When my kids were younger, we would countdown the holidays with how many more sleeps were left until Christmas Day. Now that they're older (ditto) they seem to be just as excited (if not more) counting down the days until winter break.
In our house, we are also celebrating the season of birthdays (3 out of 4 of my children celebrate birthdays in November, December and January) or, what I've come to fondly refer to as, the holidaze.
This time last year, I had the pleasure of working with the American Cancer Society on their Less Cancer, More Birthdays campaign. This year, I have the honor of being invited to participate in their A Healthier Holiday Table campaign: a handy repository of holiday recipes, to help raise awareness about and promote healthier eating -- which I'm beginning to understand is an important preventative measure to fighting cancer.
With 4 females in the house (UTI's are the devil) we're pretty big on cranberries -- antioxidant superstars, they are -- most especially, this time of year.
I'm sharing my middle girl's awesome recipe for Cranberry Applesauce Bread: swapping out HALF the butter and uses apple sauce instead.
Our good friends at the ACS have provided us with some really useful information on the relation of nutrition to cancer prevention to share with you, as well:
- Did you know that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help reduce your cancer risk? The American Cancer Society recommends eating at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day. Here are two resources filled with ideas for upping your fruit and vegetable consumption through the day.
- Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products. Here are some innovative ways to add more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to your day while watching your refined carbohydrates, sugar, and fat intake.
- Limit how much processed meat and red meat you eat. Some studies have linked eating large amounts of processed meat to increased risk of colorectal and stomach cancers.
- Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men. Alcohol raises the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus, liver, breast, and the colon and rectum.
- Stock your kitchen with a variety of foods that you can throw together for healthy meals in a hurry. Keep these foods on hand for fast meals on busy nights.
We're going to whip up a couple of batches of cranberry bread this weekend -- it makes a really great quick breakfast or snack, freezes well and presents beautifully on any holiday table:
HEATHER'S AWESOME CRANBERRY APPLESAUCE BREAD
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup chopped cranberries (or you can toss in craisins, instead)
Putting It ALL Together:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix sugar and butter together in a medium mixing bowl until completely blended.
- Add egg, applesauce and milk, mixing well.
- Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moist and then fold in cranberries.
- Spread batter evenly in a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
It just wouldn't be the holiday season without the wonderful aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla and, best of all, Heather's cranberry apple bread wafting through the house on Christmas Eve.
Now, it's your turn!
Visit the Healthier Holiday Table Facebook tab and share your Healthier Holiday Recipe (it only takes a few seconds to do so) and help us give cancer the virtual bitchslap it deserves...YO!!!
© 2003 - 2012 This Full House
Disclosure: No payment was received for this blog post. However, I'd pay to see Cancer's ass get kicked clear off the planet...YO!!!
