Autumn Years Winter 2023/24

HEALTH & WELFARE

Food for Thought Donut Forget Dessert! By Stephanie Sass Do not ditch dessert this holiday season! Instead, just try not to overdo it. Spending time with our loved ones and eating enjoyable foods releases hormones that make us feel relaxed and happy, making it easier to kick back and eat whatever we want. Consistently eating calorie-dense, sugary and fatty foods can negatively impact one’s health. However, attempting to avoid indulgent foods can lead to binge eating or feeling deprived. Therefore, you should be mindful of your dietary choices but not overly strict or critical. Practicing mindful eating may help individuals maintain their health and wellness goals while allowing room for dessert.

Another way to have a healthier holiday baking season is by swapping classic ingredients for more nutrient-dense items. Use these tips to make these recipes from ShopRite’s Recipe Shop more health friendly. • Whole wheat flour or whole wheat white flour instead of white flour in cookies and cakes • Low-fat or Neufchâtel cream cheese • Replace half the sour cream in a baking recipe with plain, non-fat Greek yogurt • Replace half the oil in a recipe with unsweetened apple sauce • Replace half the butter with pureed ripe avocado (works best in chocolate recipes) • In heavily sweetened dessert, simply cut out 1/3 the sugar instead of full-fat cream cheese • 2% reduced-fat milk instead of whole milk • Unsalted nuts instead of salted

When choosing dessert, keep these mind fulness eating tips in mind: • Before dessert, have a nutrient-dense meal. If available, have vegetables, whole grains and lean protein choices during dinner • Scope out all of the dessert options before choosing • Use a small, 4-5-inch plate for desserts • Pay attention to your food and try not to be distracted while eating • Take smaller bites and chew well • Aim for satisfaction over fullness. It only takes a couple of bites to gain satisfac tion from flavor Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars Ingredients • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, divided • 2 cups sugar, divided • 1½ tsp Ground Cinnamon • 1 tsp baking soda • ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg • ¼ tsp salt • 2/3 cup vegetable oil • 4 eggs, divided • 2 tsp All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract • 1½ cups finely grated carrots • 3 (8 oz packages) cream cheese, softened • ¼ cup milk • 1 tsp Pure Lemon Extract

Keeping beneficial nutrients in mind, instead of focusing on the negative aspects of desserts, may also lead to healthier

choices. Look for options such as, • Fruit-based cobblers and pies

Fruits have vitamins, minerals and anti oxidants that support overall health • Oatmeal cookies Whole grains, such as oats, provide fiber and promote fullness • Dark chocolate Has antioxidants

Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix 1 cup each of the flour and sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add oil, 2 of the eggs, vanilla extract and carrots; mix well. Spread ½ of the batter into greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Reserve remaining batter. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, remaining 2 tablespoons flour and lemon extract; beat until well blended. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and reserved carrot cake batter, alternately over the carrot cake batter in pan. Cut through several times with knife for marble effect. Bake 40 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wine rack.

14 AUTUMN YEARS I WINTER 2023/24