Podcast graphic of episode 8 with the characters Olli Schmidt and Dagmar Cassiers
Psyche

Episode 8: Stress-free holidays with the family

Christmas, the festival of love. It often leads to excessive demands, arguments and frustration under the Christmas tree. How can we get through the holidays without a crisis? In the podcast, therapist Dagmar Cassiers gives tips on how you can plan Christmas in such a way that there is less potential for conflict.

Many people feel a huge amount of pressure or a guilty conscience in the run-up to Christmas: Do I have to go home again or can I just escape on vacation? How will the children behave under the gaze of their grandparents? What to do with the emotions that boil over when criticism or differences of opinion arise?

We talk to Dagmar Cassiers about:

  • What expectations are there and how do I deal with them?
  • What are the classic topics that often cause arguments at Christmas?
  • How can I have a controversial discussion without it turning into an argument?
  • What communication rules should everyone follow?
  • How can I deal with a simmering conflict or difficult issues?

Cheerful to stormy - the everyday podcast with Olli Schmidt

Welcome to "Heiter bis stürmisch" - the everyday podcast with Olli Schmidt. Cheerful or saddened to death: life has ups and downs.

That's what we're all about: everyday crises such as arguments with your partner, parenting issues, stress at work, insecurities and anxiety. We talk to experts and give you practical tips to help you deal better with crises and challenges.

You can listen to our podcast on all known podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Audible etc.)!

Questions, suggestions, criticism, wishes? Feel free to write to us at: podcast@familienservice.de

zero Happy food: This food makes you happy!

Young woman tries a smoothie from the blender
Body & Soul

In a good mood with delicious food? That's possible!

Had a bad day? Then you could certainly do with a mood booster. Did you know that some foods release the coveted happiness hormone serotonin? Here is the ultimate happiness menu for the whole day.

A kick start to the day: crêpes with yogurt and blueberries

Preparation time 40 minutes

This healthy breakfast gets you off to a good start with a smile on your face.

Use Greek yoghurt, which is particularly high in calcium and releases feel-good neurotransmitters in the body. I recommend spelt flour for the dough. It is a good source of the amino acid tryptophan, which contributes significantly to the production of serotonin . The tryptophan content of spelt is 180 mg per 100 grams, whereas wheat only contains 114 mg.

In any case, the fact that spelt does not seem to settle on the hips as easily as wheat should brighten your mood. 

For 2 people you need: 

For the dough

  • 150 grams spelt flour
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 40 milliliters of milk
  • 60 grams of melted butter

For the filling

  • 150 grams Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 200 grams blueberries

Mix a pinch of salt into the flour. Mix the eggs with the milk and honey. Mix everything together, stir well and add the butter. Cover the bowl and leave the dough to rest at room temperature for half an hour.

Heat the clarified butter in a frying pan. Pour the batter into the pan with a spoon or ladle and swirl the pan so that the bottom of the pan is coated with a thin layer.

Then fry the crêpes on both sides until golden brown. Keep them warm in the oven until they are all done. Mix the yogurt with the honey and fill the crêpes with the yogurt and a handful of blueberries each.

 

 

Fun fact: More eggs thanks to spelt

Hens fed with spelt do not put on fat and lay more eggs than before.

Of course, you won't suddenly lay eggs by eating more spelt - but your mental and physical performance could increase noticeably.

Boost instead of soup coma: oven vegetables with wild salmon

Preparation time 45 minutes

 

This lunch is quick to make and provides you with valuable minerals and fatty acids, healthy protein and iodine.

Wild salmon is the ultimate fitness booster. It may be high in fat, but the fats are particularly healthy. Salmon oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have a mood-enhancing, anti-inflammatory and heart-protective effect. Mushrooms are also rich in tryptophan, and the spiciness of chili puts you in a good mood

For 2 people you need:

  • 250 g Alaska wild salmon
  • 1 large zucchini
  • 1 large bell bell pepper, red or yellow
  • 300 g cherry tomatoes
  • 150 g mushrooms
  • 100 g feta cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • some salt and pepper
  • some chili oil

Wash the salmon fillet and pat it dry. If you are using frozen salmon, it is best to leave it to defrost overnight in the fridge. Season the fillet with salt and pepper and add herbs to taste.

Then cut the feta cheese into cubes, the zucchinis and mushrooms into thin slices and the peppers into strips. Halve or quarter the tomatoes and finely chop the garlic.

Mix the vegetables with the garlic, salt and pepper and a few dashes of chili oil. Spread the vegetables in a wide baking dish, place the salmon on top and drizzle with chili oil.

Finally, spread the feta cheese on top and pop it in the oven! After approx. 30 to 35 minutes at 180 °C top/bottom heat, the meal is ready!

Fun fact: Why does spicy make you happy? 

Spicy food sends a signal to the brain that triggers pain. This pain reaction causes endorphins - the so-called happiness hormones - to be released. We feel more relaxed and happier.

Good mood with just 5 ingredients: Avocado with egg baked in the oven

Preparation time 20 minutes

 

The ideal dinner lets you go to sleep feeling good and wake up feeling even better.

Have you ever eaten avocado warm? Then now is the time. Not only do these tryptophan-rich happiness boosters taste even more intense this way, but in combination with eggs they also make a very balanced dinner that also provides you with a whole lot of vitamin D. This in turn is a mood booster and helps combat fatigue. Just one egg can cover 35 percent of your daily vitamin D requirement.

For 2 people you need: 

  • 2 avocados
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 lemon
  • some salt and pepper
  • Chili flakes

Cut the avocados in half and remove the stone. Drizzle both avocado halves with the juice of the fresh lemon.

Beat the eggs and add them to the place of the removed pit. Now season the egg and avocado with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with chilli flakes.

Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 15 minutes and then enjoy this protein-rich, feel-good dinner!

How to trick the in-between hunger pangs: 5 tips

1. Have a good breakfast

A breakfast rich in protein and fiber will get you through the morning without cravings. Muesli with yogurt and fruit, wholemeal bread with cheese or a boiled egg are ideal.

2. Thirsty or hungry? 

Always drink a glass of water before reaching into your pantry. We often confuse hunger with thirst.

3. Chew gum

A simple trick that helps to keep cravings at bay. The mint flavour minimizes the desire for sweets!

4. Do something else

Distract yourself when you get hungry. Make yourself a cup of tea, dance to your favorite song for 5 minutes or do a sun salutation on your yoga mat.

5. Leave the sweets in the supermarket

Sounds banal, but nothing is as effective. Because if you don't have anything in the house, you can't snack. One sweet you can always treat yourself to is dark chocolate.