Winter, 2000 - 2001

. . . 'Tis the Season to start your
own traditions!

Tell your kids that eating chocolate is a relatively recent concept as far as holiday traditions go. Although the Mayans, Aztecs, and Toltecs cultivated the cocoa bean several thousand years ago, it was only introduced into Europe (via Spain) in 1527. Cocoa had made its way into Africa by about 1822 but it was not until 1847 that the first chocolate bar was introduced by the Fry and Sons company in Britain. Today the African continent supplies most of the cocoa consumed in the world but it is Switzerland which beats the record for yearly consumption at about 24 pounds per person! That's enough to make anyone yodel!

Chocolate's mood altering properties can have a strong effect on sensitive or young bodies and minds. It is listed as a powerful trigger for migraines and headaches; PMS; fibrocystic breast disease; and mood and energy swings. Many cheaper brands contain highly saturated palm and coconut oil which can wreck havoc with your vascular system. The oxalic acid found in chocolate interferes with the absorption of calcium so important to growing bones.

You may want to cast your sight on a bean of an entirely different tree at this time of year. The carob tree dates back to antiquity and probably originated in Syria. Carob was mentioned in biblical lore as having sustained St. John through his desert crossing (almost wrote "dessert"!). Although unjustly maligned as a poor substitute, carob, not chocolate, should occupy a place of honour among your own traditional holiday treats.

Chocolate has found its way into the top ten list of food allergens and no matter how strong the pull, many of us will be better-off keeping it out of our stockings and our stomachs! Aside from its content of caffeine, fat, and refined sugar (not to mention cockroach parts, no kidding!), chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine. This chemical compound closely resembles caffeine and may account for some of its addictive qualities. Chocolate's high sugar content combined with the high fat content make it a magnet for those afflicted with compulsive eating, even without the assistance of caffeine and theobromine!

Carob, which can be purchased as a powder, liquid (syrup), or solid (chips or bars); contains neither caffeine nor theobromine. As it is naturally sweet, this wonderful alternative requires very little added sweetener --use honey or Stevia (a healthy alternative to sugar). It is highly alkaline, low in fat, contains calcium, phosphorus, B-vitamins, protein, and quality carbohydrates.

Having spent much time reflecting on why holiday traditions survive successive generations, I've come to a few conclusions to explain their longevity. It's really all about stress management! There is nothing like knowing where you're headed when the white stuff covers the ground and the proverbial brown stuff (chocolate in our case!) hits the fan. "Traditions" equal sanity, serenity, security… Knowing, year after year, what you're having for that special dinner and which treats to prepare, has spared the nerves of many a harried cook for generations. In the words of Martha Stewart, that's a (jolly) good thing! Do your own thing; start your own traditions!

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