Hi everyone,

Hope you are all taking some time to actually enjoy the week before Christmas.  Today’s post is a real special holiday treat:  A guest post from one of my best friends, roommates, and extraordinaire of all fun things.  😉

Without further ado, I introduce you to Cait (aka “Slesh) @ A Twist and A Shake!

I walked by my gym the other day (BSC – Fenway), and they have this sign displayed:

“People don’t gain weight during the holidays, people who don’t work out do.”

Makes sense, you may not lose any weight at this time of year, but you can definitely maintain it by keeping up with your workouts.  Fitness & Feta gives a realistic outlook on health, food and exercise, so I have been reading up on this to get me through this time of the year.  I am honored that Athena has asked me to write about some “wiser” beverage choices through the holiday season.

There is a lot more eating and drinking that goes down in the holiday season; I don’t have to tell you that.  But this is how I came up with my resolution to “make smarter choices”.  I still plan on celebrating and having great meals with family and friends, but I have control over what I ultimately will eat and drink.

RECIPES

I wanted to share some holiday choices that will leave a little more room for the figgy pudding.

Rum Soaked Apples

100 – 120 calories

Ingredients

• ½ slices of 1 apple
• 3 ounces spiced rum
• 1 ounce brandy
• 1/4 ounce amaretto
• ground cinnamon  – be generous
• Light brown sugar – be generous
• ground nutmeg a dash
• ground clove a dash
• (whipped cream or vanilla ice cream is optional)

Directions
Place apples sliced in a Tupperware, drench in spiced rum, brandy, and amaretto.  Close, shake and soak for at least 48- 72 hours in the fridge – the longer the more that will absorb into the apples.  Sprinkle on a healthy amount of cinnamon, brown sugar, light on the nutmeg and clove.  Serve with some whipped cream or ice cream, and pour a little bit of the left over liquid on top.  YUM!

Serves about 2 people.

Calories:  Hard to estimate since I am not sure about how much of the Rum/Brandy/Amaretto that was absorbed into the apples, but here’s my estimate: 100- 120 without ice cream. – combine dessert and after dinner drink into one!

Poinsettia Cocktail

170 calories, including berries

This recipe is super easy, and looks fancy.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce Triple Sec
• 3 ounces Cranberry juice
• Champagne
• Frozen Berries for garnish

Directions
Throw Triple Sec and Cranberry juice cocktail into a shaker with ice, shake, and pour into champagne flute, top off with champagne, and drop in a berry or two.  SO CLASSY, SO Dainty.

HEALTHIER CHOICES

Champagne

You’re going to want to toast the New Year, popping that bottle after that ball drops is a great idea, low cal option! – 100 calories per 8 ounces.  There has also been research that the antioxidants in champagne are also good for you!*

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Picture Source]

Red Wine

Red wine specifically not only is lower calorie (around 80 per 4 ounce glass), but also has plenty of antioxidants!*  You can also add diet soda of your choice to cut this in half (ie seltzer or diet ginger ale).

[Picture Source]

POOR CHOICES

Eggnog

“It’s creamy, rich and often filled with rum. One of the holiday’s most enjoyable drinks also happens to be one of the worst.

It’s packed with fat and sugar. One cup of eggnog can set you back 335 calories.  It also contains 19g of fat.  Add in a shot of rum and the calories jump to over 400 a cup.

A cup of the lighter version still has around 280 calories and 4g of fat.” *

Skip dessert if you plan on having this.

[Picture Source]

Starbucks:  Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

I cannot believe that this espresso drink had 660 calories (venti size).  That’s like 1/3 of my daily calorie allotment.*

[Picture Source]

BETTER CHOICES

Instead, opt for:

The Skinny Peppermint Mocha

This drink has 100 calories for a tall!

[Picture Source]

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

The author of Fitness and Feta & I both love this drink!

[Picture Source]

Also from Starbucks, a tall with no whipped will only set you back 200, nice afternoon snack.  Get nonfat milk and its only 160 calories!

* Source

Hope you enjoy these recommendations.  To read more of my recipes and ramblings, please visit A Twist and A Shake and subscribe!

Happy Holidays!!

–Cait @ A Twist and A Shake

Question of the Day:  What’s your favorite holiday beverage, for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic?  What do you usually opt for at Starbucks, if anything?  Do you think you’d try any of Cait’s suggestions?  I know she’d love your comments and/or feedback!

Cheers!