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Susan Watts/New York Daily News
Maria Menounos, host of EXTRA at the Ocean Spray cranberry bog in Rockefeller Center on Tuesday.
Extra host Maria Menounos stays realistic about eating during the holidays: everyone is going to gain weight.
The television personality, has written about her 40-pound weight loss in her bestselling “The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life,” but she’s never thought of herself as “being on a diet.”
“It’s about teeny changes and being patient with yourself,” Menounos told the Daily News Tuesday in Rockefeller Center, near a temporary cranberry bog that Ocean Spray built to promote the fruit and juices.
About 75% of the time, Menounos says she eats as clean and healthy as she can, and splurges for about 25% of the time. She says that the holidays can be a string of splurges.
“Everyone will gain weight because most holiday foods are full of butter,” she says, adding that her favorite holiday foods include a baked crab meat pie and sweet potato pie.
To get ready, she recommends starting a few weeks before the holiday and trim back calories by about 10% by making tiny changes, like cutting out one portion of carbohydrates or leaving the cream out of your coffee.
“Then, when Thanksgiving and Christmas come around, you can splurge,” she says. “It’s a balancing act. And then after the holidays, you’ll need to eat clean for a little while.”
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Those interested in learning more about how cranberries are harvested can stop by the plaza in Rockefeller Center through 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, where growers will be chatting with visitors.
If you’re looking to lighten up, try these two recipes inspired by Menounos from Ocean Spray.
Diet Mixed Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice Drink, any flavor
3/4 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries)
1 6-ounce container low fat berry-flavored yogurt
1/2 banana, cut into slices
Susan Watts/New York Daily News
Maria Menounos, left, host of EXTRA at the Ocean Spray cranberry bog in Rockefeller Center with Ocean Spray grower/owner Adrienne Mollor.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend for a few seconds on high speed or until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour into a large glass.
Makes approximately 2 servings.
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Effortless Spinach Salad
Ingredients:
8 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds, optional
DRESSING:
1/2 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest, optional
Directions:
Wash and clean spinach. Tear into bite size pieces and place in a serving bowl. Add half of the feta or goat cheese and onion; toss to combine.
Combine dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with dried cranberries and almonds. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
