When Michelle mentioned to me that she and our coworker Maggie talked about doing a holiday e-book and asked if it was something I thought I’d be able to design, honestly, I figured, why not?! It seemed like a fun idea that’d be useful for our members to have all the recipes in one place, plus, I love being able to make things all pretty.
Maggie compiled the recipes so all I had to do was design it and add in the copy. The tricky part was honestly choosing the colors I wanted to use and being able to fit everything on the page without making the text so small you couldn’t read it without a magnifying glass. I also had to find some new images to use that would be more appealing or were better quality.
Something I wasn’t expecting when I was making the e-book was learning more about nutrition and our Exchange System, something I knew very little about. Just from the repetition of typing out the calories, grams of protein, serving sizes and more, I feel like it’s helped me more to gauge what a healthy meal or snack is.
Being the baker in my family, my favorite recipes come from the dessert section and I will definitely be bringing some to the many Christmas celebrations I go to. A few of my favorites are: chocolate peppermint bark (really I love any kind of bark; it’s easy, yummy and a crowd-pleaser), chocolate chip and oatmeal walnut cookies and the no-bake cashew bites. I’ve also never made meringue before, but I definitely want to try our chocolate meringue cookies!
Typically, I get overwhelmed with cooking, with trying to time everything right, let alone finding a recipe, so I usually stick with cooking what I already know. BUT, making this e-book has inspired me to want to try and cook a few of these recipes, especially since I know they’re made with our health in mind. I really want to try:
- Butternut squash stuffed mushrooms (stuffed mushrooms are near and dear to my heart)
- Turkey chili
- Jicama “hashbrown” casserole (I’ve never tried jicama before and adding cheese makes everything taste good)
- Mulled wine and orange spritzer sounds delicious!
Have you tried any of these recipes before? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
I would also like to give a special shoutout to Maggie, Michelle, Rachel and Jason for looking at my copy and design choices and helping me make decisions, since I can’t for the life of me make one on my own.
This holiday season, let TOPS be your partner in wellness, bringing you the best of both worlds — taste and nutrition. Happy cooking, and here’s to a season of joy, health and delicious “Balanced Creations”!
Here are some FAQs about our holiday recipe collection e-book!
What is “Balanced Creations”?
“Balanced Creations” isn’t just a recipe collection, it’s a culinary adventure crafted with your health in mind. We understand that the holiday season often brings indulgence, and that’s why we’ve curated a selection of recipes that strike the perfect balance between taste and nutrition.
Each recipe includes nutrition info, icons for if it’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and/or low sodium, as well as the exchanges.
Why Choose “Balanced Creations” for Your Holiday Feast?
Wholesome ingredients: Our recipes feature wholesome, nutrient-packed ingredients to keep you fueled and energized during the festivities.
Flavorful delights: Who said healthy eating has to be bland? “Balanced Creations” brings you an array of drinks, dishes and desserts all bursting with flavor, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.
Easy to follow: No need to stress in the kitchen during the holidays! Our recipes are designed to be easy-to-follow, making your holiday cooking a breeze. Some recipes even use leftovers from your holiday meal the day before!
Explore the Joy of Healthy Feasting
Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering, bringing a dish to a holiday potluck or enjoying a cozy meal at home, “Balanced Creations” has something for everyone. From hearty main dishes to delectable drinks and guilt-free desserts, our collection is a flavorful journey to healthy holidays that caters to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
Download the e-book here or go to our Savor the Season page to view it and much more!
Do you have any healthy holiday-esque recipes? Leave them in the comments below or email them to me lwojcik@tops.org!
