Hosting holiday festivities at home can be expensive: the decorations, the meals, the sweets… The Balancing Act has great tips on how to embrace the spirit of the season without the expense. Tune in for some suggestions that are both happy and healthy!

Quality and value are on the top of everyone’s list this year as the economy has forced us all to be a bit more discerning in what we spend money on during this holiday season. At the same time, we want to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. For viewers who are planning to host a family dinner or large party at home, special guest Melody Good from Hancock Fabrics has some great do-it-yourself advice.

Whether you favor silver and gold, red and green or something in between, your personal style can be incorporated into napkins, a tablecloth or placemats. It’s a simple way to dress up the dining table and it creates a festive look that will impress your friends and family. Rather than buying expensive items for the occasion, Good recommends the affordable fabrics, trims and embellishments that are available at Hancock Fabrics. She offers tips on colors, patterns and measuring for a festive, yet affordable, look. For more information, visit www.hancockfabricks.com/holiday.

When it comes to sweets, our beloved chef Ozzie has the answers…indulge with intelligence. He introduces viewers to Nevella® which is a no calorie sweetener from Ideal™. In addition to the great taste and affordability, it includes probiotics that put good bacteria into your digestive tract. Now that’s a sweet solution for the holidays!

Try the recipe below and visit www.idealsweet.com for more information.

Cinnamon Cookies

Serving Size: 48

Ingredients:
• 1 cup Nevella® No Calorie Sweetener
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt


Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together Nevella® No Calorie Sweetener and butter; beat in egg and vanilla
2. Sift together flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture and blend well until ball is formed
3. Cover and refrigerate two hours or until firm enough to roll into balls
4. Shape dough into small balls about 3/4 inches in diameter
5. Roll balls in mixture of 3 TBS Nevella® No Calorie Sweetener and 2 tsp cinnamon
6. Set cookies on lightly greased cookie sheets; press down until 1/4 inch thick
7. Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned
8. Cool slightly on cookie sheets, then remove to racks to cool completely

For Topping:
• 3 Tbs Nevella® No Calorie Sweetener
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Per Serving: 16 Cal (64% from Fat, 25% from Protein, 10% from Carb); 1 g Protein; 1 g Tot Fat; 0 g Sat Fat; 0 g Mono Fat; 0 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugar; 7 mg Calcium; 0 mg Iron; 117 mg Sodium; 35 mg Cholesterol

NOTES: Variations and/or substitutions are not guaranteed to produce the same delicious results.