by Deb Silverthorn
Whether you’re preparing to celebrate with festive songs or gathering candles for the Chanukah menorah, it’s that time of year to come together and spread joy. Not to mention, it’s also the season for bustling through shopping aisles, grocery stores, malls, and checking the mail, along with digging out all those decorations from the attic! But that’s just the start of the holiday preparations. In our quest to make this holiday the best yet, we can sometimes forget to savor the moment.
“Keep in mind the reason we are together, and truly try to embrace that,” advises Suzy Harmon, author of Hungry for Health, Starved for Time.
As a mother of a high school senior, a college junior, and a working son, Harmon emphasizes the importance of exhaling and setting a calm example for the family as a key ingredient for a successful holiday season. “Remember that achieving something that’s ‘good enough’ is acceptable, and the dish or decoration that didn’t make it to the table isn’t likely missed by anyone but you.”
If your older children are returning home to celebrate, they will likely want to reconnect with friends while they’re in town. Harmon suggests using your home as a gathering spot. Prepare some of their favorite nostalgic dishes, fill the fridge with their preferred snacks, and welcome their friends.
Balancing time with extended family while cherishing moments with your children—minus the stress of day-to-day tasks and an overwhelming “To Do” list—can indeed be challenging. Robert and Melissa Chaiken, along with their two teenagers, have found the holiday season to be the ideal opportunity for creating memories with extended family while also enjoying quality time as a family of four.
“We always make sure to spend some holiday time around the tables of grandparents or by dining out with relatives, but for us, the rare ‘just us four’ moments are what we truly enjoy,” Robert shares. “We escape to places like London, Mexico, Disney World, or the ski slopes; it’s not so much about the location, but the fact that we are together, and any time together is something to be grateful for.”
Harmonious Holiday Recipe Tips with a Healthy Twist
“A lot of our holiday traditions revolve around meals that are both delightful and reminiscent of childhood, but we can certainly refresh these meals to make them healthier,” Harmon suggests.
Here are some tips from her book, Hungry for Health, Starved for Time, available on Amazon.com:
• Incorporate pureed cauliflower into your mashed potatoes.
• Substitute pureed dates for sugar to add natural sweetness.
• Use Himalayan pink salt or sea salt instead of regular table salt.
• Spiralize vegetables like zucchini to replace traditional pasta.
• Cook with love, take your time, and involve the family in the cooking process.
