Cheer Yourself Up on Blue Monday

Today is officially the 'most depressing day of the year'.  A combination of post Christmas blues, winter weather, low motivation, failing New Year Resolutions and financial troubles conspire against us, resulting in a media based rhetoric of doom and gloom. But it doesn't have to be that way!

Positive thinking can go a long way to improve our mental state and banish the negative energy that threatens to ruin our outlook on life.  Simply by smiling, we can lighten our mood and relieve stress.  Focusing on the good and making plans to overcome challenges one step at a time can help to turn around problems.

Another way to make Blue Monday more bearable is to treat yourself to something you'll enjoy. How about preparing a special dinner to lift the spirits?  A healthy and heartwarming root vegetable and lentil stew is full of goodness and is comforting and delicious.  Perfect if you are giving Veganuary a go, or doing Meat-Free Mondays.

A nice glass of something fruity and fun can be a perfect antidote, inviting in a taste of the summer and of tropical climes to counteract the wet British winter.  Barefoot Pink Moscato is a sweet, tongue tickling, bubbly tipple which brings the taste of peach, cherry and raspberry to your palate.  Serve with a handful of strawberries and blueberries in a pitcher with a little ice for a fruity sensation.

Home baking always lifts my soul.  I love making some delicious muffins, cookies or cupcakes to treat the family.  I have made some sweet and indulgent Golden Syrup Cupcakes to cheer ourselves up on Blue Monday.  I've made them dairy-free, but you don't have to.  I used Tate and Lyle's British Inspired Golden Syrup sugar which has a rich, bold and distinctive flavour and gives a syrupy richnesss and a luscious, moist texture to sponge cakes.

Golden Syrup Cupcake Recipe

4oz dairy free margarine

4oz Tate and Lyle Golden Syrup sugar

2 free range eggs

4oz self-raising flour

3oz dairy free margarine

8oz icing sugar

2 tablespoons golden syrup

(add a little almond milk to get desired consistency)

Method 

Cream fat and sugar.

Beat in eggs one at a time.

Fold in sieved flour.

Put spoonfuls into 12 cupcake cases in a tray.

Cook for about 12-15 minutes at 180 degrees or until the top springs back when pressed.

Cool.

Beat the icing ingredients together to desired consistency and pipe onto the cooled cupcakes.

Decorate with a squeeze of golden syrup and a some fudge pieces.

Whatever you do to cheer yourself up today, make sure you remember these words from the Dalai Lama:

“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.” 

I was sent a bottle of Barefoot Pink Moscato wine from the Barefoot Wine and Bubbly range RRP £6.99. Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Co-Op. Find them on Facebook at Barefoot Wine and Bubbly for fun recipes and serving suggestions.

Tate and Lyle's new Taste Experience range of golden and brown sugars are available in stores. I received some to try out for this recipe (which is my own).  Find Tate and Lyle on Facebook on their We Love Baking page.

Mince Pies & Bubbly!!

Nothing really says Christmas like festive food!  A glass of bubbly and a luxury mince pie are perfect partners to celebrate the season and really are the epitome of Christmas.  When choosing which mince pie and sparkling wine to buy in order to impress your guests, bear this in mind!!

Which? Magazine have conducted some taste tests and the results are in.

Beating off competition from M&S, Fortnum ans Mason, Mr Kipling and Harrods, the winner in the mince pie tests was the Specially Selected Luxury Mince Pies from Aldi!  Filled with the finest Mediterranean fruit, naturally dried in the Mediterranean sun, then laced with French Brandy and a hint of spice for a festive kick, these mince pies are luxurious.  The indulgent all-butter pastry  is baked until it is golden brown, making the perfect mince pie to complete your festive table.

The pastry is rich and biscuity and the filling has a boozy quality that my husband was very impressed with.  At just £1.69 for a pack of six, these mince pies are great quality at a great price.  They are available in store throughout the festive period.

When it comes to sparkling wines, Aldi's Philippe Michel Cremant du Jura beat Jacob's Creek, Sainsbury's, M&S and Tesco Finest finishing second in Which? magazine's taste test.  It has also won three times at the Quality Drinks Awards.  Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on the Jura mountains, and produced in the same way as Champagne, it is the second fermentation which creates the sparkle in the bottle.  It is a serious vintage sparkling wine, with crisp, dry, citrus notes.  Light, refreshing, nose tickling bubbly!!

At just £6.99 and available all year round in store, this is a perfect sparkling wine to toast any occasion.  It is much cheaper than Champagne.  I love the brown bottle and foil which looks really classy.  This bottle would look fabulous gracing any festive table!

Aldi's policy is to offer shoppers brand quality products at everyday, exceptionally low prices.  This gives us the perfect opportunity to stock up on the best Christmas fayre for the cheapest prices.

Check out Aldi's Christmas Pages to find out what they have on offer to make this Christmas really special!