The Holiday 411

The two have been a pair for centuries. Drinking has provided Dating with a little liquid courage so to speak. However Drinking has gotten Dating into a fair amount of trouble…especially around the holidays when drinking is abundant. Getting so drunk the evening before, my guy friend completely ruined his chances when he cancelled and admitted to his date that he was a little hungover for their date the next day.

Holiday 411 #361: Do not drink excessively if you have a date the next day and then try to postpone. There’s a reason why she’s not answering your calls and possibly a reason why you’re still single.

But…how about if that special someone, is someone new? I mean truly, how well do you know him anyway to be gift giving anyhow? You can’t buy him socks and risk looking cheap or remind him of his mother. And then how do you justify spending a lot of money when you might just get back a scarf?

Holiday 411 #102: Coordinate a special night out for the two of you and give him some baked cookies (stay tuned…recipe to come). Just make sure the night out isn’t too far off from the holidays. The man might have an expiration date just shortly after the New Year.

Why, why, why would someone try to create a meal that remotely resembles a perfectly good looking bird with tofu? Tofurky scares me…no joke. In fact I’ve had dreams of flying tofu soaring over my head just to have it explode like a giant pinata. Why you would eat this franken-food, let alone serve it to your family and friends is beyond me. Now I’m not anti-soy, because like anything, I believe in moderation.

However recently in the Globe and Mail, Leslie Beck wrote her food for thought on soy based on new research from the Journal of the American Medical Association on how soy is actually helpful for cancer survivors. Now whether this info is true or not, it doesn’t negate that soy today is over consumed, heavily processed, a major allergen and a goitrogenic (which inhibits the thyroid gland). So before running out to add a little more soy in your world, remember moderation (no more than 2-3 servings weekly) and opt for the fermented types like tempeh and miso instead which are better digested.

Holiday 411 #629: If you’re going veg this holiday season try out recipes from Jae Steele, writer of Get it Ripe and blog, Domestic Affair. Recipes include: La Tourtiere Millet, Oignon et Champignons, Simple n’ Smooth Squash Soup and Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.

If you’re a raw veg head, try out some recipes by Gena, writer of Choosing Raw who’s Thanksgiving menu can easily be made again for the upcoming holidays. YUM.

I happen to be one of them…yes, true story told by Melissa. This generally isn’t a good time for me since the holidays are sprinkled with bad memories. You might be the same and notice the overflowing trickles of men and their female accessories chewing each other’s faces off with their matching Santa hats. Oh I love you…no I love you more…

[Insert barf here]

However sitting at home listening to All By Myself and splashing wine along your bedroom floor as you sing along with gusto is not the answer. Stop yourself from writing about your ego and your sorrows and get out there, which brings me to:

Holiday 411 #733: As a single girl, go to the holiday parties. Stay away from the funky egg nog (may cause bloating), be careful of the mistletoe (creepy dude in the corner might be eyeing you) and don’t drink too much (you might end up kissing creepy dude in the corner).

So while this isn’t my favourite time of year, I do have to remind myself of my own Holiday 411 and that it’s not about the gifts, but rather about the good food, family and friends that I love. And as for the music? All I have to say is…

…peace, love and Snoop Dog.