Here are my picks for healthy menu items you can try. Add to the mood with candles, grocery store roses (call and ask for petals for cheap), and a Valentine’s-themed menu you make on your computer to place in front of the seats. I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love, hugs, and great food!

Rosemary Skewered Chicken with Orange Glaze - from The Biggest Loser

If it’s on The Biggest Loser, you know it is healthy. I like that this has a sweet taste without being filled with sugar. I recommend trying this with white fish like rockfish, cod, or tilapia or jumbo shrimp, perhaps without the skewer. Look for wild caught fish found in U.S. waters.

Winter Vegetables - served at Barack Obama’s Inaugural Luncheon

If it is good enough for the President, it is good enough for us! You’ll have to scale back the recipe unless you plan to serve 10 people, but these hearty winter veggies will go great with grilled chicken or fish. Asparagus, carrots, brussel sprouts, and beans with a hint of citrus means you don’t need to douse your nutritious side dish in butter or cream.

Red Velvet Cupcakes – because it’s Valentine’s Day

You would never know these sinfully delicious cupcakes are actually healthy. One cupcake has only 6 grams sugar, 1.5 grams saturated fat, and 180 calories. We’re talking about dessert, here, with a cream cheese icing! Oh yeah… This will be the perfect end to a healthy meal served up from the bottom of your heart.

Also Read:

The Best Healthy Aphrodisiac Foods

Healthy Dinner for Your Honey This Valentine’s Day

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A Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner for Your Sweetie

Today’s guest author is Heba Salama. You’ll remember Heba, and her husband Ed Brantley, from Biggest Loser season six, during which they lost a combined total of 277 pounds. Heba became the first woman to win the at-home prize for the highest percentage of weight lost amongst all contestants eliminated during the game; Ed finished in second place. In addition to continuing to lead as examples in the fitness realm, the couple has been busily working on a new healthy cookbook due to release spring 2010 and has embarked on a fitness campaign for 2010. Learn more at EdAndHeba.com.

Let’s face it: any celebration is cause to hit the “diet pause button.” The simple word “celebration” usually denotes lots of calories just by reading it. But a celebration with the actual title “Fat Tuesday” must mean double trouble, or double chin. If I have learned one thing since being in the real world after The Biggest Loser, it’s definitely that none of these things have to be the case. I started to think about healthier ways to eat a King Cake. I turned to my husband, the chef, and his suggestion: make sure you run for 18 hours, and then you have earned yourself a piece. Thanks, honey. But for those of us looking for more realistic options, here are my top five tips for turning this into a great holiday you won’t feel guilty about!

1. Pick your Poison. Before you go out for your celebration, make a conscious decision and choose to either indulge by having a few cocktails OR having a few higher calorie food items. The combination of choosing both will be what gets you into “trouble.” A great low calorie “mocktail” option is club soda, lime and a splash of cranberry juice- you will never even miss the booze!

2. Make it a Progressive Dinner. Invite your neighborhood friends to join you in the celebrations by organizing a Mardi Gras-themed progressive dinner. Each house has a different dish with Cajun roots, and the group travels by foot from house to house to enjoy the food and festivities. Who says you can’t get a little exercise while at a dinner party?

3. Clean-up the Street Fair Foods. Always popular around Mardi Gras are the street vendors with their fried, sugary and high calorie treats. Our favorite remake? The healthy moon pie:

• 1 Low Calorie Graham Cracker (chocolate or regular flavor)
• ½ sliced banana
• 2 tbsp Low Calorie Whipped Topping

Break graham cracker in half and spread whipped topping. Cover with sliced bananas and top with other half of cracker.  Wrap in festive colored plastic wrap and leave in freezer 2-4 hours…enjoy with out the guilt!

4. Run a Race.  This may be leaning towards Ed’s suggestion of running for 18 hours to earn some authentic King Cake, but my first official trip NOLA will be to run my very first (of many) half marathons! Check out the site and get going!

5. Make Healthy Swaps.  These are some of our favorite healthy takes on or swaps for traditional Fat Tuesday fare:

• Jambalaya made with skinless chicken breast, turkey sausage and shrimp- all the flavor and a lot less of the fat!
• Seafood Etoufee sans roux. Sounds fancy, right? Roux is a French word and is a flour mixture used to thicken dishes.  You can make a traditional seafood etoufee without the roux by serving the crawfish, shrimp and crab broiled or boiled over brown rice, but with all of the spice!
• The Ultimate King Cake Swap: Angel food cake with frozen whipped topping made in all the right colors! To make it a layered cake simply slice the cake in half, spread whipped topping down the middle, restack and keep cool until ready to serve. Then allow your guests to decorate…don’t forget to hide the traditional “baby” in the cake!
• Good old seafood boil. Fill up your pot with clams, turkey sausage, shrimp, crawfish, corn and all the spices you can handle for the best and healthiest broil you have ever tasted…so much fun too!

This year, Mardi Gras takes place on February 16.

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Not-So-Fat-Tuesday: Healthy Mardi Gras Tips from Biggest Loser’s Heba

Following the holidays, February might be one of the biggest offenders, serving up a calorie-filled platter of Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. What’s a girl, or guy, supposed to do? Push right through the pain!

Your will power is much stronger than any goo-filled heart could ever hope to be. Nevertheless, you’ll want to celebrate alongside everyone else. So, we’ve got some tips on how to do so, not fall off the wagon, and cruise right in to March lighter and more motivated to take on St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break!

Super Bowl XLIV – February 6

The Colts and the Saints are gearing up for professional sport’s most anticipated game, and you’re probably gearing up for a greasy buffet of finger foods. Not everyone is going to want to eat “rabbit food,” including yourself, during the football game.

Here’s what you do:

• Have a balance of food options available. If there’s pizza, order one with pepperoni and one vegetarian on thin crust. If there’s a platter of treats, make healthier homemade desserts instead of store-bought.
• Go green. A platter of fresh fruits and vegetables is always great for snacking and finger foods. If you have to dip, serve hummus or salsa, or a try this caramel apple dip.
• Go light on the beers. And we mean this in two ways – choose light beers over full-calorie options and limit yourself to just one or two, drinking water the remainder of the party.

Also try:

• Biggest Loser’s Super Bowl Recipes by Curtis Stone
• Healthy Tailgating Recipes and Food Swaps

Valentine’s Day – February 14

Your sweetheart will no doubt offer a gift of sugar-coated decadence. And you may even find yourself in a kid’s school party.

Here’s what you do:

• Go ahead and enjoy the chocolate. Just stick to the darker chocolates with high cocoa percentage, as these are filled with antioxidants, have less sugar and therefore less calories.
• Be an advocate for health. If you’re attending a child’s school party, or even sending them with goody bags, make the goodies non-edible. Stickers, pencils, party games or a small tub of Play-Doh, it’s all fun and new to them and they won’t miss the cookies or candy.
• Take it easy at dinner, but nevertheless indulge a little. Have a glass of champagne or a glass of wine, but not both. Split a dessert or ask for a smaller portion, and take it to go so you have time to digest.

Also try:

• Valentine’s Parties Mean Calorie Crush for Kids
• Healthy Dinner for your Honey this Valentine’s Day

Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday – February 16

As if New Orleans didn’t have enough going on with the Super Bowl this year, they’re going to turn right around and dive head-first into Mardi Gras. Whether celebrating on Bourbon St. or in your own home,

Here’s what you do:

• Keep the alcohol to a minimum. Not only will you save loads on empty calories, you’ll not earn a beaded necklace in an embarrassing moment!
• Prepare traditional foods at home, rather than from a restaurant. You can control the ingredients – like swapping white rice for brown rice in gumbo.
• Walk it off! One great thing about Mardi Gras is that it’s a mobile celebration. So wear comfy shoes and get moving!

Also try:

• New, Healthier Mardi Gras Favorites
• Fast-Food Fish Sandwiches Make for Lenten Calorie Bombs

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How to Survive the February Food Holidays on a Diet

As we approach the close of 2009, we want to thank you for allowing DietsInReview.com to be your chosen source for health, diet and weight loss guidance. With a dedicated team of health and wellness professionals, it’s our pleasure to introduce the latest and greatest, alongside the the tried and true, in a manner that helps you decide the best way to actively live your healthy lifestyle.

We look forward to serving you well in to the new year.

Happy holidays and happy new year from everyone at DietsInReview.com!

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Happy Holidays from DietsInReview.com

Celebrate this holiday with flavorful recipes that offer a healthy alternative or introduce a new taste to your family’s table.

Apricot Citrus Stuffed Ham

Simple Mashed Cranberries

Roasted Turkey Breast

Vegetarian Rice Casserole

Braised Collard Greens with Red Wine

Sweet Potatoes a l’Orange

Once you’ve prepared your main dish, or a hearty side, you and your guests are no doubt going to want to satisfy your sweet tooth. Take the “all things in moderation” approach, meaning have a little bit but don’t overdo it, and you can enjoy all your favorites from the holiday meal.

Cranberry Cosmo

Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini

Rhubarb Iced Tea

Chocolate Espresso Whole Wheat Bread

California Raisin Golden Rice Pudding

Apricot Souffles

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Healthy Holiday Recipes

The comfort of Christmas traditions come from the memories that surround them, not just the ones being created but also memories from years past. Memories can be stored in any of our senses, including taste. Have you ever heard a song from your childhood and experienced a rush of memories from that period in your life? There is one song that will always remind me of the summer before my freshman year of high school. Does a certain smell remind you of a specific person? My grandmother had a lilac bush large enough for us to play inside of it; the scent of lilac always brings her to mind.

The decorations, the carols, the people, and even the food are all important parts of connecting to and creating holiday memories. For that reason, I will respectfully disagree with my friend, at least on Christmas. Of all times, you are most likely to feel denied and even sad if you do not partake in certain special foods.

Some of your normal holiday fare may be able to be excluded if it does not have any personal meaning or attachment for you. Shrimp cocktail is a Christmas tradition in my family, but I have never eaten seafood so it has never mattered to me. You may be able to alter some of the family recipes to make them more acceptable in your meal plan. Everyone enjoyed the cranberry sauce I made from all fresh ingredients for Thanksgiving, even though it was not what we normally have at family gatherings.

However, Grandma is not as likely to change the recipe she has used for years. If it is a special food for you, you can still partake in appropriate portions. You do not have to eat even an entire piece to enjoy your favorite pie. Savor and focus on what you are eating. If my grandmother has made baklava I will have some, but I will not have seconds or thirds. Instead I will drink more water while I eat and coffee when I have had enough.

I can distract myself playing with the children running around the house or engaging the teens in conversation. If you allow yourself to sample, you will not be distracted by the forbidden treats in the kitchen, you can relax, focus on loved ones, and fully enjoy your holiday moments.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Moderation, Not Avoidance, Key for Holiday Celebrations

• Most importantly, model healthy behavior. If you are busy scarfing down the sugar cookies, it’s difficult for your children to be happy with a plate of carrot sticks. Make great choices for yourself and your kids will follow suit.

• Plan ahead. Before attending a party, give your kids a healthy snack – cut up apples, string cheese, a serving of almonds. They are less likely to overindulge if they’ve had a snack. Also, bring a dish to share like a fruit salad or a veggie tray. Kids will eat healthy snacks if they are presented with them.

• Increase activity. Time off from school and work is a perfect time to exercise together as a family. If weather permits, why not take a walk on the beach or a hike through the woods? Have access to an indoor pool? Swim relay races. Go to a track and race each other, ride bikes or play Wii, a guaranteed heart pumping activity.

• Do you have a must-have treat? Go ahead and make the sugar cookies that everyone looks forward to, eat one or two yourself, and then pack up the rest for your mailman, trash collector or UPS delivery guy. A little treat isn’t bad – just don’t overdo it.

• Last, have your children help you in the kitchen. Cooking healthy meals together gives you teaching moments, helps create bonding opportunities and can leave your children with lessons that will last a lifetime.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Helping Kids Have a Healthy Holiday

Most of us have mothers and/or grandmothers who are baking goodies this time of year. In my case, I live across the country from my mother. And last week I got a package with chocolates and cookies. My wife is trying to get in shape for a run after the new year. So, as the loyal and caring husband that I am, I promised to “take care” of the sweets myself.

Oh, what we do for love.

I have a soft spot for milk chocolate. But, if you have a taste for the dark variety, some moderate portions may not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but may also be good for you.

It’s not breaking news that dark chocolate has health benefits. But, researchers are finding new potential benefits:

Chocolate is Brain Food - Studies show that flavonols in dark chocolate increase cerebral blood flow, which may trigger the creation of new blood vessels and brain cells.

Chocolate Helps with Heart Attacks - While chocolate may not prevent heart attacks, it may weaken them. A new study showed that people with heart disease who ate chocolate regularly were less likely to die following a heart attack.

Chocolate Good for Your Teeth – There is a compound in chocolate called theobromine that may be just as good as fluoride for hardening tooth enamel.

(via: Real Age)

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Enjoy a Healthy Holiday with Chocolate

Here are a few recipe suggestions from Kelly Sundstrom at Livestrong.com:

Pumpkin Pie - The main ingredient (pumpkin) doesn’t contain any fat. And beta-carotene is converted into loads of vitamin A. Current research shows that a diet rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and protect against heart disease.

To make a pumpkin pie healthier, replace the condensed milk with a low-fat version. Also, use a pie crust with graham crackers as the base instead of flour and butter. The pie will still be delicious, with significantly lower fat and calories.

Fruit Pies - These pies may sound like they are healthy, but since they are usually made with butter crusts and fruit canned in syrup, not really. To minimize the excess sugar and fat, replace a flour and butter crust with crushed almonds, which can be pressed into a pie pan.

And of course, use only fresh fruit for the filling, combined with a small amount of flour and turbinated sugar. This will lower the sugar content without losing the taste.

Meringue Pie – They’re fluffy and creamy, but fattening if they are made using heavy cream and butter. You can still make the meringue by using low- or non-fat milk and a low-fat graham cracker crust. Scald the non-fat milk in the bottom of the pan repeatedly and incorporate it into the mixture slowly. Using turbinated sugar instead of refined white sugar will lower the total amount in your pie.

Try some of these healthier pie recipes from DietsInReview.com:

Harvest Time Praline, Apple and Cranberry Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Sugarless Apple Pie

Pecan Pie Bars

Diabetic Pumpkin Pie

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

How to Enjoy Healthier Pies for the Holidays

Instead of vowing to lose, why not make a commitment to maintain and avoid further weight gain. Here are five tips that can help you stay in the right direction:

• Before you attend a party, take some time to burn extra calories. Take an extra long walk, do an extra bike ride or exercise DVD. Eat lightly during the day. Don’t skip a meal, for that makes you so hungry that the next meal become a free for all.

• Avoid alcohol. Full of empty calories and not much else, alcoholic drinks can quickly add unwanted calories to your daily budget. If you really must have a drink, limit yourself to one of your favorites and then switch to a wine spritzer or even water with pieces of fruit (every bar has cherries, lemons, limes and oranges.) This is actually a really yummy drink.

• Everyone has a holiday treat that just makes the meal. For me, it’s pumpkin pie. When I make pumpkin pie, I make some small adjustments. I use egg beaters, fat-free evaporated milk, and I cook the filling in the Crock Pot, rather than in a pie crust. This allows me to enjoy my pie in a delicious, lower fat version. Take some time to experiment with your favorite recipe – maybe you can cut the sugar, use non-fat milk or egg substitute. Possibly you can switch the oil for applesauce. If you are stuck, look online. There are lots of websites devoted to healthy changes in any recipe.

• Watch your portion size. If you simply must have Great Aunt Edna’s Pecan Pie – and that would be ME! – go with a small slice, not half the pie. Remember, everything in moderation – as soon as you put any food off limits, you are virtually guaranteed to crave it even more.

• Stress leads to overeating. Think carefully about your plans for the holiday season. Do you really have to do everything? Just because you always see the parade doesn’t mean that you have to this year, especially if it stresses you out. Take the time to get enough sleep, take your vitamins, and use your exercise to relieve stress.

The holiday season doesn’t have to equal weight gain. With just a little prep work, you can avoid the weight gain and start the new year in a great position!

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Five Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain