The age old phrase isn’t far wrong. How do you tackle this season?
Well it has been a strange and difficult year but on a positive I have been incredibly busy …. I have had to rope in a little helper for deliveries and keeping me sane, a big thank you to Andy (super supportive husband). Fresh food is the best!
Christmas is filled with wonderful food but it really is about balance what a I really do enjoy my food & a few tipples but it is not my everyday. The run-up can be a little hectic but I have always looked to eat home cooked meals with plenty of nutritious food on the days that I can and not stress too much about the odd days that I am unable to make that happen.
I no longer worry about an advent calendar of chocolate but I really enjoy some cheese with homemade oat, seed & fruit loaf or date & seed soda bread. The bread is fresh (or can be frozen then warmed through). As for the cheese, I thoroughly enjoy for a few lunches a small amount of my favourites with all the trimmings. So this year I will be eating vintage cheddar, beauvale (gorganzolaesque), camembert & manchego finished off with grapes, fresh figs, and membrillo. What’s your festive favourite?
Festive food has a whole load of goodness plus much is allergy friendly, or easily adaptable to suit everyone.
Christmas Eve in our house is a full on tapas feast where everyone chooses their favourite and because everything is handmade, I know it is safe for me, being coeliac. It takes a little time but I enjoy the whole experience of cooking, even when you feel like you are juggling pans for the last five minutes, and the social event of eating and chatting over food. Bliss!
Prawns & chorizo
Boccerones (marinated anchovies)
Roasted peppers
Patatas Bravas
Green Salad
Meatballs
Lemon & Garlic Chicken
Bread
Christmas Day has a low-key breakfast with some of the usual treats along the way although other than the roast potatoes, the list of vegetables is amazing with me consuming my 5 a day in just one meal… I absolutely love them.Also enjoy the turkey too but whatever your choice of protein for this dinner, it's a lovely balance of nutritious food.
So I may eat some additional treats & some extra alcohol, I am definitely not one for cold-turkey on New Years Day, I will continue to treat myself with food & drink but a much less lavish affair after the festive period. So with those extra long walks and maybe some runs, I will keep active and achieve that lovely feeling of nature and the outdoors to blow the cobwebs away.
Everyone can eat well, including those with food allergies, over the season...just remember quality is far more important than quantity. When you treat yourself, enjoy it fully but just not too often. Now that's my kind of balance.
However you celebrate the holidays let there be love & kindness.
See you in January!
Jo x
EVENTS:
It's a busy month over here at Lovely Bread Towers! Not only have I been baking and prepping for Christmas, but I've been putting together some plans for the New Year. You'll be delighted to hear that I'll be doing various events in the coming weeks, both with Lovely Bread hat on and also in my other guises - Table Stories and as a private chef. All of my events are tailored to be allergy-friendly - this means that you can socialise safe in the knowledge that you won't be eating something you'll regret!
Details as follows:
Table Stories Ciccheti Supper Club (Create 98)16th Jan 2021
Table Stories Supper Club :Antipasti 6th Feb 2021
Table Stories Mexican Supper Club 12th March 2021
Gather and enjoy an evening without boundaries, allergy friendly food your friends and family will love. Join us
Book now Here
Allergy Friendly Cooking Course (3 weeks -Create 98) 18th & 25th Jan, 1st Feb 2021
Having allergies is not as tricky as you think…learn how to prepare quick tasty and nutritious allergy friendly (100% Gluten Free), vegetarian meals using simple and seasonal ingredients. Each evening will include quick and tasty recipes, plus ideas to tweak ingredients to create new recipes. You will get to sample each week’s menu and take home recipes to make your own.
This is the perfect Christmas gift idea for the budding cooks in your life!
Book now Here
Private Dining via Create 98
I am also now cooking for private dining events at Create 98,
Please get in touch with me, if you'd like to know more.
DELIVERIES
And as always, Lovely Bread and Stuff are baking and supplying you with the best allergy-friendly goods. Here is a sample of our Monday menus - get in touch if you'd like to know more:
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