Continuing The Holiday Cheer

The holiday season is here! I absolutely love this part of the year. The shopping, the music, the hot chocolate, the tree, the memories, the parties. It is just so fun, festive and full of cheer.
 
I am a huge advocate of paying it forward. I am by far not rich or possess the most or can obtain everything I could possibly want. However, reflecting on who I am, where I am at, who I have in my life, I can say that I am blessed beyond anything that money can buy. That in itself makes me feel whole and perfectly content and fulfilled with my life. Therefore, to pass the good cheer and feeling, I always try to pay it forward throughout the year, especially during the holiday season!
 
If you would like to join on this great bandwagon and help spread the cheer and happiness, here are a few great ways to pay it forward this season:
 
Small Tokens of Happiness: Paying for the next person (or couple of people’s coffee/drink) in the morning is a great but non-expensive way of paying it forward. This is such a small thing to do but it has a way of uplifting someone’s mood knowing that someone took the time to think about them. One coffee at a time. And what is $5 when you know that you can totally turn someone’s day around?
 
Tis The Tip of The Season: Tipping 50-100% of the bill. 100%? Are you kidding me? Not at all. This is more realistic for those meals that aren’t as expensive however if you’re dishing out $100 for a dinner already, maybe you can afford that 100% tip. We already know people are strap for cash during this season and they are trying to pay it forward by giving their loved ones presents and items they like. The extra change will be sure to help out!
 
Someone’s Trash Is Someone’s Treasure: If you have items that are just sitting around, why not take those items and donate it to a charity center? Those items, which may be easily replaced by something new or a gift that you will be receiving, can be an excellent gift to someone else who may really treasure it. Every Christmas, my kids know they will be receiving the new “it” toy that they’ve always wanted (even though it’s only been out for 2 months) and last year’s “it” toy becomes a distant memory. So for every Christmas, I have my kids go through the toys that they no longer play with and donate it to a charity. They understand that the toys they no longer use can be someone else’s awesome, most spectacular gift this year.
 
Saying Thank You to our Servicemen: The people who serve our country (the military, police officers, firemen etc) are not thanked enough for the service they provide. Why not contact a local business and have them cater a lunch for the local fire or police department? I would not recommend just bringing food to the station as this most likely won’t go over too well. However, if you have a legitimate business cater or send the station a gift card for a luncheon, I am sure that your appreciation will be noted.

Snuggle Up For the Holidays

What I love about the holidays is
the fact that everything is about bundling up, staying warm and snuggling with the one that you love. And, that is why I love to have everything soft, snuggly and warm on hand during this time of year. Some great ideas to have around the house during this chilly time of year are gorgeously bright throws in a bold color or a fun print. Throws are an easy way to stay warm and cuddly when watching a movie, reading a book or simply draped around your shoulders as you drink a cup of hot cocoa. And, many throws are not too expensive either, so feel free to buy a coordinating throw for every room in your home. Another item to have on hand during the holidays are scented candles in bright winter and holiday colors, such as dark red, green, white, silver and of course, gold, if you can find it. Scented and colorful candles are perfect for adding a warm glow to your entire home; put them in groups together on your mantle, in the bathroom and just about anywhere you want a nice, warm glow that is also sweet smelling! And, because of the wonderful scented factor, colorful candles will make your whole house start smelling like the holidays as soon as you light them. Pick up some amazing scented candles in spicy cinnamon, sweet vanilla, yummy banana bread, or any other sweet scent that reminds you of the holidays and this time of year. Many of these colorful and scented candles can also be bought for very affordable prices at discount stores, so keep your eyes open and remember to stock up on a ton of them when you do find them at a worthy sale price.

Another item that I always like to keep on hand during this time of year to stay warm is a pair of fur lined snuggly slipper boots. Everywhere you look these days, there are different designs of slipper boots that are full of color and texture and come in all shapes and sizes. I recommend getting a pair that are roomy enough for you to feel comfortable in and hit at least around the calf area of your legs. Slipper boots are one of the most amazingly comfortable things that you can ever slip on your feet and you can also feel snuggly and toasty when wearing them even if the temperature drops outside. So, pick up a pair or a few cute pairs of cuddly slipper boots to wear around your house and you will be cozier than you ever thought possible during this chilly time of year. And, of course, during the holidays, warm drinks are quintessential to have ready for when you need to warm up. The best drinks during the holidays and the winter time is warm apple cider, hot cocoa, hot tea and even yummy coffee drinks that you are able to make at home such as a café latte.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Tis The Season For Some Good Eatin'

With Christmas and Holiday parties springing up every weekend, I'm in dire need of new recipes to bring to these parties. If you're tired of bringing the same thing over and over and want to surprise your host or guests with something new, try these recipes to dazzle and appetize the crowd just right!

Holiday Brie en Croute

Servings: 12
This is a perfect and elegant appetizer. Serve with crackers :) 
Ingredients

• 1/2 package Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves or raspberry jam
• 1/3 cup dried cranberry, softened
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1 (13.2 ounce)  round Brie cheese
• 1 (26 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm Entertaining Cracker Quartet Collection

Preparation

1. Thaw pastry sheet at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix egg and water.
2. Unfold pastry sheet on lightly floured surface. Roll into 14 inch square. Cut off corners to make a circle. Spread preserves to within 1 inch of pastry edge. Sprinkle cranberries and almonds over preserves. Top with cheese. Brush edge of circle with egg mixture. Fold two opposite sides over cheese. Trim remaining two sides to 2 inch from edge of cheese. Fold these two sides onto the round. Press edges to seal. Place seam-side down on baking sheet. Decorate top with pastry scraps if desired. Brush with egg mixture.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Let stand 1 hour. Serve with crackers.

Cream Cheese Penguins

Servings: 18 penguins
These things are such cute little critters it's sure to earn smiles on your guests faces and penguins in their tummies! The nutritional value for these include 57 calories, 14mg cholesterol, 0.2g fiber, 105mg sodium, 1.2g carbohydrates, 5.5g fat, and 1g protein.
Ingredients

• 18 jumbo black olives, pitted
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 18 small black olives
• 1 carrot

Preparation

1. Cut a slit from top to bottom, lengthwise, into the side of each jumbo olive. Carefully insert about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese into each olive. Slice the carrot into eighteen 1/4 inch thick rounds; cut a small notch out of each carrot slice to form feet. Save the cut out piece and press into center of small olive to form the beak. If necessary cut a small slit into each olive before inserting the beak.
2. Set a big olive, large hole side down, onto a carrot slice. Then, set a small olive onto the large olive, adjusting so that the beak, cream cheese chest and notch in the carrot slice line up. Secure with a toothpick.

 

Bavarian Style Meatballs

Servings 6-8
Meatballs are always a hit at a party and these always go quickly. The nutritional value for these are 494 calories, 50mg cholesterol, 6g fiber, 1953mg sodium, 76.7g carbohydrates, 17.1g fat, 11.5g protein.
Ingredients

• 12 fluied ounces tomato-based chili sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
• 27 ounces Bavarian-style sauerkraut, undrained
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen meatballs

Preparation

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine chili sauce, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, water, and brown sugar. Mix well. Pour sauce and meatballs in a slow cooker, stir.
2. Cook, covered, at a medium temperature for 4 hours. Stir occasionally to coat meatballs.