It’s the traditional picture: Parents, kids, dog posed together for a holiday photo.  Reality is though, today’s families are all different.  With single parents, combined families, and grandparents raising kids, we’re all in unique situations.  Different family dynamics can add stress to holiday gatherings which are meant to be about joy and celebration.  Rise above it all by keeping things simple, but meaningful. A little sense of humour will help too!   The Healthy, Happy Kids Ebulletin editors wish you and your unique family all the very best over the holidays and throughout the new year! Nourished Kids   Active Kids   Happy Kids   Homemade Granola INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds 1/3 cup shredded coconut DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown    sugar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, and salt until    well combined. Add the rest of the ingredients    and stir thoroughly until everything is    completely coated.

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  3. Pour mixture on to a baking sheet. Spread evenly and place into the oven. Set the 
     timer for 15 minutes. When the time is up, remove the pan and use a fork to stir the
     mixture thoroughly. Even out the mixture again and place back in the oven for
     another 15 minutes.

  4. Repeat this procedure every 15 minutes for about an hour, or until the mixture is
     golden brown. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. 
     Enjoy!  This makes a great topping for yogurt or a great gift for someone special.
     (Recipe makes about 3 cups of granola)

NOURISHED KIDS!

• Transform traditions. With blended families, meals at holiday time may need some adapting.  Talk about each other’s favourites from the past. Sharing recipes and cooking them together can help break down barriers and give you time to learn more about each other.  
  
  
• Be accommodating.  Feeding your family well-balanced, nutritious meals can be challenging.  Add into the mix a new family structure – where there is the added challenge of various food likes and dislikes and it is even tougher.  Get everyone involved in meal planning and try making a menu that respects each other’s preferences.
  
  
• Get creative with incredible edible gifts. Gifts from your kitchen are less expensive and more meaningful than those from the store.  Get everyone together and have fun making edible gifts for loved ones.  Healthier items like homemade pumpkin or zucchini loaf, fresh bread or muffins or a treat in a jar (such as this granola) are both tasty and thoughtful.
  
  Helpful Links: 
• Keep food safety in mind as you prepare festive meals with these important kitchen steps.
• Get helpful holiday tips and recipes from Leslie Beck, RD, Canada's leading nutritionist.   

ACTIVE KIDS!

• Mix up the old with the new.  New family dynamics might require some discussion around any old traditions you would like to keep or new activities you would like to try during the holidays. Have a great time doing simple, but fun things like building a snowman or a snow fort, going sledding or skating, taking a stroll to look at the lights, or finding a Christmas tree.

• Put an active twist on holiday gifts.  Seek out gifts that encourage activity such as a sled, skates, warm hats, mitts, etc. Bowling certificates, swim passes work well too, as do IOUs (like for a skating or tobogganing outing).

• Set up boredom busters.  A holiday dinner often takes hours to prepare so have the kids in charge of setting up quick and fun games to engage friends and relatives of all ages.  Low-cost, hand-eye coordination games (“Minute-to-win-it” style) are sure to generate lots of laughs.

  Helpful Links: 

• Try out some of these "minute-to-win-it" ideas from Creative-Party-Themes.  
• Get active holiday gift suggestions and fun ideas for exploring the great outdoors from ActiveKidsClub.com 

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HAPPY KIDS!

• Focus on your #1 priority – your kids.  Ask them what they want to do and how you can build on old holiday traditions or create new ones.   Be content with the plans you’ve made and avoid comparing yourselves to others.  Be especially careful to keep adult conflict away from kids.
  
  
• Focus on your other #1 priority - your sanity.  Custody arrangements, travelling and multiple extended family engagements place unlimited demands on your limited schedule.  Be realistic with what you and your kids can actually do without spreading yourselves too thin.  Being flexible and consider spreading out the events so that you’re not all rushing from place to place on one day.
  
  
• Give the gift your kids want the most – your time.  Indeed the holidays are hectic, but it’s important to make space for simply cuddling and talking.  This can be an emotional time for everyone.  Openly discuss feelings, whether they are positive or negative.
  
  Helpful links:
• Get helpful ideas on making the holidays less materialistic from KidsHealth.org.
• Get advice on how to avoid holiday stress and anxiety in children from About.com. 
• Check out these holiday craft ideas from Enchanted Learning.
• Read this interesting article on The Holidays - Friend or Foe? from the Step and Blended Family Institute.
• Discover the 10 Tips to Thrive - not just Survive - This Holiday Season so you're not left with a post-holiday let-down from FeelGooder.

For more great tips and links visit:

• The Busy Parents Guide to Healthy, Happy Kids 
• Previous E-Bulletins

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