Looking for a nutritious start to the new year, members of the Convent of the Sacred Heart community seek to indulge in holiday festivities without candy cane sugar spikes and Santa cookie malaise. These recipes will facilitate healthier eating and lighten decadent Christmas dishes.
Hoping to whip up a nutritious and delicious appetizer? Look no further than the pita Christmas tree. With its green guacamole tree, pretzel stump and red pepper ornaments, the pita tree is a festive and healthy. The recipe, courtesy of bettycrocker.com, requires seven ingredients, takes 25 minutes to prepare, and serves around 32 people.
The ingredients include pita bread, pretzel sticks, sour cream, guacamole, parsley, garlic-pepper, and red bell pepper. Pita bread, although high in carbohydrates, is nutritionally high in fiber and protein, according to ehow.com. 
There are also a variety of  must-have desert replacements, including chocolate pomegranate clusters. This sweet substitute  contains high levels of protein and antioxidants. The recipe, courtesy of lexieskitchen.com, has two ingredients, and a simple five-step procedure. It has a short preparation time of 15 minutes and yields around 20 clusters.

Pomegranate fruits have a plethora of health benefits, containing Vitamins K,C, and B5, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron. They are also high in fiber and protein, according to med-health.net. The seeds and juice contain little fat and have no cholesterol, while each fruit has around 130-150 calories.
Dark chocolate, a substitute to the milk chocolate used in the original recipe, also has many health benefits for the brain and heart. According to fitday.com, it is also full of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
To top off the trees and clusters, indulge in a cozy, steaming cup of chai. The homemade chai tea latte is a festive alternative to rich eggnog, apple cider, and hot chocolate. The latte has a light cinnamon flavor, and will keep drinkers warm during the frigid winter season. It can be topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and even dark chocolate shavings. The savory recipe, courtesy of instructables.com, requires only six ingredients and will be ready for drinking in only 15 minutes.
These recipes can be made with family and friends and will be sure to keep the holidays festive and cozy.
-Alexandra Dimitri, Staff Writer