Make healthy, festive, frugal holiday choices

The countdown is on for Christmas! This time of year may bring lots of joy to our hearts — along with some overwhelming stress in planning and prepping for holiday activities. The cost of food and everything else in between is rising, however, there are some ways that you can still make healthy, festive, and frugal choices throughout the holiday season. Take a little pressure off yourself and your family by following these helpful tips:

Keep it simple.

When planning your meals, choose your main dish and two sides to go along with it. Choose one meat, one starchy vegetable (mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes), and one green vegetable. Choose foods that are appealing to everyone. Doing so will help you save money and help you to eat less. Know how many you are planning for and whether you will have leftovers for future meals. Soups, stews and casseroles, as well as using your slow cooker, can save you time and preparation.

Plan ahead.

Make a list and check it twice before shopping. Check your fridge and pantry to see what ingredients you have on hand. Making a list and adding items as you run out will save you time and money. Make sure to check sales ads and apps for coupons or specials. If your budget allows, shop for after holiday and presales to keep items on hand that you use throughout the month. Apps can also be useful by adding items to your cart and you can have an estimated total before going to the store or for store pick up. Try to limit your shopping as much as possible. Extra trips to the store will add up quickly, and you may make impulse purchases that are unnecessary. Make sure to eat before going to the store to prevent impulse purchases, too!

Add some spice for the season.

Check to see what spices and seasonings you will need for recipes. Making homemade spices, seasonings and dressings rather than store-bought is less expensive and healthier. Buying processed or prepackaged items are costly, contain extra preservatives, are usually higher in sodium, and not as healthy as homemade. When making homemade seasonings, remember to practice food safety by storing them properly in an airtight closed container where they not exposed to air and light.

Don’t be a Cousin Eddie.

If you have seen the classic holiday movie “Christmas Vacation,” then you know who I am referring to. If you are invited to festivities, make sure to do your part and ask your guest to do the same if you are hosting. Plan for a potluck meal and ask those attending to bring a dish or ask what you can bring. Which will keep you from preparing or buying everything and allow more time to visit. Try to enjoy your time with friends and family instead of stressing over making everything look or taste perfect. Change traditional menus and try different recipes that are simple, and that you think everyone will enjoy. Make sure “Cousin Eddie” closes the refrigerator door and helps you put food away before hitting that danger zone time of food being left out for more than two hours.

Give the gift of happiness.

Gifts from the heart are the best gifts. Gifts do not have to be store-bought, expensive, or just something that will be donated later. Make homemade gifts, such a mix in a jar, handmade gift certificates for doing simple chores around the house or spending intentional time with your family. Going for a walk, doing yoga together, playing a game together, dancing to your favorite song, cooking a meal together, or just sipping on a cup of hot cocoa together can create memories for a lifetime.

Here is a recipe for Hot Cocoa for One to try.

Quick Hot Cocoa for One

1 Tablespoon sugar 1 Tablespoon hot tap water 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup fat-free or 1% milk dash of salt, if desired Directions:

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Combine sugar, cocoa, and salt (if desired) in a large, microwave-safe mug.

Add hot water to mug and stir to dissolve cocoa mixture. Add milk, stir well. Place mug in microwave and cook on high for 1½ minutes, or until hot enough. Stir and enjoy.

Jazz it up with some peppermint flavoring or vanilla. Changing the flavor can help make up for the lower fat content. We are all about healthier choices without sacrificing the flavor!

Thanks to the University of Georgia Extension for this recipe.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed and Merry Christmas this holiday season! May your home be filled with lots of love, joy, and peace, as well as good health in the coming New Year.

For more information on healthy eating, contact your Garland County Extension Service office.

Crystal D. Rushing is a county Extension agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, SNAP Ed, with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service in Garland County. She can be reached by emailing cdjohnson@uada.edu.

4-H information

There are 4-H clubs for Garland County young people who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities that are available, call Sara Jackson at 501-623-6841 or email her at sjackson@uada.edu.

Master Gardener information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. They’re open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information, call Arin Shaffer, horticulture agent, at 501-623-6841 or email him at ashaffer@uada.edu.

EHC information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call Alison Crane, family and consumer sciences agent, at 501-6236841 or email her at acrane@uada.edu.