By Valerie Hermes

It’s no secret I love to entertain. I feel so good when I am surrounded by my favorite people in the comforts of my home. I recently started having home happy hours. I enjoy happy hour out, but I don’t always enjoy spending lots of money, and eating unhealthy food that leaves my body inflamed. Having happy hour at home allows me to spend time those close to me, but also allows me to be mindful of my food choices, allows me to save some money, and share my passion for health with others.

When it comes to serving snacks for my home happy hour, I keep it simple – fresh and colorful! Dips are a perfect option for happy hour food, but finding a healthy one can be tricky. I make homemade pesto for zucchini pasta night at my house, and decided this would be a perfect option for a home happy hour dip.

Make it the night before and serve with grape tomatoes, bite size chicken or tofu sausage, pita, carrots, and other colorfully, delicious fresh veggies. This pesto isn’t just delicious it’s also a great way to add beneficial nutrients to your diet. For example:

• MCT Lean MCT Oil is packed with healthy fats to give you energy and reduce cravings.
• Garlic helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Basil has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, effectively making your pesto an anxiety reliever!

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Other ways to have Lean Green Pesto

• Mix the sauce with quinoa pasta and chicken sausage
• Marinate chicken breasts in pesto and grill
• Top scrambled eggs with pesto and tomatoes
• Use on pizza instead of red sauce
• Add an extra spoonful of MCT Oil for an awesome Pesto dressing

Drinks anyone?

My bar is always stocked, thanks to my boyfriend, who is a wine scotch drinker. A while back we did a liquor store run and picked up some essentials. I am prefer wine for its heart healthy benefits, but I think the bar essentials investment was worth it.

Now when friends come over, I always have a variety of libations to offer. I also always keep club soda on hand (I use for polishing my silver ware). I usually set out an ice bucket, different glasses, and let people pick their poison. I always provide a pitcher of water and ‘mocktails’ as a healthier alternative to alcohol. I will also lay out different garnishes such as lemons, basil, and olives. These add color and pop to the display and makes your guests feel a little extra special.

ENJOY!

The Green-Eyed Hostess

My name is Valerie and I have a passion for entertaining. I enjoy creating an ambiance that brings comfort and sociability out of my guests. If there’s an excuse to have a party, I will find one. I want to help others overcome the challenges of entertaining and eating healthy at the same time! You don’t have to have a huge house or tons of money to throw a great party. It’s all about creating great energy and putting your guests first.

I am currently on a fitness journey. I gained several pounds since I started working. I ignored the weight gain at first, but once I realized none of my clothes fit I knew I had to change. I joined a gym and have incorporated the MCT Lean products into my diet and I am seeing results. I also feel better about myself inside and out.

I want to inspire others to get healthy and get entertaining!