Category Archives: holidays

word of the year

Celebrate Is The Word Of The Year

by holidays,

Here we are on the other side of that magical divide that makes up a year. And, like each of the previous years, I’ve picked a word to be my guiding focus for the year ahead.

Thinking about last year

Last year, 2022, my word was Illuminate. I was astonished at how many different ways the word showed up for me throughout the year. Certain things were made clear, or illuminated, for me as I moved through the year. Then, on more than one occasion, I realized the word was at work when people told me  I had helped them to see things from a different perspective. In effect lighting the way.

Although at times 2022 had its fair share of challenges, (doesn't every year?) overall when I look back I do see a clearly illuminated path and feel grateful that we managed to navigate a number of difficult situations.

I was once again struck by how very powerfully a word can show up in your life and business when you choose it to be your primary focus for an entire year.

Choosing a word for 2023

Now for 2023! I had thought I had my word but then realized it wasn't resonating or sitting very well. I picked another word and during a gathering of a sisterhood of amazing women I belong to shared it with everyone. I was positive that this new word was the one and now that I had spoken it aloud in the presence of others it would be so. However it soon became clear that wasn't my word either.

Feeling more than a little off-kilter I decided to stop trying so hard and trust that the word would come to me. It's amazing sometimes what happens when we let go and let flow simply move through us and the situation at hand.

While it didn't happen immediately, my word did eventually reveal itself. For me there's a sense of “click” or rightness that happens when I somehow stumble on the word that I believe I'm meant to focus on for the year ahead. This year it's

Celebrate.

Definition of Celebrate verb (used with object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.

to make known publicly; proclaim:The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.

to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels:a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.

to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize:to celebrate a marriage.

 

Thoughts about Celebrate

When I think about Celebrate I feel infused with a sense of joy. An almost it's-about-time feeling. I've realized that the last few years have been so challenging for so many of us on a number of different levels that perhaps we've not been celebrating as much as we should. Plus I know stress levels are high. A number of clients have expressed a sense of blah and frustration with what is going on in the world.

Having chosen Celebrate as my word of the year my initial thinking is to make room in my life to celebrate every thing.  The big things, certainly, but even the little things.  To find ways to incorporate more celebration into my everyday.

I'm also creating a goal for myself to be more mindful, to help family, friends, my clients, and others I'm working with to celebrate more. Perhaps we'll create celebratory rituals or find ways to help us all infuse that sense of celebration into  life. I really can't say what will show up. But I do know I'm excited for the year ahead and cannot wait to see how this world reveals itself throughout 2023.

Coconut Cream For Pi Day

by holidays, recipes, ,

Pi Day!

Beloved by math nerds everywhere. Pi Day comes on March 14 – because the first three numbers of the mathematical expression for Pi is 3.14. You should have seen all of the excitement in 2015 (the first five numbers are 3.1415). 

When my kids were little it was great fun to bring a pie to school on March 14th.  One elementary school hadn't heard of this delicious holiday until my child walked in with a Chocolate Silk Pie and utensils.  By then I'd learned that if I was sending a pie to school I also needed to be sure to send a pie knife, plates, napkins, and forks. 

Of course, some families prefer to celebrate at home. Which brings up a very important question…

What Kind Of Pie?

Every year on this day the question running all over the internet is … What Kind Of Pie? Because, after all, there are so many delicious kinds of pie. Of course, there's the standard apple or cherry. But let's not forget that pie doesn't only apply to sweet or fruit pies.

There are also a lot of savory choices such as pot pie, shepherd's pie, and even pizza pie.

The one thing that's pretty much guaranteed? Everyone has a favorite flavor of pie.

This year we're celebrating with a pie recipe much beloved by an elder member of our family.

You’ll need a baked pastry shell of some kind to put it in. While a graham cracker crust will work, it's not as good and tends to get soggy.  A traditional baked pie crust is the best option. Fortunately, you can buy pre-made unbaked gluten-free pie crusts. These are usually found in the frozen food section of the grocery store. You'll need to follow the directions on the crust and bake it before you make this pie.

 

Poppy's Coconut Cream Pie

This delicious coconut cream pie is very easy to make and looks fabulous once it's done.
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice crystals
  • 3 Tbsp organic cornstarch
  • 2 cups shredded coconut toasted and divided
  • 1 Tbsp organic butter
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups coconut milk with the cream — I prefer Native Forest Organic in the can — it takes 2 cans
  • 3 large eggs or 5 egg yolks for a richer pie
  • 16 ounces whipping cream or heavy cream read the label so there’s no gums, carrageenan or other negative ingredients in it
  • 1/4 cup evaporated cane juice crystals
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Mix together cornstarch, sugar and salt
  • Add to a pan with coconut milk/cream
  • Cook over medium until thick and bubbling
  • Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning
  • Remove from heat
  • Gradually add 1/2 C. of hot mixture into beaten eggs or yolks
  • Return egg mixture to pan and cook over medium heat until hot but not boiling
  • Cook at heat 2 more minutes
  • Remove from heat add in butter, vanilla, and one cup toasted coconut
  • Pour into pie shell
  • Cool completely 1-2 hours in fridge
  • Make whipped cream by combining whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until firm peaks form
  • Spread whipped cream over the top of the pie
  • Sprinkle with remaining toasted coconut
  • Chill for 1-2 hours before serving

One Word: Brave

by habits, holidays, ,

Have you ever picked a word to guide you for an entire year? Just one word. It's easy to create goals or to set intentions (I'm not a fan of “resolutions” you can read why here). Those, however, usually encompass more than just one word.  Condensing everything you want for the year ahead into just one word is never an easy task. 

For me it requires a lot of introspection.  Deeply searching for something that really resonates and helps me grow in some way. The first year I did this practice I discovered how amazing it was to have a word to guide you.  I check in regularly with my word and see how things are going. It can be very centering; it's a wonderful way to help you stay on track.

When I began to think about the word of the year this time, I was astonished to see how many words (and how many years) I have been doing this. Previous words have been:

That's a lot of words. As I look over the list I find myself smiling as I remember certain challenges in that year or how that particular word really resonated.

The search for meaning

This year the word found me although I didn't know it at the time. Back in November I was at my friend Doni Langlois' studio to pick up some ceramics. I saw the lovely heart-rattle (the picture at the top) and felt drawn to it so I purchased it as a gift for myself.

In the middle of December as I began my annual word-search process I kept coming back to this beautiful heart sitting near my desk. I thought I wanted a different word but this heart kept speaking to me. Eventually I realized that the reason I couldn't find a word was because this year it was sitting right in front of me. 

 

BRAVE

adjective, brav·er, brav·est.

possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

making a fine appearance.

noun

a brave person.

a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

verb (used with object), braved, brav·ing.

to meet or face courageously

to defy; challenge; dare.

 

It turns out this word is multipurpose, being a verb, adjective, and a noun. As I think about it I realize that I am setting a big intention out there in the world by choosing this word.  I asking myself to:

  • be brave, to stand up to those things or situations that make me nervous or fearful
  • to dare to speak out with courage where necessary
  • to endure 

I know that although the way doesn't always seem so clear at the beginning of the year when I pick my word, as the year progresses the word always seems to resonate throughout all aspects of my life.

Join me

What's your word? What intentions are you setting as we move forth into this shiny, sparkly space of new year?  I'd love for you to join me by choosing your own word. If you want you can even join a word tribe over at OneWord365 and see who else has picked the same word.

What ever lies ahead, my wish for you is one of peace, happiness, and good health.  Be well.

Healthy Tips: Using Up Holiday Leftovers

by additives, health, holidays, ingredients, recipes, ,

Holiday gatherings often mean a bounteous array of food. Starting with turkey or brisket, or ham or whatever your main course is. This is usually accompanied by potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, family favorite recipes, and an almost endless parade of desserts. All of which often means lots of leftovers. How to deal with these leftovers can be a bit challenging at times.

I've put together some thoughts on things to remember for the holiday so we can all have a happy, healthy, safe, and delicious day. 

In order to make sure you have the healthiest leftovers possible be sure to start with the healthiest ingredients. You'll find the recipes in my Holiday Leftover Plan Ebook

  • Making your own cream of whatever soup base (see recipe below) is an excellent substitute for that chemical-laden standby cream of mushroom
  • If your family are biscuit fans make your own instead of the whack-and-bake variety
  • Don't buy the stuff in the can, it only takes a few minutes to make your own delicious cranberry sauce
  • If you eat gluten avoid the chlorine bleaching and bromates found in many commercial flours by choosing un-brominated and unbleached flours instead
  • Skip the crispy onions which come loaded with GMO ingredients and negative additives. Make delicious caramelized onions as a topping instead
  • Canned gravy usually has MSG, trans fats, sulfites, and caramel color, you can easily make your own
  • Pie fillings often come loaded with GMO ingredients, MSG, plus artificial flavorings and preservatives, making your own is fairly easy.
  • Don't throw out those bones, use them to make this delicious broth
  • Leftover wine can be frozen into ice cubes and used later. A standard ice cube tray is 1 ounce which is the equivalent of 2 tablespoons
  • Instead of storing each leftover item in its own container make them into Meal Jars using wide mouth pint jars for a quick and easy lunch or dinner

One of the recipes from my ebook: 

However you celebrate, whatever is on your table, whoever you gather with, I wish you a holiday full of joy and gratitude, health, and happiness!

Pie Crust

The Secret To A Fabulous Pie Crust

by holidays, recipes

It's the holidays, and that usually means pie season!

That, truth be told, is something I dread.  I'm not very good at making pies. Let me amend that.  I'm pretty good at the filling, as a matter of fact, I make a mean coconut custard, but the crust?  Well, that's a different story. For years I have struggled, mumbled under my breath, and cursed as I patched together yet another sorry-looking crust.

In the olden days, before I got the gospel of whole food nutrition, I would “cheat” and buy my pie crusts at the grocery store.  That, my friends, is no longer an option.  It's not the lard that I object to, it's the BHT, the artificial colors (!), and, more often than not, the partially hydrogenated ingredients (read trans fats).  These do not need to be in a pie crust and most certainly do not need to be in your body.

The secret to a fabulous pie crust!

I know it may sound silly to be so happy about this but believe me, several decades of ugly pies later, I'm amazed at how well this worked out.  I'm so excited about this that I cannot wait to share it with you.  I made an extra batch just to be sure it works and turned it into pie crust cookies.  (Admittedly not high on the healthy item list but a treat nonetheless.)

Apparently, this method was developed by Julia Child. Rolled out between two sheets of wax paper, it does not crumble, fall apart, or need patching.  I'm seriously tempted to write out the recipe and tape it permanently to the side of my Cuisinart, so I always know where it is.

My next experiment will be to see if it works with gluten-free flour.  Since pastry flour is supposed to be low in gluten anyway (we don't want it rising while the pie is baking), I think this should be a fairly simple translation.  I'll keep you posted the next time I need to make a pie.

Recipes

pie crust

Julia Child's Cuisinart Pie Crust

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 2 crusts

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3/4 cup of flour or King Arthur's Gluten Free All Purpose flour
  • 1 stick butter, cut up
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used walnut, it was delicious)
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Blend flour, butter, oil and salt in cuisinart until crumbly
  • Add 1/4 cup cold water and blend until it forms a ball

Pie Crust Cookies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • One rolled out pie crust
  • 2-3 tablespoons melted butter
  • Cinnamon sugar to taste (I use 1 teaspoon cinnamon to 7 teaspoons evaporated cane juice crystals)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F
  • Brush pie crust with melted butter covering thoroughly
  • Dust according to taste with cinnamon sugar
  • Cut either using cookie cutters or into strips
  • If making strips twist them before placing on lightly greased cookie sheet
  • Bake 8-10 minutes until golden brown
  • Let cool completely before eating

Non-alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe

by drinks, eggs, holidays

Nothing warms up the holiday spirit quite like a cup of eggnog. With its comforting temperature and warm winter scents like cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, eggnog has been a winter staple.

This Yuletide drink has probably been around for a thousand years. According to TIME, it originated from the early medieval Britain “posset”-- a hot, milky, ale-like drink. 

Its ingredients like, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health, becoming associated with holiday festivities. 

As the Ingredient Guru, I encourage you to make it from scratch instead of consuming the store-bought eggnogs. These are definitely not the “real” thing! One of the most popular grocery store brands contains the following ingredients:

  • Milk, cream - these are not identified as dairy products from cows not treated with rBST - so they probably have this added hormone which is not a good choice for health.  
  • Sugar - let’s face it, eggnog is not a low-calorie food
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup - this sweetener is linked with obesity, diabetes, and negatively affects the liver
  • Egg Yolks - eggs from free-range chickens are best, otherwise, you want at least eggs from chickens that are not raised in battery cages

Side Note: the USDA allows eggnog to be made from as little as 1% egg yolk - not a whole lot of egg in your nog there

  • Fat-Free Milk - see the dairy note above.  And know that fat-free is not a good choice.
  • Guar Gum - food gums can be upsetting to the gut, especially if you consume a lot of them
  • Carrageenan - this is a horrible ingredient which can cause serious gut health issues; it should be removed from the food supply
  • Mono & Diglycerides - these are a form of trans-fats. Trans-fats have been removed from the Generally Recognized As Safe list, but are not banned for use in the food supply. These should be avoided.
  • Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6 - artificial colors are made from a petrochemical base and should be avoided by everyone

If you’re not fond of eggnog, this may be the best time of the year to give it another try. For those that love the luscious taste of classic eggnog, but who are not fond of using raw eggs, this recipe is especially for you.

Non-alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe

I simply want this to be non-alcoholic so everyone in the family can enjoy it. But for adults, you can add some rum, bourbon, or cognac.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 eggs
  • 1¼ c. organic sugar
  • 4 c. organic whole milk
  • 2 c. organic evaporated milk
  • 2 c. organic half & half
  • 2 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 t. ground nutmeg
  • Garnish: Cinnamon sticks, Dash nutmeg, Organic whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Combine eggs and sugar in a bowl and whisk until well-combined. Transfer to a saucepan and stir in whole milk, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and half and half. Set aside.
  • Turn the heat under the egg mixture to medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the milk from scorching. When the mixture reaches 160 degrees on a candy thermometer, remove from heat and slowly whisk in evaporated milk mixture.
  • Pour the eggnog into an airtight container. Store in the fridge overnight or until thoroughly chilled. Serve in mugs and whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, or dash nutmeg. Enjoy!

Healthy Holiday Recipes

 

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, or Solstice, this book has recipes, tips, and tricks to help you have your best holiday season ever.
 
 
Get your ebook

Non-alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe

by drinks, eggs, holidays

Nothing warms up the holiday spirit quite like a cup of eggnog. With its comforting temperature and warm winter scents like cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, eggnog has been a winter staple.

This Yuletide drink has probably been around for a thousand years. According to TIME, it originated from the early medieval Britain “posset”-- a hot, milky, ale-like drink. 

Its ingredients like, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health, becoming associated with holiday festivities. 

As the Ingredient Guru, I encourage you to make it from scratch instead of consuming the store-bought eggnogs. These are definitely not the “real” thing! One of the most popular grocery store brands contains the following ingredients:

  • Milk, cream - these are not identified as dairy products from cows not treated with rBST - so they probably have this added hormone which is not a good choice for health.  
  • Sugar - let’s face it, eggnog is not a low-calorie food
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup - this sweetener is linked with obesity, diabetes, and negatively affects the liver
  • Egg Yolks - eggs from free-range chickens are best, otherwise, you want at least eggs from chickens that are not raised in battery cages

Side Note: the USDA allows eggnog to be made from as little as 1% egg yolk - not a whole lot of egg in your nog there

  • Fat-Free Milk - see the dairy note above.  And know that fat-free is not a good choice.
  • Guar Gum - food gums can be upsetting to the gut, especially if you consume a lot of them
  • Carrageenan - this is a horrible ingredient which can cause serious gut health issues; it should be removed from the food supply
  • Mono & Diglycerides - these are a form of trans-fats. Trans-fats have been removed from the Generally Recognized As Safe list, but are not banned for use in the food supply. These should be avoided.
  • Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6 - artificial colors are made from a petrochemical base and should be avoided by everyone

If you’re not fond of eggnog, this may be the best time of the year to give it another try. For those that love the luscious taste of classic eggnog, but who are not fond of using raw eggs, this recipe is especially for you.

Non-alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe

I simply want this to be non-alcoholic so everyone in the family can enjoy it. But for adults, you can add some rum, bourbon, or cognac.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 eggs
  • 1¼ c. organic sugar
  • 4 c. organic whole milk
  • 2 c. organic evaporated milk
  • 2 c. organic half & half
  • 2 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 t. ground nutmeg
  • Garnish: Cinnamon sticks, Dash nutmeg, Organic whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Combine eggs and sugar in a bowl and whisk until well-combined. Transfer to a saucepan and stir in whole milk, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and half and half. Set aside.
  • Turn the heat under the egg mixture to medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the milk from scorching. When the mixture reaches 160 degrees on a candy thermometer, remove from heat and slowly whisk in evaporated milk mixture.
  • Pour the eggnog into an airtight container. Store in the fridge overnight or until thoroughly chilled. Serve in mugs and whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, or dash nutmeg. Enjoy!

Looking for more holiday beverage? Have a look at my Healthy Holiday Recipes 

Note: Get 10% off on my Healthy Holiday Recipes + FREE Holiday Leftover Plan when you buy before the launch on December 18!

Have a healthy holiday season! Cheers!

Earth Day Every Day – 10 Ways To Celebrate

by environment, holidays

Happy Earth Day!

The start of Earth Day

This annual event, celebrated on April 22 around the world, is a holiday that focuses on the environment. It's meant to raise awareness of and appreciation for this beautiful planet that we live on.

First started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI-D), the event was created after a 1969 oil spill near Santa Barbara, CA. That first Earth Day celebration was a tipping point, bringing together people of all backgrounds, political affiliations, and across all socio-economic strata who were concerned about the environment and wanted to effect change. That first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, saw demonstrations all across the country with 20 million people gathered to protest the harmful things being done to the environment.

CBS News had a special presentation with Walter Cronkite, Gaylord Nelson, and more.

Earth Day 1970 CBS Special

1970 also saw the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. 

The growth of Earth Day

The Earth Day movement continued to spread. In 1990 it leaped onto the global stage. That year there were 200 million people in 141 countries protesting on behalf of the environment. Around this time there was also a big push towards global recycling efforts. And in 1992 there was the first United Nations Conference on the Environment and Diversity in Rio De Janeiro. 

From there the movement grew and is now considered to be one of the largest secular observances around the world. Billions of people participate in a variety of ways from environmental cleanup efforts, to planting trees, to promoting activism on behalf of the environment.

Celebrating Earth Day

There are many different ways to celebrate Earth Day. Focusing on environmental issues, recycling efforts, it's also a good time to develop a personal awareness of Earth-related issues. Here, in no particular order, are ten of our favorite resources that are earth friendly today and every day:

  • Join EarthDay.org to stay on top of this celebration and to be in the loop for activities and events around the world.
  • Buy a water bottle that is reusable and shatterproof at Glasstic – get 10% off the last water bottle you will ever own.
  • Protect yourself and the environment with 3rd Rock Sunblock – no parabens, no hormone-disrupting chemical, GMO-free, and not harmful to coral or other underwater marine life.
  • Switch your laundry detergent for a great environmentally friendly product, My Green Fills.  Bonus, you'll save money by getting “the last laundry detergent bottle you'll ever buy.”
  • Ditch the plastic, get your own beautiful glass straws. This helps to reduce the harmful impact of plastic straws on marine life as well as reducing the use of this non-biodegradable product.
  • Ditch even more plastic by bringing your own utensils when you eat out using this beautiful Bamboo Utensil Travel Set.
  • Buy organic as much as possible, especially for the Dirty Dozen (those 12 fruits and vegetables most likely to be contaminated by pesticides, for animal products (so the animals can be raised without the use of added hormones, heavy antibiotics, and high levels of pesticides in their feed, and for the most common genetically modified crops – corn, canola, and soy.
  • Take a little time to connect with the earth through the healing practice of grounding.
  • Donate to an environmental cause of your choice. One organization, Defenders of Wildlife, is currently running a matching grant program that will triple your gift to help protect species around the world. Other environmental organizations include The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, The Sierra Club
  • Plant a tree, preferably from a local nursery so you're sure that it will do well in your area.

Bonus – because taking time for low-tech quiet activities is never a bad idea. And if it happens to focus on the earth, so much the better.

For more seasonal and superfood info check out these posts:

The Thanksgiving Leftovers Plan

by holidays, left overs, thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  That delicious feast where we cook all of our favorite foods and enjoy family and friends gathered around the table.  A bounteous array of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, family favorite recipes, and an almost endless parade of desserts.  It is a holiday of plenty.

 Erma Bombeck once said, “Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not a coincidence.” While I agree with the eighteen hours to prepare, hopefully, your meal lasts longer than twelve minutes. 

In our rush to get to the big feast we sometimes forget some of the other important stuff. I've put together some thoughts on things to remember for the holiday so we can all have a happy, healthy, safe, and delicious day surrounds by those we love and enjoying our favorite foods.

Food Safety

According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 6 Americans get sick each year from foodborne illness. That's about 48 million people. As many as 128,000 of these people will wind up in the hospital. And raw foods of animal origin (such as poultry) are most likely to be contaminated. The holidays can present an enormous potential for foodborne illness. Combine a busy kitchen with a hectic schedule, a possible overload of guests, and high levels of cross preparation with raw meats and vegetables, and it all combines to make a perfect storm for food safety problems.

The CDC recommends the following rules regarding food safety:

  • Cook – make sure all foods, especially meats, are thoroughly cooked, a meat thermometer is especially helpful at this time of year
  • Separate – don't cross-contaminate your cooking surfaces and be sure to clean all boards and utensils between foods
  • Chill – bacteria can grow on foods left out more than 4 hours so refrigeration is advised
  • Clean – thoroughly wash your veggies, your hands, your utensils, your prep surface, repeatedly
  • Report – if you or someone you know becomes sick and you suspect foodborne illness report it to your local health department

My suggestions  are:

  • Have multiple sponges, one for surfaces, one for pots, one for dishes
  • Microwave your sponges often, on high for 2 minutes, to kill bacteria
  • Have multiple towels for separate uses, hands, drying produce, drying counters, drying dishes

Feeding our fur-babies

While we're enjoying the plenty that comes with this particular holiday, we need to be mindful of the fact that many of the foods that we eat for the holiday are not good choices for our dogs. Many people give their dogs “table treats” throughout the year.  On Thanksgiving, with so many people in the house, our furry friends may pull out all the stops when it comes to the piteous they-never-feed-me eyeball action.  Many of those around our table might be tempted to sneak them “just a little bit.”  The challenge is that all of these “just a little bit” pieces add up to quite a bit of food.  Add in the fact that many of these foods are, in fact, not safe for consumption by dogs and you wind up with very busy veterinary emergency centers.  No matter how much they try to convince us we need to remember that the following can be dangerous for dogs:

  • Turkey skin, gravy, drippings – loaded with fat and spices, it's difficult for them to digest and could lead to pancreatitis
  • Turkey bones – these are very brittle and can splinter causing damage to the stomach and intestines
  • Bread, bread dough, stuffing, cookies, or other baked goods – dogs cannot digest these very easily and they can cause bloating or severe digestive distress
  • Onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, mushrooms, and nuts – these all contain different substances which can make your dog very ill
  • Chocolate – dogs cannot process the theobromine in chocolate. Consuming it can, depending on how much and how big your dog is, cause serious digestive upset and possible toxicity
  • Alcohol – especially beer, is very toxic for dogs

Leftovers

And after the big feast there will be leftovers.  Probably lots of leftovers.  Because let's face it, isn't that how most of us prepare for the big day?  We pretend we're feeding an army (and maybe some of us are).  Partly because we enjoy the cornucopia of favorite foods. But also because after cooking for two days, it's a great feeling to enjoy all these delicious treats again as leftovers. When we're planning for leftovers, however, we need to have a plan.

Substitutions

In order to make sure you have the healthiest leftovers possible be sure to start with the healthiest ingredients:

  • This soup base is an excellent substitute for that chemical-laden standby cream of mushroom
  • If your family are biscuit fans do this instead of the whack-and-bake variety
  • Don't buy the stuff in the can, it only takes a few minutes to make your own delicious cranberry sauce
  • If you eat gluten avoid the chlorine bleaching and bromates found in many commercial flours by choosing unbrominated and unbleached flours instead
  • Skip the crispy onions which come loaded with GMO ingredients and negative additives. Make delicious caramelized onions as a topping instead
  • Canned gravy usually has MSG, trans fats, sulfites, and caramel color, you can easily make your own 
  • Pie fillings often come loaded with GMO ingredients, MSG, plus artificial flavorings and preservatives, making your own is fairly easy. 

The plan

Most people plan their cooking day in great detail. What needs to go into the oven when, what gets cooked in which order, when family is arriving, and how to make the feast all appear on the table at the same time. While it's great to pay all that attention to the meal, we also need to be mindful of how to plan for after the feast. These are my top tips for dealing with leftovers after the holidays:

  • Don't throw out those bones, use them to make this delicious broth
  • And here's a couple of recipes using it plus a wonderful one for my favorite meatball soup
  • Leftover wine can be frozen into ice cubes and used later. A standard ice cube tray is 1 ounce which is the equivalent of 2 tablespoons
  • Instead of storing each leftover item in its own container make them into Meal Jars using wide mouth pint jars for a quick and easy lunch or dinner 
  • Pie for breakfast – okay so it's not nutritionally very sound, but when you've got a delicious gluten-free, lower sugar pie, there's nothing wrong, in my humble opinion, with enjoying a slice of pie with breakfast
  • Here's a blog post on one of my favorite leftover strategies, Sequential Eating
  • And another article Musings on Leftovers

However you celebrate, whatever is on your table, whoever your gather with, I wish you a holiday full of joy and gratitude, health, and happiness. 

Ten Tips For A Happy Healthy Holiday

by holidays

Cultivate Wellness

The holiday season has arrived.  Along with the excitement and anticipation of celebrations we find ourselves surrounded by tempting food choices that we might not otherwise indulge in.  For many these foods seem to bring out self-defeating negative statements. We tell ourselves things like, “I'm cheating” or “I'm so bad” or “I'm probably going to regret this.” Instead of feeding your mind with these negative thoughts consider making a mind shift.  Focus on the company of the people you are gathered with, appreciate the setting, and feed yourself good foods and positive thoughts.

Ten Tips

To help you stay on track and feel great while celebrating the season:

1. Eat breakfast: The most important meal of the day, often we're tempted to skip breakfast so we'll be “really hungry” when we get to that big meal or buffet. The roller-coaster effect on your blood sugar may cause you to overeat which adds to weight gain during the holidays. Chose a breakfast that is high in fiber and protein.

2. Eat before the party: Just as you want to be metabolically stable by eating breakfast, you want to have a small snack before the party to stave off any potential hunger that might lead you to make less desirable choices. Snack on something with a little protein like a handful of raw nuts.

3. Start off raw: When arriving at the party or event start by eating a salad or raw vegetables. These foods are high in fiber and very alkaline both of which are beneficial for your body. Just go easy on the creamy, fatty dressings by choosing healthier dressings such as vinaigrette or hummus.

4. Eat slowly: Savor your food and be mindful of what you are eating. The point of the party is to spend time with friends and family; to socialize rather than to stuff yourself. Eating quickly and mindlessly can lead to overeating; savoring your food and taking your time to eat will help prevent this.

5. Avoid sabotage: Frequently at family gatherings you may be encouraged to overeat the family food-pusher asks you to have “just one more” slice of pie, serving of casserole or whatever dish they are promoting. Learning to gently refuse seconds, thirds or more will help you feel better and avoid excess.

6. Size matters: If your host has different size plates available always choose the smaller one. You are more likely to finish your plate no matter what size it is. Using a smaller plate allows you to have more control over your portion sizes.

7. Beware of buffets: When presented with a large array of choices most of us tend to try to take “just a little bit” of everything on the buffet. The problem is that by the end of the buffet line your plate is overfull and you are more likely to overindulge. Successful buffet techniques include looking at the buffet first and choosing those items you really want to eat. Make sure that at least half of your plate is salads, if available, to help cut down on the foods with fatty, rich sauces. Also try to avoid going back for seconds.

8. Don’t deprive yourself: Moderation is key. Allowing yourself to have small tastes of certain foods, especially fatty, sugary desserts can help prevent a deprivation-induced binge. If you put a whole dessert on your plate you'll be tempted to eat it. Instead cut it in half or quarters and have just those few bites on your plate.

9. Share the wealth: In addition to party invitations many people receive gifts of highly caloric foods like chocolate, candy, cookies, alcohol and more. Sharing them with office mates and others helps remove temptation.

10. Moderate your alcohol intake: alcohol has a lot of calories and can reduce the number of calories that you burn. Alcohol can also increase your appetite, once again leading to overindulgence. To avoid this (and a potential hangover) limit the number of alcoholic drinks and alternate each one with water or sparkling water.

With a little preparation you can successfully make it through the holiday season without regret. Happy Holidays and be well.

 

Thanks to my friend Melanie Dawson who blogs at Cultivate Wellness for the graphic