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The weather outside was frightful yesterday and the adults in the house decided to sip hot toddies, mulled cider or spiked eggnog while listening to holiday music. It was low-key and lovely, until the grandchildren came running in and asked for sips of our party drinks.

My daughter’s glass of eggnog looked amazingly like a milkshake to her daughter who made a beeline for it. Oops! While she doesn’t usually spike her eggnog, last night she had added a little of “the good stuff” and it would not have made a healthy drink for little small fry. We got her a cup of cocoa and she was happy. But it made me think to remind you that certain drinks can look like juice or milk and can be mighty tempting to little folks, so keep them out of reach.

And, of course, if you’re pregnant you know the drill, skip the cocktails and go for the mocktails. You can read more about bodacious beverages and alcohol-free cocktails at these links.

Eggnog is a favorite holiday drink and if you’re pregnant you can still have it. You just have to make sure it is pasteurized!  Most eggnog sold in stores is made from pasteurized egg product (check the label just to be sure).  But it is best to avoid homemade eggnog.  Homemade eggnog is often made with raw eggs and alcohol—two things you definitely want to avoid this holiday season.  

Eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella and cause salmonellosis.  Salmonellosis is a food-borne infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever, and abdominal cramps that last for several days. Occasionally a pregnant woman passes the infection to her baby. After birth, the infant may develop diarrhea, fever and, less often, meningitis.

If you are at a party with homemade eggnog and are looking for a fun and yummy substitution, you can revisit some of our older blog posts to see some “mocktail” and “bodacious beverage“ recipes.  Some of these are so good you may start drinking them year-round! 

For more food safety tips that may be helpful this holiday season, check out our website.

I’m getting over bronchitis and am moving more slowly this holiday. I find I’m occasionally sipping hot toddies, mulled cider or spiked eggnog while I listen to holiday music and decorate. Everything is in slower motion this year and it’s really quite nice. 

But yesterday, when my neighbor stopped by with her little one in tow, I discovered that my glass of eggnog looked amazingly like a milkshake to her daughter who made a beeline for it.  Oops!  While I don’t usually spike my eggnog, last night I had added a little of “the good stuff” and it would not have made a healthy drink for little Katelyn. I got her a cup of milk and she was happy.  But it made me think to remind you that certain drinks can look like juice or milk and can be mighty tempting to little folks, so keep them out of reach.

And, of course, if you’re pregnant, skip the cocktails and go for the mocktails.  You can read more about bodacious beverages here.

Spring break, woohoo!!!  Have a hot time but, if you’re pregnant or want to be, cool it with the booze. April is Alcohol Awareness Month so it’s time to remind ourselves that there is no safe amount of alcohol we can consume during pregnancy.  Want one more summer of regular margaritas and mojitos?  Then wait til the fall before you start thinking of baby.

Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects like fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm a developing baby. The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink any alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor, throughout their pregnancy and while nursing. And, because women often don’t know they’re pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.

But if you’re hoping there’s a baby in your future, you can still hit the beach and have a good time at a party. I thought I’d resurrect a few great recipes for non-alcoholic drinks that are fun and yummy.  Read our post on bodacious beverages and cocktails anyone?  There are some great tips and comments.

Woohoo, it’s party time!  Got your bling out?  Got your party hat dusted off and your fancy feathers fluffed and ready?  Go for it, have fun, ring in a wonderful New Year with family and friends!

If you’re pregnant and not sure how to celebrate cocktailwise, read up on bodacious beverages and mocktails.  And if you wake up feeling like you swallowed a cow over the holidays and want to shed a pound or two, remember that now’s not the time to wrestle with your weight.  Once the partying is past, go back to your healthy eating habits and don’t forget to exercise.  Tonight, you can enjoy the goodies and burn up some calories on the dance floor.  Have a blast!

Since there is no known safe amount of alcohol a pregnant woman can consume, avoiding it when you’re trying to conceive is best.  Does that make for a boring holiday?  Not at all.  Try these ideas:

Pomegranate Fizz – mix some seltzer with pomegranate juice and add a slice of lime or a drop of lime sherbet, or both.

Mango Lassi - Blend together mango nectar, a touch of powdered sugar, water and yogurt

Mulled cider – heat apple cider with clove, cinnamon and a touch of allspice or nutmeg.  It’s good served hot or cold.

Smoothies – buzz up some non-fat yogurt with OJ or cranberry, add fresh fruit

Pineapple juice and coconut milk over chipped ice make a yummy non-alchy pina colada.

Creamsicle in a glass - blended OJ and vanilla ice cream

Apricot nectar, OJ and ginger ale make a heavenly sunrise, especially with a cherry at the bottom of the glass.

Read Anne’s suggestions for holiday cheer when she was pregnant and send us your suggestions.  The more the merrier.