Christmas Eve has always been the heart of the holiday for me.
As someone with Dominican heritage and a Christian background, this night has never been about rushing or perfection. It’s about gathering. It’s about family. It’s about faith, tradition, and sitting around a table with the people who shaped you.
Growing up, Christmas Eve was the night. The house was full, the food was familiar, and the celebration felt sacred in its own way. And what I love most is that as you move into adulthood, you don’t lose that — you carry it forward. You recreate it. You choose it.
For us, that table often includes roast pork, pasteles, empanadas, rice and beans, and potato salad. There is fresh bread, nuts and dried fruits, dark rum and sweets.
These meals may be a little heavier, a little higher in carbs, and definitely richer than what we eat on a typical day — and that’s okay. Because food doesn’t exist in isolation.
Health is not built or broken in one meal.
Tradition is not something to feel guilty about.
Balance during the holidays isn’t about restriction. It’s about intention, awareness, and compassion for yourself.
How I Think About Balance on Christmas Eve
Yes, the meals are heavier. Yes, there may be more carbs than usual. And instead of fighting that, I plan around it — gently.
Here’s what balance looks like for me:
Start the day strong
I make sure my earlier meals are supportive:
- A high-protein breakfast
- Plenty of fiber (think fruits, vegetables, or whole foods)
- Steady hydration throughout the day
This helps keep energy steady and blood sugar more stable going into a celebratory meal later.
Hydration matters more than you think
Water is one of the simplest tools we forget about:
- Drink water throughout the day
- If you’re having alcohol, sip water in between drinks
It supports digestion, energy, and how your body responds to food and alcohol.
Now, If you choose to drink…
If you want to enjoy a drink, you absolutely can — without overdoing it. A few blood-sugar-friendlier options include:
- Dry wine
- Spirits like vodka, tequila, or gin with soda water and citrus
- Light Beer
- Avoiding sugary mixers when possible
I usually keep it to one or two drinks max, enjoy them slowly, and hydrate alongside.
Move in ways that feel joyful
Movement doesn’t need to be structured or intense:
- Put on a playlist and dance in the kitchen
- Take a walk around the neighborhood to look at the lights
- Stretch or move your body earlier in the day
This kind of movement supports blood sugar, digestion, and stress — without feeling like exercise.
Rest is part of health
Sleep matters. Slowing down matters. Enjoying the moment matters.
Meals like these don’t just nourish the body — they feed the soul, lower stress, and reinforce connection. And that emotional nourishment plays a bigger role in health than we often give it credit for.
My Simple Christmas Eve Potato Salad
This is the potato salad I make every Christmas Eve.
Simple ingredients. No rules. Just taste and adjust.
Ingredients
- ~1 lb potatoes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- A splash of apple cider vinegar (to marinate the onion)
- 1-2 medium carrots, cooked and diced
- 2–3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- A little mayo (just enough to lightly coat)
- A drizzle of olive oil
- A squeeze of fresh lemon
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- A sprinkle of paprika
How I Make It
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain, cool slightly, and chop.
- While the potatoes cook, marinate the chopped onion in a little apple cider vinegar.
- Cook the carrots until tender, then dice.
- Gently combine the potatoes, carrots, onions (drained), and eggs in a bowl.
- Add a little mayo, a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, the mustard, and paprika.
- Season with salt and pepper, mix gently, and adjust to taste.
That’s it. No measuring cups. No perfection. Just a recipe that feels like home.
A Holiday Reminder
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, another holiday, or simply using these days to rest and unplug, I hope you give yourself permission to enjoy this season fully.
Food, faith, family, movement, rest — they all matter.
Thank you for being here and for trusting me with your health journey this year. I’m so grateful for this community and excited for what’s ahead in 2026.
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