Happy Diwali

I've just been staring out of our upstairs window at the fantastic firework display over east London - Happy Diwali!

Anyone got a cure for bloating ... might as well ask for a rocking horse egg, I guess. One of my IBS symptoms is bloating often for no apparent reason. I can put on a pair of size 10 trousers in the morning and feel very comfortable, then, by mid-afternoon I wish I could change into an elasticated size 12 pair. It's most bizarre.

So if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. However, if the cure is a yeast free, gluten free, this free, that free diet then I'll live with the bloating. You might think, it can't be that bad, but I already avoid a number of things and I really can't be bothered with the hassle or totally re-designing my diet. :o)

Speaking of food - Christmas is coming and I'm getting quietly excited!
The increasing number of Christmas adverts are getting a bit annoying but apart from that I always look forward to this time of year. Not for any religious reasons, in fact my enjoyment of Christmas has almost pagan overtones. The nights are getting dark, the mornings cold and the lack of sunlight makes me feel lethargic. A mid-winter festival of warmth, light, family and friendship, good food (and wine!) is very cheering. We don't spend loads on gifts, preferring to spend time looking for something unusual, fun or perhaps somthing that compliments a hobby or interest. I love seeing people's faces as they open gifts. As this is our first married Christmas, we have decided to stay in London instead of dividing our time between both sets of parents.
I'm very excited about cooking the full Christmas dinner. I've already decided the menu (apologies to any veggies reading):

Turkey Crown (not sure whether I will buy one pre-stuffed or make my own force-meat stuffing)
Roast potatoes ... well, dur!
Possibly mashed potatoes
Brussel Sprouts (hopefully ones that have had a hard frost on them before picking)
Carrots (for Hubby, the only veg he'll eat!)
Little chipolatas wrapped in streaky bacon
Lots of rich gravy
Cranberry Jelly

Yum!

Right, I'm going to put my feet up and read through my Waitrose Christmas Magazine.

Happy Journeys.