So are you saying “Ho, Ho, Ho”
OR “No, No, No?”

Tis the Season to be jolly, but for some December can be the Grinch stealing Christmas! So how can we keep stress from robbing our joy and shoveling our dreams into the fire?

The first thing we can do to lessen stress is make a schedule-today, don’t put it off until tomorrow.

Be flexible with time constraints and allow others to be flexible as well. Relax.  This is a season; it will pass with or without your help and most mistakes come from hurried decisions.

Take time, stop-breathe, then carry on.

On your own? Don’t go at it alone. Ask others to help you with your errands. Many people would welcome the opportunity to help and share the work load if you would only ask. Then you’ll have a reason to thank them and everyone involved will feel special & needed! Even you!

Start a new Christmas tradition or revive an old one. It may just become your new seasonal favorite.

If you need extra energy or stamina, try a cup of coffee with an added sprinkle of cinnamon, pumpkin, or peppermint spice. If Tea is your treat, green or red Rooibos teas are quick and tasty! Most important of all, don’t forget Rosavin™ or Rosavin Plus®! They can give you sustained energy and increased stamina too. Let Rosavin™ or Rosavin Plus® become your little secret for conquering the long days ahead. Everyone needs a little Ho, Ho, Ho in their life especially during this season.

Here are a few fun family recipes we thought you’d enjoy. They just might inspire you to start that new Holiday Tradition!

Spices (add to taste a dash of each): Garlic, Sea Salt, Turmeric, Dry Mustard, Oregano, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Sage, and White Pepper.

Directions: Mix all ingredients until well blended & cover.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour. You can also make this a day ahead. Keep covered and refrigerated until served

Serve as a topping over your favorite foods or alone with Organic Tortilla chips.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Peel core and slice or chop apples. Place apples in small baking dish.
• Combine juice of 1/2 small lemon, Agave Nectar or granulated sugar substitute (Xylitol, Truvia, Lo Han Sweet), water and few dashes of cinnamon and then pour over apples.

Grind grissini or Melba toast into a powder using a food processor or a coffee grinder. Add dry ingredients together slowly and stir until thoroughly blended. Sprinkle on top of apple filling.

Bake: Cover dish and bake 20 minutes. Remove cover, turn on broiler and broil an additional 1-2 minutes until topping is crisp. Serve immediately.

Directions: Blend until cream texture forms. You can add a bit more sweetener if desired. Cover & refrigerate.

It can be prepared several days ahead of time. Use it as an alternative to canned Whip Cream. It’s wonderful added in coffee or your homemade Hot Cocoa. Actually, it’s Divine!

Directions: Pour dry ingredients into a glass jar. If possible use a jam or jelly jar it makes mixing and storage easier. Shake or blend so that the cocoa & sugar substitute are mixed thoroughly together. Add 1-2 Tbls to 8 oz of hot water & stir.

Top with Crème Fouetté Fait Maison (Homemade Whipped Crème) Enjoy!

Ending thoughts:

If the Grinch can overcome seasonal stress you can too! From Dr. Seuss…

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Here’s hoping you have a Wonderful Christmas Season.