Activity and Advent

December's Wellness Theme is "Activity" and for Catholics it is Advent and Christmas!  What better way to wait than being active!

How do we fit in activity with our faith traditions of celebratory meals and family gatherings surrounded by traditional foods?  It is a question most of us ask our selves each year at this time.  I have heard conversations at the kitchen table that go something like this..."Food in December has no calories!" or " I couldn't possibly hurt my host's feelings so I always eat what I am given."   Well it isn't quite as difficult as one would think.   I am not saying go overboard, please try to stick to the Canada Food Guide and if you do (and you will) have a little something extra just be a bit more active to offset the extra calories.  The activity need not be of the variety that takes place in the gym.  Grab a child and try some of these!

I am sure you can think of a few more activities that you and yours would like to try or do together.  And afterwards make sure to toast our winter season with a delicious hot chocolate.  Here's a Father Bill's "healthy" version:

OLD FASHIONED HOT CHOCOLATE

For 2 cups of Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups of milk

2 tbsp. of cocoa powder

4 tbsp. of sugar

Directions:

On stove top heat milk to steaming but not boiling.  Add cocoa powder and sugar, whisking until combined.  Poor into mugs to enjoy :)

Just as an added incentive have a look at the official definition from Health Canada for "Healthy Living":

Definition of healthy living:

At a population level, healthy living refers to the practices of population groups that are consistent with supporting, improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health. As it applies to individuals, healthy living is the practice of health enhancing behaviours, or put simply, living in healthy ways. It implies the physical, mental and spiritual capacity to make healthy choices. The Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy focuses on healthy eating, physical activity and their relationship to healthy weights.


Now to Advent.  This is a very special time for Christian's as we wait in anticipation of the birth of our Messiah. 

Notice the intentional absence of Baby Jesus?  He will be placed in the creche on Dec. 25.

 There are many ways to wait and reflect on this miraculous event.  One way is to use the Advent Wreath to celebrate the weeks before Christmas. Students at Ecole Monsignor William Irwin School are using a wreath to celebrate Advent while at school.  Each week before Christmas we light a new candle and reflect on a different part of the Christmas story until all the candles are lit.  A fifth candle is often included in the middle of the wreath on Christmas Day to symbolize Christ, the Light of our Life. 

The following link will help you to continue this tradition at home with your children:

Advent Wreath, prayers and scripture readings.

 Some classes have made a Jesse Tree to celebrate the family history of Christ our King.  It is a simple procedure that only requires a branch from a deciduous tree, something to put the branch in, a bible and some paper to make leaves.  If you would like the instructions on how to make a Jesse Tree and what scripture passages are to be read with each symbol please follow this link:   Jesse Tree Instructions.   The time you spend with your children sharing these timeless bible stories might just be your best gift this season!

From Father Bill's Kitchen to you and your family,

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And remember...

...he's making a list and checking it twice...!  And don't forget to embrace the flakes!