How to Make New Year Resolutions that Stick

One constant of the New Year rituals for many people is making their New Year resolution.  We have grand ideas about changing ourselves, improving something about ourselves or doing something different and the new year seems the ideal time to put them into force.  Then by mid-January, the ideas have gone out of the window!  So how do you make New Year resolutions that stick?

Understand the mind

The first step to sticking to new year’s resolutions involves a little psychology.  Understanding why we give in can be a good way to try not to do this.  According to psychiatrists from Harvard medical school, self-restraint is a rational desire that is found in the front of the brain, the most recently evolved part.  This is often overridden by those old survival instincts that have been with us since cave man times.  Pleasure also lives in this instinctive area and when we do something pleasurable, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine.  In effect, we reward ourselves for doing something we enjoy, such as eating a particular food or drinking a certain drink.

Making and keeping new year’s resolutions, therefore, are about out-manoeuvring those instinctive urges and listening to the rational ones.  Sounds easy, right?

Making a resolution

Understanding how the brain works is only part of the process.  The actual resolution itself is a big factor in how successful you will be.  For instance, people make these big lists of things they want to change but the successful ones pick a single thing.  It could be stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, eating better or even going for a walk every week.  Make sure it is something realistic and achievable with a bit of work.  Pick one thing and stick to it until it is achieved, then look at picking another.

Before you begin, do a little research into the subject to prepare yourself.  For instance, say you want to cut down on your intake of sugary drinks.  So look into what other drinks you can go for instead.  Smoothies are a popular option at this time of year for their detox properties and natural boosts.  So pick a favourite recipe then buy yourself a personalised high ball glass.  Instead of a birthday message, have a recipe printed on it or an inspiring quote.

Starting out

Choose a message about your resolution

New Year’s Day is a common start date for a resolution but it doesn’t have to be January 1^st when you start.  Pick a date when you are prepared for your resolution.  One suggestion is to write on a card what you are going to do and the start date or you can make it a bit fun and have a wooden plaque made that has the resolution and date on it.  Hang it somewhere relevant, such as the kitchen and glance as you are passing, reinforcing that it is a good thing and helping your brain stick with the rational side and ignore those pesky instincts.  Once you have completed the task, the plaque can act as a reminder of what you can do when you put your mind to it!

What is Dry January?

Let’s face it, many of us have too much to eat and drink over Christmas and New Year.  It’s a fun time and there’s lots of celebrating to do but come the first few days of the new year, we can feel a bit hideous.  A good detox works miracles but another idea that has come along is called Dry January.  But what is it and how can you take part?

Dry idea

The Dry January idea started in 2015 and saw over 2 million people cut down or cur out their drinking for the 31 days of the month.  Because we often manage to stick to a resolution if we have a little help, you can sign up on their website to take part.  The benefits include feeling better, potentially losing weight or sleeping better and even having a little more money in your pocket.  The campaign is run by Alcohol Concern who also work to raise money to dealing with the problems caused by alcohol on families and society as a whole.

What to drink instead

So if you are laying off the alcohol this January or simply want to replace it with something a little softer on the body, what are the best alternatives?

One of the best drinks around is always said to be water but there’s something a little lacking in a plain glass of water.  Next on the list is green tea which has a range of health benefits that are particularly useful at this time of year.  For example, it is known for sorting out problems in the digestive system right through to helping protect the body against serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.  There are no calories in a mug of green tea and it is simple to make.  Get yourself a teapot, add the hot water and wait until it is just past boiling then pop in a green tea bag.  There are also varieties including green tea and peppermint or green tea with citrus to help adapt to the flavour.

Another tea drink that helps the digestive system after all the excess of Christmas is mint tea.  It helps food process through the digestive tract so is a perfect drink for Boxing Day!  It also helps to relax muscles so after all those nights standing around at parties, it is great to relax the body and allow it to feel better.

Soy milk may be a love it or hate it drink but it can be used in smoothies or other shakes to add ingredients to disguise the taste.  Soy milk has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease as well as lowering the bad cholesterol in the system.  You can even buy soy milk fortified with vitamins A and D as well as calcium to sneak in some of the benefits of full fat milk.

Cranberry juice is a great one to combat all those sugary treats over Christmas as it has been shown to help combat gum disease.  It also has antibacterial properties that can work again urinary tract infections.

Top New Year Canapé Ideas

If you are having a few guests round to celebrate New Year or even hosting a full on party, making a few special canapés yourself always adds something special to the buffet table.  Okay, the bigger the party, the more you are going to buy in but there are plenty of great recipe ideas that can cater for different numbers and don’t require a degree in fine dining to produce!

Modern sausage rolls

Sausage rolls have been the staple of the buffet table for generations and are still a favourite for many guests.  The Sausage and Fennel Seed Slices bring a modern variation of the classic party food.  All you need are 400 grams of sausage, either skinless or skin removed and 375 grams of ready rolled puff pastry.  Put the sausages into a bowl, squash them around and form them into two balls.  Pop them into cling film and roll them into a cylinder around 30cm long.  Keep them in the fridge. 

Next, lay out the pastry and cut unto four strips that are 40cm long and 10cm wide.  Place the sausage meat in the middle and then sprinkle with some fennel seeds.  Drape the pastry over the meat then brush it with egg then take three thin strips of pastry, plait them and lay them on the top, again brushing with egg.  Bake at 200 degrees for around 40 minutes until golden.

Potato and smoked salmon

Putting together potato and smoked salmon may not sound like the most successful combination but you may be surprised.  The Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese are a great alternative to the usual blini used to serve the luxury salmon.  Take 1kg of baking potatoes and cook them around about 1 hour 20 minutes until cooked.  Put the potato into that personalised bowl that the kids got you for your birthday, discarding the skins and mix in around 75grams of butter, 100 grams of plain flour and one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

Line a baking tray with parchment and brush it with butter.  Roll out the potato dough and put it on the tray, it might break up a bit but don’t worry, just push it back together!  Brush it with butter and bake for around 45 minutes.

Once the potato cakes are cooled, you are ready to add the salmon.  Whisk up 280 grams of full fat cream cheese with the juice of a lemon and 100 ml of double cream.  Spread this on the potato cake and cut them into squares.  Top with strips of salmon, a little dill and the zest of the lemon then serve.

Corn cups

You can use pre-made corn cups or make your own from circles of tortilla heated in the microwave then pushed into muffin tins.  Brush them with oil and bake for 8-10 minutes then leave to cool.  Next, chop up 100 grams of prawns and marinade in lime juice for 5 minutes.  Add them to a bowl with mango, red onion, chili and coriander and mix together.  Add these to the corn cups to bring a little Mexican to your New Year celebration.

Best Last Minute Christmas Gifts

So there’s just over two weeks to go before the big day and many of us are down to those last few awkward gifts that we need to finish our Christmas shopping.  There’s always someone on the list that you just don’t know what to get them or who say they don’t need anything.  So here are a few unusual last minute gifts to help inspire you to finish your list.

Food and drink lovers

If you know what someone’s favourite drink is, then this is always a good starting point for a present.  For example, if they enjoy making themselves cocktails, then a Gold Bubbles Personalised Cocktail Glass is perfect.  You can add a message onto the glass up to 50 characters so you can make it seasonal or just a special hello so they can remember you whenever they have their favourite margarita.

One of the biggest Christmas presents for fans of everything from smoothies to homemade soups and other healthy eating options is the Nutribullet.  This blender-smoothie maker is a top gift that many kitchen fans will be receiving.  If you know someone who is getting one, or has something similar, then their companion is the chopping board.  While these seem functional items, you can get personalised ones that bring a bit of fun and individuality to this item.  The Chef of the Year personalised chopping board lets you add up to 20 characters for the name as well as the year and is perfect for those pre-blending preparations.

With Love at Christmas

Sometimes a nice present from one family to another is something they can bring out each Christmas to remember the other.  Wooden plaques are a big trend, whether the shabby chic style or minimalist in style.  They can be used to send a variety of messages including for a Baby’s First Christmas, one for the kids and family versions.  The Merry Christmas Personalised Wooden Sign allows you to add up to 20 characters for the recipient’s name and comes with ribbon attached to mean it can be hung up straight away.

Kids often want to buy their friends special presents and it can be hard to pick something when kids are already getting their toys and clothes from family and friends.  One special idea that can be treasured for years to come is the snow globe.  Given as a child, it will still be a treasured seasonal memento when they are an adult.  With the Polar Bear Personalised Snow Globe you can add two lines worth of message onto the globe, wishing them love at Christmas and stating who it from to remember for all time.

Last post

Remember that most personalised items take seven to ten days to deliver so to ensure that you get the present through before the big day, don’t delay in ordering.  The last posting date for delivery by Christmas Eve is Saturday 19^th December for Second Class mail and Monday 21^st December for First Class post.  Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas Smoothies

There’s a lot that is great fun about Christmas and a bit of overindulgence is among them.  What with the chocolates, the wine, a few drinks after work, Christmas parties, big meals, party bits, the list just goes on.  Sometimes you end up feeling a bit yuck.  This is when a smoothie can be the perfect solution.  They don’t need to be ultra-healthy but can contain a few secret ingredients that make them both seasonal and helpful to your system.

Spices

Spices may be traditionally associated with Christmas cake or a good Indian meal but there are plenty of ways to include them in a smoothie and lots of benefits from doing so.  Take cinnamon, for example.  It is sweet flavoured and is known for its anti-oxidant benefits – it has the highest strength anti-oxidants of any food.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help with that sore knee when you walked into the table after a little too much mulled wine!

Another useful spice is cardamom, which comes in different colours from different parts of the world.  It too has anti-oxidant properties as well as helping the digestive system and the stomach as well as being a good source of minerals such as potassium that helps with body fluids.

The Gingerbread Smoothie is a great way to get these spices and more as well as having that Christmas cake vibe going.  Take one third of a cup of cashew nuts and soak them overnight.  Then pop them into the blender with:

• ½ banana
• ½ cup sweet potato puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp cardamom
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 2 cups almond milk

Blend until all the ingredients are mixed and smooth then deposit into that personalise bistro cafélatte glass that the kids bought you for your birthday – it will do you much more good than that latte you normally use the glass for!

Detox

Sometimes, after the excess of Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a great time to start the detox process with a special smoothie for breakfast (or lunch if you were a little late in getting up!).  Spinach is known as a super food and for good reason.  They have very little calories but are packed with important nutrients.  They are good for skin and hair health after all that styling and makeup as well as giving you loads of vitamins and minerals.

To make the Detox Green Smoothie you need:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cucumber
• ½ avocado
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 lemon
• 1 handful mint leaves
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds

You can also add a scoop of vanilla protein if required and any other greens you have lying around if you want an extra boost.  Add everything to the blender and whizz until smooth, adding a little water if needed.

Conclusion

These are just a couple of ideas about Christmas smoothies but there are plenty of recipes available.  Whatever you do, enjoy Christmas and then have a bit of fun with the blender afterwards!