{"id":171,"date":"2008-11-15T02:45:30","date_gmt":"2008-11-15T02:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/?p=171"},"modified":"2008-11-15T02:45:30","modified_gmt":"2008-11-15T02:45:30","slug":"putting-the-comfort-and-joy-back-into-holiday-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/putting-the-comfort-and-joy-back-into-holiday-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting the Comfort and Joy Back Into Holiday Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seven Tips to Tone Down the Stress of <\/strong>Holiday<\/strong> Meals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t it amazing how the holidays bring out the worst in us\u2014especially family gatherings? <\/span>No wonder they make such perfect fodder for movies!<\/p>\n

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While there is undoubtedly a whole passel of psychological triggers that set off the fireworks around this time of year, stress surely exaggerates the display. <\/span>That\u2019s probably why so many articles address this insidious guest, who can quickly make mincemeat of what should be a happy and comforting time of year. <\/span><\/p>\n

So in the spirit of happier and saner holiday gatherings, this article series offers a few secrets (seven, to be exact) for toning down the stress around one of the biggest stressors of all: <\/span>holiday meal making. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stress-Reducing Secret No. 1: Don’t Get Locked in a<\/span> \u201cLast-Minute Pressure Cooke<\/strong>r\u201d <\/span>There’s nothing like the last minute when it comes to inducing high levels of stress. <\/span>It’s a horrible time to do anything, whether writing a term paper or deciding what to eat. <\/span>The pressure of last minute action shuts down the part of the brain that can calmly and creatively deal with a situation. <\/span>Instead, we go into survival mode, where the brain focuses solely on how to get out of a jam in the fastest way possible. <\/span><\/p>\n

Decisions do get made, but the process is hardly fun and the results are usually less than inspired\u2014just the opposite of what we crave at this time of year. <\/span>Who doesn’t want to flip through some holiday magazines and slobber over the gorgeous pictures of inventive sweet potatoes dishes and to-die-for variations on pumpkin pie? <\/span>So take the time to enjoy doing that, but not two days before Thanksgiving. <\/span>Do it NOW! <\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

This is a reminder that, before you know it, Thanksgiving week will arrive along with its attendant panic for non-planners. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s another piece of advice so planning doesn’t become stressful in and of itself: <\/span>Soften your expectations.<\/em> <\/span> In other words, g<\/span>o right ahead and slobber over that inventive sweet potato dish, but then honestly assess whether you have the time, skills and energy to pull it off without undue stress.<\/p>\n

Bear in mind that planning ahead can make a lot of things possible that might not otherwise be doable. <\/span>For instance, many more complex dishes can be made over two or three days if you know what you\u2019re making and you\u2019ve done the shopping. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even with the best time management, however, a dish may be just too much. <\/span>So skip it and don\u2019t feel badly for a minute! <\/span>There are hundreds of great Thanksgiving recipes out there. <\/span>Find one that will be fun to make, but not overwhelming\u2014or stressful. <\/span>Alternatively, take a familiar recipe and just “dress it up,” Secret No. 4. <\/span><\/p>\n

Coming up over the next week:<\/p>\n