tress And ‘Hanger’ 1 cupfreshorfrozen blueberries (NAPSA)—Whenthe holidays are here, for many people, that means hav- % teaspoonchopped, fresh thyme 1 tablespoon maple syrup ing lot on their plate—literally andfiguratively. Fortunately, there are ways to lighten the to-dolist and even sneak in a little nutrition. You don't want a house- Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Arrange phyllo shells on a baking sheet. Cut the hold full of people who are “hangry”: angry from being hungry. It helps if you can balance your menuwith a few simple, easy dishes and Brie into small pieces (about %-inch). Mixthe blueberries, thyme, and maple syruptogether in a bowl. Place a piece ofcheese in each phyllo shell and top with a spoonful ofthe blueberry mix- snacks—such asblueberries—in addition to the more time-intensive holiday staples. Blueberries are a no-muss, no-fuss op- ture. Bake in the oven 16-18 minutes, tion—justrinse and go. They're great for munching while cooking and they can add These Blueberry Brie Jam Bites can add festive touch to yourholiday g—yetthey're simple to because they’re so versatile and can be a burstofsweet-tart flavor to your favorite sauces, compotes, jams or chutneys. “I love cooking with blueberries used in a widevariety of both sweet and savory dishes. Plus, they're really good for you andare a convenient way to meet the recommended amountoffruits per day, whichis often a bit more challenging during the holidays? says Sonali Avoid getting hangry. If you're berries are an excellentfit: Just rinse and Nutrition experts such as Dr. Ruder recommendblueberries becausethey’re Jow in sodium, contain virtually no fat your smoothie. They're a good source of vitamin C andfiber, so they'll helpfill you upand keep temptationat bay. Ruder, DO. C, vitamin K and manganese.Oneserv- keep handy to enjoythroughout the day. ars. I always have fresh blueberries in ball may comeyour way. Simplify your kitchen time. There are ing—a handful or a cup—containsonly 80 calories andnaturally occurring sugmyfridge or frozen blueberries in my freezer to add a quick boostofnutrition to dishes like oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies and sauces,” she adds. Take Care of Yourself Here are a fewtips andtricks from the experts to help keep your holidays more manageable, enjoyable andevenhealthful. Get a smartstart. Its tempting to sample everydelicioustreat in sight from KnowYour Nutrition Even with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you can find waystofit in those importantvitamins and minerals andtheless preptime,the better. That's why blueberries work so well whenlife is hectic. You don't have to deal with stems,seedsor peels—justrinse andeat, pressed for time, you might forget to eat. Never a good idea. Keep somenutritious, easy-to-eat foods on hand. Blue- “Fresh blueberries are a source of four essential nutrients: fiber, vitamin until blueberries start to soften and Brie is melted. Remove from ovenand serve. Youre set no matter whatkind ofcurve- so many delicious recipes that don't keep you working awayall day. For a sweet and savory appetizer, snack ordessert option, try these Blueberry Brie Bites. They're so elegant andfestive that no onewill suspect howeasy they are to make. Blueberry Brie Bites Makes 15 bites sunup to sundown but you'll feel better Ingredients: with a good breakfast. Sprinkle some 1 box (15-count) miniphyllo shells fresh blueberriesinto a bowlofyogurt or 4 ouncesBrie cheese, rind removed or graband go. andare packedwith healthful goodness. ‘They're high in manganese, which helps the bodyprocesscholesterol and nutrients. That's extra-helpful when you're eating morerich foods than usual. Fresh blueberries also serve as a good source ofvitamin C, supporting immune function, which is especially important whentraveling for the holi- days. Andthey're a good source ofdietary fiber, which may help keep you feeling fuller longer, manage your portionsbetter andaid in digestion. Learn More You canfind more holiday recipes, tips andfun waystocelebrate with blueberries at www.PositivelyBluetiful.com.
