The holiday season beckons – bedecked and bejeweled with limitless temptation for overindulgence and overdoing – food, drink, social activities, work, and if you are someone like me who has a difficult time saying “enough!”, it also arrives with ample opportunity  for self-neglect. Running on foods that don’t necessarily feed the body, dehydration, not getting enough rest or sleep or even necessary down time alone all contribute to a feeling of low performance once the New Year begins.

Keeping the body nutritionally and mentally healthy during this time is key to maintaining good immunity and energy levels for peak performance. I walk a tricky tightrope between a busy catering and social season and if  a healthy balance of diet, exercise and rest  is not implemented, I’ll be wasted, down and useless in no time flat.

It’s often easy to forget to eat or to satisfy hunger with something quick, dirty and nutritionally lacking so it’s helpful to  keep powerful snack-type bites or smoothie/green drink makings available and simple.

This broccoli spread which tastes a bit of the Mediterranean and eats rich and luscious is something I came up with last week after scoring a generous quantity  of sweet and deep blue-green local broccoli from my friend , Kari, of Farm Share Ohio. Deliciously gratifying – yes, but let’s also take  look at the nutritional benefits packed into the ingredients which comprise this recipe:

Broccoli – What can’t this wonder vegetable do? Local, organic is best.

Tahini – A powerhouse food – really! Excellent source of EFA’s and calcium. My favorites are the light, sweet & buttery  brand  Al Kaneter and the rich, fire roasted Tohum

Miso – Loaded with beneficial probiotics and digestive enzymes. Make mine South River, please!

Sea salt – Maintains electrolytes, provides trace minerals. An easy one to locate is Celtic Sea Salt

Lemon juice – Helps alkinalize the body,an anti-bacterial,  source vitamins C & A. Buy organic.

Garlic – Powerful cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Turmeric – “One of nature’s most powerful healers” – enough said.

It’s all about balance. Eat some broccoli spread, stay hydrated, practice  yoga or other form of exercise, rest well. And then you can enjoy your buche de noel – or in my case, a Thin Lizzy. Happy holidays!!!

Broccoli Tahini Spread

Yield: approximately 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

Broccoli – 4 cups rough-chopped

Miso – 1 tablespoon ( I used South River chickpea miso)

Tahini – 4 tablespoons

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Garlic – one fat clove, mashed with a pinch of sea salt

Turmeric powder – 1/3 teaspoon

Sea salt, to taste.

Boil broccoli in well-salted,  abundant water. Turn into a large strainer and drain. While still warm , place in the bowl of a processor and pulse just to break it up. Add the miso, tahini, lemon juice, garlic paste, turmeric, and process until smooth. Taste and correct seasoning.

I used some of this as a sandwich filling slathered in pita with some marinated feta and leaves of fresh mint – wonderful.

What do some of the local area chefs, purveyor, farmers, foodies *wink wink* want for the holidays? Find out over at Cleveland Foodie!

If you can help: my young, beautiful friend Leah has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She has mounting medical costs. Leah’s sister has set up a donation site, so if you are inspireded to help, please do. Many thanks. http://www.giveforward.org/leah/