Free Recipes

Invited to a party or gathering? Why not bring the host or hostess the gift of a nutcracker? Nutcrackers are fun and encourage the healthy eating of nuts. Why you could say that a nutcracker is the perfect ice breaker! It seems as everyone will gather as you start to crack nuts with the nutcracker.

A nutcracker is the ideal choice if you are invited to a gathering with small children. Note: always remember to ask parents/grandparents about nut allergies as the reactions can be serious. Even a shy child will be eager to take their turn cracking a nut with the nutcracker. Nutcrackers make a fun crunching noise as the nut is cracked. It’s easy to see why nutcrackers have been popular for many years and continue to be. Let each child take several turns and you’ll probably be the center of attention among the youngsters.

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Many families welcome out of town guests during the Thanksgiving time. While you look forward to gathering loved ones during the holidays for great Thanksgiving meals, having out of town guests sometimes can be unsettling. Unsettling for you and also for them. There are some practical and simple things you can do to make your out of town guests feel at home for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Before your guests come ask them if they have any special requests or needs. This is the perfect time to find out if they are allergic to Fluffy or Fido. Or if they are bringing Fluffy or Fido. Or if their teenage daughter has suddenly become a vegetarian and won’t eat turkey. Even with close family they can have changes in their personal life they may not think of until they are at your doorstep. Knowing about these things ahead of time will make Thanksgiving far easier.

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In addition to eating great Thanksgiving food, you should also know that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to do crafts with kids. Many kids enjoy doing crafts at the holidays. As family gathers, your kids will likely have free time during the holidays. Giving them crafts to enjoy is an excellent occupation for their little hands.

Thanksgiving Placemat

This is a perfect Thanksgiving craft especially for younger children. A young child can do this craft with some supervision with scissors and glue. Remember to use non-toxic glue. Glue should say it is non-toxic, otherwise err on the side of caution.

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Many families enjoy holding a Fourth of July party. America’s birthday is known for great gatherings and celebrations across the country and beyond. Whether enjoying the fireworks or just each other’s company, this is a great time to spend with your friends and family.

But lots of Fourth of July parties can feature unhealthy treats that most of us would prefer to avoid. Even if you aren’t actually on a diet, many today are health conscious and don’t want to eat smoked meats from the barbecue grill or high calorie desserts. So what are you going to serve at your Fourth of July party to keep everyone fed and happy? Here are some tempting options that will keep a crowd satisfied – and coming back to your house next year for more!
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Many cooks are preparing their menus for Thanksgiving dinner. But often what exhausts cooks about cooking Thanksgiving dinner is not the actual cooking, but the organization and the logistics. It seems like somehow you always wind up running out of butter or other necessary ingredients. Or someone in the family invites an additional guest at the last minute, throwing your portions out of whack. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to better organize your Thanksgiving dinner cooking.

Begin by planning your dinner menu ahead of time. The typical Thanksgiving dinner has three or even four courses. There is a salad course, the main meal and dessert. Many families also have a cheese course. Now is the time to be choosy and to select exactly what you want to serve. Pour over your cookbooks and pick out the best of the best recipes to make for Thanksgiving.

Get the majority of your Thanksgiving cooking shopping done the week before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, so it comes as little surprise to most of us. Plan ahead and get to the grocery store, butcher and specialty stores the weekend before that Thursday to do the majority of your shopping. Bring a detailed list with you and cross things off as you go. This is the ideal time to get just about everything that you need. Remind family not to eat that special cheese or other items as they are for Thanksgiving!

Plan an additional grocery store trip for Tuesday evening to get last minute items. By planning for it, you can pick up milk, eggs or any perishable items you may need. This is also the best time to pick up anything you might have forgotten.

Keep your non-perishable Thanksgiving items in one place (spices, flour, etc.) all in one place so you know you have them. You shouldn’t have to hunt around for them. This will help you find them so much more easily on Thursday.

Clean your kitchen and organize it so you are ready and comfortable to cook. You should have plenty of table and counter space to put out your pumpkin and apple pies as they cool. Prepare the space for what you will need.