Tastier Ways to Kick Off Your Holiday Feast

Holiday music is playing just about everywhere you go and the lights are shining bright—there’s no doubt that the holidays are here. For many, that means feeling stressed as they prepare for all the shopping, parties and gift wrapping that goes hand in hand with the holiday season. Lucky for you, finding a healthy appetizer doesn't have to be the source of worry or panic. If you are hosting a holiday party or have been asked to bring an appetizer to a party, make one of these many delicious, yet simple to make, holiday appetizers that are sure to please any crowd! 

12 Satisfying Meatless Meals for Your Menu

The popularity of Meatless Mondays proves it: Vegetarian meals aren’t reserved for people who never eat meat. Many meat-free recipes are full of flavor, high in protein and offer a healthy alternative to your typical ‘’meat and potato’’ dish. In addition to being delicious, going vegetarian regularly can also reduce your risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Jump on the meatless bandwagon a few times a week with some of these veggie-filled recipes. 

12 Healthy Dishes Served on a Stick

The kids might be back in school and store shelves are filling with fall merchandise, but we’re not ready to let go of summer just yet. With the weather still warm and Labor Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to take advantage of one of summer’s favorite foods: the kabob! Popping meats, veggies, fruits and even whole sandwiches on a stick is a great way to add fun and variety to your meals and parties, no matter the time of year. Plus, presenting a meal on a stick will certainly grab the attention of little picky eaters.
 
Reflect on a summer of sun and fun by assembling and cooking up a few of these crowd-pleasing healthy kabobs. 

Beat the Heat with 12 Summer Salads

Back to school and pumpkin beers at the grocery say summer is coming to a close, yet no one seems to have told the sun as temperatures remain hot in most of the country. Salads are a cool and refreshing way to beat the heat and change things up at the dinner table after a summer filled with grilled meats. Plus, with minimal prep time and simple ingredients, you'll spend less time with a hot stove and more time enjoying the sunshine. The many fresh fruits and other foods available during the summer months (farmers market, anyone?) allow you to add flavor and variety to your salads--no boring meals here! Hold on tight to the last bit of summer by enjoying a few of these summer-friendly salads in the coming weeks.

















Summer Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese Sweet summer peaches and tangy goat cheese top the season’s freshest vegetables in this crowd-pleasing salad.

Summer Salad with Chicken and Berries With berries reaching their peak sweetness levels, now is the perfect time to incorporate them into a salad. Let a range of fresh berries shine in this filling lunch dish.
Coach Nicole's Favorite Summer Salad Add your favorite dressing—balsamic vinaigrette works great—to this filling and effortlessly delicious salad.

Spinach-Berry Salad Fresh and juicy strawberries mingle with tender spinach, goat cheese and crunchy almonds in this salad that even kids will devour.

Cool Cucumber Salad Cucumber, red onion and a simple dressing are all you need to create this fantastic dish, which happens to pair well with grilled meats.

Caprese Salad Simple flavors combine in this timeless salad that is sure to win fans at your next backyard BBQ.


Easy Watermelon and Feta Salad Watermelon is a favorite summer dessert, but it makes a lovely addition to a dinner salad, too. Here, creamy citrus dressing and crunchy celery pairs with the sweet melon.

Peach-Tomato Salad with Basil and Feta Sweet, juicy peaches, tangy tomatoes, fresh basil and feta come together in a salad that is sure to make your taste buds do the happy dance.

Israeli Salad When the ingredients are fresh, salads can be simple, yet impressive. This traditional Israeli salad is perfect as a side, lunch salad or as a filling for your pita.

Spinach and Pear Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette Up your salad game with this spinach and pear salad topped with a homemade Dijon vinaigrette.


Waldorf Salad The classic Waldorf salad gets a healthy makeover thanks to the addition of low-fat yogurt.



End of Summer Salad A hot summer afternoon is the perfect time to enjoy this sweet and savory watermelon salad.





Do you eat more salads during the summer months? Which of these recipes will you try first?

Click here for even more summer salad recipes.

12 Side Dishes That Steal the Spotlight

With summer in full swing, we imagine many of you have been putting the grill to work. We recently shared some easy grilling recipes and hope that you have been enjoying at least some of them! Of course, no grill-out is complete without a side dish or two, right? Lucky for you, we've rounded up a variety of healthy salads, slaws, veggies and more, all of which are amazing complements to grilled meats. Be forewarned: these delicious, healthy side dishes might just take the main stage!

















Garden Potato Salad
Low-fat, protein-powerhouse cottage cheese sneaks its way into the dressing of this simple summer side. 100 Calories, 0g Fat, 22g Carbs, 4g Protein


Macaroni Salad with Bacon, Peas and Dijon Dressing
Tangy dressing contrasts well with the smoky bacon, sweet bell pepper and red onion. 189 Calories, 6g Fat, 26g Carbs, 7g Protein

Rainbow Fruit Salad
This fruit salad showcases the best flavors of summer--mango, blueberries, bananas and kiwi, just to name a few. Try it as a side with grilled chicken or even for dessert. 98 Calories, 1g Fat, 25g Carbs, 1g Protein

Light and Creamy Coleslaw
This creamy and delicious coleslaw is hiding a secret--it's very low in fat! 52 Calories, 2g Fat, 8g Carbs, 2g Protein





Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans
Make this picnic staple right in your slow cooker. 170 Calories, 1g Fat, 37g Carbs, 7g Protein


Crunchy Coleslaw
This crunchy coleslaw is a healthier version of that summer favorite: Ramen noodle salad. Two servings of vegetables in every portion! 70 Calories, 6g Fat, 6g Carbs, 1g Protein


Cauliflower or Mock Potato Salad
Cauliflower takes center stage in this ''mock'' potato salad. You won't even miss the heavy potato version. 126 Calories, 7g Fat, 14g Carbs, 5g Protein


Garlic-Herb Potato Packs
Whether you make these on the grill or in the oven, these quick-fix potato packs are mom's best friend. No mess, no clean-up and just five minutes to prepare. 165 Calories, 2g Fat, 34g Carbs, 4g Protein


Grilled Avocado Boats
If you've never grilled an avocado, you're truly missing out. Top a creamy, grilled avocado with spicy salsa and Mexican cheese for a unique summer treat. 181 Calories, 16g Fat, 9g Carbs, 3g Protein


Greek Penne Pasta Salad
The classic cookout side dish gets a healthy Greek makeover. Veggie lovers will adore the edamame, tomato and onion. 190 Calories, 8g Fat, 28g Carbs, 7g Protein


Grilled Vegetables with Pineapple
Add a bit of sweetness to your vegetable kabobs with chunks of summer pineapple. 137 Calories, 7g Fat, 17g Carbs, 2g Protein


Grilled Corn with Lime Butter
Take your grilled corn to the next level by adding a hint of lime. 98 Calories, 3g Fat, 17g Carbs, 3g Protein









What is your favorite grill-out side dish? Which of these recipes are you most excited to try?

5 Corned Beef Recipes for St. Patrick's Day

Are you looking for a new way to make corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick's Day? Try something different this year with one of these recipes! 

12 Chicken Recipes for the Slow Cooker

Looking for some new ways to spice up your slow cooker recipes? We've rounded up a variety of chicken recipes for the slow cooker that are quick, easy, and full of flavor!

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken & Hominy Chili

Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken

Chef Meg's Slow Cooker Provencal Chicken and Beans

Beat the Heat: 10 Expert Tips for Staying Cool During Hot Workouts

Updated August 2016 by Melissa Rudy

Hot sun is great during a day at the pool, but it can become a stifling challenge when you're exercising outside. Whether you live in a year-round tropical climate or one with four distinct seasons, you'll eventually face the prospect of working out in the heat. Our bodies are designed to cool themselves, but it does take time for them to get acclimated to rising temperatures.
 
"Be patient with yourself and realize you can't expect to begin exercising in the heat at the same intensity and duration as you were doing prior to heat exposure," says exercise physiologist Rachel Straub. Depending on your age, current health condition and activity level, it could take up to two weeks for your body to adapt. But the payoff is worth it: Studies have shown that the process of heat acclimatization could actually improve your exercise performance.
 
We asked a few expert trainers for their favorite tips on staying safe and comfortable while exercising in the heat.

1. Stay hydrated. Ellen Yin, exercise specialist at Ledbetter Inc., recommends drinking 4 to 8 ounces of water for every 20 minutes of physical activity in the sun, and then after your workout session, drinking three cups of water per pound of body weight lost. Hydration is important not only during hot workouts, but also throughout the day after exercise. Either plan your route where there are water fountains, or invest in a hydration belt to hold a water bottle, says Carol Frazey from The Fit School.
2. Drink sports drinks, but in moderation. "Sports drinks and Pedialyte help to replace lost electrolytes, but they tend to be very high in sugar, which can lead to a spike in energy levels that can cause early fatigue, especially on hot days," says Lisa Corsello, founder of Burn. "Try to keep your energy level in check by mixing two parts of water for every one part of the sports drink." Orange wedges work well, too.
3. Time your workouts strategically. Try to exercise early in the morning or after dinner, when temperatures are cooler and the sun's rays aren't so harsh.
4. Don't skip the sunscreen. Always apply a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF that shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
5. Get plenty of sleep. Corsello warns that you'll likely fatigue much quicker on hot days. Be sure to get a good night's sleep before your planned exercise activity, and allow at least one day of rest and recovery before your next workout.
6. Rest frequently. Yin recommends taking a 15-minute rest break for every hour of hot exercise. You may also need to adjust the intensity or duration of your workouts. "Hot weather can lead to low energy levels," says Corsello. "Modify your workout by decreasing the heaviness of your weights and/or decreasing reps and taking breaks when you need them."
7. Take a dip. Cool off in a pool, lake or ocean before and/or after a hot workout, or consider swapping your regular routine for swimming laps. If that's not an option, throw some water on your head, neck or entire body to stay cool. Trainer Cheryl Russo shares this stay-cool tip that's a favorite among sports teams: "Bring a small cooler with frozen washcloths to use against pressure points to bring down body temperature."
8. Consider cooling products. There are many fitness products designed to help keep you cool during hot workouts. Frazey likes this versatile Mission Cooling Wrap, which is made from a high-performance fabric that cools the skin when wet.
9. Exercise with a buddy. "Even if you plan ahead, you can run into trouble during your workout," says trainer Catherine Basu with Fit Armadillo. "Exercising with a buddy ensures that you're safe even after you've done all you can to prepare."
10. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If you start to experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and nausea, stop exercising, rest and hydrate.

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Your Guide to Flat Abs

Many people want to have flat abs, but have trouble getting them. Attaining visible abdominal definition depends on a low body fat percentage that isn't realistic for many and your genetics plays a part of it as well, but that doesn't mean you can't work towards a goal of having a slimmer tummy. While you can't spot train or target where you lose fat, you can work on those muscles to help you achieve flatter abs and a strong core overall.

What Motivates You to Exercise?

It's no secret that there are many people who don't like to exercise for one reason or another, but at the same time, there are many others that really enjoy it. Why is there such a love it or hate it attitude towards exercise? There are numerous answers to that question and some might say that they had a really bad past experience, they find it boring and haven't found something that is enjoyable, or they may not see the instant gratification (weight loss) that they are looking for when it comes to exercise. As many of you know, what motivates one person to do something may not work for the next person. 
 

Our Fastest Cardio Workouts

Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to get a good workout in during the day? No need to fret because you can still get an effective cardio workout in just 10 minutes. I gave up the all-or-nothing thinking years ago and have done my best to commit to at least 10 minutes of exercise each day. It all really DOES add up! Even if you did just 10 minutes of exercise a day, that is 70 minutes of exercise for the week, which is better than not doing anything at all and you can still see the benefits from doing that.

9 Healthy Pancake Recipes

Do you love pancakes, but want a healthier pancake recipe? We've rounded up a variety of healthy and delicious pancake recipes for you to try.

13 Healthy Oatmeal Recipes

Are you looking for some new oatmeal recipes to help warm and fill you up on these cold winter mornings? We've rounded up a variety of healthy oatmeal recipes for you to try.

24 Ways to Say ‘I Love You’

Valentine’s Day is just two days away! Although television and radio commercials might try to convince you otherwise, there are plenty of ways to celebrate your love for your partner besides the typical fancy dinner date or box of chocolate. And--let's face it—the traditional ways of celebrating the annual day of love can be expensive, high in calories and often overdone (dinner and a movie again?). Here are some alternative ways to celebrate your love with your significant other on Valentine’s Day, or any other day throughout the year!

1. Get a new photo taken of the two of you together. It may have been a while since you last had a photo taken with just the two of you. Whether you have a professional photographer or a friend take your photo, it’s always great to have more pictures to document your time together.
    
2. Recreate your first date or another memorable date. This can be fun and romantic, especially for couples that have been together for a long time! It's a great way to reflect on how much has changed (and how much has stayed the same!) since you first got together.
   
   

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Be a Goal-Getter: 25 Ways to Reach Your Resolutions

So, it's mid-January, and you've got your exciting New Year's Resolutions all planned out and ready to go. But are you still unsure of where to begin your journey—or how to keep the momentum going? Take your next steps with these tips from successful SparkPeople members who have stuck with their own goals for the long haul!