10 ways to win at Christmas

1.    Maintain your routine

It’s so easy to go off kilter during the holidays so maintaining your daily self-care routine (however relaxed) helps you sustain a healthy sleep pattern, diet and overall feeling of wellness.  Yes, you can still have a good time with your loved ones, but if you know you are going to be up at 5am every day to do weights, prayer, meditation, and stretching, you’re more likely to take things easy, especially with alcohol. Being disciplined allows you to have fun, whilst maintaining a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

2.    Like water but better – Drink your tea’s

Whether you are a mother, the rich aunty or the pampered princess, Christmas is busy and full of seasonal excess. An easy way to refresh and restore vitality is through herbal teas like Green tea, Rooibos, Chamomile, Cerasee tea and Sorrell and Ginger. They all contain a plethora of beneficial minerals, vitamins and antioxidants to keep you hydrated, healthy and glowing all Christmas and beyond.

3.  Save your scraps.

Waste is trash, so keep your chicken necks, lamb bones, and vegetable peels to make stock. Christmas is the perfect time to stock up (get it) on homemade stock cubes that are easy to make, and highly flavourful, with the bonus of being free of excess salt and additives.

1. Collect all your scraps of cooked meats (except fish, you can do fish stock separately), lamb bones and cooked and uncooked vegetables (be sure to wash the latter thoroughly)
2. Once you have a substantial amount, place everything into a big pot and add enough water to cover the contents.
3. Season with herbs, spices, salt and pepper, then allow it to simmer on low heat for roughly 2hrs.
4. As it simmers remove any scum that rises to the surface of the pot, and boil until you have a thick soup-like consistency.
5. Once reduced, strain the contents, (keeping the water) and throw away the meat and vegetable contents into your compost heap or food recycling bin.
6. Pour liquid into freezer cubes and place in the freezer overnight. Once solid, place in a large food bag, label and keep in the freezer until you need stock.
7. Use as and when required to add flavour to your cooking.

4.    Take your vitamins.

We are in deep winter honey; the days are long, cold and dark so you probably need a little boost of energy in terms of supplements.  Take your vitamin D to help protect you from the winter blues, weak bones and tiredness, especially for black people, we need that sun and its life giving energy. Take your iron to keep your energy levels up, especially if you are of menstruating age and take your evening primrose to sustain healthy hormones, hair, skin and nails.

5.    Do not sleep on sleep, make sleep a priority.

Do not let your sleep slide. Your body needs rest, all the chat, cleaning, cooking and travel will take its toll, so you need your sleep more than ever. Go to bed on time and start your day strong and full of energy.

6.    Cleaning schedule.

We are not going into the new year with the same old dirt. Have a massive clear out before Christmas so that others can reuse, repurpose and recycle what you no longer need. After that grab your cleaning gear and clean house, wipe, polish, sweep and mop, starting your New Year on a literal clean slate.

7.  ‘Tis the season

Don’t forget to be charitable this Christmas. Many have far less than you, so why not donate to your local food bank, or buy someone a bed or hot meal at a local shelter. It’s a heartwarming thing to do and an easy way to get on to Santa’s good list.

8.    Make time for self-care.

Make time for your wellness and beauty routines, pamper, primp and please yourself this festive season. Now is the time to peel open that amazing-smelling bar and get lost in its lusciously rich, and creamy lather. Wash away all the seasonal stresses, family tensions, credit card bills and winter storms without stripping or drying your skin. Allow the bar’s aromatic nuances to tantalise, calm and soothe your senses. Then, finish off your routine with the richly moisturising Shea Magnifique to seal in moisture, softening and smoothing your skin back to glowing health. The entire routine will have you glowing on the outside whilst feeling refreshed and restored on the inside.