Integrative Medicine - Cooking for a Crowd? Keep Stress off the Menu
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Hosting a holiday party or meal? Follow these simple steps for a more joyous, less stressful celebration.
It’s the holiday season and you’re the host. If you’re cooking for a crowd — especially a difficult one — you can make yourself sick just thinking about it. Or you can follow these simple steps for a more joyous, less stressful celebration.
Own the decision to host. Be sure playing host is your choice. Don’t let yourself get talked into such a major role unless you want it.
Edit your guest list. You may feel there are certain friends and family members who simply “must” be invited. But if any of these people cause you stress or sadness, leave them off your list this year, or overpower their negativity with guests who lift your spirits. Consider including someone who needs a boost due to a recent loss, such as a death in the family or a job layoff.
Ask for and accept help. Ask guests to contribute a dish of your choosing or theirs. Beyond the menu, if you need extra chairs or a table covering, tap into your guests for those too. Ask a guest or two to come to your home the day before to help clean and prepare if that will make party day less stressful for you.
Create a menu of healthy crowd-pleasers. Many casseroles and side dishes can be made with less fat and sodium, and in larger quantities. The same goes for salads. If any guests follow special diets, ask them to bring a dish that meets their requirements and make enough to share.
Enjoy yourself! Above all, holidays should be about stepping away from day-to-day stresses and relaxing. Find the right balance that lets you revel in the many blessings of your life.
Learn to prepare healthier holiday favorites at our Vegetarian Cooking School. Call 1-800-SCRIPPS (1-800-727-4777) for more information.
You can also see more of our delicious holiday recipes.