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We’ve bought the presents, sung the songs, glazed the ham, stuffed the turkey, prepared the puddings, sampled the shortbread and sneaked a few chocolates. Everything is ready… for what? Take a moment to remember the true reason for this celebration – the first ever Christmas gift from God to us – his son Jesus. This verse from the Bible explains it all: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world…” John 3:17

I hope you have a fun day with good food, family and friends. Happy Christmas!!

Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over a green salad of fresh leaves, avocado, cucumber and thinly sliced pear. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This salad tastes great and looks wonderful on the Christmas table.

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“If your grandmother wouldn’t recognise it don’t eat too much of it.” This is one of the teen-speak gems on ‘It’s my turn to cook’ – an e-cookbook launched this week by Claire Gourley and her mum. It could be just the thing for a last minute Christmas present for that hard-to-buy-for teen. It has simple recipes, demos of the difficult bits, healthy eating tips and all the techno stuff that teens are into. Who knows… it might help them into the kitchen and out of the burger bar. As Claire says, “Fact: too much junk food gives you a big bum”!

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Flat out at work? No time to get into the Christmas mood? Wondering how you’ll make it through five more weeks of kids bickering and complaining? Wishing you drove a truck so you could ‘accidentally’ reverse into that rude car that just stole your car park? Counting the items in each person’s grocery basket as they go through the ‘maximum 12’ checkout? Grumpy? Frantic? Stressed? Try changing your wallpaper. Not in your home, on your computer.

I’ve found some neat Christmas wallpaper that is sure to put you in the Christmas mood each time you sit at the computer. That is, unless you have a serious case of pre-Christmas-itis. In that case I suggest sleep for 4 days. When you wake up, it will all be over!