The holidays are officially here, and I’m on CBS Charlotte’s QC Life sharing easy, elevated recipes and hosting ideas to make entertaining festive, flavorful, and stress-free.
A Sweet & Savory Holiday Snack Board
Let’s start with a crowd-pleasing sweet and savory holiday snack board.
I love making produce the star, and Autumn Glory® apples are the perfect addition. These non-GMO apples are grown exclusively by Superfresh Growers and deliver everything you want in an apple—sweet, crunchy, juicy, with a hint of warm spice. You can find them at Publix.
Pair sliced apples with a creamy Greek yogurt dip made from plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, alongside your favorite cheeses for a balanced, elevated board.
Dairy foods like milk and yogurt are natural sources of B vitamins—including riboflavin, B12, niacin, and pantothenic acid—which help your body turn food into fuel. They’re also a source of high-quality protein to help you feel fuller, longer. And if you’re lactose intolerant, lactose-free milk and cheeses offer the same great nutrition, just without the lactose.
Cozy Winter Roasted Veggies with Pistachio Herb Crumble
Now that we’ve set the tone with something bright and fresh, let’s bring in a warm, seasonal side.
For these winter roasted veggies, I used carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets—but the real star is the pistachio herb crumble.
I love working with The Wonderful Company because Wonderful Pistachios are one of the highest-protein snack nuts, with 6 grams of complete plant protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving. Simply crush pistachios and mix with fresh parsley and lemon juice, then sprinkle over warm roasted vegetables for added flavor, crunch, and nutrition.
As a bonus, I love in-shell pistachios as a snack because they may help “fool yourself full.” The leftover shells act as a visual cue for portions, which may help curb intake—what we call the Pistachio Principle®.
Pomegranate Mulled Mocktails
Next, let’s toast to the season with Pomegranate Mulled Mocktails—perfect for holiday hosting.
Start with one 16-ounce bottle of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice, which contains the juice of four whole-pressed pomegranates and nothing else—no fillers and never any added sugar. Add one cup of orange juice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange slices, then gently warm through.
New research from UCLA suggests that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice contains more antioxidants than Concord grape juice, green tea, blueberry juice, and cranberry juice, based on GAE values of top U.S. beverages in each category.
A Festive Holiday Dessert Hack: Ice Cream Cake
It’s the most festive time of year, and I have a simple, stress-free tip for your holiday dessert table—ice cream cake.
I Love Ice Cream Cakes offers a wide variety of popular flavors you can find in your local grocery store’s bakery freezer case, including Carvel®, Oreo®, Funfetti®, Reese’s®, and more. These cakes are perfect for kids’ parties and family gatherings.
I’m serving Carvel cakes at our family celebrations this season, and I love how easy it is to “dress them up” with a little holiday magic—no baking required. Just add festive toppings or décor for an instant wow factor.
For more ideas and to find ice cream cakes near you, visit ILoveIceCreamCakes.com.
