It's that time of the year again. Holiday decorations have been put up, presents are being wrapped, holiday music fills the stores, and decadent foods are being prepared. The holidays are associated with high-fat, high-sugar, and high-calorie goodies. While some recipes are old-time family favorites that are an important (and tasty!) part of holiday celebrations, other recipes can be tweaked to be healthier.

We all know what it feels like when January arrives and we're bombarded with advertisements about gym memberships, weight loss plans, diet pills, and meal programs. The frustration often sets in that we've over-indulged in December and now it's time to pay the price. However, when you enjoy a healthier holiday season, it's a lot easier to stay on track with your health goals.

For the full column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/597/ 2544/Healthy~Holiday~Meals