Honoring Holiday Food Memories

Julie Kaminski

Because some foods feed more than your stomach—they feed your soul.

Let’s be real: the holidays are full of food memories.

For me, it’s the mini marshmallows and fresh-cut grapes in Ambrosia salad that instantly take me back to Christmas dinner—surrounded by the chaos of relatives (yep, seated at the kids’ table, of course). These aren’t just ingredients—they’re time capsules.

Food isn’t just what’s on the plate.

It’s who made it. Who you shared it with. What you felt in that season of life.

And when we choose to honor those food memories—not bulldoze over them with guilt or the latest diet trend—we’re feeding something deeper: our spirit.

What foods bring you joy, comfort, or meaningful memories?

My grandmother’s sour cherry pie with fresh whipped cream tops my list.

Maybe for you it’s your dad’s “famous” stuffing with zero measurements that somehow always turned out perfect.

Or maybe it’s the ritual—midnight cocoa in fuzzy socks, or Friday night latkes under twinkle lights.

What meals or food rituals help you feel grounded?

Traditions aren’t just nostalgic—they’re anchoring. Even if everything else feels chaotic, returning to a familiar meal can feel like coming home to yourself.

Nourish Your Spirit:

List 3 Holiday Foods or Memories That Fill You Up (in more ways than one):

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Now let’s talk strategy. (Yes, joy can have a strategy.)

Your 80/20 Holiday Eating Plan

This isn’t about rules. It’s about resilience—with room for joy.

80% = simple, sustaining, stress-free foods.
These are your no-drama meals that keep you feeling steady and strong. Think: veggie soup, roasted chicken, your favorite grain bowl. This is your baseline—your anchor.

20% = non-negotiable joy foods.
These are the “I wait all year for this” treats. The butter cookies. The perfect slice of pie. Your grandma’s mac & cheese with the crispy edges. These foods don’t derail you—they refuel you.

What’s in your 20%?
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What meals can stay simple this season?
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One last nudge:

Food can be a connection that fills your soul.

A buttery cookie from childhood isn’t a step backward—it’s a moment of connection. A memory, on a plate. Eat it slowly. Savor it completely. And then return to your thriving life, fully fed in every sense.

🎄✨ This season, let joy and intention be the main ingredients in every meal. ✨🎄

You don’t have to choose between tradition and wellness—you get to design your own delicious version of both.

With warmth,

Julie

Julie Kaminski

Julie Kaminski MA, NBC-HWC
Board-Certified Health Coach
Founder of the SAVOR Method
Charleston-based | Let’s flourish together!

Website: JulieKaminski.com
Email: 
julie@juliekaminski.com
Instagram: 
JulieKaminski

Hi, I’m Julie

Julie Kaminski

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