News

This blog post was written by Dietitian Sarah Keogh.

The holiday season is here, bringing festive cheer, indulgent feasts, and sometimes… unwelcome bloating. With all the rich food and sweet treats on offer, it’s no wonder many of us feel a little sluggish this time of year. But don’t worry, we’ve got you (and Santa!) covered with some simple tips to keep your gut happy and healthy this Christmas.

Why Am I Feeling Bloated?

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to ask why you might be bloated. Bloating can result from a range of issues, including:

• Coeliac disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Constipation
• Other medical conditions

If bloating is persistent, it’s always best to consult your GP first to rule out any serious issues. Once you have the all-clear, it’s time to act.

Top Tips for a Festive-Friendly Gut

1. Load Up on Fibre
Around 80% of people don’t eat enough fibre. During the festive season, it’s easy to rely on sugary snacks and skip those fibre-rich foods that keep your gut happy. Aim for 25g of fibre per day with:

• Fruits
• Vegetables (roasted Brussels sprouts, anyone?)
• Wholegrain breads
• Beans and lentils
• Chia seeds and nuts

Fibre helps keep your gut moving, preventing constipation and the dreaded festive bloat.

2. Love Your Microbiome

Your gut bacteria play a key role in digestion. Support your microbiome with these festive-friendly options:

• High-fibre foods: Add variety with colourful veggies in your Christmas dinner.
• Fermented foods: Enjoy some creamy yoghurt, cheese, kefir, or a slice of sourdough as part of a festive platter (or charcutier board).
• Probiotics: If needed, consult a dietitian for the right probiotic to keep your gut in balance.

3. Stay Hydrated

Don’t let the chilly weather stop you from drinking enough fluids. Fibre absorbs water as it moves through your gut, helping everything run smoothly. Aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day and add a festive twist with herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile.

4. Check for Coeliac Disease

Did you know that 20% of people with IBS symptoms actually have coeliac disease? If you’re struggling with gut issues, it’s worth asking your GP for a test. Remember, you need to be eating gluten for at least six weeks before testing.

5. Festive Foods for a Happy Gut

Incorporate gut-friendly foods into your holiday meals to stay comfortable while celebrating:

• Porridge for breakfast
• Roasted chickpeas as a snack
• Oranges as a sweet treat
• Broccoli as a side dish
• Blueberries for dessert

The festive season is all about enjoying yourself, and that includes feeling good from the inside out. By taking care of your gut, you’ll be ready to eat, drink, and be merry without worrying about bloating. And don’t forget—Santa needs his energy too! Help him beat the bloat by leaving out gut-friendly snacks like carrots or a glass of water with his cookies.

Rosie & Jim are pleased to sponsor the Friends of the Coombe €200 for their fundraising event - 'Clash of the Titans' on Sunday 29th September at The Button Factory, Temple Bar.

The fundraiser is to help raise money for the ongoing campaign to raise €75,000 to purchase the world’s most advanced premature baby clinical simulator to transform the way in which healthcare professionals at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital develop and maintain the critical clinical skills needed for when it matters most.

Friends of the Coombe is a registered charity that was established in 1982 to raise funds to assist the development of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital. The Hospital’s commitment to a philosophy of care which is family centred is visible in all aspects of its work.
The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive providers of women and infant health care in Europe. The hospital cares for up to 10,000 pregnant women every year. Additionally, approximately 1,200 infants are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Centre and over 8,000 adult surgical operations are performed. The hospital provides comprehensive care for women and infants at local, regional and national levels.

There is enormous pressure on resources and, through fundraising alone, supporters have helped the charity purchase a long list of vital equipment which enhances the quality of care provided right across the hospital. And, like all charities, we have to prioritise need and so we work closely with the medical staff to ensure that we focus on the things which cannot be funded from other resources.

Find out more about this Fundraiser >

Follow the updates on their Facebook page >

We are delighted to have sponsored the Fisherstown Tractor Run in aid of the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre in Portlaoise.

Congratulations to all involved in putting together such a great family day out and raising funds towards such worthy cause! Well Done!! 

The Cuisle Centre provide a warm, safe and welcoming environment for people diagnosed with cancer and their families affected by it.
Cuisle Centre is a charity and all services are free to patients & family.

Find out more about the Centre on the website - http://www.cuislecentre.com/

Rosie & Jim are thrilled to announce we have won the Innovation Award at the FreeFrom Food Awards 2020!

Our Southern Fried Fillets won Gold in Kids Choice; Our Battered Chunks won Gold in Parents Choice AND our the Rosie & Jim Gluten Free Range have won the Innovation Award!

Thanks to everyone at FreeFrom Food Awards who provide a fantastic service for all the Free From consumers in Ireland.
 

The 5th FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland 2020 took place on Thursday 8th October, with the eagerly awaited announcements made virtually, following pandemic related delays. “We are delighted to get the news out to our winners, ahead of the Christmas shopping season,” says John Burke, founder of the FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland. “Finally those that have won awards can proudly display them, helping freefrom consumers to pick the best quality products available to them.”

Over 500 entries were judged both before and after lockdown, with fully socially distanced panel sessions completing the process in July. The Awards ceremony was due to take place live within the government guidelines until the recent changes resulted in the event taking place online. “We’re all missing the opportunity to meet up and see judges, entrants and friends,” says Burke. “But most importantly entrants have been waiting patiently to find out who has won what and to show their customers how well their products measure up in this growing market.”

Check out their website: https://www.fffa.ie/

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FFFAIreland

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrishFreefromFoodAwards

We are thrilled to announce the winner of our Light Up a Life Facebook competition.

Congratulations Fiona Staunton and family from Co. Westmeath on winning €1000 for your chosen charity - Aoibheann's Pink Tie!

Fiona also wins a sumptuous Christmas hamper with festive favourites including a whole host of tempting tipples.

And, as if that's not enough, she also receives tickets for a family of four to The Sound Of Music in The Grand Canal Theatre.

About Aoibheann’s Pink Tie

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie was set up in 2010 after Jimmy Norman’s daughter, Aoibheann, passed away. During their long battle with cancer, Jimmy met with a lot of parents going through the trauma of having a child with cancer, and more specifically identified with the financial burden that inevitably follows diagnosis. They are registered with the Irish Cancer Society and affiliated with St. John’s Oncology Ward in Crumlin Hospital. Olympic gold medal champion Katie Taylor is their charity ambassador.

So what does Aoibheann’s Pink Tie do? They provide financial and practical help to those families in need of it. This will hopefully allow the families the ability to focus on their child and working through their illness. Families are often lost in the mix when their children go through this battle, but it’s not just the child that gets cancer, it’s the whole family as each is affected and must struggle.

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie raise funds through various events and fundraisers and use this to support families who are recommended to by the senior social worker in St. John’s Ward Crumlin Hospital.

Find out more on their website - aoibheannspinktie.ie

Keep up to date on their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/pg/aoibheannspinktie

• Ingredients
• Method

2 Gluten Free Rosie & Jim Garlic Chicken Kiev
Potatoes, peeled and chopped in half
1 or 2 sprigs of Spring Onion chopped – the white side only
Splash of Milk
Tablespoon of Butter
10-12 Medium sized Asparagus, chop the ends off
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Olive Oil
Salt / Pepper

Heat the oven to 190oC or 170oC for fan assisted ovens.

Place the Rosie & Jim Chicken Kiev’s on a baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes (35-40 minutes if frozen).  Set a timer, just in case!

While they are cooking, chop the potatoes into chucks so that they will cook in 30 minutes.

Boil or steam the potatoes – whichever you prefer, until cooked.

Top Tip - * If your family love mashed potato and you hate mashing, we highly recommend you invest in a Potato Ricer. Smooth mashed potato in minutes without the hard work - it’s a very handy gadget for the kitchen!*

Chop the Spring Onion thinly – using only the white end of the onion.

Steam the Asparagus for 5-6 minutes. If they are very thick they may need another minute, but you want them al dente and crisp.

When the potato is cooked, mash the potatoes in a pan; add a splash of milk, the butter and season with salt and pepper. When it’s nice and creamy add in most of the Spring Onion, but keep a little for plating up.

When the Asparagus are cooked, but still have a little bite, take them off the heat and add a pinch of salt, pepper and a little drizzle of olive oil.

The Rosie & Jim Garlic Chicken Kiev should be ready now, so take them out of the oven and plate up –
Spoon some of the creamy mashed potato on the plate.
Add the Chicken Kiev on top.
Place the Asparagus on the plate and squeeze a little Lemon Juice over it.
Sprinkle the remaining Spring Onion on top

Serve up to your waiting loved one and wait to hear the Mmmmmmmm...!

Rosie & Jim have provided for the planting of 300 trees at €6000, since March 2021 as part of our Commitment to Sustainability.

This annual contribution of €2880 / 144 trees planted per year is on behalf of Rosie & Jim's efforts to offset our carbon emissions.

The Wolfgang Reforest ambition is to create a movement of people planting trees.

Planting trees can revitalise wildlife and reverse climate change.

https://www.wolfgangreforest.ie/

What a fantastic evening we had at our Rosie & Jim Christmas party! Saturday night was all about celebrating the festive season with a dazzling 'Joe Dolan' tribute theme.

Swipe through to relive some of the magical moments we shared. From the music to the laughter, it was a night filled with joy and great company. A huge thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable event!

Best of luck to Ava Corcoran from, Ballybrittas who is braving taking part in the Jump from the Sky, for AFI 2019 event on 15th June. Ava is doing the skydive on behalf of her cousin Maura to raise money for Ataxia Foundation Ireland.  Maura was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when she was 12. Ava contacted us looking for support. Rosie replied to Ava...

"Myself and Jimmy are very happy to provide €500.00 toward your sky dive - well done, you are all very brave!! We are sorry Maura has been diagnosed with what I’m sure is a difficult condition, and hope our contribution goes in some way to help with the support needed for this very worthy cause. I had never heard of this condition and, thanks to caring people like you Ava it helps to bring awareness about what this conditions is, and the lack of support for these difficulties that life throws up! We wish Maura all the very best and hope she is doing well!  Best of luck to you Ava with the sky dive, enjoy I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience!

About AFI

Ataxia Foundation Ireland (CLG) a Company Limited by Guarantee.  This New Voluntary National Support Group is for people affected by Friedreich's Ataxia (the most common Genetic Ataxia) and up to 50 other Ataxia's.  The organisation was founded by four people with Ataxia, to form the board of directors and trustees and have recently increased the board to seven,  five with an Ataxia and two non-disabled people and have established a Management Committee made up of members and volunteers, most of who have supported people with Ataxia for many years.

What is Friedreichs Ataxia?

Friedreichs Ataxia is a genetic and progressive disorder of the central nervous system which usually manifests itself in children between the ages of six and sixteen years. However, in some instances the onset for Friedreichs and other Genetic Ataxia’s can be much later. Because of the genetic factor more than one person in a family may be affected. The general symptoms are clumsiness, difficulties with balance, lack of co-ordination and, in time, a slurring of speech. Although there is no specific treatment for any of the known Ataxia’s, fundamental research into its pathogenesis is ongoing worldwide, and there are, in any case, various ways in which the burden on sufferers and their relatives can be lightened.

From everyone here at Rosie & Jim we would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Our Opening Hours over the Christmas Holidays are:

Friday 20th December Normal Production
Saturday 21st December CLOSED
Sunday 22nd December CLOSED

Monday 23 d December CLOSED
Tuesday 24th December CLOSED
Wednesday 25th December CLOSED
Thursday 26th December CLOSED
Friday 27th December Normal Production
Saturday 28th December CLOSED
Sunday 29th December CLOSED

Monday 30th December Normal Production
Tuesday 31st December Normal Production
Wednesday 1st January CLOSED
Thursday 2nd January Normal Production