Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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YMCA Teams Up With Marine Reserves for Toys for Tots

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Each year, the United States Marine Corps Reserve relies on the Greater Joliet Area YMCA to be one of its largest distribution organizations for Toys for Tots. Last week, staff and volunteers from across our association came together in the spirit of the holiday season to sort and organize more than 3000 donations. Because of this amazing program, more than 700 area children will experience the joy of opening gifts on Christmas morning.

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Healthy at Home: Pomegranate and Cranberry Bruschetta

breHoliday celebrations sometimes lack a healthy dish with fruits and vegetables. This one has a little of both! Featuring cranberries, jalapenos and pomegranate seeds, this appetizing recipe would make a great starter at any celebration.

Ingredients

Pomegranate and cranberry relish

  • 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar 1 jalapeño pepper (or serrano pepper)
  • 1/2 roughly chopped basil leaves
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds (reserve a few to garnish)

Crostini

  • 1 thin baguette, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Black pepper
  • 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened

Instructions

  1. Place the cranberries, sugar and jalapeño peppers in a food processor. Pulse on and off several times until cranberries are coarsely chopped. Add basil and pulse a few more times.
  2. Transfer to a storage container and add pomegranate seeds.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  4. For the crostini, preheat oven to 350˚F.
  5. Place baguette slices on prepared pans. Brush lightly with oil and sprinkle lightly with black pepper
  6. Bake for 14-18 minutes or until golden, rotating pans halfway through baking time.
  7. To assemble bruschetta, whisk cream cheese until creamy and lightly spread about half a tablespoon on each crostini.
  8. Top with a scoop of the relish.

Source: tablerpartyoftwo.com

“Healthy at Home” is a series of healthy recipes curated by Morris Hospital Clinical Dietitian Liz Fischer.

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Your Guide to Healthy Living During the Holidays

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Stressful times during the holiday season can oftentimes lead to poor lifestyle choices. That includes overeating and overdrinking, decreased physical activity and changes in sleep patterns.

Trish Greenwood, a dietitian and nutritionist at Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, offers up these four tips to help you stay on track this holiday season.

Choose Your Food Wisely
Create a plan ahead of time so you have some guaranteed healthy choices to turn to. Eating slowly and socializing away from the buffet table are also ways to prevent overeating. Another great tip is to bring a healthy dish to pass at gatherings. That way you will know that there will be a healthy option there. In most recipes, simple substitutions can be made to reduce calories without sacrificing taste. Try swapping out regular ingredients for low-fat versions. Sometimes eating dinner even before you go to a party can be a good decision. Be sure to choose indulgences wisely. When you choose to indulge, choose foods that are unique and special to the season in small portions. Don’t waste calories on store-bought cookies or food that you can have any time of year. As always, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Choose plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages. Remember being thirsty can sometimes give you the same signs as being hungry.

Don’t Overdo It
Increased alcohol consumption can not only provide you with unnecessary calories, but may also lead to poor food choices as well. To avoid increased alcohol consumption, limit to one glass a day for women and two glasses for men, and drink slowly. Also, be sure to make wise choices. Some servings of holiday cheer can really rack up the empty calories, especially when sugary mixers are involved.

Stay Active
Don’t forget to make time for physical activity. Walk as much as possible, dance with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or build a snowman! Whatever you choose to do, just try to move more. Exercise will increase your metabolism, give you energy and reduce stress. Bottom line – you will feel better physically and mentally!

Stay Rested
Holiday stress can also lead to changes in sleep patterns. To minimize sleep problems, avoid alcohol, caffeine and exercise before bed. It can also help to avoid very heavy or spicy meals. You can even try Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that as released can induce sleep. Herbal preparations can also be helpful. Some examples include valerian root, passion flower, oat, chamomile and hops.

Whether we believe it or not, the holidays are upon us. To help you feel better and survive this joyful, busy time of year, keep these tips in mind: eat regular meals including a variety of foods, minimize high-fat foods and be mindful of portion sizes. Also, don’t forget to drink water and get plenty of rest and exercise. Wishing you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season!

Trish Greenwood, RDN, LDN
Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center

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Healthy at Home: Spaghetti Squash

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Are you familiar with spaghetti squash, the provider of nature’s very own noodles? Well, now’s the time to get acquainted! Try this magnificent meatless fall meal that’s packed with fresh vegetables. It’s a great low-carb substitute for a regular pasta dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups chopped tomatoes
  • ¾ cups crumbled feta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons sliced black olives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  2. Place spaghetti squash with cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.
  3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook until tomatoes are warmed through.
  4. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.

Source: allrecipes.com

“Healthy at Home” is a series of healthy recipes curated by Morris Hospital Clinical Dietitian Liz Fischer.

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Healthy at Home: Pumpkin Fluff Dip Recipe

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You can whip up this light and creamy pumpkin dip in a matter of minutes. Enjoy it with company at a Halloween potluck or while watching a scary movie on a fall night!

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 oz) container of frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 (5 oz) package instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 (15 oz) can solid pack pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 apples, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.
  2. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping.
  3. Chill in refrigerator until serving.
  4. Enjoy with sliced apples.

Source: allrecipes.com

“Healthy at Home” is a series of healthy recipes curated by Morris Hospital Clinical Dietitian Liz Fischer.

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