Latest News - November/December             12 steps to a healthier festive season ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS my true love gave to me... acute influenza and an infectious cold sore! Yes, it’s that time of year when thoughts turn to gifts, carol singing, peace, goodwill, excessive alcohol consumption, family rows and indigestion. Make your festive season a healthy one by following these 12 easy steps to a healthy Christmas and an even healthier new year... 1 - Protect your liver Milk Thistle can aid the liver to recover from over-zealous celebrations. Research indicates that Milk thistle offers protection from liver damage. The detrimental effects of environmental toxins, alcohol and medication may be countered with this valuable herb. 2 - Anxiety and depression Consider St John’s Wort, Vervain, Avena sativa or Rhodiola to help with post-holiday depression syndrome (PHDS). The ‘come down’ after the Christmas holidays can be excessively depressing, as can spending a lot of time with close family. 3 - Energy and stamina Be cautious of using stimulants to keep you going over the holidays, these leave your adrenal system exhausted and can lead to long-term problems. However, there is a herbal remedy from Siberia called Rhodiola rosea that actually supports the adrenal glands, working with the body to reduce stress and boost energy. It has been shown to increase stamina, alleviate mild depression and even increase libido in both men and women. 4 - Avoid infections Echinacea and Oregon Grape both boost the immune system to help fight off infections – especially when you are in close contact with family, children or perhaps in very crowded night clubs. Burning the candle at both ends will suppress the immune system and allow infections to take hold. 5 - Stomach aids Eaten too much over Christmas? Look out for a high potency Digestive Aid with a powerful combination of enzymes to aid digestion and relieve bloating. Probiotic formulas restore the right balance of good bacteria to aid digestion and boost immunity. 6 - For starters Instead of the usual Prawn Cocktail, try something with a bit of extra nutrition. Beetroot and Avocado salad Mix up the dressing of olive oil, hemp oil and balsamic vinegar with a teaspoon of Viridian’s 100% Organic Green Food Blend. Shake in a screw top jar. Pour it over a combination of spinach leaf, avocado and chopped fresh cooked beetroot. This is rich in essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals. 7 - And the main course This particular vegetarian alternative to the traditional turkey will be popular with the carnivores too. Cashew Nut Roast Fling onions, garlic, tomatoes, chopped nuts, cashew nuts and olive oil into a pan, stir fry gently until the onion, garlic and tomatoes are soft. Add dried breadcrumbs and an egg, plus passata or tomato juice until it is moist. Bung in the oven for around an hour in a loaf tin. Protein, calcium and vitamin-rich. Serve with a hot and spicy sauce made with onions, garlic, olive oil, tinned tomatoes and Viridian’s 100% Organic Red Food Blend. Delicious! For your vegetables, choose broccoli, brussels, leeks and carrots—these are rich in sulphoraphane, carotenoids, sulphur and antioxidants. Offering you heart and cell protection. 8 - Just desserts Just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it has to taste disgusting! Go for a good quality Organic Chocolate Mousse. Chocolate is rich in iron and a number of phytochemicals, which can offer antioxidant protection. 9 - Take a walk on the wild side Get out in the fresh air, and not just to wander along to the pub. National Trust gardens, RSPB reserves and other wild and open spaces need your support. Get out there for a long stroll with the kids, dogs and OAPs. It will give your heart and waistline a workout and it will also help release any pent up stresses and avoid nasty arguments. 10 - Give the TV a rest Invest some time in your partner, kids, close friends, family or yourself. Really listen to the others around you before you try to answer them. Listen to what is in your heart and try to enjoy the very moment you are experiencing. This Christmas will soon be over and so will the next and the next. Enjoy the moment—it is in this very instant that true joy can be found. 11 - Avoid and treat cold sores Cold sores are a viral infection, part of the herpes family and once you are infected, it remains in your system forever. Outbreaks of sores occur on the edge of the lips, especially when we are under stress, suffering with a cold, exposed to chill winds or bright sunshine. Cold sores are very infectious and you should avoid kissing friends and family until the sore has completely cleared. The amino acid, lysine, has been shown to prevent the recurrence of, and speed recovery from, cold sores. Another amino acid in the body, arginine, promotes the cold sore virus and lysine works by blocking the activity of arginine. Supplementing with lysine and reducing the intake of arginine-rich foods is an effective weapon against the cold sore virus. Foods to avoid if you do suffer with cold sores include: nuts and seeds and chocolate (shame about our recipe suggestions!). 12 - Make something With the orgy of spending at Christmas, it is fun to put away your cash and invest instead in some creativity. Bring out your inner child and the paints, knitting or dress patterns. It doesn’t matter how, but make sure you let your creativity fly over the Christmas break. Next year with a bit of practice, you could be making all your Christmas gifts! And finally Take it easy with the partying, dose up with a few vitamins, herbals and probiotics and come through the gruelling Christmas season to start a healthy and happy 2004 – and if all else fails book a holiday from December 23rd!