Jennifer Garner Shares Wellness Hacks and Healthy Cooking Secrets

Jennifer Garner is embracing the holiday season with enthusiasm. As Thanksgiving approaches, the actress is already busy decorating for Christmas and preparing for family gatherings. Garner, known for her roles in the TV show “Alias” and the film “13 Going on 30,” has plans for a festive ski trip with her family, filled with baking and nutritious meals.

Holiday Baking and Cooking Hacks

Garner has partnered with KitchenAid, highlighting her love for baking this holiday season. She recently shared a heartwarming video with her mother, Patricia, creating their cherished “cowboy” cookies. This recipe has sentimental value for Garner, dating back to her childhood. She recalls, “They are so large that cowboys can have them out on the range and have a whole meal out of one cookie.”

Favorite Holiday Recipes

The actress enjoys preparing festive meals for her family. “For Christmas dinner, I make beef bourguignon from Ina Garten’s cookbook,” Garner says. This popular dish prompts her to triple the recipe for ample leftovers. Additionally, she prepares a massive, 10-grain bread from “The Bread Bible.”

• Chocolate bread
• Bagels
• Homemade English muffins
• Cinnamon bread
• Fresh homemade rolls

These dishes are accompanied by a commitment to maintaining a healthy balance during the holidays. Garner emphasizes reducing sugar while cooking, inspired by her experience co-founding the organic baby food brand, “Once Upon a Farm.”

Wellness Hacks from Jennifer Garner

One of Garner’s key wellness hacks is cutting down on sugar. “You can have really delicious food without added sugar,” she notes. Whether baking treats or preparing meals for her three children, ages 13, 16, and 20, she often opts for healthier alternatives. This approach aligns with the lessons learned from her mother, who prioritized homemade meals throughout Garner’s upbringing.

Garner believes in the importance of healthy yet enjoyable food. “If it’s made at home, there’s so much less junk in it,” she advises her children. “I tell them, ‘You enjoy it. Don’t ever judge food.’”

Balancing Health and Busy Schedules

Garner finds balancing her physical and mental wellness challenging, especially during hectic filming schedules. As she ages, she prioritizes rest over rigorous morning workouts. “I need to sleep,” she shares. “I’ve learned to listen more to my body.”

Her goal is to instill the same balance in her children. She encourages them to appreciate healthy eating while enjoying a variety of foods. “I want them to hold on to the gratitude for having a full table of healthy options,” she explains. Garner hopes that the healthy habits her mother instilled in her will continue to resonate through the generations.