Don't Stress Over Holiday Cooking!

By Donna Stark

Do you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders this year because the responsibility of cooking the holiday meal fell into your lap? Is the thought of creating the perfect meal keeping you up at night? If so, stop worrying and don't allow your nerves to get the best of you. Your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to remain calm so they have put together a list of their favorite tips on how to execute the perfect meal and keep that stress as far away from your holiday celebration as possible. Take a look at them below.

Don't Experiment

It is always helpful to plan ahead when a special meal is involved, but it is especially important to do so during the holidays because holidays are steeped in traditions. And any step you take away from those traditions could spell disaster for everyone involved. So, save the creativity and experiments in the kitchen for another time and make sure you are sticking with what you know everyone likes and expects.

Choose Healthy

Designing a healthy meal that everyone will enjoy while honoring those traditions may feel overwhelming, but it's actually a lot easier than you think. Simply look for easy ways to substitute unhealthy ingredients with healthier ones. For example, cook with olive oil instead of vegetable oil, offer fruit and raw vegetables instead of chips before the meal, and say no to soda by setting up a water and iced tea bar.

Hit the Stores Early

Once you have designed the menu, head to the stores to stock up on what you need as soon as you can. There is nothing worse than missing a key ingredient simply because the stores are sold out. Your best bet is to purchase non-perishable ingredients as far in advance as you can and your fresh ingredients the week of. Keep in mind that you may need a lot of space in your refrigerator for all the food you will be purchasing so try to clear that out ahead of time.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

You've got the menu planning and shopping done, but now the real work starts. Fortunately, you can enlist the services of your family with this. Ask your loved ones to help peel potatoes, chop vegetables, set the table, and clean the house. With some extra pairs of hands, the workload will be easier to manage.

Stress-Free Holiday Meals

With the simple tips above, you can say goodbye to your stress and hello to an amazing day filled with love, laughs, and delicious food! Now give yourself a break ... you deserve it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.