Are you looking forward to holiday gatherings with your pandemic pod and family? Maybe you are a little hesitant to gather after such a long period of social distancing and health anxiety. No matter which camp you are in, there are some tips that may help you get through the holiday season. Since what we eat plays such an enormous role in how we feel, physically and emotionally, let’s incorporate some healthy food habits into this year’s holiday feasts.

As a lifelong chef and herbalist, I have a deep appreciation for the flavorful impact of herbs and spices and the healthy benefits they offer. You probably already use herbs in your holiday cooking so why not try them in some new ways this winter? From the first sips of hibiscus ginger apple cider to the last bites of pear pink pepper pie, you’ll get digestive support, immune boosting, and calming for your nerves.

Before we get into the recipes, let’s cover a few basic healthy digestion tips from Ayurveda, India’s traditional medical system.

• Get some exercise every day. Something you enjoy and just enough, not to exhaustion. This boosts your metabolism, helps to boost circulation and immunity, and has enormous mental health benefits. Extra points if you get outside in nature.
• Sip hot water with lemon or hot herbal tea throughout the day. This aids digestion of fats, helps you stay hydrated, and helps to calm the nervous system.
• Try to only eat when you are hungry and pay attention to your food, eating until you are content but not “full.” Leave room for digestion. When the stomach is overfilled, digestion is more sluggish and needs more of our energy, hence the food coma.
• Lastly, try taking a short walk after eating your meal, or laying down on your left side for five to ten minutes. Both of these habits improve digestion and assimilation.

Try these delicious, herb-infused recipes for your next holiday gathering. They are simple, packed with nutrients, and help to keep your immune and digestive systems functioning well through the winter.

Hibiscus Ginger Apple Cider

Why have apple cider when you can have hibiscus ginger apple cider? The addition of hibiscus and ginger to this classic winter beverage brings a brightness and burst of high antioxidant, vitamin C rich flavor. Serves 6.

Ingredients

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup fresh grated ginger root
• ⅓ cup dried hibiscus flowers or 6 hibiscus tea bags
• 6 cups of water
• 3 tablespoons of local honey

Preparation

1. In a large pot, add the water and ginger root, setting the heat to high. Bring to a boil. 
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Turn the heat off, add the hibiscus flowers or tea bags, and cover. Let this steep for 10 minutes. 
4. Remove from heat, strain through a mesh strainer, and add the apple cider vinegar and honey. 
5. Serve hot or store in glass jars with tight lids in the refrigerator for up to three days.