Caramelized Brussels Sprouts And Cauliflower

By Chef and Owner Doug Turbush,
Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar

YIELD: Serves 4–6

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
24 heads of Brussels sprouts, cut into 1/4’s,
outer leaves discarded
3 oz. vegetable oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
24 leaves each of Thai basil, mint and cilantro

Ingredients for Thai herb vinaigrette

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Thai chili, minced (remove seeds if you would like it less spicy)
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup fish sauce

For the vinaigrette, dissolve all liquids and sugar, then add garlic and chili. Preheat oven to 350. Roast cauliflower—toss cauliflower with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast at 350 for 10 minutes and reserve. Bring pot of water to a boil, add Brussels sprouts and cook for four minutes. Shock in ice water bath, drain well and reserve. Heat vegetable oil in a pan, add sprouts and cook until color is deep golden brown on one side, turn over and add cauliflower. Toss sprouts and cauliflower with red onion, Thai basil, mint, cilantro and Thai herb vinaigrette.

The Awaken Cocktail

Marietta.com

By Chef Tiffany Gray, A Little Bit of Heaven

Ingredients for Heaven’s green juice

Spinach
Kale
1/4-inch ginger
pineapples
water
2 oz. of vodka (ex: Titos’s)
A splash of mango juice

Blend 1/2 cup of spinach, kale, pineapples and 1/4 inch ginger with water. Add 1/2 cup of the Heaven’s green juice mixture with 2 oz. of vodka to a shaker with ice. Pour into a glass with a splash of mango juice and garnish with a pineapple slice.

Vodka Cranberry ‘Caipirinha’

Marietta.com

By Bartender Tim Langenberg,
Chicken and the Egg

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. Tito’s vodka (or Leblons)
6 fresh cranberries, chopped
1 Tbsp. stevia (or turbinado sugar)
1 lime wedge

Muddle cranberries, stevia and lime in a mixing tin. Add ice and vodka, shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Molasses Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pomegranate And Hazelnuts

Marietta.com

By Chef Marc Taft, Chicken and the Egg

Ingredients

1 1/4 lbs. Brussels sprouts, halved
2 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
3 Tbsp. molasses
Seeds from one pomegranate
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
1 Tbsp. orange zest
salt and black pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Place Brussels sprouts in a roasting pan; toss with oil and season with salt/pepper. Roast in the oven until light golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and add molasses, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts and orange zest. Season to taste.

Heaven’s Japanese Sweet Potatoes

Marietta.com

By Chef Tiffany Gray, A Little Bit of Heaven

Ingredients

1 lb. Japanese sweet potatoes
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup of coconut milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. rum vanilla extract
1 9-inch unbaked piecrust
2 Tbsp. agave nectar

Boil whole sweet potatoes for 40–50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over sweet potatoes and remove skin. Break apart sweet potatoes in a bowl. Add butter and mix well with mixer. Stir in agave, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 for 55–60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Giving Your All

Lindsay Penticuff

With more than 8 percent of Cobb County’s 717,000-plus residents in need, and 2,000 children recorded in the schools systems as being homeless with many others not accounted for because they are under school age or are undocumented, there is no better time than the holiday season to volunteer or donate money or time to a noble cause—and Cobb is home to many of those.

“Serving truly communicates the meaning of Christmas and gives us a greater sense of purpose,” says the Rev. Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries. “Focusing on those in need at Christmas—or any time of the year—lightens our burdens. It’s good for the soul.”

MUST, a volunteer-driven organization that addresses the basic needs of individuals, families and children, is offering multiple volunteering opportunities during the holidays. Volunteers 10 and older can help with the MUST Ministries Toy Shops in Cobb and Cherokee counties. Morning and evening shifts help parents shop in a free store full of blankets, pajamas, hats, toys, school supplies, games and much more. Afternoon shifts help restock the shelves. Shops are open for about 18 days in December and groups of 10–18 are needed to fill each shift. You can email toyshop@mustministries.org to sign up, or visit mustministries.org for more information.

Other local organizations that you may consider helping this year include:

SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center

SafePath, Cobb’s children’s advocacy center that provides a neutral, child-friendly environment where professionals and agencies utilize a multidisciplinary team approach to alleged child abuse cases, is gearing up for its annual Adopt-A-Family Program. Its “Wish” program assists families that SafePath serves throughout the year with holiday needs and wishes. They are looking for individuals/group donors that can adopt children and families this holiday season.

safepath.org • (770) 801-3465

Calvary Children’s Home

Calvary Children’s Home provides a safe, loving, Christian environment for children, giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential in their personal, emotional and spiritual life. Program Director Sherry Croft is in charge of coordinating Christmas with the children. Each child makes a list of what they would like. Additionally, monetary donations are welcome and help Calvary year-round. Contact Croft at sherry@calvarykids.org to make donations or sign up for any volunteering opportunities.

calvarykids.org • (770) 794-1500

Youth in Mission, Corp.

Former NBC “The Voice” finalist Pip, aka Phillip Arnold of Marietta, started this nonprofit to fund scholarships that support qualified youth desiring to serve on mission trips but do not have the means to do so. Annual scholarships are awarded to aid in travel expenses. In the past, YiM has funded student trips to Guana, Mississippi, Haiti, Vietnam and Guatemala.

yimcharity.com • (770) 425-5129

American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division

Cancer never takes a holiday, so the American Cancer Society, which is a national health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, needs donations and volunteers year-round to help support life-saving research and programs. Donate at cancer.org or call 1 (800) 227-2345 to volunteer locally.

cancer.org • (770) 429-1624

Kidz2Leaders

Kidz2leaders, Inc., in Marietta helps change the lives of prisoners’ children and break the vicious cycle of incarceration by offering Christian programming and a fun environment. Volunteers are needed as office workers, camp counselors, event supports and mentors. Donated funds support Camp Hope, the interns4tomorrow program and other programs of kidz2leaders.

kidz2leaders.org • (770) 977-7751

The Center for Family Resources

As an organization rooted in tradition, The Center for Family Resources wants to create a program that allows thousands of families to create a tradition of their own. Thanks for Giving provides them the opportunity to prepare a Thanksgiving meal with their families. In it’s 29th year of hosting its annual event, Thanks For Giving is in need of donations and volunteers from Cobb businesses and individuals.

thecfr.org/thanksforgiving • (770) 428-2601

Friends of East Cobb Park

Friends of East Cobb Park, a nonprofit, volunteer organization formed in 1998 to create a community gathering place in east Cobb, is looking for donors and volunteers to help with the annual Holiday Lights Celebration on Dec. 7. The event highlights local civic, church and school organizations with bell-ringers, chorus performances, community leader recognitions and a visit with Santa and Rudolf and tree lighting ceremony.

eastcobbpark.org • president@eastcobbpark.org

Cobb Senior Services

Cobb Senior Services annually hosts a program that was recently renamed Christmas 365. The organization is looking for monetary donations and volunteers to help shop for and wrap gifts in advance, as well as help out at the Senior Santa Party on Dec. 12. Another program, Meals on Wheels, provides meals for seniors in need. In addition to businesses and individuals, civic groups and churches are encouraged to provide meals to clients on Thanksgiving/the day after and Christmas Day/day after, as Cobb facilities are closed and meals will not be delivered. Other Cobb-based nonprofits that benefit seniors include EngAGE Senior Advocacy, engagesenioradvocacy.org; Aloha to Aging, alohatoaging.org; and ELM, elmcobb.org

cobbseniors.org • (770) 528-5368

Marietta Community School

Looking for a way to donate your time or money to an education organization? Marietta Community School is always welcoming donations and volunteers for its many programs. Scholarships for children, instructors for classes and helping promote its teen driving program are some of the many ways you can help.

mariettacommunityschool.com • (770) 429-3170

United Way of Greater Atlanta

Volunteering through United Way of Greater Atlanta, whose mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good, is a great way to give back while getting involved in helping some of the most important issues facing our community today.

unitedwayatlanta.org/volunteerism • (404) 527-7200

Hope for Christmas

hopeforchristmas.com • (770) 427-5305

This organization provides toys and food to more than 2,500 families in northwest Cobb, Paulding, Bartow and Cherokee counties through its annual holiday meal and Secret Santa Shop. Help by donating toys and food in Cobb at GracePoint Marietta church and Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs through early December. Business and individual sponsorships are also available and there are many opportunities to volunteer with the group.

YWCA of Northwest Georgia

As we reflect on another year gone by, consider a donation to the YWCA of Northwest Georgia, which is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Your gift will allow the YWCA to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Every dollar donated to the YWCA of Northwest Georgia makes a difference in someone’s life.

ywca.org/northwestgeorgia • (770) 423-3581

Gifts Around Town

Jacqueline Frasca

Residents of Cobb County are never far from homemade goods and services of top quality because small businesses thrive in this community. The holiday season is a great time to take a look at what the creative people of this county have to offer. From delicious edible offerings to truly unique pieces that would please even the person who has everything, you can find it here.

Debbie Cohan, owner and chocolatier at Chocolate Ooh La La, says, “The best thing about being a small business owner in Cobb is being able to have so many customers right around the corner.” Cohan began her chocolate business when her daughters became a little older, and after a special recipe from a friend had friends and families taking requests, the idea for a business was born.

Shopping local means you’re supporting entrepreneurs in your very own community, keeping your money where you live and ensuring great customer service—because you know who owns the company. “From the very start of my company [five years ago], my neighbors and friends became customers and still are today,” Cohan says. “I also love that having customers in Cobb means I can personally deliver their orders and I love that interaction.”

We’ve collected some unique offerings to give you some ideas for gifts this holiday season, almost all made and sold right here in Cobb. Support your community by shopping local and supporting the entrepreneurs in your own backyard.

Edible Arrangements Marietta

4880 Lower Roswell Road, Ste. 820,
Marietta, GA 30068

The leader in fresh fruit bouquets and displays, Edible Arrangements takes chocolate-dipped fruit above and beyond. With lots of seasonal, themed bouquets to choose from, your local Edible Arrangements store has what it takes to make your holidays a little sweeter.

(770) 579-7081

Snowden Cigar Box Guitars

Utilizing discarded cigar boxes, premium exotic hard woods and high quality accessories, Mike Snowden meticulously handcrafts his personal brand of unique three- and four-string electric cigar box guitars from his east Cobb workshop. Each of Mike’s handcrafted guitars is a “one-of-a-kind” instrument possessing an original tone, feel and look. With more than 850 guitars crafted to date, Snowden’s love of music is built into each and every one. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time picker, these instruments are easy and fun to play, providing hours of musical possibilities. If you are looking for a unique gift, a musician seeking inspiration or an individual choosing a new hobby, Snowden’s handcrafted cigar box guitars are a solid investment.

mike@snowdenguitars.com • snowdenguitars.com

Edward-Johns Jewelers

1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Ste. 124,
Marietta, GA 30068

This classic treasure shop was opened by Johnny and Anna Johnson in 1979 and offers quality jewelry, repairs, design, appraisals and jewelry consultations. Known throughout the area for its designs, the Edward-Johns team has won more than 50 national and state jewelry design awards. Considered a “mom and pop” business, you’re sure to get great service and affordable prices.

(770) 977-2026 • edward-johns.com

The Local Exchange

130 South Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

A regular treasure trove in Marietta, The Local Exchange is sure to keep you perusing the aisles for the better part of an afternoon. Chock-full of locally made goods, you can mark each person off your list in one trip. This modern-day general store features merchandise, artisan beers, local art and wines, fair trade and organic goods and, of course, gift baskets.

(770) 794-3136 • thelocalexchangemarietta.com

Chocolate Ooh La La’s

It all started with a simple recipe handed down friend to friend. Owner and founder Debbie Cohan opened her candy kitchen after enjoying years of decorating, cooking, entertaining and giving beautiful gifts, packages and customized gift boxes for every occasion. Every Ooh La La is hand-crafted one by one and even the festive bows are hand-tied—a truly homemade touch, straight from Cobb.

info@chocolateoohlalas.com • (770) 850-8666 • chocolateoohlalas.com

The Wine Door

5284 Floyd Road
Mableton, GA 30126

The Wine Door was born of necessity, a space-saving wine rack in the door utilizing the door itself and the space behind it to optimal wine storage. The Wine Door offers a unique solution to the large cumbersome wine racks by combining all of the features of a custom-built wine rack in a unit that is designed to fit into an existing space in your house. This revolutionary, patented idea combines a wine rack with an interior door, giving you all of the benefits of a traditional wine rack incorporated into a finely crafted hardwood door. By utilizing an existing doorway in your home, you can create a custom wine storage and display area that is unique, attractive and yet still functional.

(404) 858-8051 • mywinedoor.com

An Honor to be Chosen

Lindsay Penticuff

Two outstanding teachers have been selected to represent Cobb County as the 2015 System Teachers of the Year. Katy Eason, a fifth-grade teacher at Sawyer Road Elementary School, was chosen among her more than 630 peers as Marietta City School’s System Teacher of the Year. She has taught for five years in the Marietta school district. “It is such an honor to represent the teachers of Marietta,” Eason says. “There are countless educators who are equally, if not more, deserving than me to have this opportunity. The chance to have a positive voice in education for the betterment of teachers and students, beyond my school, is tremendous.”

Outside of work, Eason says she enjoys spending time with her family, especially playing with her 2-year-old son Ben, and raising money for the American Cancer Society, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and Relay for Life, in addition to helping out at local animal shelters.

Allatoona High School’s Tyler Gwynn, a geology and psychology teacher at the northwest Cobb school, was selected as the Cobb County School System Teacher of the Year. He is one of about 5,700 teachers serving the school system. “Because I know all of the talent in this county, I am incredibly humbled by this distinct honor,” Gwynn says. “I want to represent Cobb the best way possible; to bring pride and honor to this profession and this community. I take that very seriously and I would love for people to understand how wonderful this profession is.

“We need to be attracting the rock stars of this generation to get in the classroom to prepare the next. We also can’t do this by ourselves. We need the village to raise these kids, to give them the best chance of success. The community must get more involved in our schools. It’s been my experience that they desire to do just that, but they might not know how. We need to show them how and embrace the idea of making education real-world.”

Gwynn, a Cobb native who graduated from South Cobb High School in Austell, has taught for 14 years, all in Cobb County Schools. Outside of teaching, he is Allatoona’s speech and debate coach, and he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his kids in sports, going to church, traveling, fishing and playing golf.

Earlier this fall, Eason and Gwynn were formally honored during the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s 26th annual Handprint Unveiling Ceremony, “Give Our Schools A Hand,” on the Marietta Square. Their loved ones, colleagues, several students and members of the Cobb community surrounded them as they unveiled their etched handprints into the Teacher Walk of Fame.

A Good Home

Jacqueline Frasca

It’s sometimes hard to think about issues we don’t see in our own lives, especially in a progressive county such as Cobb. As the holidays arrive, the giving spirit is upon us, and with National Adoption Day right around the corner on Nov. 22, 2014, the time has come to reconsider who we can help—because giving has the power to impact the community at large and truly change lives. All year long, and especially during the holidays, the need for a good home for homeless children and animals exists all around us. At any given time, there are between 400–450 homeless children and only around 125 foster homes in Cobb County.

Providing a good home for someone in need has so many benefits for the adopters and adoptee alike. Many couples that dream of starting families are unable to do so for one reason or another, and adoption provides an opportunity for a child in need of a home and a family that wants to raise a child to come together. Often the decision to adopt will end a couple’s struggle with infertility and give orphaned children opportunities they never could have dreamed of. As for pets, you don’t need a sad ASPCA commercial to tell you what a good home means to an abandoned or homeless pet. Pets take on every role you need them to, from new best friend to an exercise buddy and lifetime companion. All types of animals are available for adoption—from dogs and cats to rabbits and reptiles, there is a pet that fits your lifestyle that would love to go home with you.

The resources in this area for both homeless children and pet adoptions are numerous. From Calvary Children’s Home in Powder Springs to the Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA), Cobb residents have the ability to impact the lives of local children living apart from their families by fostering, donating, volunteering and adopting. CCYA invites members of the community to share their talents and time with everything from cooking and art classes to physical fitness and technology and business skills to help these kids succeed.

Despite what many believe about shelter animals, they often make the best pets—usually a pet in a shelter was relinquished due to allergies, a move, lack of time available to care for them or a sick or deceased owner rather than due to the fault or behavior of the animal. Every year, millions of animals that are well-behaved and looking for a loving home are destroyed in shelters waiting for their family to come. If you’re on the fence about adopting a pet due to time commitment and level of care needed, pick up the phone and call some of Cobb’s local shelters and homeless animal organizations and start asking questions.

The people who care for these animals know their temperaments better than anyone, and each animal and breed comes with their own unique personality and needs. A match is out there and you will find an animal that completes your home and enriches your life. One excellent source in Marietta is The Homeless Pets Foundation, which works to connect future homes with homeless pets that need their lives saved. The Humane Society of Cobb County is a no-kill shelter that offers sterilization programs, as well as lost and found, rescue and adoption services. Atlanta Pet Rescue is located in Smyrna, while various rescue groups in Cobb and the animals they care for can be found on petfinder.com.

When in doubt, sponsor a child in need through ChildFund International, where 82 percent of your monthly donation goes directly to your child.

Thriving in the Holiday Season

Jacqueline Frasca

While holidays are beyond wonderful for bringing people and families together, there are a few signature parts of the holidays that can also throw people wildly off-track when trying to maintain their health and fitness goals. Among these, traditional season indulgences, holiday parties and a lack of physical activity are some of the biggest offenders. Seasonal drinks, sides and desserts add up quickly and seem to be everywhere you turn.

In a time where seasonal affective disorder (SAD), colder temperatures, sicknesses and untypical eating habits are more prominent, it is extremely important to keep up a regular exercise routine that works for you and honors a balanced diet. According to exercise specialist Mary Ann Guarnieri at WellStar Health Place, “Exercise has proven to boost an individual’s immune system, which can help combat these sicknesses. In addition to an improved immune system, exercise releases ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain to help combat depression.” Research shows that 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week can vastly improve our health, as well as help prevent obesity, heart disease and chronic health conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Back in the Swing of Things

There’s a routine many experience around the colder holiday months—overeating, under-exercising and scrambling to get rid of the excess weight before summer by making a New Year’s resolution about it. In fact, the average American gains anywhere between five and seven pounds during the holidays, so it’s important to maintain a fitness regimen and balanced diet. Exercising during the colder months has been shown to improve mood, increase energy levels and help with a more restful night’s sleep—things that are immensely beneficial if in-laws coming to town tends to wear on you.

“Shorter, grayer days can definitely affect our desire to be active, but achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can only be done via a healthy lifestyle,” says Beth Linn, MBA, ACE, certified personal trainer and health coach at Real Fitness, LLC, in Acworth. “Lifestyle means year-round—if you have been consistent with exercise during the warmer months, you do not want to lose those gains by being sedentary until spring and having to start all over again. I’ve never heard anyone say on April 1, ‘I wish I had exercised less throughout the winter!’”

Sometimes, starting can be the most challenging part of keeping up or starting a new routine. “During the holidays, it can be hard to find the time and even the motivation to get out and exercise in regards to having so many other things that need to be accomplished,” says Farrah Spellman, assistant director of the Employee Wellness Center of Health Promotion and Wellness, part of the WellStar College of Health & Human Services at Kennesaw State University. “To increase motivation and fit exercise into your busy holiday schedule, recruit family members to get out and exercise with you. You can increase physical activity with quality family time.”

You want to be your ally in fitness success, and the best way to do that is to set realistic, achievable goals by committing to planned exercises that you enjoy. Ask a friend to walk or run with you, or commit to fitness classes you’re excited to go to. “Sign up for community races such as the Gobble Jog on Thanksgiving morning or the Wonderful Days of Winter run in January,” Guarnieri suggests. “Walking an extra lap around the mall while shopping and parking far away from the mall entrance is a wonderful way of using every opportunity to exercise.” Linn advises people to start a new tradition and have a supportive network of family and friends in place to help you achieve your goals without throwing a wet blanket over the festivities. “I have friends who have met every Christmas Day for the past 30 years for a group run,” she says. “It always ends with some holiday cheer, but the exercise was accomplished first, and the activity creates an annual memory that bonds their lives together. They would never think of skipping it.”

“Cold weather is not a reason to abandon your workout regimen, but it is a good time to make some adjustments,” says Dr. Georgia Reggie Mason, Total Health Lead for Kaiser Permanente. “Rather than run or walk outdoors, take advantage of indoor tracks. If you don’t have a gym membership, many malls even open early to allow the public to walk. From push-ups and crunches to squats and jumping jacks, there are tons of exercises that can be done indoors.” Incorporate the festivities by rousing your family after holiday dinners to walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the decorations you see, or head to your nearest skating rink and hit the ice. You can even coax your book club to walk while you review the latest read.

What’s most important, however, is if you are getting back into a fitness routine after not exercising for awhile, take it slow. Rather than trying to run three miles when you haven’t run in months, set aside time and run for the first 10–20 seconds of every minute. This will kick-start your body into an anaerobic state and small, intense bursts of activity may help increase your endurance. While getting back in shape after a lapse, Linn and Spellman also suggest consulting your physician and starting with a couple sessions of brisk cardio a week, maintaining that schedule and then adding in some resistance training.

Tips for Holiday Cooking—and Eating

Let’s not forget, this is an important time of year when holidays and festivities serve to bring people together often in the spirit of giving, but holiday favorites don’t need to be avoided altogether. In addition to exercise, portioning and planning are important in the food department as well, especially if that cookie tray or pie station leaves you a little weak at the knees. The strategies for successfully avoiding overindulging are endless, and there are even a few tips and tricks you can utilize in the kitchen to make the holiday table all that much healthier.

First, eat a well-balanced meal before an event, be it an office party, potluck or community gathering. Eating small meals throughout the day is the best way to keep your blood sugar levels up and avoid indulging in an oversized meal three times a day, especially if one of them comes with starchy sides and buttery desserts. “The holiday season can get away from us,” says Marc Taft, executive chef and owner of Chicken and the Egg in Marietta. “We get on the scale in January and try and figure out where the 10 extra pounds came from.” Foods native to the holidays tend to be richer, more fattening and more indulgent than what makes up our usual eating routines, so Taft recommends standing far from the food table while at parties, seeking out the healthiest option and indulging in that first, be the person who brings a healthy dish to ensure a healthy choice, keep healthy snacks at hand to help avoid (most) of the temptations your co-workers will no doubt be bringing to the office, avoid shopping when hungry and eat a mint, as we tend to eat less when our mouths feel clean.

Keep in mind that the foods that are best for your body also tend to be dishes where you can identify all or most of the ingredients by sight, and you can’t go wrong with seasonal vegetable-heavy sides cooked lightly in oil rather than animal fats. “It is not only important to vary your diet with fresh seasonal foods, it really should be the only way we eat,” Taft says. “Those who do not stop to consider the reasons are the ones that force restaurants to have items on the menu year-round.” Eating local and seasonal means less energy used to transport, store and preserve fresh food; saves you money and keeps your money in your community; and is unarguably better for you, as food is healthiest at its peak ripeness and will have more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help you feel your best.

Jeffrey Gardner, executive chef at Common Quarter in east Cobb, opts for local, seasonal produce as often as possible. “Eating fresh seasonal foods is very important because you’re getting each ingredient at its peak for both flavor and nutrients. Have you ever tried to eat blueberries in January? They’re nothing like the sweet, delicious blueberries we get in July,” he says. “In the colder months, the variety of beets, greens and squash that are available to us are fantastic options to keep us on the health train. Most important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, in my opinion, is variety. Eating seasonally keeps variety an option throughout the entire year.”

While many at holiday events will expect classics dishes, try switching up dishes or ingredients for healthier options this year. Tiffany Gray, certified nutritionist and executive chef and owner of A Little Bit of Heaven, also in east Cobb, opts for coconut and almond milks as substitutes for heavy cream or milk to enhance flavors without added dairy, while Gardner suggests preparing holiday favorites in styles that are lighter by nature, like Japanese, Argentinian or Vietnamese. “I love the Southern Italian Christmas Eve tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes,” he says. “Fish, especially within an Italian framework, instantly lends itself to lighter preparations; and it’s a nice way to introduce something new around the holidays.”

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