Christmas Catalogue 2022

Havingasafe Christmas

Avoid trips to the local emergency room this festive season

According to the Australian Medical Association, the Christmas/New Year period sees a noticeable spike in people presenting to their local emergency departments with injuries.

This can be anything from food poisoning to broken bones to wounds needing stitches and others.

With Aussies relaxing, drinking more alcohol, and participating in more risky activities during the festive period, it makes sense that things can go wrong – but most accidents are preventable.

Here are some tips to making sure your Christmas is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Mindthestep

Decorating-related injuries are commonplace during the festive season, due to people needing to get up off the ground to retrieve decorations from storage, hanging lights outside, and decking out the Christmas tree. Avoid using chairs, boxes and other workarounds that may not be stable or could slip on the floor, and use a ladder wherever possible.

Ensure you check your surroundings and make sure there’s another person around who can assist you or come to your aid quickly if things start looking shaky.

It’s also best practice to wait for that welldeserved mulled wine until after the decorating is done, as alcohol can affect your reflexes.

Lightitup

You’d be surprised how many people get electric shocks from Christmas lights annually.

Always check for frayed cords, broken or loose bulbs and other suspect conditions on your lights before installing them, and make sure the power point isn’t being overloaded. While most Aussies have a synthetic tree for Christmas, in the off chance you have a live tree this year, make sure you remember to unplug the lights before you water it.

Speaking of which, if you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s out of the way of your exits and doorways, and not near any heat surfaces or fire hazards.

Watchtheliquor

Watch how much you’re drinking, and if you’re cooking or preparing food it’s best to wait for a glass of red until you’re done to avoid avoidable knife slips.

If you’re in the pool or swimming, keep in

Takecarewhenhangingfairylights.

mind that this often leads to dehydration which increases the effects of alcohol. Be aware of where the bottles, cans and glasses are around you as well.

If you’ve got kids around, ensure they can’t sneak a sip during the event or from leftbehind cups first-thing in the morning before you get a chance to tidy up.

Finally, keep an eye on where the cork could end up when popping open the champagne – you don’t want anyone with a black eye!

Deckthehalls

Often, the baubles, tinsel and other decorations can be the last place we expect danger.

However, particularly when children and pets are involved, they can be quite the hazard.

Avoid hanging decorations that look like food or are small enough to choke on, and keep them out of reach of children as much as possible.

Glass ornaments can break easily, and often the paint and glitter used to decorate ornaments is toxic as well, so be extra vigilant if bub is at the stage where they put everything in their mouth.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov22–Dec21

Don’t know what to get a Sagittarian for Christmas? It is so easy – I mean hints have been dropping all year. Maybe you didn’t pick up on them? Shoes and jewellery are also top of the list, especially if the jewellery is of sentimental value. Family is key so perhaps a great family holiday where you can enjoy being with each other. Beautifully framed photos of a precious moment in time will put a huge smile on their face, plus imagine the brownie points you will earn with the right gift. Take time to think about the gift from the heart – mess this up and you could be in the doghouse.

CAPRICORN

Dec22–Jan20

Capricorns are set in their ways, liking nothing to change, but change is needed: it could be tickets to a sporting event they love or take to the skies for an adventure holiday. Perhaps rock climbing would be an adventure that might just tick the boxes. Very organised, Capricorns sometimes have a tendency to be a workaholic; arriving early, staying late. Look at a way that perhaps would give them direction and clarity. Deep down they do like to live on the edge, so perhaps a few laps around a V8 Supercar track could be the adrenaline pump they need.

AQUARIUS

Jan21–Feb18th

Aquarius; the water bearer, they have energy to burn – loving nothing more than cycling, surfing, running … You name it, there will be an Aquarian that is looking for a new adventure in their Christmas stocking this year. So maybe despite a little resistance, tickets to an undisclosed destination where they can swim in the ocean, go white water rafting (the thrill is real). They may seem meek and mild but underneath is the soul of a warrior just busting to cut loose. Bungy jumping is good for the soul. It will certainly give them a different perspective on the world.

PISCES

Feb19–Mar19

Great gift idea for Pisces? Water features are soothing to feel the calming influence of the water trickling. And while they love their solitude, it is always helpful to maybe give a gift of solitude – a spa retreat so they can spend time getting back to nature. They also like to lose themselves in books, becoming one with the characters. Being able to have a special book reading nook would be welcome: somewhere they can go when the going gets tough. Amethyst is the birthstone so crystals or jewellery with the colours and stones are also a big hit.

ARIES

Mar20–Apr18

Aries: the ram – what can we say? They are independent, survivalists relying on their wit to keep them a step ahead of the flock. They are holiday seekers, as the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, as they say.

Impulsive, they can pick up and go travelling at the drop of a hat so a sturdy suitcase will be a hit – has to be classy though, they would not want to go through customs with just any old bag. A good quality camera so they can snap their happy hearts away enjoying the spoils of their travels.

TAURUS

Apr19–May20

Bulls can be a little difficult to buy for as they have eclectic tastes in food, wine and good times. A wine cabinet would be a great way to start off so they can build up their collection. They love to cook so make sure any cookery items come with a multitude of functions. They might not get used but it is always a good sign to have them there just in case.

Taurus also likes to potter about starting a garden to save money so they can spend it on other areas of interest. Maybe a tasting night at a high end restaurant would be a great gift for them to savour.

GEMINI

May21–Jun20

Ahhh the twins sign of the Zodiac: two personalities which can be a little tricky. One minute they are off exploring the unknown, then the next they are content sitting at home surrounded by the comforts of home.

They love to solve puzzles or surprise them with a trip to an undisclosed destination.

Geminis are creative so think about where their passions lie. If it is cooking then perhaps a Gordon Ramsay cookbook? Prepare to hear swearing and plates being hurled across the kitchen, but the culinary masterpiece once complete will be well worth the wait.

CANCER

Jun21–Jul21

Cancer loves to daydream about big opportunities so gift giving for this star sign could be a little troublesome as they do flit from fad to fad. However they do like to indulge their senses in the pleasurable joys in life.

Gift certificates won’t cut it for a Cancerian but they do love money; cold hard cash will win them over every time. Splurging on the finest wares they may appear fickle but believe me they know exactly what they want and know how to get it.

LEO

Jul22–Aug22

Leo people are easy to buy for: they love shiny things just like all cats and they have a curious mind also. So jewellery that sparkles and shines, wind chimes are melodic and will aid in putting energetic pussy cats to sleep.

They love comfort so cushions and bed linen; they love to imagine they are staying in a five star motel even though they are not.

Books will also let them escape into another world to escape the dull and dreary with decadent and delicious.

VIRGO

Aug23–Sep23

Virgo love to be super organised, expecting the rest of their family to be as well – so it is no surprise they have shopped early.

Virgos are born of the land so books on gardening or helping to set up a self help garden will really wow them.

They need to feel they are going to make a difference in this lifetime so think long and hard about encouraging them to write stories that will resonate with their own personal journey.

They do like to dance and have fun so perhaps tickets to a stage show or music festival would be a great hit.

LIBRA

Sept23–Oct22

One of the easiest signs in the Zodiac to buy for, they are the tightrope walkers, the balancing acts so anything where they can leave their mark would be welcome. Perhaps a donation to a wildlife fund on their behalf. They fight for the underdog, the down and out so perhaps a superhero outfit as they do have a dark sense of humour. Puzzles, word games, sudoku, they devour mind stimulation so they need to be kept active or else they could end up jumping on your lounge, yelling “I am bored!”.

SCORPIO

Oct23–Nov21

A Scorpio is in love with love. Romance is a big part of their wellbeing so romantic candles, bubble bath, day spa trips for those great muscle relaxing massages will make Scorpio glow with delight. Surprise with a mystery flight to somewhere special where you can wine, dine and spend time getting to know each other like in the romance novels. Scorpios also love excitement so going down a highway in a convertible with hair blowing in the wind, music pumping out should bring a grin from ear to ear. Be daring – lingerie is always a favourite, just make sure it is from an up-market lingerie boutique; no Target for this girl.

One of the most common problems people experience when it comes to their alcohol intake, especially at this time of year, is never finding the right time to drink less or take a break from the booze.

It seems there is always something on, whether it be professionally or personally. There is always a tough day to deal with or a social event demanding the need to enjoy a beverage.

So, it invites one of the most common questions we receive at Drink Less Feel Fresh: when is the best time to change your relationship with alcohol?

And the answer has remained the same.

The best time to change your relationship with alcohol, ironically, is when it’s apparently the worst time to drink less alcohol: birthdays; weddings; Christmas; New Year’s Eve; holidays.

If you can lower your alcohol intake and

stick to your commitments when the social pressure or benchmark to drink is most high, you’ll be a big step ahead of the curb.

Many people don’t realise they have less of a problem with alcohol than they think.

The problem is less about the habitual behaviour of reaching for a glass of wine and more about the inability to stand out from the crowd, especially if you find yourself drinking in social situations even when you wish you weren’t drinking, and here’s why.

We have a deep desire and need to be connected to those around us. It’s what supports us to feel safe enough to share who we are, to feel connected and safe enough to share our identity with the world.

There is also a very fine line to walk between, remaining connected to what we have experienced and how we have behaved in the past and challenging the status quo, standing out from the crowd, and daring to be more than we were yesterday.

So, it only makes sense that during certain times of the year, it may feel more difficult to drink less.

Whenever there is a social expectation to drink or an assumption alcohol should be consumed, you will feel most challenged to say no. Not because you don’t know how to

say no to alcohol, but because you don’t know how to say no to certain people or events where you, in the past, would always say yes. Which really means, there is a completely new way to look at this.

Rather than worrying about saying no to alcohol, begin focusing on your ability to say yes to the new version of you.

So, coming back to the question which intrigued your curious mind – when is the best time to change your relationship with alcohol? – the answer is and always will be, the best time to change your relationship with alcohol is when you feel it will be the hardest.

If you back yourself to drink less alcohol when you feel it will be most difficult, you won’t only change your relationship with alcohol, chances are, you’ll come out the other side feeling more freedom than you ever thought possible: the freedom to act and behave regardless of the external expectations or assumptions people might have on you.

5keysstrategiesthatmightjusthelp youcrossthefinishline,instyle! 1. Make your decision in advance. Do not wait until the event to see how you feel. Chances

are on the day, you’ll feel like a drink. You don’t want your life to be decided by how you feel in the moment.

2. Have an exit strategy. The number one reason we drink is to deal with how we feel, and the number one factor that influences how we feel is our environment. Never get stuck in a space you no longer want to be in just because you clicked attending. Give yourself permission, in advance, to leave as early as you like.

3

. Say No thanks, not this year. If it comes down to attending an event and breaking your commitment to yourself, or not attending and sticking to your commitment, don’t attend.

4

. Don’t only be designated driver, organise who wants lifts to the event. Feeling significant and knowing you have purpose within the social group creates huge connection and confidence. It’s also a sneaky way of having your peers support and even get excited for you being sober .

5

. Plan a fun activity for yourself. Specifically, after the event or the next day. If not drinking at the event will be difficult for you, chances are, you’ll be slightly uncomfortable during the event. So, plan yourself a fun activity you can do after the event or the next morning.

Keepingyour stomachssafe

Many of us have left our guards down when it comes to silly-season dining and paid the price. Here are some helpful tips on food safety practices to avoid robbing yourself of the season’s fun.

Keep it cool

Perishable foods such as chicken, ham, and seafood warm up even quicker than normal on hot days, so it’s important to ensure the food temperature remains below five degrees.

It’s also vital that you don’t overstock your fridge and freezer food, as this won’t allow the cool air to circulate freely and food cannot be

Christmas leftovers should be handled — and eaten — with care to avoid getting sick,

poisoning. As a general rule, consume any

hours it should be okay to put back in the fridge to eat later, so long as it hasn’t been sitting in the sun.

Never eat perishable food or leftovers that have been unrefrigerated for more than four hours especially salads, dips, pate, dairy products, raw egg products, meat, poultry, seafood or rice.

As a general rule, don’t leave nibbles like dips and soft cheese out above five degrees for more than two hours.

Cook safely

As well as the obvious washing your hands before preparing any food, there are other steps you can take to keep food safe for eating while you cook.

Use a thermometer when cooking poultry, minced meats, sausages and tenderised meats to check they have reached 75 degrees in the centre before serving.

Also, don’t allow cooked meals to cool on the bench. As soon as the steam stops rising, they should be placed in the fridge or freezer in a leak-proof container.

Sticky roast pumpkin & fig salad

Fig jam makes these roast pumpkin wedges extra sticky and delicious!

Ingredients

● 800g kent pumpkin, deseeded, cut into thin wedges

● 1 tbsp fig jam

● 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra, to serve

● 300g baby green beans, trimmed

● 6 dried figs, thickly sliced

● 200g gluten-free hummus

● 130g (1/2 cup) Greek-style yoghurt

● 105g (1 cup) store-bought roasted chickpeas (see notes)

● 2 tbsp gluten-free pistachio dukkah

● Fresh mint leaves, to serve

Quickpickles

● 1 Lebanese cucumber, thinly sliced

● 4 small radishes, thinly sliced

● 80ml (1/3 cup) white vinegar

● 2 tsp caster sugar

Method

Step1

pumpkin in a single layer on the prepared tray. Brush the pumpkin with the jam and drizzle with the oil. Season. Roast for 45 minutes or until tender and starting to caramelise.

Step2

Add the beans and dried fig to the tray. Roast for a further 15-20 minutes or until the pumpkin is golden and sticky, and the beans are golden and tender.

Step3

Meanwhile, for the quick pickles, place the cucumber and radish in a bowl and season. Combine the vinegar and sugar in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables and toss to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to pickle. Drain.

Step4

Spread the hummus over a large serving platter and swirl through the yoghurt. Top with the roast pumpkin wedges, beans, fig and chickpeas. Top with the pickles and sprinkle with dukkah and mint leaves. Drizzle with extra oil.

Notes: Make your own roasted chickpeas by spreading drained and rinsed canned chickpeas over a lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and

Pie maker fruit mince pies

Ingredients

● 4 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry, just thawed

● 410g jar fruit mince

● Icing sugar, to dust

● Double cream, to serve (optional)

Method

Step1

Roll out dough slightly between two sheets of baking paper until slightly larger. Use pie maker pastry cutter to cut eight large and eight small circles from the pastry dough. Press four large dough circles into the pie holes. Spoon enough fruit mince over the pastry to come to the top. Top with the four small dough circles. Turn on the pie maker. Close and cook for 12-15 minutes or until pastry is crisp. Set aside to cool.

Step2