Weight Loss Recipes

Want more variety in your healthy diet during the chilly season? Then you need to get to know the squash family, one of the biggest and most diverse group of vegetables. They come in many shapes and colors, each with its own distinct flavor and texture, and all are low in calories and loaded with nutrients. Right now is prime time for enjoying the different kinds of winter squash, the hard-skinned types that can be stored without refrigeration (as opposed to summer squash such as zucchini). Here are seven winter squash you and your family will love, and ideas for how to eat them:

1. Butternut Squash

A tube-shaped squash with a bulbous end, butternut has smooth, buff-colored skin. The fine-textured, deep-orange flesh tastes similar to sweet potatoes, though some liken the flavor to butterscotch.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: A one-cup serving has 63 calories, 2.8 grams of fiber, no fat and negligible amounts of sodium, but it gives you 14 percent of your RDA for potassium and a whopping 297 percent of your daily vitamin A supply.
Try: Because of its smooth (non-stringy) texture, butternut is ideal for soups and many bakers prefer it to pumpkin for making pies. Try this Creamy Butternut Squash Soup perfect for cool weather.

2. Acorn Squash

As the name suggests, this squash is shaped like an acorn, with distinct ribs on its hard, black-green skin. The golden-yellow flesh inside is sweet with a hint of nuttiness and it is a bit fibrous. Acorn squash tend to be small–mostly between 1 and 3 pounds–so they are easy to cut in half and serve inside their skin.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: You get 56 calories, 2.1 grams of fiber, and 25 percent of your RDA for vitamin C in a one-cup serving of acorn squash.
Try: Slow baking brings out the natural sweetness of acorn squash. This Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is one of our own favorites.

3. Spaghetti Squash

This variety gets its name because when the cooked flesh is scraped from the skin with a fork it comes out in yellow strands that resemble pasta. The whole squash has a watermelon-like shape (though they typically weigh less than 5 pounds) and golden-yellow skin. The flavor is very mild.

Nutrisystem Category: Vegetables
Nutrition Highlights: With just 42 calories per one-cup serving, 2.2 grams of fiber and 10 grams of carbohydrates, spaghetti squash is a better choice than even the healthiest type of pasta. It also gives you 181 milligrams of potassium and almost no sodium.
Try: Substitute baked spaghetti squash for noodles and top with tomato sauce for a healthier take on a family favorite. Watch this quick video to learn how to make it.

4. Delicata Squash

The green-and-white-striped delicata squash may not be as familiar to many people as the first three on this list, but its popularity is rising rapidly because it is so tasty and easy to prepare. The creamy flesh inside tastes like corn, but even sweeter. Delicata has a thinner, more tender skin than other winter squashes; in fact, you can eat the skin rather than remove it.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: In one cup of Delicata squash, you get 82 calories, 1.5 grams of fiber, 52 percent of your RDA for vitamin C and 457 percent of the RDA for vitamin A.
Try: Cut in half and then into C-shaped slices, Delicata takes only 15 to 20 minutes to bake and needs little more than a little salt and pepper to highlight its flavors.

5. Hubbard Squash

One of the largest varieties, hubbard squash typically weigh 8 to 20 pounds. Their roundish shape and nubbly skin resembles that of their close cousin, pumpkins, though hubbard’s outer color ranges from orange to grayish blue. Beneath the hard skin, the yellow flesh is sweet, dry and fine-textured.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: Hubbards have comparatively high sugar content, which pushes up the calorie count in a one-cup serving to 102. But it comes with 10 grams of fiber, 734 milligrams of potassium, and no fat.
Try: You can bake hubbard squash whole–just use a knife to pierce the skin in a few places to allow air to escape. For the best flavor, roast halves of squash, cut side up in a shallow pan of water for about 1 hour.

6. Kabocha Squash

Also known as Hokkaido or Japanese Pumpkin, kabocha has green, bluish-gray, or deep orange skin. The deep yellow or pale orange flesh inside has a lightly sweet flavor and a dry, flaky texture. Kabocha squash tend to be small (most are 2 to 3 pounds), so they are often used as a substitute for pumpkins, when a smaller squash would be easier to cook.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: One cup of kabocha squash has 53 calories, 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of total carbohydrates. Because it’s so low in calories, you can enjoy two cups as a SmartCarb choice on Nutrisystem.
Try: Roasted kabocha cut into cubes adds a hint of sweetness to salads or mixed vegetable medleys. Adding pureed kabocha helps make stews and soups thicker.

7. Calabaza Squash

People with Caribbean heritage will recognize the calabaza, which is also called West Indian pumpkin because of its shape and color. The very hard skin may be tan, green, or reddish orange. The golden orange flesh is sweeter and juicier than most other winter squashes and the texture is smooth, like the butternut.

Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb
Nutrition Highlights: You get 76 calories, 5.7 grams of fiber, 6.8 grams of sugar, 33 percent of your RDA for vitamin C, and almost 300 percent of your daily vitamin A needs from a one-cup serving.
Try: Chunks of steamed calabaza are a tender addition to rice and salads. Roasted calabaza seeds are also tasty and loaded with nutrients.

The post 7 Squash Varieties to Try This Season appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/7-squash-varieties-you-need-to-try/

When the weather turns cool, baking pies fills our homes with warmth and tempting aromas. Sweet or savory, Thanksgiving pies bring together diverse and delicious ingredients to make one satisfying dish.

The only problem is that traditional pie recipes tend to be high in fat, sugar and calories. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy pie while you’re losing weight!

We’ve compiled this list of our favorite healthy Thanksgiving pies, so you can join the fun during the holiday season and beyond.

1. Healthy Apple Pie >

You can make the classic dessert for a holiday feast with all the tastes you love but far fewer calories than usual. This Healthy Apple Pie recipe features naturally sweet apples, along with fragrant cinnamon and a spark of tart lemon, so it hits all the right notes. The crust is made with whole wheat flour, which has plenty of fiber to fill you up. The dough includes light butter to give it a flaky texture. Your family and guests will rave about it and only you will know each slice has just five grams of fat and 147 calories.

2. Mini Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pies >

With these little pies, everyone can have their own dessert, making them easy to serve at potluck parties, buffets and other casual get-togethers. The crust is simple to prepare using rolled oats, super-sweet dates and almond milk. The filling blends creamy Neufchatel cheese and pumpkin puree and is flavored with vanilla, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spices. This Mini Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie recipe is ready after baking for just 20 minutes, so it’s a great choice when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen and want to show up with an impressive dish.

3. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie >

Pie can be the main course of your meal, not just dessert, when you make it with savory ingredients like this one. This variation on classic shepherd’s pie includes super-nutritious and filling sweet potatoes, along with ground turkey, hearty mushrooms, green peas and onions. You make it in the Instant Pot, a handy appliance that prepares food quickly. The whole Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe has six servings or enough to serve a whole family from one dish.

4. Air Fryer Cranberry Pecan Pie >

The finishing touch on your Thanksgiving feast can be this sophisticated Air Fryer Cranberry Pecan Pie recipe that is easy to make and low in calories. The light, flavorful crust starts with oat and almond flours, cinnamon and brown sugar. It turns golden brown and firm in the air fryer. The pie’s filling showcases two beloved holiday tastes, cranberries and pecans, as well as orange zest and vanilla. The mixture is poured into the crust and then it all cooks to perfection in the air fryer. Serve it with a topping of light whipped cream and watch as smiles erupt around the table.

5. Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie >

You can enjoy a decadent dessert without derailing your weight loss plan. This Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie recipe, for instance, includes real chocolate chips, cocoa powder and fresh raspberries. It gets its creamy texture from silken tofu, which absorbs the tastes of other ingredients, plus low-calorie almond milk. That means the pie is dairy-free yet full of flavor, with natural sweeteners helping to keep the calories low for you. This pie is almost guaranteed to find a place on the list of your family’s favorites.

6. Crustless Pumpkin Pie >

If you agree that the best part of the traditional holiday dessert is the rich and creamy filling, you’ll love this Crustless Pumpkin Pie recipe. Its smooth texture comes from pumpkin puree blended with eggs, whipped cream and milk. The flavor-boosting combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ground cloves, plus natural sweetener, give it the authentic taste you and your guests expect. Because there’s no crust (and no gluten), the pie is made in just a few simple steps.

7. Instant Pot Mixed Berry Crumble >

What’s the straightest line from craving homemade pie to eating one? Answer: this Instant Pot Mixed Berry Crumble recipe. You make it in an Instant Pot, so there’s no baking involved. The filling is made with a bag of frozen strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, so there’s no prep work for you to do. The crumbly, sweet, cinnamon-flavored “crust” goes on top of the filling. The Instant Pot crisps up the top and turns the filling warm and gooey. For an extra boost of creaminess, finish each serving with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.

8. Crustless Spinach Feta Pie >

Pie can be a hearty lunch or dinner when it’s filled with a savory blend of vegetables and cheese. Our version of this Mediterranean classic starts with spinach, a nutritional powerhouse, that’s mixed with feta, asiago and cream cheeses. Pine nuts add a little crunch, along with healthy fats that keep you feeling full when you’re done eating. There’s no crust, so you just mix up the ingredients and bake until firm. The Crustless Spinach Feta Pie recipe makes eight servings, and you can save the leftovers in the fridge for a few days for quick and easy Flex lunches.

9. Maple Chocolate Pecan Pies >

Store-bought dough makes baking these tempting pies a snap. Pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla give them that seasonal flavor, and a layer of chocolate chips adds sweetness and pleasure. A package of dough makes four Maple Chocolate Pecan Pies that you can cut into five servings each—just right for a festive holiday party. Because each serving is so low in calories, you can enjoy the dessert, too, and stay on track to your weight loss goal.

10. Chicken Pot Pie >

Chicken Pot Pie is comfort food that warms you from the inside out. This version is brimming with juicy chicken breast, carrots, onions, celery and tender green peas, all in a rich sauce. The biscuit topping, made with whole wheat pastry flour, turns golden brown as the filling heats up and the fragrance of garlic, thyme and other seasonings waft through your home. It is sure to bring the whole family to the table with a hearty appetite.

11. Sweet Potato Pecan “Pie” >

The skin on sweet potatoes serves as the crust for this healthy take on a popular holiday treat. To make this Sweet Potato Pecan “Pie”, you simply cut open a sweet potato, scoop out the flesh and blend it with cinnamon, maple syrup and brown sugar, then spoon it back into the skin. A few pecans on top add crunch. After 15 minutes of baking, the “pie” comes out tender and flavorful. Even better, it has plenty of protein, fiber and other key nutrients to power your day.

12. Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Crumble >

Favorite fall foods, apples and cranberries, are featured in this easy-to-make dessert. Green Granny Smith apples give it a sweet and tangy flavor and a hint of crunch. Cranberries provide a tart contrast and brilliant color. They’re mixed with maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract and other ingredients, and they all blend as they cook. The crumb topping is made with rolled oats and whole wheat flour, and it turns brown and a little crunchy as it cooks. Because it’s made in the slow cooker, you can stay busy with other priorities while this Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Crumble is getting ready for you to eat.

13. 4-Step Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie >

Chocolate cream pie sounds like the kind of dessert you must turn down when you’re on a weight loss plan. At Nutrisystem, we want you to enjoy your holiday feasts and avoid excess calories, so we reimagined this pie to make it healthier yet still creamy and delicious. Chocolate chips and cocoa powder are mixed with silken tofu and cashew butter to make the filling sweet but low in fat. No need to worry about your baking skills with this 4-Step Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie. All you do is chill it in your refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.

14. Crustless Cranberry Pie >

Fresh cranberries play a starring role in this blockbuster dessert. High-fiber whole wheat flour, protein-rich Greek yogurt, and sweet applesauce are the best supporting actors, making this Crustless Cranberry Pie filling and satisfying, yet light and low in calories. While there’s no crust, each bite brings you the flavors of the fruit and the dough. Serve it warm and your Thanksgiving dinner will be complete.

15. Easy Turkey Pot Pie >

Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or a tasty dish to share at Thanksgiving celebrations, this Easy Turkey Pot Pie recipe will satisfy all your comfort food cravings. It’s easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients and delicious flavor.

The post 15 Healthy Thanksgiving Pies appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/thanksgiving-pies/

Two in three Americans credit the past two years with teaching them how important their health really is.

That’s according to a poll of 2,000 U.S. adults aged 30 and above, where just as many said weight loss is a “top health goal” for them over the next year.

In fact, 71% believe the pandemic has taught them to be more observant of their health.

Since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, 64% admitted their physical health was affected — half of all respondents said they’ve gained weight in the past two years. Of them, 52% gained between 9 and 20 pounds.

Commissioned by Nutrisystem and conducted by OnePoll, the study asked respondents how their health habits and goals today compare to a pre-pandemic world.

Prior to March 2020, common health concerns included weight loss (33%), weight gain (33%), stress or burnout (31%) and mental health (27%). Now, stress, burnout (33%) and weight gain (31%) still bother a similar percentage of respondents.

Regardless, seven in 10 agree that they’ve become more aware of how they treat their body since the pandemic began.

With a newfound understanding of their health, 64% are motivated to lose weight because they know it has an impact on their immunity.

About six in 10 (61%) also now realize that a healthy diet and lifestyle can better protect their long-term health.

Not only are respondents making positive changes for their health, they’re also keeping a positive attitude as 41% believe they can return to their pre-pandemic body.

“Taking care of ourselves, whether it be maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight, is so important to our overall health and the pandemic really brought this into focus,” says Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem. “However, so many of us still struggle to take that step toward a healthier lifestyle because it feels hard and unattainable. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be.”

More than half of all respondents (52%) said the pandemic has impacted their daily routine. Of those respondents, 58% admit their routine has been severely disrupted.

But change may be on the horizon, as 67% feel they’ll be able to return to their pre-pandemic routines in 2023.

Almost three in five (59%) believe it will be easier to maintain their health and fitness in the next year compared to this year. So it’s no surprise that 59% respondents are focused on returning to maintaining physical fitness and activity.

More than half (52%) of respondents believe things are stabilized to a point where they can get back into a healthy state, and that 2023 will be an improvement on the past two years when it comes to health.

Seventy percent feel they have a better opportunity to focus on their health in the coming year, and 42% plan on making health their top priority.

Other areas of focus include having a consistent eating schedule (55%) and spending less time indoors (45%).

“There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to health and wellness,” adds McCormick. “Our goal at Nutrisystem is to help individuals lose weight and feel their best — by giving them individualized and comprehensive programs that adapt throughout a person’s journey. When you are geared with the tools to succeed, living a healthier lifestyle is easily achievable.”

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,002 Americans aged 30+ was commissioned by Nutrisystem between September 16 and September 27, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

The post Over 70% of Americans are More Conscious of Their Physical Health Post-Pandemic appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/americans-health-conscious-post-pandemic/

Non-starchy vegetables are the real heroes of weight loss. They fill you up with fiber, nourish you with essential vitamins and minerals, and don’t weigh you down with excess calories or fats. Eat four or more daily servings of non-starchy varieties—you actually can eat as much of them as you want—and they will give you a powerful boost on your weight loss journey.

We know that many people don’t love all kinds of vegetables. However, with so many flavors and textures to choose from, you are sure to find a few you do like. Consider these 10 options that work extra hard to help you reach your ideal weight.

Pro Tip: Check out the link below to learn more about non-starchy vegetables!:

1. Artichokes

Why: Artichokes are high in a specific type of fiber called inulin, which enhances the body’s ability to absorb calcium, a mineral that helps stoke your metabolism, according to a report in the British Journal of Nutrition.¹

Try: Quick-and-easy Artichoke Basil Hummus is perfect for dipping other non-starchy vegetables or Sweet Jalapeno Crisps. If you’ve never prepared artichokes, check our handy guide for simple instructions. You can also make enjoying this veggie easier with jarred or canned artichokes, which are perfect for chopping up and adding to salad and pasta.

2. Broccoli

Why: Broccoli is not only high in fiber and immune-boosting vitamin A, it has lots of sulforaphane, a compound that reduced appetite and weight gain in a laboratory study, published in the European Journal of Pharmacology.²

Try: Roasting broccoli tenderizes the crunchy stems and sweetens the flavor of the florets. Start your day with a serving of non-starchy vegetables with our favorite Broccoli and Cheddar Breakfast Muffins recipe.

3. Carrots

Why: Carrots are a favorite of many people who are not veggie-lovers and they’re especially helpful when you’re trying to shed excess pounds. That’s because when you eat carrots with a meal they significantly increase your satiety, or the feeling of having your appetite satisfied, according to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition.³

Try: When you’re craving a crunchy snack, raw carrots are a smart choice and they’re great for dipping in salsa, a Free food when you’re losing weight with Nutrisystem. Our Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots take their natural sweetness up a notch.

4. Cauliflower

Why: Cauliflower may be plain in appearance and mild in flavor, yet it’s loaded with fiber and a serving has 100 percent of your Recommended Daily Allowance for immunity-boosting vitamin C. It’s also an especially good source of potassium, which helps your body regulate its sodium levels and is a “predictor of reduction in body mass index,” says a report in the journal Nutrients.⁴

Try: Cauliflower can be ground into high-fiber, low-calorie “grains” that are a healthy substitute for regular white rice. It also makes a perfectly chewy pizza crust. For a quick and satisfying snack, try our recipe for Air Fryer Cauliflower Tater Tots—they’re crispy on the outside and delightfully gooey on the inside.

5. Eggplant

Why: Eggplant’s weight loss superpowers come from the compounds that give them their bright purple color. These polyphenols help your body manage blood sugar, control your appetite and inhibit you from storing fat, according to another research report in Nutrients.⁵

Try: Choose small to medium size eggplant, which are more tender and less seedy than the big ones. Grill or roast thick slices of eggplant until crisp, then cover them with your favorite pizza toppings. If you love classic Italian food, try our recipe for 5-Ingredient Simple Eggplant Parmesan.

6. Hot Peppers

Why: Do you like to light up your taste buds with a little spice? Here’s good news for you: Capsaicin, the compound that causes your tongue to tingle when you eat jalapeños, cayenne and other hot peppers, has been shown to pump up your metabolism. It also may also help you activate your brown fat, which is associatiated with “protection against obesity and metabolic diseases,” says research published in the journal Bioscience Reports.⁶

Try: You can use fresh or dried hot peppers to heat up all kinds of dishes, from chili to spaghetti sauce to veggie omelets. For a Flex meal recipe with lots of protein, creamy cheese and a spark of spice, try our Jalapeño Cheese Stuffed Chicken.

Are you ruining your non-starchy vegetables with how you’re cooking them? Find out at the link below:

7. Mushrooms

Why: Every meal gets a little heartier with the addition of the meaty texture and savory flavor of mushrooms. Even better, “regular consumption of mushrooms is effective in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, including obesity,” according to an article in the journal Molecules.⁷

Try: Mushrooms come in many varieties, from delicate chanterelles to thick portabellas. Keep a bag of frozen mushrooms handy to add to soups, eggs and meat dishes. Any day is like a party when you make a batch of Simple Stuffed Mushrooms.

8. Onions

Why: Along with their zingy flavor, onions are rich in a compound called quercetin, which reduced the percentage of body fat in overweight and obese subjects in a study, reported in Nutrition Research and Practice.⁸

Try: Raw, grilled, or sautéed, onions boost the flavor of just about any type of food, from salads to sandwiches to pizza and turkey burgers. You can even enjoy crispy coated onion rings with our easy Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe–they’re oh-so satisfying and grease-free!

9. Spinach

Why: Like most leafy greens, spinach is among the most nutrient-dense foods. It’s also a good vegetable source of essential minerals such as iron and calcium that help to regulate your metabolism. An interesting study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, found that after consuming spinach the test subjects felt less hungry and experienced no “longing for food” for more than two hours compared to the control group who didn’t have spinach.⁹

Try: Raw spinach can be a tender salad green. It also blends so well in smoothies, you won’t even know it’s there. Our recipe for Creamy Spinach Stuffed Chicken treats you to belly-filling protein and the goodness of melted pepper jack cheese.

Get creative with your non-starchy vegetables! Check out the link below for some tips and tricks:

10. Tomatoes

Why: Eating tomatoes reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity and diabetes, according to a report in Advances in Nutrition. The researchers found that lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their bright color, plays a key role in protecting against these conditions.¹⁰

Try: Raw and cooked tomatoes are rich in lycopene. Slices of raw tomatoes add a tangy flavor to sandwiches and wraps and keep every bite moist. The Nutrisystem menu offers so many choices that are loaded with the flavor of tomatoes, from our new Mediterranean Flatbread to the ever-popular Lasagna with Meat Sauce.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12088518/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6110095/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16925866/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627830/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728631/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426284/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6278646/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819128/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4600649/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370260/

The post 10 Best Non-Starchy Vegetables That Make Weight Loss Easier appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/best-non-starchy-vegetables-for-weight-loss/

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy. In fact, if you’re trying to slim down, it shouldn’t be about candy at all. This year, let it be about family fun. Here are eight healthy Halloween ideas to boost the holiday fun factor, most of which have zero calories!

1. Up your jack-o’-lantern game.

While triangle eyes and nose and fanged grin are the classic pumpkin carving go-to, keep your hands a little busier this year (and less likely to dip into the candy) with something a little more, well, spooktacular. Head to the internet to get some fun pumpkin carving Halloween ideas. Buy or download free pumpkin stencils that will make your jack-o’-lanterns the talk of the neighborhood. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create a spooky zombie face, a witch on a broomstick, a hooting owl or a Day of the Dead Mexican skull, even if you have zero artistic talent. Invest in a pumpkin carving kit that contains tools to make it easier. It’s so satisfying and fun, you may not stop!

2. Make a scary entrance.

There are some easy peasy ways to decorate your front porch or walkway to make Halloween an extra supernatural experience for trick-or-treaters. If you have a cast iron Dutch oven, add some dry ice to water which will turn it into a bubbling cauldron. Invest in some fake spider webs and spiders to cover shrubs or trees to greet visitors as they walk up to your door. You can even make spiders out of black balloons—small one for the head, larger one for the body, tied together, with black pipe cleaners for legs. Dangle them from your porch. Use a couple of bales of hay as an outdoor table if you want your trick or treaters to serve themselves. Use faux spider webbing as your “tablecloth,” and group your pumpkins, carved and otherwise, around the base. Don’t forget a few white plastic bag “ghosts” for good measure.

3. Plan a bonfire.

With the arrival of chilly fall air, now may be the perfect time to invest in a little backyard firepit to cozy up next to on weekend evenings. You, your family and friends can gather to roast marshmallows (less than 100 calories for four regular sized marshmallows!) and tell your best scary ghost stories. It could become a family or neighborhood tradition.

4. Bob for apples.

This used to be the funniest party game before designers Chuck Foley and Neil Rabens invented Twister. Contestants would kneel in front of a large container of water filled with floating apples. The object of the game? Grab an apple . . . with your teeth! Try to do it without laughing (not possible) or getting wet (sooo not possible). Given the pandemic, it’s probably not appropriate for a general Halloween party, but it can be a hilarious family activity for those in your household. Don’t forget to eat the apples!

5. Talk to the hands.

A great (and delicious) activity to do with kids is to make spooky Halloween Popcorn Hands. All you need are four cups of air-popped or light popcorn, three disposable gloves (food contact gloves which contain no powder and are Latex free) and 15 candy corn pieces. Drop the candy corn into each finger of the gloves (yep, those are finger nails). Then stuff the popcorn into each finger and also fill up the glove. Tie the end of the gloves. These decorative treats count as two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

6. Make some diet-friendly chocolate apples.

Everyone in the family will love these sweet treats. You’ll love the fact that you can easily make them Nutrisystem-friendly! Prepare chocolate caramel apples for the fam with our lightened-up recipe right here! >

7. Plan a scary movie night.

If you have an all-adult household, you can have a movie night and hold a “Halloween” marathon—the movie series, “Halloween” that is. Other top horror flicks according to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie rating site, include “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Ring,” “Candyman,” “Scream” and “House on Haunted Hill.” If you like a little humor with your scary, consider “Shaun of the Dead,” “Black Sheep” or “Tremors.” Some class acting? “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Shining” are standouts. Anything Stephen King. Kiddies on board? Think about “Frankenweenie,” “The Little Vampire,” “The Addams Family,” “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” or “Coraline.” The whole family will enjoy “Beetlejuice.”

8. Go on a hay ride.

Many farms and nature centers have Halloween hayrides. Some are “haunted” by human and animatronic ghosts and zombies for those who love a good fright. Others are mellow and simply take you for a ride through the fields balanced on a hay bale. Some farms also have corn mazes that can keep you twisting and turning for close to an hour, plus farm animals to pet, pumpkins to pick and apple cider to drink. You can even take a trip to a local sunflower field for plenty of photo ops!

Looking for more healthy and fun ideas to celebrate Halloween? Click the link below!:

The post 8 Fun and Healthy Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Season appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/fun-and-healthy-halloween-ideas/