We get a lot of presents at our house. (Thankfully) everyone in the church feels the need to give something to the rector and his family, usually in the wonderful form of cookies, cakes, brownies, or wine. But every year, one gift in particular truly marks the arrival of the holiday season—dried figs stuffed with walnuts and packed in a classy, festive riff on a Chinese take-out box. (Thanks, Adam and Tim!) We usually consume the better part of the contents of said box standing around the kitchen island the moment after the announcement has rung through the house that it has arrived. We Andersons love us some figs. Also, there is something slightly healthy feeling about nut-filled dried fruit, in contrast to all the delicious-yet-deadly baked goods we receive.
So, yay me! Once in December I eat some fruit and a couple nuts. What about the rest of the month?
Ok, so level with me. How familiar is this scene? There is a big, beautiful plate of Christmas cookies on the counter…baked to soft, golden perfection with red and green icing glistening under the kitchen lights. You’re just gonna have one. Juuuuuust one. Ok, well you’re walking through the kitchen again, maybe just half another one. Oh, the neighbors just stopped by! You have to have another one with them, it would be wrong not to. Finally, it’s after dinner, you’re craving a little something sweet, so you slip your hand under the much-disturbed plastic wrap to fish out another. Over the course of a week (or less, if we’re being honest) every time you swing through the kitchen, one by ever-so-tiny one, you (and everyone else) nibble them all away.
I don’t want this to be me this year. I hate squeezing into my favorite dress for New Year’s Eve and telling myself quietly that it’s fine, it’s the holidays! (It doesn’t matter so much after a few glasses of Champagne either.) It is fine to relax a little and enjoy myself, but really, I’m done with this cycle.
What so many food magazines and blogs forget while we all excitedly post recipes for ginger spice cookies, pumpkin bread, giant roasts, baked hams, and showstopper desserts is that people still have to eat in December…like real food. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean it stops being Monday and something needs to make its way onto the dinner table.
So, here’s a little something that ain’t exactly figgy pudding—but won’t make me jiggle like a bowl of pudding either 🙂
Mmmmmm — this one’s on my list to make — thanks!
As I write this I’m staring at a lovely gold bag of Lindt Lindor Truffles a friend gave us last night. Early next week another friend has promised a sampling of goodies from her cookie exchange. Did I mention the leftover stained glass windows and chocolate-cherry quick breads beckoning me from the kitchen counter? And there’s leftover mocha desserts from last night’s party that I’ve banished to the garage.
People always comment how lucky we are to always be surrounded by good food. With that privilege, however, comes responsibility, and it’s not easy living around constant temptation.
On a good day my food mantra is, “I’m in charge of you, you’re not in charge of me.” If I find myself stepping outside the bounds then I have to ask what’s going on? Why am I reaching for yet another cookie. Why wasn’t one or two good enough? It’s usually because I’m stressed or tired, working too hard or taking on way more responsibility than I should–all things we’re especially vulnerable to around the holidays. That’s why so many of the vows in the holiday giveaway were so great. The more you take charge of other aspects of your life, the more likely you will be to take charge of your food life. It’s all connected–at least that’s true for me.
I agree and have gotten carried away with holiday food myself. Love the down to earth post. I would also love to “interview” you for my food review blog. If you are interested , please send me an email tessii1 at mchsi dot com and I can send you some interview questions!
tess,
That e-mail address doesn’t work as you’ve given it to me. Why don’t you just e-mail me–pam@threemanycooks.com with your questions and I’d be happy to answer them.
OK. One cookie. But, I’m an
Anderson, too! Aghhhhhh! OK, just two!
Love you guys. Love the blog!!
Jeanne