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Top Ten Christmas Holiday Foods Trends

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It’s a 1+1=3 kind of thing.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

Trend: Boozy Baking

From booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a slosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We’re loving these boozy baked goods!

Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes

Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate “holiday helpers.”

Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.

Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food!

Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers

Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack ‘em up and watch ‘em go.

Trend: From Cave to Kitchen

Forget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that’s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can’t resist.

Recipe: Mantastic Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffle Sandwich

Here’s a new take on chicken ‘n’ waffles – made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It’s the ultimate manly man meal.

Trend: Skinny Cocktails

Here’s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails.

Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini

Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers!

Trend: Better Than Bought

From canning to candy making, there’s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge

Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt—a recipe to impress.

Trend: Veggie Love

Once just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus

Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip.

Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-Friendly

Allergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn’t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we’re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone – whether you’re allergy-sensitive or not.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten – no kidding!

Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G

Man’s best friend deserves man’s best effort. That’s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido’s list.

Recipe: Dog Bark

This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog’s favorite ingredients – bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!

Trend: Food Craft

The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps

Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.

DISCLAIMER:  I received the details from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark to bring you the Betty 10: Red Hot Holiday Trends information.  Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Holidays / Seasons, Meals / Menus, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Teachable Moment: Nurture Yourself During the Holidays!

December 6, 2011 By 3 Comments

Dr. Susan Bartell

Nurture yourself during the holiday rush…really!

Are you exhausted? I know that I am! After fighting crowds at the mall, baking mountains of cookies, and managing meltdowns by overtired kids, every parent is ready to drop! It’s difficult to avoid the insanity of the holidays, which is why it is so important for you to find a few moments to care for yourself. After all, if you feel cheerful and energized, rather than tired and stressed, you will be better able to juggle your way through the next few weeks. It doesn’t take much to get the relief that you so desperately need, so please enjoy these tips, as my holiday gift to you:

Turn up the tunes. Loud, fun music will lift your spirits and distract you. When you dance and sing along, it will definitely put a smile on your face. Soothing music will signal your body to relax and it will help you slow down.

Breathe in. Certain aromas have an instantly calming effect on your body. Lavender, rose, vanilla and many other scents will send signals to your brain to become calm and feel good. Carry an aroma that appeals to you in the form of a small container of balm, cream or essential oil. When you feel stressed, open the lid and inhale the soothing smell.

Breathe out. Stress can make your heart race. To slow it down, breathe in for a count of five, and breathe out for five. Repeat this another three or four times. You will be surprised at how this simple technique can calm you down. It is especially effective in traffic or while waiting on line. Practice this often to get better at it.

Indulge in a mini-massage. Use your favorite lotion (extra points if you use one with a soothing smell) to massage your hands together, or to rub your feet. It may not be quite as good as a professional massage, but your body will still thank you.

Limit caffeine. Too much caffeine amplifies stress. Although you may be exhausted, resist the urge to drink too much coffee. Don’t forget that there is also caffeine in some tea, soda, and chocolate.

Sip a cup of hot, herbal tea. The act of taking a moment to boil the water and brew the tea, will give you a time out. Then, since it’s hot, you will be forced to sit and sip it. Pick a flavor that feels calming (perhaps chamomile).

Stretch. The next time you watch TV with the kids, or chat on the phone, give your back, legs and neck a gentle stretch. You’ll feel your body instantly de-stress.

Exercise—even for a couple of minutes. Run upstairs or jog to meet the school bus. Your body will release feel-good endorphins that will keep you going for a while.

Take a hot shower or bath. The warm water will soothe your aching body and give you a few minutes of peace and quiet—if you’re lucky!

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Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Holidays / Seasons, Teachable Moments Tagged With: , , , , ,

You can NEVER go wrong with Hickory Farms for Christmas

December 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

Hickory Farms Logo

It is just not Christmas without a Hickory Farms kiosk in the mall, is it?  My husband is such a HUGE Hickory Farms fan, that pretty much everyone gets him something from there for Christmas.  His favorite is the Summer Sausage and Smoked Bacon Blend Cheese.  My Dad loves the Cranberry Mustard.  Me, I am a bit weird, I just like the little candies they use to decorate the gift boxes. ROTFL!

They have items to fit every budget from under $25.00 to over $50.00.

Summer Sausage and CheeseSummer Sausage and Cheese Gift Box:  At $40.00, this makes a great gift for Parents and Grandparents.  This classic gift has been a favorite for over half a century!  It features Signature Beef Summer Sausage and 3 cheese flavors:  the NEW Farmhouse Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, and Smoked Cheddar.  This is the one that I pretty much always get for Ricky.  If money is a bit too tight, I just buy him an individual sausage and an individual cheese.  He loves to see the shapes in his stocking and try to guess what flavor I chose.

Party Planner Gift BoxIf you are having a party or attending a party this year, don’t hesitate to get the Party Planner Gift Box.  At only $45 dollars for the box, this is a great way to provide munchies for the Holidays.  With the Hickory Farms $3.00 to ship Holiday Special going on and the fact that they will donate $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry ® Campaign for each of these boxes sold, this is truly a great purchase!

Plus, did you know that Hickory Farms supports our Military?  Yeah, seriously!

THE TRADITION OF GIVING BACK

Hickory Farms is committed to giving back through its partnership with Share Our Strength®, a leading national not-for-profit organization working to end childhood hunger in North America. This holiday season, when customers purchase a Party Planner gift box, Hickory Farms will contribute $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign*. Customers will also have the opportunity to include a $1 donation to the campaign with their purchase at a Hickory Farms store or at hickoryfarms.com. Hickory Farms’ passion for fighting childhood hunger has generated more than $1.1M in contributions to Share Our Strength since 2008. The company is looking to raise and/or donate an additional $700,000 this coming holiday season. Beyond Share Our Strength, Hickory Farms is a strong supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces serving across the globe. All year long, Hickory Farms offers free shipping on select products to military addresses to ensure that families can send loved ones much needed food gifts and warm wishes.

For more information on Hickory Farms, Free Shipping to APOs and FPOs, and their Share Our Strength campaign, please visit the following:

DISCLAIMER:  I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review.

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Sneak Peek: Vera Bradley is the way to go this Holiday Season

November 29, 2011 By 18 Comments

Vera Bradley is a brand that is recognizable everywhere.  If you just take a stroll through your local Mall, you can pick out the Vera Bradley bags on the shoulders of many of the women.  I, personally, have spent so much time drooling over the Vera Bradley website, that I can even name the colors.

During the Thanksgiving weekend shopping trip, I must have said a million times, different phrases to the effect of… “oh look Mom, that is a Vera Bradley!  Oh, I like that Baroque design, don’t you?” or “Oh I really like that Call Me Coral, , too bad they have retired it. Although, that means that you can get most of the items in that color at a great discount!  *hint, hint*”  Hmm.. on further thought, my Mother must think I am a loon, or a Vera Bradley stalker. LOL!

They have stayed true to their “brand” since opening the company in 1982 and continue to bring consumers new items and new patterns.  With over 100 different items per most colors, there is surely something for everyone out there.  For me, I have a wish list 9 miles long and have spent countless hours on the site.  I am not kidding!  When they check their site traffic analytics, they will see that one of their visitors spent like 3 hours on the site.  HA!  That was me.  You know, since I have nothing else to do during the day except watch TV and eat Chocolate. Yeah, if you believe that, I have a bridge I could sell ya’. LOL!

So, since I have a fairly recent addiction and know that there is no way on Earth I can afford the 47,000 items (ok, only 30 on my wish list) I want from Vera Bradley, I decided to put my blog to use and see about contacting their PR department.  Smart move on my part.  Not only do I get to tell you about the new colors, but I get to give my thoughts and opinions on 4 items!

So, keep your eyes peeled to this site to find out my thoughts and opinions on the following Vera Bradley items:

Yep, they are on their way to my house and upon their arrival, I will get the post up.  Hmm.. wonder if I can talk them into doing a giveaway so one of my readers can win something?

Want to start your own drooling session?

***DISCLAIMER: I will be sent items by Vera Bradley to help facilitate my review. No money exchanged hands. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

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Review: Dr.’s Remedy Fall Fever and Jolly & Joy Nail Colors

November 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I love nail polish (as do my girls)!  I also like Dr.’s Remedy, because their products are so much healthier, so I was excited to try out their two latest lines-Fall Fever and Jolly & Joy.

About Dr.’s Remedy

Healthier looking, Stronger looking, more beautiful nails… It’s that simple.

Dr.’s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is the only over the counter enriched polish, created by doctors, designed to be free from
harmful toxins.

Use Dr.’s REMEDY®

  • As a healthier alternative to commercial nail polish
  • If you suffer from:
    • nail fungus
    • brittle, discolored nails
    • have an allergy to chemicals in commercial nail polish
    • are pregnant

Dr.’s REMEDY® is also great for kids!

Dr.’s REMEDY® is Naturally Unique:
Free from toxins found in most commercial nail polish (DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde)

Developed by Doctors

Only Dr.’s REMEDY® is ENRICHED WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS.

About Their New Color Lines

Fall Fever includes:  Defense Deep red: a rich bordeaux with a mystifying matte finish, Balance Brick: a modern maroon with body and balance, and Nobel Navy: a sea-at-dusk shade that reflects lights and brings dimension to tips and toes alike.

Jolly & Joy includes:  Revive Ruby Red: a shimmer-infused, Wizard of Oz-inspired shade of crimson, Passion Purple: a bombshell-boysenberry with subtle silver meshed throughout, Essential Emerald: a take on the classic tree-and-plant-inspired gem of a shade, with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour, Serene Silver Glitter: a seasonal sizzler like no other; shine, chic, totally unique in the metallic scene, and Resolution Red Glitter: a red-meets-copper spin that’s sequin-look-alike laden with high-shine and sparkle.

My Thoughts

I love these nail polishes!  I love that I can let my girls paint theirs or my nails and if it gets on my skin, it’s not a big deal!  The bottles are a lot bigger than the ones you would buy at a store, so you’re getting considerably more for a much better product!  It also stays on for a good amount of time without looking chipped.  I had my toenails painted (my four-year-old did it) two weeks ago and they still look fantastic!  As for my favorite colors, I prefer the Glitters for the pure fun of it, but I also really like the Ruby Red and the Balance Brick.  All of the colors have great coverage with just one layer-except Emerald!  But, it’s such a pretty color you won’t mind putting the second coat on!  All-in-all I thoroughly recommend these products!

Buy it!

You can buy them at the store here for $14-17 each.  Or you can buy them on sale from Black Friday to Cyber Monday!  They are all $14 with free shipping for those three days!  Great deal!

*Disclaimer:  I was provided products by Dr.’s Remedy.  I was not compensated for my thoughts, they are my ver own!*

 

 

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