What to do with all those Thanksgiving Leftovers?

November 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment

So, it’s all over. All that prep, the cooking, the shopping- and of course, the eating.  Now- what to do with all those leftovers?

thanksgiving dinnerFood Safety Tips:

If your family is anything like mine, then you’re used to having the same problem each Thanksgiving—what to do with all the leftover food! While you may be dreaming of turkey sandwiches and leftover pie, just remember that mishandling leftovers can create opportunities for contamination with bacteria. So keep these food safety tips in mind after the big party to prevent foodborne illness.

How Many of These Leftover Rules Do You Follow?

  • Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen in shallow containers. Whole roasts, hams and turkeys should be sliced or cut into smaller pieces or portions before storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. This encourages rapid, even cooling.
  • In general, leftovers stored in the refrigerator should be consumed within 3-4 days. When possible, put a sticky note or other label on your leftovers with the date they were first stored so that you know when to toss them out. A full list of recommended cooling and freezing times is here: http://go.usa.gov/GKVd

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How To Prepare Your Turkey Safely

November 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Ever wonder how to make sure your turkey is not only done, but safe and bacteria free? Here are some great tips from foodsafety.gov-

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Food Safety Tips:
Cooking a turkey properly makes even the most confident chef just a little nervous, not to mention the millions of first-time cooks attempting the turkey trot to the Thanksgiving table.
On behalf of the Food Safe Families campaign (from USDA and Ad Council) we want to make this a food-safe Thanksgiving for turkey newbies and seasoned professionals alike. Every year, the USDA’s Food Safety Hotline gets thousands of questions about cooking Thanksgiving meals. The hotline’s food safety experts help debunk a slew of turkey myths. Here are a few of the most common:
1. Myth: Washing the turkey before cooking makes it cleaner and safer. FALSE It’s impossible to wash bacteria off any poultry, not just turkey, because pathogens live inside the meat itself. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto kitchen surfaces, other foods and utensils. The only way to destroy bacteria on your turkey is to cook it to a minimum internal temp 165 °F; at this temperature bacteria are killed.
2. Myth: Stuffing turkey the night before is a safe way to save time. FALSE. Harmful bacteria can multiply in the stuffing and cause food poisoning when a stuffed bird is refrigerated. The ingredients for the stuffing, wet and dry, can be prepared and refrigerated separately the night before. Stuff the turkey just before you put it into the oven.
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Belfry’s Christmas Gift – Children’s Book

November 26, 2014 by 2 Comments

If you are looking for a sweet book to add to your Christmas collection this year, Let me suggest “Belfry‘s Christmas Gift“, the second book in the ‘Tales of Little Overhill’ series. Written by Mike Joens, this adorable tale revolves around Belfry, a cute woodland animal who is trying to think of the perfect gift to give to Theo for Christmas.  Along the way, he comes across the village curmudgeon, who he tries to befriend.

According to my son (7 years old), he says that in the book, “it shows just because you look mean on the outside, doesn’t mean that you are really a bad guy.  And God loves you how you are, no matter what.”

Belfry’s Christmas Gift is a really great book for kids of all ages, to tell the true meaning of Christmas.  The book is also fun for them to hear, and the animals are always a good touch for children (what child doesn’t love animals?).  The book is beautifully illustrated by Len Simon, with the images and expressions just right for kids.  The animals are cute and cuddly (well, most of them!) and the scenery is pretty- we all know that we are visual creatures, and that the illustrations for kids especially are nearly as important as the story to keep them interested.  They will love both the pictures and the story here, and it’s available now in time for the holidays for just under $15.
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Traditional Christmas in a Technological Age

November 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again. The holidays are quickly coming up on us, and that means preparing for Christmas. In our technological age, it’s easy to lose sight of Christmas traditions. This year, I’ve decided to focus on ways to incorporate technology with Christmas traditions. Here are a few simple tips on how you can, too:

perect christmas for kids

Christmas Music

Nothing brings cheer to the house quite like Christmas music. Thanks to technology, we have access to more Christmas music than ever before. Tablets, computers, cell phones, and even smart TV’s now have the ability to stream music for hours. So it doesn’t matter if you are in the kitchen baking cookies, or in the living room wrapping gifts, the music goes where you go. Pandora has an app on smart TV’s that allow us to stream music for hours without end. Amazon Prime has free music streaming for select Christmas titles. Technology brings the tradition of Christmas music to us anywhere.

Christmas Cards

This tradition is still going strong, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere in the foreseeable future. Some crafty people even make their own cards to send. For me, I intend to save time, money, and paper sending eCards. It’s easy to do. All you need are email addresses for friends and family and you can send Christmas eCards efficiently in minutes to anyone. No buying stamps. No going to the post office and waiting in line. Just import your address book, select a card, and send. Not only does it save trees, but the cards are received instantly, so if you are a procrastinator and realize on Christmas Eve that you forgot the cards, it’s not too late.
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A Gluten Free Thanksgiving

November 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment

If you are going gluten free this year (or every year, for some people with no options), Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a complicated affair.  Some of the most basic holiday foods, like the turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes normally have no gluten in them already- so huzzah!  Several steps down, several more to go.

What to do about the foods you love that DO normally have gluten in them?  Well, turns out it might not be as bad as you think.

ready to use gluten free stuffing

image via Glutino.com

Start with the stuffing

You can make your own with gluten free bread that you let get stale, or you can make it from a mix if you are pressed for time.  You can also go non-traditional if you feel like getting wild and crazy, with cornbread or even wild rice stuffing.  For me, personally, I’d go cornbread, but I am a sucker for that stuff every. Single. Time.
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Nut Free Thanksgiving Goodie Bags for The Classroom

November 25, 2014 by 1 Comment

Nut Free Classroom Snacks

So, it’s that time again- time to be supermom.  As if you don’t have enough to do, it’s class party time, and you are in charge of snacks.  With everyone allergic to something, you need to be conscientious about your food choices.  If you, like me, are not the crafty type , here is a cute (and easy!) all-in-one craft/goody bag the kids are sure to love, and your kids will love making with you.  (Look at that, you ARE supermom!  Quality time with the kids and class party making all rolled into one, score one for you.)

My son and I made these turkey snack bags for his class.  Yes, it would have worked out better if we used orange, brown, or yellow pipe cleaners, but he wanted black ones, so there you have it.  No arguing with the kiddo.

What you need

Pipe cleaners
Orange or yellow construction paper
Non-latex gloves- you know someone is going to be allergic to latex
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Van Gogh Vodkas – The Perfect Holiday Drink

November 18, 2014 by 4 Comments

When you think of the word Van Gogh, the average person thinks of a work of art. Some know a few paintings, some may not, but all know he was an artist and a master at that. When you hear of Van Gogh vodka similar thoughts occur- artistic and special vodkas for those special occasions when only the best will do.

11 04 14 products 007Van Gogh are constantly updating their flavor,s and two of these perfect flavors are Double Espresso Vodka and Rich Dark Chocolate both of which are perfect for dessert drinks. Also these are perfect for when you want something a bit more than a coffee or a glass of milk but want a splash of something extra. The Double Expresso makes form mouthwatering adult milk shakes while the rich dark chocolate complements a rich coffee quite well. Another easy way to prepare a simple drink with these vodkas is on the rocks or with a touch of club soda. Both of which let the drinker appreciate the complexity of the flavor of the vodka without the alcohol punch. Below are a few more ideas for Van Gogh vodka recipes. Enjoy.
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Easter Baskets for Babies

April 5, 2014 by 1 Comment

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Got a little one this Easter? Chocolate and candies won’t do, and some of the “big kid” stuff is overwhelming in little hands. Check out these fun, age appropriate ideas of what to fill their Easter basket with.

Cloud B Bubbly Bunny is adorable and perfect for baby’s first Easter morning. This uber soft plush bunny plays four soothing sounds that are begun by the push of a button.  Volume controlled by mom and dad, it also has a sleep timer option with 23 or 45 minute intervals you can choose from.  This sweet bunny makes an adorable Easter gift.  $30 at http://cloudb.com

Also available from Cloud B is Glow Cuddles Bunny, another cuddly, soothing option.  When your child hugs this bunny (or fusses), it mimics a heartbeat in sound and feeling, helping to calm your child to sleep.  It also has a steady glow, though not too bright that it would interfere with sleep.  $33 at http://cloudb.com

TOMY’s Lil’ Chirpers Sorting Eggs is perfect for a child who is becoming more mobile, or is learning colors, shapes, or sorting.  Not only is it good for learning, but it’s cute and brightly colored- and great for the holiday.  It contains two matching games, six eggs, and a carry/storage case. When an egg is “broken” open, a colorful chick can be found inside.  If your child presses on the head of the chick, a “peeping” sound will be made.  $12 at http://tomy.com
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