Like most people we'll all be joining friends and family for a New Year's celebration of some kind. Below is a Jody Victor favorite - a cheese ball recipe. But this one is actually a healthy version that tastes so great your guests will never guess!

                              Confetti Cheese Ball

1/4 green pepper, finely chopped (a Jody Victor favorite)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 red pepper, finely chopped

16 oz. nonfat cream cheese, softened

1/2 stalk celery, finely chopped

2 T. parsley, finely chopped

1/2 carrot, finely chopped

Toasted pita triangles or low-fat crackers

* Combine the vegetables with the cream cheese in a small bowl.

* Place the cream cheese mixture on a sheet of wax paper. Roll into a ball.

* Roll the cream cheese ball in the parsley to coat.

* Serve with toasted pita triangles or low-fat crackers.

* The cheese mixture also makes a great spread for sandwiches.

All the best!

Steve Victor

Here's a fun recipe that's also a favorite of Jody Victor's. Don't forget to watch your portions and get in some walking time during this holiday. 

                                   Favorite Holiday Party Mix

2 cups oven-toasted cereal squares (or any kind)

2 cups small pretzel twists

1 cup dry-roasted peanuts

1 cup (about 20) coarsely chopped caramels (try dried cranberries or other dried fruit, also colorful coated chocolate candies)

2 cups white chocolate bits or 12 ounces white melting chocolate

Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine cereal, pretzels (a Jody Victor favorite), peanuts and caramels or dried fruit in large bowl.

Microwave white bits in medium, uncovered microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. White bits or chocolate may retain some original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat evenly.

Spread mixture into prepared baking pan; let stand for 20 to 30 minutes or until firm. Break into bite-size pieces. Enjoy!   

All the best!

Steve Victor     

Well, it is the Holidays after all - so can't we have our cookies and eat them too? Not quite. But, if we watch how much we eat by following our portion guide and just have a few treats, maybe we can come out ahead, or should I say behind, as in not gaining any weight. There actually are some holiday treats that are good for you. Check out Jody Victor's suggestions below for a healthier holiday.

Nuts - Like chocolate, nuts are the new health stars. In fact, recent studies have found that eating an ounce of nuts five times a week lowers the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes by 35 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Another recent study found that a diet low in saturated fat that included almonds lowered cholesterol nearly as effectively as the same but nut-free diet combined with cholesterol-lowering drugs. In fact, the FDA recently approved a qualified health claim stating that eating an ounce and a half of nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, or almonds, as part of a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Cranberry Sauce - These berries are high in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and in proanthocyanidins, which make them nature's remedy for urinary tract infections. Research shows that proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from sticking to and proliferating in the urinary tract. And the tasty berries may also protect against the bacteria that cause gum disease and stomach ulcers. As if those aren't enough health benefits, cranberries also contain compounds known as triterpenoid esters that appear to inhibit tumor cell growth in lab studies. Go for the whole-berry sauce (a Jody Victor favorite) rather than the jellied stuff, and you'll get some fiber, too.

Root Vegetables - I know, these don't speak "treat" to me either, but get enough vegetables each day and you can have your cookies. A vegetable medley can be a nutritional powerhouse. Toss in turnips, which contain cancer-fighting glucosinolates similar to those found in broccoli. Fennel will give you a healthy helping of cancer-fighting beta-carotene. Parsnips, which, aside from beta-carotene, also deliver vitamin B1 and niacin. And don't forget carrots, broccoli, and beets - canned, frozen, or fresh, they provide vitamins and antioxidants. And, if you're going to roast your veggies, brush them with heart-healthy olive oil rather than butter.

All the best!

Steve Victor

We're all in Holiday mode now, but in less than a month when we step on the scale - it will be back to diet mode. Maybe instead of "diet" we should call it something else - healthy lifestyle - that's better. To help us all stick to our "healthy lifestyle" check out Jody Victor's suggestions below.

1. Keep some nutritional and low-calorie snacks on hand at work or in your car to stave off junk food cravings. Microwave popcorn is wonderful at work or at home and it stores well. Just make sure to buy a low-calorie version, like Critic's Choice Lite Natural. You might also consider cereal or health bars like Granola bars or Trim Advantage Protein and Meal Replacement bars. Again, make sure the caloric and nutritional information fits into your diet or eating plan, and plan your portions accordingly.

2. Take up walking (a Jody Victor favorite). Start taking evening walks with your spouse, children, or a neighborhood friend. Begin with a 15-minute walk, and then gradually increase how far and even how fast you walk. Not only is this good exercise, but it's a great way to spend quality time with someone you care about and recoup from your day. Some people enjoy walking at lunch with a coworker, which is an excellent strategy for clearing your head and getting your blood flowing in the afternoon. If it's been a while since you've exercised, check with your doctor before you get started.

3. Celebrate the little victories. This is especially important at the beginning of your diet because you'll need lots of encouragement as you make drastic changes in your eating and exercise habits. Start by noting each day that you go without your daily candy bar or junk food fix. Then take note each time you eat a small or light dinner instead of the heartier meal you might have preferred. Call a friend, get an extra hug from your spouse, tussle with the kids, or take a leisurely bubble bath as your reward for good behavior. You did it! And it's the little victories that add up to diet success in the long run.

4. Know that losing weight is a long-term goal, and a lifestyle change that will be hard, but well worth it. You will be constantly vigilant about what you eat and how much exercise you get. You will deny yourself foods that you enjoy. You'll work out until you sweat profusely. There will be days when the scale doesn't move at all, and even days when it goes the wrong way. But stick to it. You can do this - because a healthy weight means a healthier you. Better eating habits and physical activity will help you live longer.

5. Choose your vice. Okay, you've worked hard to create a diet and exercise plan that fits your lifestyle. You've stopped buying junk food. You've committed to an exercise plan. Now, give yourself one small vice that you will continue to eat or drink throughout your diet. Maybe a weekly ice crean cone, size small. Or a daily square of chocolate. This vice might even become part of your daily or weekly victory celebration. But the bottom line here is that you don't need to completely deprive yourself of everything you love in order to lose weight. Dieting is about moderation, not deprivation. So, find one thing that will be your daily or weekly indulgence, and enjoy it!

All the best!

Steve Victor