We would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. To help you “survive” and enjoy this wonderful time of year we have created our own “Top Ten List”.
HOLIDAY SURVIVAL TIPS
1. If you are hosting a dinner party during the festive season insist on everyone bringing part of the meal. This includes gatherings with your friends and family.
2. When people offer to help you in the kitchen…take them up on it…or ask for help when you need it. It might be as simple as getting someone to keep the kids out of the kitchen while you are putting the finishing touches on the meal. Welcome any offers to clean up!
3. To avoid food-related illnesses make sure to promptly refrigerate all leftovers. Any turkey that has not been eaten within 4 days should be frozen for use at a later date. Check out suppertimesurvival.com under the recipe tab for our Baked Turkey Enchilada recipe. It is a fast and tasty way to feed a crowd and use up some of that leftover turkey. As an added bonus you can make it a day ahead!
4. Have a small snack before attending a cocktail party. If you arrive famished the tendency to overeat is greater than if you arrive just a little bit hungry. Grab a piece of fruit and a cube of cheese to eat on the way to the party.
5. Remember that it is not the sugar that wires the kids up…it is the caffeine in the coke and the chocolate that will send them flying! Offer juice or a fruit tray and keep the chocolate to a minimum.
6. Make a big pot of soup on the weekend before your big events…it will provide a satisfying supper on the night of the school concert. Try the Chunky Cabbage, Beef & Barley Soup recipe on page 118 or the hearty Lentil & Pasta Soup on page 122 in Suppertime Survival.
7. If all else fails and you do end up ordering pizza…ask for the thin crust and/or the whole grain crust and choose lower fat toppings such as green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, grilled chicken etc. Stay away from the double cheese option!
8. Watch your portion sizes! Enjoy all of your favourite holiday foods just choose a smaller portion or just a few tastes (not the whole cheese or cookie tray!). This way you won’t feel deprived.
9. Plan on getting some physical activity every day…even if you only have time for a 15 minute walk in the fresh air. It will do you good to get outside and take a break.
10. AND FINALLY……ABOVE ALL…..Keep your sense of humour!
Urbanmoms.ca Nutrition experts are Bev Callaghan who has 3 daughters aged 11, 15, and 19 and Lynn Roblin who has 4 children ages 13, 14, 17 and 18. They are both Registered Dieticians and the authors of the hugely successful cookbook, Suppertime Survival. They are still struggling to survive supper…but are doing much better now than they were 10 years ago!