Wellness Wish List

By Carly Hoilman

Hello readers! I’ve missed you all quite a bit, and I’m back in action, just in time for Christmas.

With more time for fun and relaxation, you want to make sure that you are taking care of your body. Tis the season for cookie-eating, movie-watching, family bonding, and shopping (yay!). All of these things are wonderful, but there are healthy ways to indulge at this time of year.

Here is a list I’ve compiled of fun, delicious, and HEALTHY things that I’m confident you will love!

No-Stress Hot Cranberry Cider Recipe

(Courtesy of The Doctors show on CBS)

Ingredients:

2 quarts unsweetened, organic cranberry juice

1 ½ cups dried cranberries

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups honey or agave nectar

2 cinnamon sticks

14 whole cloves

Zest of 2 oranges 

Directions:

Pour cranberry juice into a pot, heat completely but do not boil. To the juice, add the zest from the oranges, cloves, cranberries, vanilla extract, honey and cinnamon sticks. Heat, stirring occasionally until hot and steamy, for about 20 minutes. Pour and enjoy! 

Xbox Kinect

I recently got an Xbox Kinect, and I became immediately hooked! I am by no means a gamer, but what I love about this is that there are no controllers, and you can have fun while getting a workout! I’m obsessed with Dance Central 2, but I can’t wait to check out Just Dance 3, Zumba, Your Shape, and Jillian Michaels Fitness Adventure. The dance games are especially great for holiday parties (I’ve tested them on friends and family). Get off the couch, and have some fun!

The Beck Diet Solution

Need a good read to cuddle up with next to the fireplace? How about a helpful one that will make you feel awesome?! I am eager to read this new book that uses cognitive therapy to promote and maintain a healthy body weight. Judith Beck, PhD, clinical associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia and author, is being praised for her positive weight-loss philosophy. The book is for teaching participants how to “think like a thin person.” Oh come on, you know you’re dying to read it!

Pumpkin Mask

May your face be merry and BRIGHT! When it gets colder out and our faces are constantly exposed to the elements, our skin can become dull and dry. Thankfully, there is a solution! I love this pumpkin facial mask from Bath and Body Works. It’s gentle, easy, and it smells amazing. Use it 1-2 times a week, and your skin will be ready for winter’s worst.

Friggity-fresh Holiday Fruit Tart

(Courtesy of Good Housekeeping)

This will add a sweet and satisfying ending to your holiday meal, without sabotaging your killer Zumba bod ;) Enjoy!

Ingredients:

8  (5'' by 2 1/2'' each) graham crackers

2 tablespoon(s) whole natural almonds

1 tablespoon(s) sugar

1 tablespoon(s) canola oil

1 tablespoon(s) honey

2 teaspoon(s) water

1 1/2 cup(s) light vanilla ice cream, such as slow or double-churned

1 1/2 cup(s) mango or passion fruit sorbet

3  ripe nectarines, each pitted and cut into 8 wedges

2  ripe plums, each pitted and cut into 8 wedges

1 cup(s) raspberries

Ingredients:

8  (5'' by 2 1/2'' each) graham crackers

2 tablespoon(s) whole natural almonds

1 tablespoon(s) sugar

1 tablespoon(s) canola oil

1 tablespoon(s) honey

2 teaspoon(s) water

1 1/2 cup(s) light vanilla ice cream, such as slow or double-churned

1 1/2 cup(s) mango or passion fruit sorbet

3  ripe nectarines, each pitted and cut into 8 wedges

2  ripe plums, each pitted and cut into 8 wedges

1 cup(s) raspberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare crust: In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add whole almonds and sugar; pulse until almonds are finely chopped. In cup, mix canola oil, honey, and water; drizzle over crumb mixture. Pulse until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up side of 9" round tart pan with removable bottom.

Bake crust 8 to 10 minutes or until set and lightly browned at edges. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Remove ice cream and sorbet from freezer; let stand at room temperature 10 minutes or until slightly softened. Spoon ice cream and sorbet alternately into tart shell, pressing with back of spoon to smooth; cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Carefully remove side of pan and place tart on round platter. Arrange circle of nectarine wedges 1 inch from edge of tart, then circle of plum wedges inside nectarines. Mound raspberries in center of tart. Serve immediately.

Everybody have a safe and merry Christmas! Look for more updates from A Healthy Dose of Fashion!

Carly