anti-inflammatory
Holiday Sweets & Treats: 3 Healthy Alternatives for the Season
The Plug Drink
The Plug Team
As we dive further into the holiday season, there are a myriad of desserts calling our names — cookies, cakes, pies, sweet breads, you name it! From the elaborately decorated Christmas cakes to the wide variety of holiday party doughnuts, anyone can easily stuff themselves with loads and loads of sugar — something that, unfortunately, is not the best for us.
Here at The Plug, we believe that what’s healthy can still taste good! No need to consume bitter or unsatisfactory tasting foods to achieve a balanced diet. That’s why we’re here to provide some recommendations for healthy holiday options that won’t make you feel guilty afterwards.
A Guilt-Free Mocktail
Tis’ the season for antioxidant-rich mocktails! This beverage contains cranberry juice, which is full of vitamin C and antioxidants and helps support immunity (1). The Plug Drink provides additional rejuvenating benefits, while the rosemary or mint garnish (you choose!) offers soothing properties that should definitely make the holidays less stressful.
Ingredients:
● 2 ounces cranberry juice
● 1 bottle of The Plug Drink
● 1 cup ice
● 1½ ounces sparkling water
● 1 cup cranberries
● 1 sprig of rosemary or mint (for garnish)
Directions:
1. In a shaker or glass, mix cranberry juice with The Plug Drink.
2. Add in ice and stir well.
3. Top with sparkling water and mix again.
4. Add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary or mint for garnish.
5. Serve chilled and enjoy!
*Makes 1 Serving
A Gut-Healthy Yogurt Bark
If you’ve been skipping on yogurt, you’re just missing out on all the creative ways you can incorporate it into delicious, healthy desserts! Yogurt has long been a popular staple food in several countries in Western Asia and the Middle East. The word is said to be derived from the Turkish word “yoğurmak,” which is defined as “to thicken” or “to curdle” (2).
The health benefits of yogurt include being a good source of protein, calcium, and B vitamins (only in animal-based formulations though). Yogurt is also full of probiotics that support proper digestion and immunity (3)! And present-day research suggests that yogurt consumption may protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes (4).
As a way to jump-start your plans to start eating better, here is a recipe for a gut-healthy yogurt and berry bark:
Ingredients:
● 2 cups yogurt of choice (nonfat, plant-based, etc.)
● ¼ cup honey
● ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
● ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
● Pinch of salt
● ½ cup strawberries, sliced
● ½ cup blueberries
● ½ cup granola
Feel free to replace the strawberries and blueberries with your berries of choice!
Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt of choice, honey, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt.
3. Whisk the yogurt mixture until thoroughly combined.
4. Transfer mixture to your prepared baking sheet. Spread it over the parchment paper until evenly spread.
5. Top with berries and granola.
6. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm.
7. Once frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and carefully break into pieces.
8. Keep in the freezer until ready to serve. Enjoy!
*Makes 2 servings (1 cup per serving)
A Heart-Healthy Mug Cake
Did you know that almonds benefit heart health? Almonds help balance cholesterol by decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a form of “bad” cholesterol, and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is a good kind of cholesterol (5). They also have anti-inflammatory properties to help protect the body against heart disease (5). Other benefits include being full of nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin E, and fiber (5).
To take advantage of the power of almonds, check out this simple and microwavable mug cake recipe (6):
Ingredients:
● 3 tablespoons almond flour
● 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder
● ¼ teaspoon baking powder
● Pinch of salt
● 1 egg
● 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
● ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
● 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
1. Stir the dry ingredients together in a bowl: almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add in the wet ingredients: egg, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and extra virgin olive oil.
3. Pour the batter into a microwavable mug or ramekin, leaving at least two centimeters at the top to avoid overfilling.
4. Microwave your mug cake for at least 60 seconds. Add more time if the cake is not fully cooked yet.
5. Carefully take your mug cake out of the microwave and serve when ready. Enjoy!
A Sweet Note to End On
It’s always fun to enjoy desserts with friends and family during this time of year, and it’s even more fun if everyone is savoring a treat that is both tasty and healthy! We hope you enjoy these recipes and share them with others, PlugFAM. Happy holidays!
Bibliography
1. Rosenbloom C. 4 Cranberry Juice Benefits (and How to Choose the Best Kind) [Internet]. GoodRx. 2025 Oct 8. Available from: https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/cranberry-juice-benefits?srsltid=AfmBOoqsAY5Et4OiHiW-MC1SRfpZf5CxYT8VzRDSENsgMfm4kCAyqaeN
2. Yogurt [Internet]. The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Updated 2024 Nov 15. Available from: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/yogurt
3. Feed your gut [Internet]. Harvard Health Publishing | Harvard Medical School. 2023 Apr 6. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/feed-your-gut
4. Hadjimbei E, Botsaris G, Chrysostomou S. Beneficial Effects of Yoghurts and Probiotic Fermented Milks and Their Functional Food Potential. Foods [Internet]. 2022 Sep 3;11(17):2691. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455928
5. WebMD Editorial Contributor. Health Benefits of Almonds [Internet]. WebMD. Updated 2025 Aug 10. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-almonds
6. Monique. Healthy Almond Chocolate Mug Cake (Super Quick!) [Internet]. Nourish Everyday. Updated 2022 Sept 16. Available from: https://nourisheveryday.com/almond-chocolate-mug-cake-healthy