OVER A CUP of hot chocolate, I recently pondered how holiday foods nourish the soul, not just the body.
Many people overeat during the holidays, worry about weight gain, and carry feelings of regret. Instead, it's helpful to recognize what holiday foods have special meanings for you and plan to eat your fill.
I'm not suggesting we gorge ourselves during the holidays. At the same time, I honor food traditions that bring families closer. You might eat the ritual foods a few times a year--such as turkey on Thanksgiving--but the memories of the people and the meal last forever.
For me, I have fond memories of drinking hot chocolate in my childhood, later while traveling as an adult and now as part of my husband's family's Christmas Eve ritual.
As I share my memories, I hope you remember holiday foods that have been important in your own life.
A PERFECT NIGHT
For me, the smell of hot cocoa brings back a magical night with my family when I was about 9 years old. My parents loaded up the station wagon with sleds. My sister and I were bundled into snow pants, puffy jackets, hats and mittens. We were so excited we could hardly speak, and for once did not fight in the back seat. Not only were we staying up past our bedtime, but our parents were taking us sledding.
We finally arrived at Shoop Park in Racine, Wis. On winter days, the place was a hilly golf course on the shore of Lake Michigan, crowded with families. But that night, it was transformed. Millions of stars sparkled in the indigo sky, the snow-covered hills sparkled blue with reflected starlight and moonlight, and golden rings glowed underneath a few streetlights.
We piled out of the car. The park was a gloriously empty expanse of snow, the only sounds those of the waves shushing in the distance and the snow squeaking under my and my sister's moon boots as we towed our sleds to the top of the biggest hill.
