap and press with hands to let air out between nuts and dried cherries. Sprinkle with coconut, pumpkin seeds and remaining sour cherries.

Place in the fridge until chocolate is solid again. Cut in small pieces and enjoy!


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    ASK ALINA

    Why ask me?

    - After many challenges and different crazy life experiences I am living my dream life and since my friends say I am pretty wisdomous  and I think I am a little bit funny too, I want to share my life approach with you so you can live the life you love as well.

    Here is a little bit about me: 

    - I am a creator of #1 Best Diet as selected by Harpers Baazar Magazine

    - I started my career in the corporate world and didn't even know how to peel a shallot

    - I have been a chef for celebrities for over 10 years 

    - I have a realistic approach to food and life

    - I have a great relationship with food and can even let chocolate go bad because I simply forget I have it at home (something I wasn't able to do 10 years ago)

    - I eat carbs whenever I feel like it without any guilt

    - I used to hate to cook and now absolutely love  being a private chef and a food relationship coach

    - I wear whatever clothes I desire no matter what everyone is wearing or thinking

    - I am in good shape and my body’s biological age is 13 years younger than the one in my passport

    -  I have experience being super poor, super wealthy and in between

    - I’ve worked in corporate world and am now an entrepreneur

    - I was married and divorced

    - I used to cry going to work because I was so miserable with my boss

    -  I’ve had an emotional eating disorder

    - I moved from Russia to USA alone at the age of 15

    - I’ve lived in Russia, Europe and on both coasts of USA

    - I have been super skinny and overweight

    - I have been insecure and unhappy with reasons and secure and happy for no reason

    - I used to wear glasses and healed my eyes with the power of thought and exercises

    - I created "Couture Nutrition®" so you can have tailor-made solutions for your body and soul

    - My brain usually comes up with jokes to soften stressful situations

    - I think color coordination, sparkles and rainbows are underused

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*Disclaimer: The information provided in this program is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise, diet, or other health-related program, as there may be underlying medical conditions or other factors that could affect your ability to safely engage in such activities. The creator of this program and its affiliates are not medical professionals and are not responsible for any injuries or health problems that may arise from the use of the information provided in this program. 
  • ABOUT
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