Christmas is almost here and that means family, fun, and food! Tired of always making the same things for your holiday get together? Check out these recipes for some new ideas!

Cranberry Pork Loin
Ingredients:

• 1 (3 -4 lb) pork loin roast (trimmed)
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks (drained)
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 onion, sliced into rings (optional – I did not add and it was still delicious!)

Directions:

Pierce meat with a knife in several places.

Mix all of spices together and sprinkle over entire roast.

Place onions in the bottom of a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Place roast on top of onions.

Mix cranberry sauce and pineapple together.

Pour over roast. Cover and bake at 350 about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or till internal temp reads 155.

Remove from oven for about 10 mins before slicing.

Note – You can also do this in the crockpot. High for ~4 hours or low for ~6 hours.

Cranberry Orange Scones
Makes 8 scones

Ingredients:

• 2 c flour
• 1 T sugar
• 2 t baking powder
• ½ t salt
• ¼ c butter or margarine
• ½ c heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1 c Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries
• 2 t orange zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Grease a cookie sheet. 

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Work butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork until butter is the size of small peas.  Add remaining ingredients, except sugar, mixing just until dry ingredients are moist.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball.  Pat into a circle 3/4 -inch thick; cut into 8 wedges.  Place on cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with sugar.

Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown.

This would make a great Christmas morning breakfast. YUM! This recipe was provided by one of our amazing Motion 4 Life members. Thank you Sue!

Since it seems I am on a cranberry kick let’s try another recipes with some cranberries. This one is super easy to make!

Cranberry Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
• 2 large oranges, peeled and seeded
• 2 apples, cored and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons honey

Directions:   

In a food processor, combine the cranberries and oranges. Coarsely chop until mixed; place in a bowl.

Add apples to the food processor and coarsely chop. Combine apples with cranberry and orange mixture.

Add chopped nuts to fruit mixture, stir and sweeten to taste. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Easy and yummy way to get your fruit servings in.

Happy Holidays and please feel free to share some of your favorite holiday recipes in the comments!

Amanda Garant

Registered Dietitian

Motion 4 Life Fitness