You're never too old to throw yourself a birthday party, whether you're turning the uneventful age of 32 or the impressive age of 96. But you may get too old for the cakes, sodas, and sugary eats that often come with the territory.
The good news is, there are plenty of healthy products out there to not only bring down the calorie count of your birthday feast, but allow you and your guests to have fun while doing it.
So get some of your health-conscious BFFs together, break out your freshest herbs and tallest cocktail glasses, and get ready for a real adult party that's both healthy AND fun!
Drinks like Boochcraft take the health benefits we already love about gut-friendly fermented kombucha and kick it up a notch with a higher alcohol content.
Whether it's added to drinks, desserts, or salads, rose water can bring flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other beneficial components - not to mention a lovely light natural fragrance - to your party table.
According to Mother Nature Network, rose water has been used since the time of Cleopatra for its skin hydrating, anti-aging, and mood enhancing qualities. Why not add a splash to your citrus fruit salad:
Or, top off your picnic with one of these tasty rose water cocktails?
We found several unique drinks you can serve at your birthday party - each with enough flavor and nutritional benefit to make them healthy and tasty - also with just enough alcohol to make them adult-only. Check out our favorites:
Sorrel, more commonly known as hibiscus, is believed to have ample nutrient content hidden within its tart and tangy leaves.
This delicious mix from Diverse Dinners is served over the Christmas holidays on the islands, but we think it's fine for an evening patio party in the summer or fall as well. You'll need to prep this the night before for appropriate steeping time, so be sure to read over the instructions well in advance of your party. If you're interested in sorrel beverages, but not this one in particular, there are a few more here.
While used externally to promote relaxation and sleep, lavender is also an edible herb. Mixing a bit into an ice cold martini glass with a few other fragrant ingredients is sure to impress your guests. Try this one, from the Sweet Life:
If you're not a martini fan, there are several other lavender cocktails you could try here.
Antioxidant-rich and nutrient-dense fresh blackberries, brandy, and peppercorns make this slow-cooker beverage a mouth-watering treat.
You'll need at least 4 hours cooking time to make this Rachael Ray favorite, and it stays fresh refrigerated for up to a month. If you want a blackberry beverage but not really this one, check out these variations from Serious Eats:
Not everyone has a summer birthday. This drink brings the nutrition and fiber of dried figs and apricots to a party in any kind of weather - just chill it down in the summer and warm it up for winter. Try this Winter-Fruit Sangria from Better Homes & Gardens:
Brimming with beta carotene and lycopene among other nutritious qualities, watermelon makes the perfect base for a health-conscious party pleaser.
As usual, Martha Stewart's got the best ideas, and this time it's fresh, cold watermelon blended with ice and vodka for refreshing watermelon slushies. If you'd prefer an alternative, Martha's got Watermelon Bloody Marys, Frozen Watermelon Margarita Pops, and a Basil Gimlet Fizz with frozen watermelon cubes, too.
Add a pop of color to your prettiest mojito glasses with some bright red pomegranate seeds beside a fragrant sprig of crushed mint - like this one, from Redbook:
Heart-healthy pomegranate seeds (called 'arils') boast 7 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and 30% RDA of Vitamin C per cup.
Hand out refreshing boozy pops to the guests on your patio this summer! These are the same traditional popsicles you loved as a kid with a tasty adult twist. Choose from Campari-Pomegranate pops from Real Simple pictured here:
Or Peach Bourbon Lemonade pops, Tropical Tequila Sunrise pops, or Martha's Watermelon Margarita Pops above - just make sure the kids don't get into them. (You can even sneak veggies in to boot.)
Pierce them with a fancy toothpick between a cucumber slice, grape tomato, and chunk of cheese, or sprinkle them over quinoa, kale, or any other type of fresh salad.
Whether you've got vegans on the invite list or not, your dessert menu is sure to dazzle when you serve up avocado-based desserts. From the avocado-lime ice pops from Healthier Steps pictured here:
to avocado mint ice cream (made with coconut milk and fresh mint leaves - nom!) to avocado-pistachio-chocolate cheesecake and avocado chocolate mousse, you can't go wrong as a hostess with these treats at your shindig.
Send your guests home with the best - a homemade dry tea blend and reusable cloth tea bag to enjoy when they get home.
Some great ideas lie here, and here, and your local health food store probably has sets of reusable cloth tea bags in sets of 20 like this.
Also, see if your local grocers, co-ops or health food stores have bulk dried herbs for tea - these organic whole dried chamomile flowers from Starwest Botanicals work, mixed with some of the herbs mentioned here for a tea almost too pretty to steep:
Whether you use them for pretty layered desserts, beverages, centerpieces with fresh-cut flowers, or hanging lights, Mason jars make a great addition to any adult party. We like the ideas suggested here, with an emphasis on the homemade party favors. These flavorful homemade candied ginger treats would be ideal for a healthy party-goer to take home:
Some people might say these aren't healthy - but we don't need that kind of negativity in our lives! This recipe takes a few months to complete, so they could work for your next bash if you plan it right. If you don't have time for all that, here's one that takes less than hour to prep and can be ready after 3 days of refrigeration.
Here are some other fun variations on the tipsy cherry theme - choose your favorite and delight your guests with a fun parting gift.
Try some tarts, like these pretty paleo, gluten-free & vegan mini-berry tarts pictured from Bakeria:
Or, try these gorgeous vegan varieties from One Green Planet, or this Spiral Vegetable Tart from Bunsen Burner Bakery next time you want to impress at a healthy adult brunch or birthday gathering:
Turn your place holder into a parting gift when the earth-conscious folks among your guests finish eating.
Instead of sending out regular invites, why not send packets of milkweed seeds to save the monarchs or other seeds to attract bees or even hummingbirds?
Combine this idea with seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom seed packets (their free catalog can be requested here). You could also try making plantable paper invitations or place holders, or party favors like these.
For yogi party planners, there's a great idea guide here featuring beginners' yoga kits with mats for party favors, and a site full of possibilities here like aromatherapy incense sticks, prayer flags, amulets/jewelry, bells, etc.
For the earth-friendly, there's also Etsy with treats like these $6 animal rights journals or $2.70 sticker sheets with Om symbol, Ankh symbol, Goddess symbol, and more for fun party favors.
Whatever types of party favors or flavors you choose, we hope you'll remember the most important part of your party - relaxing and having a great time enjoying time with friends and/or loved ones.
