Even if you hate all the bru-ha-ha around Christmas of putting up a tree, and lights, and decor, and cooking a big meal, and blah, blah blah, it’s not too late. If you are one of those hum bugs who get down around the holidays, you can really change your mood by just doing.
Behaviorist say, and this is something that should be lived by, is that if you smile when you are not feeling like it or hold hands when you are really frustrated with your mate, you can change your brain chemistry and you will start feeling better or happier.
So on this Christmas Eve, take the time to get into the mood by putting up a small tree or just cooking a quick meal. You don’t have to go all out and get stressed out, but just a touch a the yole time cheer may be just what the doctor order and stay away from the uppers of a different nature.
Family traditions are important as if the life line of the healthy development of children. They produce stability, memories, and over-all ability to adapt. Traditions are the constant in a child’s life that they internally crave. When a child has this constant being repeated year after year, they feel safe and loved.
Our family traditions include making Bulgarian pickled vegetables. Every year when it gets cold enough outside and the price of veggies are not too bad, we make a least 1 or 2 batches of tourshe.
If you would like the recipe it is in our most recent publication: Cooking Traditions of Bulgaria which can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Health Benefits of Pickling:
Studies have shown the cruciferous vegetables can help lower cholesterol levels. Cabbage is high in vitamins A and C. Cabbage also provides a rich source of phytonutrient antioxidants. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and some studies indicate it may help combat some cancers. However, this already helpful vegetable becomes a superfood when it is pickled.
The fermentation process used to make sauerkraut was probably first developed centuries ago simply as a means of preserving vegetables for easy consumption throughout the winter. The health benefits derived from pickling vegetables were already well-known to early civilizations.