Clean Eating Superbowl Appetizers

Since the Superbowl is coming up soon, I thought I would discuss some helpful tips and recipe ideas for the big day!! If you know you are going to a party for a special occasion....plan for it! Decide before you attend if  you will stick to your clean eating or if you will let yourself splurge a little. Everyone is human, so don't feel bad! We all need a "treat" once is awhile to keep us sane!  If you do choose to splurge, let that be your "cheat" meal for the week. But limit it to that meal. Prepare your mindset so that you know you will get right back on track after the party is over! Preparing is half the battle!! But don't worry! There are some ways you can stick to your healthy eating even while attending parties.

Helpful Tips-

Always pre-eat. Don't rely on everything there to be clean, natural & healthy food options. If you eat a small healthy meal before you go, you can spend the majority of the time socializing with others instead of hanging out by the food table. I make sure to drink my shakeology before I go to any party. It keeps me full and my cravings are not nearly as bad!!

Drink lots of water- Keep yourself hydrated (especially if you plan to have a few drinks) and keep your stomach full. If you do choose to have a drink, try and go with something like vodka/water with a splash of lemon/lime. No reason to drink away empty calories!

Load your plate with veggies & fruits- Try and pick a smaller plate, that way you don't feel the need to fill the whole think up. Try to avoid fried foods, creamy dips & chips. Go for the leaner meats like baked chicken and fish.

Now for some clean eating appetizers for a great Superbowl weekend!!!

Clean Eating Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Meatball Ingredients:

3 pounds lean, ground turkey meat

2 tablespoons onion powder

2 tablespoons garlic powder

Glaze Ingredients: 

1 (9 ounce) jar apricot 100% fruit spread, no sugar added

1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper, or spray them with a light coat of olive oil using an oil sprayer.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, onion powder and garlic powder. Mix well.

Using your hands, roll small, walnut sized meatballs and place on a cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. A meat thermometer should read between 165-175 degrees F.

While they are in the oven, put all the glaze ingredients into a small pot and warm over low-medium heat. Stir constantly.

When the meatballs are done, put them into a large mixing bowl (please don’t burn yourself!) and pour the glaze over them. Mix gently to coat the meatballs.

Note: If you cannot find apricot fruit spread, pick any flavor you’d like, so long as it’s 100% fruit. It will still be really tasty.

Clean Eating Spinach Dip

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) container low-fat cottage cheese

10 ounce container frozen spinach, thawed

8 ounce can water chestnuts, chopped fine

2 tablespoons onion powder

1 teaspoon dried parsley

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Using a blender, blend the cottage cheese until it is smooth and creamy.

Put the cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl, and add all other ingredients. Stir well.

TexMex Dip

Ingredients:

1 (12 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa, no sugar added

1 (15 ounce) can black olives, chopped

1 (15 ounce) can non-fat, refried beans, no sugar added

3 avocados

Juice of 1 lime

2 large roma tomatoes, chopped

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed

Directions:

Combine the beans and the salsa in a pot and warm while stirring constantly. Once they are warm and well combined, remove from heat and pour the beans into your serving dish.

Make your guacamole using the avocados, lime juice, garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt to taste. Layer the guacamole over the beans.

Top with olives and tomatoes next and finish with the fresh cilantro.

Serve with your favorite, clean corn chips or whole grain crackers.

We all tend to struggle in this area. But, that's why we create support groups...to get each other through the rough times. I hope you have a great Superbowl weekend, whether you watch the game or go to a different party! Feel free to share any other healthy recipes! I would love to hear from you!