Tips for PALS for the Holiday Season

Holidays can often be a stressful time. We know shopping, visiting, and other holiday activities may not be so easy for those with ALS and their loved ones.

Try keeping it simple. If you like to have decorations, rather than putting up a lot of little things -why not just place a nice large wreath on the door. Whatever holiday you celebrate, think of one significant item you would enjoy (for example, if you are celebrating Christmas or Chanukah, how about a nice simple tree or menorah?)

If you have always traveled for the holidays but don't feel up to it this year, ask your family and friends to come see you instead. Have a holiday pot-luck meal rather than a formal sit-down dinner. Use papers goods, rather than china. Remember the holidays are about spending time with the people you love, not about the plates you use.

If you can't get out to shop for gifts, buy gifts online or tell friends and family you would like to do a grab-bag style gift exchange this year. You can have everyone bring a gift card (determine an amount beforehand) when you get together everyone gets to choose a card!

If food is a challenge try some of these easy to manage foods: custards, applesauce, sherbets, puddings, yogurt, French toast, soft fruit, eggs, casseroles, milk shakes, mashed potatoes, gelatins, thick soups, pasta with sauce.

Sample Holiday Menu For PALS

To print out the recipes as a PDF, please click here.

Breakfast: French Toast - Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients: 4 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/8 tsp cinnamon; 10 1-inch thick slices of French bread; garnish; butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar.

Directions: 1) In a shallow bowl beat together eggs, milk, and cinnamon, 2) Dip bread into egg mixture; coating both sides; (soak for 30 seconds on each side), 3) In a skillet melt 1 tbs butter & cook the bread on both sides over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden, 4) Serve with butter, syrup, powered sugar.

Lunch: Creamy Tomato Soup - Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk or cream; 1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed tomato soup; 1/4 cup water.

Directions: 1) Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, 2) Heat until warm, 3) Pour into bowls & serve, 4) Top with grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

Dinner: Comfort Meatloaf - Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 3/4 - 1 cup plain fine bread-crumbs; 3 tbs dried onion flakes, 1 tsp salt; 1 heaping tsp dried parsley; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/8 tsp Bell's poultry seasoning; 1/8 cup ketchup; 1 egg; milk.

Directions: 1) Mix ground beef & bread-crumbs in large bowl, 2) Mix seasonings, ketchup & egg into beef & crumb mixture, 3) Add enough milk to bind it all together & mix until homogeneous consistency, 4) Spray loaf pan with cooking spray, 5) Put meat mixture in loaf pan, 6) Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until cooked through.

Dessert: Vanilla Pudding Parfait - Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients: 1 tub of vanilla pudding (preferably use products without preservatives); 2 tbsp of strawberry preserves; cream or whipped topping

Directions: Layer into dessert cups alternating pudding, preserves, and cream. Top with cream or whipped topping. 

For more information about nutrition or to get more recipes, please call The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter at (212) 619-1400.

Have a recipes of your own to share? Use the comment section below to submit your own holiday recipes.