This time of year I love looking back through time, as we begin looking forward to the New Year. I find myself drawn, again and again into the origins of things, – Why we use a Yule log, and “deck the halls with boughs of holly…” I’m intrigued by the way people all over the world celebrate around the loss of light and its quiet return at the winter solstice. Whatever your tradition or trajectory, winter brings with it a time of consideration, of death and renewal that is as old as the urge to look for the light.

As I was looking up the word Holiday it was interesting to find that the word originated from the old English word, hāligdæg hālig “holy” + dæg “day.” According to Wikipedia, it referred only to “special religious days.” It went on to say that in modern use, it means “any special day of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days away from work or school.”

For a lot of people though, the holidays seem to be anything but relaxing or restful. There is constant pressure to buy, do, and be that can rob us of exactly those things they are meant to bestow. Living in an evolving multi-culture, we are somehow left to find our way through the labyrinth of tinsel and toys, to an undefined and uncertain destination, sometimes without a star to guide us.

I was raised in a traditional Christian home, and thought I was carrying on that tradition, passing it along to my own kids. Instead what they inherited was something foreign, yet familiar, – the desire to discover for themselves those things that will bring authentic peace and joy.

Meanwhile, the catalogs have been stacking up, the decorations are coming out, and the invitations are coming in. Some of it is fun, some of it is overwhelming, and some of it is on the, “Here we go again,” list. Most of us don’t have time to even consider whether or not it makes sense, or what more satisfying alternatives might look like.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you don’t especially enjoy the pressure of the holiday, you don’t have to shoulder it. There are some things that we really do have to do. Sleep, eat, drink, pay taxes and die. (Not necessarily in that order,) but the rest is really a matter of choice. If you don’t love racking up a few thousand dollars on gifts on items no one wants or needs, don’t do it. If you don’t enjoy dragging a tree in from outside or out of the closet, putting it up and putting it all away again, skip it. If you enjoy going to the office party armed with “a gift under twenty dollars,” do it. But really, you don’t have to. The world will not stop turning if you don’t bake twelve dozen cookies. Bob will be no worse off for not having the mug with the kitten on it.

You may find that there are things you really would enjoy taking part in that you had never considered before, or places you might send your money that would change someone’s life for the better. On the other hand, you might just like to take your tired self to the beach, walk away from the crèche, the menorah, or the phases of the moon, and sip a margarita in the sun.

The way we choose to be renewed should bring the real gifts of the season, Love, Joy and Peace. Since we can only give what we have, I wish those things for you this holiday season, and for all of us.

I’ve always wanted to create a dish that would give me the comfort of traditional green bean casserole without all the goop. This year, I think I’ve done it.

This cast iron comfort dish has all the things I love about a holiday treat, plus a fresh taste and organic ingredients. It’s a more adult version of the iconic holiday classic, which I think brings the green bean casserole into the 21st century.

I’ll tell you up front that this is not really a casserole, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the finished product which is served from a cast iron skillet.  It’s a combo of roasted fresh veggies drizzled with a  light béchamel cheese sauce and dusted with bacon-y panko crumbs. Roasting the green beans, onions and mushrooms brings out the sweetness in the vegetables while adding a heartiness that is comforting and filling.

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

2-3 slices of good quality, thick-cut smoked bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

(omit bacon if desired, or substitute with vegetarian bacon-flavor crumbles, if desired.)

1 lb fresh green beans, washed, ends snapped, and cut in half

1 large purple onion, sliced into rings

8 oz baby bella mushrooms, quartered

2 tablespoons Wild Oats Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

2 tablespoons butter, divided and softened

1 tablespoon flour

3/4 cup organic milk

1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and combine it with the panko bread crumbs in a skillet. Toast panko in the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and combine with crumbled bacon. Set aside.

Next, in a large bowl, toss green beans, mushrooms and onions together with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Put veggies into a 12 inch cast iron skillet and roast for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the green beans and mushrooms are cooked and the onions are slightly caramelized.

While the green beans, mushrooms and onions are in the oven, get out 2- heavy-bottomed sauce pans, one small and one medium-sized. (yes, this does give you an extra pan to clean, but the results are sooo worth it!) Add 3/4 cup of milk to the small sauce pan and warm over low heat until it begins to steam.  Be careful not to allow the milk to burn or scorch. When warmed, remove from heat and set aside.

Now, in the other sauce pan, make a béchamel sauce. Combine 1 tablespoon of flour with 1 tablespoon of softened butter and whisk to combine.  Cook over low heat 2-3 minutes, until incorporated and hot.  Pour hot milk into hot flour mixture.  Whisk and cook until completely combined. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened, another 5 minutes.  Stir in shredded cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Remove veggie mixture from the oven and stir. Drizzle desired amount of the béchamel sauce over hot veggies. I don’t stir the sauce in because I like to see the veggies and get just a bite of the sauce, but you can stir to combine the ingredients if you like. Sprinkle veggies with the panko crumb/bacon mixture and serve immediately.  Serves 6

Is the term “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD) new to you?  It wouldn’t be if you lived in the Pacific Northwest!!  Winters are super gray and rainy, and the days are extra short too! When I first moved here, in July, 1995, I could not believe how awesome the long and glorious days of summer were!  Well, long summer days translate to short winter days when you are this far north.  Somehow, in my mind, I saw Seattle as pretty much the west coast equivalent of Boston.  Wrong!  Seattle is further north than all of Nova Scotia, most of New Brunswick, Montreal and Quebec.  Heck, those are all in Canada so we’d expect the short days of winter there!  But here?!?  Well …. yes.

After 2 decades of living in (and practicing medicine in) Seattle, it is pretty clear that we are a hotbed for the winter blues!  SAD is a form of depression associated with the change of season, starting in the fall and continuing through the winter months. Could a vitamin D deficiency be associated with SAD?  Since SAD is so common here, I check Vit D levels on all my patients, and low Vit D is very common. I love Vit D.  It is one awesome hormone!  I did a 5 part series on Vit D for many of its great effects, and part 5 was specifically on our brain health.

A new study looked at over 100 published studies on SAD and verified a link with low levels of Vit D.  Without the sun exposure, our ability to make Vit D goes away and our blood levels decline.  Vit D is needed for the production of serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals related to mood and depression.  I am glad that someone finally did the research and published the data!  It doesn’t change my recommendations.  It does verify my long standing theory.

You don’t have to live north to suffer from SAD.  It occurs all over the U.S.  What should you do if you think you have SAD?  Here are my recommendations:
●   see your doctor first to make sure it isn’t something else
●   ask your doctor to check your Vit D level (it’s a simple blood test)
●   if it is less than 50, it is too low.  The lab studies say 30 to 100 in the normal range.  I have seen it as low as 7 (yikes!).
●   if your level is low, improve your sun exposure to make your own, or eat more foods containing Vit D, or take a Vit D3 supplement.

The nice thing about Seasonal Affective Disorder is the fact that …. it IS seasonal!  It will go away as spring comes back around.  I think the biggest take home point goes right back to keeping your Vit D levels healthy … whether you have SAD or not!!  A depressed mood, whether it is seasonal or not, tends to zap our energy and motivation, and that only makes matters worse!  Here’s to happy winter days and healthy Vitamin D!!

“It isn’t the big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.” –Jean Webster

 There is little in life as satisfying as a successful dinner party, and the holiday season is ripe with opportunities to gather friends and families for a feast. Whether a big group or a small one, a beautifully set table can transport your guests to a world of your choosing. With so very many things to attend to (menu planning, shopping, cooking, baking), simplicity is a host’s best friend.

From Emily Post to Martha Stewart, there are a plethora of handy guides for savvy hosts, instructing us on everything from silverware placement to glassware, casual settings to fine dining. Seasonal table setting ideas abound, and holiday specific decorations are a well-covered favorite. In a pinch, however, use what’s at hand.

I recently hosted Thanksgiving in the canyons of California, (a delicious leg of lamb recipe found here), and had a day-of menu adjustment. With all the extra prep, I forgot to pick up decorations for the table. Fortunately for me (and my table), rosemary and lavender grow wildly on the hillside, and the day before I had happened upon an antler while hiking. As an extra bonus, a friend’s artichoke plant, left unattended, had flowered- if you haven’t ever seen a flowering asparagus, take another look at the picture above- I was blown away by how beautiful it is, myself.

These things taken together provided easy bouquets of aromatic flowers with a seasonal feel- the dark green of the rosemary against the delicate purple flowers, the pale lavender with it’s dusty jade stalk, and the purple and green lotus-like artichoke dressed the table in unusual style. The ten minutes it took to gather, rinse, trim, and arrange these items, alongside the found-object-antler, was entirely worth it. (Bonus? You can send guests home with rosemary and lavender garnishes, should you so choose).

If you find yourself in a time-crunch this season, take a look around- what objects of beauty might make a lovely addition to your table? What plants grow near you? Any fallen branches, pine cones, wildflowers, etc. can spruce up a bare table-top. Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday and a stress-free season overall.

Looking to revive your look for the party season? Here are some festive beauty products to help you get natural holiday glamour just in time for all the fun get togethers!

Objects with Purpose Wearable Candles
Objects with Purpose offers an array of great smelling candles made with organic coconut wax that you can both wear and burn! Their candles are a solid perfume that works as both a personal scent and a delightful candle. For the holidays, try the Twas the Scent Before X-Mas featuring pumpkin & snowy pine. This limited edition holiday scent features organic coconut shea & apricot butter blends with essential oil fragrance. www.objectswithpurpose.com

Rejuva Minerals
Rejuva Minerals offers a natural and safer alternative to traditional makeup that has celebrities, makeup artists and those with allergies raving. The products are made from gluten-free, vegan friendly mineral powders that contain organic ingredients. Make sure to check out the Makeup Set that is offered at a reduced price for the holidays and the NEW Mega Lash Mascara. www.rejuvaminerals.com

Osmia Organics
Osmia is a Colorado company dedicated to offering a new approach to skincare. Their popular body oils offer a new way to nourish your skin for the holidays. In fact, they believe that body oils are better than lotions because they work with the natural compositions of your skin. For instance, oil makes your skin incredibly soft and tends to have a much higher concentration of potent ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins. For the holidays, make sure to check out the Osmia Forest Body Oil which consists of ambrette seed oil and invigorating evergreen oils to provide a clean, green scent.  www.osmiaorganics.com

Treat Collection Nail Polish
Did you know that conventional nail polish can be chalk full of questionable chemicals? Treat Collection offers an array of glamorous nail polishes that are free of the toxic five often found in other polishes – Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluoene,  DBP and Camphor.  For the holidays, make sure to check out Date Night, which is a sexy, dark red that will work well for all your celebrations. www.treatcollection.com