Bring those baked tortilla chips into play during the second half or the second game. Serve alongside a bowl of homemade salsa using this easy-to-prepare recipe:

Instant Salsa

1 package Simply Organic Spicy Guacamole Dip Mix
3 large, ripe diced tomatoes (enough for 2 cups)
Combine the dip mix with the diced tomatoes and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. For milder heat, use more tomatoes.

As the Clock Winds Down

As the game -- and party -- comes to a close, it's time to think about that sweet tooth. For a healthy dessert that provides something cool to counteract the heat of all the hot dishes, offer a big bowl of fresh fruit salad. A mix of melons, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and other favorite fruits makes a colorful selection that guests will come to time and time again. A simple bowl of fresh orange wedges is another perfectly healthy option.

If you need something closer to traditional dessert, try some healthier recipes for this year’s party, such as this one for oatmeal-raisin cookies. They make a nice change from all the chocolate, and the oatmeal provides greater nutrition and fiber.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Recipe courtesy of Bob’s Red Mill

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp gr. allspice
1/4 tsp gr. cloves
1/2 tsp gr. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup unsulfured raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnut halves

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease two cookie sheets, set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs until well-blended, then mix in vanilla. Stir together flour, salt, soda, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add to butter mixture; stir well. Stir in oats, raisins and walnuts until evenly moistened. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing about two inches apart. Bake until cookies are golden, but centers are still soft (10 to 12 minutes). Switch positions of pans halfway through cooking. Transfer cookies to racks to cool. Serve or store in airtight containers for up to three days. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

No-Blitz Beverages

Even though beer may be the beverage of choice on game day, plan to have other beverages on hand for those who prefer not to drink. A pot of hot spiced cider made with Mulling Spice Mix or other Simply Organic drink mix makes a delicious seasonal drink. Other beverages you may want to offer include coffee, Frontier tea (hot or iced), hot cocoa (Frontier’s Cocoa Mix Powder makes it easy!), or a pitcher of plain ice water.

Your party is all about getting friends and family together for an afternoon or evening of fun, fanaticism, and food. And remember -- when you offer healthy foods, everybody wins!

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