While people tend to get caught up in cooking Christmas dinner, why not start the day with a delicious breakfast that’s as special as those memories you’re making around the tree? We’re sharing our favorite special recipes your family will love. Are you looking to make a Christmas morning feast a new tradition or has your family been doing it for years?

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Every year at Paula’s house, you’ll undoubtedly find a ham, a bird, and beef tenderloin, so that all of her guests will surely find something they like. Your guests might enjoy a delicious duck or maybe lamb chops! If stepping out of your seasonal tradition is a little out of your comfort zone, keep your heavy-hitting turkey, and dress it up with something unique, like a sweet and tangy maple cranberry glaze. No matter where you decide to shine your main course limelight, don’t forget to do it with love and little bit of Southern style.

Let one of these showstoppers take center stage on your holiday dinner table!
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin

Roast Prime Rib of Beef with a Rich Pan Sauce

Honey Mustard and Pecan Coated Lamb Chops

Pork Crown Roast with Stuffing

Crab Stuffed Flounder

Turducken

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Which cookie are you most looking forward to?

Day 12: Stick-to-Your-Teeth Chocolate Cookies

Day 11: Oatmeal Scotchie Cookie

Day 10: Grandma Paul’s Sand Tarts

Day 9: Top-Secret Chocolate Cookies

Day 8: White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies

Day 7: Ginger Cookies

Day 6: White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Day 5: Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Day 4: Paula’s Loaded Oatmeal Cookies

Day 3: Chocolate Orange Drop Cookies

Day 2: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Day 1: Meemaw’s Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

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If you want to spread a little love and a little sweetness to your friends, family, and neighbors, we’ve got some yummy homemade Christmas candy recipes to share with you. Do you have any candy recipes you make every year? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!

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Herb Crusted Fresh Ham

You’re going to love this savory showstopper!

Fresh Ham

A fresh-flavored ham that is perfect for the holidays and all year round.

Honey Mustard Glazed Ham

The tangy glaze on this ham will make you want to lick your plate, and we won’t blame you!

Christmas Ham

The title says it all! This recipe is always Paula’s centerpiece for her holiday feast, and she wants to share it with you.

Cola Basted Ham

Yes, this recipe really calls for cola! Once you try it, you’ll wish you had heard about it sooner.

Country Ham and Red Eyed Gravy

This Southern favorite will send you back to memories of your grandmother’s house on a chilly winter’s evening.

Peanut Butter Glazed Ham

Peanut butter isn’t just for cookies and sandwiches. This glaze will definitely knock your socks off.

Aunt Peggy’s Orange Glazed Ham Steak

If it comes from Aunt Peggy’s recipe repertoire, then you know it has to be good!

Deep-Fried Ham

We guarantee this will be one of the juiciest hams you’ve ever put in your mouth.

Baked Ham with Soy House Seasoning

This baked ham has a savory soy house seasoning that will give a slightly unexpected and flavor to your holiday table.

The post Ham for the Holidays appeared first on Paula Deen.

This doesn’t mean that all the effort you’ve made the entire year will vanish in a matter of weeks. If you stay present and make wise choices while standing over the dessert table, that number on your scale shouldn’t go up.

You don’t need to wait until the first of the year to get started on your resolution list; you can start making changes right now.

Here are some tips I want to share so you can face the holiday temptations with confidence and stay on track during this season full of sweets and spirits:

1. Sweat at least three times per week. Working out has many benefits: it reduces appetite, burns extra fat, keeps you young, prevents heart attacks, controls blood sugar levels, combats stress, and protects against cancer. The workouts can be simple: go for a walk or a run, a bike ride, or hit the gym! Ideally, try to go in the morning, so when the holiday commitments and events show up sporadically, you won’t use them as an excuse!

2. Eat a snack before heading to your festivities. This way, you won’t be starving and tempted to eat a dozen deviled eggs. Go for a protein and fiber-packed snack that will keep you full longer, like a plain coconut yogurt with blueberries or some almond butter on a brown rice cake.

3. Make vegetables and lean proteins the center of your plate, and try to avoid sweets and heavy sides. You’ll probably find turkey or cooked ham at just about any holiday gathering. If you want to indulge in a dessert or some butter-laden casserole, stick to a small portion.

4. Eat slow and chew each bite 30 to 50 times. Engage in a conversation with the people around you, put the fork down after every bite, and stay present. This will help you identify when you are really satisfied. Plus, you’ll enjoy mealtime so much more when you’re giving your loved ones extra attention!

5. Drink a glass of water between each glass of alcoholic drink to avoid a hangover and to keep your body hydrated. Because alcohol is full of empty calories (no nutritional value), it’s best to opt for a drink that’s at least low-calorie. Your best options are red wine (contains antioxidant properties) and vodka.

6. Make sure to move the following day after any holiday gathering. If you feel sluggish because you ate and drank too much, staying in bed is only going to make you feel worse. Get outside, drink tons of water, eat fruits and vegetables (no, not the candied version), and sweat the excess from the day before.

If you realize that you’ve been having too much fun and that all the festivities are catching up to you five pounds at a time, don’t worry. Every day and every meal is a new beginning. Once healthy choices become second nature, it’ll be easier— I promise.

Happy Holidays!

Claudia Deen is a Certified Health Coach based in Savannah, GA, and the founder of The Trendy Smoothie. Claudia is a brown belt in karate, thirteen-time half-marathon finisher, seven-time marathon finisher, and two-time Ironman 70.3 finisher. After a career in advertising, her passion for fitness and fresh eating led to a career centered on helping others achieve a healthier lifestyle. In 2013, Claudia married Paula’s son, Bobby. You can follow Claudia on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, so we learned to make the best out of what we had. I remember when Jamie and Bobby were still in grade school, I would take glass jars, wrap them in ribbons and fill them with homemade candies for them to take for their teachers. I don’t like to brag, but I think their teachers appreciated having something that took a little bit of extra time and love.

I try to keep the same idea in mind when I’m decorating my home. If you can believe it, I’ve held on to so many of the homemade ornaments and decorations that Jamie and Bobby have made throughout the years. They’re the prettiest and most special decorations that I own. And now with three grandsons that are growin’ up like weeds, I know that my collection of decorations made by little hands is only going to get bigger.

Last year, I decided to make these gingerbread hanging ornaments. I had to stop myself from eating the decorations; they all smelled and looked so good! I don’t know about y’all, but there’s just something so warm and cozy about stepping into a house that’s filled with homemade touches.

That’s why when I learned how to make these cinnamon stick candles I knew that I would have to put them all over my house. Not only do they both look and smell pretty, you’re not going to believe just how easy they are to make. Y’all, if I can do it, then you can too! I think the best part of making them is that your house is going to smell like cinnamon all winter.

And for gifts, every year I choose some of my homemade gifts from the kitchen to give to friends and family. I hate the idea of going out and shopping to find the biggest and newest gifts. To me, that’s not what the holidays are all about. Why not try and bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces with a bottle of homemade spa treatments, vanilla coffee syrup, or just a tin of beautifully wrapped cookies?

Have y’all decorated your homes yet for the holidays? What kind of special decorations and ornaments do you own or make? I’d love to hear about them!

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