November December 2018
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HAVE A HEALTHY HAPPY CHRISTMAS<br />
BY MICHELE DUKE<br />
The run up to Christmas has begun.<br />
For some people it started back in July<br />
but for us mere mortals we see mid-<br />
<strong>November</strong> as the time for the lowlevel<br />
panic to start. You wander into<br />
a department store or hear a carol on<br />
the radio and a cold sweat breaks out<br />
on your brow..You start watching the<br />
adverts on tv rather than fast-forwarding<br />
on catch-up, and find yourself actually<br />
discussing whether the John Lewis advert<br />
this year is better than the penguins of a<br />
few years ago.<br />
Yes it’s Christmas madness- and I love it.<br />
Of course, I’m one of the lucky ones. A<br />
loving family, a warm home and plenty of<br />
food. I’m very conscious that many people<br />
are not so lucky and I count my blessings<br />
at this time of year more than ever.<br />
What are your favourites? I love the<br />
tacky tinsel, the carol concerts, the<br />
salvation army band, decorating the tree,<br />
choosing and wrapping gifts, and all the<br />
lovely feelings Christmas brings. Family<br />
time is so important and our family<br />
love to spend many hours cooking and<br />
eating. Christmas is a time of excess -<br />
especially when it comes to food. Many<br />
of us have extended families, with in-laws<br />
and grandchildren. Feeding people is<br />
what we do best and offering treats is<br />
a way of showing our love. But it really<br />
can get out of hand. Three days before<br />
Christmas my fridge is usually bursting at<br />
the seams. Three days after it’s the seams<br />
on my jeans that are taking the strain!<br />
By around the 29th I am praying for the<br />
feasting to stop and looking forward to<br />
January 2nd when I can stop gorging!<br />
And as I’m moaning about it, I’m<br />
reaching for the next mince pie and<br />
cream ( a mere 500 calories!!!!). It’s totally<br />
crazy behaviour but I’m guessing I’m<br />
not alone. Why do we do it? We know<br />
we will end up regretting it - the extra<br />
pounds on the hips, the red, blotchy skin,<br />
the lack of energy.<br />
Shall we make this year different? We<br />
could wake up every morning with a<br />
clear head, oodles of energy and a plan<br />
for keeping that feeling going all day. No<br />
guilty feelings after eating that last roast<br />
potato. And no extra pounds to lose<br />
come January. Just think how smug we’ll<br />
feel when we are glowing with health as<br />
everyone else is starting their diet.<br />
So are you ready to join me in having a<br />
Healthy Happy Christmas?<br />
Now, of course, that doesn’t mean no<br />
bubbly. Come on, a girl needs a bit<br />
of fun! We’ll be focused on delicious,<br />
wholesome food with treats that taste<br />
amazing but give us energy rather than<br />
lethargy! And, of course, plenty of style<br />
and beauty treats too. Throughout<br />
<strong>December</strong> I’ll be posting recipes,<br />
ideas, advice and more on my website<br />
and social media. If you’d like to know<br />
more, just drop me a line on michele@<br />
micheleduke.co.uk and I’ll be happy to<br />
share the details with you.<br />
I wish you a wonderful Christmas and<br />
look forward to talking with you soon.<br />
Michèle x<br />
I’m Michele Duke, an independent<br />
health and beauty consultant. Join me<br />
at my free workshops, makeup tutorials,<br />
pop-up shops and more. Contact me on<br />
michele@micheleduke.co.uk for more<br />
details or to go on my newsletter list.<br />
14 GOLDEN TIMES MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER <strong>2018</strong>
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