Here we are again in the midst of the holiday season. This joyful time of year often brings a feeling of comfort and gladness to our hearts. But for those of us who desire to follow a healthy lifestyle and adhere to a strict holiday budget, it can also bring frustration and anxiety. With a Cooking Matters at the Store tour at your local commissary, you can learn about buying holiday foods on a budget and making wiser, healthier choices!

Check out these simple tips and tricks for maintaining a healthy eating regimen:

•                      Don’t forget about dessert. Dessert is part of the holidays and it’s okay to enjoy your favorites. Just remember when eating dinner to save room for dessert if you plan on having it to avoid eating too much. Find healthy dessert ideas at: www.cookingmatters.org/recipes.

•                      Don’t go to a party hungry. Have a small, healthy snack such as a handful of almonds or a cup of broth-based soup prior to the party and you won’t feel the need to overindulge during social hour.

•                     Bring something healthy to share. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make traditional party foods or holiday dishes healthy. This way, you know there will be at least one healthy option to choose from and you help others eat something healthy, too. Get healthy recipes on your smartphone by downloading the Cooking Matters app for iTunes or Android.

Learn the skills you need this holiday season to keep your family eat healthier and stay on budget. Join one of our December Cooking Matters at the Store tours.

Tour dates:

Monday, Dec. 8^,  9:30 a.m. (limited space available)

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.

For information, contact Lisa White at lwhite2@strength.org, or visit www.CookingMattersQuantico.eventbrite.com to reserve your spot today.