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BDA’s top five tips for a healthy festive season

slade

Okay folks!  It’s that time of year again.  You’ve got your perfect party gear hanging in the wardrobe, your social diary has never been so full, every night there’s another party to go to (but you’re recording Strictly on Saturdays as you can’t miss that!) and you’re good to go for another month of Christmas partying!

Christmas is the party highlight for many of us and chances are you have been good in the run-up to December because you want to eat and drink a bit more than usual.  That’s normal, but just a word of warning, without wanting to dampen the festivities: the Christmas season is notorious for unexpected weight gain.

It is believed and accepted by many that the average person may eat an estimated 500 additional calories (kcal) a day over the Christmas season, resulting in a possible weight gain of 5lb.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA), founded in 1936, is the professional association for dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with over 7,000 members.

 The BDA lists the top five tips to enjoying the festive party season while maintaining a healthy balance and a healthy body:

Eat hearty before the party!

Decide whether to fill up on food of your choice, or run the risk of a limited choice at the buffet table, usually consisting of fat-filled stodgy offerings like quiche, sausage rolls, pastries and deep-fried samosas, with copious amounts of mayo-enhanced dips.  Have something hearty, healthy and filling before you make your grand entrance, such as veg soup, low-fat hummus with oatcakes, fresh fruit and wholegrain cereal or a yogurt-based smoothie.  Also, this avoids drinking on an empty stomach and you won’t have to worry about spilling food over your best Christmas outfit!

Step to it!

If driving to your party, park a little further away and enjoy a brisk winter walk to the party, if you feel it’s safe to do so.  Not only will the walk be a good way to get a little exercise, it will also get the blood coursing through your veins and will inject you with a burst of energy.  Driving to the party also means you will avoid those calorific alcohol drinks and cocktails, but keep an eye on those soft drinks too as they can contain a lot of added sugar.  Go for a diet version if you can or add fizzy water to dilute juices and cordials.

Festive Fizz!

Noddy Holder and Slade are still being blasted at every single party you go to (please stop!!!).  Don’t let this, and that Mariah Carey offering, drive you to drink! Those inviting festive brightly-coloured cocktails are often full of added sugar, cream and hangover favourites, ‘congeners’ (mostly found in darker spirits like whisky and rum).  If you decide to drink try sticking to a refreshing white wine spritzer (less alcohol and fewer calories) and alternate your alcoholic drink with water, low calorie soft drinks or unsweetened fruit juice mixed with fizzy water.

Fill Your Festive Boots!

If you decide to eat at the party, go for the more healthy options, such as skinless chicken, salads without dressing, vegetable crudités with hummus.  Try to avoid creamy dips, mayo-loaded salads and fried foods, and the pastry offerings that will be in abundance.  Step away from temptation, visit only once and use a small dessert-sized plate.

Get Your Groove On!

Get those shoes to boogie the night away.  Hit the floor and bust some moves to all the Christmas classics such as Shakin’ Stevens, the Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl, East 17 and, undoubtedly, more Slade and Mariah!!!  Dancing is a great way of burning calories and it is also the perfect distraction from drinking and eating more.  Just remember to drink lots of water throughout the night to maintain your disco dancing prowess.

Giving her views on the Christmas party season, Sian Porter, consultant dietitians and BDA spokesperson said: “For many of us, myself included, the Christmas party season is the highlight of the year.  Not only is it a time of fun and celebration, it is often a time when we meet up with loved ones and family members that we have not seen all year.  However, with all the fun and partying it is really easy to lose track of all the extra calories we are eating.  Indeed, what fitted a treat on the 1st of December can become a little snug by the end of the month.

“It’s not about pouring water over the fun and festivities, it’s just about being a little mindful of what we consume during this festive season.  However you decide to approach the Christmas party season, the British Dietetic Association wishes everybody a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2014!”

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The most precious gift of all …

With Christmas less than two weeks away and still so much to do, it’s easy to forget the really important things – like giving blood.

So if you’re a blood donor, don’t forget to give the most precious gift of all over the holiday period. Grandad’s new slipppers can wait!

Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre
41 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9HB
Telephone: 0845 90 90 999
www.scotblood.co.uk/edinburgh 

View map and directions to donor centre

Opening Times:

Monday 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Thursday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
santas-from-across-the-country-are-lining-up-to-deliver-this-years-must-have-gift-136385577857514201

 

A nation divided …

… and it’s nothing to do with the Referendum!

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With Christmas just around the corner new research from Clydesdale Bank has shown that the nation is divided over the very thing that makes Christmas sparkle – this country’s love affair with outdoor festive lights!

Almost half of us (47%) said we love seeing lots of brightly lit Santas, snowmen and reindeers outside of houses at this time of year. However, almost a third have a more ‘bah humbug’ approach to lighting up the festive season.

The survey revealed that 14% of us think they are a waste of money and a further 11% actually wishing their neighbours wouldn’t decorate the outside of their homes. Nearly one in ten (8%) of those surveyed said they simply don’t like Christmas decorations while a sixth (15%) said they would like to put lights outside their home but the cost of powering them puts them off.

But despite mixed views the majority of the nation is getting into the festive spirit with 57% of us saying we are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

However this time of year is also proving to be stressful for some with almost a fifth of those surveyed admitting that they are worried about paying for Christmas and a further 19% stating that Christmas shopping is their least favourite part of the build-up to the big day.

Andrew Pearce, Retail Director for Clydesdale Bank, said: “Our research has shown that people either love or loathe outdoor Christmas lights.  Some view them as extravagant and an unnecessary waste of money and electricity whilst others enjoy the Christmas atmosphere they bring to the community.

“Whatever decorations you opt for this year, it’s still possible to have fun this festive season without blowing the budget.”

Clydesdale Bank’s simple tips to save money this Christmas:

  1. Set a budget – and stick to it. Work out how much you can afford to spend and don’t exceed this amount.
  2. Remember the most expensive present is not necessarily the best. Sometimes a more thoughtful, personal gift can be more appreciated. For example, new parents may prefer the offer of babysitting rather than more perfume or aftershave.
  3. Shop about – when you have decided what you want to buy, look for the best bargain. Many shops have sales in the run-up to Christmas, so pick your purchasing timing wisely.
  4. Group together – rather than buying gifts for every one of your friends individually, why not hold a secret Santa where each person buys for just one friend?
  5. Have a family feast – ask your guests to bring a course or some goodies with them so you don’t have sole responsibility for Christmas dinner. It could simply be bringing the wine or the Christmas crackers but will help you share the expense.

What’s your view – tacky or terrific? Let us kno-ho-ho!

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SSPCA reminder: a pet’s not just for Christmas

Hate to remind you, but Christmas Day is FOUR WEEKS TODAY (I know, I know!) – the Scottish SPCA has issued a seasonal reminder about giving pets as Christmas gifts:

The Scottish SPCA is warning of the dangers of giving animals as Christmas gifts as the charity prepares for one of its busiest times of  year. Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also revealed some of the most ridiculous excuses owners have used when trying to give up their pets.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Every year we stress that pets should never be bought on a whim or given as surprise gifts, but some people clearly aren’t getting the message.

“Sadly, our animal rescue and rehoming centres are full every Christmas and, shockingly, some owners see our centres as dumping grounds and animals as disposable items they can just give away.

“This is particularly evident over the festive period and in the months that follow and the saddest cases are when people try to give up their older dog to make way for a Christmas puppy. Recently we were given a hard luck story and took in an elderly dog and then found out the owners had visited another charity and bought a pup and, sadly, this happens often.

“One owner even told us they didn’t want their dog making their house untidy when they had guests over for Christmas, which is just ludicrous.”

The Scottish SPCA will stop rehoming puppies, kittens and baby animals between 19 December and 3 January to avoid people taking on pets to give away as gifts.

Chief Supt. Flynn added, “We have to ensure our rescue animals aren’t being taken on by someone who just wants a new pet for Christmas or a cute animal to give as a present without fully thinking through their decision.

“However, our animal rescue and rehoming centres will be open to the public every day, including Christmas Day, and young animals can be reserved during this time.

“We’ll continue to be asked to take in puppies, kittens and other pets given as presents once the novelty has worn off. In other cases, these pets are abandoned and left to fend for  themselves which is extremely callous as well as a criminal offence.

“Our message is that taking on a pet is a long-term decision and potential owners should ensure they have the time, commitment and financial resources required. Animals simply are not presents which can be given on Christmas Day and forgotten about soon afterwards.”

Inspector Janet Proudlock with puppy PIC: SSPCA
Inspector Janet Proudlock with puppy
PIC: SSPCA

Port of Leith’s excellent inspection

Port of Leith Housing Association receives glowing praise from Care Inspectorate 

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) sheltered housing complexes have been classified as ‘excellent’ by the Care Inspectorate for the quality of care and support to their 131 residents.

Findings from the Care Inspection report issued this week revealed that the sheltered housing complexes in the Leith area of Edinburgh – Hermitage Court, St Nicholas Court and Jameson Place – were awarded a grade six (excellent) for ensuringthat residents’ health and wellbeing needs are well catered for. Helping people stay well in their tenancy is a priority for staff and the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle were recognised through exercise classes, coffee mornings and charity fundraising events.

Following a ‘short notice’ inspection, follow on visits and attendance at tenants’ meetings over a four week period, a series of service records, including evidence of activities and social events, newsletters and supervision and development, were sampled to enable the inspector to review the work being done and deliver a grade.

In addition, 40 per cent of tenants were issued care standards questionnaires. Of the 29 completed questionnaires, 100 per cent were happy with the quality of support they received.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This is a tremendous achievement.  We are delighted to have been awarded a grade six for the level of care and services our staff provide. We are committed to delivering  the best possible care for our residents and the staff do a wonderful job in ensuring their needs are met are at all times.”

The Association was also awarded a grade five (very good) for the quality of staffing, management and leadership.

Maureen Tait, PoLHA’sSenior Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised for our efforts. We strive to make our tenants feel comfortable and ‘at home’ while they stay with us. Many residents still like to have their own independence, but also be part of a close-knit team, which is why they enjoy getting on board with our fundraising activities.”

PoLHA

Scotland’s battle with the bottle

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One in two Scots harmed as a result of someone else’s drinking

More needs to be done to raise awareness about the negative effects of other peoples’ drinking, according to Alcohol Focus Scotland. The charity has published  research which examines for the first time how alcohol impacts on people around the drinker causing stress, distress and disharmony to family members, friends, colleagues and the wider community.

The research found:

  • 1 in 2 people report being harmed as a result of someone else’s drinking
  • 1 in 3 people report having heavy drinkers in their lives
  • Younger people under 35 are four times more likely to report harm from others in public places, such as on the stress or in the workplace
  • Those who know heavy drinkers are more likely to report harm from others in private settings such as at home, or with neighbours or friends
  • Experiencing harm from other people’s drinking is not related to whether the person affected by the harm drinks or not.

Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said:

“Our research shows just how far-reaching alcohol harm is. One in two Scots are affected in some way by other people’s drinking. This can range from feeling uneay at aggressive behaviour on the bus, picking up the slack at work becuase a colleague has called in sick with a hangover, or children living with heavy drinking parents and the strain this inevitably places on family life.

“Many of these problems are not being reported, either because they are simply tolerated or because they are going on behind closed doors. When people began to understand the negative effects of passive smoking, action was taken. It’s time we started to think beyond the individual drinker to consider how we can protect people from the second-hand effects of drinking.

“If we want to reduce the harm that alcohol causes, then we must tackle the widespread availability and promotion of cheap alcohol through measures such as minimum pricing. But we also need to ensure that individuals, families, workplaces and communities who are being negatively affected by other people’s drinking, receive the support they require.”

Sam Anderson, Director at The Junction, a young people’s health and wellbeing project in North Edinburgh which took part in the research said:

“Young people are often identified as one of the groups who are ‘problem drinkers’. However, our work with young people shows us that they are often negatively affected by someone else’s drinking. That could be a parent, a friend, or a stranger in the street. This can cause stress, worry and in more extreme cases, depression, panic attacks and self-harm. This is a big issue and more needs to be done to support young people who are being negatively affected. The Junction has recently launched a new pilot project funded by Edinburgh ADP which will support young people in this situation in the north Edinburgh area.”

Police Officer Geraldine Richardson, who participated in the research, added:

“I often see neighbours being put under stress by someone who has had too much to drink. For example, a drunk person can’t get their key in the lock so they buzz every flat or bang on the doors. This can be particularly distressing for older people. They are just at home minding their own business and they’re being disturbed by someone who has been drinking.

“People can struggle to get up for work as they’ve had to endure music, shouting and partying all through the night. It can lead to poor relationships with neighbours. Police Scotland will do what it can to help people keep safe in their own homes.”

Granton Sur Mer to set sail once again?

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Remember Granton Sur Mer? The imaginative scheme to establish an international garden competition, artists’ village and seafront lido constructed from sea containers? The scheme seemed to have sunk without trace, but now it appears the Granton Sur Mer initiative is afloat once again!

Granton Improvement Society is the name of the organisation taking the regeneration ideas forward and they are staging a presentation of updated plans tomorrow (Wednesday 30 October).

Society secretary Barbara Robertson said: “Trustees would like to invite you to come to a presentation on Wednesday 30th October, of the community regeneration project for the Walled Garden www.granton-sur-mer.co.uk  and surrounding sites which will be transformed into the Garden Festival, Artisans’ Village and Lido,

“This exciting and dynamic project in Granton will not only bring community benefit, employment, fun, leisure and learning opportunities to North Edinburgh but will develop into Edinburgh’s next Festival.  This will certainly add to Edinburgh’s reputation as a Festival City, gold medal winner of Britain in Bloom, World Heritage City and a great, green place to live and work for all of its people.”

participants can enjoy a site visit at 11am followed by a light lunch at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, a project presentation by Studio DuB’s Gordon Duffy with an open discussion planned to end the afternoon session.

Interested and like to find out more? Contact

barbara.robertson@grantonimprovementsociety.org

or telephone 551 3050.

home-lido

‘Anything is possible’: ‘crazy’ Georges to tackle Death Valley

death

Father and Son to cycle 500 miles through Death Valley for charity

An Edinburgh college employee and his 72-year-old dad plan to cycle from Las Vegas to Los Angeles via the Death Valley national park to raise money for Barnardo’s next Spring. George Stewart (38)j and his father, also called George, are keen cyclists and the pair hope to raise £6000 when they take on the gruelling challenge in March.

George senior is undertaking the challenge after surviving FIVE strokes and undergoing a triple heart bypass! Over a long period of recovery, George senior had to learn to speak, write and type again. His ordeal did not dampen his passion for cycling and he has undertaken many tours with his son, whom he is responsible for getting in to cycling and cycle racing. They recently completed a tour from Scotland to France together.

George junior, who works as a facilities assistant at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus, said: “Though the main aim of completing this challenge is to raise as much money as possible for Barnardo’s, we also aim to show that if a 72-year-old man who has had five strokes and a triple heart bypass can cycle 500 miles through some of the harshest land in the planet, then anything is possible.”

Death Valley (pictured above) is the lowest, hottest and driest area in North America. On their journey, George and his father will face temperatures as high as 39 degrees celsius, a climb to 5,550 feet above sea level followed by a drop to 136 feet below sea level, as well as cycling on roads dominated by traffic on the busy streets of Los Angeles. The journey is expected to take six days.

George senior will be cycling attached to a small portable heart monitor to ensure his wellbeing throughout the challenge. The rest of the Stewart family are very supportive, despite calling the pair “crazy”!

George junior said: “My fiancé is very worried about the reputation of the route we’ve chosen as it’s not just a national park we’re going to; it is called the Death Valley after all. She is very supportive though; she kicks me out on my bike every weekend and tells me to get going!”

The Georges have been training relentlessly, averaging 120 miles every weekend from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond and back. George senior does find it difficult to maintain speed when riding uphill but has an excellent recovery time. The pair have always been very close as George junior lost his mother a number of years ago to motor neurone disease. George junior says: “I think we’ll have a cracking laugh together when we’re doing the challenge. We spend a lot of time together in training and doing other cycle tours and we’ve always had a great relationship.”

They plan to post video blogs whilst on their journey through Death Valley relying on the various remote hotels they are staying in to have internet connection. The blogs will include the number of miles covered, how much water they have gone through, any problems they have encountered and how their bodies are dealing with the physical aspect of the challenge. Any current developments and their training regime can be tracked on their Facebook page.

The father and son duo are also running a couple of other events prior to the cycle challenge to promote their participation and attract more donations. They are holding a charity dinner with guest comedian Chris Purchase on 14 November at 6:15pm at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus. Tickets are just £15 and can be bought via email at:

George.stewart@edinburghcollege.ac.uk or telephone 07718 229530.

There will also be a silent auction on 27 February at the Apex City Hotel in the Grassmarket. Tickets will be £10 and include a glass of wine and canapés. For tickets and more information on this event please e-mail George junior on the above address.

The Stewarts’ Death Valley Cycle Challenge is due to take place in March 2014. To donate go to their Virgin Money Giving page.

Edinburgh College - Death Valley