There are many easy and affordable ways to create a beautiful and peaceful mood in your home for this holiday season. Staying out of the stores will take the stress right out of your day. And turn off the television! If your kids don’t know the latest “must have” toy exists, they won’t beg you for it. Because we home school our daughter, we have planned the month of December as vacation days. We will sleep late, go sledding, make presents and decorations, and relax. Even if your kids go to school and you work outside of the home, you can still slow down the pace you set for your family. Here are some ideas for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Eat soup!

How will this make your days merry and bright? Soup is simple and healthy. Not only that, it will keep you from eating poorly because you are in a rush. Fill your slow cooker in the morning and it will be ready when you get home. Have loaves of bread stored in the freezer that you can set out to thaw. Add some fresh salad and/or veggies. Use the time you would have spent cooking to do a craft with your family.

Along with good food, insist that every member of the family drink a large glass of water at every meal. Make it a rule. Most of our kids are dehydrated. This causes headaches and overeating and weakens the immune system. With all of the excess sugar consumption during the holidays, it is especially necessary to eat healthy and drink lots of water.

Family Time

What are a few simple things that you can do together as a family? Drink some hot apple cider, listen to music and watch it snow. Create holiday cards to send out to your friends. Make dried fruit and nut garlands that will feed the birds when you are done using them for decorations (see directions below). These are fun to create and smell wonderful. Bake breads and goodies to share with friends.
Play games. Get in your pajamas early and read books together. Some older kids may think they have outgrown storytime. Encourage them to read aloud to the family and they may be surprised how much fun this can be.

If making gifts and baking isn’t your family’s cup of tea, create your own traditions. Choose a few books to read together, videos to watch together, music to listen to together, or an activity to do together. Go for a nighttime walk in the snowy darkness together. The point is that you come together as a family.

Many of us have a rather unrealistic and romanticized picture in our heads of what a family should look like at Christmas dinner. We need to remember what is important to our family and let go of the media’s idea. We could probably whittle down that list of things we expect ourselves to accomplish. Wouldn’t you rather do a few things well than do many things poorly? Do you remember what happened when the “Grinch Stole Christmas?” The Who’s in Whoville still gathered together and sang songs. Have a wonderful time with your family this year. Laugh, sing, tell stories and make wishes for Peace on Earth.

Decorative Garland & Recyclable Critter Snack

These are very simple to make and are a wonderful family activity to do while sitting around the table. Cut sections of twine for each person. Don’t make them too long; leave string at each end so you can join them together if you wish. Let everyone string items however they wish. Use only dried ingredients that will not spoil. Drape in the house as festive decorations and hang them outside for the animals when you are through with them.

Baking Hints

Even during the holiday, you can always ask yourself: “How can I improve the nutrition of this food?” Some easy ways include substituting flours like Spelt and Kamut for the white flour called for in most recipes. For cookies and cakes, substitute half of the flour with these whole grains. Millet flour is good in many things (but not in cookies). White bean flour and soy flours will add protein; replace one fourth of the flour in your recipe with these flours. Use turbinado sugar, honey or unbleached pure cane sugar. Never use fake sugar! Grind flax seeds and add them to everything. They taste nutty and add a huge nutritional boost to your treats. Use pureed and/or dried fruit in your recipes. These are naturally sweet, so remember to reduce the amount of sugar called for in your recipe. Use free-range, hormone and antibiotic free, vegetarian fed eggs. Substitute or use olive or grape seed oil in your baking whenever you can.

Holiday Bread (my own creation!)

Heat oven to 350.
Grease and flour a large loaf pan or two smaller ones. (You can also use three mini pans if you plan to share these in a gift basket.)
Measure all dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Measure all wet ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Pour into pan(s).
Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan(s) and cool completely before slicing or freezing.
(Bread can be kept frozen for up to one month.)