Be kind to yourself

January can be such a dreary month. The festive high is over and it is back to drizzly reality. Surrounded by adverts for gyms and dieting, it is so easy to punish yourself for your yuletide gluttony and feel down in this bleak month.

However, food needn't be the enemy. It is very important to look after yourself so you feel good. This post has been inspired by the video 1o Ways To Be Kind to Yourself where Rosianna Halse Rojas and Booksandquills give their tips on well-being. My favourite tip is about food, they recommend following a recipe and cooking for yourself. We are always on the go so it can be therapeutic to slow down by following a recipe to create a lovely meal. With this in mind, I am going to share a few of my food related self-care things that I have found helpful.

If you are hungry, then eat! Don't feel guilty about wanting to eat! After all we do need to eat to survive. It is so hard to give up habits so instead of thinking about what you want to take away e.g. 'I can't eat carbs, fatty/sugary food etc', you could think about what you could add e.g. 'When I want a snack, I will have some fruit.' I find it easier to start doing something than stop doing something.

Listen to a podcast while cooking. Have a laugh or learn something new. There are so many fantastic podcasts out there, you are bound to find something for you.

Relax with a cup of tea. Take time out from a hectic schedule by trying different types of tea. Caffeine-free teas are particularly soothing. My favourites are Vanilla Rooibos and Camomile and Spiced Apple. I also drink Lemon, Ginger and Honey tea if I feel like I'm coming down with a cold.

Have some comfort food. For those dark rainy days, there is nothing wrong with a bit of comfort food! Sometimes I'll crave leek and potato soup and other days it'll be a slice of cake. If it makes me feel good, I'm not complaining.

Share food. If I am alone, I am less likely to cook a nice meal. Make cooking more fun by preparing a meal with friends and family or bake a cake for your nearest and dearest. Brightening someone's day, will inevitably brighten up yours!

Use fresh ingredients. It is so nice to know where your food has come from. I have often cooked with fruit from the garden. For those who don't have a garden, you could go foraging. I have gathered blackberries and wild garlic. If you're not so outdoorsy, why not buy a grow-your-own herbs kit for your kitchen windowsill? It will give a new spin on your cooking.

So here's to a happy 2017 where food is to be enjoyed not feared!

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