Some of the best holiday celebrations are the spontaneous gatherings that often happen during this busy time of year. Your friend drops the kids off after an afternoon of skating, your neighbor knocks on the door, unexpected friends that used to live in the neighborhood stop by to say hello and you find yourself inviting them in for a minute.
These magical moments give us the opportunity to relax and celebrate our friendships without the fussiness of the perfect meal, table decorations, fancy clothes and polished house. Ahhhh… I remember these impromptu celebrations happening as I was growing up.
My Mom would offer a cup of tea, hot cocoa, lemonade or a glass wine during the holidays-(for the adults). It didn’t really mater what was being offered but pretty soon there would be a gathering in the kitchen and joyful laughter and conversation filling the house. At some point a dish or two of nibbles and noshes would miraculously appear; an offering of hospitality and kindness. My mothers entertaining always seemed so effortless, her secret; a well stocked pantry!
As with many things in life having a plan is the key to success.
If you have a well stocked pantry and a plan you are less likely to fall into the over processed, fatty, sugary & salty extremes. If you have been working at changing your eating habits, consuming more local, organic, healthful foods that support you in feeling your best, congratulate yourself and know that celebration foods can also encompass all of that!
See my list below for a few of my pantry favorites and remember, Keep it simple!
- Homemade popcorn mixed with raw nuts, dried cranberries or raisins (spray popped corn with a little olive oil and sprinkle with additional spices and sea salt if desired). Make your own popcorn with organic kernals and coconut oil.
- Cinnamon Ginger Apple Chips, or store bought, without added sweetener. Add toasted coconut chips
- Baked veggie chips or gluten free rice chips served with your favorite spiced up salsa; I like peach salsa mixed with 1 can drain & rinsed black beans and a generous amount of freshly chopped cilantro added to it. (some diced avocado is also a nice addition)
- Baked thinly sliced sweet potatoes, or sweet potato wedges- scrub, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and cook @ 425 degrees on sheet pan for about ½ hour or until crisp. You can sprinkle these with other seasonings, curry powder, cumin, chili powder & salt, cinnamon or whatever you like. Serve these tasty chips alone or with a simple dip of plain yoghurt or nondairy mayonnaise such as veganaise mixed with curry powder
- Fresh fruit platter; sliced pears, fresh Clementine sections, apple slices sprinkled with a little cinnamon and drizzled with lime juice
- Make a simple dip in the food processor of natural almond butter mixed with raw cacao powder and a touch of sweetener if desired. (add a small amount of water if necessary to get the proper dipping consistency). Almond butter blended with applesauce for fresh fruit.
Enjoy and a toast to a happy and healthy new year!