Fall in Southern California brings the most delightful weather. Clear and cool, everything seems to sparkle. Yes, October has arrived and you know what that means: the holidays are comin' down the track at full speed. Now is the time to think about how you can make this holiday season more enjoyable, and less hectic. 

• Keep your expectations in check. Set realistic goals. Perfection and holiday planning don't mix well. Try to enjoy each special moment, flaws and all.
• Plan ahead. Whether it's gift shopping or meal and party planning, practice time management. Start early (like now) making daily and weekly schedules that will find you done with your shopping or gift making before Thanksgiving! Keep everyday stress low by planning ahead for dinners (see the newsletter article by Seasons Catering, below, for tips). Don't forget to build in time for last minute changes and some family free time to bake together, play games or have a story night in bed or by the fire.
• Share the work load. Plan activities with your family that will help get things done and be enjoyable. Kids love to help decorate, bake and wrap presents. Holiday music helps keep everyone in the mood. A younger helper doesn't always make it easier but can up the fun as well as make for many great holiday memories.
• Try to relax. Deep breathing exercises and gentle yoga are often helpful. (Yoga Jones has a Mommy & Me yoga class in adjacent rooms....one for Dads and Moms and one for the kids! Ages 3-8)
  
• Exercise. If you have an established exercise routine, it is important to keep that up. If you don't, try getting out into that crisp, cool air for a walk to get your blood moving and ease holiday stress. It's a great way to check out the neighborhood decorations. Get the whole family into it! The beach is also a beautiful place to walk in the fall and winter months.

Last week we had Family Day, a day to eat dinner with your kids. Parents know how important it is to sit down for a family dinner as much as possible, yet find it difficult to keep those family dinners coming. It can be such a challenge in this modern age, and so I asked a great Mother, Cook and Teacher to enlighten us on how she does it.

According to TIME magazine, the statistics are clear, "kids who dine with the folks are healthier, happier and better students, which is why a dying tradition is coming back". But who has time to cook a family dinner, let alone sit down together to enjoy it amidst soccer practice, ballet, tae kwon do, homework, PTA, work and all of the other "important activities" we have going on in our lives. As a mom with four children under the age of eleven (one with special needs), working part time, participating in all of the school activities and more, I am faced with this dilemma daily. Like most parents, I agree with the evidence and I am determined and committed to making family dinners happen.

As a lover of food and teacher by trade, I found the perfect job for me as a teacher of cooking classes, and it is my mission to help swamped parents like myself, regain the time to relax and enjoy a family meal. In my experience there are some key areas that have helped me cut down on my time in the kitchen. I've highlighted a few below, and challenge you to try one this week in an effort to find time to make dinner, sit down and enjoy your family.

•  Plan once, shop once: Plan at least 4 meals for the week and shop once a week with a list. This cuts down on the "quick trip" to the market to pick up the last minute items or the mindless wandering through the aisles waiting for inspiration. I let my kids and husband each choose a meal for the week. That keeps them excited about the menu and involved in the healthy choices.
• Don't be afraid to multitask: I have my kids sit down at the kitchen table and do homework while I cook the meal. That way I am there for questions but am also getting dinner going.
• The Crockpot is your friend!!: Gone are the days of mushy vegetables and chewy roast. Crockpot cooking has come a long way and I have the recipes to prove it. Plus who doesn't love coming home to a delicious smelling house. Try the one below for something different. Serve with couscous which cooks in 5 minutes.
• Cook once and use it twice: I like to cook a bunch of chicken breasts at the beginning of the week and use them for more than one meal. Burritos one night, chicken enchiladas another. . .
• Prepare in increments: Get things going whenever you have time. If you have a few minutes in the morning, marinate your meat. 2o minutes before soccer, steam your veggies. Layer your lasagna at lunch and put it all together before dinner. Put your Crockpot meal together the night before and stick it in the fridge until the morning.
• Look for healthy precooked items: One of my favorite prepared items is 90 second organic brown rice from TJ's. I toss it with veggies and serve it with a Crockpot chicken. Dinner in 10 minutes of prep time.

Whatever the meal, take the time to enjoy your family and share your day.

SEE MOROCCAN ROAST RECIPE BELOW

Seasons Catering offers an abundance of fantastic cooking classes for adults and kids. Including one called Holiday Kitchen Gifts!

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Moroccan Roast

1 large red onion, sliced into thin wedges

2 parsnips, chopped, can substitute carrots

2 pound boneless beef roast or brisket

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic minced

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch nutmeg

1 cup whole dried apricots

1 cup dry red wine

½ cup beef broth

2 tablespoons honey

1 cup couscous

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Arrange onion wedges and parsnips in bottom of slow cooker. Season beef all over with salt and black pepper. In a small bowl, combine coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic, and nutmeg. Rub spice mixture all over beef. Arrange beef over onions and parsnips in slow cooker. Arrange apricots around beef.

In a small bowl, whisk together wine, broth and honey. Pour mixture over beef and vegetables.

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Cook couscous according to package directions. Serve beef, vegetables and apricots over couscous. Pour over extra sauce from slow cooker and top with cilantro.