Joy it Forward giveaway: Cabot Creamery holiday prize pack!

Cabot Creamery has some great ideas for eating healthier during the holidays including the use of their many Cabot light cheese varieties and Cabot Greek-Style yogurt. They have also been kind enough to give away a fabulous holiday basket full of various Cabot Creamery items, valued at $75

Posted 2:55 a.m. Dec 5, 2012 — Updated 4:55 p.m. Dec 5, 2012

Faye Prosser

Cabot tips to a healthy holiday

“Admittedly, the holidays are not the best time to try an entirely different approach to cherished family recipes,” says Regan Jones, Registered Dietitian and Cabot Creamery Cooperative’s National Nutrition Communications Manager. “But you can certainly make improvements. The easiest thing you can do is switch to reduced-fat dairy products in traditional family favorites. I use Cabot’s Sharp Light Cheddar in all of my casseroles and nobody can tell the difference. It tastes and cooks like regular cheddar - but with half the fat and more protein. The protein is key in making dishes that are satisfying and keep folks feeling fuller longer - and not going back to the buffet for seconds!

“I also replace some of the butter, sour cream and whipping cream called for in holiday recipes with Cabot Greek-style Yogurt,” Jones continued. “It has a rich taste, with more protein and fewer calories. And making the switch is easy using Cabot’s Greek-Style Yogurt Substitution chart as my guide.”

Jones says “party grazing” can be detrimental to your diet, so she offers up effective tips to minimize the extra pounds people to tend to gain during the holidays.

• Think “strategic placement” at holiday parties. While others may worry about locating themselves near the life of the party, try to locate yourself away from the chips and dip, especially if a meal is to be served.

• Don’t “drink away” all your good efforts. No matter how good your strategy is for choosing healthier foods during the holidays, imbibing can be your calorie downfall. The best solution is to alternate your beverages with a glass of water or club soda. You’ll stay better hydrated, plus keep calories in check.

• Snack on “Light Cheddars” like Cabot’s Sharp Light, Sharp Extra Light, Jalapeno Light, and Pepper Jack Light. Each variety offers between 50 percent and 75 percent less fat than traditional cheddars, and all have the great full flavor and cooking properties of Cabot’s regular cheddar.

• Be a “Light Conscious” host or guest – Be sure to offer both regular cheddar and Light cheddars to your guests. And it never hurts to bring a little something special to a party so consider making one of the following healthy Cabot recipes for your favorite host the next time you are invited to a holiday party:

Festive Cabot Cheddar Tree

Pumpkin Pie (made with Cabot Greek-style yogurt)

Both of these recipes can be found in the WRAL Recipe Database at the link in the box above. Just enter the name of the recipe to see all the details. You'll find even more recipes on their website HERE.

Cabot Light Cheddar is available at Triangle-are grocery stores including Kroger’s, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, and more.

Giveaway

One (1) randomly selected winner will receive a holiday basket of various Cabot Creamery items, valued at approximately $75.00!

To enter, go to the contest entry form on the Smart Shopper Facebook page HERE. "Like" the page, then click on the Cabot banner and fill out the short entry form.

Good luck and our thanks to Cabot Creamery for donating such a tasty prize!

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