Celebrate and Stay Safe this Holiday Season!

There are many things to look forward to during the holidays, from gifts to time with family and friends, and all the food! Who doesn’t love a big holiday feast?! Whether you are celebrating Hannukah, or Christmas, food and cooking will surely be a big part of your celebrations.

One of the most dreaded parts of the holiday season is the food prep! However, there are a few ways you can enjoy your holidays stress-free. Incorporating small changes into your holiday routine can really make a difference. Check out some food prep and food safety tips below!

Holiday Food Safety Tips

Food is a big part of the many holiday celebrations. Food safety when preparing, cooking, and storing foods should always be a priority. You can do so by following a few food safety tips to help prevent food poisoning and food-borne illnesses.

Keep Food Separate- Be sure to keep poultry, seafood, eggs, and meat separate from each other when preparing foods. When preparing food, use separate cutting boards for each food group. When storing foods, keep them separate by placing each in their own containers or plastic bags to place in the refrigerator to prevent juices from leaking onto one another.

Cook Foods Through- Use a thermometer to cook foods to the proper safe internal temperature which will kill any germs or bacteria. Additionally, roasts, chops, and steaks should rest for 3 minutes after cooking.

Keep Foods Out of the Danger Zone- Bacteria on foods can rapidly grow on foods when they are kept between 40°F and 140°F, also known as the “danger zone”. Refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers after cooking within 2 hours, or 1 hour if foods are left in extreme temperatures such as a hot car.

Avoid Eating Raw Batter- Sometimes going in to reach for a finger full of batter when cooking is hard to resist! However, most dough is made with raw eggs and flour, which contain harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella.

Wash Your Hands- Being diligent with hand washing while cooking and preparing foods is very important. Wash hands before and after food prep, and after touching garbage, pets, and cell phones.

Stress-less Holiday

Cooking and preparing food for the holidays can be a lot of work. However, finding ways to just enjoy the celebrations free of guilt, and added stress can really make the difference. Check out some ways you can de-stress this season.

Be Present- Being present means being in the moment. Make time to make purposeful time with family and friends. Slow down and appreciate what you are most thankful for this year. Be sure to take a pause and reflect.

Savor Each Bite- Whether you are in charge of cooking or just a guest, when it comes time for dinner be sure to enjoy each forkful and be mindful.

Make time for Exercise- The holidays are busy enough, however, making time for exercise can make all the difference when it comes to de-stressing. Bundle up and go for a walk with family or friends or make time for an at-home workout.

Cook Together- Getting the whole family involved in holiday food preparation can save a lot of time and make the holidays more enjoyable. Be sure to get the kids, and even extended family to help prepare or bring food to the celebration.

The holidays are a special time and making them less stressful and safe can make them even more fun.

Your Turn to Action- What is your favorite holiday dish? Let me know in the comment section below!