Everyday is Christmas

Edible Snowman at Gingerbread village by Epicure

Christmas comes once a year, however everyday can be Christmas for us to spread the joy and cheer around us. This quote by H Spencer Lewis sums it all up:

"If we would get the utmost out of the Christmas spirit this year, or any other year, and if we would live a life that would exemplify the Christ Consciousness within us, we will seek as the ideal Christ sought, and as the ideal of Christ within us would seek to find opportunity, occasion, ways, and means of bringing some happiness and joy, some relief, some bright light of hope and cheer into the lives of those who do not have these things either at Christmas time or any other time of the year. Therefore, make this Christmas a true holy day by sharing with others to some small degree at least that which you have an abundance of, even if it be but happiness and the smiles of joy with those who do not have them, and in this way make Christmas come true, independent of its religious significance, independent of its sectarian meaning, and uniquely and wholly in the spirit of the ideal that it exemplifies." 

 Christmas is not about excess food and enjoyment, it is about thinking of how to help others and bring a smile to their faces. I was touched with tears when I visited my partner's grandma - who lived alone at her house. My culture emphasized the need to take care and live with our parents. The idea of being isolated during most days of the year saddens me. What is happiness when we only share joy once a year? Let our actions throughout the year demonstrate the true meaning of giving.

Here is recipe of a Cranberry and Cherry waldorf salad that you can make throughout the year. Merry Christmas everyone.

Cranberry and Cherry Waldorf Salad

Serves 5

1 cup chopped dried cranberries

2 apples, chopped into cubes with skins on and soaked in salt water (to prevent browning)

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup green grapes, deseeded and chopped into halves

1 cup cherries, deseeded and chopped into halves

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 tsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 cup Jalna vanilla yoghurt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, chill for 2 hours in the fridge and serve.