The science is undeniable: people that regularly eat large quantities of vegetables live longer and healthier lives. Like pretty much everyone else in the US, witches need to eat more vegetables.

Well, you can't hang over their shoulders at every meal. Feasts are another matter, though.

All you need to know are three magic words.

For years at family holidays like Thanksgiving, I would dutifully set out a tray of crudités with some recondite dip of my own devising (North Indian dry dip, classic tahina cream...). I would eat a few pieces of broccoli. A few hours later, I'd pack up the untouched veggies and put them back in the refrigerator.

Finally one year my sister said: “I'll show you how to get people to eat vegetables.”

She pulled out a container of French onion dip, gave it a good stir, and plunked it down in the middle of the vegetable tray.

That Thanksgiving, we actually had to cut up more veggies.

Of course, it helps to have some interesting vegetables in there with the usual broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. Me, I've had good luck with green beans, kohlrabi, and slices of jicama.

Let purists whine about calories and refined sugars. French onion dip is delicious, and nearly everyone loves it. The luxuriousness is part of the draw, and the inherent benefits of all those added veggies will more than offset the added calories and sugar. Smart eating isn't just a matter of calories: it's what you're getting for the calories.

Yule is a high fat time. Three magic words can help both you and the coven navigate the holy tide safely.

After all: if Yule is here, can Beltane be far behind?