Saving Money and time but also keeping healthy for Christmas

So those delicious Christmas drinks have all started becoming available at most high street coffee shops.  Now, whilst I do love my Gingerbread Latte I also know it piles on the pounds and hits the pocket.  So I have created my own version for home.  I make my coffee as per usual (I use one of those expresso makers for the hob as they are cheap and also make the best coffee) then I mix in some of my honey and ginger syrup.

This is simple to make, combine some grated fresh or powdered ginger with some honey.  Use the ratio that suits your taste buds and keep some ready made in a jar for the next time you want a coffee with that festive feeling.  Ginger and honey are a much more healthy alternative to what you buy in the high street coffee shops.  As well as tasting great they will help fight off all those nasty pre-Christmas bugs and viruses.

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Yesterday I put the slow cooker on and started the main course I will be serving up on Boxing Day.  I cooked some chopped braising steak and onion in a red wine sauce.  This has now been frozen.  I will take it out of the freezer on Christmas Eve and pop it in the fridge.  Come Boxing day morning I shall put it in a pie dish and roll out some pre-bought puff pastry to pop on top.  With some roasted vegetables this should be enough to feed all the in-laws on Boxing day without me slaving away in the kitchen all day!

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Before writing this I had just finished making my Cranberry sauce for Christmas day and to give away as gifts.  For the recipe please go to:
http://www.grubonabudget.com/amandasblog/count-down-to-christmas

I will re-publish my count down to Christmas blog next week as it is my bible at this time of year to remind me of everything I need to do.

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  On a final note for this week.  Last night I bottled and sampled some of the homemade Christmas Liqueur I have been making over the last few months.  Cheers everyone!!

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