But alas, in the blink of an eye, Christmas springs up on us again, only to go through this roller-coaster ride yet again!

My question is though, why not?

How often do we have the entire family sitting together at the table, laughing and being together? But do we also have to regret it? I strongly say NO!

Christmas time is associated with over indulgence in food and alcohol, and use it as excuse to start being healthy once this silly season is over.

I am here to tell you, we can make healthy choices which taste amazing and save us the mental turmoil of never eating or drinking again ever!

I am going to share my little Christmas pudding recipe with all of you.

It's not only healthy but tastes delicious!

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cup of almond meal

4 cups of mixed dried fruit (cranberries, sultanas, apricots, currents etc)

1 cup of chopped pitted dates

3/4 cup plain GF flour

1/2 cup brandy

3 eggs

Juice of 1 orange plus the rind

250 grams butter

1 teaspoon bicarb soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon mixed spice

METHOD

Step 1: In a bowl, mix all dried fruits with brandy, juice and orange rind and let that soak overnight.

Step 2: Beat butter and eggs and mix well. Then add the dried fruit mix and mix.

Step 3: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mix and thoroughly mix until all ingredients are combined.

Step 4: Grease a 2 L pudding basin and cover the base with baking paper.

Step 5: Spoon the pudding mixture into the basin.

Step 6: Over the top with baking paper and 2 layers of foil, then tightly tie with string.

Step 7: Place the pudding in a large pot of boiling water that comes up 1/2 way up the baking dish. Cover and boil for 5 hours making sure the water level is up.

Step 8: After five hours carefully take out the basin and let it stand for 15 minutes, then remove from the basin.

Step 9: To serve, serve with a large scoop of seasonal fruit salad.

Happy holidays everyone.

Hayley Dawson, The Rural naturopath, Ararat Physiotherapy & Health Services