Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Healthy and Festive Party Snacks

by Beth Ceccarelli

Serving up healthy snacks for a holiday party is easier (and tastier) than ever. With a bit of advanced planning, it’s easy to create delectable party appetizers that are both healthy and delicious.

Holiday Favorite: Flatbread Pizza

Lighten it up: Grab some flatbread from the local bakery, add some low-fat mozzarella, a handful of fresh veggies (peppers, mushrooms and spinach is a popular combination) and a jar of organic tomato sauce for the makings of a crowd-pleasing party starter. “The veggies add a nutritional punch of healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber,” explains Stephanie Perez, retail dietitian supervisor at ShopRite supermarket. “The best part is that you won’t be lacking in flavor.”

Holiday Favorite: Nachos

Lighten it up: Everyone loves to nosh on crunchy nachos while they mix and mingle. This holiday swap the usual corn chips for better-for-you versions made from veggies, black beans or sweet potatoes. Top with shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked organic dried beans, low-fat cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes or salsa and some low-fat sour cream on the side, and these nachos will be the star of the evening. “Black beans are loaded with fiber and protein, which will fill you up and keep you satiated,” says Perez. “Together with the lean chicken and low-fat cheese and veggies on top, you’re getting a lot of nutrition in just a small helping.”

Holiday Favorite: Delicious Avocado Dip

Lighten it up: Homemade guacamole is a cinch to make— all that’s needed are a few ripe avocados, lime juice, red onion, garlic, salt, pepper and some cilantro. Loaded with folate, vitamin E and healthy monounsaturated fat, guacamole can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Serve with a variety of sliced veggies or spread onto toasted bread for “avocado toast”. It’s the perfect appetizer for any party.

For more party snack ideas, go to ShopRite.com or visit the office of your local ShopRite dietitian.

local
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook