My favorite football commercial is a DirectTV one featuring Peyton Manning. A tiny angelic Peyton appears inside a football fan’s fridge.

He's not impressed. He sarcastically mutters something about tapenade being a great match for football food.

I, of course, have served tapenade at football parties. My other favorite football party munchies include crostini, hummus, pita chips and kale chips.

Yes, I get teased a lot for my menu choices. Perhaps these aren't as traditional as pizza, chili, hotdogs and nachos but my picks are certainly more nutritious.

And the teasing usually stops when people actually taste the food and don't leave the party feeling bloated and gross.

If you're looking for some healthy options to add to your football viewing parties or tailgates, consider simple things such as a fruit platter with grapes, melon pieces, berries and apple slices.

Make your own snack mix with whole, unsalted almonds, dried fruit and pretzels. You can even add a handful of miniature chocolate chips.

Veggie platters are always popular but don't serve fattening ranch dip with those fresh vegetables. Hummus is a healthy and hearty dip that goes great with carrots, celery and sliced peppers.

You can really cut calories and add vitamins to your spread by serving kale chips instead of potato chips. Here's a recipe.

Kale Chips

1 bunch kale, washed and dried

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sea Salt

Remove ribs from kale and cut leaves into 1-inch pieces. In an even layer, arrange kale leaves on a baking sheet. Toss leaves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 275 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy. Turn leaves halfway through baking. Remove from oven before edges start to burn.

Get your Boston Butt

Order a Boston Butt from the Cataula Volunteer Fire Department to support firefighters and get a delicious meal.

The fundraiser is set for Saturday, Oct. 27, but pre-order now through Oct. 23, and you'll be entered in a drawing for a Char-Broil 4-burner gas grill with side burner that's valued at $260. Boston Butts cost $30 and proceeds will be used to purchase personal protective equipment. These bone-in, slow-smoked pork shoulders weigh about 8 pounds each. The firefighters have earned bragging rights in Harris County for their smoking techniques and secret rub.

Call 706-596-6747 to reserve your Boston Butt and then mail your check to the Cataula Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 475, Cataula, GA 31804.

There will be some Boston Butts available for purchase on the day of fundraiser. Pick up is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at CVFD Station 2, 7120 GA Hwy 315 in Cataula, 1 mile west of Mulberry Creek Elementary and Creekside Intermediate Schools.

Dawn Minty can be reached at 706-571-8512.