The Dixon Family Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas!

Please, allow me to explain. We, the Dixons, are a relatively normal family, all things considered. We like Christmas as much as anybody else. We like the food, the decorations, the gifts, the stories. What we don't like, however, is the stress, and this year had enough stressful stuff built into it before we even got close to Christmas! The last thing we wanted was MORE STRESS. So, after years of stressful Christmases, we decided to take a different route. Perhaps this photo will help explain our approach:

<-- Low Stress Tree, Dog, and Gifts.

Note that the dog is also considerably low in fat, and the gifts are wrapped exactly as they emerged from the shipping docks of their catalog-based origins. There is one small red decoration on the right side of the otherwise plain tree. We did not stress about its placement. Consider it our "token ornament." No materialism here.

It took a little time to get used to this spartan holiday, but in the end we all agreed to try it again next year. Imagine the simplicity of sitting around on Christmas morning, opening the two presents, and figuring out what low-fat foods we wanted to eat that day. No menus developed in advance. No dinner guest list. We took a walk after a simple breakfast of spelt coffee cake and chile souffle with salsa. My brother (a certified masseur) gave us each a voucher for a Christmas massage, so before dinner that evening several of us had a massage.

Christmas was so anti-materialistic I barely remember what I got! Actually, I must admit that our Christmas was a little more elaborate than I have let on. Once my sister and I arrived home and saw the "low stress tree, dog, and gifts," we set out to slightly transform the place with some holiday trinkets stored in the basement. Turns out I received a gift certificate for ballroom dance lessons at Arthur Murray. I also gave a few things to my family from my travels around Asia. Dinners were actually slightly planned, though everybody pitched in to prepare the food. It was all really quite fun.

Dinner conversations during this holiday centered around topics of quinoa and amaranth, yoga and massage, stress and relaxation, and Age of Empires II. I think we also discussed our concern for the United States' dependence on foreign oil, but we didn't stress about it.

If you are interested in having your own Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas, please go right ahead! I have included a skeleton menu (and recipes for linked items) below so that you can easily get started on your very own Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas. (If you don't recognize one of the ingredients in a particular recipe, then it probably was from Healing with Whole Foods. Note the book list at the bottom of this page.)

Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas Menu:

Saturday, December 22

Brunch: Waffles, Maple Syrup, Grapefruit.
Appetizer: Salmon & Cream Cheese Crackers
Dinner: Quinoa Veggie Loaf (Low fat, holistic food)

Sunday, December 23

<Dinner Party Potluck. Very Low Stress! (Optionally low fat)>

Monday, December 24

Appetizer: Parsley & Anchovie Dip
Dinner: Baked Stuffed Squash (Very holistic)
Dessert: Pumpkin Pie (Not low fat, but I grew much less stressed once we decided to make this dessert!)

Tuesday, December 25

Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail
Dinner: Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice Stuffing, green beans, salad
Dessert: Lemon Merangue Pie

Wednesday, December 26

Breakfast: Creamy Millet
Appetizer: Sushi with Whole Grain Rice, Avacados and Dip (Fun! Low stress!)
Dinner: Millet Mushroom Casserole (Don't be afraid!)
Dessert: None

Thursday, December 27

Breakfast: Buckwheat-Oat Pancakes (Low stress, low fat, and very holistic)
Appetizer: Veggies and Low Fat Dip
Dinner: Can't Remember (Definitely not stressful)
Dessert: None

Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas Book List:

(This book list is simply a sample of the books that entered our discussions during the holiday season, and are not necessary for a Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas.)

Healing with Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford
Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond
Ashtanga Yoga, by John Scott
Age of Empires II Strategy Guide

What did you do for your Low Stress, Low Fat, Anti-Materialistic, Holistic Christmas? I want to know! Send your thoughts to me here.