Holiday Heartburn Help + Gingered Cranberry Recipe

And some holiday recommendations

Happy Friday! This week was full and festive! On Monday, we talked about some of our favorite holiday desserts (and Diana remembered she’s due a squash pie), and took a closer look at one of our seasonal staples: sweet potatoes. We also shared two sweet potato recipes we like to make (Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans & Thyme, and Savory Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Garlic & Olive Oil). And Diana walked us through her go-to Mushroom Gravy, which is great for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

On Wednesday, we discussed whether functional drinks are worth the price, and Diana shared her experience introducing Elio to solid foods - including allergens - and why she had to find a middle-ground approach.

And today, we’re diving into a topic that feels especially timely: heartburn. With big holiday meals coming up, we’re sharing foods and herbs that can naturally bring relief, plus our kitchen picks of the week and a simple Gingered Cranberry recipe we’re excited for you to try.

We want to know - do you like cranberries? Do you make them from scratch or eat them out of a can? Share in the comments!

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Every Friday, we share a quick roundup of products we actually use and love - whether in the kitchen, at the table, or while shopping. These are the tools and staples that make cooking, serving, and clean-up easier and more enjoyable.

Cheese Board. If you love bringing charcuterie boards to holiday parties, this is for you. This one is sturdy and looks nice, too. - Diana

Unscented Candles. Candles add a natural ambience to a table, but scented candles are a big no for us. We like these unscented ones to brighten up a table. - Dr. Weil and Diana

Spoon Rest. I needed a replacement spoon rest and ordered this one. It’s nice and heavy, seems like good quality, and I love the colors. - Diana

Food as Medicine: Treating Heartburn with Herbs

Heartburn happens when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. This backward flow, called acid reflux, irritates the delicate lining of the esophagus, leading to a burning sensation in the chest or throat. As overeating can be a cause of heartburn (along with lying down after eating, consuming spicy foods, and drinking alcohol and caffeine), big holiday meals and gatherings can often lead to heartburn.

Learn about a few natural ways to minimize heartburn this holiday season, including the herbs and foods that can help.

5 Ways To Prevent Heartburn

1. Eat smaller meals. When you eat large meals, your stomach stretches to accommodate the food. This increases internal pressure, making it easier for stomach acid to push back up into the esophagus - especially if the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that keeps stomach contents where they belong, is weakened or relaxed. Smaller, more frequent meals help reduce that pressure and allow your digestive system to process food more efficiently, preventing acid overflow and irritation.