Christmas Thoughts and How I'll Decide What To Eat

With just a few days before Christmas I thought I'd put off finishing my Christmas shopping just a little longer a write a few thoughts about this time of year.

Everyone celebrates Christmas differently so these are just some of my opinions and thoughts on what I'll be thinking and doing during the day. To set the scene a little our family will celebrate by spending most of the day together opening presents in the morning and then a few different courses of food spread over the day.   


How I'll Decide What I'll Eat

It's quite a simple formula really. If I think I am going to enjoy eating something, I'll eat it. This is a day I will not be thinking about the healthy eating guidelines, a plate model or anything like that. I'll trust my gut and if I think consuming this is going to be pleasant, then down the hatch it'll go. Now I will still be mindful of what I am eating. As I said, if I think I am going to enjoy eating it I will; I will not be going on, nor do I recommend going on an uncontrolled binge. That will likely end with me feeling uncomfortably full, potentially a little sick, and most importantly without any room for dessert. I'm not missing my sisters Tiramisu! I think eating this way means I get to enjoy the foods I really love and helps me to enjoy the day by not feeling sick at the end of it.   


What I'll Be Thinking  
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Christmas can be a stressful time. What I'll be thinking about to try to manage the stress is "not to let the little stuff ruin my day", particularly the stuff to do with food. Whether you're doing the big family get together or more of a low key celebration there might be a few little things throughout the day that don't go your way. The Christmas ham may not be how you like it, you might burn the chicken, forget to make such and such's favourite salad or someone might not like a gift you got them. In my mind anyway all of these things are really, when you think about it, very insignificant. At the time they may seem like the end of the world but in the scheme of things they don't really matter. Take a step back, smile and enjoy the day. I know there is going to come a time in my life when the consequences of a negative event are much more important than burning the Christmas cannelloni, so I should make the most of this day.

Over the years I've been made more aware of how lucky I am to spend this time with my family and have access to more than enough food. I now know Christmas can actually be a hard, lonely and overwhelming time for some and so I think it's important that I spend some time sparing a thought for others, and asking myself how can I make someones else's Christmas better? There are some awesome initiatives in place working to share the Christmas love both locally in New Zealand and internationally. Plunket for example does a tremendous job gathering food and other gifts for families struggling over Christmas time, delivering them in boxes in the lead up to Christmas. Making someone else's Christmas better in my mind could be as simple as looking out for someone locally in your community who might not expect a kind message, a present or even a little bit of your time.      

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year team!

Thanks for reading.

Marco

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