Displaying items by tag: Holidays

Several years ago I read an article that indicated there is some science behind ending a meal with a sweet dessert. What I remember from the article was that the sweet taste stopped the craving for more food. Somehow it interrupted the hunger cycle so a person felt satisfied with the meal.

There are holiday celebrations in many countries and many faith traditions happening in December. All of the holidays we are most familiar with occur close to the shortest day of the year and center around the idea of light in the darkness. In the most basic and secular interpretation, there is a celebration of the anticipation of more hours of daylight in the coming months. Metaphorically and spiritually, that increasing light might come in form of spiritual inspiration, the birth of a savior, or miraculous symbols of survival, but light is central to each celebration.

With the holidays approaching, let’s talk about those favorite recipes and holiday dishes. We love these dishes because they remind us of childhood, of being together with loved ones. The tastes and textures hit all the right spots in our pleasure centers. We feast on the food, but more importantly, we feast on the feelings associated with the food.

Here we are in the month of holidays. No matter what spiritual tradition you celebrate, the mid-winter holidays center around the hope and joy we feel when we see a light that shines even in our darkest hours. Candles, fires, stars, and daylight as the days begin to get longer all raise our spirits and keep us looking forward.