Wellness Wednesday - December 19, 2018

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

During this holiday season make a promise to put yourself at the top of your list. Here are some tips to hold yourself accountable. Remember, moderation is the key!
  • Eat breakfast or snacks earlier in the day and avoid the idea of saving carbs for the big feast.
  • Limit the number of servings of starchy foods on your plate.
  • Choose fruits and vegetables served raw, grilled or steamed. Avoid vegetables in creams, gravies and butter.
  • A bigger plater doesn’t mean you need to fill it up with more food.
  • Stick to calorie-free drinks such as water, tea, seltzer, or diet sodas instead of punch or mixed drinks.
  • After your meal, take a walk with family and friends. Exercise will also get you moving, keep you focused on your goals, and give you a welcome break from being surrounded by treats.
  • Wait 10 minutes after eating to see if you really are hungry for seconds.
If you overindulge, don’t beat yourself up. If you eat more carbs or food than you planned for, don’t think you have failed, just make a plan to get back on track.
 

Did you know?
  • A Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services like preschool, summer day camp, before or after-school programs, and child or elder daycare services.
  • Who Qualifies:
    • An adult tax dependent, such as a parent, who is not able to care for themselves and who lives in your home a minimum of eight hours a day.
    • A dependent child under the age of 13, who lives with you for more than half of the year.
Learn more about the Dependent Care Reimbursement Care benefit:
 
 

Peanut-Apple Crunch Balls

Ingredients
Original recipe yields 18 servings

  • ⅓ cup chunky peanut butter
  • ¼ cup 68% vegetable oil spread
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 cup rice and wheat cereal flakes, coarsely crushed
  • 1 cup bran flakes, coarsely crushed
  • ⅓ cup finely snipped dried apples
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped peanuts
  • ⅛ teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 2 ounces white baking chocolate (with cocoa butter), chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon shortening


Directions
 

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine peanut butter, vegetable oil spread, and honey.
  2. Cook and stir over medium heat just until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
  3. Stir in cereals, apples, peanuts, and apple pie spice until well mixed. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and chill for 30 minutes
  4. Form mixture into 1 inch balls by gently pressing mixture together. Keep your hands slightly wet for each ball formed.
  5. Let balls stand on wax paper until firm (15 min.)
  6. In a small saucepan, combine white chocolate and shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted.
  7. Drizzle balls with melted white chocolate. Cover and chill for 15 minutes
  8. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
  • Serving size: 1 ball
  • Per serving: 102 calories; 6 g fat; 1 g fiber; 11 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 0 mg cholesterol; 8 g sugars; 74 mg sodium
 
     

    Have a safe and healthy week.
    Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

     

    Wellness Connection
    832-393-6000 / wconnection@houstontx.gov
    houstonwellnessconnection.org



                              

     
    Quick Links
    COH Employee News
    Get in touch
    Wellness Connection
     
    Print this issue
    Previous Editions
    2019 - Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
    Holiday safety tips - December 2018
    Wellness Wednesday - December 12, 2018
    View the Archives