Ways to battle winter weight gain

For many, seasonal weight can be a problem that rears its ugly head at this time of year.  It’s no use beating yourself up now for having starting a carb binge in November that just never stopped. Instead, commit to making one or two small but healthy changes to your diet before Spring has sprung. Start with breakfast. Try switching out that high-fat bagel for a cup of oatmeal sprinkled with flax (grind it first to make it digestable) and a few dried cranberries.

Pressed for time? That’s no excuse — start the day with a healthy smoothie. For that, the busy 20-somethings in my household like the Hamilton Beach Single Serve Blender. The 14-ounce plastic jar has a lid, so it can double as a convenient travel mug. Stainless steel blades and 175 watts of power do a great job on soft fruits. Nice to know too, that it has a five-year warranty, which I believe is among the best in the business.

How easy it to whip up a healthy breakfast? Pop in 1/2 cup cranberry or orange juice, ¾ cup of vanilla yogurt and 1/2 banana, give it a whirl and enjoy. For a healthy dinner, try whole wheat quesadillas, jammy-packed with roasted peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, grilled mushroom or whatever other veg takes your fancy. Add a slice of lean meat or ricotta cheese to boost protein. Just so happens, Hamilton Beach has an app for that too — its quesadilla grill makes six wedges out of a  9½ inch circle. Nonstick surfaces are easy to clean, and it’s quick to heat up. Best of all, this item comes in a  cheery red, and the blenders come in a rainbow of happy shades, giving you one more way to let spring colours bloom while we’re still in winter’s icy grip.