With guests arriving to celebrate Christmas with you, this is my go to Christmas Eve recipe which will delight your guests and save you time.
This week on my Instagram I shared a behind the scenes story of the Christmas preparations and I had so many requests for what I was making that I thought I’d share with you. It’s a Mary Berry recipe and never fails not only to impress, but is super delicious and can be made in advance. Personally I think it tastes much better if made ahead of time and you’ll have the added benefit of spending time with your guests rather than missing all the fun if you’re in the kitchen.
The Game Casserole, can be popped it in the freezer and we will have it on Christmas Eve. All I’ll need to do is warm it in the oven and serve with with buttery egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes. Roasted carrots, parsnips, or a green salad can also be refreshing. Use crusty bread to soak up the tasty sauce.
Stunning Christmas calmness with Country Abodes
Mary Berry Game Casserole (serves 8)
Ingredients
Vary the proportion of meats as you like, and, if you have difficulty getting the exact amounts of mixed game, you can make up the difference with braising beef or Boneless chicken. In season, some supermarkets sell packs of mixed game – often including venison, pheasant, rabbit, wild duck and pigeon.
1.4kg (3lb) mixed game meats (see above)
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
75g (3oz) butter
200g (7oz) smoked bacon lardons
450g (1lb) whole frozen chestnuts, thawed
4 leeks, thickly sliced on the diagonal
50g (2oz) plain flour
300ml (½ pint) red wine
600ml (1 pint) chicken stock
4 tablespoons redcurrant jelly
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large orange
To serve
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 orange, sliced
Method
Trim the meats and cut into 5cm (2in) pieces.
Heat the oil and half of the butter in a large non-stick frying pan or casserole, and brown the game and bacon over a high heat until sealed and brown. You will have to do this in batches. Add a little more oil if necessary. Don’t be tempted to put too much meat in the pan at once as it won’t seal or brown properly.) Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the remaining butter to the frying pan and brown the chestnuts. Lift out with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the leeks to the pan and fry over a high heat for a few minutes.
Sprinkle in the flour, and gradually blend in the red wine, stock and redcurrant jelly. Bring to the boil, stirring, season with salt and pepper, then add the whole orange and the meats.
Cover and cook over a low heat for 1½-2¼ hours or until the meats are tender. You could also cook the casserole in the oven preheated to 160°C/Fan 140°C/Gas 3 for about the same time.
(The cooking time will depend on the variety of meats used: venison, for example, tends to take a little longer to become really tender.) Check the liquid halfway through cooking, adding a little more stock if necessary.
About 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the whole chestnuts.
Once the game is tender, lift the softened orange into a sieve, cut in half, stand over a bowl and push the orange through the sieve, collecting the juice. Gradually stir the juice into the casserole until the taste is perfect. Check the seasoning and add a little more stock if the casserole is still a little thick.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and orange slices. Serve with mashed potato and fresh vegetables – celeriac purée and red cabbage (see pages 110 and 112) go particularly well.
Top Tips
To Serve As Individual Pies
Cook the casserole as directed. Roll out a 375g packet of ready-rolled puff pastry so that it is a little larger and cut out eight 10cm (4in) circles.
Crimp the edges of each circle and lightly mark a diagonal pattern on the surface. Glaze with beaten egg and bake at 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6 for about 15 minutes until golden brown (this can be done ahead).
Serve a spoonful of casserole on a plate and slant a puff pastry circle on top to make a ‘pie’.
Preparing Ahead
Casseroles are often even better a day or so after cooking as the flavours have chance to mellow, and this one is no exception. Cook the casserole as directed. Cool quickly, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently until piping hot, adding a little more liquid if needed. This is meal planner is a super little tool I always use to help me with Christmas preparation..
To Freeze
Prepare the casserole to the end of stage , cool quickly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw thoroughly, then reheat gently until piping hot, adding more lic id if necessary, Garnish with chopped parsley and orange slices.
Aga Cook as above up to the end of Stage on the Simmering Plate.
Bring to the boil on the Boiling Plate, cover and transfer to the Simmering Oven for about 2½ hours until tender. Continue as above.
What’s better than a Christmas Walk on the beach before coming home to a delicious meal with the family.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and find the time to make in advance. It really will make all the difference!
Let me know in the comments what you do to spend more time with your friends and family.
This Little Mission, The Christmas Gift Edit, I hope will bring you those gift solutions for the special people in your life, without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. I try and support small businesses as much as possible, so I hope this Gift Edit will introduce you to some brands you’ve not met before and that you’ll love as much as I do too.
Ready? Grab a cuppa, a mince pie and let’s dive in!
Gifts For Your Coffee Lover
Your coffee lover will always enjoy an introduction to a new coffee or a brand new mug. Of course if you’re feeling really generous, the De’Longhi coffee maker is currently on offer. Whether it’s your best friend, work colleague or family member a coffee lover can never have enough mugs or coffee!
I love The Kitch Hen and have been a customer for a few years now. Caroline makes the most perfect edible gifts for those who need a little hug from afar, a well done, congratulations, a thank you and the perfect host gift too. I especially love the new Christmas collection, perfect for this Christmas gift Edit, and adore the Robyn design and the Christmas Eve Treat is brand new for this season, isn’t it fabulous?
Despite the fact we know we should look after ourselves better and make time to relax in this ever busy world, gifts for well-being really are such a treat. I’ve been a lover of Hoof and Paw Candles for years. The Christmas Candle is a yearly ritual (sorry now sold out but put a note in your diary for next year!) The Amethyst Crystal Candle is always burning when I’m working. Madeline at Hoof and Paws has recently launched a brand new range, the Chaka Collection which I know will be amazing. I have ordered the Intuition Candle ready for 2024 and can’t wait to light it. I know you’ll love these candles, they are the perfect table gift or gift for your host as well as your friends and family who adore candles and feeling good. .
Working with the magic of nature to enhance our wellbeing, mind and soul. Natural essential oil candles blended to work with the energy of our chakras.
Hoof and Paw
What’s better that to aid your wellbeing than with a fabulous good nights sleep? You will love these gorgeous eye masks that gently warm up once they are placed over your eyes, banishing tension and helping you to let go of the stresses of the day, simply sit back and relax!
The masks contain iron powder which allows them to warm up once they are out of the pouch. Each pack contains 5 silky smooth single use masks. You could give the whole box or gift one face mask with other items, making a little gift package. Maybe a lip balm and chocolates or whatever you wish. There is currently a special offer on until December 19th, buy 5 boxes and receive one free, valid when ordering the blue jasmine boxes only. Maybe keep a box for you, you deserve it!
This 7 day pill case from Tabuu has a separate compartment for every day each holding up to 14 500mg paracetamol caplets and labelled with the day of the week to help keep things organized. It has a mirror built in so it’s one less thing to throw in your bag.
Each individual lid compartment is removable so it’s nice and easy to keep clean and cases are around the size of a smart phone so slip easily into coat pockets or bags! Love mine for when I’m travelling.
Gifts For Your Outdoor Lover
For the 2nd year in a row, Go Outdoors have partnered with the mental health charity, Mind, for Hats on For Mind. Last year, they raised over £233,000 for Mind and raise awareness of the impact spending time in the outdoors can have on your mental well-being. This year we have new ambassador hat designs and all new ambassador flasks. What a perfect gift whilst, let’s get our hats on for Mind!
You know I love getting outside and walking on the SW coast path and Dartmoor and hope one of these might find its way under the tree with my name on! Aren’t they gorgeous? x
“It is not about how much we give, but how much love we put into giving”
Mother Teresa
Gifts For Your Garden Lover
The Blog is about finding the little gifts for the people you love without breaking their bank and preferably from a small business. These aged terracotta look planters tick that box! Fill with compost and spring bulbs, or flowering white narcissi, add a ribbon and your garden lover has a pot to keep for a lifetime and flowers they can enjoy too.
The Gardeners Handbook is a gift I’ve bought for a few of my Gardening friends and they’ve been really well received. The fabric covered gardening book is designed to last the great outdoors. Mark tips with the ribbon, write your to do list & stick photos on the recycled pages. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, journal your veg & garden plants with this organiser. Record seeds planted, growth & the garden tools use with this notebook
Penny aka Penny Albertella Jewellery, is a spiritual jewellery artist and is drawn to the vibrations and healing properties of crystals, gemstones and precious metals which the earth offers up and I love and am inspired by the natural beauty of nature and Italian design.
Penny designs and hand makes a collection of pieces and in addition, to order the makes special bespoke pieces made for clients to mark and celebrate those very special occasions and relationships. If you are looking for a special piece this Christmas, I know Penny will look after you.
Gifts To Share and Celebrate Life’s Special Moments.
The St Andrews Hamper Company make perfect presents luxury hampers and gifts filled with gorgeous eco and organic goodies to celebrate life’s special moments. These special hampers and collections are filled with lots of lovely gift ideas to share with family, friends and colleagues, or to enjoy on outdoor adventures, celebrations and special get togethers.
Alison and team are proud to be helping to turn the tide on plastic pollution by minimising single-use plastic throughout the business. Whilst some of their products, such as chilled foods, are plastic wrapped to ensure their quality and integrity, they never wrap their hampers in plastic and all our hamper and gift box packaging is recyclable – even their tissue paper is acid free!
Their Luxury Gardener’s Hamper is one of their most popular gifts in their unique gardener’s collection with 11 gorgeous gifts combining style, practicality and top quality. With mirror polished stainless steel, FSC registered hardwood handles and solid brass ferrules, the Sophie Conran tools are as good as they look at tackling tasks around the garden and come with a 10-year guarantee for added peace of mind. Includes a trio of eco products to cleanse and care for hands naturally. All beautifully presented inside a traditional woven trug-style basket and including a personalised message. Ideal for all kinds of gifting occasions, it’s perfect for keen gardeners and beginners alike at Christmas and any time of year.
If you follow me on instagram and read previous blogs, you’ll know I adore CharlesTed Interiors and have many pieces in my home. First establish in 2017, their mission is to help people create a more effortlessly stylish home with simple key pieces and to this day and we won’t ever stock anything they wouldn’t have in their own homes. I’ve shared three pieces which I adore and think you or your Interiors Lover will adore too.
Country Abodes is a country boutique offering unique luxury home ware and accessories. The quintessentially British collection includes roman blinds, curtains, cushions and lampshades, hand made from the most beautiful fabrics. They also offer a bespoke service for those who are after that extra special something, made to your own unique theme. I think you’ll agree, they really do Christmas very well!
I love a practical gift and these jars are a two in one type of gift. They are really reasonable at around the £3 mark, fill them with whatever you like, chocolates or bath salts, for example and they can be enjoyed long after the Christmas tree decorations have been taken down.
The Festive Candle from The Range is a perfect White Company dupe. Again it retails at around the £3 mark so won’t break the bank . It’s perfect for any “just in case gifts” for surprise visitors.
“I realised that Christmas is … is the time to be with the people you love.”
Bill Nighy, as Billy Mack in Love Actually
So there you have it, my Christmas Gift Edit for 2023. I really hope this Edit has helped spark some inspiration with the perfect gift solution for the special people in your life, Christmas or any celebration. Do let me know in the comments. I’ve tried to keep costs down to a minimum. Which is your favourite?
Give yourself the Gift of a Stress Free Christmas – the Food Edit. How to spend more time with your family and less time in the kitchen on Christmas Day.
Christmas for me is all about enjoying time together as a family, so if I can do as much planning for our Christmas festivities, the better. As a busy mum, running a business, managing the swim taxi service including National Swim Championships just days before Christmas, it’s important to me that I don’t have a mountain of “foodie jobs” to do in the kitchen on Christmas Day itself.
Garden Trading Company
Having spent a fabulous day with Chef Ben Palmer, a quarter finalist in BBC TV’s MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011, at Glazebrook House several years ago, I learned some wonderful tips, while enjoying a delicious Christmas meal and a glorious day with friends. A memory I will treasure and which totally changed how I prepare for not only the festivities but also my day to day food organisation.
“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.”
Dr Seuss
We all have little things that appear, meaning Christmas isn’t far away. For me, Mary Berry’s book, Christmas Collection full of ideas for entertaining your family and friends throughout the Winter and festive season and complete with timings. It’s a much loved book and well used!
I can wholeheartedly recommend. With timings including a cooking itinerary, Mary has everything covered!
Festive Mulled Wine
The most delicious mulled wine, a recipe by Ben Palmer.
Perfect if you’ve been outside in the cold or not!
Ingredients
2 oranges * I lemon * 1 lime * 200g caster sugar * 6 whole cloves * 2 cardamon pods * 1 cinnamon stick * 3 fresh bay leaves *10-12 gratings of whole nutmeg * I vanilla pod (halved lengthways) * 2 star anise * 2 bottles red wine
Method:
Peel large sections of peel from your fruit.
Put the sugar in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add peel and juice of oranges. Add the spice and vanilla pod and add enough wine to cover the sugar.
Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes until a thick syrup. Turn the heat down to low and add the rest of the wine. Gently heat and serve.
Christmas Traditions.
Every family has a little tradition on Christmas Day don’t they? If we are at home, we love to walk on the beach (after popping the turkey in the oven of course!) We prefer to have canapés with a glass of fizz in front of the fire opening presents, rather than a starter. Then a little later, we sit down for our roast turkey and all the trimmings.
I love living by the coast in Devon, so a walk along the beach on Christmas Morning is the perfect way to celebrate. Everyone has their own preferences to enjoy over the festivities. A selection of our favourite tipples over the festive period. **BeDrinkAware.
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut offers a bright fruitiness, a seductive palate and an elegant maturity, revealing aromas of pear, citrus and brioche.
Villa Maria: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Sourced from vineyards across the Marlborough region, this intense Sauvignon Blanc is alive with a myriad of flavours dominated by gooseberry, passionfruit, fresh citrus and herbaceous aromas.
A sensational choice for your winter dinner party or special occasion, the ‘Catena Alta’ Historic Rows malbec 2017 from the legendary Catena label is our best malbec for 2021. has gorgeous, rich, blueberry and cassis flavours, a hint of spice and a long, satisfying, plummy finish: a level of sophistication and elegance that is often only found in wines twice the price. A great wine for a winter dinner party.
The scent of Christmas – The White Company
Look After Your Guests Who Are Driving or Who Don’t Drink.
Finally there are some delicious drinks on the market for those who don’t wish to drink Alcohol. Hurrah! If you’ve not tried No 1 Living Drinks yet, then this is your message to do just that! In my opinion, they are the best wellness and alcohol free products on the market.
The Rose Blush Sparkling Kombucha is delicately balanced with rose extract, for a grown-up taste without the alcohol. Hand-crafted using natural ingredients, with all the same health benefits and live cultures that help you maintain a happy and healthy gut.
No.1 Living Brewery – Citrus Hops is refreshingly light, with a subtle earthiness of bitter hops blended with a citrus burst of lemon, our Citrus Hops is completely alcohol-free! Delicious sipped straight from the bottle, or served over ice with a twist of lemon or orange.
I feel so much better welcoming guests when I know we can have all angles covered and our guests will be able to enjoy If you’d like to try No I Living Drinks, which incidentally is founded by Jonny Wilkinson, former England Rugby legend, you’ll be able to receive a 15% discount when you use the code “womanonamission15” at the checkout. You won’t regret it.
“My secret to Christmas this year, as it is every year, is my to-do list. I’m always in charge if preparing the lunch – I like to think of it as simply a big roast dinner”
Mary berry
Christmas Day Preparation.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I prep as much as possible including writing a menu plan, a shopping list for fresh products and equally what I can organise in advance that don’t have any time restraints. The week before the big day, I potter, (ha in-between swimming taxi and other life events, much like everyone else!) doing little jobs in the kitchen, whilst I’m preparing every day meals, so that Christmas Day is kept stress free and smooth!
Vegetables
Crunchy Roast Potatoes
Like Mary Berry, I’ve always thought of Christmas lunch as if I’m planning a roast – the pressure is immediately removed!
Whenever I prepare a Sunday roast, I always peel double the amount of potatoes required and use this method With my roast potatoes, so I always have some in the freezer. Christmas is no exception!
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you how to cook roast potatoes, however I’m sharing how I save time and to help you have a stress free Christmas Day so here goes!
Peel and cut your potatoes into a size similar to the image on the left. Parboil them for approximately 5-7 minutes, drain and shake in a colander to fluff the edges. Pop them onto kitchen roll and dab dry.
Tip onto a roasting tin and season with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of plain flour, now put into the freezer overnight. When frozen, pop them into a freezer bag, (Remember to date!)
On Christmas Day, take the potatoes out of the freezer and cook as you would normally. Heating 3-4 tablespoons of goose fat, add the frozen potatoes, coat and season. Cook for about an hour, depending on size, turning from time to time, until golden and crisp.
4 large parsnips (about 500g), peeled and cut into 5cm strips
3tbsp of sunflower oil
25g of semolina
1tbsp of paprika
1tbsp of chopped fresh thyme
Method
Cook the parsnips in boiling water for four minutes. Drain and leave to cool
Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C fan/Gas 7. Add a tablespoon of oil to a roasting tin and place in the oven for five minutes to get hot.
Add the remaining oil to a bowl. Season the parsnips with salt and black pepper and toss in the oil to coat.
Mix together the semolina, paprika and thyme in a small bowl. Add to the parsnips and mix well to coat them in the mixture.
(At this point, I do exactly as I do with the potatoes, pop in the freezer until the big day.)
Place the parsnips in one layer in the tin with the hot oil and roast for about 20 minutes, turning over halfway through the cooking time, until golden and crisp.
Sprouts!
Love them or loathe them, they have to feature don’t they?!
These should be cooked at the very last minute but can be prepared a day ahead and kept in a freezer bag in the fridge.
Cook in boiling water for 5-6 minutes, and season with salt and pepper and a dash of butter.
If you’d like to go for a little more glamour, stir fry sliced sprouts with bacon lardons, and or chestnuts.
Honey Roasted Carrots
A great side dish to any roast, or with Christmas dinner, these thyme-speckled honey roasted carrots are cooked to enhance their natural sweetness. This recipe from Justine at the Good Food Guide is simple yet full of flavour.
1 kg/2lb 4oz small carrots such as Chantenay or baby carrots
2 tbsps olive
3 tbsp clear honey
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Method
Preheat the oven to 200C/ 180C Fan/Gas 6. Trim the carrots and peel, if you prefer. Cut any particularly large carrots in half lengthways.
Place on a large baking tray and pour over the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss well and roast for 15–25 minutes, or until almost tender and lightly browned. (The time will depend on how thick the carrots are.) Whisk the honey and lemon juice together.
Take the tin out of the oven and drizzle over the honey and lemon mixture. Pick the thyme leaves off the sprigs and scatter over. Toss lightly and return to the oven for a further 8–10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and glossy.
Neptune always brings a special touch to Christmas
“Christmas is about sharing our homes with the people who matter to us the most. And a little planning goes a long way in making every room sparkle, cosset and glow.
From the thoughtful touches to the most memorable moments, we’re all set to help you make your home a place of celebration, comfort and joy this season.”
Neptune
Lemon and Cranberry Possets
This is an absolutely delicious desert at any time, but is special for Christmas too. Light and super easy to make. Make in advance to serve on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Ingredients
Makes 6-8
1 1/2 pints double cream
9oz caster sugar
Juice of 3 lemons
handful of cranberries
Method
Boil cream and sugar for 2 minutes. Add lemon juice.
Put Cranberries in the bottom of your pretty individual serving glasses. ( 6-8)
Pour mixture over the top. Refrigerate until set. Serve chilled.
Chocolate Roulade
A firm Mary Berry favourite in our house for any celebrations and especially at Christmas. This is perfectly light dessert and a lovely alternative to the Christmas Pudding.
It’s very easy to make, can be made 24 hours ahead or can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
175g (6oz) plain chocolate
175g (6oz) caster sugar
6 eggs, separated.
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted.
300ml (1/2 pint) double cream
icing sugar
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas 4Lightly grease a 33x23cm swill roll tin and line with non-stick baking parchment, pushing it into the corners.
Break the chocolate into small pieces into a bowl and stand the bowl over a pan of hot water, the bowl must not touch the water or the chocolate may overheat. Place the pan over a low heat until the chocolate has melted. Allow to cool.
Measure the sugar and egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk on a high speed until light and creamy. Add the cooled chocolate and stir until evenly blended.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Stir a large spoonful of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Mix gently, fold in the remaining egg white and the sieved cocoa powder. Spread evenly in the prepared tin. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until firm.
Remove the cake from the oven, leave in the tin, cover with a dry tea towel and leave until cold.
Whip the cream until it just holds its shape and dust a large piece of greaseproof paper with sifted icing sugar. Turn out the roulade and peel of the greaseproof paper. Spread with the cream. Roll up very tightly like a Swiss roll using the paper to help. Don’t worry if the roulade cracks, a good one should! Dust with more sifted icing sugar to serve.
(If you’re planning to freeze, omit the final icing sugar until you’re ready to serve.)
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”
Edna ferber
Garden Trading Company
“Christmas is a together-y sort of holiday.”
Winnie the pooh
Remember the most important thing about this time of year is spending time with your loved ones and not stressing about the gravy! Be kind to yourself! Have a glass of something special, relax and enjoy your day.
Let me know in the comments what your best preparation for Christmas is and what you might try from this Blog.
Creating a routine each morning that works for you, which in turn helps you boost your productivity, makes all the difference to your day.
However, it is tempting to stay under the duvet as the mornings are that much darker! The consequences of tapping that snooze button once or maybe three times, are that an already busy hour becomes even more chaotic.
How have your mornings been going this week..?
Let’s start slow before we make any adjustments..
What does your routine look like at the moment?
How would you like it to look in comparison?
Grab a cuppa and 5 minutes to scribble anything that comes into your mind in your journal.
It helps to have a clear vison of the now and the wish..
I know it sounds crazy but writing it down brings a clearer idea of what you are striving to achieve.
Do you wake up every morning full of vigour, ready to tackle the day with all of your energy, youthfulness and vitality?
No? Well, if it helps, you’re not alone. Promise!
Many of us virtually sleepwalk through the morning in a serious mental and physical fog, desperately plying ourselves with coffee in an attempt to wake up!
If this sounds like you, you might think you’re just not a morning person, and there’s nothing you can do about it. This isn’t the case.
While it’s true we all have varying predispositions to being either a “night owl” or a “morning person” it is possible to boost your morning energy, with a few simple strategies.
Going to a room that’s inviting and calm to sleep really does have a positive impact on a productive day.
Get A Good Nights Sleep.
Obvious I know, a good nights sleep increases productivity to function at our best and most of us need around 8 hours of sleep each night. If this sounds too good to be true, here are a few tips:
Establish a routine.
What does your routine look like at the moment?
Go to sleep and wake up at roughly the same time each day.
Your body loves routine, and sleeping similar hours each day helps adjust your circadian rhythms, so that you naturally fall asleep and wake up refreshed.
Vigorous exercise or mentally stressful activities in the last hour or two before bedtime, can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.
Chill out and relax before you go to bed. Watching Squid Game in bed isn’t the answer to relaxed sleeping, sorry!
The body responds to light and it is much easier to sleep in a completely dark room. Light can actually interfere with the body’s production of melatonin, a neurotransmitter which helps us sleep. Keep electronics and low lighting from alarm clocks to a minimum, especially your mobile phone. In an ideal world, it should be left outside your bedroom.
Start your morning right with a healthy, feel good breakfast.
Eat A Healthy Breakfast.
One of the main causes of low energy in the morning is low blood sugar due to the overnight fast and in addition to skipping breakfast.
We know this don’t we but eating a balanced breakfast, with a source of protein, whole grain carbohydrates, and fruits or vegetables prevents that mid morning slump and reaching for the biscuit barrell.
Avoiding sugary, highly processed carbs each morning, which trigger rapid peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels, means that those dips in energy will be gone and your productivity on point!
Avoid Excessive Caffeine And Alcohol.
Many of us feel dependent on the caffeine in tea or coffee, to get us through the morning. It does indeed provide a temporary boost, although this boost isn’t always as effective as you’d first think. Excessive caffeine can impair your ability to relax and it can interfere with your usual sleep patterns too. Alcohol on the other hand, tends to disturb your sleep cycle, leading to frequent waking, a poor night’s sleep overall and maybe even adding to that foggy head in the morning!
I’ve been loving these non alcoholic drinks which I’ve been switching for a glass of fizz – they are super yummy and low in sugar too.
Exercise In The Morning
One of the best ways to boost your morning energy, and ability to concentrate, is to get some exercise first thing in the morning. It was one of the many reasons I ran my fitness camps in the mornings at 6am and 9am.
Exercise helps improve your circulation, strength and flexibility, as well as your mood.
Exercising before work also gives you more energy on the job, while boosting your creativity.
As an added bonus, many studies have shown that people who exercise in the morning are the most consistent at staying with their exercise plan.
Waiting to exercise in the afternoon or evening, problems or scheduling conflicts often occur and prevent you from getting your workout in. (I know I’m guilty of this!)
Going for a morning walk, jog, swim session, or working out in your own home ensures that no matter what else happens that day, you’ve already had a chance to exercise. No excuses, hehe!
On a side note if my workout gear is all ready to go, prepped the night before, there is another little nudge to getting it done! Especially if you have arrange to workout with a friend.
Start your morning at the day ready to be productive
Creating A Morning Ritual Helps With Productivity
Try getting into the habit of starting your day with a relaxing ritual. Bare with me, especially if your morning this morning started with the alarm not going off and everyone charging out of the door clutching shoes and toast..!
Start slow but aim high – little by little introduce the above tips and it’ll happen! Promise!
I love to set my alarm that little bit earlier and head out for a walk in the Devon lanes, meditate or stretch. I know that might sound a little strange but I am SO much more productive for doing so.
Taking time out to simply be thankful for the day ahead, listening to uplifting music will help you to feel more in control of your day and set you up to deal with whatever life throws at you.
Remember, dreary, sleepy, foggy mornings don’t have to be the norm… With a little planning and preparation, you can start your day full of energy, enthusiasm and vitality!
Let’s make those little adjustments to a calmer and more efficient life without adding more!
This little hike from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove along the South West Coast Path in South West Devon is one of my favourite walks. It lies in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with the stunning views, you can see why.
This walk is a 1.6km moderately easy route, with an incline of 52m. (We love to walk into Hope Cove and back again, which equates to approx 3km)
The South Milton to Hope Cove is route popular with bird watchers, hikers and walkers. The path is mostly exposed so be mindful of the Devon sunshine and winds in the cooler months.
Getting There
By Train: The closest stations are Ivybridge 14 miles away and Totnes 17 miles away.
By Bus: Buses to South Milton and Thurlestone run from Kingsbridge. The 606 TALLY HO! service runs from Kingsbridge on the hour, taking around 6 minutes and dropping passengers 1 mile outside of South Milton.
By Car: 4 miles outside Kingsbridge. From Kingsbridge take the A381 towards Salcombe. Turn right to South Milton village, then turn left (signposted) to the beach. Please note, the approach road to the beach from the village of South Milton is a narrow lane with limited passing places.
Parking
Park at the National Trust car park at South Milton Sands. Remember your National Trust Card if you’re members and you’ll be able to park for free. It’s a small car park and can get really busy especially during the holidays, so plan your arrival time.
Maps
The route (below) can be found on the Ordnance Survey maps. Ordnance Survey have created an app so you can have unlimited OS Explorer and Landranger maps on any device making it easy for you to explore the great outdoors. (It even works when you are out of signal – perfect for our South West Coast path hikes!)
I’m an old fashioned girl and love the option to print out your own custom routes and maps to take with you so you are never stuck without a map. You can choose the scale, orientation and size that suits you. Always with a waterproof carrier, the Devon weather can be interchangeable! Find out what else I take with me on my hikes here.
The Route
The walk from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove, starts along the beautiful South Milton Beach or along the little main road if you prefer and is clearly signposted. Grid Reference: SX6769 4142
If you decide to start along the beach, be sure to take a look at the well known Thurlestone Rock. It’s a spectacular rock off the coast in the shape of an arch.
Follow the path, keeping the sea to your right. As the road comes to a bend veering left, follow the path to the right which takes you towards the sea and back to the coast path. You’ll be guided through a kissing gate and along a single file path past a house. (see below)
As the sea comes back into view, the path takes a gradually incline where the views become even more outstanding. this area is known as the Great Ledge. Looking back along the path, you’ll be able to see Burgh Island and the famous Burgh Island Hotel and on an extremely clear day, out to see you’ll be able to spotthe lighthouse right out to sea.
The South West Coast path is narrow at times so single file is required. As you head out of South Milton you’ll notice a slow gradual incline, maxing 52m. There are a couple of stunning benches along the way should you wish to stop, take a breather and admire the view.
As you continue towards Hope Cove, there is a little decline before your final little climb which brings to to your first sighting of beautiful Hope Cove. Here you’ll start the gradual decline down the coastal path towards Outer Hope. The last few metres of the path take you down some steps and onto the pavement leading to Hope Cove itself.
Hope Cove
Hope Cove is a beautiful seaside village, full of thatched cottages, two sheltered beaches and stunning views. It’s what springs to mind when we think of the old fashioned “chocolate box” . Here you’ll find rock pools, kayakers and stand up paddle boarders, together with a couple of places to quench your thirst and take care of your appetite, before either resting and taking in the view or heading back to South Milton Sands.
This walk from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove is forever a favourite of ours and I hope you can see why. Have you ever walked this part of the South West Coast Path? I hope I’ve inspired you visit this beautiful stretch of the Devon Coastline. I’d love to know in the comments.
Trim the meats and cut into 5cm (2in) pieces.
