Plan Ahead
The Day Before
- Mix cheese mixture for Veggie Bites; refrigerate covered.
- Clean spinach for Spinach Ambrosia salad; store in plastic bag.
- Prepare vegetables for Three-Pepper Pasta.
- Make blackberry sauce for broiled peaches.
The Morning Of
- Make Veggie Bites; refrigerate.
- Toast nuts, if using, for Lemon Chicken.
About 40 minutes Before Dinner
About 20 Minutes Before Dinner
- Toss salad.
- Make Three-Pepper Pasta.
- Make Lemon Chicken.
About 20 Minutes Before Serving Dessert
Party Guide
Invitations with a Track Record
- Make invitations patterned after an athletic shoe. Tell guests to dress for success--exercise success, that is.
Share the Health
- Request that guests get in on the health action. Ask them to bring a vegetarian appetizer to share, along with the recipe, of course. If the nutrition information is available, ask them to provide that, too.
Go All Out
- Hire a personal trainer for an hour for a fun winter workout routine.OR
- Take an after-dinner walk. If you’re in snowy climes, rent snowshoes for the group for an invigorating evening. Check out your local parks--many rent snowshoes and have lighted trails.
Say Yes to Less
- Use dinner plates that are not too large. Avoid using plates for appetizers so “loading up” isn’t tempting. Keep the food just far enough away so guests have to get up to get it.
- Keep the dinner conversation active and the eating slow. You may want to consider topics such as planning for training and running a marathon, taking an adventure vacation, spending time at a spa or setting health resolutions for the upcoming year.