From easing up on Christmas pressure to mulled cider swaps, caring for ageing parents and a surprise banter confession from a very unexpected guest. Anu reflects on december life with honesty, humour and a lot of perspective.
Welcome back to Banter: Real talk, Real life and just enough chaos to keep it interesting!
🧘♀️ A Calmer Run Up to Christmas
Anu talks about the sudden shock of it being December (again) and her determination to keep things as stress free as possible this year. From leaving decorations and shopping until the last minute to letting plans unfold naturally, it’s all about choosing ease over pressure.
🍷 Mulled Cider Instead of Mulled Wine
A festive game changer. Anu discovers mulled cider and explains why it’s officially replaced mulled wine; lighter, warmer and perfect for decorating the tree with mince pies in hand.
🎁 Gifting Without the Guilt
Do we really need to buy presents for friends? Anu shares her relaxed approach to gifting - giving when it feels joyful, letting go when it doesn’t and realising nobody actually minds as much as we think.
🍗 Christmas Food, Minus the Panic
No turkey ordered? No problem. Anu talks about ditching the queues, trusting the supermarkets and reminding herself that chicken works just fine if needed.
🤧 Cold & Flu Survival Tips
Anu shares the remedies she swears by at the first sign of a cold: from Coldzine to soothing sore throats plus her go to homemade power shots when something starts creeping in:
Hot lemon/honey, fresh turmeric, homemade power shots (orange juice + turmeric + ginger +
black pepper + honey)
The Sandwich Generation
A candid, thoughtful reflection on caring for ageing parents while still raising children. From navigating big life decisions to learning when to step back, Anu opens up about worry, boundaries and letting go of what you can’t control.
📺 TV Recommendations
Beast in Me - A gripping Netflix drama starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Intense, binge-worthy and brilliantly acted.
Riot Women - A powerful BBC iPlayer series about midlife women forming a punk band - sharp, funny, emotional and deeply relatable. A standout recommendation that feels very Banter.
📚 Book of the Week
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall
A layered rural drama blending love, loss and mystery. Emotional, compelling and an easy yet absorbing read for the festive break.
🎙️ Podcast Pick: How to Fail interview with Alex Hassell
An unexpectedly moving conversation about confidence, insecurity and taking risks - a reminder that everyone is figuring it out as they go.
🍽️ Banter Bites: Tower House, Richmond
A newly opened, beautiful riverside restaurant with small plates, relaxed elegance and stunning views - so good Anu’s already booked to go back.
😅 Banter Confessions
This week’s confession comes from a very special guest, guaranteed to make you smile.
Recipe of the Week:
Anu-Style Tandoori Chicken, French Beans & Gunpowder Potatoes
Tandoori Chicken:
- Use chicken thigh fillets or thighs; breast only if cut at an angle.
- Marinade: yogurt, 2 tbsp oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 tsp salt, 4 garlic cloves,
2 tsp coriander powder, 2 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp chaat masala (key spice).
- Optional ginger.
- Marinate 30 mins - overnight.
- Bake ~ 45 mins at 200°C.
- Finish with chaat masala, lemon/lime, coriander.
French Beans:
- Fine beans cooked with black mustard seeds and dried curry leaves.
- Blanch first if you have time; if not, cook straight in the pan.
Gunpowder Potatoes:
- Boil tiny potatoes, smash slightly.
- Roast with salt, chaat masala, coriander powder, garam masala.
- Finish with coriander, extra chaat masala, pomegranate seeds.
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