Regardless of age it appears we all love an advent calendar! This year I decided to invest in what I hope will become a family heirloom and bought a fabulous wooden one, but without the sweet and candy load of extras on offer to fill it. So our challenge over the last couple of weeks has been to come up with some bariatric-friendly treats for behind those doors.
It hasn’t been that easy – size, price and health considerations all came into play but I think we have some great ideas to share with you. Many could also be considered for cracker presents (if you make your own) and would also make fabulous stocking fillers, although we’ll cover those in another blog too. Our only exception to the rule that any door must reveal a beautiful, useful, enchanting or funny treat was the obligatory chocolate money. We almost had a riot here at bariatric cookery when we queried leaving them out (some traditions operate via a different rule book) – and to date we haven’t been able to find any that are no-added-sugar – unless you know different? So our only stipulation with this door is the requirement to share this treat with all others – and only one coin at a time…
Here’s our reveal with more details and ideas below:
A Timer To Alert The Home Cook When Things Are Ready
A Mini Candle (we love this one from Kelly Hoppen)
A Packet or Two Or Tin Of Vegetable Seeds To Grow More Of Our Own
Ladies Mini Handbag Torch For Those Dark Places
A Pedometer So We Can Check Our 10,000 Steps A Day Regime Is Working
Life Is Better With Lippy – Case Closed!
A Sachet Of Low-Fat Hot Chocolate And Some Sugar-Free Mini Marshmallows For Sprinkling
Bah Humbug! We Filled A Tin With Sugar-Free Humbug Mints
Macarons Might Be Off The Menu But Not If They’re Made Of Soap
A New Bauble For The Tree – And This One Will Remind Us To Feed The Birds
Clippers For Hands and Feet – Solves Confusion
Fill A Christmas House Favour Box With Some Sugar-Free Candy Treats (box by www.sallyswannell.co.uk)
Keep Things Crystal Clear With A Mini Screen Skate Cleaner (from Lakeland)
So Do You Feel Lucky? Scratch The Card To See If You’re A Winner
Miniature Preserves – Re-Use Next Year For Your Own Advent Calendar
Start The Day With An Egg … And A Smile
Lip Balm For Luscious Lips – Lovely As A Necklace
Sometimes It’s Good To Be Stood Up – With The Stand-A-Saurus (from Lakeland)
A Luxury Nail Varnish in a Christmassy Red
A Medi Bracelet – Plain Or Fancy
Tea – But Not One To Share With The Vicar!
Exceedingly Tasty Little Protein Bites – Just 130 Calories and 7.8g Protein (from www.bodybuildingwarehouse.co.uk)
Shine A Light For Easier Reading In Bed
Chocolate Christmas Money … Just Because!