CHEESE...Yes, Please!

Hi All!! HAPPY Monday :D
How are you doing?! Did you have a productive week and weekend?! I hope so :D SORRY for not posting on Friday! The day completely got away from me!! I was in charge of putting together a Christmas Party for about 200 people and I just never made it to my computer to post!!! The party went well and I'm glad it's over! WOOO WHOOO!!

Today's post is on CHEESE. December is a month full of parties and lots of fun food :D Can a healthy person eat cheese...everyday...or during the holidays? YES, YOU CAN!
As far as daily indulgences go, cheese isn't such a bad guy! It's true that it tends to be high in sodium, calories, and saturated fat, so wouldn't advise swan-diving into a fondue pot every night, but it can also pack in plenty of good stuff, like calcium, protein, and zinc!!
Eat cheese the  Dr. Oz way: First, stick to 1 serving a day (the nutrition label is a good guideline). Second, choose it with care. "When you want to add a salty, savory flavor to a meal, go with hard cheeses," says Libby Mills, R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "They have less liquid, which makes the taste intense. A few shavings go a long way." But if you're craving a bigger chunk, softer ones like mozzarella, cottage cheese, and even Brie are better options. "Their higher liquid content drives down calories and makes portion sizes a bit larger," says Mills.

Want LOTS of cheese?!
Remember cottage cheese? It has 7 grams of protein in a quarter cup, so bring on the cottage cheese!
- Spread it on toast and pile on avocado, tomato, and red onion.
- Top it with dried figs, walnuts, and a little honey.
- Mix it into scrambled eggs with fresh herbs.

Want a LITTLE cheese?!
Grab your grater and 1 of the following hard cheeses. They're like herbs and spices, it only takes a little bit to transform a dish!
- Parmesan: the pasta go-to, is also delicious on soups.
- Asiago: has a nutty flavor that pairs great with salads.
- Cheddar: adds major zing to chili and omelets.

Picture this...
It'll help you remember what a one-ounce serving of cheese looks like:  
- Brie = 3 AA batteries.
- Cheddar = 1 wine cork.
- Feta = 2 golf balls (about 1/4 cup).

Cheese...BRING IT ON :D
Have a HEALTHY couple of days!
SEE YOU back here on Wednesday!!