Healthy Holidays

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Healthy Holidays

by Tammy Rome

When I was growing up, candy (especially the chocolate variety) was standard fare in my stocking on Christmas morning. It was also widely available throughout the house from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. We could munch from morning 'til night and my parents rarely blinked an eye. I guess they figured they could indulge us during this happy time.

If candy and sweets are plentiful in your home, but you'd like to give your children more healthful choices, then I think you'll like some of the ideas I have this month. I'll be honest that the "holiday sweet bug" has bitten me and it's very difficult to resist making family favorites like Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls, Peanut Brittle, Caramel Corn?and at least a dozen others! Now that I've ignited your "sweet tooth", let's see if I can't give you some healthy alternatives that will satisfy it.

Try these ideas on for size:

Hot apple cider seasoned with a fresh cinnamon stick or peppermint leaves

Trail Mix - buy some or make your own from granola, unsalted popcorn, raisins, dried cranberries and assorted nuts

Oatmeal Raisin (or Cranberry) cookies have much less sugar than the traditional sugar cookies. You can even add a few drops of food coloring to the batter to make them look festive.

Ovaltine - if you or your children MUST have hot cocoa, this is a more nutritious option that tastes just as good.

Winter Fruits and Veggies - squash, pumpkin (remember October's article??), dates, apples, etc. are plentiful in the late fall and winter months. Try the fresh produce aisle for some new treats this holiday season.

Nuts - also plentiful and a good source of protein

Honey - although it is also a sugar, you don't have to use as much to get the same sweetness. Substituting honey for table sugar in recipes is a little tricky, but it can be done. Just substitute 2/3 cup of honey for each cup of sugar. Reduce the temperature by 25�F, add an extra � teaspoon of baking soda and reduce the liquid by � cup for each cup of honey.

Maple Syrup - not the prepackage stuff you'll find in the grocery aisle, but REAL maple syrup is free of corn syrup, artificial colorings and flavorings. It must be kept refrigerated and is a great substitute for commercial syrup on pancakes and waffles.

Pancakes - while we're on the topic, let me share a time-tested recipe that can be easily adapted to a healthy lifestyle. This recipe is has been a Christmas favorite in my husband's family for generations:

1 cup flour (any variety, including wheat)
1 cup milk (any variety, including goat's milk, Lactaid, soy milk, etc.)
2 eggs (farm fresh is best if you can get them)
1 tbsp. baking powder
Whole Blueberries (optional)
*separate egg whites and beat on high until fluffy (I mean REALLY fluffy!)
*mix egg yolks with other ingredients in a large mixing bowl (one with a spout works best)
*mix in egg whites with a large mixing spoon or wire whisk
*pour onto hot griddle or flat pan and serve with real butter and maple syrup.

NOTE: you can also top with fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or any other fruit as long as the fruit is in its own syrup.

A little time and some thinking ahead and you can have a health holiday. I hope you'll try at least one of these ideas this Christmas for your family. If you do, send me an email to let me know how it turned out.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

About the Author:
Tammy Rome has been married for 13 years to Brian. They have two children: Jennifer (9) and Andrew (6). The Romes live in Ottawa, KS where they own and operate a health food store, Healthy Instinct. Tammy is an accomplished herbalist and Certified Reiki Master-Teacher. She offers training workshops, health consultations and healing sessions at Healthy Instinct. She is currently pursuing her Master Herbalist certification from the School of Natural Healing in Springville, Utah. She also teaches high school Spanish part time at Bethel Christian Academy. She can be reached by email at tammy.rome@healthyinstinct.com or by visiting Healthy Instinct.

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