It's that time of the year again! Everyone looks forward to spending time with their family and friends sitting around an overloaded table for Christmas lunch or supper.  For many of us, this meal presents a rare opportunity to spend time catching up with our loved ones, and we take full advantage of this, as course after course makes its way to the table.  It's like we want to do a month's eating at one meal. 

Turkey, gravy, gammon, roast potatoes, hot pudding - you name it! We cook and eat like we celebrate Christmas in the middle of winter.  This is a throwback to our colonial history, and perhaps has little relevance to how we live today.  It would be much healthier for us to breakaway from tradition, and cook a lighter and cooler Christmas meal.  Then move away from the table and do your catching up elsewhere in the house.

1. Do you need some new ideas for easy and healthy festive recipes?  Try this
 Christmas menu from the Heart Foundation: Heartfoundation

2. Do you want to do a braai instead? Here are some tips from Virgin Active to help you keep it healthy: Virgin Active

3. If you want to do something really fancy and impressive, try the Festive Family Lunch from Ina Paarman

A few other ideas:

4. Summer Berry Trifle

• Taste

5. To drink, how about mixing up a Sangria?

• My Invites

6. Summer Smoothie

• All Recipes

Even if you prefer to stick to the traditional, at least you now know where to look for healthy but exciting recipes.  Happy cooking and eating!

Page updated: 23 December 2011