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I love storytelling and always want my readers to have options. You can find my blogs on my YouTube channel and listen to them on the go.
7 Ways To Have A Stress Free Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all of my good fortunes. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food, family, friends, and football. I know that for many, holiday time can be stressful or depressing, but for me I feel like this is when I really shine.
It really is not about how big, or small your crowd is, but about appreciating how wonderful things are, and hopes of better things to come. My crowd size varies from year year, from as small as six people, to as large as twenty. Personally for me, ten people is the most comfortable size for me to cook for.
This year I am doing something a little different. I am hosting a pre-dinner the Wednesday before at one home to spend time with those who will not be with us on Thanksgiving.
Then on the actual day of, I will host another Thanksgiving with some different guests at a different house. The menus will be different, as will the locations and ambience, which makes it more interesting for me.
I used to get very stressed out cooking for the holidays, wanting everything to be perfect. But those years are long gone. I am pretty confident in my abilities, but can also shrug it off if something doesn’t turn outright. I also don’t try to go it alone.
My two daughters are awesome sous chefs, which helps a lot. I love teaching my girls to cook, and seeing that growth from year to year.
So while my holiday menus are mostly decided, I am now teetering between a roasted or fried turkey. For a while there, I was really on a fried turkey kick, and then I was over it.
In the last three years, I roasted the turkeys, brined for 48 hours before cooking, and they were delicious. But it may be time for a change-up again. Either way, I plan on a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Here Are My Tips For A Stress Thanksgiving...
Plan Ahead - Once you know how many people you will be hosting, start planning seating, your menu, and beverages.
Make Ahead - Many dishes, especially desserts and appetizers can be made ahead of time.
Enlist Help - Have your kids, partner, or friends assist as needed with food prep, serving, and clean up.
Bring A Dish - When entertaining large groups, have guests bring side dishes, desserts, or beverages.
Perfection Not Required - Remember the gathering is about being together and giving thanks.
Size Doesn't Matter - Whether your celebration consists of 2 or 20 people, you have something to be thankful for.
Buy Preprepared Meals or Get Take Out - It’s still Thanksgiving even if you are not doing all of the work yourself.
What are your holiday plans? Hosting a dinner? Attending someone else's dinner as a guest? Or going out for a nice steak dinner at a restaurant? Please share your plans and tips for having a wonderful, stress free Thanksgiving!
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. - Dalai Lama
6 Steps To A Stress Free Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all of my good fortunes. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food, family, friends, and football. I know that for many, holiday time can be stressful or depressing, but for me I feel like this is when I really shine.
It really is not about how big, or small your crowd is, but about appreciating how wonderful things are, and hopes for better things to come in the future. My crowd size varies from year to year, from as small as six people, to as large as twenty. Personally for me, ten people are the most comfortable size for me to cook for.
This year I am doing something a little different. I am hosting a pre-dinner the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at one home to spend time with those who will not be with us on Thanksgiving.
Then on the actual day of the holiday, I will host another Thanksgiving with some different guests at a different house. The menus will be different, as will the locations and ambiance, which makes it more interesting for me to plan and prep.
I used to get very stressed out cooking for the holidays, wanting everything to be perfect, but those years are long gone. Now, I am pretty confident in my cooking and hosting abilities, but can also shrug it off if something doesn’t turn out just right. And the biggest thing I do is that I don’t try to go it alone.
My two daughters are awesome sous chefs, which helps a lot with holiday meal preparations and cooking. I love teaching my girls to cook, and seeing that growth from year to year.
So while my holiday menus are mostly decided, I am now teetering between a roasted turkey or a fried turkey. For a while there, I was really on a fried turkey kick, and then I got over it and went back to the traditional roasted turkey.
In the last three years, I have roasted the turkeys, after brining them for 48 hours before cooking, and they were absolutely moist and delicious. But it may be time for a change-up again. Either way, I plan on a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Here Are My 6 Tips For A Stress Free Thanksgiving...
Plan Ahead - Once you know how many people you will be hosting, start planning seating, your menu, and beverages.
Make Ahead - Many dishes, especially desserts and appetizers can be made ahead of time.
Enlist Help - Have your kids, partner, or friends assist as needed with food prep, serving, and especially the clean-up.
Bring A Dish - When entertaining large groups, have guests bring side dishes, desserts, or beverages.
Perfection Not Required - Cut yourself some slack. Remember the gathering is about being together and giving thanks.
Size Does Not Matter - Whether your celebration consists of 2 or 20 people, remind yourself that you have something to be thankful for.
What are your holiday plans? Hosting a dinner? Attending someone else's dinner as a guest? Or going out for a nice steak dinner at a restaurant? Please share your plans and tips for having a wonderful, stress-free Thanksgiving! And have a Happy Thanksgiving!
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. - Dalai Lama
How To Have A Stress Free Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all of my good fortunes. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food, family, friends, and football. I know that for many, holiday time can be stressful or depressing, but for me I feel like this is when I really shine.
It really is not about how big, or small your crowd is, but about appreciating how wonderful things are, and hopes of better things to come. My crowd size varies from year year, from as small as six people, to as large as twenty. Personally for me, ten people is the most comfortable size for me to cook for.
This year I am doing something a little different. I am hosting a pre-dinner the Wednesday before at one home to spend time with those who will not be with us on Thanksgiving.
Then on the actual day of, I will host another Thanksgiving with some different guests at a different house. The menus will be different, as will the locations and ambience, which makes it more interesting for me.
I used to get very stressed out cooking for the holidays, wanting everything to be perfect. But those years are long gone. I am pretty confident in my abilities, but can also shrug it off if something doesn’t turn outright. I also don’t try to go it alone.
My two daughters are awesome sous chefs, which helps a lot. I love teaching my girls to cook, and seeing that growth from year to year.
So while my holiday menus are mostly decided, I am now teetering between a roasted or fried turkey. For a while there, I was really on a fried turkey kick, and then I was over it.
In the last three years, I roasted the turkeys, brined for 48 hours before cooking, and they were delicious. But it may be time for a change-up again. Either way, I plan on a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Here Are My Tips For A Stress Thanksgiving...
Plan Ahead - Once you know how many people you will be hosting, start planning seating, your menu, and beverages.
Make Ahead - Many dishes, especially desserts and appetizers can be made ahead of time.
Enlist Help - Have you kids, partner, or friends assist as needed with food prep, serving, and clean up.
Bring A Dish - When entertaining large groups, have guests bring side dishes, desserts, or beverages.
Perfection Not Required - Remember the gathering is about being together and giving thanks.
Size Doesn't Matter - Whether your celebration consists of 2 or 20 people, you have something to be thankful for.
What are your holiday plans? Hosting a dinner? Attending someone else's dinner as a guest? Or going out for a nice steak dinner at a restaurant? Please share your plans and tips for having a wonderful, stress free Thanksgiving!
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. - Dalai Lama
Indulgences...The Small Pleasures In Life
I confess, I have some self-indulgences, and no regrets about it. Everyone needs the occasional indulgence. I think my indulgences are simple, not too pricey, and oh so pleasing. Here is my list of indulgences. How do you self-indulge? Is it guilt-free? Is it worth it?
Flowers - Fresh flowers are a must have in my home. I buy fresh flowers every week for the kitchen island, the family room, and the master bedroom. Lilies and tulips are my favorite, but I will also mix it up with seasonal flowers. Like right now I have fall bouquets throughout the house with mums, carnations, and lucky me, beautiful yellow and orange lilies.
Cookware - Le Creuset is my cookware of choice. It is pricey but I love to cook and it is so worth it. Le Creuset is quality, heavy, cast iron cookware that I see myself passing on to my daughters who also like to cook. The cookware comes in great colors. I prefer the caribbean blue. I also splurged on some great bakeware from William Sonoma. Awesome products!
Beauty - Now that I am in my early forties, my self-awareness in regards to aging is on high alert. I have always taken pretty good care of my skin, but I have bounced around from products. Well I have finally found the skin care and make-up line that I think works best for me, and that is Estee Lauder. Estee Lauder is also very pricey but worth it to me. I also get regular facials and pedicures but these are so relaxing, almost therapeutic.
Hikes - Hikes or walks, call it what you will, I enjoy them. I like to get up early on Saturday and Sunday mornings and go for about 2 hours if I can. It clears my mind, and get those endorphins going. This one is probably the best indulgence of them all.
My indulgences are simple, yet so rewarding and fulfilling for me. What are your indulgences? How do you treat yourself?
Thanksgiving Traditions...How Do You Celebrate?
I love Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all of my good fortunes. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food, family, friends, and football. I know that for many, holiday time can be stressful or depressing, but for me I feel like this is when I really shine.
It really is not about how big, or small your crowd is, but about appreciating how wonderful things are, and hopes of better things to come. My crowd size varies from year year, from as small as six people, to as large as twenty. Personally for me, ten people is the most comfortable size for me to cook for.
This year I am doing something a little different. I am hosting a pre-dinner the Wednesday before at one home to spend time with those who will not be with us on Thanksgiving.
Then on the actual day of, I will host another Thanksgiving with some different guests at a different house. The menus will be different, as will the locations and ambience, which makes it more interesting for me.
I used to get very stressed out cooking for the holidays, wanting everything to be perfect. But those years are long gone. I am pretty confident in my abilities, but can also shrug it off if something doesn’t turn outright. I also don’t try to go it alone.
My two daughters are awesome sous chefs, which helps a lot. I love teaching my girls to cook, and seeing that growth from year to year.
So while my holiday menus are mostly decided, I am now teetering between a roasted or fried turkey. For a while there, I was really on a fried turkey kick, and then I was over it.
In the last three years, I roasted the turkeys, brined for 48 hours before cooking, and they were delicious. But it may be time for a change-up again. Either way, I plan on a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Here Are My Tips For A Stress Thanksgiving...
Plan Ahead - Once you know how many people you will be hosting, start planning seating, your menu, and beverages.
Make Ahead - Many dishes, especially desserts and appetizers can be made ahead of time.
Enlist Help - Have you kids, partner, or friends assist as needed with food prep, serving, and clean up.
Bring A Dish - When entertaining large groups, have guests bring side dishes, desserts, or beverages.
Perfection Not Required - Remember the gathering is about being together and giving thanks.
Size Doesn't Matter - Whether your celebration consists of 2 or 20 people, you have something to be thankful for.
What are your holiday plans? Hosting a dinner? Attending someone else's dinner as a guest? Or going out for a nice steak dinner at a restaurant? Please share your plans and tips for having a wonderful, stress free Thanksgiving!
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. - Dalai Lama
Fall Cooking...How Do You Warm Your Kitchen?
I always love cooking, but more so in the fall. I think it's because I cut back on cooking big meals indoors during the summer because of the heat. So when the weather starts to cool, I am especially eager to get back at it.
For the moment, I am about all things squash and soups. My favorite soup to make right now is my Lemony Chicken and Spinach soup. It is one of the tastiest and easiest soups you will ever make. My other current favorite is Cauliflower Rice and Chicken Soup. These soups are light, tasty, good for you, and oh so filling. And best of all gluten free!
For my squash addiction, I am making spaghetti squash weekly. Squash is plentiful this time of year, and at only 35 calories in a cup serving, how can you resist. My girls are picky eaters, so in order to appeal to their palates, I cook up a quick basil, olive oil, and garlic marinara sauce and add in some seasoned ground chicken. The squash absorbs the flavor, and turns into a yummy low calorie meal.
The last thing that warms my kitchen in the fall is baking. I love baking fresh bread, and some sweets as well. I am gluten intolerant, so finding good tasting gluten free bread is both difficult and costly. Baking fresh bread is easy, except for when is comes to making sourdough. Feeding the cultures for sourdough is time consuming, but worth it.
My recommendation is to enjoy that warm kitchen of yours, with family, friends, and a nice glass of wine or prosecco. Please check out my Recipe of the Week page and get to cooking!