It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…yes, really it is! I know some of you right now are thinking ‘Amy, please don’t talk about Christmas yet, it’s only November 28th – wait it’s November 28th!’
Well, sorry, I’m not sorry. I am the child of two of the most Christmas-loving people on the planet. By this Sunday afternoon our house will be smothered in Christmas decorations. My Dad has been working super hard all year on his Christmas display and I can’t wait to see it all finally in place. Mum has amassed the most gorgeously curated collection of Christmas ornaments, plates, garlands and wall hangings over the years and not a cranny of the house will be without at least a paper snowflake. I can’t wait to sit back with a mug of tea, perhaps a few biscuits (of an appropriately Christmassy shape) and watch the lights twinkle on the tree while listening to Ann and Kenny croon.
Mama and Papa by the Brisbane City tree last year
With all the Christmas love in my heart it’s no wonder that in my recent wanderings around the web I have spotted some holiday appropriate Nourished Finds.
Nourished Eats
At the moment I want to eat all the vegetables and all the fruits. I also want to eat all the sweet stuff that I can visualise coming out of my kitchen in the next month. Therefore I am trying to stick closely to an 80:20 balance; 80% good yummy vegetarian whole foods and 20% scrumptious treats. Until we get to Christmas Eve, but that’s a different story.
So some clean eats to fuel my runs: let’s talk about the Green Powerhouse Pesto Plate from the ever-glowing Angela at Oh She Glows; or maybe some Summer Day Soup (even though it’s hot outside I still feel like soup); and I can imagine these protein-packed Omelette Wraps would make a delicious light dinner.
And these 80% things mean I can launch into Christmas appropriate 20% things like these festively bright Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, Gingerbread Waffles, or some Truffled Popcorn while watching some of my favourite Christmas movies.
Nourishing Movement
Summer is here, and that means many things including sleeveless and strapless items on high rotation in my wardrobe. While I have maintained my running fitness through winter, and I attempted to keep up strength training, I definitely need some help in the arm department. And this kettlebell routine looks good for days when I want a workout but have limited time. Or perhaps a Christmas-themed workout would be more appropriate? I like this one from Spark People – I would definitely want some gingerbread waffles as a reward after those tinsel twists!
Nourished Mind
In between parties and family celebrations the Christmas season is a great time for ‘doing nothing’. I have trouble ‘doing nothing’ and Chris is probably the best person at helping me to just lie down, relax, and think about nothing for a while. This article from Psychology Today is an important reminder to just relax and allow our minds to rest from the constant barrage of information that we all face in contemporary society.
I wasn’t sure where to put this but I have to share this man’s amazing pancake art! I would love an Aladdin shaped pancake to start my day.
Sea Ranch house (2010) (source)
After my date with Dad a few weekend’s ago, I wish we could go to this presentation at the Getty Center about Everyday Modernism in the California Landscape, but I think a 13-hour international flight might be a little too far…
Santa If You’re Listening…
I know it’s a little greedy to ask for an apartment in Paris where I can watch the world go by and eat my body weight in cheese, so I’m just going to put this print on my list instead (we can get to that apartment next year).
I love handwriting letters to people near and far, so perhaps a pretty little stationery set Santa? Then I could thank you in writing.
Or, you could get me a duck, well not technically me, but Oxfam will buy a duck for a family in Bangladesh who can use the money raised from selling its eggs to send their children to school. So Santa – put a smile under the tree for me instead of a gift this year.
So friends, what have you found lately? Any early Christmas plans/recipes you want to share? What shape would your ultimate pancake art pancake be? Mine is most definitely going to be a pug face.
