Fudge and other conundrums

Fudge and other conundrums

Since my Grandmother and Aunt have both passed, the responsibility for maintaining our family’s Holiday traditions (especially the food traditions) has fallen on me. I actually revel in the role. I was born to be a matron, and am thrilled to have reached an age where the moniker is not absurd.


In preparing last week’s multiple meals, I rifled through Grandma’s old green metal recipe box. As you can see, it looks like it was a military issue circa 1941. I was searching for her Christmas fudge recipe, in particular. The ingredient list included 3 cups of sugar, corn syrup and marshmallows. I hesitated for a nanosecond and then went to my baking shelf to gather the components. Ultimately I had to hit the grocery store before the candy-making began. I don’t keep 1/3 of the listed ingredients on hand and am much more likely to have almond milk and flax seed meal in my pantry, than many of the items in Grandma’s fudge recipe. In fact, I would never purchase a processed treat that had a list of ingredients like this beloved recipe. So why was I whipping up 32 servings for my small family?


The reality is that as much as I walk the nutritional walk and talk the healthy talk, when it comes to the Holidays, I indulge and treat my family to the desserts and excesses that mark “the Holiday Season.” I actually still don’t eat any of it myself, but am a hypocrite when it comes to buying the eggnog with HFCS and the candy canes with Red #40.
There are good questions to be asked though:

  • At what frequency does it no longer become a “treat” and is rather a part of my child’s diet?
  • Is there a healthier alternative that is just as yummy for my child but with more wholesome substitutions (e.g. whole wheat flour, fruit puree instead of refined sugar)?
  • When I insist on balanced, wholesome meals 99% of the time, am I teaching my son that there are ‘bad foods,’ allowed only on ‘special occasions,’ when every Nutritionist I know insists there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad foods,’ only moderation in all things?

 

Do you also spend energy and time thinking about these issues? How do you uphold family traditions and celebrations, culinary or otherwise?

We still have quite a bit of fudge left. Anyone want some?

Hello There!

My name is Allison! Nurturer Of 4 Remarkable Littles / Married To My Own Modern Day Prince Charming / California Born And Raised / Adventure Seeker / Nature Enthusiast / Memory Maker / Food / Wine / Fashion / Sleep

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