Have A Happy & Healthy Hanukkah!

This week, Jewish people celebrate the winter holiday of Hanukkah - often with foods that aren't all that healthy. But it doesn't have to be that way. Deep fried latkes and donuts have taken center stage in many Hanukkah celebrations, but the tide is turning. Today, many people like to give at least a nod to healthier eating, even during the holidays. This week, we honor this ancient holiday with some tips and recipes for healthier eating during your Hanukkah celebration.

Strictly speaking, eating foods saturated with sugar and fats - even olive oil - is not paying close attention to the Torah. Remembering the miracle of the Menorah by using olive oil in our food is an important part of Hanukkah. However, understanding the significance of olive oil is crucial to preserving the true tradition of the miracle.

Pure Pressed Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil. O(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The flames of the Menorah, which God allowed to burn for eight days on one flask of oil, were fueled by pure pressed olive oil. The Torah tells us that the olives were pressed to release only the first, the purest drops of oil to be used in the Menorah. The remainder of the olives were crushed in the usual manner to produce large quantities of olive oil for cooking.

Harmful Behaviors

The Torah teaches us that we should avoid harmful behaviors, such as eating unhealthy foods. That's why it's a bit difficult to understand how eating piles of deep fried foods can possibly pay tribute to the miracle of the Menorah or faithfully celebrate Hanukkah. We know that olive oil is a healthy type of oil. But cooking with large quantities of any oil, even olive oil, negates the health benefits.

Healthier Traditions

It makes sense to honor the miracle of the Menorah by abstaining from unhealthy foods loaded with oil. Instead, use small amounts of pure-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil to make  healthier dishes. For instance, create a beautiful salad with fresh greens, goat cheese, and a homemade salad dressing using extra-virgin olive oil. Or drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced garden tomatoes, and fresh basil for a caprese salad that is delicious and healthy.

Potato latke frying in hot olive oil. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even latkes can be made healthier. Honor the traditions of Hanukkah while enjoying a crispy potato latke by baking them instead of deep frying - or just saute them lightly in a bit of olive oil. A little bit of olive oil can go a long way in this type of healthy recipe. Even those filled donuts we love can be made over to more closely honor the true tradition of Hanukkah. You can tweak many of your old recipes to make the donuts smaller, oven bake them, and fill them with smashed fresh fruit and cream cheese instead of sugary jarred jelly.

Celebrating the miracle of the Menorah while avoiding excessive indulgence in sugar and oil-drenched food seems to make sense after all. The purest of all olive oil should be enjoyed and held in reverence during Hanukkah. Not only is tradition respected, but the true teachings and meanings of Hanukkah are upheld when we treat our body to a healthier celebration.