Serve-Up Healthy for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is around the corner, meaning delicious meals and comfort foods galore! While many wait all year for that delicious stuffing or pumpkin pie, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center offers alternative recipes this Thanksgiving to the community that strives to build healthy habits through the tempting holidays. As part of their Health Fall Fare, ARMC held a free Serving-Up Healthy seminar on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Oak Room. The seminar included an overview of how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals with a focus on diabetes, nutrition tips for the holidays, and also a cooking demonstration along with food samples. ARMC’s Diabetes Nurse Educator, Carol Farris, provided an overview of diabetes and ARMC Dietitian, Nakia Word, conducted a cooking demonstration of diabetic-friendly recipes. Attendees were treated to food samples and given tips on making healthy food choices during the holidays. In addition, they received a recipe booklet that offers a variety of recipes that bring a touch of health to favorite foods. For staying active during the fall, the seminar provided the following tips: 1. Take advantage of the weather, but dress in layers. 2. Think outside the box. 3. Be an active TV watcher. 4. Integrate exercise into your life. 5. Rejuvenate yourself program. 6. Find your motivation. 7. Prepare for the darkness. Staying healthy is important, but so is enjoying the fall flavors of delicious pumpkin pie! ARMC offers a low-fat and low-calorie recipe for pumpkin pie pudding that is easy to make in less than 15 minutes: Pumpkin Pie Pudding: Makes 4 servings • ½ cup sugar, divided. • 2 tablespoons cornstarch • 1 ¾ cups of 1% (low fat )milk • ½ cup Greek yogurt • ½ cup canned pumpkin unsweetened • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Dash of salt • Cooking spray • Dash of nutmeg (optional) • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional ) • ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional) Directions: 1. Combine 6 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Combine milk and Greek yogurt, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add milk mixture to sugar mixture, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. 2. Combine pumpkin and the next 4 ingredients (through ground nutmeg) in a bowl, stirring well. Slowly add pumpkin mixture to milk mixture, whisking constantly. Place pan over low heat, and cook for 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly (do not boil). Divide pudding evenly among 4 dessert bowls, and cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Chill. 3. Line a baking sheet with foil, and coat foil with cooking spray. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, walnuts, and a dash of salt in a small non-stick skillet; cook over low heat until sugar dissolves and is golden (about 3 minutes), stirring frequently to coat nuts. Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet, and cool completely. Coarsely chop nuts. Top each serving with cinnamon and about 1 tablespoon nuts. By hosting this event, ARMC is helping to achieve the Countywide Vision by addressing the community’s wellness and educational needs.