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 Here we are in December and Christmas is fast approaching and that’s exciting but this year I have heard so many people saying they are going to ‘do’ Christmas differently. For instance, cutting back on presents - both in value and in number - and in this economic climate, surely that has to be a very wise move.
A friend told me ‘We have all agreed that we will no longer give presents to friends’ children/grandchildren who are over 21. Another friend suggested that they will give each other presents with a cost limit of £10, or will buy each other something from a ‘pound shop’.
Talking of pound-shops, I still use a desk pack of post-it notes and page markers that my grandson chose for me all by himself when he was four (he's now 10) and I love them!
Alternatively, we can give a present of time, which costs us nothing but is so appreciated by the person who receives it. We can offer to walk a friend’s dog; do their ironing for three weeks; weed their garden or drive them to a hospital appointment. Another idea might be to take them out for afternoon tea which is always a fabulous treat. The possibilities are endless but your thoughtfulness will mean the world to them. We can also make presents if we are artistic. And of course, everyone loves to be given a home-made cake or preserves or even a pre-prepared meal as a gift.
As you can imagine, both Mary and I are always encouraging activity so what better gift than something to get them moving. Giving three tennis balls to a child can provide great fun… and don’t forget the dog - a tennis ball will keep them amused for hours!
The whole family can have a lot of fun on a Balance Cushion and one of our Toning Bands is a perfect gift for anyone in need of exercise but particularly someone who is over 50 when keeping muscles strong is super important. I can personally dedicate a copy of my autobiography Through Thick and Thin if you have a mum, a nan or a friend who might like to read it.
As we plan for the festivities, it is wise to plan ahead for your Christmas and Boxing Day menus and only buy accordingly. Don’t be tempted by the special offers in the shops for festive treats you don’t need.
The great thing about the run-up to Christmas is that we are super-busy with no time to get bored which helps us to stop thinking ‘I just fancy a little something to nibble…’ Enjoy being busy and realise how many calories you will be burning!
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Home-made Meringues are easier to make than you think and whilst sugar gives us what is called ‘empty calories’ because it offers no nutrients other than energy, meringue is made with egg whites which are high in protein and fat-free.
Meringue can be used in many different ways, as an individual treat filled with cream or Greek yogurt or as a topping for a dessert.
- For each egg white you will need 2oz (56g) caster sugar. To make meringues use a minimum of 2 egg whites.
- Ensure the bowl and the whisk are totally grease-free otherwise the egg whites will not whisk up to maximum volume.
- Place the egg whites (make sure there is no broken yolk in them) in the clean bowl and whisk on high until it stands in peaks and is quite ‘solid’ and not moving if you tip up the bowl.
- Then add a good teaspoon of sugar into the whipped egg whites and whisk for 30 seconds and repeat this process, adding one teaspoon of sugar for each egg white you are using. Finally, stop whisking but carefully fold the remaining sugar into the egg whites with a metal spoon to avoid breaking down the air in the foamy egg whites.
- Place the meringue mixture into a piping bag into which a nozzle has been placed and pipe into individual rosettes (as seen in the video) or into a pavlova base, onto a non-stick silicone or parchment paper placed on a baking tray.
- Cook in a cool oven 140°C, 275°F or Gas Mark 1 for 2 - 3 hours until crisp to the touch on the outside. Keep checking their progress as individual ovens vary. You will not spoil them by opening the oven to check.
- Allow to cool and keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
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1 small eating apple, cored peeled and grated
56g (2oz) dried mixed fruit
28g (1oz) canned black cherries, pitted, or use glace cherries, halved.
¼ tsp ground mixed spice
Grated zest of half an orange
25 ml (¼ pint) fresh apple juice
2 tbsp Brandy
For the meringue:
1 egg white
56g (2oz) caster sugar
Always remember to whisk the egg whites in a scrupulously clean bowl to achieve the maximum volume.
- Preheat the oven to 150°C, 300°F or Gas Mark 2. Lightly grease two small ramekins and dust lightly with caster sugar.
- Place the fruit and other ingredients in a bowl, mix well, then divide between two ramekin dishes.
- Whisk the egg white on high until it stands in peaks and is quite firm. Add one teaspoon of sugar and whisk for 30 seconds. Remove the whisk and carefully fold in the remainder of the caster sugar with a metal spoon. Place the meringue mixture into a piping bag (or use a spoon) and pipe or spoon the meringue on the top of the mixed fruit mixture in the ramekins.
- Place the ramekins on a baking tray in the oven for 1 – 1½ hours, checking every 20 minutes to monitor their progress. Serve hot.
Note: If serving to children substitute the brandy for two teaspoons of runny honey.
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Next week we continue our Christmas recipes with Luxury Low-fat Sherry Trifle
and Stilton Pears
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Fun, Facts & Fitness from Mary Morris MSc.
How Christmas shopping has changed! I used to do it all in one go and always around the end of November, so you can imagine it is now high on the list of priorities! For many, many years I would set aside a whole two days and go off shopping, wandering from shop to shop looking for presents for everyone, list in hand. Now I may sit in my office on the computer looking for presents, probably in the evening when the shops are shut!
This new way of shopping is really very sedentary and you know I don't like sedentary! But joking aside, I would still much prefer to actually go to a shop as I like to 'feel' an item before I buy. I also want to know that the quality fits the price. Quite often something arrives in the post and I am disappointed with the quality of the product, so then begins the whole process of sending it back.
This year I think all of us are having a bit of a rethink from what we normally do. I am obsessed with the fact that the gift must be what the receiver needs and will therefore be well used or maybe looked at with love and affection because it is something they really wanted. Being keen on health and fitness you can imagine that I like to buy presents for both adults and children that contribute to them keeping fit and I would like to inspire you to do the same perhaps. So here are a few ideas from the very reasonable, maybe as a stocking filler, to what might be called the BIG present:
Stocking Fillers
- Water Bottle. My grandchildren love to get a new one and the adults do too!
- Swimming Hat and Goggles. These never go amiss with both adults and children and one of those items that often needs replacing.
- Skipping Rope. It never fails!
- Sports socks/tops and leggings. Everyone needs those!
- Balls. Any sort, any size or any shape!
Bigger Presents:
- Garden Trampoline/ Mini Trampoline. I love these for encouraging kids to bounce and be active. The lymphatic system goes into overdrive!
- Netball/Basketball Post or Football Goal Post. I have often seen these in use with families in their garden and everyone joins in!
- Fitness Trackers. You may already be familiar with the adult ones but there are plenty on the market for kids at more reasonable prices. Just a basic one does the job!
- Kit Bags. Prices vary enormously with these but there are plenty to choose from. Maybe just a small one for muddy boots or an 'all singing, all dancing' one.
- Activity Games. These range from simple to more sophisticated computer games that get the kids moving. I came across a very low-priced 'Exercise Dice' which looks excellent and really good fun. Throw the dice and it asks you to do an exercise move and for how many seconds. I have bought it for my crowd on Christmas Day! (I may never be invited again!)
When discussing present options with those you buy for maybe hint that you would like it to be something that will help them keep fit and healthy in 2023! Make them put their thinking caps on!
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This Week's Fitness Challenge
- As Christmas looms let's do a full week of reaching 10,000 steps every day this week.
- Get out of breath at least once every day. It can be a hill on your daily 30+ minute walk or try the H.I.I.T Programme recently added to our website.
- Do a Pilates Programme twice this week. It offers a wonderful mix of strength and stretch.
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Did you know...
Saint Nicholas Day (the Feast of Saint Nicholas) falls on the 6th December. Across much of western Europe it is celebrated as a Christian festival with particular regard to Saint Nicholas' reputation as a bringer of gifts.
Father Christmas dates back as far as the reign of Henry VIII, when he was pictured as a large man in green or scarlet robes lined with fur. In Tudor England he typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, bringing peace, joy, good food and wine and revelry.
Over time, the representations of Saint Nicholas, the gift-giver from Church history, merged with the English folklore character Father Christmas to create the mythical character known widely as "Santa Claus" and, with Saint's days no longer widely celebrated in Protestant countries, the present-giving celebration was moved to 25 December to coincide with Christmas Day. The name Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch for Saint Nicholas - Sinterklaas.
 On 6th December in Germany and Poland boys traditionally dressed as bishops and begged alms for the poor. In Poland and Ukraine good children wait for St. Nicholas to come and put a present under their pillow while children who have behaved badly may expect to find a twig or a piece of coal in its place. In the Netherlands, Dutch children put out a shoe filled with hay and a carrot for Saint Nicholas's horse.
Very little is known about the historical Saint Nicholas. He is said to have been born in the Greek seaport of Patara. In one of the earliest attested and most famous incidents from his life, he is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. Other early stories tell of him saving three innocent soldiers from wrongful execution by exposing a juror who took a bribe. |
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And finally...
In this period running up to Christmas it is the perfect time to shed a couple of lbs in readiness for all the celebrations, so why not cut back on any treats and step up your activity to help you to feel in great shape for the festivities.
Have a fabulous week and have fun!
With love and best wishes,
Rosemary Conley CBE DL
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LIVE LONGER | LIVE HEALTHIER | LIVE HAPPIER
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