Things get out of hand very quickly with Christmas parties for school and work, parties with friends, nights out singing carols or going to church, volunteering with local charities...it's a bit crazy!
Of course at the same time you're probably trying to buy and wrap Christmas gifts, cook Christmas cookies and cake, as well as plan and prepare for your family Christmas dinner.
So when do all the normal things like housework and cooking dinner happen?
Well, often the simple answer is that they don't!
It's bad enough eating all those lovely festive goodies on Christmas day and feeling the weight settle on your hips so don't make it worse for yourself by living on fatty take-out in the days before.
Here's what I do to keep the family fed and healthy (and extra money to pay off the overloaded credit cards).
1. Use the freezer: If I think of it, every time I cook a casserole, soup or pasta sauce in early December I stick half of it in the freezer for emergencies. Even if I just remember to do this 2 or 3 times then that's got the days immediately before Christmas covered.
2. Mince: Where would we be without minced meat? It's just so quick and easy to prepare. I always seem to serve up our entire yearly allowance of Savory Mince around Christmas. Likewise with rissoles. They make such easy dinner recipes; I always make use of them.
3. Pasta: What could be easier than making up a simple sauce while some pasta boils? Too easy. Stick to simple, fresh ingredients like basil leaves tossed with olive oil, or lemon juice and cracked black pepper. Add a simple side of lettuce and red pepper and you have some healthy dinner recipes. If you're really in trouble, see the next point.
4. Go pre-made: Normally I'd rather eat cardboard than have to eat some salt laden, over processed gunk from the supermarket, but I make an exception at Christmas. Just add as much health as you can to it at home. Add extra chopped mushrooms or peppers and good grated cheese to frozen pizza; serve bottled pasta sauce sparingly with good pasta and a large, fresh salad; chop extra veggies into tinned soup; use brown rice instead of white with a frozen Asian stir-fry mix, and so on.
5. Keep it simple: If you've been eating up big at parties in the days before, then there is nothing wrong with just having melted cheese on toast one night. Or use up some left over dips with heaps of vegetable crudites. Avoid the crackers and chips.
6. Top up with water: Most parties and gatherings you'll probably find yourself drinking alcohol (Christmas spirit!) or soft drink. The kids are probably filling up on cordial and soft drink too. On the nights when you are actually at home, ban anything that comes out of a container and just drink plain water. Give your body a break.
7. Don't forget the fruit: If someone says they are hungry and you tell them to have an apple, they'll probably turn up their nose at the idea. However, I've found that if you have fruit chopped up and on a plate or in a container in the fridge, it miraculously disappears. Likewise, if I slip a plate of fruit or veggies slices onto the table while we're talking or watching TV, the same thing happens. Give it a try.
8. Leftovers: Lastly I've got to mention leftovers. Some people just throw away any food left after a meal. I guess I come from a frugal household, and I can't bear to see good food go to waste. As long as food is put away and stored properly, it can nearly always be served up the next day. Sometimes leftovers can be redressed as something new, like roast lamb being turned into Shepherd's Pie, or a heap of roast veggies added to whisked eggs and cooked up as a frittata, both are quick and easy dinners.
Often I'll just reheat everything and serve it out. We call this 'bits 'n' bobs' for some reason. It might be last nights roast and veggies with a bit of the previous night's pasta on the side, something like that.
Yes, I know there will be nights in the weeks leading up to Christmas and probably after, where I just can't face cooking a full meal, but MOST of the time we eat well and healthy using these quick dinner recipes.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and healthy and prosperous New Year!
I've got a heap of easy dinner recipes for mince and pasta on my website. They're free so help yourself!
Nerida Murray is the editor of [http://www.better-living-ideas.com]
Visit now for all the free recipes you need for quick and easy dinners, plus recipes for Christmas dinner and cheap and easy Christmas gifts.
[http://www.better-living-ideas.com] is all about your family and home life.
Visit now for all the free recipes you need for quick and easy dinners, plus recipes for Christmas dinner and cheap and easy Christmas gifts.
[http://www.better-living-ideas.com] is all about your family and home life.
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