Over the Christmas period we may have eaten too much, drank more than we should and stayed by the fire instead of going for that walk we promised we would do.  Susan Higgins, Regional Nutritionist for the South Eastern Health Board has put forward some suggestions to help anyone who wants to make some changes in their lives. 

Susan says, “Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year ? Is there any aspect of your life that you would like to change ? Perhaps you’re aiming to lose weight, stop smoking or cut down on the pints. For most of us making changes can be very difficult. Recent research has shown that there are six stages that we go through when making a successful change.”

Stage 1:Not Interested .
You are not even thinking about change until a significant event – a 40^th birthday, a health crisis, New Years resolutions – moves you to the second stage.

Stage 2:Thinking About Change
You realise a problem exists but put off doing anything about it.  If you are overweight you might talk about your weight or read slimming magazines but you never get around to taking action.

Stage 3:Preparing for Change.
You make a solid commitment to change and begin by considering solutions to the problem.  If you are overweight you might talk to your doctor or look for a suitable weight loss programme like Weight Watchers.

Stage 4:Action !
You make changes in your life and replace poor habits with healthy ones.  You might buy lower fat foods, eat less and become more active.

Stage 5:Maintaining Changes
You enter this stage when you have accomplished the change you set out to make, for example, you have reached your target weight.  The challenge now is to keep the weight off.  This is sometimes a hard task.

Stage 6:Relapse
Relapse occurs when the old habits return. This may be because something else in your life has changed or else it has become too difficult to maintain the new lifestyle.  Relapse is normal and most people will move back to stage 2. The key is to review your unsuccessful change, learn from it and try again. Good Luck !

For further information please contact Audrey Lambourn, Communications Manager, (056 84100 or 086 221 5826) or Susan Higgins, Regional Nutritionist 056 61400.

HEALTHY RECIPE

SPICY POTATO PATTIES

4 servings (12 Patties)

Quick, easy and delicious, these potato cakes make a tasty change from traditional Christmas fare.  Serve as a side dish or as a light meal with cucumber raita.  (i.e. plain natural yogurt combined with diced cucumber).

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb. Potatoes boiled and mashed,

Pure vegetable oil,

1 onion – finely chopped,

1” root ginger – grated,

1 long green chili – finely chopped,

½ teaspoon each gd. Cumin and tumeric,

2 tablespoons plain flour,

Salt, black pepper. 

Method:

Hear 1 – 2 teaspoons oil and fry onion until soft. 

Add ginger and chili and cook for 1 minute. 

Stir in spices and cook another minute.  Remove from heat and beat into mashed potatoes. 

Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 

Divide into 12 balls, shape into small patties and lightly dust with flour. 

Wipe out pan and heat with 1 tablespoon oil. 

Cook patties until crisp and golden.  Serve hot.

(Recipe from An Bord Glas)