Help for Your Holiday Meals

Here is a list of websites that offer food and cooking info you can use when planning your holiday meals! 
Each link will open in a new browser window.

1.  The Splendid Table's "Turkey Confidential" - This page contains the two-hour Thanksgiving episode of America Public Media's food and cooking show, The Splendid Table.  In addition to the recording, there are twenty-one recipes covering all holiday meal courses, and even great ways to fix leftovers.  Lynne Rossetto Kasper's style is very friendly, positive, and she gives easy-to-follow recipe ideas and cooking tips.  Her love of cooking and how it brings family and friends together shines through every episode.




2.  McCormick's "How Old Are Your Spices" - If you have McCormick brand herbs and spices in your pantry, you can find out how old they are in mere seconds.  Simply enter the product code on the bottom of your spice jar and the city listed on the label in their easy-to-use form.  I discovered my poultry seasoning was thirteen years old!  Even if the McCormick website says your flavoring is out-of-date, double check it yourself.  Take these three steps to see if it's time to run to your favorite spice store:

1. Look at the herb or spice:  Is it faded or discolored?
2. Open the jar and smell it: Can you smell anything?  If not, it's probably lost all flavor.
3. Taste the herb or spice: Either taste a bit on your finger or mix some flavoring into a small amount of cottage cheese or plain yogurt.  If there is no discernable flavor, toss it.

(I tested my poultry seasoning and it was a goner.) 

3.  Consumer Report's "Wine Buying Guide" - If you are unfamiliar with wine styles, how to serve and store wines, or typical wine lingo, this page and its links will get you started on the delicious vine-ripened path.  This section is open to the public.  Consumer Reports also offers ratings and other information for their online and magazine subscribers.

4.  All About Beer's "Stylistically Speaking" - Going the barley-and-hops route, but not sure what beer style would go best with turkey, ham, or roast beef?  Check out All About Beer magazine's online beer style guide!  The listings are reprints from their magazine.  Be sure to click on the Next link at the bottom of the page to discover even more types of beer.  When you click on the Read More link, you'll get in-depth information about a beer style, and some representative beers.  Ready for even more beer information?  See their extensive Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers.  I've enjoyed reading All About Beer for several years.  They contain some good info for hard-core beer fans and brewers, along with new-to-beer friendly reviews and beer-centric travel ideas.


5.  Cheese.com - Want a little cheese with that wine (or beer)?  Find out everything you wanted to know about cheese and what to expect when you're expecting to eat cheese on this website.

And of course, ask your local food specialty shop, artisan producer, friends and family for great ideas to make your holidays special!

Happy Holidays from Totem Media, L.C.!!

All photos are from Microsoft's clipart website.

Holiday Hosting Tips

This post is a companion to my Holiday Eating Tips post of November 19.

The holidays can be a challenge for anyone planning to host a family, friends, or office gathering.  Realizing that love, friendship, and the comfort of your guests are more important than fancy hors d'oeuvres or your new china pattern may help.  So, here are some tips for hosting a loving, friendly, comfortable party this holiday season.

1. Be yourself.  As a party host, you don't need to be the "perfect, super" version of yourself that is really only possible on a scripted television show.  Your friends and family love you and your co-workers enjoy your company, so relax!

2. Find out if any guests have food restrictions or allergies.  This is not always possible, but if you can either through the grapevine or your invitations ask guests who may not eat certain foods for religious or choice reasons or have severe food allergies to let you know privately beforehand.  Some people who eat a limited diet may offer to bring a dish for themselves or help you figure out how to include them in your food spread.

3. Don't push food and drinks too hard.  Some of your guests may be dieting or have food/drink issues that they haven't shared.  Have the food and drinks available and politely offer more occasionally, but don't be offended or upset if someone passes on a second helping of pie or a third glass of wine.

4. Offer a mix of healthy and "traditional" (high in fat and calories) food and drink options.  More and more people want to have at least one healthy option when attending a party.  You don't have to spend a lot of money or time serving a huge variety of items, but at least offer a tray of vegetables, fruits, low-fat cheeses or meats amongst the cookies, fudge, and mini quiches.

5. Don't embarrass late arrivals.  Some of your guests will arrive later than you expect.  Don't say, "Hey, look! John decided to show up!" or "I'm glad you're finally here," since phrases like these can make your guest uncomfortable and unwelcome.  Instead, warmly greet them as if they arrived right on time.  If the late guests offers an apology for their delay, let them know everything is fine.  You could say with a genuine smile, "No worries, we are glad you're here."

6. Turn it down! Some people only see each other at holiday functions.  This is especially true at family or large office parties.  Keep the music or entertainment volume low enough that people can easily hold a conversation.  This is especially important if anyone with hearing difficulties is attending.  Also, take into account the age and musical tastes of your guests.  We may love heavy metal, but Aunt Sue or your boss will not appreciate Steve Harris' excellent basslines.

Images from Microsoft Clip Art website

Holiday Eating Tips

The holidays can be a challenge for anyone trying to eat well, lose or maintain her weight.  The friend luncheons, family gatherings, and office parties usually offer a lot of temptation and little heathly or low fat/calorie options.

Here are some tips I will be implementing the next couple of months.  I hope they can help you.

1. Pass on the appetizer and dessert.  Many appetizers and desserts are loaded with fat and calories.  Based upon the portion sizes in most restaurants, a salad, entree, and vegetables are more than filling.

2. Get a to-go box (doggie bag).  Portions can be huge at some restaurants (or homes!).  Plan to eat half or two-thirds of your meal, then take the rest home for a quick lunch or snack the next day.

3. Don't pass on meals.  It is harder to say "No" to holidays sweets when you've skipped the previous meal.  Hunger can also make you eat faster, which can result in eating more than usual.

4. Eat a healthy snack at home before the party.  This is a supplement to the previous tip.  You don't have to eat a huge meal before heading out to food festivities.  Instead, a small protein and vegetable snack will help you say "No" to a second or third helping of your favorite holiday treat.

5. Drink water between glasses of punch or alcohol.  Not only will you save calories by slowing down your high-caloric drink intake, you can stay more sober.  Don't let friends, family, waitstaff, or party hosts push you into drinking more than you feel comfortable.  Remember: No Beer Pressure!

6. Plan your eating schedule for the entire day.  When visiting multiple homes or parties over the holidays, you may overeat at one place, then feel obligated to eat just as much as the next.  Instead, plan and stick to the amount you can eat at one party so you can enjoy something at the next.  Family and friends should respect your choices.





Images from Microsoft Clip Art website

Christmas Trees Redefined

We choose not to have a traditional Christmas tree in our home. A cut tree is kind of depressing, watching it die, and the container for a live tree ends up being a "litter box" for our cats. Also, we don't have to worry about our dogs knocking decorations off of the tree with their tails.

Instead, we go "green" by not having a green tree. We've repurposed two jewelry hangers into adorable and classy "trees," saving both the environment and money!










This jewelry tree, purchased from IKEA holds my long necklaces throughout the year, then with the addition of LED microlights (purchased from Target), some reusable silver starry garland, and our smallest ornaments, we have a wonderful wintry white tree, surrounded by an angel, polar bear, and Christmas dog. Cost: $5 for reusable tree, $6 for one set of LED microlights (needs 4 AA batteries), various for ornaments and garland.

















This classy chrome jewelry hanger, purchased from Container Store usually holds a fun collection of bottle openers and key chains. (I'll post a pic after the holidays.) The hanger's sleek design inspired me to buy one set of small tree ball ornaments (from Target) and arrange them on the hanger and fill the bottom with leftovers.

















I added a "glitter ball" I bought last year for a craft project from Hobby Lobby to the center for extra shine. Cost: $20 for the hanger, $6 for the ornaments, nothing for the glitter ball.






















I've seen at stores this year metal tree shapes with hooks for ornaments. They're cute, but I would rather buy something I can use all year round.

Maybe you need a larger tree, one to put presents around? Here's a clever use for a found object!

This six-foot chrome clothing rack is usually found in a department store. From January to November, it holds clothes in my closet, but in December it's transformed!

By wrapping white wire lights around it and adding our ornaments and a tree topper, we have a sturdy, dead-needle-free Christmas tree. Our tree skirt fit neatly around it and we have the perfect place for Santa to leave us presents. The ornaments are hung on the small hanger balls evenly-spaced around the rack, er, tree. We can see all of our ornaments from every angle.











Since the "tree" is meant to hold many heavy shirts or trousers, we don't worry about the ornaments' weight. The rack is tall enough to keep doggie tails and reaching cats away from most, if not all, of the ornaments. Cost: $0 - found rack, previously purchased ornaments, light, and tree skirt.




















We here at Totem Media, L.C. wish you and yours the brightest, merriest, and safest of holidays!