Easter Cooking

Easter Cooking

Easter is another one of those days that brings friends and family together. There are many great dishes and plans that can be made for Easter dinner depending on where in the world you may be celebrating. Just remember to try to avoid making plans for Easter dinner that are contingent upon the weather to work because it never seems to do exactly the opposite of what you plan for no matter where in the country you may be.

With so many dyed eggs around it would be a shame not to incorporate them into the meals that are being prepared for your Easter menu. There are many ways to do that and a favorite in my house is with devilled eggs. In addition to devilled eggs, which are excellent appetizers you can also chop the eggs up and include them in potato salad, egg salad, or chicken salad (which also happens to make excellent finger sandwiches for a light appetizer). You may also use boiled eggs in the making of cornbread dressing and/or giblet gravy, which are both popular Easter dishes in some southern states.

The good news is that there are plenty of dishes that go wonderfully well with eggs. If you like ham this is a great dish to serve with dressing, to make ham salad with later, and to simply have along with your favorite egg recipe. Ham is relatively simple to make as the hard part is often waiting on it to be finished. If you want even more simplicity the only thing you really need to do to have an excellent ham dinner is poor a can of Coca-Cola over the ham, cover it in aluminum foil, and bake it for the necessary duration. It really can't get any easier than that though there are plenty of more complicated ham recipes available.

You will want to offer plenty of side dishes to compliment your main dish. Popular favorites are vegetables, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potato casserole, and rolls. These are all relatively simple to prepare, not very time consuming and can also be delegated to guests if you'd like without too terribly much fuss. You'll also want to have a few appetizers on hand for the time before dinner is ready and a couple of desserts for the perfect finish - as if those chocolate bunnies from the Easter basket's are not enough.

For those looking for fare that is a little lighter on Easter I recommend offering salads with low fat dressing, steamed veggies, use diet coke on the ham instead of regular and prepare at least one sugar free dessert as well as offer some fruit and a raw veggie platter with fat free dip along with the appetizers. Easter is a day to celebrate and you shouldn't leave family members who are dieting to dread their lack of healthy eating options. You'll also find yourself surprised by those who, given the option, will eat the healthier foods if they are available.

If you are hosing Easter dinner at your home in addition to these cooking ideas I also suggest offering a place for your guests to change clothes if necessary. Many people come wearing their Sunday best and while it was great for church services and photo opportunities they don't often fare too well with gravy, butter, or grass stains.

Of course you could skip all the advice above and go for a down home hoe down of a barbecue for the Easter holiday that in some parts of the country signals the approach of Spring. Barbecues are often appealing because it limits a good bit of the mess to the great outdoors and gives the kids involved a great place to run, play, and let off steam.

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

St. Patrick's Day Cooking

St. Patrick's Day Cooking

There is something about St. Patrick's Day that brings out the Iris cook in all of us. At least it seems to have this effect on my family. If you are not of Irish decent it may not have quite this profound effect upon you. If you are, then I'm quite certain you will understand what I mean by this.

There's something about revisiting traditions that may have been lost in the fog of coming to a new world and adopting a new way of life that is lifted on this one day of the year. As a result old favorite recipes handed down from mother to daughter over the centuries come out and grand meals are prepared.

If your mother wasn't of Irish decent and you do not have a stockpile of wonderful Irish recipes in your inventory there are a few great websites on the Internet that offer excellent recipes that have already been converted to standard American measurements that will have Irish eyes and any eyes that think they might wish to be Irish smiling once again.

Corned beef and cabbage is a favorite. In our house we add great things like potatoes and carrots to the recipe. This is a great meal because it can be put in the crock pot before the work of the day begins and with very little effort is simply waiting on you to be ready for dinner time. No real effort is necessary in creating an outstanding feast that many will think you've had to miss a parade or two in order to prepare.

Lamb stew is another great dish to put on your St. Patrick's Day table. There are also slow cooker or crock pot recipes available for this family favorite if you take the time to search them out. This is a stick to your ribs kind of meal that is very popular in cooler climates for the St. Patrick's Day festivities. This makes a great lunch or dinner for this great day and goes quite well with Irish Soda Bread.

Shepherd's pie is another hale and hearty meal that is a wonderful addition to the St. Patrick's Day festivities. This dish is a favorite among those who have tried it and might just become a staple recipe in your kitchen as it is in mine. There are many recipes online though I recommend going the path of least resistance and finding the simplest recipe possible. Shepherd's pie is one.

No Irish meal is really complete without potatoes of some kind on the table. Keep this in mind no matter which meal you cook. There must be potatoes in order to complete the meal or it simply cannot be authentically Irish. This may be a slight exaggeration but you should take a moment to make sure that there are potatoes for this particular event because it's just a very Irish thing to do.

There are some days when it just pays to be green despite the fact that Kermit still claims, "it ain't easy being green."

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

Make Your Overnight Guests Feel Right At Home

Make Your Overnight Guests Feel Right At Home

Without some planning and forethought, having company during a holiday can be a very stressful and difficult time for all involved. But if you think ahead and plan accordingly, your guests will feel welcome and comfortable in your home, and you’ll provide a stress-free environment so you can enjoy their company.

Be sure that you decorate your home for the people who will enjoy it. And the likelihood of your best tablecloth getting a marinara stain on it is pretty high if you’re serving guests of all ages. You are happy your guests are in your home, so take it upon yourself to ensure they feel welcome, comfortable and wanted.

Start the process in the guest room your company will be staying in, and make it special. If they’ll be with you for more than just a couple of days, provide drawers they can put things away in so they can easily find things and get ready each day. Make sure your guest bathroom has plenty of clean towels and that you are stocked up on the necessities like toilet paper, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.

Also, be sure you have plenty available to entertain your younger guests. Board games, crayons, coloring books, and movies help pass the time while the adults visit. Encourage the little ones to draw a pretty picture that you can display in your home for the holiday, or provide them with enough craft material such as glitter, yarn, glue, tape, and construction paper to make fun gifts of their own.

Try to find out ahead of time if any of your guests require special accommodations, attention, or have special diets they must adhere to or have any food allergies. The last thing you want to have happen is for one of your guests to have an allergic reaction to your oyster stuffing. It might feel awkward to ask, but your guest will appreciate you thinking ahead on their behalf.

Most importantly, try to keep the environment calm and relaxing. After all, it is a holiday and both you and your guests have taken time off work for the holiday, so make sure you take the time to sit back and take it easy with your company. Keep the days entertaining, but not crammed full of activity. Be sure to schedule in activities they enjoy.

Perhaps there’s a special exhibit at your local art gallery or museum they’d like to see while they’re in town. If so, offer to watch the kids while they go, and then take the kids to see a movie or something. If these options are a bit too energetic for you, they you might also enjoy playing a board game or watching a movie or television program at home. The gift of your time will be fondly remembered long after your guests have returned home.

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

Plan Fun Activities for Family and Friends

Plan Fun Activities for Family and Friends

It’s so easy to get caught up in the preparations for a holiday. Shopping, baking, cooking, wrapping, cleaning, and chauffeuring the kids everywhere they need to go. As you make your list of things to do, be sure to include some fun activities that include your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors. After all, fellowship and companionship is a big part of a holiday, so make sure you spend some quality fun time with those who mean the most to you.

Singing is a fun way to not only include people you already know, but a great way to break the ice and meet new people. Print up some lyrics, grab a portable stereo and sing. On Christmas many poeple tour the neighborhood singing Christmas carols, but that's not the only holiday for singing. It doesn’t matter that you’re not the best singer. People of all ages will enjoy this tradition carried into the modern holiday. If you don’t feel comfortable caroling, kareokee is another option, or just singing with family around the fire.

Ice skating is another great activity to do with friends and family. Not only does it promote getting some exercise, but it’s a great way to spend time outside enjoying the crispness of the winter air if you live in the right climate. If you don’t, most towns have local skating rinks. Check their schedule in advance and send out invitations to several family members or friends and make an afternoon of it.

Consider encouraging your friends and family join you on a volunteer excursion to help out at a local nursing home or homeless shelter during the holiday. You can visit, sing or help serve meals. If you know of a family in need, perhaps your friends and family could put together a holiday gift basket and fill the basket full of food, baked goods, and small treats and gifts for the children of the family. It’s a great way to teach children the importance of giving back to their community and helping those that are less fortunate then themselves.

Remember the reason for the holiday, and spend some time with your friends and family, and maybe even help out others in the process. Have a great holiday!

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

Reduce Your Stress During Holidays

Reduce Your Stress During Holidays

Holidays can be a stressful time. Some people are stressed out from the sheer volume of things that need to be done, such as shopping, baking, and decorating. For others, events with their family can cause great stress. Regardless of what creates stress for you, take some time for yourself to relax, rejuvenate, and rest so you can enjoy the holiday.

If you’re worried about having too much to do and not enough time to get it done, sit down and make out a to-do list. Include your spouse and children in the holiday planning process, and try to delegate chores to everyone to help make things simpler and free up your time.

Even the youngest of children can do a lot to help mommy and daddy for the holiday including picking up their room and behaving. Older children and teenagers are able to do quite a bit more. If you have a teenager of driving age in your household, take advantage and have him or her make deliveries or run errands for you.

Be realistic in your planning. If you know it generally takes you most of the day to do your decorating, don’t try to cram it all into a morning or afternoon session. And most importantly, don’t over schedule yourself and try to do too much in one day. Schedule in time to read a book, take a hot bath, or get to bed early.

If spending time with members of your extended family creates stress for you, consider bowing out of the festivities. After all, holidays are supposed to be peaceful and joyous. It’s highly likely that if you’re family is in turmoil the rest of the year that will be the case during the holiday as well. Try to make alternate plans with members of your support system such as friends or other family.

If you must attend, rely on this strong support system to get you through, and if things become tense, call it a night and come home early. There’s no need to tolerate an intolerable situation that will cause your stress levels to skyrocket. As an alternative plan, consider donating your time to a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or nursing home, all who would appreciate a helping hand and a supportive ear during the holiday.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If you begin feeling the signs of stress such as headaches and body aches, anxiety and sleeplessness, that’s your cue to slow down and take things easier. Cut back on activities, ask for help with projects or chores, and take some time out for some deep breathing exercises and walking.

If you take care of yourself, you’ll be able to take care of the things on your list, your family and your holiday as well.

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

Choosing a Theme for your Holiday Cooking

Choosing a Theme for your Holiday Cooking

For some families there is constant competition from one year to the next to top the efforts of the hostess for the last season's holiday festivities and cooking. If you are looking for a great way to do just that when it is your turn to do the holiday cooking for the family how about breaking with tradition and creating your own theme for the holiday? I know it may seem a little rebellious and some may not like it but others may find it ingenious.

You can make your holiday cooking fit any theme or situation you like. You can create the perfect picnic complete with a checked table clothe, seating on the ground, and baskets filled with goodies for everyone to dig in when ready. The idea is to do something a little bit (okay I admit it a lot) different from what others have done in the past and give them ideas to build upon for the next holiday cooking theme.

If you decide to go with the picnic theme be sure to bring beverages, cheese, and plenty of finger foods that travel well. If the weather permits (and it may depending on where in the country you live) you can actually make a picnic event of your turn doing the holiday cooking.

You can set your food up and display your cooking efforts like an all you can eat buffet if that's what you like, though I hope your cooking is much better than most of those I've tried. The point is to make the theme something that is new and a little bit different but also that isn't really related to the holiday but allows the family to enjoy the benefits of the holiday, which includes the pleasure of each other's company.

If you really want something new go with an ethnic theme for your holiday cooking. This leaves a lot of room to explore and those who have the duties of cooking for the holidays next year will have a hard act to follow if you choose a theme that you really enjoy eating and cooking and decorate well to suit the theme.

Let your imagination, personal tastes, and knowledge of your family be your guide as you decide what theme to incorporate and how far you want to take it. You can even have a lot of fun by issuing a challenge from the very beginning.

One fun theme to bring into Christmas cooking (specifically) is a Medieval Christmas theme. I think it would be fun to require costumes for the dinner, dancing afterwards, and observance of some of the cultural 'manners' of the time for the celebration of Christmas. It just seems like such a fun way to spend the day with family and loved ones even if you are doing the cooking. The good news is that with a Medieval Christmas cooking theme you have a little bit of room to let your imagination run wild and it will definitely be a hard act to follow.

The downside is that skipping tradition is always a risk. If you are worried that your family might not like it, ask first, and then decide if this may or may not be the right move for your family situation. You could always do the other as a Christmas party or for your own personal Christmas with immediate family only (though arguably that would be less entertaining).

Enjoy the memories,
Renee

Family Holiday Ideas and Tips

Family Holiday Ideas and Tips
What do you like to do on family holidays? Go to the beach or spend a week in the country? Maybe you like camping or visiting relatives. Whatever you enjoy, family holidays are a chance for everyone in the family to get reacquainted and spend quality time together. It's a chance for parents to really talk with their teens and find out what's going on in their lives. It's important to keep the communication lines open, and a family holiday is a good time to do that. Having a good relationship with their parents is one of the most important factors in keeping teens out of trouble.

Studies have shown that when families take holidays together, they are more likely to eat together and are less likely to argue. They do not watch as much television because they are involved in doing things together. Kids even report that their parents seem to act differently while on holiday.

While family holidays are a good time to connect with your kids, communication problems that are already there will not automatically disappear. Especially with teenagers it is important to listen and be flexible. Find out what the kids would like to do and eat and plan accordingly. While even teenagers need boundaries, it is important for parents to try to avoid needless confrontation. Explain why you make the decisions you do and show them positive attention.

Kids will appreciate being included in travel plans. There's a good chance they will choose a theme park or the beach if those are among the options. Sometimes it works well for a teenager to take a special friend along on family holidays. While this might increase the parents' load, the teen is likely to really appreciate it. Also, sometimes it works well for kids to go on holidays with their grandparents instead of their parents. Sometimes there is a special relationship here that can help kids open up and communicate about their concerns.

While on family holidays, if teens are uncooperative or behave improperly, try to deal with the problem in private. Teens are very aware of embarrassmant and it can be mean to exploit this sensitivity. In fact, you might explain to the kids how their behavior embarrasses you, and they in turn might work harder at getting along and acting appropriately.

Kids will be happier on family vacations if they have snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Few kids enjoy a long ride in the car! Try to provide individual CD players or hand-held video games, and don't forget to take plenty of bathroom stops. Sometimes kids enjoy the ride more if they can help you follow the map. This is an educational activity for them as well. By following these suggestions, your family holidays can make a happy memory.

Enjoy the memories,

Renee