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On Valentine's Day, people celebrate all kinds of love. And chefs and foodies around the globe are showing how indulgence can often be both healthy for people and the planet. These innovators are making the case that flavorful, locally sourced plant-inspired dishes are perfect for special occasions — and also versatile for everyday mealtimes.
<p>While not all their dishes are vegetarian or vegan, their recipes showcase diverse ingredients with powerful and traditional flavors. They bring vegetables front and center — and leave meat as a side dish, a condiment, or even off the plate.<em></em></p>
<p class=""><em>Reposted with permission from </em><em><a href="https://foodtank.com/news/2020/02/20-plant-forward-chefs-loving-vegetables-this-valentines-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Food Tank</a>.</em><a href="https://foodtank.com/news/2020/02/20-plant-forward-chefs-loving-vegetables-this-valentines-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a></p>
<p>"The sustainability reasons [to eat vegetable-centered] are evident because the production of non-plant based food is taking a clear toll on the environment," says plant-forward chef Hari Pulapaka.</p><p>Food Tank is highlighting 20 chefs proving plants are some of the most versatile ingredients for both everyday meals and special occasions.</p>
1. Alice Waters
<p>Waters is a chef, author, and food advocate, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. Waters is the author of 15 books, including New York Times bestsellers The Art of Simple Food I & II, and the memoir, Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook. With the belief that chefs should pay attention to the wholesomeness of food — including how ingredients are sourced — Waters is credited with providing the foundation for the plant-forward movement. Waters' recipes and menus offer occasional lapses into indulgence perfect for Valentine's Day including sweet corn soup and winter squash tortellini.</p>2. Ana Sortun
<p>Ana Sortun is the chef at Oleana in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her menu focuses on Turkish and Middle Eastern classics distilled down to their traditional elements. She is also the owner of Sofra Bakery in Cambridge and Sarma Restaurant in Somerville, Mass. Many of the vegetables used at Sortun's restaurants are grown locally — on her husband's farm. Sortun is well-regarded for her mastery of Mediterranean spices — her 2006 cookbook, simply called "Spice," is a bestseller. In her recipes for <a href="https://www.saveur.com/turkish-stuffed-eggplant-imam-bayildi-recipe/" target="_blank">imam bayildi (Turkish stuffed eggplant)</a> and <a href="https://oldwayspt.org/blog/chef-ana-sortun-oleana-shares-kitchen-secrets-and-new-cookbook" target="_blank">Syrian-style lentils with chard</a>, she homes in the one or two warming spices that will elevate the star vegetable without overpowering its natural flavor.</p>3. Chloe Coscarelli
<p>Vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli believes that vegetable-forward dishes can still be mouthwatering, rich, and playful. Now with four cookbooks and nearly a dozen television appearances, Coscarelli has become a prominent figure making the most of plants and their natural flavors. With recipes like <a href="https://chefchloe.com/recipes" target="_blank">chocolate layer cake</a>, <a href="https://chefchloe.com/recipes" target="_blank">blueberry cinnamon french toast</a>, and maple bacon benedict, home chefs can satisfy their sweet tooth and their savory cravings this holiday.</p>4. Christina Arokiasamy
<p>Chef Christina Arokiasamy, who was raised in Malaysia and now lives in Washington State, served as the first Malaysian food ambassador to the United States. Her family members have been spice merchants for five generations, and her show on the Cooking Channel, The Malaysian Kitchen, focused on traditional Malaysian flavors. Arokiasamy's recipes for <a href="https://themalaysiankitchen.com/2019/10/08/vegetarian-pineapple-fried-rice/" target="_blank">pineapple fried rice</a> and <a href="https://themalaysiankitchen.com/2019/10/08/goan-coconut-curry/" target="_blank">goan coconut curry</a> both highlight plant-based ingredients commonly found in Malaysia and blend sweet and savory elements.</p>5. Daisuke Nomura
<p>Chef Nomura is internationally praised for plant-forward takes on creative Japanese style cuisine. Having earned two Michelin stars, Nomura's recipes are sure to impress any loved one with plant-forward innovation, including his spin on an American Valentine's classic: instead of a beef steak, Nomura's recipe suggests an <a href="https://www.plantforward50.com/chefs/daisuke-nomura#recipe" target="_blank">onion steak</a> as a new way to embrace the overlooked ingredient's flavor using new and modern styles of cooking.</p>6. Dan Barber
<p>Dan Barber, Chef and Co-Owner of <a href="https://www.bluehillfarm.com/" target="_blank">Blue Hill</a> and <a href="https://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/stone-barns" target="_blank">Blue Hill at Stone Barn</a> and the author of The Third Plate, was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the President's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and has received multiple James Beard awards including Best Chef. In 2009 he was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. Barber is hailed for his plant-forward initiatives including his Row 7 seed company that breeds seeds for better flavor. Barber's plant-forward <a href="https://www.plantforward50.com/chefs/dan-barber#recipe" target="_blank">celery root recipes</a> open up new possibilities for the vegetable a rich broth, cozy tea, or even a hearty braised dish.</p>7. Deborah Madison
<p>Chef, cooking teacher, and author of 14 widely-recognized cookbooks Deborah Madison specializes in seasonal vegetable recipes. Through these recipes, Madison — recognized as the originator of the plant-forward trend — hopes to highlight farmers market produce and heritage varieties of vegetables. Having cooked at restaurants like Greens in San Francisco, Madison has surprised many non-vegetarian and non-vegan diners with bold flavors and filling meals. Dive into Madison's cozy <a href="https://www.latimes.com/food/recipes/la-fo-deborah-madison-in-my-kitchen-cookbook-20170206-story.html" target="_blank">lentil soup with berbere</a> or <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/316404/beet-risotto" target="_blank">risotto with beets</a>, which add depth and color to a normally luxurious dish.</p>8. Derek and Chad Sarno
<p>Derek Sarno is Executive Chef and Director of Plant-Based Innovation at Tesco and co-founder of Wicked Healthy, a plant-forward blog founded with his brother Chad Sarno. The co-founders develop recipes that allow eaters to indulge with smokey, deep, and nearly guilt-causing flavors — all while maintaining a plant-forward diet and mission. Their recipes like <a href="https://wickedhealthyfood.com/2019/12/27/wicked-herby-crusted-roasted-butternut-squash-tenderloin/" target="_blank">roasted and herb-crusted butternut squash tenderloin</a> and coconut tartlets with <a href="https://wickedhealthyfood.com/2016/09/11/coconut-tartlet-with-clementine-sorbet-and-lavender-syrup/" target="_blank">clementine sorbet and lavender syrup</a> embrace the flavor of plants and their potential in classic Valentine's Day preparations.</p>9. Erik Oberholtzer
<p>Erik Oberholtzer is a chef, social entrepreneur, and food activist whose restaurant chain Tender Greens makes it easier for anyone to enjoy seasonal, plant-forward home cooking at affordable prices. And as a board member for The Rodale Institute and a Food Forever Champion, Oberholtzer supports regeneratively grown and biodiverse crops in diets around the world. His recipes for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2BK-eGryp0" target="_blank">gazpacho</a> and <a href="https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/poached-salmon-salad-with-lettuce-and-asparagus-50185996" target="_blank">poached salmon salad</a> offer lighter takes on romantic meals.</p>10. Hari Pulapaka
<p>Hari Pulapaka is the Executive Chef and Owner of the acclaimed Cress Restaurant in DeLand, Florida, and is a tenured professor at Stetson University. Pulapaka's self-described cuisine is "globally inspired" and "vegetarian focused" and is intended to showcase food that "nourishes the body and frees the soul." In his forthcoming book Sinfully Vegetarian, Pulapaka will feature plant-forward recipes that leave eaters feeling spoiled and craving for more. Inspired by Pulapaka's menus and recipes, eaters can indulge in <a href="http://sinfullyvegetarian.com/" target="_blank">savory vegetable bread pudding</a>, beet-radish terrine with lentil-sesame hummus, or a Mediterranean and Middle East-inspired <a href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/recipes/meyer-lemon-ricotta-and-spinach-gnudi-with-green-garbanzo-bean-hummus-tomato-jam-and-spiced-almonds" target="_blank">ricotta and spinach gnudi</a>.</p>11. Jody Adams
<p>Jody Adams, a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, highlights local vegetables at her restaurants in Boston, where her menus feature housemade pastas, roasted beets, and spanakopita. Adams — who holds a degree in anthropology from Brown University — put it best when she said, "It's the beautiful, raw ingredients that determine what food tastes like — not how fancy the kitchen is." Try something new in the kitchen this Valentine's Day, like making your own pasta: Adams' comforting recipes for <a href="https://www.bostonchefs.com/recipe/jody-adams-floppy-tomato-lasagna/" target="_blank">floppy tomato lasagna</a> and <a href="https://www.starchefs.com/chefs/JAdams/html/recipe_03.shtml" target="_blank">potato gnocchi gratin with wild mushrooms</a> guide you through the process.</p>12. Joe Yonan
<p>Joe Yonan, the Washington Post's food and dining editor, thinks we should all eat more beans. In his new book, Cool Beans, Yonan shares 125 recipes that highlight the versatility of the wide world of protein-packed legumes. Many of the recipes, like <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vegetarian-recipes-hummus-ratatouille-margaritas-and-more-from-washington-posts-joe-yonan/" target="_blank">fusilli with white beans, cherry tomatoes, and corn sauce</a> or <a href="https://modernfarmer.com/2020/02/cook-this-cool-beans-by-joe-yonan/" target="_blank">falafel fattoush</a>, use ingredients you might already have canned in your pantry. Right in time for Valentine's Day, Yonan even serves dessert and drinks, with recipes like <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vegetarian-recipes-hummus-ratatouille-margaritas-and-more-from-washington-posts-joe-yonan/" target="_blank">chocolate, red bean, and rose brownies</a> and a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vegetarian-recipes-hummus-ratatouille-margaritas-and-more-from-washington-posts-joe-yonan/" target="_blank">salty margarita sour</a>, topped with whipped chickpea aquafaba.</p>13. John Fraser
<p>Eating vegetarian or vegan, <a href="http://www.nixny.com/" target="_blank">according to chef John Fraser</a>, "should feel more celebration than sacrifice." That's why he opened Nix, which is now New York City's only Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant. There, he serves dishes ranging from cauliflower tempura (<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-dish-chef-john-fraser/" target="_blank">here's the recipe</a>) to kabocha squash dumplings, but his menu changes depending on what's seasonally available. Fraser shows that plant-forward dishes can be fun — he describes his <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qkn9aw/potato-fry-bread-with-sour-cream-and-cucumbers" target="_blank">potato fry bread recipe</a> as "a zeppoli made love to a French fry and then got slathered in sour cream and vegetables."</p>14. José Andrés
<p>José Andrés is often credited with bringing the tapas-style dining concept to America. The founder of 31 restaurants and World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those affected by natural disasters, wants to bring vegetables forward in American diets. By making vegetables the center of dishes, and relegating meat to side dishes or condiments, Andrés hopes to give plants the recognition they deserve for their role in eaters' health and happiness. Andrés's recent cookbook Vegetables Unleashed includes cozy, luxurious recipes like potatoes cooked in compost, vegetable paella, and fennel bouillabaisse.</p>15. Makini Howell
<p>Chef Makini Howell from Plum Bistro Seattle designs innovative dishes that reflect upon her experience being raised in a vegan family. With powerful flavors, Howell works hard to make plant-forward synonymous with delicious. Howell's recipes offer adventurous eaters an opportunity to integrate more spice into their Valentine's Day meal plans with a <a href="https://recipes.oregonlive.com/recipes/habanero-yam-soup" target="_blank">habanero yam soup</a> and <a href="https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/recipes/makini-howells-spicy-peach-tofu-and-tempeh-with-charred-purple-beans" target="_blank">spicy peach tofu and tempeh with charred purple beans</a>.</p>16. Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby
<p>Chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby opened and operate a small restaurant group of vegan establishments in Philadelphia — including Vedge, V Street, and Wiz Kid — and Washington D.C.'s Fancy Radish. As James Beard-nominated chefs, Landau and Jacoby's passion for veganism injects love into their cooking; and similar plant lovers can feel inspired by their menus and recipes that explore rutabaga fondue, eggplant braciole, and even <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwExuSgTJ5M" target="_blank">potato scallops</a>.</p>17. Romy Gill
<p>When chef Romy Gill was growing up in India, meat was reserved for celebrations and special occasions — and even when she did eat meat, it was a side dish at most. So every recipe in her recent debut cookbook, Zaika, is vegan. "I wanted to show that in India, plant-based cuisine is something people don't do just for the sake of it—it's a way of life," <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2019/12/warming-dhals-zingy-salads-interview-romy-gill" target="_blank">she said</a>. Gill, who now lives in the U.K., cooks lighter fare with Indian flavors, like <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/red-cabbage-pomegranate-salad-romy-gill-cooking-instructions-a9008271.html" target="_blank">red cabbage and pomegranate salad</a> and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/romy-gill-recipe-courgette-sabzi-indian-vegetarian-a8361056.html" target="_blank">courgette (zucchini) sabzi</a>, a childhood favorite.</p>18. Selassie Atadika
<p>Midunu, the name of chef Selassie Atadika's restaurant in Accra, Ghana, means "let us eat" in the Ewe language. Midunu represents "nomadic" dining, meaning meals are served pop-up style at a new location each time. Atadika said she is reminded that plant-forward cooking is healthier for humans and the planet when she looks at the traditional foodways of nomadic African groups. Now, at Midunu, Atadika sources much of her produce and grain from local farmers living off the land. Recipes like her <a href="https://www.plantforward50.com/chefs/selassie-atadika#recipe" target="_blank">gari foto</a> celebrate African ingredients like gari (made from dried cassava) and the spice prekese.</p>19. Stéphanie Audet
<p>Before Stéphanie Audet became a restaurant chef, she was a vegetarian food consultant, creating plant-based recipes and menus for restaurants. These skills have come in handy in her kitchens: A restaurant she opened in Hawaii was devoted entirely to raw indigenous ingredients. When she became the executive chef at LOV, in Montreal, Canada, in 2016, she created an entirely vegan menu that featured creative but approachable recipes like <a href="https://quench.me/mavericks/stephanie-audet-lov-maverick-chefs-2018/" target="_blank">coconut ceviche</a>. Recently, she moved to Lisbon, Portugal, where she opened Senhor Uva. At the natural food and wine bar, her small plates focus on seasonal and local vegetables.</p>20. Tal Ronnen
<p>The plant-based chef to the stars, Tal Ronnen earned his fame while cooking for Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Arianna Huffington, and for the first-ever vegan dinner at the United States Senate. Ronnen's cookbook Crossroads is based on recipes from his Los Angeles restaurant of the same name, which opened in 2013 to showcase high-end vegan dining with Mediterranean flavors. With an inventive recipe for <a href="https://www.plantforward50.com/chefs/tal-ronnen#recipe" target="_blank">artichoke "oysters" with tomato bearnaise and kelp caviar</a>, Ronnen offers eaters a plant-forward alternative to the well-known seafood aphrodisiac this Valentine's Day.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Extracted from the sap of the coconut, the "lambanog" was once considered a lowly peasant's drink whose potency they claim puts those of well-known liquors and spirits around the world in the shade. JAY DIRECTO / AFP / Getty Images
Christmas celebrations turned sour when 11 people died and over 300 were hospitalized in the Philippines after drinking a batch of poisonous coconut wine, local police said on Monday.
<p>Holiday revelers in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, south of Manila, fell ill after drinking a wine called lambanog, a traditional Filipino alcoholic drink that is made from coconut sap. It generally has a high alcohol content of around 40 percent, and is often distilled in informal and unsanitary environments.</p>
<p>Those who consumed the drink were rushed to hospitals with symptoms including stomach aches, vomiting and numbness, while some collapsed and lost consciousness, according to the police report. Two were reportedly comatose before arriving at the hospital for treatment.</p><p>The deaths occurred in Rizal, a small municipality of Laguna province, between Thursday and Sunday. Rizal's mayor, Vener Munoz, told local media that two people who were in critical condition were on the mend, and that the wine had been produced there.</p><p>"All had a sad history of lambanog ingestion," Reuters quoted the local police department as saying. "Some bought for leisure drinking and birthday party, while others were donated by local officials during their Christmas party."</p>
<p>Last year, more than 10 people died after consuming the same drink. Jose Jonas Del Rosario, a doctor and spokesman for Manila's Philippine General Hospital, told AFP that methanol, a chemical that can cause blindness and death, is one of the byproducts of coconut wine fermentation.</p><p>Some lambanog producers choose to keep the high levels of methanol because it allows for a larger production volume and is thus more profitable, he added.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/eleven-dead-300-hospitalized-after-drinking-poisonous-coconut-wine/a-51777344" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deutsche Welle</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
Having a drink at a holiday party but don't want to have too much?
<p>Whether you want to loosen up at a work or family function or just really like a friend's festive punch bowl concoction, it can be easy to consume too much alcohol without realizing it.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-best-ways-to-get-in-your-exercise-while-you-travel-for-the-holidays#Dont-sweat-ithttps://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-easy-is-it-to-binge-drink-during-the-holidays#Prevent-holiday-binge-drinking" rel="noopener noreferrer">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
<p>And drinking alcohol is <a href="https://www.alcohol.org/guides/booziest-holidays/" target="_blank">associated</a> with holiday celebrations.</p><p>"This creates the expectation that everyone will be drinking and that it is socially acceptable, or even expected, to do so," said <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/directors-page" target="_blank">George F. Koob</a>, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.</p><p>Many people throw around the term "binge drinking," but it's important to know what constitutes that, notes <a href="http://addiction.uchicago.edu/People.html" target="_blank">Ashley Vena</a>, PhD, who heads the Clinical Addictions Research Laboratory at the University of Chicago.</p><p>Binge drinking is defined as having five drinks for men and four drinks for women in a 2-hour time frame.</p><p>That can raise blood alcohol levels to 0.08 percent, which is considered legally drunk in most U.S. states.</p>
Why Holiday Boozing Is a Thing
<p>While people may binge drink for various reasons during this time of year, people who have higher expectations about the beneficial effects of drinking are more likely to binge.</p><p>In other words, you may be more likely to consume too much if you think it will help you have more fun at a party. Other personality traits and age can also lead to a higher likelihood of binge drinking, Vena says.</p><p>"Social pressure mixed with a brain chemistry deficiency provides a perfect storm for binge drinking," added <a href="https://drshosh.com/" target="_blank">Shoshana Bennett</a>, PhD, a psychologist from California.</p><p><a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323432.php#1" target="_blank">Research</a> has indicated that having low levels of dopamine may put people at risk for binge drinking.</p><p>"If a larger number of drinks in a short period of time is needed in order to receive the same chemical effect that most people get with one drink, it can easily lead to binge drinking," she added.</p>Harms of Holiday Drinking
<p>Overindulging may only cause a bad hangover, but it can lead to risky decision making, vomiting, and alcohol poisoning — not to mention the effects of intoxicated behavior.</p><p>Frequent binge drinking is a risk factor of alcohol use disorder and can have detrimental effects on numerous organs, including the liver, pancreas, intestines, heart, and brain.</p><p>Binge drinking during the holidays has specifically been linked to a phenomenon known as "holiday heart syndrome," which is a cardiac arrhythmia that occurs in people without a history of cardiovascular problems.</p><p>"Such cases are more prevalent during holidays as a result of increases in excessive alcohol consumption," Koob said.</p>Prevent Holiday Binge
<p>Even if you don't drink enough to be legally drunk, there are a few things you can do to avoid drinking too much:</p><h4>Be Mindful of Your Limits</h4><p>Know how alcohol affects you, and be aware of any medications you're taking that could increase the effects of alcohol.</p><p>While most of us are aware about the dangers of drinking too much, alcohol can lead to a distorted sense of confidence.</p><p>"People might truly believe they're fine to drive, while the truth is they are not," Bennett added. "Sometimes the self-awareness is clear, but embarrassment asking for a ride becomes a barrier."</p><h4>Make a Plan</h4><p>Monitor how much and how quickly you're consuming your drinks. If you know you may drink more than you want to, decide at the beginning of a party how many drinks you'll have and stick with the plan, Koob says.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/" target="_blank">single serving of alcohol</a> is defined as:</p><ul><li>12 ounces of beer with 5 percent alcohol</li><li>5 ounces of wine with 12 percent alcohol</li><li>1.5 ounces of spirits with 40 percent alcohol</li></ul><p>"It is common to accidentally overpour drinks, and the extra alcohol can derail your plans to keep consumption to a minimum," Koob added.</p><h4>Eat Before or While You Drink</h4><p>This can help delay alcohol from entering your bloodstream.</p><p>"This will not prevent someone from becoming intoxicated, but it can slow the absorption of alcohol into the body and reduce the peak amount of alcohol that makes it to the brain," Koob said.</p><h4><span></span>Pace Yourself With Nonalcoholic Drinks</h4><p>Like having a drink in hand? Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or club soda, Vena suggests. This way, you can still drink but won't be filling up on alcohol so quickly, and can hopefully avoid having too much of it.</p>From Your Site Articles
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5 Best Ways to Get in Your Exercise While You Travel for the Holidays
24 December 2019
Health + Wellness
During the next two weeks, it's estimated that a record 116 million people in the U.S. will travel for the holidays.
<p>For some, it's a festive homecoming. For others, it's a source of familial tension.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-best-ways-to-get-in-your-exercise-while-you-travel-for-the-holidays#Dont-sweat-it" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
<p>But one nearly universal part of the experience is not enough exercise and too many calories.</p><p>"All year round, we have pressure from media and society to 'look good' and everybody wants to lose those last five to 10 pounds," <a href="http://www.sharonzarabi.com/" target="_blank">Sharon Zarabi</a>, RD, CDN, CPT, bariatric program director at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told Healthline. "And what typically happens during the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame is that we actually, on average, gain five pounds."</p><p>It can be a challenge to keep up your usual exercise routine when you don't have access to your local gym or personal exercise equipment.</p><p>But with a little bit of ingenuity, it is possible to fit an exercise routine into the busy holiday season.</p>
Walk or Run
<p>For those who don't have access to a cardio machine over the holidays, the solution is straightforward.</p><p>Do your cardio routine the old-fashioned way and go outside for a walk or run.</p><p>"If you're traveling somewhere where it's warm and you can go outside to walk or jog or anything like that, it's a nice option," <a href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/sports-medicine/team/physical-therapists/dr-ebner" target="_blank">D.R. Ebner</a>, PT, SCS, a physical therapist at The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, told Healthline.</p><p>Even if it's chilly outside, bundling up and going for a brisk stroll is a good way to walk off that rich <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/christmas" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christmas</a> dinner and take in the lights while shedding some calories in the process.</p><p>A 20-minute walk can cover about a mile, which can burn off about <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/walking-for-weight-loss#section3" target="_blank">100 calories</a>, depending on a person's sex and weight.</p>Resistance Bands
<p>It's tough to take a weight training routine on the road.</p><p>It just isn't practical to pack bulky, heavy dumbbells into your luggage and there's no guarantee that your holiday destination will have alternatives.</p><p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercises/easy-resistance-band-exercises" target="_blank">Resistance bands</a> may not be able to provide the same heavy lifting workout as dumbbells, but they do offer something similar in a lightweight form that can fit into the palm of your hand.</p><p>"The easiest thing that anyone can do, as most research has shown, is resistance training, which helps increase metabolic rate," said Zarabi. "It doesn't mean you need to go to a gym and use a machine or lift dumbbells. Resistance bands, which are easily portable, are something you can throw in your luggage. They come in different colors for different intensity levels."</p>Create a Stop-Gap Program
<p>Anyone who has a daily fitness routine knows that traveling can throw things into chaos.</p><p>Rather than struggling to replicate your current program, or haphazardly fit workouts into your day, Ebner says it's helpful to establish a new routine for the days you're away from home.</p><p>This might entail doing exercises you don't usually do or adapting to your surroundings.</p><p>"You may not have a ton of space," he said. "But you can do workouts like pushups, jumping jacks, and situps."</p><p>"You can do, for instance, 10 pushups, and then some bodyweight squats and some lunges," Ebner noted. "You can repeat that two or three times and commit 10 or 15 minutes to it. Work hard, but keep it sustainable."</p>Look Online
<p>To add to his point of adapting to different surroundings, Ebner suggests going online to look for inspiration.</p><p>"On YouTube, there are all kinds of workout videos — anything from yoga to calisthenics," he said.</p><p>"If you're trying to fit an exercise in and you're not sure what to do, you can find guided routines where it's all spelled out for you and you can follow along," he added. "You don't have to overthink it."</p>Don’t Sweat It
<p>Even if there's enough space and equipment to work out, sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day when you factor in the social commitments of the holiday season.</p><p>Zarabi says it's good to approach the season with a goal not of losing weight, but maintaining your current weight.</p><p>This strategy even allows for some indulgences, provided they're reasonable.</p><p>"I always like to enforce the 80/20 rule: be good 80 percent of the time and enjoy the desserts and holiday treats 20 percent of the time," she explained. "Indulging on Christmas Day or at holiday parties is not enough to derail you from your lifestyle. It's the accumulation of what you do over the long term that really impacts your weight loss efforts."</p><p>Following the indulgent, or over-indulgent festive season, many of us make New Year's resolutions in an effort to improve things moving forward.</p><p>Instead of setting lofty goals for the new year, Zarabi suggests a more measured approach.</p><p>"If your resolution is better health, don't make it about the number on the scale," she said. "A lot of us judge ourselves by a size or weight, disregarding the fact that we can fluctuate 5 to 7 pounds after a dinner party. It's best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning at a dry weight and try not to obsess over the marker."</p><p>"I think that people need to be a little more forgiving of themselves and just get back to the basics the next day, instead of waiting for the magic to happen on New Year's Day," she added.</p>From Your Site Articles
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SolStock / E+ / Getty Images
By Heather Cruickshank
- Signs of holiday cheer can have a flip side for many dealing with loss, anxiety, or depression.
- Disruptions to your diet, exercise habits, and sleep schedule can also take a toll and lead to holiday blues.
- Experts say there are clear ways to cope including connecting with others, managing expectations, and practicing self-care.
The holiday season is a joyful time for many people — but it can also be a harbinger of stress.
<p>For those who are coping with loneliness or grief over the loss of a loved one, holiday traditions and activities may heighten feelings of isolation and sadness.</p><p>Buying gifts, making food, traveling, and managing other holiday responsibilities can also strain people's emotional and financial reserves.</p><p>Disruptions to your diet, exercise habits, and sleep schedule can affect your physical and mental health, too. Even seasonal reductions in sunlight can take a toll.</p><p>If you find yourself struggling with feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness, you're not alone. Here are five strategies that may help you ward off the holiday blues this year.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-ways-to-beat-holiday-blues" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
1. Connect With Others
<p>If you struggle with feelings of isolation, loneliness, or sadness around the holidays, reaching out to family members and friends may help.</p><p>"For those persons who experience loneliness or depression during the holiday season, it's especially important to reach out to family and friends," <a href="https://nursing.jhu.edu/faculty_research/faculty/faculty-directory/mona-shattell" target="_blank">Mona Shattell</a>, PhD, RN, FAAN, a mental health specialist and professor of nursing at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, told Healthline.</p><p>"These individuals should strive to connect in real life with one person per day," she continued. "Call a friend on the phone, make a plan to meet someone for a walk or for coffee — anything that connects the person to another person."</p><p>If you don't have a lot of people to call or visit, volunteering for a local organization may give you the chance to meet new people and strengthen your connections with your community.</p><p>"Doing something meaningful for others can help mediate loneliness, depression, and stress during the holidays," Shattell said.</p><p>"Taking part in a service project or volunteering for your favorite organization can help one feel less alone, less stressed, and more alive," she added.</p>2. Acknowledge Feelings of Loss
<p>For people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, certain holiday traditions or memories may serve as a reminder of their absence.</p><p>Rather than try to suppress feelings of sadness, it may help to acknowledge them and take time to commemorate the person you've lost.</p><p>"For people who are experiencing grief over the death of loved ones, especially those who have died since the last holiday season, it is helpful to acknowledge the loss and celebrate the life as it was lived, the memories that remain," Shattell said.</p><p>You might find it comforting to establish a new holiday tradition in their honor. On the other hand, you might decide to skip other traditions or activities that are too painful to participate in without them.</p><p>Give yourself freedom to choose how you'll mark the holiday and your loved one's memory, recommends the <a href="https://hospicefoundation.org/End-of-Life-Support-and-Resources/Grief-Support/Journeys-with-Grief-Articles/Three-C-s-for-Holiday-Grief" target="_blank">Hospice Foundation of America</a>.</p>3. Manage Expectations
<p>Setting realistic expectations is essential for limiting stress.</p><p>If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to scale back on your holiday decorations, baking goals, or social calendar. Rather than taking on everything, the American Psychological Association (APA) <a href="https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/holiday-stress-gift-giving" target="_blank">recommends</a> prioritizing the tasks and activities that are most important to you.</p><p>Sticking to a holiday budget may also help limit stress by reducing financial strain. Don't spend more money on gifts or activities than you can afford.</p><p>If you find yourself struggling to meet the expectations of other people, it's important to recognize and communicate your needs and limits, <a href="https://behavioralassociatesla.com/about-us/brett-marroquin-associate/" target="_blank">Brett Marroquín</a>, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University, told Healthline.</p><p>"I tend to talk to patients about interpersonal effectiveness skills, ways to communicate with partners, with adult parents, and with families that have to do with clearly asserting your needs, being really clear about what your needs and your emotions are, and having boundaries," Marroquín said.</p><p>"What can I fulfill? What do I need to do to take care of myself? Communicating all those things," he continued.</p>4. Practice Self-Care
<p>Although it might not be your number one priority during the holiday season, practicing healthy habits is important for maintaining good mental health.</p><p>"Basic stuff like keeping a healthy diet, keeping up your exercise, keeping up the activities you typically do, including the positive activities that you just enjoy doing, and not letting the stressful stuff sort of overwhelm all that and supersede all of that — it creates the foundation for healthy coping," Marroquín said.</p><p>Try to get enough sleep, get some exercise, and moderate your intake of holiday treats.</p><p>It's also best to avoid consuming alcohol when you're feeling stressed or blue, advises <a href="https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/november-2015/tips-for-managing-the-holiday-blues" target="_blank">Dr. Ken Duckworth</a>, MD, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.</p>5. Plan Ahead
<p>Whatever <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cope-with-top-holiday-stressors" target="_blank">holiday stressors</a> you expect to encounter, planning ahead may help you cope.</p><p>For some people, that might mean blocking time off in their calendars to shop when they expect grocery stores or malls to be less busy.</p><p>For others, it might mean planning a special activity or gathering with friends on a day when they anticipate feeling lonely or sad.</p><p>"If you know that Christmas Day or New Year's Eve is a particularly stressful time for you, maybe because of a loss that happened around that period or because you've always spent time with your grandpa and he's gone now," Marroquín said, "is there something you can do on that day, is there something you can plan with other family members for that day?"</p><p>"A lot of the research is really clear," he continued, "that when you're active in planning coping in advance for challenges you know are coming, the better off you're going to be."</p>From Your Site Articles
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Pexels
By Julia Ries
- Alcohol activates the GABA system causing us to feel less anxious and relaxed. If you stop drinking, your GABA system is still overcompensating and gets mixed up, leading to a spike in anxiety.
- Drinking can also impact your ability to get REM sleep, which can affect mood.
- Alcohol can help trigger a chemical that impacts the "flight or flight" response leading to anxiety
For many people, drinking and the holidays go hand in hand.
<p>Between the work parties, festive get-togethers, and influx of family members, there are plenty of opportunities to get caught up in a whirlwind of drinking.</p><p>In fact, the stretch before Christmas leading through New Year's Day accounts for more <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-binge-drink" target="_blank">binge drinking</a> episodes than any other point in the year, according to the <a href="https://www.alcohol.org/statistics-information/holiday-binge-drinking/" target="_blank">American Addiction Centers</a>.</p><p>And all the alcohol-infused cheer going around often comes with a painful aftershock.</p><p>Yes, there are the standard hangover symptoms — pounding headaches, bouts of nausea, and an uncompromisable need for total silence — but many people also experience heightened levels of anxiety, a term the internet has dubbed "hangxiety."</p><p>So, in light of the upcoming holidays — and, therefore, all the champagne and spiked eggnog you're about to serve up — we wanted to get to the bottom of why drinking can give us more anxiety in the days that follow.</p>
<p> <em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/does-drinking-make-you-more-anxious-over-the-holidays" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
It Messes With Our GABA System
<p>The mood fluctuations we feel after a couple of days or even a night of excessive drinking can be traced back to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gamma-aminobutyric-acid" target="_blank">gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)</a>, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.</p><p>Alcohol activates the GABA system (which, remember, is inhibitory), causing us to feel less anxious and relaxed (if you drink, you know the feeling).</p><p>"By activating an inhibitory neuron, [alcohol] makes you uncoordinated, it makes you disinhibited — so you're a little more talkative — and that happens immediately," said <a href="http://www.yalemedicine.org/doctors/stephen_holt/" target="_blank">Dr. Stephen Holt</a>, a Yale Medicine addiction medicine doctor.</p><p>However, if you drink multiple days in a row, and therefore activate the GABA system for an extended period of time, the GABA system starts to cool itself down.</p><p>"Your brain starts to say, 'Oh! There's this whole new thing in our brain now, we should make some changes,'" Holt said.</p><p>When you eventually stop drinking, your GABA system is still overcompensating and gets mixed up, leading to a spike in anxiety.</p><p>"When you take alcohol out of the system — it's four days of binge drinking and now you're not drinking alcohol — that [GABA] system is now revved up in such a way that you start to feel anxious if you don't have alcohol in your system," Holt said.</p><p>On top of that, alcohol releases a surge of endorphins — our bodies' natural opiate — which gives us a feel-good buzz.</p><p>When we drink for days in a row, our brain starts to expect this pleasurable substance all the time. And, without it, we can start to feel a bit blue.</p><p>"We use the term dysphoria, which is kind of the opposite of euphoria," said Holt. "It's just this feeling of emptiness and feeling a little hollow — there's just something missing — because that alcohol was providing this pleasurable, reinforcing effect."</p>Alcohol Can Also Be Stimulating
<p>Alcohol can also be stimulating, according to <a href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/doctors/john_krystal/" target="_blank">Dr. John Krystal</a>, the chair of the department of psychiatry at Yale Medicine.</p><p>Some people may find that a glass of wine or beer will cause them to feel more stimulated. Krystal says this may be due to alcohol's ability to increase norepinephrine levels in the body, which is a chemical involved in our body's "fight or flight" response to fear or stress.</p><p>This rush of norepinephrine can play out in a couple of ways.</p><p>"While some people may find the effects of norepinephrine to be pleasurable, others — particularly people with symptoms associated with panic disorder or PTSD — may be very sensitive to the ability of norepinephrine to trigger anxiety," Krystal said.</p>It Interferes With Our Sleep
<p>Alcohol also disrupts the quality of our sleep and can completely deregulate our sleep-wake cycle.</p><p>"People may find that drinking alcohol helps them to relax and to fall asleep. However, alcohol reduces the restful quality of sleep and when their blood alcohol levels drop, they may experience more difficulty getting back to sleep or maintaining sleep," Krystal said.</p><p>And when we don't get the sleep we need, our mood can take a hit.</p><p>When we drink alcohol, our rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, is reduced. This matters because it's the most important, restorative part of our sleep.</p><p><a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/113/9/2538" target="_blank">Research</a> shows that poor REM sleep has been linked to a higher risk of depression and anxiety. On the flip side, <a href="https://news.berkeley.edu/2018/11/06/chronically-anxious/" target="_blank">a deep, restorative sleep</a> may actually calm an overactive brain and mitigate feelings of anxiety.</p><p>"Sleep is important in mood regulation and being thrown off suddenly can increase feelings of anxiety," said <a href="https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/find-a-doctor/psychiatry/dr-jessy-warner-cohen-phd-11362380" target="_blank">Jessy Warner-Cohen</a>, PhD, a senior psychologist at Northwell Health.</p>Here’s How Long It’ll Last and What to Do About It
<p>According to Holt, whereas a hangover will usually stick with you for a few hours, that post-drinking anxiety may linger for a couple of days.</p><p>However, if you struggle with anxiety or have an anxiety disorder, that anxiety may last longer and end up being more severe than it was before drinking alcohol.</p><p>If you start to feel more anxious after drinking, it's probably worth taking a break from it. Give your GABA system a rest and find a healthier way to soak up those endorphins.</p><p>"There are natural ways of reducing anxious feelings. Exercise is a great one. Even if you're feeling sluggish, going for a brisk walk can naturally uplift your mood," Warner-Cohen said.</p><p>Sleep is another big one: Take a nap if you can or aim for an earlier bedtime.</p><p>"Getting an actual full night's sleep that includes REM sleep is very important to help people feel restored the next day, less anxious, less depressed, and more capable of getting done what needs to be done," Holt said.</p><p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercise" target="_blank">Deep breathing exercises</a> can also help soothe your nerves. There's plenty of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137615/" target="_blank">evidence</a> pointing to deep breathing's ability to boost feelings of comfort and downplay symptoms of anxiety, arousal, and confusion.</p><p>Many health experts recommend the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing" target="_blank">4-7-8 method</a>, in which you slowly inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and gradually exhale for 8 seconds.</p><p>Listen to your body — you know it better than anyone else.</p><p>If you feel the anxiety building, or strong, persistent urges to drink, reach out for help. There are a lot of treatments available for both anxiety and alcohol use disorders that are worth looking into if you sense an issue unfolding.</p>The Bottom Line
<p>With the holidays upon us, you may notice that all that spiked eggnog and champagne toasts may not only give you a painful hangover, but severe symptoms of anxiety as well.</p><p>This is because alcohol can have a very powerful effect on the systems that regulate our mood and mental health.</p><p>Though the anxiety may linger for a few days, sleep, exercise, and deep breathing exercises can help you overcome the anxious aftershock that follows a few days of heavy drinking.</p>
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The Great Christmas Tree Debate: Is It Better to Buy a Real Tree or a Fake One?
17 December 2019
Popular
Evergreens pictured with foggy sky in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Dave Michuda / Unsplash
It's the holiday season again, and in the midst of making to-do lists and prepping for festive dinners, some people will once again ponder whether it is better for the environment to buy an artificial Christmas tree or to opt for the real thing.
<p>
It's a good question to ask. We're in the midst of a <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/5401586/canada-national-climate-emergency/" target="_blank">climate emergency</a> and are becoming increasingly aware of our environmental impact.
</p><p>
Many of us are more likely to think about climate change when making purchases through the year. It makes sense to wonder if leaving trees in the ground to continue growing might not make a better contribution to the fight against climate change.
</p>
A Decade to Grow or Keep
<p>A natural tree of average size (2-2.5 metres tall, 10-15 years old) <a href="https://www.carbontrust.com/news/2013/01/christmas-tree-disposal-advice/" target="_blank">has a carbon footprint</a> of about 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) — about the same as driving a car 14 kilometres.</p><p>This footprint increases dramatically if the tree is sent to landfill. When it decomposes, it will produce methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and generate a much larger footprint — close to 16 kilograms of CO2e. If the tree is <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2008/01/03/how-to-dispose-of-your-christmas-tree/" target="_blank">composted or recycled</a>, a common practice in many major cities — the environmental footprint remains low.</p><p>By comparison, a <a href="https://www.carbontrust.com/news/2013/01/christmas-tree-disposal-advice/" target="_blank">two-metre tall artificial</a> tree has a carbon footprint of about 40 kilograms CO2e based on the production of the materials alone.</p><p>Different types of plastics are used in artificial tree products. Some, like <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/canadian-tire-artificial-trees-1.5384538" target="_blank">polyvinyl chloride</a>, are very difficult to recycle and should be avoided. Polyethylene trees, which <a href="https://blog.balsamhill.com/b/compare-pvc-polyethylene-christmas-trees/" target="_blank">tend to look more realistic</a>, have higher price tags.</p><p>The vast majority of artificial trees are produced in China, Taiwan and South Korea. Shipping from these distant factories increases the trees' carbon footprint.</p><p>An artificial tree has to be re-used for 10-12 years to match the footprint of a natural tree that is composted at end of life. Even then, recycling the materials in artificial trees is so difficult that it is not common practice. Some <a href="https://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WRS/Pages/What-goes-where/Artificial-Christmas-trees.aspx" target="_blank">old trees can be repurposed</a>, but most artificial products will end up in a landfill.</p>
Burning Trees
<p>This gives ecologically minded Canadians some sense of the impacts of their choice. But other factors are also at play. Real trees are <a href="https://www.narcity.com/news/ca/christmas-trees-in-canada-are-running-low-and-prices-are-rising" target="_blank">becoming scarce and more expensive</a>. In the U.S., the average price of a real tree in 2019 has <a href="https://fortune.com/2019/12/02/christmas-trees-2019/" target="_blank">increased to $78 from $75 in 2018</a>.</p><p>Weather has taken a toll on Christmas trees. In the U.S., hot weather and too much rain are considered contributing factors to a <a href="https://www.today.com/news/tight-supply-christmas-trees-could-mean-higher-prices-t167619" target="_blank">shortage of trees</a>, and wildfires <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-wildfire-wiped-out-their-christmas-tree-farm-and-livelihood-now-they-wonder-what-to-do-next/2018/12/21/966080cc-023d-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html" target="_blank">damaged or destroyed some farms</a>. Heat waves in 2017 and 2018 killed <a href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/christmas-tree-shortage/283-682f4617-5af6-42f3-b9b8-575cf8dfc1ba" target="_blank">young seedlings in Oregon</a> and will impact tree supply in years to come.</p><p>In Canada, consumers who want natural trees have been <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/christmas-tree-shortage-lots-face-rising-demand-1.5382621" target="_blank">warned to shop early</a>, as many sellers have limited inventory due to fire, frost and insect damage that has accelerated over recent years.</p><p>Climate change will likely exacerbate these factors and could drive up the price of trees for years to come. Researchers have found that certain pests, like the <a href="https://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2017.41" target="_blank">balsam twig aphid</a>, already a major pest in the Québec Christmas tree industry, will likely increase in a warming climate and harm commercial fir plantations.</p>
Oh, Christmas Tree
<p>Economics has also played a role in tree availability. Today's trees were planted around the time of the Great Recession of 2008.</p><p>The impacts of this economic downturn were far-reaching in the industry. As demand fell during those years, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/us/christmas-tree-shortage-demand-supply-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">many growers went out of business</a>. This reduced the number of trees planted and contributed to the scarcity in today's Christmas tree marketplace.</p><p>The Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association has shrunk dramatically in the past 15 years — from <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/6282405/canada-christmas-trees-shortage/" target="_blank">300 members to about 80 today</a>.</p><p>Is it time to give up on real Christmas trees?</p><p>Holiday trees provide <a href="https://treecanada.ca/blog/why-buying-a-fake-christmas-tree-just-doesnt-cut-it/" target="_blank">wildlife habitat, protect soil, moderate floods and drought, filter air and sequester carbon while they grow</a>. Tree farms also provide local economic benefits that don't come with foreign-made products.</p><p>The changing climate may not mean the end of holiday trees. Studies carried out in the Appalachians suggest that trees at lower elevations may be more likely to suffer from pests and damage as climate change progresses. They also found that tree farms at higher elevations may <a href="http://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.05.003" target="_blank">benefit from a longer growing season</a>.</p><p>Research into <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.3390/f9040193" target="_blank">the effects of temperature and precipitation extremes on cone formation</a> may help growers maintain or enhance tree growth in response to changing environmental conditions. Forward-looking Christmas tree farmers may start planting <a href="https://www.acclimatise.uk.com/2017/12/12/hold-on-to-your-christmas-trees-climate-impacts-on-the-seasons-favourite-plant/" target="_blank">a greater diversity of tree species</a> to weather the impacts of climate change.</p><p>It is clear, however, that holiday trees face increasing risks from a changing climate and not all producers will be able to adopt cutting-edge methods; some will not choose the right trees.</p><p>Most Christmas tree operations in Canada are family businesses without deep pockets, and the costs of relocating tree farms to more friendly climes or higher elevations may put others out of business. The cost of a Christmas tree will likely continue to rise in the future.</p>
<p>
<em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-great-christmas-tree-debate-is-it-better-to-buy-a-real-tree-or-a-fake-one-128508" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Conversation</a>.</em>
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So the Kids Want a Dog for Christmas. Is Adopting One a Good Idea?
11 December 2019
Insights + Opinion
By Sharon Elber
You may have heard that giving a pet for Christmas is just a bad idea. Although many people believe this myth, according to the ASPCA, 86 percent of adopted pets given as gifts stay in their new homes. These success rates are actually slightly higher than average adoption/rehoming rates. So, if done well, giving an adopted pet as a Christmas gift can work out.
<p>However, to increase the odds that you will find a good fit for your family and will be ready for the challenges of pet adoption during a busy time of year for many, consider the following tips before you sign the dotted line and commit to opening your home to an adopted dog this <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/holidays" rel="noopener noreferrer">holiday season</a>.</p>
<p><em>Sharon Elber is a professional dog trainer and a writer at </em><a href="https://www.wileypup.com/" target="_blank"><em>WileyPup</em></a><em>, a website that provides information about canine health, nutrition, breeds, training and products.</em> </p>
1. The right fit is more important than the right time.
<p>One mistake to avoid when <a href="https://www.wileypup.com/why-adopt-a-shelter-dog/" target="_blank">deciding to rescue a dog</a> over the holidays is to force the timing while compromising on the right fit for your lifestyle. Important considerations like breed mix and/or personality type can be neglected as families rush to adopt and make a selection from the limited options available at that specific time. </p> <p>The holidays are a busy time for animal shelters which can cause the selection of dogs to wane in the weeks leading up to Christmas in particular. It is a mistake to adopt a dog simply to check the box. Instead, carefully consider your family's lifestyle and work with a shelter and/or foster and breed rescue groups in your area to find a canine companion with the right personality, exercise needs and training requirements for your family. </p> <p>Consider offering an "Adopt a Dog" coupon if you can't find the right fit in time for the big day. This will give your children the excitement of knowing a new furry addition to the family is on the way, while also offering the benefit of getting them involved in the selection process. Dog toys in advance of your new dog's arrival also make great stocking stuffers.</p>2. Make sure to budget for post adoption expenses.
<p>The adoption fee often covers the cost of any vaccinations and/or spay/neutering that your rescued dog has already had prior to adoption. However, it is important to schedule a vet visit within a few weeks of your adoption, make sure your new family member is up to date on vaccines, and cover the initial cost of monthly medications such as heartworm and flea/tick prevention. These costs can easily mount to $300 or more, so be sure your post-holiday budget has room for these costs. </p> <p>In addition, you will have food, toys and bedding costs that always spike when adopting a new dog. Allow for these costs as well or incorporate them into your other gift purchases this year.</p>3. Build a holiday schedule that accounts for the needs of your new pet.
<p>Rehoming is generally a stressful time for animals in the rescue system. Often unsure if they have found a permanent home or just another temporary location, dogs can be prone to developing anxiety issues if transitions are not handled with care. </p> <p>If you have holiday travel plans, it might be better to wait until the new year to adopt. Bringing a dog home only to drop them off at the kennel a few days later is not the best idea for your new pet. Instead, plan a "<a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/dog-friendly-travel-staycation-ideas%20" target="_blank">staycation</a>" if you adopt a dog this holiday season and make sure to schedule time for dog-focused events such as extra walks, training sessions and fun games like fetch and tug.</p>4. Get the kids involved in the care of your new pet.
<p>Depending on your child's age, taking on some level of responsibility for the care and training of the new member of your family is critical. This helps them to learn valuable lessons about caring for animals, responsibility, as well as offering a chance to build a human/animal bond built on trust and respect. </p> <p>For example, children ages 3 - 5 years old can assist with daily care routines such as feeding, checking water and walking your dog. Older children can participate in training sessions and take on more responsibilities like joining in on puppy classes. Dogs need daily exercise and mental stimulation, so consider creating a responsibility calendar for kids so everyone in the household has a part in caring for your pet.</p>5. Look beyond the shelter for adoptable dogs.
<p>Finally, if you visit the shelter and don't find the dog you are looking for, do some research to locate other adoption options in your community. For example, there are many breed rescue organizations devoted to saving particular dog breeds from kill shelters, puppy mills and abandonment. In addition, many communities have networks of volunteers devoted to fostering dogs until they find their forever homes that you may find on social networks or by a basic internet search.</p> <p>One big advantage of going through these volunteer organizations before adopting a dog for Christmas is that they have direct experience living with the dog in a home setting. This means they can speak honestly and knowledgeably about any special needs, compatibility with other pets in the household, or suitability for your family's lifestyle, dog friendly amenities (such as a fenced yard), and dog ownership experience.</p> <p>Giving your kids an adopted dog at Christmastime is about more than watching their faces light up with joy when they receive their new pet. With a little planning and consideration, you can make sure your adopted dog is a good fit for your family so that the joy your new pet bring extends way beyond the holiday season.</p>From Your Site Articles
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You can reduce the footprint of a medium-sized live tree by donating it to elephants at a local zoo, like this African elephant pictured above. eans / iStock / Getty Images
The holiday season is supposed to be about giving and sharing, but often it is actually about throwing away. The U.S. generates 25 percent more garbage between Thanksgiving and New Year's than it does during the rest of the year. That's around one million extra tons per week, according to National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) figures reported by The Associated Press.
<p>Waste is a big part of the major environmental crises currently harming life on Earth. Around <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/8-million-metric-tons-of-plastic-dumped-into-worlds-oceans-each-year-1882012563.html" target="_self">8 million metric tons</a> of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastic-pollution" target="_self">plastic pollution</a> end up in the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oceans" target="_self">oceans</a> each year, where they kill 100,000 marine animals and around one million seabirds a year, according to <a href="http://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/" target="_blank">Ocean Crusaders</a>. And <a href="https://www.drawdown.org/solutions-summary-by-rank" target="_blank">Project Drawdown found</a> that reducing <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/food-waste" target="_self">food waste</a> was the third most effective solution for reducing the amount of planet-warming greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and fighting the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_blank">climate crisis</a>.</p><p>So how can you celebrate without ending up on Earth's naughty list? Here are three tips for a holiday season that honors nature's gifts.</p>
1. Make Your Own Tree
<p>There's an <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/green-christmas-eco-friendly-2623425137.html" target="_self">ongoing debate</a> as to whether it is more ecologically friendly to buy a natural tree every year or reuse a plastic one. But neither option is climate neutral, according to <a href="https://www.omnicalculator.com/ecology/zero-waste-christmas-tree#just-how-green-is-your-tree" target="_blank">Omni's Christmas Tree Footprint Calculator</a>.<br></p><p>This tool helps you calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a variety of Christmas tree options and disposal methods so you can make the greenest choice you can. A natural tree thrown in a landfill burns 21.02 kilograms of carbon dioxide, a landfilled plastic tree burns 35.16 kilograms and a replanted potted tree burns only 1.64 kilograms. But only one option emits zero carbon: making a tree of your own from items already in your home.</p><p>In addition to calculating carbon footprints, the tool also gives you instructions for making trees from books, cans, floating baubles, cardboard or succulents. Compared to a plastic tree, a book tree can save the amount of carbon dioxide generated by 84 miles of driving.</p><p>But if you really crave that pine-needle smell, you can reduce the footprint of a medium-sized live tree down to 5.724 kilograms of carbon dioxide by donating it to the elephants at your local zoo.</p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="534130ad4703f8cfbb2434a486938ffe"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDZLNh-hFUE?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
2. Give Up on Gifts
<p>More and more people are turning away from the tradition of exchanging store-bought presents. This is especially the case for the younger generation, Waste and Resource Action Programme campaigner Richard Clapham told <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/christmas-presents-plastic-packaging-waste-family-stress-a9179926.html" target="_blank">The Independent in November</a>.</p><p>"They're increasingly looking for experiences rather than 'stuff.' I think this is partly driven by their concern for the planet but also because they already have so much stuff," he said.</p><p>If you opt not to buy things, there are still many creative ways to tell loved-ones you care. <a href="https://lbre.stanford.edu/pssistanford-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-holiday-waste-prevention" target="_blank">The Peninsula Sanitary Service and the Stanford Recycling Center</a> have several alternative gift suggestions including trips to museums or parks, certificates to help with chores around the house or handmade presents. You can <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-nonprofit-recommendations-2641495614.html" target="_self">also make a donation</a> in your own or someone else's name.</p><p>Jane Ruessman, a 58-year-old translator from the UK, told The Independent that she banned presents from her family gathering. Instead, everyone gets a handmade paper hat.</p><p>"Getting together at Christmas was initially a bit of a nightmare as we all felt that we should bring along a present for all those who were coming," she said. "It was nice but pretty stressful and we would end up spending a lot of money and going home with an awful lot of stuff that we generally didn't need at all and didn't know what to do with."</p><p>And that's the last thing the planet needs.</p>3. Make Your Feast Last
<p>Americans toss an extra five million pounds of food on average between Thanksgiving and New Year's, <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-simple-hacks-to-help-you-stop-wasting-leftovers-over-the-holidays-2018-11-26" target="_blank">MarketWatch reported</a>. But it doesn't have to be that way.</p><p>There are plenty of delicious strategies for making your holiday meal last as long as possible. If you served meat, you can use it for soups or stews, or toss it in dishes like lasagna. Leftover vegetables are great in frittatas or omelettes. It's also important to freeze leftovers before they go bad. <a href="https://hartfordclimate.org/2017/11/22/zero-food-waste-holiday/" target="_blank">The Hartford Climate Stewardship Initiative</a> recommends keeping enough in your fridge for three days of leftovers and freezing the rest immediately.</p><p>You can also give your food away. Ask your guests to come with their own to-go containers and send them away with the next day's lunch. Unused canned or dry food can be donated to a food drive.</p><p>It's also a good idea to reflect after this year's meals, assess how much you actually ate, and plan to make less next year.</p><p>"If everyone had their fill, and you still had leftovers, maybe during the next round of holiday shopping you think about the excess you had and say what if you purchased the same amount and only prepared half of it?" Lisa Sposato, director of food sourcing at New York charity City Harvest, told MarketWatch.</p>From Your Site Articles
- How to Have Yourself a Plastic-Free Christmas - EcoWatch ›
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By Jennifer Molidor, PhD
Climate change, habitat loss and pollution are overwhelming our planet. Thankfully, these enormous threats are being met by a bold new wave of environmental activism.
<p>But there's one place where our movement hasn't brought mass extinction and the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-crisis" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate crisis</a> to the table: The literal tables at environmental events — from local board meetings to international conferences where meat-centered menus are still the norm.</p>
<p>With holiday parties rapidly approaching, now is the time for environmental groups to walk the talk by adopting Earth-friendly menus for their events.</p><p>The global scientific community agrees that we must reduce meat and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/dairy">dairy</a> production to tackle the most pressing environmental disasters of our time. To do that, we have to change what we eat. Plant-forward changes and significant meat and dairy reduction must begin with the meals served at environmentally focused events.</p><p>The catering industry is no small potatoes. Catering sales in the U.S. are worth more than $11 billion each year. Over the past three years, the industry has grown by nearly 8 percent annually. Changing event menus can make a big difference in reducing the environmental impact of U.S. food production and shifting the way people think about food.</p><p>For every 100 people at a holiday party or event, a plant-based menu can save more than a ton of greenhouse gas emissions, nearly an acre of habitat and 13,000 gallons of water. Those benefits are tallied up in<a href="https://www.takeextinctionoffyourplate.com/earth-friendly_events.html" target="_blank"> <em>Catering to the Climate: How Earth-friendly Menus at Events Can Help Save the Planet</em></a><em>,</em> a new report by the Center for Biological Diversity, where I work.</p>
<p>Making this catering shift can bring other environmental savings. For example, those plant-based choices can <a href="https://lpelc.org/manure-production-and-characteristics/" target="_blank">eliminate two tons of manure</a> and the toxic byproducts of improperly contained manure that contaminate public waterways and lands. In fact, the manure footprint of most animal-based dishes is greater than the actual weight of the food served. On the other hand, dishes free of animal products have no manure footprint.</p><p><em>Catering to the Climate </em>found that planet-friendly menus are a hugely effective way to fight the climate crisis. Each person who selects plant-based dishes at a day-long event cuts as much greenhouse pollution as would be emitted by 41 miles of driving, powering the average home for one day or charging <a href="https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator" target="_blank">2,100 smart phones.</a></p><p>In addition, that one person's low-impact meal choices would spare more than 400 square feet of farmland, prevent about 100 pounds of manure pollution and save 250 gallons of water.</p><p>When an event planner multiplies that across their entire guest list by serving plant-based dishes as the default, the environmental savings are substantial. A low-impact menu can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 85 percent, water by 72 percent and land use by 93 percent, in addition to nearly eliminating manure pollution.</p>
<p>Menus that focus on plant-based dishes aren't just virtuous — they're also trending. People are increasingly seeking foods that are healthier for them and the planet. And for environmental events, serving plant-based meals sends a message that connects the movement with its own values and actions.</p><p>As we celebrate progress made in 2019 and start planning out a new year, environmental event planners should cater to the climate with delicious menus that honor the work we're doing and support a sustainable food system. </p>
<p><em>Jennifer Molidor is a senior food campaigner with the <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Center for Biological Diversity</a>.</em></p>
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Spiced hot chocolate. Lilechka75 / iStock / Getty Images
Food is the cornerstone of the holiday season. It brings friends and family together to share memories, cultural traditions, and great flavors.
<p>From figgy pudding to fruit cake, many foods may bring on the holiday cheer — or a foul taste in your mouth. Depending on where you live, foods that are considered a normal part of the holiday feast to some may seem downright strange to others.</p><p>Here are 15 unique holiday foods enjoyed around the world.</p>
<p> <em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/holiday-foods" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
1. Bûche de Noël (France)
<p>Also known as Yule log, bûche de Noël is a sweet dessert served in France during the Christmas season.</p><p>Though there are many variations, one of the most common types is made with heavy cream, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cocoa-powder-nutrition-benefits" target="_blank">cocoa powder</a>, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. It's commonly decorated with icing sugar and fruit.</p><p>Bûche de Noël commemorates the tradition of cutting and burning a specially selected log known as the Yule log. This pagan tradition was introduced to the Christian holiday many centuries ago.</p><p>Most enjoy this dessert between Christmas Eve (December 24th) and New Year (January 1st).</p>2. Shuba (Russia)
<p>While most countries celebrate Christmas on December 25th, Russia is one of the few countries that celebrates this holiday on January 7th in accordance with the Orthodox Julian calendar.</p><p>Colloquially known as "herring under a fur coat," shuba is a popular dish served during the holiday season in Russia. Its main ingredients include pickled herring, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/boiled-egg-nutrition" target="_blank">hard-boiled eggs</a>, mayonnaise, and grated vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, and onions.</p><p>The dish gets its name from its top layer, which is usually made of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-homemade-mayonnaise-recipes" target="_blank">mayonnaise</a> or a beet dressing that resembles a warm winter coat.</p><p>While this may seem like an unconventional dish, it's an excellent source of protein, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamins A and B.</p>3. Yebeg Wot (Ethiopia)
<p>Similarly to Ethiopia's national dish, doro wat (chicken stew), yebeg wot is a popular <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/lamb-and-cholesterol" target="_blank">lamb</a> stew served during the holiday season.</p><p>Weeks prior to the holidays, farmers feed lambs a high calorie diet. This leads to fatty, tender meat, which is added to a stew made of onions, tomatoes, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic" target="_blank">garlic</a>, kibbeh (Ethiopian butter), berbere spice mix, and various spices.</p><p>Many serve yebeg wot with injera, a popular flatbread.</p><p>This dish is a rich source of protein, carbs, and antioxidants.</p>4. Spiced Hot Chocolate (Peru)
<p>If you think you know how to make the best hot chocolate, you may want to give Peru's spiced hot chocolate a try.</p><p>This creamy hot chocolate with a kick is made with chocolate, condensed or evaporated milk, and a combination of spices, such as <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon" target="_blank">cinnamon</a>, chili powder, cloves, and nutmeg.</p><p>In fact, this beverage is so popular that it has its own event known as la Chocolatadas, during which people gather and serve spiced hot chocolate with a popular cake known as panetón.</p>5. Mince Pie (England)
<p>Also known as mincemeat or Christmas pie, mince pie is a widely popular and historical holiday dessert.</p><p>Despite its name, most modern mincemeat pies are meatless. Traditionally, mince pies were made of shredded beef or mutton, suet, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dried-fruit-good-or-bad" target="_blank">dried fruit</a>, and spices.</p><p>However, most varieties today simply consist of pastry dough, dried apples and raisins, distilled spirits, vegetable shortening, and a spice mixture containing <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutmeg-benefits" target="_blank">nutmeg</a>, cloves, and cinnamon.</p><p>Interestingly, the pies used to be oblongly shaped to represent a manger, although most mince pies served today are circular.</p>6. Bibingka (Philippines)
<p>During the holiday season, bibingka is a common breakfast item in the Philippines.</p><p>Bibingka consists of rice flour or sticky rice, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-milk" target="_blank">coconut milk</a>, sugar, and water wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. Eggs, cheese, and coconut flakes are sometimes added as a garnish.</p><p>This dish is usually served for breakfast or after Simbáng Gabi — a nine-day series of Filipino Catholic masses leading up to Christmas.</p><p>In fact, it's common to have food stations set up outside of church for churchgoers to buy bibingka and other popular sweets, such as steamed rice cakes known as puto bumbong. Many enjoy these treats with a hot cup of tea or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee" target="_blank">coffee</a>.</p>7. Butter Tarts (Canada)
<p>While a typical Canadian diet is similar to that of a typical U.S. diet, it has a few classic treats of its own.</p><p>Butter tarts are a Canadian dessert that's served during many holidays, but mostly during Thanksgiving and Christmas.</p><p>They're small pastries with a sweet filling made of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-butter-bad-for-you" target="_blank">butter</a>, sugar, maple or corn syrup, eggs, and sometimes walnuts and raisins. Enjoy these tarts with a cup of coffee for the ultimate treat.</p>8. Latkes (Israel)
<p>During <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-kosher" target="_blank">Hanukkah</a>, latkes are a delicious staple on most dinner plates. In Hebrew, the dish is known as levivot.</p><p>Fried in hot oil, latkes are symbolic of the oil that, according to a text that serves as the central source of Jewish religious law, lit the menorah for 8 days despite only having enough oil for 1 day.</p><p>Made of the simplest of ingredients, you can make latkes with shredded potato and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/onion-benefits" target="_blank">onion</a>, eggs, and breadcrumbs or matzo. Deep fry it in hot oil, and you have yourself some delicious latkes.</p><p>Other popular Hanukkah treats include sufganiyot (jelly donuts), challah (braided bread), and beef brisket.</p>9. Hangikjöt (Iceland)
<p>Served during Christmas, hangikjöt is one of the most popular Icelandic holiday foods.</p><p>It translates to "hung meat" and involves smoked lamb or mutton. Its name originates from the traditional practice of hanging smoked meats in a smoking shed for weeks to develop a smoky, salty flavor.</p><p>Hangikjöt is commonly served with green beans, potatoes that are coated in a white béchamel sauce, and side of pickled <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/purple-cabbage" target="_blank">red cabbage</a>.</p>10. Bahn Chung (Vietnam)
<p>Bahn chung is a beloved rice cake enjoyed during Tết (Vietnamese New Year).</p><p>This dish is made using sticky <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-white-rice-bad-for-you" target="_blank">rice</a>, pork, mung beans, green onions, fish sauce, and spices like salt and pepper.</p><p>In addition to its great flavor, it's placed in front of family altars to pay tribute to ancestors and prayers for the upcoming year.</p>11. Pasteles (Puerto Rico)
<p>Pasteles are a classic Christmas dish in Puerto Rico.</p><p>Making pasteles requires time and patience. The inner portion of the pasteles consists of a mixture of ground pork and an adobo blended spice sauce. The outer portion is made using a special masa dough made of grated <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/green-bananas-good-or-bad" target="_blank">green bananas</a>, yautía, and spices.</p><p>After allowing the dough to sit for a few hours, the masa is placed on banana leaves, the pork filling is added, and it's wrapped.</p><p>Traditional Puertorican pasteles are boiled in hot water and served with rice, meat, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-health-benefits-of-fish" target="_blank">fish</a>, pigeon peas, and hot sauce for a delicious holiday feast.</p>12. Eggnog (United States)
<p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-eggnog-bad-for-you" target="_blank">Eggnog</a> isn't a holiday treat around the world. In fact, it's mostly enjoyed in the United States and Canada.</p><p>This drink is made from milk, cream, whipped egg whites, egg yolks, and sugar, resulting in a creamy, smooth texture.</p><p>Most people enjoy eggnog as an alcoholic beverage by adding rum, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bourbon-vs-whiskey-vs-scotch" target="_blank">bourbon</a>, or brandy.</p>13. Kutia (Ukraine)
<p>Kutia is a traditional Christmas Eve dish that is popular among members of the Ukranian Orthodox Church. As part of the Julian calendar, Christmas Eve falls on January 6th.</p><p>It's usually the first dish served as part of Sviata Vecheria — a 12-dish <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegetarian-diet-plan" target="_blank">vegetarian</a> feast to commemorate the 12 apostles.<br><br>Made from cooked wheat berries, poppy seeds, dried fruit, and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-honey" target="_blank">honey</a>, this dish is packed with nutrition, which is an important focus of this Ukranian feast. In fact, this dish is so important to the meal that all guests are expected to have at least one spoonful.</p><p>However, it's customary to wait until the first star in the sky appears before digging in.</p>14. Janssons Frestelse (Sweden)
<p>Also known as Jansson's Temptation, this casserole dish is made from <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-potatoes" target="_blank">potatoes</a>, onions, heavy cream, breadcrumbs, and sprats — a small, oily fish similar to sardines.</p><p>It's usually accompanied by a smorgasbord of food known as the "julbord," which translates to "Yule table" or "Christmas table." It's enjoyed with foods like baked ham, meatballs, fish, boiled potatoes, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-cheese" target="_blank">cheeses</a>, and various cooked vegetables.</p><p>The origin of its name is controversial, though many believe it originated from a popular opera singer known as Pelle Janzon.</p>15. Christmas Cake (Global)
<p>Christmas cake is a popular dessert around the world.</p><p>It's a type of fruit cake made of flour, eggs, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-sugar" target="_blank">sugar</a>, spices, candied cherries, dried fruit, and brandy. Traditional Christmas cake is made at least 2 months ahead to allow adequate time to slowly "feed" the cake with brandy every 2 weeks. Finally, it's topped with a marzipan icing.</p><p>While it's mostly known as a British dessert, many countries serve Christmas cake during the holiday season. In fact, South Koreans are well-known for their beautiful, artistic Christmas cake decorations.</p>The Bottom Line
<p>Many cultures celebrate the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tips-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain" target="_blank">holiday season</a> for different reasons. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year, food plays a central role in celebrations around the world.</p><p>From savory main dishes to sweet desserts, each culture brings a unique twist to this jolly season.</p><p>With the holidays just around the corner, remember to enjoy all the delicious food and memories they will bring.</p>
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