We are fast approaching the time of the year that we look forward to,the holiday season, the christmas season to be precise, the time that we cook as if our whole life depends on it. It is the opportunity of having new clothes, new shoes, new hairdo and eat what otherwise we would have denied ourselves.
I've often wondered why we indulge ourselves durind this season,this is the only time that the limit is kept off lid as far as having a good time is concerned, it's as if we must pay ourselves for sacrifices made in the course of the year and what better way to do this than to satisfy the cravings,some people take this task seriously that long before the d-day, they started storing up on different kinds of foods and goodies; taking prominent place is the chicken,goat and of course the inevitable rice; others ice-cream,sweets,cakes,juice, you name it but then a word of caution, as much as this is allowed, we must ensure that our menu is well balanced and carefully planned in other to give ourselves not only a treat but a nutrition ones as well.
When i was young, mum will allow us to eat as much rice as we want even if it means eating it three times a day but the result is sleeping in the toilet all through the night as we stool frequently, this made me determine to avoid the same mistake with my family.
A suggested menu for christmas can include the following:
Breakfast: Moi-moi elemi meje (a special type of bean cake stuffed with eggs, fish, prawn)
served with custard ,oats or pap.
*Fried potatoes, bake beans & boiled eggs.
*Fried plaintain/yam with fish or vegetable stew
*Bread, butter, sausages, omelette and beverage.
Lunch: Fried rice or white rice with chicken stew and coleslaw
* Pounded yam served with okra soup with lots of dry fish and prawn
* Sermovita with banga soup or vegetable soup
Dinner: * Noodles or pasta served with shredded beef in vegetable sauce
* Boiled sweet potatoes with fried eggs
You can also preapare snacks like yam balls, banana fritters,scotch egg and also make fruit drinks like watermelon and pineapple juice, lemonade and orange juice. This way you can ensure that that your family have a balanced meal.
For those on diet,all you need is a small portion and grilled food in place of frying, have chicken and salad, fish or potato salad, the list is endless. So what are you waiting for, start planning for your christmas menu, remember too much of everything is bad, the trick is to have good food dressed up as treats.
Enjoy yourself, happy holiday.
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