healthy holiday appetizers

This question is from a young journalist at Lakota East High School.  She called to quote me for her paper "The Lakota Spark".

Q:  What are some healthy appetizers for the holidays?  What else do you suggest for holiday parties?

A:  Healthy appetizers at holiday parties include vegetables and hummus, mixed nuts or olive tampanade with whole grain crackers or pita chips.  You can make a spinach dip more nutritious by substituting plain, low fat yogurt for sour cream and light mayonnaise for regular in your recipe.  This boosts the protein and calcium content and reduces the fat and calories in your dip significantly.

I always advise my clients to get more exercise this time of year- "burn it to earn it".  No one wants to diet at the holidays.  It's a time for sharing food with family and friends.  Rather than trying to lose weight during the holidays, I suggest maintaing weight and not driving yourself crazy over the scale.  A regular exercise routine not only expends excess calories, it also improves sleep, reduces stress and allows a little more wiggle room for those indulgent days ahead.