Nourishing Ways to Thrive During the Festive Season
Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner! Every year it seems to creep up, then BAM! Santa’s on your door step!
I’m the type of person who leaves all my shopping until the last minute; taking advantage of all those crazy late night shopping hours on Christmas Eve. That being said, I am always organised when it comes to Christmas day lunch. I love food and the rituals around food and most importantly I love creating recipes that I know are both delicious and healthy that I know my family will love.
I believe it is so important to keep your health and diet on track throughout the Christmas period as it is usually the one time of year people throw their healthy eating choices out the window and then many people struggle to get back into a healthy routine after all the holiday festivities. I also believe it is the perfect time of year to relax and indulge with all of your loved ones. I am a strong advocate of nourishing your soul, just as I am a strong advocate of nourishing your gut. My family and friends may often hear me use the words ‘soul food’, this is me describing food that is shared and enjoyed with all of the special people in your life that brings with it contentment and happiness. Christmas is the perfect time to cook and share soul food. Below I have combined the best of both worlds for a Christmas that is filled with healthy souls, healthy minds, healthy bodies and most importantly- healthy guts!
Helping your gut bugs survive the festive season
Be PreparedGut nourishing and festive friendly treats
Prepare healthy gut loving Christmas treats to take along to your family function. This will ensure you have yummy and gut nourishing food choices available at your Christmas dinner that everyone will love. Here is a recipe that is always a hit at Christmas time.
Ginger Bliss Balls
INGREDIENTS
- 250g almonds or cashews
- 150g fermented dates
- 100g fermented desiccated coconut
- 4 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup Kultured Wellness Coconut Yoghurt
Optional:
Remove maple syrup and replace with another 20g fermented dates. You can ferment the desiccated coconut with the dates if you need to reduce the sugar.
METHOD
- Place the dates, coconut and Kultured Wellness Coconut Yoghurt into a jar. Seal the jar and leave to ferment for 12-24 hours.
- When your ferment is ready, add all ingredients into your food processor or Thermomix and blitz on high until mix forms and holds together.
- Using about 1 tbsp of mix at a time, roll into balls and then roll in desiccated coconut to cover the ball. Place onto a tray.
- Place in the fridge until firm.
You can find this recipe and 22 other gut-loving versions of all of your favourite Christmas recipes in our new eBook.
Click here to get your copy of the Kultured Christmas e-book
Don’t Forget…
Christmas is a time for gratitude, family and friends. It is a time for relaxation, enjoyment and contentment. By incorporating these changes throughout all of your Christmas festivities, you will be nourishing your gut bugs and keeping them thriving and in turn, they will provide you with an abundance of energy to keep you on your game and enjoying all of your celebrations. If you have a little too much wine on Christmas day, or you smuggle an extra slice of Christmas pudding home for leftovers – take this on board as soul food, be at peace with the decision and wake up the following morning and nourish your gut and body the way you always would.
For more holiday survival tips and practices from me, get yourself a copy of The Holiday Survival Guide.
