Rough Patch Ahead

By: Felipe Martinez

The last three months of the year are the hardest for anyone trying to eat

healthy and stay in shape. On October 31, Halloween took place and many young kids, teenagers and even some adults had a blast trick or treating. However, eating candy or any junk fund has a great impact on our health. It is very important to watch the amount of candy you’re eating. Because eating excess sugar can result in gaining weight rapidly and/or diabetes.

Less than a month after Halloween, Thanksgiving comes around. Many people take a break from their diet and eat all kinds of foods they shouldn’t eat even if they maintain an active lifestyle. But I think we can all benefit from some healthy vegetables or fruits instead of a pie. This might seem un-American, but since America is one of the fattest countries in the world, it might not be such a bad idea.

After Thanksgiving, December will be upon us with all its beautiful decorations and wonderful festivities. Lots of candy canes and chocolate Santa’s will be eaten and we might see ourselves looking more and more like Santa as December comes to a close. Since we will be wearing sweaters for winter, our stomachs won’t show as much but in order to avoid a surprise the sweaters come off, here is a healthy recipe you could try over the holidays:

Blueberry Mint Pie

Chef Tyson Podolski of Summer Winter Restaurant in Burlington, Massachusetts, has created a pie that will transport you to a midsummer's day. But the best thing about this recipe is neither the seasonal association nor the fact that it is low in fat and calories. It is simply just as delicious with frozen berries found in any supermarket as with fresh. Plus, it’s gorgeous midnight blue filling provides a striking contrast to the creamy -- yet healthy -- yogurt dolloped on top. A diet-friendly showstopper.

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

Low-Fat Crust

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons chilled oil (canola or olive oil)

1 extra-large egg white; lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar, either white wine or apple cider

Ice water as needed

Blueberry Filling

4 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon margarine

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Healthy Whipped Cream

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1/3 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon orange liqueur or any flavored liqueur that you prefer

Directions

To make piecrust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl. Carve a small well in the middle of the flour and add chilled oil to it. Mix with fork until dough is crumbly. Mix in beaten egg white and white wine vinegar. Using your hands, form dough into ball, adding ice water to the dough if it is still a bit crumbly. Dough should hold together well. Refrigerate until very cold (1/2 hour). Roll dough on a floured surface until 1 inch thick. Drape over 9-inch pie pan, being careful not to tear the dough. Trim off the excess pieces and discard. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.

To make filling: In medium saucepan, combine 2 cups blueberries with both light brown and granulated sugar, flour, margarine, lemon juice, spices, and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture comes to a boil. Simmer 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool. Stir in remaining 2 cups of blueberries and the chopped fresh mint. Pour into prepared piecrust and let entire pie cool.

To make whipped cream: If there is liquid in the yogurt container when opened, drain off liquid. In a very cold small bowl, whip the whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold in drained yogurt and orange liqueur. Dollop over pie when ready to serve.

Nutrition info: 281 calories, 4g protein, 43g carbohydrate, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 2g fiber, 132mg sodium.

Dorn, Emily. "Easy as Pie: Guilt-Free Pie Recipes." Fitness Magazine. Fitness Mgazine. Web. 4         Nov 2013. <http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/desserts/low-calorie/guilt-free-pie-recipes/>.