2014 Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

ATLANTA BALLET

An Advertising Supplement to the Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com • Sunday, November 2, 2014

Home for the Holidays Planning the holiday meal

Perhaps the most anticipated aspect of the holiday season is the lavish holiday meal. Many people look forward to the food just as much as they look forward to the festivities. This could be why the average person gains a pound or two from the period of Thanksgiving up until New Year’s Day. Planning a holiday gathering and meal can be stressful for hosts or hostesses. There seems to be a lot of pressure placed on the person in charge. However, establishing a wonderful and stress-free meal is possible with a few easy-to-follow tips. * Create a meal concept. Holiday meals can be traditional or avant garde.

There are many options from which to choose, but one thing to keep in mind is to select foods that go together. Those new to holiday hosting may want to stick with items that are well known and expected, such as turkey and trimmings.

Those who want to experiment may want to introduce one or two new dishes into the mix. Food choices should be about what your guests will want to eat and not about which items will ensure a spectacle. * Keep preparation time in mind. Another thing to consider when planning the meal is the amount of time you have for food preparation and cooking. The holidays are a busy time of the year, and work and social engagements may continue up until the eleventh hour. Choose foods that can be prepared in advance and heated on the holiday if you’re timepressed. Or simply choose easy-to-make dishes that won’t take much time.

* Compile a shopping list. Once foods are selected, review all recipes and make a list of the ingredients you will need.

This will serve as a shopping list to take to the store. Also see which items you have on hand in the pantry. Look at expiration dates and be sure that everything is top quality. If in doubt, add it to your shopping list. Make a list of things that can be bought in advance (paper products, coffee, linens, etc.) and other items that need to be checked off closer to the actual holiday. Cross off each item once it is purchased. * Create a timetable. Make a schedule or use a calendar to schedule when each component of the meal and other preparations will be made. This way you ensure you will stay on track and have everything done by the actual holiday. * Ask for help. If you find that time will be short, delegate some jobs to others. For example, if a grandmother or aunt is known for her prized potatoes or pies, ask her to make that item. Some hosts and hostesses turn the holiday meal into a pot luck where everyone is encouraged to bring one item and the host simply provides the main dish. This can cut down on the work involved and make others feel they’ve contributed to the sentimental holiday meal. * Go easy on yourself. While not everything will work out exactly as you expected, chances are little glitches will not even be noticed by guests unless you point them out. And even if they are noticed, these are close friends and family who will not judge small mistakes. * Make time for socialization. Too often holiday hosts and hostesses worry so much about impressing guests with lavish foods and festivities that they fail to enjoy the actual day with their guests.

Leave time to sit and chat and, most importantly, relax.

The holidays are a time of enjoyment.

Ensuring the meal can be as stress-free as possible will go a long way to helping hosts and hostesses enjoy the season as well.

2 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

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Home for the Holidays Get organized for easy holiday decorating Celebrations go a long way toward making the holiday season a special time of year. Each holiday offers the opportunity to transform both the interior and exterior of a home into a holiday wonderland blending both store-bought and handcrafted decorations and ornaments.

As families grow, many amass various holiday trinkets and decorative items that become part of their holiday traditions.

Some decorations hold special sentimental value, while others are standard decorations found in homes across the globe come the holiday season.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by holiday decorations, but organizing such items can make the process of giving your home a holiday facelift that much easier.

Color-coding Storage bins are the unsung heroes of

holiday decorating. Such bins keep treasures safe and out of the way in attics, basements and closets. Employing a colorcoding system to organize holiday decorations will make it easier to identify items and their corresponding holidays. Christmas objects can be housed in red or green storage containers, while Halloween decorations can be placed in orange containers, and so on. Investing in durable, plastic bins with lids will keep items clean and orderly.

Designate a storage spot Hunting and pecking around the house for holiday decor can make the process of decorating that much more time-consuming. Not knowing where the strings of lights or extra extension cords are stored can drag out the time it takes to decorate.

Establish a designated storage area for ornaments, lights, wreaths, and other items

used to decorate your home come the holidays. Out-of-the way spots like attics or seldom-used closets make good storage spots for holiday decorations, guaranteeing that such items won’t get in the way throughout the rest of the year.

Sort and replace as you go Take the time to periodically go through decorative items, removing anything that is broken or worn beyond repair. It takes time to go items through piece by piece, but this will save time next year when decorations are taken out again. The longer you wait to sort items and do a little cleaning, the more time it ultimately takes to clean house.

Decorating for the holidays can be fun, and it’s even more fun when homeowners take the time to carefully organize their decorations.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 •3

Home for the Holidays No-bake desserts make the perfect end to a gathering It is the season for entertaining, when invitations for barbecues and parties abound.

Common courtesy dictates guests offer a token of appreciation to their host or hostess for the invitation to socialize.

Although wine or other beverages are a go-to gift, a tasty dessert also makes a great gift. And gifters can even consider a no-bake recipe so they don’t have to turn on the oven when the weather warms up.

Need inspiration?

Browse the Internet and you’re likely to discover dozens of delicious no-bake recipes.

Cooking shows on television and articles in newspapers and magazines also can inspire

home chefs. Otherwise, you can try your hand at these simple dessert solutions. * Ambrosia salad: Ambrosia is a variation on a traditional fruit salad. Although ambrosia salad can have different variations, many recipes begin with a dairy base (pudding, sour cream or yogurt) and then include different canned or fresh fruits, shredded coconut and mini-marshmallows. * Pudding trifle: Trifles are made by layering different ingredients to create a striated design. This dessert may include a variety of ingredients, from cake to cookie crumbs to fruit. Trifles also can be customized to fit a particular party theme. Patriotic parties may feature a trifle made with berries, whipped cream and cubes of vanilla pound cake. Match flavors to cocktails or other food being served. * Easy ice cream cake: Packaged ice cream sandwiches can be turned into a tasty and simple dessert. First, purchase a box of ice

4 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

cream sandwiches, then melt hot fudge and crumble cookies, like Oreos®, into the fudge.

Spread the cookie and fudge layer on top of the sandwiches and then repeat the layers. Finish by sealing everything with a thin coating of frozen whipped topping. Wrap in aluminum foil and allow to set and harden in the freezer for a few hours. * Fruit pizza: This is a refreshing and relatively healthy dessert to complement any occasion. Start by making a graham cracker crust, either by mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a bit of sugar and pressing into a pie dish or by simply buying one readymade. Mix whipped cream cheese with a bit of strawberry jam, marmalade or your favorite fruit flavor. Spread over the crust. Place slices of fruit on top of the cream cheese. For a professional-looking finish, a glaze made from cornstarch, water and sugar will give the top of the fruit pizza an inviting sheen.

Home for the Holidays Easy ways to be ‘green’ for the holidays While the holiday season is a time of joy, giving and religious reflection, it also can be a time of excess. Holiday parties, meals brimming with more food than the average person can consume, wrapping paper tossed aside after minimal usage, and shoppers venturing for miles in cars in search of presents can all prove wasteful.

For the environmentally conscious, the holiday season is a great opportunity to put your ideals to use. Although it may seem like a challenging task, going green for the holidays is easier than you might think. * Get a live Christmas tree. Christmas trees are planted expressly for the purpose of being cut down and turned into holiday decor. Responsible tree farms will plant many more trees than is needed for the purpose of Christmas trees. Be a good steward for the environment and recycle your tree once the holidays are over. Some recycling centers will pick them up for free or a small fee. * Consider giving food as a gift. Food is consumable, doesn’t take up space, and locally grown food does not require shipping or wasteful packaging. It’s an ideal gift for those who already have everything. * Cut back on holiday decor. Most people love showcasing their Christmas spirit with decorations. However, many decorative products are produced overseas and shipped over to North America on large vessels that require a lot of fuel. Think about reducing your decorations or replacing plastic and metal decorations for allnatural options. Branches of holly or twigs tied with ribbon to form a natural wreath are just as decorative as store-bought plastic decorations.

* Don’t leave lights on for extended periods of time. Homes and businesses bedecked in holiday lights are staples of the season. However, extra lights, inflatable lawn Santas and other accessories consume substantial amounts of energy. Instead of leaving lights and other decorative items running for hours each night, turn them off after a little while to save energy. * Donate money in lieu of gifts. Choose environmentally responsible charities and donate funds to their efforts in the name of people who do not need another package of pajamas. * Use decomposable shipping peanuts.

Shipping peanuts are environmentally friendly packing products that are made from cornstarch. When they come in contact with water, they dissolve -- making for easy clean-up and less trash. * Donate unused gifts. Nearly everyone gets an unwanted gift come the holiday season. Instead of putting items in the trash or taking them back to the store, donate gifts you’ll never use to a charity or a thrift shop. * Wrap gifts with wrapping paper alternatives. Wrapping paper is a luxury item and one that tends to be wasteful. There are many items around the house that can be recycled into decorative gift wrap. Sew scraps of fabric together for a patchwork bag or use glossy photos from a fashion magazine to papier mache a box. When you think creatively, you’re bound to come up with some very usable and eco-friendly ideas.

Although many people tend to go overboard for the holidays, getting into the holiday spirit does not have to be unfriendly to the environment.

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Home for the Holidays Keeping the magic of Santa alive He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. And Ilaughed when I saw him in spite of myself. - “A Visit From St. Nicholas” Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Santa Claus. Santa will forever be ingrained in the holiday season, serving as an endearing symbol of the season regardless of your religious affiliation.

Parents typically go to great lengths to ensure their children enjoy the holiday season. By keeping the magic of Santa alive, parents can add a special touch to the holiday season for their youngsters.

Children may become more skeptical of Santa around the time they turn 10, but there are plenty of ways to encourage this spirit to live on year after year. * Read an uplifting story. The holidays are ripe with stories that tug at the heartstrings. Parents can take their children to the library and rent a Christmas tale or take home a book of holiday stories, reading a different one before bed each night. Encourage children to write their own positive stories of what the holidays mean to them and read them aloud to family and friends. The book “101 Ways to Keep the Spirit of Santa Alive: For “Kids” From 1 to 92” by John Hagerman is a great way to get everyone in the house enthusiastic about Santa. * Keep the magic flowing. Children who believe in Santa for an extra year or two often come from families that keep the magic of Santa alive. In addition to the standard traditions of leaving cookies and milk out for the jolly old man, come up with new ways to evoke the essence of Santa. Spray peppermint air freshener around the tree and other places Santa is

sure to visit. Use a large boot to make a footprint in a plush rug.

Find a way to trigger noise on the roof to give kids the impression that Mr. Claus himself has arrived.

Extra m e a sures to keep Santa alive can help everyone enjoy the holiday that much more. * Take advantage of opportunities to spend time with Santa. Parents and children alike have many opportunities to spend time with Santa during the holiday season, including photo opportunities at the mall and personalized videos sent directly to youngsters’ email accounts. Elf dolls and breakfast with Santa at a nearby restaurant are other opportunities to spread the magic. Make the most of these opportunities over the course of the holiday season. * Spread some Christmas cheer. Santa’s job is to bring presents to the world’s children. Channel the notion that giving is better than receiving and spend time giving back to others as a family. Schedule a day when you can distribute gifts at a senior center or arrange to bring gifts to a foster child. Bake cookies and deliver cellophane-wrapped dishes to all of your neighbors. These activities put the emphasis on giving.

Keeping the tradition of Santa Claus alive can help adults and children alike enjoy a more festive holiday season.

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Home for the Holidays Make-your-own holiday ornaments

Holiday decorating is a big part of the holiday season.

Bins are taken out of the attic or garage, and decorations are once again given their opportunity to shine for several weeks before being packed away again.

Among the many decorations families use to deck the halls are ornaments that were made by hand. This year creating homemade ornaments can be a crafty project that helps families make new holiday memories.

Christmas tree ornaments come in all shapes and sizes and often tell the stories of holiday traditions. There are several different ways to create personalized, do-it-yourself ornaments and leave the

cheap, easily broken ornaments from the dollar stores behind.

Photo ornaments Fun photo ornaments showcase how a family has changed and grown over the years. Experiment with different ways to create these ornaments. You can glue a photo to a ceramic ornament and cover it with decoupage glaze to set it permanently. Try purchasing clear, glass ornaments, then remove the top of the ornament, which is usually spring-loaded, before slipping a photo inside and replacing the top. You also can laminate a photo, punch a hole in the top and affix a ribbon.

Ceramic ornaments The popularity of paint-it-yourself pottery has led to an increase in ceramic and crafts shops across the country. Dur-

ing the holiday season such shops offer many holiday items that can be painted.

Often the store will then fire the pieces after they are painted so that they are shiny and hardened for display.

Those who want to do their painting at home can visit their local craft or hobby shop, where typically there are unfinished ceramic ornaments that can be painted with acrylic paints found right in the next aisle. A finishing coat of clear glaze will help protect the ornaments from year to year.

Wood crafts Many of today’s craft centers have expanded to include sections devoted to unfinished wood items. Everything from letters to animal cutouts to boxes and rocking horses can be purchased and finished. Turn keepsake boxes into painted and ribbon-adorned gift boxes. Stain a

treasure chest that can be used to store reindeer snacks for Santa’s crew. Turn small decorative pieces into ornaments for the tree. Paint and affix wood initials onto stocking holders to identify to whom each stocking belongs. Crafty individuals also can turn plain wood plaques into signs with clever sayings, such as “Park your sleigh here.”

Scavenge around the house Young children can use any medium for making ornaments. Garlands made of macaroni or popcorn are traditional. Fabric scraps can be sewn and stuffed with potpourri for homemade scent satchels.

Hand-drawn pictures can be made and laminated and hung on the tree.

The only obstacle with regard to DIY ornaments is a limited imagination.

Homemade items can add whimsy and a personal touch to the holiday season.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 •7

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www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 •8

Home for the Holidays Healthy replacements for calorie-laden Thanksgiving foods Many people count their blessings on Thanksgiving. Few, however, count their calories. Overindulging at the dinner table is a Thanksgiving tradition, and often paves the way for a season of poor nutritional habits with longlasting ramifications.

The American Council on Exercise says that the average adult consumes 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat at a typical Thanksgiving meal. That is well above the USDA-recommended guidelines of 2,000 calories and 65 grams of fat that most adults should consume in an entire day.

With so many options available on the Thanksgiving buffet table, it is easy to see how overeating is commonplace. Rather than wearing elastic-waisted pants and succumbing to too many fattening foods, individuals can make smart food substitutions that won’t compromise taste but will cut calorie intake. * Fill up on lean protein. Turkey is the cornerstone of the Thanksgiving meal and is a lower-fat, lean source of filling protein. Rather than indulge in too many starchy side dishes, have turkey be the bulk of your Thanksgiving dinner. When preparing turkey, use fresh herbs and low-fat vegetable stock to keep the meat moist and flavorful, avoiding butter and oils, which just tack on extra calories. * Serve steamed veggies. Rather than sweet potatoes covered in butter and marshmallows or breaded and fried vegetables that are unrecognizable, serve produce lightly steamed so it retains its nutritional value and flavor. * Swap out white starches for whole grains. Stuffing is a popular side dish on Thanksgiving. But stuff-

ing can be full of empty calories. Instead of serving white rice or bread stuffing, make your own using brown rice and whole grain breads. Add protein-rich nuts and dried fruits to add flavor and fiber as well. * Skip double-crust pies. Two-crust pies with a bottom crust and a top layer have more calories than ones with just a crust on the bottom. Opt for low-calorie pumpkin pie or add a little gelatin to pie fruit filling and skip the top crust on traditional twocrust pies. Dessert also can be pared down to fresh fruit tarts or low-fat gelatin trifles. * Cut down on courses. Having an excess of food is not only unhealthy but wasteful. Trim courses from the Thanksgiving meal to save time, money and calories. Does anyone really show up for the cheese and crackers appetizers? Focus on the main course and chances are no one will miss the extra food. Plus, their waistlines won’t miss it either. * Dilute ciders and juices. Liquid calories quickly add up. Offer plenty of fresh water and keep sugary drinks to a minimum. When serving apple juice or cider, dilute it with water, which will stretch it out further and cut down on the calories. * Take frequent breaks. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for the body to register that it is full. Failure to give the stomach time to send messages to the brain that you are full could mean you eat more than is necessary.

Thanksgiving is a time of family, friends and often overeating. Making a few changes to favorite foods can make the holiday more healthy.

10 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • www.gwinnettdailypost.com

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Home for the Holidays Teach children to be charitable It is often during times of extreme devastation when children first see how communities can join together to help one another. Such efforts may be a child’s initial exposure to charity while highlighting the importance of putting another person’s needs before your own.

But children need not be exposed charity solely during times of tragedy.

Teaching children to be charitable is one of the ways to help them become good citizens of the world. By helping others, parents can instill early on lessons of kindness, empathy and compassion into their sons and daughters. Children who are ready and willing to lend a helping hand may grow up to be more appreciative of what they have in their own lives.

What’s more, they may learn to be selfless while assigning less value to material things.

Youngsters who repeatedly see their own parents and other role models doing good and lending a helping hand may be more inclined to repeat that behavior, and giving will be the norm for them rather than the exception.

To mold charitable children, families can employ the following techniques. * Start locally. There are people right in your own community or on the street where you live who can benefit from a helping hand. Ask an elderly neighbor if he or she needs assistance with shopping for groceries or could benefit from your child taking in the garbage cans after pickup. Children can help shovel snow from sidewalks or do other age-appropriate tasks, such as place a carelessly strewn newspaper closer to a neighbor’s door. * Volunteer as a family. The entire family can get together and spend time working at a community-sponsored carnival or cleaning debris from an area beach. Volunteer work may be available at your child’s school, where families can plant gardens around the property.

When volunteering as a family, not only

is your entire family helping to do good, but you’re spending quality time together as well. * Make charitable donations. Let children see the solicitations for monetary donations that come in the mail. Read aloud the pleas for funds to help children and adults who may not have enough to eat or who may require medical care.

This is an important lesson in humility and helps show children that not every person in the world is comfortable. Once kids have read about the needs of others, involve them in the donation process.

They can assist with sorting clothing and toys they may no longer need and then help bag it up and donate it to an agency that takes collected items. * Give throughout the year. Charity need not be limited to the holiday season.

Inform children that many people need throughout the year, and that volunteering is a year-round activity. * Match kids’ charitable fundraising.

Encourage children to start their own fundraising efforts and match the funds they raise. Find companies that will also match the amount your children have raised. * Set up a giving policy. Children can learn the importance of giving at an early age by dividing their allowances and financial gifts into different categories.

They can put one-third toward savings, one-third toward spending and one-third toward donations. If children do not have a lot of money in a piggy bank, they can donate their time, which many charities need as much as money.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014 •11

Home for the Holidays Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Whether you’re a seasoned cook and veteran at throwing parties, or new to the art of entertaining, hosting family and friends can provoke a condition that has been coined, “kitchen performance anxiety.” With the holidays upon us, Meyer Corporation, U.S., the largest cookware company in America with long standing brands, such as Farberware and Anolon, enlisted the advice of Los Angeles-based party expert Diane Rossen Worthington for tips on how to alleviate stress and gain confidence hosting parties this time of year, and all four seasons.

Diane is a professionally trained chef, writer, editor, food consultant, and James Beard Award-winning radio show host who has authored more than 20 cookbooks, including her latest, Seriously Simple Parties -- Recipes, Menus & Advice for Effortless Entertaining (Chronicle Books).

Culling from her newest book, and vast experience hosting parties large and small, Diane shares a dozen practical ways to keep calm so you can fully enjoy being with your guests.

1. Start planning your menu as far in advance as possible of your gathering -whether it’s an intimate Sunday brunch, a big cocktail party, a Sunday afternoon open house of cookies and coffee, or a traditional sit-down dinner. Tweak your menu as you get closer to the day to make sure you’re comfortable with what you’ve set out to make. You may need to edit here and there based on how busy your schedule gets during the days leading up to the date.

2. When selecting recipes, think like a chef and choose dishes with ingredients that focus on what’s in season and available at peak freshness. This approach to devising your menu will ensure the best tasting results, even if you’re a novice cook.

Fortunately, the holidays is all about celebrating what’s in season -- such as pumpkin and acorn squash, delicious root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, and crisp apples, juicy pears, pecans, walnuts, cranberries, and more.

3. Seriously turn down the dial on stress by choosing appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts that you can make either completely or partly one or several days in advance. This is a huge time saver

that relieves a good deal of the pressure to perform on the day of your party. Selecting appetizers that you can make in advance is especially smart, as this gives you the freedom to enjoy the company of guests when they first arrive.

4. Before you start cooking and baking, take inventory of kitchen equipment to be sure you have everything that’s called for in your recipes. Are your pots and pans, cookie sheets, electric mixer, food processor, kitchen knives and other culinary tools in good working order? If you need to replace or add items, now’s the time to shop.

5. A well-stocked pantry is every clever cook’s secret weapon. Infuse your recipes with gourmet flavors by having on hand a variety of well-made red wine and balsamic vinegars, assorted oils, good quality chicken and vegetable stock, seasoning salts, capers, spices and nuts. You might want to invest in a package of Seriously Simple Seasoning Salt (available at dianeworthington.com) for spicing up all of your savory dishes.

6. To save time on preparing drinks when guests arrive, consider making pitchers of a signature cocktail in advance, along with a non-alcoholic version. You can set up a tray in the foyer, kitchen or elsewhere that’s convenient for guests to help themselves. For an easy-to-make crowd pleaser that’s perfect for the holidays, try mulling fresh apple cider with allspice, cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, and a splash of bourbon or rum.

7. Make lists of everything that needs to be done, from shopping for ingredients to planning when the cooking or baking gets done to deciding on the look of your table setting and choosing your lighting and background music. You’ll make entertaining seriously simple when you refer to your “road map” of lists -- a strategy that truly takes the stress out of pulling it all together.

8. Give yourself permission to round out your menu with store-bought foods.

There’s no shame in focusing on what you make best and leaving some items to other experts, like the fabulous bakery down the road with the most divine apple crumb pie and shortbread cookies. You can also make smart shortcuts, like purchasing ready-

made piecrust to save time baking your family’s heirloom recipe for sour cream pecan pie.

9. When you have a large gathering for a holiday cocktail or dinner party, select dishes that taste great served cold or at room temperature. This takes the pressure off making sure your timing for serving foods piping hot -- not to mention stovetop or oven capacity -- is perfect. Many appetizers, such as dips, pates, crostini and, of course, cheese platters, as well as many seasonal sides, like wild rice salads and roasted vegetables, are at their most flavorful when served at room temperature.

10. Embrace offers from family members and guests to help out, since let’s face it, everyone winds up in the kitchen anyway. Think ahead about the kinds of tasks that can easily be delegated so that guests can feel useful without working too hard - such as tossing salad and serving into salad bowls, pouring water into glasses at the table, ladling food into serving platters, slicing bread, setting the table, and clearing the table. Being open to guests lending a hand puts everyone at ease.

11. Adapt the kitchen habit of professional chefs who are taught to “clean as you go.” It’s hard to achieve Zen-like calm in the midst of chaos in the kitchen. While you’re preparing dishes, be mindful of wiping down counters and washing utensils and bowls as quickly as possible. If you have a dishwasher, make sure it’s been emptied and ready to be loaded up as the party progresses.

12. Make enough food for leftovers to enjoy the next day as you relive your party, and take the day off from cooking.

Echoing Diane’s wise tips on how to enjoy your own party, be sure to peruse your cupboards and upgrade your cookware as needed to get the best cooking results with the least amount of time and effort.

For cooks who grew up with Farberware in their family kitchen, the venerable cookware brand has a new look and design with all the “bells and whistles” of more expensive collections. Look for Farberware Premium Professional Dishwasher Safe Cookware, available exclusively at Macy’s and www.Macys.com. Featuring SmartGlide Pro Nonstick System with DuPont

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Teflon Professional Nonstick with Metal Guard, this practical cookware frees the home cook to use any type of utensil, including metal, safely. Also, the cookware’s unique dimpled surface reduces abrasion for long-lasting performance, and transfers heat to food quickly to promote even browning. Modern styling includes a red exterior that’s perfect for the holiday season while energizing kitchen designs all year long. The 12-Piece Set with two saucepans, stockpot, saute pan, two skillets, lids, slotted turner and slotted spoon is accessibly priced at $99.99 and comes with a new lifetime guarantee.

Two great options in gourmet quality cookware that can save you time in the kitchen are the elegantly styled Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized and Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel collections. Elegant styling with tulipshaped bodies, slightly domed lids made of polished stainless steel, and a beautiful copper layer at the base, frees party hosts to serve foods straight from the pots and pans to the table. The beauty of beautifully crafted cookware boils down to less hassle and time spent finding serving dishes and platters, and less washing up when guests leave. Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized, which is constructed from heavy gauge hard-anodized aluminum, a material that is twice as strong as stainless steel, includes a durable, metal utensilsafe nonstick cooking surface to speed up cleaning with no scrubbing. Dishwasher safe Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel is similarly designed with gleaming stainless steel inside and out. Both “Nouvelle” collections feature a unique base with a layer of copper as well as aluminum for optimum heat distribution. Suitable for use with all cooktops, including energyefficient induction cooktops, and oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, both collections are highly versatile and designed to give everyone the confidence needed to be an accomplished cook and host.

For more information on Diane Rossen Worthington and her new cookbook, Seriously Simple Parties, please visit www. dianeworthington.com. For more information on Farberware cookware, please visit www.farberwarecookware.com. For more information on Anolon, please visit www. anolon.com.

Home for the Holidays Christmas tree sap clean-up Decorating is one of the many traditions associated with the holiday season.

The family Christmas tree is arguably the most prominent decoration. Having a live tree inside the home can be aweinspiring, but it can also be quite messy.

A freshly cut pine tree will ooze sap, which tends to be quite sticky and messy and notoriously difficult to remove.

If sap has you stuck for clean-up ideas, consider these home remedies.

On clothing: * Use rubbing alcohol on the sap stain.

Allow the alcohol to sit on the stain for 30 minutes and then wash as usual. * Make a paste of laundry detergent and water and apply it to the stain. * Ammonia also may remove a sap stain.

Just test an inconspicuous part of the clothing to determine if applying ammonia changes its color.

On carpeting: * Freeze the sap with ice cubes and then carefully pick out the hardened pieces. * Try vodka as an adhesive remover on

the sap stain. * Rubbing alcohol also may be able to break up sap in carpet fibers.

On hands: * Any greasy, oil-based product can work, such as olive oil or even vegetable shortening. Rub on the skin, and the sap should come right off. * A lubricant like WD-40 has also been known to remove sap. * Hand sanitizer, which is comprised mainly of alcohol, can help dissolve sap so it can be rinsed off. * Make a paste of mineral oil (baby oil) and baking soda. This should help dissolve the sap and make your hands soft in the process.

In hair: * Sap can be notoriously difficult to get out of human hair or animal fur. Try coating the sap in natural peanut butter or mayonnaise, both of which have a high oil content. Allow to sit for a while and then comb out the sap with a finetoothed comb.

Give Christmas a country feel Christmas decorations can range from grandiose lighting displays to more subtle adornments. Some families may prefer more traditional holiday decor, while others might like the look of modern trimmings.

Holiday decorations can also be used to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a certain type of locale, giving a home a holiday in the city vibe or a more rustic feel. For those who prefer a rustic look reminiscent of a country Christmas, consider the following tips. * Start with the tree. The Christmas tree is the center of many a home’s holiday decor, and those who want to create a country Christmas can start with their tree. Instead of traditional holiday lights, choose lights that look like candles while adorning the tree with wooden ornaments and strands of popcorn. * Forgo traditional wrapping paper.

Instead of flashy, store-bought wrapping paper, wrap presents in brown paper and put presents under the tree as early as possible. Instead of store-bought gift tags, create your own and attach a candy cane

or another candy to the gift. * Think nature with decorations. Items gathered from nature can give a home a rustic appeal during the holidays. Hang a homemade wreath on the front door and include pine cones and clippings from evergreen trees when adding decorative accents around the house. Tuck a few decorative woven baskets in corners to further emphasize a rustic look. * Create homemade ornaments. Homemade ornaments can also give a home a more rustic look come the holiday season.

Spend an afternoon creating holiday crafts with the kids and use these instead of store-bought ornaments. * Don’t forget the music. Another way to create a country Christmas is to play country Christmas albums instead of classical or more traditional Christmas records. Nearly every country music star of the past and present has recorded a Christmas song or album, so create a master playlist of country Christmas songs on your digital music player and play it throughout the season to set the holiday mood in your household.

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Home for the Holidays Food safety measures that can prevent illness Diet and exercise are synonymous with a healthy lifestyle. When coupled with routine exercise, a healthy diet is even more effective at sustaining long-term health.

But just because the foods you eat might be healthy, that doesn’t always mean they’re safe. Food that is contaminated can lead to illness and possibly even death. For instance, even a small bite of food that’s contaminated with the botulism toxin can cost a person his or life or lead to paralysis.

While a mistake with regards to food safety can prove costly, there are ways to prevent those mistakes. The following are some food safety measures men, women and children can take to ensure their food is safe for consumption, courtesy of the United States Department of Health & Human Services. * Always wash your hands before preparing or eating food. Germs on your hands can contaminate food. If you’re preparing a meal, always wash your hands before the preparation begins and wash them again in between handling multiple foods. For example, if you are handling raw meat, clean your hands before you touch other foods you will be preparing, such as potatoes or vegetables. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. * Do not thaw food on the counter.

Thawing food on the counter can be quite dangerous, as harmful germs multiply very rapidly at room temperature. Instead of thawing food on the counter, place food in the refrigerator, defrost it in the microwave or submerge food in a pot of cold water. * Do not let food cool before placing it in the refrigerator. Perishable foods that are not immediately refrigerated invite illness-causing bacteria, which can grow in as little as two hours or as little as one hour if the temperature is above 90 F. Instead of leaving perishable items on the counter, refrigerate them within two hours if not immediately. * Do not taste food to check if it is spoiled. The bacteria that causes food poisoning has no taste, so tasting food to determine if it has spoiled won’t do you

any good, but it can cause serious illness if the bacteria is present. If you aren’t sure about a certain food, simply throw it away.

To learn about safe storage times for the refrigerator and freezer, visit www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html. * Wash any plates or cutting boards that held raw meat. Raw meat as well as poultry and seafood have germs that can spread, especially if you use the same plates or cutting boards for raw meat as you do cooked meat. Thoroughly scrub any dishes that held raw meat before using them for anything else. * Do not wash meat or poultry. Some recipes, especially those for Thanksgiving turkey, advice home chefs to wash meat or poultry before cooking. However, doing so can spread bacteria to the sink, countertops and other kitchen surfaces. Despite what a recipe suggests, never wash meat, poultry or eggs. * Do not eat foods with uncooked eggs.

Eggs should always be cooked thoroughly, as they may contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella. Foods that contain uncooked eggs, such as raw cookie dough, while a tasty treat for many people, are potentially very dangerous, exposing you to harmful bacteria that could result in serious illness. * Marinate foods in the refrigerator.

Marinating foods is very popular, especially during the barbecuing season. However, marinating foods at room temperature, when harmful germs in meat and bacteria can multiply rapidly, should be avoided at all costs. When marinating meat, poultry or seafood, always do so in the refrigerator. * Do not use leftover marinade on cooked foods. When marinating, there is typically a significant amount of marinade left over. However tempting it may be to add a little extra flavor by reusing that marinade once the food has been cooked, doing so is very dangerous, as the germs from the raw meat, poultry or seafood can spread to the cooked food. If you simply must make use of the leftover marinade, only do so after boiling it.

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No holiday celebration is complete until eggnog has been served served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung by the chimney with care. This year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press).

Excellent Eggnog Serves 8 8 large eggs, 2-1/4 cups superfine sugar 8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish

The holiday season is rife with tradition, from Christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with Santa Claus at the local mall. Families reunite come the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together and do a little catching up along the way.

But the holiday season also is synonymous with parties. Whether it’s to enjoy an office holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and a main reason why this is such a festive and beloved time of year.

As this is a season of celebrating, it’s good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has been

1. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency.

3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well.

4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters).

5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk-sugaralcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours).

6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.

Home for the Holidays Local businesses help make holiday gatherings festive Time is in short supply during the holiday season. Between the shopping, cooking, baking and wrapping, there seems to be precious few hours to tackle anything else. Those who desire an old-fashioned, homemade holiday can still experience all of the seasonal magic by deferring some of the work to local businesses.

Decorating Much of the splendor of the holiday season comes directly from the intricately decorated houses and storefronts. Twinkling lights and garlands of fresh pine boughs can instantly transform any building. Decorating a home can take an entire day or more, but delegating the work to a decorating service will provide you with professional-looking results as well as free time to tackle other obligations. Decorators can work outdoors stringing lights and creating a winter wonderland in the

fraction of the time it takes homeowners to decorate their homes.

Baking What would the holiday season be without the sweet treats and inviting smells of freshly baked goods? The cooler weather is an ideal time to turn on the oven and whip up a batch of cookies or cakes with the aroma of pungent cinnamon and nutmeg.

Others would prefer desserts that provide homemade flair without the effort. Local bakeries experience an upswing in business this time of year as shoppers flock to choose among the pastries, cookies and pies in display cases. Whether a dessert comes directly from your kitchen or that of a local confectionary shop, chances are guests will enjoy each delectable bite. If you have a custom-order dessert in mind, consult with the bakery well in advance to ensure your dessert will be available when

hosting friends and family.

Catering Roasts and lavish tables are part of the holiday season, but so are the corporate parties and cocktail events that comprise a social season. Catering a party is an easy way to offer guests delicious food with minimal work. Local caterers can provide everything from sit-down dinners to buffet spreads. Some restaurants that do not normally cater events may offer special packages this time of year. Different customers are vying for the services of caterers within a small window of time. Contract with a preferred caterer early on to guarantee you can benefit from their services.

Parties Social calendars fill up come November and December. When hosting a gathering of coworkers, family or friends, choose lo-

cal venues for social events so travel to and from the party is easier on guests. Parties can take place anywhere, including movie theaters, bowling alleys, wine stores, and indoor floral nurseries.

Gifting Shopping at local vendors often means more personalized service and a less stressful experience. Develop a rapport with a favorite shop owner so that he or she can alert you to private sales or put coveted items on the side. A specialty store may have that unique gift not easily found elsewhere, and shop owners may be able to special-order bulk gifts. Smaller retailers may also offer specialized services, such as gift-wrapping or personal shopping.

Shopping locally can help holiday shoppers save time and support their communities.

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