Today's post and giveaway are sponsored by California Figs! I used their dried figs to make these lovely little Fig and Cranberry Brie Tartlets - these are a perfect, portion-controlled appetizer that will look stunning as part of a holiday party spread!
There's a lot to be excited about today friends; because today marks the first of a few HOLIDAY GIVEAWAYS I'll be hosting over the next few weeks! AND we get to talk about FIGS. Such classy little fruits. To me, figs are a "high fashion fruit." They are so good-looking when they are fresh that I'd just want to look at them instead of eat them. And take pictures of them. If the phrase "you are what you eat" is true, then I want to eat more figs.
Figs are such a great all-purpose, "workhorse" ingredient to have around the holidays because they lend themselves to so many uses. Fresh figs can add so much wow-factor to winter salads, cheese platters, and homemade pizzas. They have a deeply sweet and almost caramel-like flavor, which pairs amazingly well with savory ingredients like prosciutto, nutty cheeses, chicken or a pork loin roast. If you're looking for an all-natural sweetener for baked goods, compotes, or sauces, look no further! Dried or fresh figs are a healthful option for adding sweetness because they'll lend a boost of fiber, potassium, calcium, and stress-fighting antioxidants to whatever you put them in - talk about nutritional bang for your buck!
I don't know about you, but my goal every holiday season is try and stay as healthy and active as possible but still enjoy the festive foods I look forward to all year long. I've found that I'm more likely to be successful with this if I have some exercise activities that are short but effective since the season can tend to be so hectic. It also helps if the exercise I'm doing is fun, because then I can look forward to it and know that I'll enjoy the process and love how I feel afterwards.
That's why I was so excited to receive a Fig and Fitness gift basket from California Figs as part of their contest partnership with celebrity fitness trainer, Valorie Waters! I've loved doing some recipe experimentation with the dried figs that came in the package and think the Valslides workout DVD is awesome! Ryan and I have both had fun incorporating the Valslides equipment into our exercise routines - it's a great way to add some resistance to strength training movements that utilize your own body weight while helping you work on balance at the same time.
The really great part about my partnership with California Figs is that they graciously provided a second gift basket plus a $50 gift card for me to give away to a lucky Sweet Cayenne reader! How great is that?!? All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment below telling me how you plan to stay healthy and active during the holidays. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday!
This awesome gift package includes:
- $50 Visa Gift Card
- Valslide® Essentials Kit (includes Val exercises, band, slides and DVD)
- Figs and Fitness brochure featuring fig recipes and fitness tips from Valerie Waters
- Go FIGure brochure featuring nutritious and tasty recipes
- California Figs canvas bag
- California Figs insulated shopping bag
- California Figs t-shirt
- Assortment of Dried California Figs
- Set of California Fig note cards
What are you waiting for??? Enter to win by leaving a comment below on how you plan to stay healthy and active during the holidays. You can also enter the California Fig and Fitness Contest here.
Recipe
Fig and Cranberry Brie Tartlets
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries, washed and drained
- ½ cup dried black Mission figs roughly chopped
- ½ cup dried golden figs roughly chopped
- The juice and zest from one medium navel orange
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup Grade B
- One 7 ounce wedge of brie
- 3 packages mini fillo shells each package contains 15 shells
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, figs, orange juice and zest, water, and maple syrup. Heat over medium-high until the mixture starts to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until most of the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thick and syrupy. This should take 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Slice the brie wedge into 45 small cubes (about ½'' squares). You may trim the rind off beforehand if desired; although it is edible!
- Place the 45 fillo shells on a baking sheet (you do not need to thaw them). Add a square of brie to each shell. Place one teaspoon of the cranberry fig mixture on top of each shell. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the shell is crispy. Serve hot!
- Leftover tartlets can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated at 350 for 5 minutes.
- Leftover cranberry fig compote can be frozen or stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or on a cheese plate.
Judith says
I plan to stay healthy by renewing my gym membership. I cancelled it in the summer to workout outdoors but now it's getting chilly!
Whitney Reist says
That's awesome, Judith!
Kelsie knerr says
I plan to go on some hikes and try to fill half my plate with veggies!
Whitney Reist says
I need to get the low-down from you about where to hike around here!
Kate Hinish says
My plan for a healthy holiday season is to start my day with light yoga and use portion control so that I can enjoy all the yummy food of the holidays and not be a grump because I'm missing all the great food! I also am an avid skier and plan to ski as often as I can over the holidays!
Whitney Reist says
I love yoga, Kate! And that's awesome that you are a great skier - it is not my forte at all!
Taylor Tuttle says
I plan on staying healthy by continuing my exercise routine while also practicing self control when it comes to holiday eating. Instead of eating something just because it's the Holidays, I'm going to choose a few things to enjoy without going overboard. At the end of the day, the Holidays aren't about food, they are about spending time with family and loving life!
Whitney Reist says
Love that, Taylor!
Kaylin@Enticinghealthyeating says
I plan on staying healthy by eating every treat in moderation and exercising regularly. I love figs, especially on pizza!
Whitney Reist says
Figs on pizza sound delicious, Kaylin! I've yet to try that 🙂
debbie says
I plan to stock my house with great fruits and veggies, not go to a party on an empty stomach and I just bought myself a fun new exercise top to inspire me to keep moving!
Whitney Reist says
Oh I love that part about not going to a party on an empty stomach - that's something I need to remember more! Eat a little something healthy beforehand so you won't be tempted to overeat - good thinking!
Cindy Gay says
I'll continue attending water aerobics classes 3 times a week, sleep 7 hours a night, plan my meals and eat healthy snacks! Since we should not have snow yet, I'll walk outside and soak in some sun when I can.
Whitney Reist says
That's great Cindy! I'm glad you recognize that getting enough sleep is a huge part of staying on top of your health during a busy season 🙂
Heather Mason @NuttyNutrition says
soo beautiful! Pinned for later!
Whitney Reist says
Thanks so much, Heather!
Judy Barbe says
I keep a copy of my athletic club's activity schedule and have committed to trying some new classes this month. So I plan my errands before or after the class. Saves times and money so I'm not driving back and forth.
Did a spinning class last week, barre class this week. Tennis clinic next week!
PS your photos are stunning!
Whitney Reist says
Wow Judy that is awesome! I love that you are keeping exercise interesting by doing a lot of different classes. Way to go!
DJ says
I will be using portion control and eating lots of veggies. Also, I will be doing lots of walking and biking.
Whitney Reist says
Nice, DJ!
Deborah says
I am going to be more physically active and eat healthier
Whitney Reist says
Awesome, Deborah! Thanks for the comment!
Ashley says
I am going to eat healthier and work on portion control!
Whitney Reist says
Good plan, Ashley! Portion control is a great thing to work on - once you get it down it becomes second nature!
Lindsay says
Whitney you are killing it with these photos! The light, the colors... perfect.
Whitney Reist says
Oh my goodness thank you SO much! I'm just in awe over how I much I learned from your workshop - so is my husband, Ryan! You are a phenomenal teacher!
Lauren Harris-Pincus says
I plan to stay active and healthy by sticking to my workouts 5-6 days per week and listening to my hunger cues at holiday celebrations. No need to get stuffed, eat slowly and mindfully.
Whitney Reist says
I love that you bring up mindful eating, Lauren! I'm going to encourage my family to do more of that - I hate when we spend 2+ hours in the kitchen making a nice holiday meal and then everyone eats so quickly that it's over in less than 30 minutes! We need to sit and savor more!
Annamarie V says
I plan on cooking paleo and trying new healthy recipes, I will also be walking more on my treadmill to make up for not getting outside because of the weather.
Whitney Reist says
That's so nice that you have a treadmill indoors, Annamarie! Weather is a factor for so many people during the winter months - I'm glad you've got a plan in place!
Serena Powell says
I plan on making healthy swaps during holiday meals, and limiting how much I eat. Plus I plan on adding a bit more to my work out to compensate for the extra food I might eat.
Whitney Reist says
That's great, Serena!
Jackie says
I'm going to have to try some of sweet cayenne's delicious-healthy recipes over this thanksgiving and Christmas in order to stay healthy and happy!
Whitney Reist says
Haha love that strategy, Jackie! Hope we get to see you at some point over the holidays 🙂
Kaitlyn Allen says
Talk about YUM! Makes my mouth water just looking at this recipe
I think portion control will be key for me this holiday season. If you're anything like me, I have a big family and having a meal spread out on the table in pot-luck style is only a piece of the puzzle at any given event. There's ALWAYS tons of food! I plan to keep my water intake consistent, utilize portion control, and snack healthy. With as busy as I stay, not exercising is an easy excuse, but there's always some time for short workouts here & there (scheduling it and sticking to it is a MUST)!
Whitney Reist says
Thanks for stopping by, Kaitlyn! I know what you mean about having a big family - there seems to be food everywhere you look at those types of gatherings! You've got a thorough strategy though - one thing that I like to do with portion control at parties is to eat on the smallest plate available - sometimes I will serve my "dinner" on a dessert plate and that helps. You are right when you say the scheduling of exercise is key - just like you schedule time for everything else!
Whitney Reist says
Congratulations, Kaityln! You are the winner of the Fig and Fitness giveaway! E-mail your mailing address to [email protected] and I will get your prize package in the mail!
Jenna @ Make Healthy Easy says
I plan to stay fit by running at least one 5k and sticking with my favorite group ex class.
Whitney Reist says
Wow Jenna! Way to go - I think group classes are great because they keep me more accountable and I'm less likely to get bored. The apartment complex I lived at in Texas used to have FREE Zumba and I miss it so much!
Erin says
Well, I don't think I've ever had figs before, so I'll have to try them now after reading your post! 🙂
At the encouragement of Lindsey, I started doing some of the Blogilates videos. I really like pilates, so I am going to try to stick with it especially through the holidays! (And now that I've posted that in internet land, I'm already feeling accountable to everyone who reads this! haha) The videos are short but still effective, so hopefully they will be easy to fit into a busy December schedule! 🙂
Whitney Reist says
Erin, you will have to let me know how you like figs when you try them! Personally I like dried a little better than fresh, which is nice because it's hard to find fresh ones in Missouri right now! And it sounds like you have a great plan ready - I LOVE Blogilates - Cassi really makes you work but she makes it fun at the same time 🙂
Bekkah Corkey says
I'm due with my son during this holiday season, so I keep telling people that I'm scheduled to lose a lot of weight soon! 🙂 But I plan to be as active as possible, take lots of walks with my new little pal and my tiny pup as well as watch my diet- I will be supplying a new human with his nutrients and I want to be sure I'm giving him all that he needs! I currently work as a Physical Therapist so I spend my days chasing patients and demonstrating exercises and I see daily the effects of poor health and fitness and want to avoid those as best as possible.
Whitney Reist says
That's so exciting, Bekkah! It sounds like you will be "on the move" a lot very soon chasing down patients, a pup, and your new little one!
Kayla says
These look so yummy! I will definitely have to try these ASAP! 🙂
Whitney Reist says
Thank you, Kayla!
Shantel Mason says
This recipe looks amazing! I really enjoy cranberries and can't wait to try it! My plans to stay healthy and active this holiday season, are to be intentional with increasing my physical activity and making healthy choices, along with portion control!
Whitney Reist says
Thanks for the comment, Shantel! You've got a great plan in place! You are right - portion control is KEY to keeping things balanced! This Hand Guide to Portion Control is a print out I've used for myself and clients a lot: http://www.prevention.com/sites/prevention.com/files/images/articles/portion-control-chart-full.jpg - it's nice to know you can use your hand to measure!
Nikki Garland says
Love, love, love figs!! In order to stay healthy this holiday season I am trying to stick to nutritious meals everyday, then when I splurge on the treats I really want at holiday get togethers I won't have any guilt.
Whitney Reist says
That's an AWESOME strategy Nikki! It really hits home for me - I've found that the 80/20 rule works best for me in general and it's similar to your thought process - eat healthfully most of the time and savor indulgences without guilt every now and then!
Heather Pence says
Great article Whitney! I can't wait to make these fig tartlets. I'm so happy to have this recipe for the many Christmas parties we will attend his holiday season.
My family and I have made many changes in our diet. We follow a clean eating plan, and hope to continue that through the holidays.
Whitney Reist says
Thanks, Heather! I hope you enjoy the recipe - let me know how you like the tartlets! That sounds like a great plan - I'm glad you are making it a family affair! I can't thank my mom enough for "making over" our families eating habits when I lived at home 🙂
Amy Mock says
Ha. My plan for staying healthy is early morning gym dates with a super handsome trainer, Netflix connected in front of my treadmill, and only baking for parties. But when you post beautiful recipes like that I start changing my mind. 🙂
Whitney Reist says
Oooo Amy, handsome trainers always make everything better! I should know - I married one 😉
Kimberley Barron says
These look amazing, Whitney. Festive, pretty, and yummy all at the same time.
I love swimming and plan to use the indoor pool at my gym during the holidays.
Whitney Reist says
Nice plan, Kimberly! Wish that I was a better swimmer - I hear it is so good for your joints! Maybe I can try water aerobics at some point!
Jessica Barbir says
These look amazing! My husband and I just started personal training so we don't gain weight over the holidays. We love going to the gym but sometimes it's hard with my schedule as a labor and delivery nurse 🙂 I'm so glad you posted this recipe because I am in charge of appetizers this year and now I know exactly what I am going to make!
Whitney Reist says
Way to go, Jessica! I love the idea of a personal trainer during a busy season because it helps with accountability 🙂 Hope you enjoy this recipe!