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Health & Fitness

Easy Changes to Indulge Without the Holiday Bulge

With a few easy recipe changes you can indulge, without adding the dreaded holiday bulge!

How do you want to feel at the start of 2013? Certainly not with regret for all the overindulging done over the holidays. With a few easy changes you can indulge, without adding the dreaded holiday bulge (or maybe getting rid of some from last holiday!).

Less sugar, same delicious taste: The Mayo Clinic suggests “When making desserts or eggnog, reduce the amount of sugar by half and enhance sweetness by adding a bit of citrus, more vanilla, nutmeg or cinnamon or try turbinado sugar, honey or molasses — their flavor means you can use less.”

Skip the Salt: Herbs and spices add desired flavor without the sodium induced bloating. Some great alternatives are dried garlic, oregano, pepper, sage, rosemary, or tarragon. For a bolder taste, try curry, saffron, or smoked paprika.  Also, you can check your local grocer for already mixed salt free herbal blends.

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Forget the fat: “In baked goods you can cut the fat by about half and replace it with unsweetened applesauce, prune puree or mashed banana. Instead of full-fat condensed milk, use condensed skim in drinks, desserts and, yes, even in fudge.”  Mayoclinic.com

Give yourself the gift of a healthier weight: Join the YMCA’s healthy lifestyle program Pathway to a Healthier Weight. This 18-session class provides a positive approach to developing and supporting healthy lifestyles with the ultimate goal of achieving a healthy weight. For more information, contact Meg Radowski at (414) 357-2820 or e-mail mradowski@ymcamke.org.

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Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday!

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