The holidays have come and gone. Five things have stayed with me, though, and it's time to start eating right so I can lose them before spring.

Gluten-free or not, we all overdo it during the holiday season. I made batches of brownies with the kids, feasted on mountains of snacks and had a cocktail or two at holiday gatherings. All the goings-on kept me off my treadmill and now my pants are feeling just a little bit tighter.

So, now that the kids are headed back to school and the cold air is keeping us all indoors, I am resolving to start warming up my kitchen with the smell of fresher, healthier fare.

Smart Balance offers up some good tips for eating right and staying on track with New Year's goals. The company sent me an interesting recipe for Mexican Beans and Rice that calls for Smart Balance Sour Cream as a topping. It is gluten-free, but contains dairy. However, it's a very healthful recipe, and one that goes with the company's new plan. I'll have to give it a try; it looks interesting.

“It’s tough to stick to your resolutions if they require a lot more time or if it means eating boring, tasteless foods. But there’s a better way,” said Tammi Hancock, registered dietitian, who worked on the development of the new food plan.

The Smart Balance Food Plan outlines a 14-day menu of healthful and easy recipes. And it includes tips and tricks for adding exercise into your busy day and helps you stay on track with a healthier lifestyle. There are tasty choices for every meal, the company says, delicious recipes and a handy grocery list. You’ll even find a lunchtime routine that promises to give you a full body workout in just five easy exercises.

“The meals are designed to help you achieve a healthy amount of natural fats in your daily diet,” Hancock said. “Following this Food Plan will help you limit your fat intake, avoid harmful trans fat and partially hydrogenated oil and get the benefits of heart-healthy Omega-3s.”

Smart Balance vegan buttery spread is a staple in our house. We bake with it and butter our toast with it. Check out the company's Food Plan and get coupons here.

Another easy way to stay on track is to get the slow cooker out and start making some warm and soothing soups. I like to make my own broth by boiling the remains of a chicken in a pot full of water with onions, pepper corns, garlic cloves, celery and salt. Simply bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer 2-3 hours. Cool, strain and store in fridge overnight. Skim the fat off the top and freeze for later. Or, strain into a slow cooker after boiling, add some leftover chicken, rice and chopped veggies and enjoy a hardy and healthful soup.

Here's another good soup recipe that has barely ANY calories:

Cabbage Soup
3 cans (or about 45 ounces) gluten-free broth
4 carrots
2 celery stalks
1 large potato
1 onion
4 cups cabbage
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste

Dice veggies and place in slow cooker. Cover with broth and tomatoes. Season and cook 6-8 hours on low.

Mexican Beans and Rice with Avocado Sour Cream
1 teaspoon Smart Balance® Omega™ Oil
1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups cooked brown rice*
2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Topping:
1/2 cup Smart Balance™ Sour Cream and Omega-3s & Vitamins D and E
1/2 of a ripe medium avocado, peeled and seeded
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 of a medium garlic clove, peeled
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat until hot. Tilt skillet to coat bottom lightly, cook beans in oil for 15 seconds then add tomatoes and cumin. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, place the topping ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

Add the rice to the bean mixture, stir and remove from heat. Sprinkle with cilantro and spoon sour cream mixture on top of each serving.

*Prepare rice according to package instructions.

Serves 4
Per serving: 317 calories, 9 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrate, 11 grams fat, 3.8 grams saturated fat, 4.9 grams monounsaturated fat, 2.6 grams polyunsaturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0.2 mg Omega-3 fatty acids, 1.1 mg Omega-6 fatty acids, 15 mg cholesterol, 800 mg sodium, 9 grams fiber


Mexican Beans and Rice with Avocado Sour Cream with Chicken
This recipe can be served as a delicious vegetarian dish; or add 1 ½ cups of grilled chicken as shown in the photograph.

Serves 4
Per serving: 408 calories, 25 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrate, 14 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 5.7 grams monounsaturated fat, 3.1 grams polyunsaturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0.2 mg Omega-3 fatty acids, 1.6 mg Omega-6 fatty acids, 60 mg cholesterol, 841 mg sodium, 9 grams fiber