Making Healthier Potluck Choices

Summer is the time for potlucks - after all, who wants to cook a huge meal for a party when it's so nice outside? Whether it's an office potluck or a summer barbecue, potlucks are a great way to share food and fun with family and friends, without having to make it all yourself. It's fun, and takes the load off, so everyone can participate and contribute without being overwhelmed.

However, to someone watching their diet, the words "You're invited to a potluck!" can be a bit disheartening. Sure, you can bring a healthy dish to pass that meets your needs, but enjoying other offerings may be hit and miss - and of course you want to bring something that other people will enjoy as well!

Let's take a look at how we can put a healthier spin on some old potluck favorites. Perhaps you'll even inspire others to follow suit and create healthier alternatives, too.

Cream Of Soup Casseroles

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Opening up a can or two or three of 'cream of' soup is a handy way to get a casserole dish made in a hurry. There is no denying the convenience, but when it comes to creating a dish to pass that is healthier, you might want to rethink this ingredient.

A can of 'cream of anything soup' is basically a thick white sauce with flavorings. It's very simple to make a white sauce and almost as fast as gathering and opening cans of soup. Put equal parts flour and oil (or butter) in a saucepan and stir over low heat. When the flour has turned a light yellow in color, slowly start adding milk or broth, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Now add garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings you wish. If you want to mimic cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of asparagus, etc, just saute the vegetables until soft in another skillet and add to the white sauce. Voila! You have homemade cream of soup without all the additives, extra salt, or even sugar.

Pasta Salads

These big bowls of pasta are definitely on the top of the list of comfort foods found on a potluck table. Pasta swimming in mayonnaise dressing is a guilty pleasure for many of us. Creating a healthier alternative isn't too tricky when you substitute just a few new ingredients for the old standards.

Heavy mayonnaise or bottled Ranch style dressings can be swapped out for lighter fare made with yogurt liberally flavored with lots of herbs and seasonings. You can also skip the creamy texture entirely and use an olive oil-based dressing for even more healthy benefits. Use whole wheat pasta and double up on the veggies in the salad. Toss in garbanzo beans, black beans, or cannellini beans for lots of protein and to make the pasta salad more filling, with fewer carbs.

Desserts

Gooey bars and creamy rich cakes are pretty standard offerings at most potlucks. It's hard to resist having a sweet treat when so many are lavishly displayed right there in front of you! But, it's possible to create a healthier dessert, too.

Many folks would agree that to have a truly satisfying dessert, one must indulge in chocolate. But, skip the double-double layers of chocolate frosted chocolate cake. Instead, try your hand at making chocolate coated nuts. It's as simple as melting chocolate morsels in a double boiler, then drizzling over nuts and stirring together. Nuts and chocolate both are satisfying, filling, and have health benefits. No one will miss a slab of fatty cake on their plate when they have a handful of deliciously sweet and crunchy chocolate covered nuts to nibble on.

The next time you are invited to a potluck, don't worry; your new healthy eating habits won't have to suffer. Join forces with fellow potluck attendees who also are enjoying a healthier lifestyle, then put together simple recipes that tweak some of your favorite dishes to pass. You may just start a whole new trend in your office, church, or family - the healthy potluck!

Keeping the Office Holiday Party Fun & Frugal

'Tis the season...for the office holiday party - a time of fun and food with your co-workers, as well as gift-exchanges, and potluck lunches. Anyone who has a limited budget knows how difficult work parties can be on the wallet. Work parties can include many expenditures; a dish to pass, a gift, a collection for the boss, and maybe a charity.  Now, these things each by itself is not going to destroy your budget, but when they start piling on, it can get steep.  And what if you have more than one party to attend?  You want to be positive and share in the holiday spirit, but you also want to pay the bills and feed the family.  How can you enjoy your holiday office parties and not come off being the company Scrooge?  Here are a few tips.

Sign-up Fast

Pot luck lunch (Photo credit: Bruce A Stockwell)

This is definitely a time when you want to be first in line. Signing up fast for the potluck meal is an advantage when you're on a budget.  Why?  Because you can choose your food item to bring from a wider range of goodies.  You can shop early for the ingredients and maybe snag a few sale prices.  If you wait until the last minute to sign up, you are bound to find yourself in the deli the day of the party paying premium prices for a prepared dish that you could have easily made at home for half the price.

If that happens, your dish not only cost way more than you budgeted, but the presentation looks cheap. It looks like you don't care enough about your fellow workers to give your dish any thought at all. There sits your plastic deli containers right next to those beautifully decorated homemade sugar cookies.  And, the fact is, those sugar cookies cost a fraction of what you brought, but look and taste so much better.  So, get your name on that sign-up sheet the moment it comes out to save yourself the embarrassment and the expense.

Stick with Traditional Food

Holiday potluck parties at work are not the time to try out a new recipe.  Nor is it time to bring your most complicated dish. Stick with traditions that are tried-and-true.  If your coworkers see a 'mystery dish' on the table, something they're not familiar with, they will pass it by.  No one's going to embarrass themselves or others by asking; “What's that?”  If you're serving something with a bunch of complicated sauces, it just gets clumsy figuring out what to put with what. Keep your dish simple, easy to serve, and delicious and everyone will appreciate the effort you made. (Check this blog later this week for some great recipes for holiday potlucks.)

Office holiday party white elephant gift exchange. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keep the Gift Exchange Simple

As far as a gift exchange goes, keep it simple and inexpensive.  Having complicated gift exchanges where everything is topsy turvy and no one understands the rules is a recipe for disappointment.  Do simple 'take away' games for small gifts that are suitable for everyone.  Put small wrapped gifts together and draw names for each gift.  Don't make the exchange too unusual.  Play games that are familiar to everyone so the party keeps moving smoothly and no one feels left out.  Plan your gift exchange early so you can agree on a dollar limit and everyone will have time to shop.  And remember, it's about the fun, not the gift.  So, keep the dollar limit very low so everyone can enjoy the festivities without worrying about the expense.

Out On the Town

Some work parties are planned out of the office.  These parties can be more entertaining than a simple potluck office party, but they can also be very expensive.  If you are on a limited budget, you may find it difficult to justify splurging on such a party.  This is where being a part of the planning committee will come in handy. 

You will need a strong voice in your workplace, an advocate for you and your fellow coworkers who want to keep the expense down.  If the decision is made to have the party at a restaurant, then be sure to do your research.  These establishments are going to want your party, so they will be willing to deal with you.  Review menu and drink choices, then begin the negotiating.  When it comes to a party outside the office, it's all about getting the right prices.  Stay away from ordering off the menu and having an open bar.  Choose two or three dinner options, negotiate a price with the restaurant, then have a cash bar.  Each person can then enjoy the party within their own budget.

The workplace is no place to throw caution to the wind when it comes to your holiday budget.  You need to watch your wallet just like you do while planning your family holiday celebrations.  When the holidays roll around, jump right in and be a part of the planning so you can ensure your frugal voice is heard.