We are getting to the point where the last few remains of Christmas are still lingering, and the once fresh cookies are more like sugary rocks (which doesn’t stop me from eating them LOL). If your home is anything like mine, you have more goodies and treats hanging around than your waist can afford…or maybe for some of you that is a good thing, because you need to gain a few pounds. I am all about treats (um, ice cream all.day.every.day), but I am also about eating healthy. For many of my clients, eating healthy, or clean, is the only way – for health reasons! From low carb/gluten-free swaps to sugar and dairy free substitutes, over the years of cooking I have come up with a handful of healthy cooking tips and tricks that I thought I’d share with you – just in time for the New Year and New Year’s resolutions. Even if eating gluten-free, or low sugar is not a concern for you, it is always nice to be able to up your veggie intake, in a tasty way!

Easy ways to eat healthy:

Gluten free/low carb swaps

Spaghetti squash for traditional pasta – a great, natural, low-carb and gluten-free swap for traditional pasta, and one cup of spaghetti squash only has about 40 calories.

Mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes – perfect for the low-carb goer, you can start slow in the transition and start by making equal parts mashed potatoes and cauliflower, and slowly working to a complete cauliflower mash; add a little Parmesan cheese and butter and no one will miss the starch!

“Riced” cauliflower for traditional rice – Ahhh riced cauliflower, the Holy Grail for all low-carb, grain-free or Paleo dieters. Use it in place of white rice in any recipe, and perfect for a healthy shrimp/pork fried rice, or in a delicious spicy beef bowl! If you have not tried riced cauliflower, then I am not sure what planet you are living on…or you missed my post on it! http://eatyourheartoutedibles.com/easy-way-riced-cauliflower/

Dairy-free/high protein

Greek yogurt for sour cream – perfect to serve at your next Mexican night in place of sour cream, or in your next baking project to up your protein intake.

Garbanzo beans/black beans – if you haven’t tried black bean brownies yet you are missing out, and if you have not tried my healthy chickpea chocolate chip cookies dough dip, then you are not living the best life! LOL http://eatyourheartoutedibles.com/healthy-raw-cookie-dough-snack/

Sugar-free

Walden Farm maple syrup for regular syrup – sugar- and calorie-free, great for diabetics! https://www.waldenfarms.com/products/syrup_pancake.html

Stevia for sugar – 100% natural, non-GMO sugar sub, great for your morning cup of joe, or in your favorite recipe!

Try one or two or all of these easy swaps – let me know what you think!