Ready to entertain

Holiday party decorations don’t have to be complicated and expensive.  I picked up my placemats, napkins and charges at a discount store.  For flowers, I just bought a bouquet of small roses, baby breath, and cranberries,  Fill your vases with cranberries–I like small vases for a dinner party so people can see each other…but any size vase works.  Then, fill with water and add flowers. Candles are a wonderful accent so I lit small tea candles on the table to add to the festive ambience.  Accents of red, gold and ivory make an elegant holiday tablescape.

Keep it red for decorations: Easy Holiday Tablescape

Christmas decorations don’t have to be fancy and expensive when you get set the mood with these easy ideas. Fill a vase with cranberries and pick up flowers to pop in.  A bowl of pomegranates and pine cones can be a lovely table centerpiece.  And, those extra Christmas Ornaments-fill a glass vase or glass bowl for a  holiday effect.  Pick up red and green napkins as an accent to your meal as that little holiday color really makes a difference.  Most importantly, don’t stress–this is a time for friends and family to gather!

Budget Friendly Christmas Decorations

Cranberries!  Invited to an office party, cookie swap or need a gift for the holidays.  I love using cranberries during the holiday season, and these festive Cranberry and White Chocolate Treats are so delectable you will never believe they are diabetic-friendly! Tart cranberries, sweet white chocolate, crunchy nutritious cereal and nuts pack this delicious dessert with wholesome vitamins and minerals – perfect to indulge in while staying fit this holiday season.   I turn to this favorite bar cookie to make for friends and family this time of year. For a quick and delicious gift, just cut the cookies into squares, wrap with plastic wrap and tie with a holiday ribbon. From teachers to coaches, neighbors to doctors, give the delicious gift of nutrition this holiday season!

Cranberry and White Chocolate Treats from Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Diabetic Cooking

These scrumptious cookies are festive enough for a holiday treat, and fantastic enough to enjoy all year long.

 48 servings/serving size: 1 square

 1 1/3 cups reduced-fat graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

1/2 cup natural wheat and barley cereal

1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup white chocolate chips

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

5 tablespoons butter, melted

 1. Preheat oven 350° F.  In 13x9x2-in baking pan, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter; press along bottom of pan. 

2. Sprinkle cranberries, white chocolate chips, walnuts, cereal evenly over graham cracker crust.  Pour sweetened condensed milk over top.

3. Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and light brown.

 Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 67, Calories from fat (%) 21, Fat (g) 2, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 4, Sodium (mg) 38, Carbohydrate (g) 11, Dietary Fiber (g) 0, Sugars (g) 8, Protein (g) 1, Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

 Terrific Tidbit: Cranberries are full of antioxidants and can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections.

Cookie Swap: Cranberries and White Chocolate Treats

Buy cranberries when in season and freeze in freezable plastic bag for one year to have fresh cranberries year round.  If a recipe calls for fresh cranberries, dried cranberries may be used.

Cranberries