Healthy Holiday Recipes II

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Dec 23, 1997

Searching For Holiday Recipes

Happy holidays from Lakeland, Florida! Yes — Bob and I arrived here last night last night all the way from Houston, Texas. We will be celebrating this holiday season with family and friends that we have not seen in eight years. Lakeland has changed so much since we were here last that Bob barely remembered how to get to his mother's house. However, we finally found her house after the third time around the block and are now settled in to begin our vacation.

We are really looking forward to the great holiday feast on Christmas Day, which will be held at his sister Dianne's house. Everyone is busy making the final preparations for this family gathering and holiday feast. Their refrigerators are so packed to its capacity, that there is not even room for an olive, much less a Christmas turkey! But I know that somehow they will manage to find a place for the great bird to rest its weary wings!

I am especially looking forward to the feast this year because I do not have to cook! I can sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the festivities. However, since many of you will be cooking on Christmas Day, here are two holiday recipes that you might like to add to your collection. I took these recipes from Prevention's 1996 Have A Natural Christmas Holiday Treasures & Traditions. I hope you enjoy the recipes I have chosen for you this week.

Hanukkah — The Festival of Lights

Have you ever wondered what Hanukkah commemorates? The ruling Syrians had captured the Temple of Jerusalem. Intending to stamp out Judaism, they dedicated the temple to the Greek god Zeus and instituted pagan ritess there. The Maccabees, a devout family of Jewish patriots, for many yearss led the violent struggle against the Syrians.

In 164 B.C., they recaptured the Temple and rededicated it to the God of Abraham. At the feast of dedication, a lamp was lit with sufficient oil to burn for one day; however, as a sign of divine favor, God caused the ceremonial lamp to burn for eight days.

During Hanukkah, Jews celebrate the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem and the sign of the miraculous lamp by lighting a special candelabra (a menorah) for eight consecutive nights. Included also in the celebration are festive meals, songs, games, and the exchange of gifts.

Here are some traditional Hanukkah dishes.

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