It's the holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Holidays always feel crazy to me. Too much to do, too many opportunities, not enough money or time, or creative energy. Too much to eat, not enough burning calories. Are you with me on this? We were supposed to have a "Saint Nick" party today, as today is Saint Nicholas Day. But my kids are out of sorts, so we called the whole thing off. Instead of talking about generosity, playing a gift giving game and eating cookies the kids are both down for much needed naps. It seems that this happens to me a lot during the Christmas season. I always want to be super fun and creative, and then we get hit with something and it all goes out the window. For instance, we went to a 50's themed christmas party, and I kept thinking, "If I had had some time, I could have pulled together something awesome for this." But in the back of my head I knew that, I HAD TIME. I had plenty of time. It just didn't happen. I guess there has to be energy and excitement for what does happen, without being mad about what doesn't happen. Let's give ourselves a little room to breath.
One thing we did that was fun was make sugar cookies while we were putting up the Christmas tree. This was our first Christmas that Addi really helped with the tree. Sarah helped too. Ironically, the first year that Josh and I set up the tree that someone could have taken our picture for us, is the first year we didn't get a "couple shot" of us decorating the Christmas tree. Might have something to do with being too busy trying to document Addi in all of her Christmas glory. While simultaneously trying to not burn the sugar cookies.
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| Addison in full action. |
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| The Christmas Tree, as decorated by a 3 year old. |
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| (Notice where I broke the ends off to snitch) |
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| Sarah, Addison and Josh |
~Holiday's Without Milk~
Three days before Thanksgiving my dear friend found out that she can't eat any more milk products, eggs, and a few other things. I have so been there with the milk. Milk products are in practically everything festive or holiday-ish. It brought me back in my mind to my holidays without milk products. *I cheated.* I mean, even the turkey is covered with butter. It's kinda hard NOT to cheat a little. Other than the butter covered turkey, though, I think I was pretty hardcore, and didn't cheat. For everyone who is celebrating Christmas without butter, there are a few ways to make the holiday easier. When I am off milk, I offer to make the mashed potatoes. Because they have been a favorite of mine, and I want to eat them. Here is what I do:
Boil potatoes, dump most of the water, then smash them.
Add some olive oil. (light in flavor will keep it from having too much olive flavor.)
Add salt, pepper, and lots of Italian flavoring. (Loose leaf is what I use.)
(Who knows how much of anything I use? I just keep tasting and "fixing it" 'til its just right.)
One could probably add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a bit of a cheesy flavor, but the recipe above is pretty much as flawless as mashed potatoes can be without milk products involved.
Another thing you could offer to bring is a green vegetables. Those traditional canned green beans, plus cream of mushroom soup and French's onions, yeah. NOT actually worth counting as vegetables! I recently made them for my husbands work party, and now I know how high calorie, and completely unhealthy they are. **I have been deceived my whole life! THOSE AREN'T HEALTHY!** Oh my. How about bringing some broiled asparagus, (or cooked fresh green beans), tossed in olive oil, pepper, and your favorite seasonings? Maybe add some pecans or some slivered almonds before you throw them in the oven. Mmmm. Oooh. You could even add some bacon if you felt high energy when you where getting them ready. That's good stuff, and you won't feel horrible after you eat them.Labels: Cookies, Cooking, Holidays
