The holidays can be the most stressful time of the year. Between shopping for gifts, decorating your home, baking Christmas goodies and entertaining guests, it is hard to find time to relax and enjoy the season. This is the year to start doing things differently. Slow down and take it all in.

This year, your health is the main concern. That does not mean you cannot enjoy the food and drink that is around you! Here are a few simple tips that will help you stay healthy while you navigate through the Christmas treats.

• Keep plenty of fruits and vegetables around the house so you have something healthy to snack on.
• Know what keeps you strong and what makes you sick. Eat plenty of fresh produce and protein, and stay away from too much sugar.
• When cooking your Christmas sweets, use sugar substitutes, such as honey and xylitol.
• Fill up with fruits, vegetables and whole grains before hitting the dessert table.
• Eat a healthy snack before going to holiday parties.

If you usually host the big holiday meal, consider something a little less stressful. Think about asking someone else to host, setting up a potluck dinner, ordering a catered meal or picking up readymade dishes at the store.

• Include a variety of foods on your plate. A little bit of everything is more satisfying.
• TRY THESE TASTY TREATS!
  Baked Salmon with Cucumber and Tomato Salsa
  4 salmon fillets
  4 tsp minced garlic2-3 tsp herbs of your choice
  2 lemons sliced in circles
  ½ c butter
  ¼ c lemon juice½ c finely diced cucumber
  ½ c finely diced tomato (seeds removed)
  ¼ c chopped basil
  ½ tsp dill
  ½ tsp salt
  
  Place salmon fillets in glass baking dish, skin side down. Rub garlic over top of salmon and sprinkle with salt and herbs. Cover salmon with slices of lemon and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until done. In a small saucepan melt butter and whisk in lemon juice. Fold in cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, dill and salt. Once salmon is done, remove lemon slices and place salmon on dinner plate. Cover salmon with cucumber and tomato salsa and serve.
  
  Sautéed Garlic Asparagus
  3 cloves garlic, chopped
  3 Tbsp butter
  1 bunch asparagus
  Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.
  Blueberry Crisp
  • 3 c blueberries, unsweetened
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)
  • 1-2 Tbsp fructose or xylitol (sugar substitute)
  • ½ c oat flour
  • ½ c quick cooking oats ¼ c butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange blueberries in a square baking dish, 8”x8”x2”. Sprinkle blueberries with lemon juice. Mix the rest of the ingredients, then sprinkle over blueberries. Bake 25-30 min. or until the top is brown and blueberries are hot. You can also make this crisp with other fruits.