As 2021 approaches, everyone will start setting their sights on New Year’s resolutions and will begin to think of what their new goals will be for the upcoming year.
Some of these goals or very common ones consist of working out more in the new year, changing a diet, or getting organized.
Considering health and wellbeing is important, this is an exciting goal for me and hopefully, others are sticking to a healthy diet. However, many people don’t want to give up their sweet treat after a hearty dinner.
For this new year, I want to present some healthy holiday or winter alternatives that can help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions but also satisfy your sweet tooth!
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
This is one of the easiest but most satisfying treats that you can make this holiday season. It only needs a few ingredients and barely has any prep time, which will satisfy your craving in no time! Here is my go-to recipe for this treat:
Ingredients:
- Dark chocolate chips (unsweetened or sweetened)
- Coconut Oil
- Crushed up candy canes
Instructions:
- Take as many dark chocolate chips as you need and put them in a bowl with about ½ of coconut oil (The oil depends on how many chocolate chips you use. I always eyeball it).
- Put this bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Take it out to stir. Keep putting it back in the microwave for intervals until it is fully melted.
- Take a baking sheet and spread out the chocolate on the sheet.
- Add the crushed candy canes on top and stick them in the freezer.
- Let it freeze for about an hour, take it out, and enjoy!
Gingerbread Oat Cookies
Cookies and milk are the perfect treat after a long day. But, is there a recipe to make that indulgent treat a little healthier? There is! And you can make it the perfect treat for the holiday season. Here is one of my favorite sweet recipes for Gingerbread Oat Cookies:
Ingredients:
- A cup of steel-cut oats
- A teaspoon cinnamon
- A teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ cup of applesauce or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of molasses
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon, and ginger.
- After mixing those together, add in the coconut oil, molasses, egg, and applesauce or maple syrup.
- Mix everything together.
- Roll out the cookie dough and place it on a baking sheet (or if you have gingerbread cookie cutters, you can use those).
- Bake for about 15 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Hot Chocolate
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to curl up on the couch with a nice cup of warm hot chocolate in my hand, while watching my favorite holiday movie.
However, there are ways to make sure that, for the upcoming year, you can make such a common drink a little healthier. Here is a way to create a healthy alternative to hot chocolate:
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened almond milk/oat milk
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Maple syrup (if you want to make the drink a little sweeter)
- Vanilla (if you want a flavor in the drink)
Instructions:
- Warm about 2 cups of your milk of choice over the stove for about 5 minutes to get it warm.
- After the milk has become hot, add the rest of the ingredients (unsweetened cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla)
- Let this sit on the stove for about another 2 minutes
- Pour into your favorite mug, put a dash of cinnamon on top, and enjoy!
Although sweets sometimes have a bad reputation for having too much sugar, there are ways to make those cravings a healthy alternative. For these recipes, they each have a holiday twist to them to enjoy a healthy treat before the New Year. Enjoy!
Reflect & Refresh 