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Health & holidays - it doesn’t come across as a natural pairing. Despite the promise of warm family get-togethers full of robust vitality, fine food and joyful laughter, producing tender moments and treasured memories (have I been watching too many commercials or what!?) – the reality of “the holidays” is usually a bit more gritty. Healthy would not be the word I would choose. Like the year my sister’s brand new car, filled with presents, was stolen from our driveway on Christmas Eve - blue Christmas doesn’t even begin to describe it. Or the holiday craft making session that was cut short by my then four-year old’s fall from the couch, resulting in a non-stop scream-filled ride to the emergency room to tend her broken elbow. Then there’s the Thanksgiving that another sister got food poisoning and had to sleep on the bathroom floor to maintain proximity to the commode (it was courtesy of restaurant food my guests had eaten the night before, because I was too sick with stomach flu to cook for them). An annual reminder of the inescapable connection between health and holiday comes to the fore with meal planning. I don’t know about your family, but ours is getting close to covering the waterfront when it comes to food allergies, sensitivities and preferences. Every year I approach the food portion of the various celebrations with excitement and hopefulness as I pore over cookbooks and holiday menus, eager to create the perfect spread. Then reality hits - dairy is out for the lactose intolerant, gluten allergies eliminate the standard grains, diverticulitis dictates no seeds or nuts and we have vegetarians (nothing with a face) and semi-vegetarians – seafood is ok, but not scallops, because they are allergic to those. And that doesn’t even count the little ones who don’t care for most things just on principle. Arrgh! But I’ve learned. I now make a table full of different appetizers, finger foods and sweeties – I get to exercise my culinary creativity and there is at least one thing that each person can eat. We nibble and nosh, tell stories and play games and finally, when we raise a sparkling glass in a toast, the room is indeed warm and the laughter joyous. Health, at least for that moment, seems to be a state of mind. So, in fact you see, they DO go together! If you are on the hook for hosting a growing gathering this year, you’ll want to read Janet Hanafin’s article with great tips on surviving the BIG family holiday. Speaking of growing, our family of readers will be increasing with this issue as we begin distribution in Rochester and surrounding areas. We are excited to be a part of this vibrant and welcoming community. As for health concerns, which always seem to come to the forefront in earnest about January 2nd, this issue has excellent, targeted articles to bring you up to speed on everything from alternative medicine to long term care decisions. Here’s wishing you happy, healthy holidays... |
Editor’s Note