Holidays are Merry with Dairy!

How does the St. Louis Dairy Council celebrate during the holidays?  With dairy of course!  Nutrition educators are out in our 131-county territory promoting holiday campaigns, discussing how dairy fits into a healthy meal plan and sharing favorite holiday recipes at events and on local media. The holidays are always a busy time, so planning and prioritizing commitments can help you get through the next several weeks while still enjoying traditions and spending time with friends and family.

Holiday Card Contest

A record 1,433 students in Illinois and Missouri captured their vision of a dairy holiday for the seventh annual SLDDC Holiday Card contest.  Schools were encouraged to have Pre-K through 8th grade students submit a drawing related to dairy and the holidays for the chance to win prizes. Eighty-nine schools participated in the contest. This is a fun campaign that gets kids thinking about dairy. Three grand-prize winners will have their personal designs featured as SLDDC’s holiday card, along with winning a gift basket complete with a set of their cards to send to family and friends. This contest continues to grow each year and the artistic ability of these students absolutely amazes us.

Healthy Eating

While the holidays are a time to celebrate, remember that not every meal and snack is a special occasion.  Choose healthful options between the parties and celebrations.  Go for snacks like yogurt with fruit or low-fat string cheese with whole grain crackers, and pour a glass of milk with each meal.  Aim for three servings of dairy, five cups of fruits and vegetables and whole grains whenever possible.  This will help provide the protein, vitamins and minerals needed year-round and make holiday indulgences and classic foods feel even sweeter.

Holiday Favorites

Whether cheese, yogurt or milk, dairy is part of many holiday recipes.  Cheeseballs made with cream cheese, shredded sharp white cheddar and herbs make their way to the appetizer table every year at my home.  Hot chocolate made with milk is a wintertime staple, giving kids a serving of bone-building calcium and 8 grams of protein while warming them up after playing outside.  Along with classic foods, nothing fills a home with holiday spirit more than singing carols, and Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer is a classic. Gather young family members around the table to sing carols and make a few easy cheesy reindeer, and you could go down in history just like Rudolf himself!