Healthy Holiday Snacking

Believe me, I know as well as anybody how tempting holiday treats can be. Just set foot in a Trader Joe's and you'll see Peppermint-Chocolate-Covered This and Hazelnut -White Chocolate Dipped That. It's hard, my friends, it's hard. However, when you are ever so tempted, just whip up some homemade cheez its and some  pear-apple sauce (made entirely of pears!) With our schedule getting a little tighter due to new jobs, attempting to run outside most days, Christmas shopping, and planning Christmas Eve dishes, we've been trying to be mindful of what we're putting in our bodies. These treats, although not made of quinoa and flaxseed, are free of artificial ingredients and colors. You may even find the ingredients in your pantry right now!

Although I'd like to take credit for this ingenious recipe, I borrowed these yummy, bite sized cheese snacks from A Chow Life, an amazing blog. These do not take very long to make and they'll keep you satisfied when you're running around, shopping, or picking out your Christmas tree.

Next, a perfect compliment for your snacking, pear (apple) sauce. I would just call it "pear sauce", but that sounds pretty strange and unappetizing. At least to me, so bear with me.

Ingredients:

3-4 soft Bosc pears, I'm sure you can use other varieties, but these are my favorite.

1 tbsp. cinnamon

3 tbsp. c. brown sugar

1 pinch of salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ginger

1 tbsp. light corn syrup

2 tbsp. warm water

Method:

This recipe is so easy you could do it while poring over the awe inspiring Nigella Lawson book, How to Be a Domestic Goddess. I am so specific, because that is precisely what I was doing while making this pear sauce. 

Simply roughly cut up your pre-skinned pears and pile them in a large sauce pan, then add 2 tbsp. warm water. Bring to a simmer slowly, then add the remainder of your ingredients, in no particular order. You may want to use less brown sugar, since the pears are generally very sweet, but it's up to you. Cover pan and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, checking frequently. Then bring heat down to a low and let sit covered for about 30 minutes.

Let cool before serving, burned tongues would not be fun. Serve to your loved ones, or have it in front of a crackling fire. Either way, know that something warm, healthy, and delicious is about to nourish your holiday addled mind!