Ready to Shine Bright This Moon Festival?
Another Moon Festival is headed our way!
A holiday to celebrate with friends, food, and the beautiful night sky– you know this is the kind of day I love and gotta celebrate!
Typically when we think of Moon Festival we know the basics of the festivities: gathering outside with the family to eat, BBQs, super decadent moon cakes, and boxes and boxes of pomelos. But wait — I only recently learned that BBQing has become a part of the holiday traditions since the mid 1980s due to a popular barbecue sauce commercial in Taiwan?! Just goes to show, traditions are always evolving!
With this in mind, why not make some fresh and healthy new additions to your yearly celebration and make this Moon Festival even more special!? Read on for some of the ways I have added some of my own flare to the festival!
1. Add Your Own Flavor: Instead of relying solely on premade BBQ sauces, which can be high in sodium and sugar, experiment with your own flavors. Herbs (my favorite at the moment are dill and cumin!) can add a delicious zing to grilled meats and vegetables. A squeeze of fresh lemon can also brighten up dishes without adding unnecessary calories.
2. Make Sides the Star: Don't just focus solely on the meat! Load your plates with colorful and nutritious salads. Hearty salads can be a satisfying and healthy addition to your BBQ spread. My go-to dish to add to a BBQ is preparing a grain such as couscous, quinoa, or barley, adding a can of rinsed chickpeas, and tons of roughly chopped veggies dressed with herbs, olive oil and vinegar.
3. Embrace the Pomelo: Pomelos are abundant during this time of year, but can seem a bit boring when you’ve got a big collection of them. Don't let them go to waste! They're packed with Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Get creative and incorporate them into dishes , such as last year when I made a cucumber, radish, pomelo and feta salad.
4. Move Under the Moonlight: After indulging in a delicious meal, take a family walk or hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery and stimulate digestion. Exploring new lookout spots where you can view the moon together to create lasting memories.
5. DIY Moon Cakes: For the adventurous, try making your own moon cakes! Last year I was daring and experimented with different ingredients like cooked sweet potato, honey, coconut and almond flours, and coconut oil based on a recipe here. My technique sure still needs some help, but it was a new experience for my friends and I to try our own hand at mooncake making!
What’s something unique you could do to pack more health and fun into this Moon Festival? 🧐
However you celebrate, wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Also, don’t forget to check the calendar for schedule changes due to the holiday, and remember you can always keep dancing with me online! See you after the holiday!
Keep moving!
xx,
Katie
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