When the party is rolling and so is the alcohol and snacks make sure at regular meal times you are getting what you need to maintain health. Fatigue and the other symptoms that come from over consumption of beverage and snacks can be avoided if you remember to keep your regular meals and holiday foods colorful. The colors I am referring to are not the colorful cookies full of food coloring and the very sugar and lard the will cause the before mentioned symptoms. Fruits and veggies come in a variety of colors thanks to phytochemicals, natural compounds found in plant-based foods. Researchers believe that phytochemicals have profound effects on health, and can play a role in preventing chronic diseases.

Add some strawberries and blueberries to your breakfast, some tomatoes to your salad at lunch and dark green spinach as a side for dinner. At the after office party choose the best quality snacks they have. It may be that the choices are fun but not so fruitful. Be the one that brings the nutritious snack.

Go to Whole Foods Market and get the whole grain pastries you will be surprised how good they are. Most importantly is they won't be made with Trans fats but good quality oils and unprocessed sugars.

Humus is another good choice for party food; create a Lebanese theme. Humus and steamed whole grain pita bread to dip in the humus. A salad of parsley, rice, garlic, and lemon called Tabooley can be included. You will have created a great balance and an interesting table as well. Both Tabooley and Hummus are available already prepared in every city in the deli of the grocery stores. If you are ready to cook in advance and really impress the crowd try this;

LEBANESE CABBAGE ROLLS

1 lg. head cabbage

1 lb. coarsely ground turkey

1 c. brown rice

2 tsp. salt

Juice of 2 lemons

1/2 tsp. allspice

3 cloves garlic

2 c. canned tomatoes or 1 can tomato paste

Wash rice and drain. Add meat and 1 cup tomatoes or 1/2 can paste. Add salt, pepper and spices. This is the filling. Separate cabbage leaves and drop separately in salted boiling water and cook a few minutes until limp. Cook all leaves then let drain. Trim leaves of heavy stems. Reserve stems and put in bottom of saucepan. On each leaf place 1 heaping tbsp. of filling and roll firmly. Place cabbage rolls neatly in rows making several layers. Place garlic buds among leaves as you roll. Add 1 cup tomatoes and enough hot water to cover rolls. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. salt over all. Cook 45 minutes to 1 hour. During last 15 minutes of cooking, add the juice of 2 lemons.

Every one loves corn chips and salsa be sure you are getting chips made with whole grains and no hydrogenated oils. Try three different salsas mild , hot and an original Mexican with guacamole and pinto bean dip, be sure the bean dip does not contain lard or other hydrogenated oils.

Shopping at your local Health Food market will help you find these products with higher quality ingredients.

Phytochemicals come from bright colors in the foods you consume. (Sorry-M&M's and orange fish don't count)!)Try to promote health; give the gift of health. Show your friends how to have a great time, delicious food and keep their health during and after the holidays.

Make sure you're eating good, quality carbohydrates too, not cakes and white bread. Good carbs are whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. The phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals thay your body needs will be provided by these food choices.

Be sure you include some form of protein at each meal. The protein found in chicken, fish, lean beef, turkey, beans, tofu, and nuts will help keep your blood sugar stable, keeping you more full between meals.

Have what your bodies need daily and the occasional party (or not so occasional) at this time of year won't take such a strong hit on your health and weight. Look at you plate for variety and color...How many different colors do you see? Get creative and be the host or guest with the most interesting foods that benefit everyone.