Happy Holidays Earth’s Enrichers!
The next step to the holiday season is deciding what to put on the table. There are some traditional Christmas/Holiday goodies that actually have some beneficial ingredients that could add to healthy living. Remember the lyrics to “A Christmas Song” about chestnuts roasting on an open fire—believe it or not, they have some nice health benefits. So do sweet potatoes, popcorn, plums, cranberry sauce, candy canes, gingerbread, coffee, and even chocolate.
Chestnuts have substantial health benefits. They are low in fat and calories. They are a nice source of fiber, vitamin B-6 and C. Another great benefit is that chestnuts, when ground up, can be used as a gluten-free flour for baked goods. So feel free to enjoy chestnuts draped over eggnog ice cream, cake, and even a salad.
Sweet potatoes also contain Vitamin B-6, and C. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which aids the skin in looking younger, and helps with healing. In addition, sweet potatoes have iron, magnesium, and fiber. Magnesium helps with relaxation and helps reduce stress.
Popcorn is basically whole grain that contains natural fibers and antioxidants but in order to get to these benefits, make the popcorn in olive oil. Processed popcorn contains butter and salt that overshadow the healthy benefits.
Remember the sugar plums that are supposed to dance over your head… well feel free to enjoy! Although some sugar plums can be pure sugar and candy, some can be made with the actual fruit—plums, prunes, figs, etc. If made with the fruits and a moderation of sugar, you can still benefit from the healthy properties of plums. Plums contain vitamin C, K, and A, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, calcium, potassium, and fiber. Vitamin C can help form, and repair skin.
Cranberry Sauce can also have some beneficial health. Check out cranberry sauces that are made with all-natural or organic ingredients. That way the health properties—fiber, Vitamin C, and E—could be enjoyed without artificial preservatives. Also, the tart in cranberries can help with inflammation.
Candy canes have great health benefits as well! Yes, pretty awesome! There is one catch to this the candy canes must contain peppermint oil, not artificial flavoring. The peppermint oil produces antioxidants that help break down food. It helps soothe indigestion and abdominal pain. It can decrease the chances of heartburn and bloating. It also, of course, helps get rid of bad breath, in part by helping to eliminate bacteria.
Gingerbread is another holiday tradition that you don’t have to feel guilty about. The main ingredients of gingerbreads or men are ginger and molasses. Molasses is a natural sweetener and ginger is an anti-inflammatory. It also helps with stomach discomfort. Don’t eat too many sweets though; you don’t want to over do it. Coffee and dark chocolate when consumed responsibly can help reduce cellulite and tone and protect skin respectively.
There are many other healthy aspects to the wonderful things you eat for the holidays. These are just some well-known favorites. We encourage you to inquire about your favorite holiday treats and see what health benefits they might have.
The EE 411:
Green Tea, although not a holiday tradition, can be a healthy addition to your menu. It helps give your skin the nutrition it needs to protect your skin from too much exposure of harmful sun rays and is an energizing equivalent for those who are sensitive to caffeine and don’t want a lot of it. It is also a healthy choice for drinking, giving you more healthy options to reduce the risks of diabetes.
Instead of using sugar, try the switch to honey. Honey helps regulate blood sugar. Honey is a natural sweetener that is equivalent to sugar. So to sweeten your teas, coffee, or even desserts, give it a try and see if you like it.
Last but certainly not least, ham can be another healthy addition to your holiday menu. Incorporating lean ham with low amounts of sodium helps maintain a healthy watch over your course selections. Ham contains protein and zinc (which can help boost immunity and wound healing). Add to this some healthy greens like mustard greens, kale, or green beans. A combination of mustard and kale can help lower cholesterol, and aid in eye health. Green beans contain vitamins K, C, and A. They also have potassium, which can help maintain control over your blood pressure and help cell production.
Share with Us: What are your family’s new or old holiday traditions when it comes to your menu?
(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments. Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog. More information about our company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!)