Have a Holly Jolly Holiday!

This is the last weekend before Christmas. Are you ready?

Don't let all the fattening beverages increase your waistline this holiday season. Here are some beverages for the health-conscious.

Tofuberry Smoothie (Prevention.com)
1/4 cup diced silken tofu
2 tablespoons soy milk
1/4 cup fruit yogurt
1/2 cup raspberries
1/4 banana
2 cups orange juice

Place tofu, soy milk, yogurt, raspberries, banana, and orange juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour in glasses over ice or vanilla ice cream.

Apple and Pomegranate Cider (Cooking Light.com)
6 whole cloves
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 (3-inch) strip lemon rind
1 (3-inch) strip orange rind
8 cups unfiltered apple cider
1 cup pomegranate juice
3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 3 medium oranges)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)

Place first 4 ingredients on a double layer of cheesecloth. Gather edges of cheesecloth together; tie securely. Combine cheesecloth bag, cider, and remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a simmer. Cook 30 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag. Yields 10 servings.

Blood Orange Sangría (Cooking Light.com)
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups apple juice
2/3 cup Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1/2 cup sugar
4 whole cloves
3 seedless blood oranges, each cut into 16 wedges
2 (750-milliliter) bottles fruity red wine
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher, and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Discard cloves and cinnamon sticks. Pour sangría into individual glasses, including the fruit. Yield 16 servings.

To all a healthy Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!