Inspiration For Feeding Your Guests Well
• Dips - A classic for entertaining, and it's easy to mash or blend your own fresh versions. Try Guacamole (avocado, lemon juice, salt and diced red onion), beetroot dip (boiled beetroot, lemon juice, salt and white vinegar), hommus (canned chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and salt) or tzaziki (Greek yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice and mint).
• Dippers - Using vegetable sticks can be a healthy, tasty and visually appealing addition to any dip. Add red capsicum for extra colour. You can also rip up a big sourdough cob for a rustic effect. Water crackers, organic corn chips or oat cakes are other great alternatives.
• Blinis - Are little Russian buckwheat pancakes traditionally served with sour cream and caviar. You can make your own using a buckwheat pancake mix, made bite sized and topped with your own combinations. Goat's cheese and salmon, tuna and mashed corn, or prawn and tomato salsa all go well.
• Nuts - Raw and unsalted are the healthiest option. To bring out some extra flavour lightly roast your own mixed nuts in a dry pan. Feel free to add pepitas or sunflower seeds to this mix.
• Dried fruits - Make your own mix with goji berries - they will be the topic of conversation! Or add dried fruits like prunes, pears or muscatel clusters to cheese platters. Dried whole bananas are delicious and great for children.
• Dukkah salmon cubes - Dukkah is an Egyptian blend of dry spices, nuts and seeds. It is often used as a dip with bread and olive oil. You can cube a raw salmon fillet; dip it in egg, then crumb with dukkah and bake on foil. Serve on toothpicks, with olives, pickled onions or grilled zucchini or eggplant slices.
• Skewers - Grilled meat and vegetables that have been marinated overnight in the fridge make a more substantial social food. Chicken with a peanut sauce (fresh peanut butter, coconut cream, lemon juice, salt), or beef with a tamari (a delicious wheat-free soy sauce) and local honey marinade.
• Popcorn - Potato chips are high in fats and offer very little nutritional value. Try popping your own popcorn in a saucepan with a little bit of olive oil (with a lid!). Season with paprika, vegetable salt or celtic sea salt.
• Fruit platters - Fruit is nature's dessert. And a refreshing way to hydrate on a warm day full of festivities. Watermelon, rockmelon, oranges, mandarins, mango and strawberries are all fantastic choices.

Extra Advice For Getting Organised
• Plan - Do as much as possible before your guests arrive, that way you can spend more time with them. Serving food can be a way to make sure you get to talk to everyone, but ask a friend to help so you are not tied up all night.
• Fresh is best - The more fresh ingredients (fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs) you can include into your food the better it will be for health and taste.
• Think seasonally - If it is in season it will be at its best and more affordable. Also prepare food that suits the weather and goes with the theme or style of your occasion.
• Buy quality ingredients - Buy the best ingredients your budget can afford. Resist the urge to buy too much food, as this leads to waste.
• Stress Less - Entertaining can be stressful, being organised and accepting help can reduce your stress levels. Concentrate on what is important, and that is spending time with your loved ones. The tasty, healthy food on offer is just a bonus.

Celebrating with friends and family does not have to leave you feeling sluggish, unhealthy and stressed. Not only will you feel better for eating well, but you will know you are sending your guests away full of nutritious food. Chances are they won't be able to wait for their next invitation!