Cranberry sauce is often an afterthought at holiday meals, but cranberries are chock-full of disease-fighting antioxidants. Cranberry sauce is typically loaded with refined sugar, but here’s a flavorful alternative you can try this season that doesn’t compromise on taste. Naturally-Sweetened Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Adapted from Cookie and Kate) 1 (12-ounce) bag of fresh cranberries ½ cup honey (or maple syrup to make it vegan) ½ cup water Zest of 1 medium orange (about 1 teaspoon) Optional add-ins: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and/or ¼ cup fresh orange juice 1. Rinse the cranberries well and drain the excess water. Pick through them and discard any squishy ones. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, honey and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped and the mixture has thickened to your liking, about five to 10 minutes. 3. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the orange zest. If you’d like to add cinnamon or orange juice, do so now. Taste and, if the mixture is too tart (keeping in mind that cranberry sauce is supposed to be a little tart), add more orange juice, honey or maple syrup to taste. Nutritional Info (per 1/4 cup): 7 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 18 g sugars WEEK ONE: Invite more laughter into your life. Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast, cleaning up aſter one, or en route to your next gathering, you might try listening to a comedy radio station or podcast, or playing a funny TV show or movie in the background. A good belly laugh not only improves circulation, it can help you enjoy and experience the moment. WEEK TWO: Wat the sunrise (or sunset). Day-to-day life can be fast-paced, especially during the holidays. But, when we make an effort to enjoy the lile things, life doesn’t seem so rushed. Even if you’re in traffic, enjoying the sunrise through the car window can help start your day off on the right path. Or, taking a few moments to view the sunset at the end of the day can serve as a time for reflection to help you process the day’s happenings and future memories. WEEK THREE: Celebrate with conversation. Practice being an interested observer today. e holidays oſten mean you’ll be with friends and family who you might not see regularly. Step back to watch what’s going on, observe people’s reactions and listen to what they say. Let someone know you are paying close aention through eye contact, body language and occasional verbal feedback. At the end of the day, you might also spend a few minutes discussing deeper or more personal subjects to stay connected with your partner. WEEK FOUR: Give thanks. Gratitude is powerful. When you are truly grateful in the moment, it’s more difficult to feel fear, stress, anxiety, or any of those negative emotions that keep us from reaching our potential or living in the moment – which is especially important this time of year. Try tuning in to gratitude at your holiday mealtime. Have each person say what they are grateful for before they eat – have them think about something, someone, some place or a sense (smell, sight, touch) they are grateful for. e responses may inspire you! 4 MINI CHALLENGES for a Healthy Holiday Season December 2017