How To Survive Christmas Without Gaining 10 Pounds:Classic Christmas Dishes Fondly Prepared At Home

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How to Survive Christmas Without Gaining 10 Pounds: Classic Christmas Dishes Fondly Prepared at Home

Christmas dinner is a meal traditionally eaten at Christmas. This meal can take place any time from the evening of Christmas Eve to the evening of Christmas Day itself.^[1] The meals are often particularly rich and substantial, in the tradition of the Christian feast day celebration, and form a significant part of gatherings held to celebrate the arrival of Christmastide.^[2] In many cases, there is a ritual element to the meal related to the religious celebration, such as the saying of grace.^[3]

Classic Christmas Dishes Fondly Prepared at Home

1. Christmas Turkey with Gravy

Ingredients:

1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups turkey broth
1 cup white wine (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Rinse and pat dry the turkey.
Rub the turkey with melted butter, salt, and pepper.
Place the turkey in a roasting pan and roast for 3-3 1/2 hours or until golden brown.
Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
To make the gravy, pour the pan juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in flour to thicken the gravy.

2. Baked Ham with Honey-Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients:

1 (5-7 pound) bone-in ham
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Score the fat layer on the ham in a diamond pattern.
In a small bowl, mix honey, brown sugar, mustard, and olive oil.
Brush the glaze all over the ham.
Place the ham in a baking dish and bake for 2-3 hours or until caramelized.

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
6 slices of bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup balsamic glaze (see note)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
Roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender and caramelized.
Meanwhile, cook chopped bacon in a skillet until crispy.
Toss roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Stir in melted butter until well combined.
Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Top with mini marshmallows and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Green Bean Casserole with French- French-fried onions

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh or frozen green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups French-fried onions

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large skillet, sauté chopped onion and sliced mushrooms in butter until tender.
Add green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and milk to the skillet. Stir until well combined.
Pour the green bean mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Sprinkle French-fried onions on top and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Baked Ham with Honey-Glazed Carrots

A sweet and savoury dish perfect for Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

1 (5-7 pound) bone-in ham
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Score the ham in a diamond pattern and place on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix honey, mustard, and brown sugar.
Brush the glaze over the ham and bake for 20 minutes per pound.
Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on a baking sheet.
Roast in the oven with the ham for 20-25 minutes.

7. Christmas Stuffed Shells

A festive and flavorful pasta dish.

Ingredients:

12 jumbo pasta shells
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg, beaten
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook pasta shells according to package instructions.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture and place in a baking dish.
Pour marinara sauce over the shells and top with mozzarella.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.

These Christmas dishes offer a variety of flavours and textures to complement your holiday meal.

How to Survive Christmas without Gaining 10 Pounds

Christmas is a time for joy, giving, and celebration. However, it can also be a time for overeating and weight gain. With all the delicious holiday treats and feasts, it’s easy to get carried away. But don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you survive Christmas without gaining 10 pounds.

Plan Ahead

Before the holiday season starts, make a plan. Decide what you want to achieve and set some goals. Do you want to maintain your current weight? Do you want to lose a few pounds? Having a plan in place will help you stay focused and motivated.

Eat Before You Go

If you’re attending a holiday party or dinner, eat a healthy meal before you go. This will help you avoid overeating and making unhealthy choices. Try to include some protein and fibre in your meal to keep you full.

Make Healthy Choices

When you’re at a holiday gathering, make healthy choices. Opt for fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies. Choose lean proteins like turkey or chicken instead of fatty meats. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

Be Mindful of Portion Sizes

It’s easy to get carried away with the delicious holiday foods, but remember to keep your portion sizes in check. Use a small plate to help you gauge your portions. And don’t go back for seconds unless you’re hungry.

Stay Active

The holiday season can be busy, but it’s still important to stay active. Try to incorporate some physical activity into your daily routine, such as a brisk walk or a trip to the gym. This will help you burn off some of the extra calories you consume.

Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can increase your appetite and make you more likely to overeat. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night, aiming for 7-9 hours.

Don’t Deprive Yourself

It’s okay to indulge a little during the holiday season. Don’t deprive yourself of your favourite treats, but do try to enjoy them in moderation.

By following these tips, you can survive Christmas without gaining 10 pounds. Remember to plan, make healthy choices, and stay active. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself – it’s the holiday season after all!

Additional Tips:

Try to avoid eating in front of the TV or while scrolling through your phone. This can lead to mindless snacking.
Use a food diary to track what you’re eating. This can help you stay accountable and make healthier choices.
Don’t skip meals. Eating regular meals can help you avoid overeating later in the day.

By following these tips, you can have a happy and healthy holiday season.

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