Inspired by the new flavored butters on the market, here are some fresh and versatile oil alternatives that can liven up your menu while keeping saturated fat in check. Use flavored oils to spruce up marinades, salad dressings and vinaigrettes, pasta and rice dishes, and use the oils to sauté, stir-fry and sear your favorite vegetables, meats, fish and poultry.

Remember, all oils have about 120 calories and 14 grams of fat per tablespoon, so always measure your oil to keep the calories in check. Olive, canola, safflower and nut oils are higher in monounsaturated fat, vegetable and sesame oils are evenly split between monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat and corn and grapeseed oils are higher in polyunsaturated fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are both heart-healthy; they help lower cholesterol and they dish up powerful antioxidants that protect against cell damage. That said, it’s good to mix things up and use a variety of oils when cooking and creating meals.

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We’ve served up 12 days worth of homemade holiday gifts! Catch up on the previous gifts here.

Instead of forking over tons of cash for fancy oils, make your own custom blends. Jazz up everything from salad dressings to late night snacks with these flavorful infusions — and get a dose of heart-healthy fats while you’re at it.

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This Sunday, surprise Mom with a day of homemade decadence. Start with the day with a deliciously low-fat quiche. Flavor up her kitchen with custom infused oils and vinegars. And toast her with a fresh fruit margarita — use her favorite berries for an extra taste of summer.

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We love sharing our favorite healthy recipes and flavors — and we love hearing about your kitchen successes, too. Get a taste of new ideas and updated classics in this week’s comment round-up.

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