Xmas Countdown - top tips to get you looking hot in that Little Black Dress

Normally I am very resistant to thinking about Christmas until at least 1st December, and I am the kind of person who does all the shopping in the last 10 days before Christmas! Therefore, this year I am determined to do better and start early, not only on the shopping but also on making sure I'm preparing my body in the best way possible to cope with the excesses that Christmas brings. So here are my Xmas countdown top tips - not only will they help you to ward off the winter bugs, keep energy up for those parties but also have you looking fab in that LBD in no time...

• Keep your liver happy by eating plenty of dark green leafy vegetables rich in indol-3-carbinole to help you cope with those mulled winds - try kale, pak choy, savoy cabbage, red cabbage and broccoli
• Keep your energy levels going by balancing your blood sugar throughout the day with handfuls of nuts and seeds instead of that sneaky chocolate bar or packet of crisps. The protein will help balance your blood sugar and the essential fatty acids found in nuts like cashews, walnuts and Brazil's will help balance those hormones also.
• Keep your skin looking bright and fresh when you bare those arms by whizzing up frozen mixed berries with natural low fat yogurt and some seeds to make a delicious smoothie. Alternatively make a brightly coloured soup from butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot - packed full of skin friendly nutrients
• Keep that waist-line trim and half the meat content of your shepherds pies, spag bols and lasagnas both replacing half the meat with a tin of green lentils (no added sugar or salt). Not only does the fibre help keep you fuller for longer, it's also kinder on the pocket too!
• And my old favourite - drink hot water with lemon and add some ginger and honey for a warming winter drink

I hope these tips help you enjoy the countdown to Christmas even more than usual.

I would love to know if there are any other specific topics/top tips you would like to hear about, please comment on this blog or via my Facebook page