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EATINGIN 2023CHRISTMAS EDITIONYOUR CHRISTMASMEMORIESFESTIVE EATS &GIFTS FOR FOODIESTB Team favourite memories sharedDiscover a new recipe and exploregi ideas for those who love allthings food, cookery and dining
2CONTENTSMOMENT34-56-78Welcome MessageHoliday Decor AdviceFoodie Gift IdeasChristmas MemoriesWelcome message from Paul CTips for decorating your home for the holidaysGift ideas for food loversTB Team favourite memories sharedBest recipes from boxing day lardersChristmas dinner, recipes and tipsTB Community snapshots from 2023A big thank you fromCaroline and JackTips to detoxpost-celebrations Looking after your wellbeing during the holidaysWhat’s new for TBin 2024Guess the beautiful baby and moreUsing Your Boxing Day ExtrasCookery Tips and RecipesTeam PicturesCaroline and Jack Thank You12 Days Post ChristmasMental Health and NutritionComing in 2024Festive PuzzlesDECORATION9-1112 - 1718-1920FOODS2122-232924-28
Paul CPaulOperaons DirectorA very warm welcome to our Fesve Edion of our EangIN magazine, packed with TB community fesve arcles, quizzes, great indulgent recipes, EangIN updates and ps from our experts. We leaped into 2023 from a fast-paced nal quarter of 2022, in fact straight into feeding 200 students and teaching sta for breakfast, lunch and dinner in St Albans, we certainly got our steps in that rst 4 weeks of the operaon. Our industry had already signalled a year of focus on sustainability, wellbeing & people development, along with engagement and retenon of skilled team members. We have successfully seen both organic & new business growth, and this has been achieved by energy, strong relaonships, and the implementaon of each and every one of our “Six Big Rocks”, the foundaon of everything we set out to achieve at TalkingtonBates. As an organisaon in 2023 we have connued to invest in people and infrastructure, with added depth and experse. Both new business and exisng has grown from a backdrop of decline in our clients site occupancy in 2022, this has been achieved through innovaon “Created by TB“ and connued reinvenon in our sta dining, ne dining, hospitality and event experiences. So, what’s on the agenda for 2024 & beyond? More of the same I would say, and I echo the words and strong message that goes as far back as 2007, from our Co-Founders Janice and Paul… “Living and being our six big rocks: Growth, Structure, Image, Teamwork, Sasfacon and Vision, we will thrive and deliver our best at all mes to clients, suppliers, and colleagues. Take a moment and just think about those six words and what they mean to you. We do expect to see happy smiling faces from all at TalkingtonBates no maer what the circumstances we nd ourselves in, our rules are simple: deliver a quality catering service with care, a desire to please and delight all customers and take full responsibilies for our acons at all mes”. As we enter into the new year, we will connue to focus on ‘Well-Being and Sustainability’ for our TB community and clients, maintain our agility to deliver a sta dining and hospitality experience that ts our client’s needs, whilst navigang ourselves through the challenges of our industry and global inuences. Janice, Paul, and I, wish you, all your families and friends a resul, healthy, and peaceful fesve holiday and we look forward to a prosperous and brighter year for the world ahead, in 2024 for us all.Welcome messagefrom Paul C3
ChrismasSparkle4
Choose a Theme: Start by selecng a theme for your holiday décor. Whether it’s tradional, modern, rusc, or themed around a specic colour palee (e.g. red and gold, winter wonderland, vintage), having a theme will guide your decorang decisions.Focus on Key Areas: Concentrate your decorang eorts on key areas where guests will spend the most me, such as the entrance, dining area, and the main living or gathering space. Entryway Welcome: Create a warm welcome at the entrance with a wreath on the front door, fesve doormats, and outdoor lighng to set the mood even before guests enter.Fesve Lighng: Incorporate cosy and warm lighng. Use string lights, candles, and lanterns to create a magical ambiance. Consider LED candles for safety. Table Sengs: Pay special aenon to table sengs. Use holiday-themed tablecloths, runners, and place sengs. Add elegant centerpieces, such as fresh owers, candles, or holiday-themed décor items.Holiday Trees: If you have a Christmas tree, choose a size and style that ts your space and theme. Decorate it with a mix of ornaments, lights, and a tree topper. Consider adding a tree skirt to complete the look. Mantel Display: If you have a replace, create an eye-catching display on the mantel with garlands, stockings, and fesve decoraons. You can also add candles or LED lights for a cosy glow.DIY Decor: Get creave with DIY decoraons. Cra your ornaments, wreaths, and holiday centerpieces to add a personal touch to your décor.Natural Elements: Incorporate natural elements like pinecones, evergreen branches, holly, and berries into your décor. These elements add a rusc and earthy charm.Scents of the Season: Enhance the holiday atmosphere with scents like cinnamon, pine, or gingerbread. You can use scented candles or essenal oil diusers.Coordinate Colours: Sck to a cohesive colour scheme throughout your décor to create a polished and harmonious look.Outdoor Décor: Don’t forget to decorate the exterior of your home if you’re hosng outdoor events. Consider lighng up pathways, adding outdoor wreaths, and using illuminated decoraons.Safety First: Ensure that your decoraons, especially lighng and candles, are safely installed to prevent accidents. Keep ammable items away from heat sources.Personal Touches: Incorporate personal touches that reect your family’s tradions and personality, such as framed family photos, handmade decoraons, or heirloom ornaments.Guest Comfort: Keep in mind guest comfort. Provide cosy blankets, pillows, and seang to make your space inving and comfortable.Music and Sounds: Enhance the holiday atmosphere with fesve music or sounds, like crackling re sounds if you have a replace.Holiday décor plays a signicant role in creang a fesve and inving atmosphere for holiday events and celebraons. Here’s some advice to help you create beauful and memorable holiday décor:How tomake yur Chrismas parkleRemember that holiday décor is about creang a warm and welcoming environment that brings joy to your guests. Be creave, have fun, and let your personal style shine through your decoraons5
Foodie gi ideas are perfect for those who love all things related to food, cooking, and dining. Whether you're shopping for a food-loving friend, family member, or colleague, here are some thoughul and delicious foodie gi ideas:GOURMET FOOD BASKETPut together a gourmet food basket with a selecon of high-quality items like arsanal cheeses, charcuterie, olives, crackers, and gourmet chocolates. You can also buy pre-made gourmet food gi baskets. COOKING CLASSGi a cooking class or workshop where they can learn to make a specic cuisine, dish, or cooking technique. Many cooking schools oer in-person and online classes. COOKBOOKChoose a cookbook featuring cuisines or chefs they admire. You can nd cookbooks for all skill levels and preferences, from beginner to advanced and vegetarian to BBQ. WINE OR CRAFT BEERSelect a bole of ne wine or cra beer that pairs well with their favourite meals. You can also choose a wine or beer subscripon service that delivers new selecons regularly.CUSTOMAPRONPersonalise an apron with their name, a funny cooking quote, or a message. A stylish apron makes cooking more enjoyable.TEA OR COFFEE SETFor those who love beverages, gi a selecon of premium loose-leaf teas or specialty coee beans. Include a stylish teapot or coee grinder if needed.CHARCUTERIEBOARDGi a cheese and charcuterie board set with a stylish board, cheese knives, and labels for a sophiscated presentaon.HOMEMADETREATSCreate homemade jams, preserves, or baked goods, and present them in decorave jars or boxes.FOOD-THEMEDGAMEFind food-themed jigsaw puzzles, board games, or trivia games for foodies to enjoy with friends and family.SUBSCRIPTIONBOXSign them up for a food subscripon box that delivers unique snacks, spices, or ingredients from around the world to their doorstep every month.Foodie Gift Ideas6
REMEMBERWhether they’re passionate about cooking, eang out, or exploring new avours, there are plenty of food-related gi opons to delight any food lover. consider their dietary preferences and any allergies when selecngfoodie gisSPICE SETBuy a collecon of exoc spices, spice blends, or high-quality sea salts. Look for unique avours and seasonings from around the world. GOURMET OILS Gi a set of gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars for dressing salads, drizzling over dishes, or dipping bread. Some shops oer sampler packs.KITCHEN GADGETSFind unique and useful kitchen gadgets or tools, such as a spiraliser, immersion blender, sous-vide machine, or high-quality chef’s knife.FOOD MAGSUBSCRIPTIONSubscribe them to a food or cooking magazine to inspire new recipes and culinary adventures every month.FOOD MAGOR BINDERCreate a personalized recipe binder or book to help them organise their favourite recipes.ARTISANALCHOCOLATEChoose a variety of arsanal chocolates from local chocolaers or well-known brands. Look for unique avours, such as chili-infused chocolate or sea salt caramel.FOODIE EXPERIENCEPlan a food-related experience, such as a gourmet dining experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant, a food tour of a city, or a visit to a local winery or brewery.7
8TB Team Favourite Memories Shared...Every 25th December back home in Ghana, my extended family would meet up for our family Christmas lunch and aer that the kids and some adults would go to the town centre for the yearly masquerade event with dancing and eang and ending with reworks in the night!As I was growing up, we used to go to my Nan and Gramps every Boxing day. They had 7 children and their partners plus all the grandchildren at their house. We used to have buet food and my Nan always did a chicken curry and a chocolate mousse which we now all have this recipe. A family friend used to come round as Santa Clause, and he used to hand out another present for everyone. In the evening we would all play board games.My favourite memory of Christmas is listening to Nat King Cole’s Christmas CD with my dads famous turkey and bacon sandwiches for breakfast.My favourite Christmas memory is when I was lile, every Christmas eve, we would put on a Christmas movie and prep all the Christmas dinner veg, pigs n blankets, potatoes, stung etc. for the whole family (and we have a big one) my mum used to host Christmas every year for about 15 people. My mum sll hosts every other year now and as you can imagine the family has goen even bigger and to this day I sll help her on Christmas eve.My best Christmas memory is being around my great nan’s in London in a two bedroom flat with about 30 family members all crammed in to have a get together. The men went to the pub till dinner was ready and the ladies prepared dinner, us kids played games in the square outside in the freezing cold!Peering in the darkness at dawn Christmas morning to see if the familiar “mound” was at the end of the bed (the old pillowcase lled with pressies!) – or had Santa just le a piece of coal that year! Jim Reeves Christmas album playing on the “Hi” record player. My Dad taking the front room door o it’s hinges so that they could t more chairs in the room for all the family visitors!Aba - LondonNicola - Accounts TeamSammy - KentNatasha - BasingstokeMalcolm - HertsLesley - HR
CHEESEBOARD MAC ‘N’ CHEESEINGREDIENTS • 350g pasta shapes • 2 tbsp buer • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1 tsp mustard powder • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (oponal) • 3 tbsp plain our • 500ml milk • 250g mix of cheeses you have a around plus hard cheese for the topping ENJOY YOUR BOXING DAY EXTRASMETHOD STEP 1 Cook the pasta according to pack instrucons, drain and set aside. STEP 2 Melt the buer in a saucepan, add the garlic and cook for a min unl soened, then add the mustard powder and cayenne pepper and cook for 1 min more. Add the our and sr to make a paste, cooking for about 1 min, unl the mix starts to bubble a lile. Take o the heat and gradually pour in the milk, whisking. Return to the heat and cook for 5 mins unl thickened, then add the cheeses, sr unl melted, and fold in the pasta. STEP 3 Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Tip the pasta into a baking dish, and top with addional cheese, then bake for 25-30 mins, unl golden and bubbling. 9Creaed by Jack
TURKEY AND HAM PIE INGREDIENTS •600gcooked turkey•600gcooked ham,•75g buer•2 leeksnelysliced•pinchdried thyme•75g plainour•splash cidervinegar•200ml turkeyorchickenstock•250ml doublecream•3tbsp wholegrainmustard•1tbsp choppedtarragonFOR THE PASTRY •500g plainour, plusextrafor dusng•½tspdried sage•185g coldbuer, cubed•70g suet•2 eggyolks, forglazing METHOD STEP 1 First,makethesauce.Heatthebuerinasaucepan,addtheleeksandthymeandcookverygentlyfor10-15minsunlsobutnotcoloured.Srintheourandcooktoasandypaste,thensplashinthevinegarandbubbleforamoment.Pourinthestockandbringtotheboil,thenaddthecreamandsimmerunlyouhaveathicksauce.Srthroughthemustard,tarragonandchoppedturkey,turnotheheatandleavetocool.Setaside. Canbemadeadayahead.STEP 2 To makethepastry,ptheourintoa foodprocessor withthesageand1tspsalt.Addthebuerandsuet,andwhizztonecrumbs.Withthemotorrunning,slowlypourin150mlcoldwaterunlthepastryjustcomestogether.Tipontoalightlyouredsurfaceandbringtogetherintoadough.Cutjustoverathirdofthepastryandcoverwhileyourollouttheresttolineanoiled20cmspringformn,leavinganoverhang.STEP 3 Layersomeslicedhamorturkeyontheboom,thenspoonandspreadoverathinlayerofsauceandrepeatthelayersunlyougettothetopofthen,nishingwithanallayerofmeat,thenpressdowngently.Cutawayanothersmallballofpastryfromtheremainingthird. Rollout thelargerpieceunlbigenoughtocoverthepiewithanoverhang.Brushtheedgeofthepiewitheggyolk,thenlionthepastrylidandpresstheedgestosealbeforetrimming.Crimpallthewayround.Cutalileholeinthemiddleofthepastrytoletsteamescape.Brushalloverwithmoreyolkandusethelastbitofpastrytodecoratethetop. Canbepreparedadayaheadandchilledunlreadytocook.STEP 4 Whenyou’rereadytobake,heatovento200C/180Cfan/gas6withabakingsheetinit.Sitthepieonthehotsheetandbakefor45-50mins.10ENJOY YOUR BOXING DAY EXTRASCreaed by Jack
TURKEY SAMOSA INGREDIENTS • 3 tbsp curry paste (we used korma) • 2 tbsp mango chutney, plus extra to serve • 2 tbsp natural yoghurt from a 150g • 200g leover cooked potatoes chopped • 250g cooked turkey • 250g frozen peas • bunch coriander, chopped• 270g pack lo pastry (6 sheets) • 4 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 egg, beaten • 1 tbsp sesame seedsMETHOD STEP 1 In a large bowl, combine the curry paste, mango chutney and 2 tbsp yogurt, and mix well. Fold in the potatoes, turkey, peas and coriander, then season.STEP 2 Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the sheets of lo in half lengthways so you have 12 strips – keep the pastry covered with a tea towel while you work so it doesn’t dry out. Layer up 3 sheets of lo, brushing a lile oil between each sheet. Pile a quarter of the lling in the top corner of the pastry in a triangle shape. Fold the pastry over to encase the lling, then keep folding unl the parcel is sealed and the lo is used up.STEP 3 Lay your samosas on a baking sheet and brush each one with egg, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 35 mins or unl the samosas are golden brown and the lling is piping hot. Serve with the remaining yogurt, some mango chutney and coriander leaves. 11ENJOY YOUR BOXING DAY EXTRASCreaed by Jack
MINCE PIES: Makes 16INGREDIENTS • Mincemeat 600G • Apple 1 • Orange zest 1 PASTRY: • Plain our 375g • Unsalted buer 260g • Caster sugar 125g • Egg 1, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing METHODSTEP 1Place 375g plain our and 260g soened unsalted buer in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency. Add caster sugar and beaten egg and mix together. STEP 2Tip out onto a lightly oured surface and fold unl the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix. Wrap the pastry and chill to rest for 10 mins. STEP 3Scoop the large jar of mincemeat into a bowl and add grated apple chopped apple and orange zest. STEP 4Heat oven to 200C. Roll out pastry to 3mm thick. Using a 10cm round cuer, cut out 16 bases and place them into mun trays. Put 1½ tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the edge of each pie with a lile beaten egg. STEP 5Re-roll out the pastry to cut 3mm thick, using a 7cm round cuer, cut out the lids and press them on top to seal. Glaze with the beaten egg, sprinkle with the extra caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops. STEP 6Bake the mince pies for 15-20 mins unl golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the mun trays and dusng with a lile more icing sugar before serving.12Creaed by Jamie
CHOCOLATE YULE LOG: Serves 8INGREDIENTS• 3 Eggs • 85g Caster sugar • 85g Plain our • 2 tbsp Cocoa powder • 0.5 tsp Baking powder • 50g Buer • 140g Dark chocolate • 1 tbsp Golden syrup • 5 tbsp Double cream • 200g Icing sugar • 260ml Double creamMETHOD STEP 1Heat the oven to 180C. Buer and line a 23 x 32cm baking tray with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and caster sugar together for about 8 mins unl thick and creamy. STEP 2Mix the our, cocoa powder and baking powder together, then si onto the egg mixture. Fold in very carefully, then pour into the baking tray. Tip the n from side to side to spread the mixture into the corners. Bake for 10 mins. STEP 3Lay a sheet of baking parchment on a work surface. When the cake is ready, p it onto the parchment, peel o the lining paper, then roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside. Leave to cool. STEP 4 To make the icing, melt the buer and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Remove from the heat and sr in the golden syrup and 5 tbsp double cream. Beat in the icing sugar unl smooth. STEP 5Whisk the remaining double cream unl it holds its shape. Unravel the cake, spread the cream over the top, then carefully roll up again into a log. STEP 6Spread the icing over the log and branch (don’t cover the ends), then use a fork to mark the icing to give the eect of tree bark. Scaer with unsied icing sugar to resemble snow, and decorate with holly.13Creaed by Jamie
GINGERBREAD MAN: Makes 18INGREDIENTS • 450gPlainour• 2tspBakingpowder• 1tbspGroundginger• 2tspGroundcinnamon• 1tspMixedspice• 0.25tspGroundcloves• 85gUnsaltedbuer• 150gSobrownsugar• 1 Egg • 2tspVanillaextract• 180gMolassesMETHODSTEP 1Preheatovento180C.Heatthegoldensyrup,buerandsugarinasaucepan,srringunlthesugariscompletelydissolved.STEP 2Leaveittocoolwhilstyougetonwithpreparingtheotheringredients.STEP 3Sitheour,bicarbonateofsodaandspicesintoabowl.STEP 4Beattheeggandpouritintothecooledsyrup.Makeawellinthemiddleoftheourandpourinthewetmixture.Mixeverythingtogetherunladoughhasformed.Ifthedoughfeelssckytothetouchaddsomemoreour,orifthedoughisstrugglingtoscktogetheraddsomemorebuer.STEP 5Onaouredsurfacerolloutthedoughwitharollingpin,about5mmthick.Usingcuerscutoutgingerbreadmenshapesandtransferthemtoalinedbakingtray.Trytoleaveenoughofagapbetweenthemtoallowthemspacetospread.STEP 6Cookfor10minutes.Aer10minutes,checkonthegingerbreadmen–theyshouldbegoldenbrownandslightlyrmtothetouch.Iftheyareslltooso/squidgy,popthembackinforafurther2minutes,butdon’tletthemgohard.Transfertoawireracktocool.14Creaed by Jamie
CHRISTMAS FRUIT CHUTNEY: Makes 2kgINGREDIENTS• 3 Red onion • 1 kg Bramley apple • 500g Granny smith apple • 500g frozen cranberries • Orange zest 1 • 300g So brown sugar • 1 inch Root ginger • 200ml Red wine vinegar• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon • 0.5 tsp Ground clove METHOD STEP 1Place all ingredients except cranberries in a large heavy-based saucepan, then gently heat, srring, unl the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then re-duce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 50 mins, srring regularly unl the mixture has thickened. STEP 2Add the cranberries, then cook for a further 10 mins or so unl just soened. STEP 3Spoon the hot chutney into sterilised jars and seal. Store unopened in a cool, dark place. The chutney will keep for up to 6 months.15Creaed by Jamie
Cooking roast potatoes is an art. Here are some simple steps to make the perfect roasty.Elevate your feast with Turkey Roulades, a great addion to your tableThe RoastyTurkey RouladesHave a lovely Christmas day,1. Firstly, choosing the best potato! Maris piper vs King Edwards, one winner for me is the one with ‘KING’ in his name!2. Par boil the potato unl it is sll hard but starng to cook on the outside, then drain in a colander. Make sure you rough them up so they can be light and uy inside whilst a rm crispy outer. *Chef p, I like to add a sprinkle of our when doing this to help add that extra crisp to the potatoes.3. Bale of the fat! Deciding between goose vs duck fat? I like to go for a more budget fat and use beef dripping as the avour is a lile bit short from the other two fats, but the texture is far crispier!4 x 180g Turkey escalopes60g Dried cranberries2 Tablespoons chopped sage,2 Fine dice shallots 8 Thin pork and herb sausages, (casings removed)24 Flat pancea slicesIngredients MethodPlace escalopes between sheets of baking paper and use a rolling pin to aen to 1.5cm thick. Mix sausage meat with cranberries, shallots, sage and seasoning then place in centre of turkey escalope’sArrange 6 pancea slices on a work surface, slightly overlapping. Place 1 escalope at the boom edge of the pancea and roll up to enclose, then wrap ghtly in cling lm then n foil. Repeat with remaining pancea and escalope’s, then chill for 1 hour to rm up.Preheat the oven to 180C.Place on a baking tray and roast for 35 minutes. Remove cling lm and foil and bake for a further 10 minutes or unl pancea is golden and the meat is cooked through.Jack’s Top Secrets for a Perfect Christmas LunchJack WJackFood Development Director16
17SustainableHoliday Catering:Reducing Your Christmas Carbon FootprintThe holiday season is a me for joy, celebraon, and coming together with loved ones. However, it can also be a me of excess and waste, especially in the catering industry. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of our choices, and the catering world is no excepon. This Christmas, why not make a dierence by embracing sustainable holiday catering pracces and reducing your carbon footprint? Here, we explore the key strategies for eco-friendly Christmas catering and the benets they bring to both the environment and your business. 1. Sourcing Locally: One of the most eecve ways to reduce your catering’s carbon footprint is by sourcing ingredients locally. Instead of shipping in produce and products from afar, look to local farmers, bakers and suppliers. Not only does this support the local economy, but it also cuts down on transportaon emissions. Plus, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients oen taste fresher and are more in line with the avours of the holiday season. using biodegradable or reusable tableware, you can signicantly reduce the environmental impact of your catering service. Alternavely, you can encourage clients to opt for eco-friendly packaging, or even oer rental services for tableware and linens. The Benets of Sustainable Choices: Now, let’s explore the benets of embracing eco-friendly pracces in your holiday catering business 2. Reducing Food Waste: The holiday season is notorious for excess, which can result in a signicant amount of food waste. We can address this issue by praccing poron control and oering creave ways to repurpose leovers. Consider providing guests with reusable containers to take home any uneaten food. For perishable items, partnering with food banks to donate excess food is a win-win soluon. 3. Sustainable Packaging: Every holiday season, mountains of disposable plates, cutlery, and packaging end up in landlls. By • Posive Brand Image:In an era of environmental concerns, sustainability sets your catering business apart. Customers seek eco-friendly values, enhancing your brand’s image and aracng a conscious clientele.• Cost Savings:Contrary to the misconcepon, eco-friendly pracces save money. Local ingredients and reduced waste cut costs.• Legal and Ethical Obligaons:Many regions require sustainability. Compliance avoids nes, showcasing ethics and responsibility.• Preservaon of Resources:Sustainable catering preserves resources, a future-focused investment. Clean air, water, and soil are vital for the industry.
18OUR TEAM 2023 SNAPSHOTCelebs, service awards, great food & service
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Cracking Christmas Lunches for 2023The December calendar has certainly lled up quickly this year, with lots of sparkle & bubbles from all parts of our business.We have a record breaking 2023 with 4,200 covers booked for Christmas Lunches, Brunches, evening black e events and ne dining.All kicking o the fesve feel from the 12th December..Wow, we are going to need lots of Santa’s lile helpers to deliver a sparkling Christmas me.Have a cracking Christmas & a huge TB community thank you for all your hard work and commitment in 2023, looking forward to a new and excing 2024 with lots of opportunies and more great food and service.from TB Operaons...Caroline & JackSenior Operaons Manager Food Development Director20
The fesve season is a me of joy and indulgence, but as the New Year approaches, many of us seek to reset our health. Here are ps to help you detox and rejuvenate aer the holidays:1. Infused Water Delight:Kickstart your day with infused water featuring lemongrass and mint, raspberry and basil, or orange and pineapple. Stay hydrated with a fesve twist.2. Hearty Grains Deal:Opt for a wholesome meal with mixed grains and grilled protein to fuel your post-holiday recovery with essenal nutrients.3. Choose Poultry Over Red Meat:Ease your digesve system by incorporang lean turkey or chicken instead of red meat. Feel lighter and more energec.4. Green Boost:Double up on green veggies with a vibrant salad bar, providing essenal vitamins and minerals to support your body’s recovery.5. Detox Smoothies:Replace your regular coee with a detox smoothie at the coee bar. Packed with anoxidants, these smoothies contribute to overall well-being.6. Herbal Teas for Less Caeine:Reduce caeine intake by enjoying herbal teas throughout the day, promong relaxaon and beer sleep.7. Vitality Salad Mix:Dive into a vitality salad bar featuring fresh and nutrient-rich ingredients, creang a sasfying and wholesome meal.8. Balanced Buddha Bowls:Embrace the balance of avours and nutrients with Buddha bowls, oering a delicious and nourishing opon.9. Mindful Cooking:Encourage healthier cooking methods like poaching or steaming instead of frying to retain nutrients and minimise added fats.10. Fruit Variety:Aim for “5 a day” by incorporang a diverse range of whole fruits into your diet, adding a naturally sweet touch to your meals.11. Sourdough Swap:Consider swapping regular wheat for sourdough, an easier-on-the-digesve-system opon with a unique avour.12. Ditch Dairy for Plants:Cut back on dairy by exploring plant-based replacements like milks, yoghurts, and cheeses to support overall gut healthRemember, small changes can yield signicant results. Incorporate these ps into your roune to feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the new year with energy and vitality.12 Days Post Christmas Detox21
221) Talk about your feelingsIt's hard to admit that at such an excing me of year you don't actually feel that great. But talking about your feelings can improve your mood and make it easier to deal with the tough mes.2) Do something you are good atWhat do you love doing? What acvies can you lose yourself in? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. As busy as the holiday season gets, try and keep up the acvies and hobbies you enjoy all year round. You could turn these into fesve acvies, like making gis, cooking mince pies or playing your musical instruments/sing along to Christmas songs, dance like no one’s watching!3) Ask for helpDonning a Christmas jumper can make us feel prey special, but none of us are superhuman. At mes, we all get overwhelmed by how we feel, especially when things go wrong. If things are geng too much for you in the next few weeks and you feel like you can't cope, ask for help.4) Keep in touchWhen pung the nishing touches on holiday plans, we can oen become distracted from the support systems around us and lose our foong. Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can oer dierent views from whatever's going on inside your own head, keep you grounded and help you solve praccal problems - enjoy this me to catch up.5) Accept who you areSome of us make people laugh, others cook fantasc meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very dierently. If you have mental health problems, don't feel under pressure to do more than you feel up to this Christmas.6) Drink sensiblySome people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the eect is only ever temporary. It's great to catch up with friends or colleagues in the pub - spending me on good relaonships is essenal for good mental health - but know your limits. It's important to maintain your personal well-being too.7) Eat wellChristmas is typically a me of overindulgence, but what we eat can somemes impact on how we feel. For example, too much sugar can have a noceable eect on your mental health and well-being in the short and long term. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a lile overindulgence but a good p is to balance this out over the fesve period - everything in moderaon.8) Keep acveIt's no surprise that cold weather and short days are not the greatest movaon to get you out of bed and on a 5k run! But research shows that doing exercise releases chemicals in your body that can make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you to concentrate, sleep and feel beer. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy. So use that Christmas spirit for physical health as well as mental health - you might even enjoy the crisp air!9) Take a breakThe holiday season is a perfect me to take some me out of your day-to-day life and gain some perspecve to reect on the year. Whether spending me away from home or a stay-caon, re-energise by giving yourself a change of scene or pace. It's good for you! Praccing Mindfulness can be a great way to unwind.10) Care for othersPresent-buying is not the only way of showing that we care about others. Christmas is the perfect me to reach out to loved ones who you haven’t spent much me with during the past year - ask how they’ve been and whether they have plans for the holidays. Caring for others is an important part of keeping up relaonships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together and make you feel good!The fesve season can be a me of joy and spending me with loved ones but it can also be a stressful and lonely period. During this me it is important to try to remember to look aer your mental health and well-being. Here are some top ps...ACCESS the HealthAssured EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME- available to you and your family 24/7 365 days a year (YES, even on Christmas Day!)Looking after your mental health at ChristmasLesley MLesleyHR Business Partner
The Christmas treeMany people oen assume that arcial Christmas trees are “greener” than the real ones as they have not been cut down from a forest. However, large amounts of energy are used to make arcial trees, there are transport emissions to take into consideraon and they cannot be recycled at the end of their life. But saying this, if you have a fake tree, keep using it and make it last as long as you can.If you are looking to buy a tree this year, buy one with the FSC cercaon logo, this will provide you with the reassurance that your tree has been grown sustainably and is not environmentally damaging. Also look to buy one with roots so you can use it next year too, reducing the environmental impact and saving money. Or possibly decorate a large indoor plant that you already have in your house.Natural decoraons such as r cones, holly or mistletoe look wonderful at this me of year and can be composted, as long as they are not covered with glier.Christmas lights are part and parcel of decoraons, so why not invest in tree lights that are more eco-friendly? Choose LEDs over the older incandescent bulbs which will reduce the energy consumpon, as old incandescent bulbs can use up to 90x more power than LED bulbs.The joy of giving gisWe all enjoy giving and receiving gis and want to show our thanks to our loved ones, but gis don’t need to be “things” that collect dust over me. Instead of buying a physical gi this year, why not consider theatre ckets, a gin tasng class or maybe give the gi of a piece of protected rainforest. Wrapping these wonderful gis in paper, can add another impact to the environment. According to the DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aairs), the amount of paper used each year would be enough to wrap up the island of Guernsey. And research by Greenpeace found that 1kg of wrapping paper is responsible for more than 3kg of CO2 emissions.When it comes to wrapping, steer clear of foil gi wrap and anything with added glier, as these are not recyclable, but rather opt for reusing gi boxes or cloth wraps which can be used again and again.If you are going for a plasc free Christmas, don’t fall down at the last hurdle with the scky-tape, use string or raa to e the perfect bow. Top it o with a piece of holly, sprigs of evergreen or a cinnamon sck.Christmas DinnerEach year, there are shocking stascs on how much food we throw away. According to the Soil Associaon, “food is the single most important, everyday way for people to reduce their own environmental impact”. This year, why not try to cut down on the meat, if not on Christmas or Boxing Day, maybe for a day or two over the fesve break?If you want to serve meat this year, try choosing organic and free range and consider buying local produce from small suppliers that not only supports your local community but also reduces your carbon footprint. And if you are able to, choose loose fruit and vegetables, reducing the amount of plasc waste.Soon Christmas will be here – the trees will be up, lights on lining the streets and Christmas carols lling the shops. Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays, however it is also the me we eat the most food and spend the most amount of money. Christmas certainly doesn’t need to be a burden on the planet, and with a lile eort we can all reduce our environmental footprint during this fesve me.How to make your Christmas even “greener” this yearMeggan P EMegganCompliance Expert23
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CHRISTMAS TRIVIATestyourChristmasknowledgeONESantaClausisalsoknownaswhatSaint?TWOWhichiconicbrandwasresponsibleforSanta’sredsuit?THREEInwhichyeardidRudolphtheRed-NosedReindeerrstappear?FOUROnaChristmasWreathwhatdoestheHollyrepresent?FIVEWhichCountryprovidestheiconicChristmastreeinTrafalgarSquareeachyear?SIXWhatwasSirHenryColecreditedwithrstproducing?25
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