10 things that happen after the 1st of December

Dec 2, 2022

While Christmas seems to begin earlier and earlier these days, the 1^st of December is the day you can let yourself embrace it. Now that we’ve experienced one day of real Christmas so far, here is what else will happen this month…

1. You wake up and realise….CHRISTMAS FM IS LIVE!!

2. As you dig out your most subtle Christmas jumper (it is only the 2^nd after all, let’s not lose the run of ourselves) you listen to Mariah Carey sing about what she want for Christmas and it’s amazing.

3. You leave your house and fully embrace that sharp cold, feeling smug because you remembered your gloves and hat – because it’s December now.

4. It’s time to pop into your favourite coffee shop and order the most outlandish Christmas themed coffee they have for the most extortionate price. “Can I have a ginger-bread hot chocolate with a shot of the candy-cane peppermint syrup and some marshmallow with whipped cream? Skimmed milk, thanks.” And then we look exactly like the gif below.

5. You suffer a mild heart attack as you sit down and plan a list of all your Christmas presents. The budget is €10.50 per family member, totally doable. Boyfriend budget is €150. You know your priorities.

6. You forget said list and dig it out on the 17^th December, have another mild heart attack and leg it into town. You would get the bus but you don’t have time to wait for it not to arrive.

7. Needless to say, you chose the wrong day to shop. In fact, any day after the 8^th is just wrong. Is there a teacher strike again? Is it Black Friday? What is this?

8. You promise your mum you are going to cook the starter and the dessert for Christmas dinner, only to realise you don’t finish work until Christmas Eve. It’s the 23^rd now, when is the right time to let her know? Hmm…

9. You promise you're going to get a tree up in the apartment this year – you WILL do it! And you do, only to leave it there till Easter. Why can't we be the whole package of a real adult? They make it seem so easy.

10. Every single ad on TV makes you cry. Even the one about the teenager who gets a phone and then lays his head on his mum's shoulder! *sob*

Sick of being Designated Driver? Here’s an offer you can’t refuse…

Uniquely Irish

Nov 26, 2018

by Amber Saunders

Coca-Cola is bringing back its hugely successful Designated Driver campaign this year in order to encourage the nation to give the 'Gift of a Lift this' December.

The campaign will offer free soft drinks to any drivers who stay sober to bring their loved ones home safely throughout Christmas; what a fab way to motivate us.

The Road Safety Authority and Coca-Cola HBC Ireland are joining forces to keep our roads safe, especially during a time where the pubs are full of people celebrating the season.

Over the last 14 years, over €7 million has been invested by Coca-Cola into the campaign to promote road safety, and have rewarded countless Christmas heroes who helped their friends and families get to where they needed to go.

The role of the Designated Driver can be a tedious one, but it's never worth the alternative. Getting yourself and your close friends and family home is the perfect way to give to them this Christmas.

An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and Drinkaware are all supporters of the campaign, which has local and national heroes such as GAA stars as its representatives.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross said;

“For many people, December will be a month of celebration; the way to ensure that the season remains festive is to plan ahead…so please, don’t drink and drive, instead travel with a designated driver and ensure you and your loved ones all get to 2019 safely.”

Any Designated Drivers can visit www.DesignatedDriver.ie to download a voucher for two free soft drinks, which can be presented at over 1000 pubs across Ireland. Otherwise they can simply make themselves known to bar staff.

I can think of a good few people who will be wanting the 'Gift of a Lift' this year, that's for sure.

7 easy ways to use turmeric for an immediate health boost

Aug 1, 2018

by Food Writer

Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties have been lauded by health specialists for decades and it's been on the trendy food list for a few years now.

A member of the ginger family, the yellow spice is high in antioxidants. Used as a staple spice and medicinal herb in India for centuries, its benefits include mood balancing and boosting your body's ability to heal, as well as stabilising blood sugar, preventing ulcers, and optimising good and bad cholesterol.

Thankfully, you can easily introduce this superfood into your diet (even if you are not ready to drop that morning coffee for an Instagram-friendly golden milk!).

1. Curry

Let’s start with the more obvious. Turmeric is the spice that gives the deep yellow colour to Indian curries. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to some fresh ginger, garlic, onion, mustard seeds, and cumin and you have a nice spice base to make the most delicious fish, meat, or vegetarian curries.

2. Porridge

Don’t be scared, you morning brekkie won’t end up tasting like the curry you had for dinner. Add ½ a teaspoon of turmeric to 3 heaped tablespoons of oats, 1 tsp of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, a few raisins and a cup of almond milk for the most delicious and healthiest porridge ever. Top with a dollop of almond butter and you are in heaven.

3. Soup

Turmeric goes particularly well with pumpkin, butternut squash, carrot, potato, and/or courgette soups, giving them an extra depth of flavour.

4. Smoothie

Add ½ a teaspoon of turmeric into your morning smoothie or juice to get a healthy dose of antioxidant. Our favourite recipe? 1 banana, ½ a pineapple, a big handful of spinach, a cup of almond milk and a few ice cubes. Add some cayenne pepper, turmeric and cinnamon to boost your metabolism and please your taste buds.

5. Avocado toast

Unless you have been hiding in a cave since 2014, you are now well aware of the benefits of avocado. But maybe you didn’t know that combining turmeric with healthy fats – i.e. avocado or olive oil – improves the bioavailability of curcumin, the active ingredient in the yellow spice.

6. Roasted veggies

Add some turmeric to your veggie seasoning – salt, pepper, paprika, olive or coconut oil, oregano, mixed herbs, cayenne pepper… – for a nice eastern twist on the Sunday roast.

7. Hummus

Make hummus even healthier by adding a pinch of turmeric to a can of chickpea, one tablespoon of tahini, a garlic clove, the juice of one lemon, a pinch of cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper. Properly addictive.

Plus a bonus No.8… a cake!

The perfect answer to anyone who dares telling you that cake isn’t good for you.

The Coronas have added a THIRD gig to their December line-up

Sep 22, 2017

by Staff Writer

Following the success of their number one album, Trust The Wire, The Coronas were set to finish off the year in style with two intimate Christmas shows.

Now, due to popular demand, the boys have added a third and final date to the line-up.

The lads will take to the stage at Dublin's Olympia Theatre on December 5 and 10 for special performances to mark the 10 year anniversary of their debut release, Heroes or Ghosts.

A post shared by The Coronas (@thecoronasofficial) on Sep 15, 2017 at 9:36am PDT

A third gig has been added on December 7.

Danny, Dave, Knoxy and Conor say they can't wait to bring their show back to the historic Dublin venue.

'We're delighted to announce that we'll be back in Dublin's Olympia Theatre this Christmas for two special intimate shows,' they said previously.

Tickets for The Coronas live at The Olympia Theatre cost €33.50 and are available now.

Hibernation time! Here’s what’s coming to Netflix this December

Entertainment

Nov 30, 2016

by Amber Saunders

It's safe to say that we'll all be staying in as much as possible over December and Christmas… who wants to go out in that weather?!

So, when you're all cuddled up under the Christmas tree – here's EVERYTHING that is arriving on Netflix this month.

You're bound to be obsessed about one of these shows by the time you get back to work in January!

ORIGINAL TV

Pacific Heat: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 2

In this satirical animated series, a covert squad of elite — and unconventional — operatives tackles crime on the glitzy Gold Coast of Australia.

Fauda: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 2

Learning that the Hamas militant he thought he killed is still at large, veteran Israeli operative Doron comes out of retirement to hunt down his foe.

Fuller House: Season 2 – Launch Date: December 9

The Tanner family’s adventures continue as DJ Tanner-Fuller shares a home with her sister Stephanie and friend Kimmy who help raise her three boys.

White Rabbit Project: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 9

Kari Byron, Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara investigate jailbreaks, superpower technology, heists and other pop culture, science and history topics.

Club de Cuervos: Season 2 – Launch Date: December 9

Siblings Chava and Isabel continue their quest to one-up each other and take full control of Cuervos FC.

Medici: Masters of Florence: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 9

After his father's murder, banking heir Cosimo Medici battles opponents of his artistic, economic and political visions for 15th-century Florence.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 11

An eccentric sleuth and his assistant wend their way through a big mystery, creeping closer to the truth with each episode in this comedic thriller.

Nobel: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 13

A series of incidents in Afghanistan set complicated political and personal events in motion for a returning Norwegian Special Forces officer.

Van Helsing: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 17

When Vanessa Van Helsing awakens from a coma, she learns that vampires have taken over the world and the fate of humanity rests on her shoulders.

Ten Percent: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 20

In the wake of their boss's unexpected death, four Parisian talent agents have their hands full managing their clients' careers.

Travelers: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 23

They're from the future but they're living in our time. These seemingly ordinary people are secretly working to save us all from a tragic fate.

Chasing Cameron: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 27

Get an inside look at the life of social media sensation Cameron Dallas with this show that follows him as he takes his career to the next level.

Ajin: Season 2 – Launch Date: December 27

Sato will stop at nothing in his bloodthirsty quest for world domination. To stop him, Kei and Ko will have to make some hard choices.

ORIGINAL COMEDY

Reggie Watts: SpatialO – Launch Date: December 6

The comedian/musician waxes poetic about flight, grits and guns in this one-of-a-kind surrealist, experimental comedy adventure. Completely improvised.

Gabriel Iglesias: Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry – Launch Date: December 20

He’s sold out concerts in over 24 countries and now he makes his Netflix debut. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias delights a packed house in Chicago, IL.

ORIGINAL FILM

Spectral – Launch Date: December 9

When an otherworldly force wreaks havoc on a war-torn European city, an engineer teams up with an elite Special Ops unit to stop it.

Barry – Launch Date: December 16

A young Barack Obama deals with race, culture and identity while finding his way as a New York City college student in this fact-inspired film.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARIES

Hip Hop Evolution: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 2

Influential MCs, DJs and moguls trace hip-hop's growth from the basements of the Bronx to the top of the charts in this documentary series.

The Cuba Libre Story: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 8

This documentary series recounts the tumultuous history of Cuba, a nation of foreign conquest, freedom fighters and Cold War political machinations.

Captive: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 9

This riveting series features hostage situations around the world, offering an inside look at the tense negotiations and life-or-death stakes.

ORIGINAL SERIES FOR KIDS

Luna Petunia: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 9

Luna Petunia follows the adventures of a girl who lives in our world and plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible.

The Adventures of Puss in Boots: Season 4 – Launch Date: December 16

Season 4 has our fuzzy, fearless feline swaggering and swashbuckling through more fun-filled adventures as he seeks to defeat the dreaded Bloodwolf.

Trollhunters: Season 1 – Launch Date: December 23

From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro, a fantastical new world wrapped around two best friends who make a startling discovery beneath their town.

december