Finding a New Holiday Groove: Serve It Up on a Pretty Plate

Guest Blog by Kimberly Bennett, EMU Dietetic Student

Want to find a new holiday groove this year? And stick with it? Let’s talk about where to turn when you need some comfort and you think only that big magic plate of cookies will help!

Comfort food. We hear about it all the time. It’s defined usually as high carbohydrate, high fat, high sugar, or all of the above type of food. All of which are present and accounted for in our favorite holiday treats.

A Harris poll conducted this past year of 2,522 adults found that a lot of us turn to food when having a bad day or feeling depressed¹

And let’s count stressed too! The favorites are pizza, chocolate, ice cream, mac and cheese and chips. Looks like part of the menu for most holiday parties.

This time of year, tempting treats are everywhere, and when a person is stressed and crazy busy, those tempting treats end up turning into quick, tasty meals! Let’s stop and plan good nutrition, and plan to put it on a beautiful plate!

A pretty plate makes even dark toast taste wonderful.

Try this experiment, I guarantee you it will bring down your stress level and help you start a new mindful eating habit.

While you are out shopping at one of those big home stores or even a second-hand store, pick up a china plate and maybe a new china tea cup, too. It doesn’t matter it if matches; it doesn’t matter if your son puts it in the dish washer or it accidentally gets broken. It isn’t your grandma’s china. This is your new dainty, elegant platform to hold the most amazing and nourishing snack or meal.
When the next stressful moment hits and you want to grab a handful of sparkling sugar cookies, stop – plan the plate and put some water on to boil!
For a quick snack, try a protein (cheese, nuts, slice of leftover turkey) and a piece of fruit, cut and arranged on the plate with a warm cup of rooibos red tea.
If it’s something more you want, plan the plate in a “little meal” style. Add some roasted veggies (Roast some veggies on Sunday and keep them in the frig, most taste great, even cold) and a few whole wheat crackers to the snack idea above for a quick, well balanced meal. Or simply scramble two eggs, add some feta a spinach with a side of whole grain toast.
Everything that you place on the fine porcelain plate will taste better than ever, and your soul will slow down to enjoy all the goodness. [Oh, and don’t forget to add a holiday soundtrack to your peaceful moment! Peaceful Holidays on Pandora is my favorite!]