Merry Christmas 2012 & Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to You!
This time of the year is a great time to reflect on our family and friendships. It's the perfect time to catch up and get synced with our loved ones as well!
>> 5 Cost-Cutting Tips for a Magnificent Christmas Dinner!
1. Stick to the Basics
You may be used to preparing everyone's special dishes, but that can mean a lot of extra work and money. Christmas won't be any less joyful with only one stuffing dish instead of five. Plan ahead and make a well-rounded menu that has a little bit of everything instead of too much of everything.
Here are some basic recipe ideas to get you started: Cranberry Appetizer Meatballs Traditional Eggnog Baked Honey Ham Roasted Turkey with Pear-Chestnut Stuffing Baked Cranberry Apples Holiday Sweet Potato Bake Green Bean Casserole Candy Cane Cookies Chocolate Fruit Cake 2. Give the Gift of Food
What could be more meaningful than giving homemade treats for the holidays? No need to buy expensive presents, we all know gifts made in the kitchen come straight from the heart. Buy some festive ribbon and decorate ordinary mason jars to fill with tasty goodies! Show your loved ones how much you care by making some of these delicious gifts.
All-in-One Pancake Mix Instant Chai Tea Mix Macadamia Nut Brittle Coconut Brownie Mix in a Jar Candy Cane White Fudge Caramel Popcorn Kit in a Jar Sweet Bread in a Jar Pecan Brownie Mix in a Jar Vanilla Sweet and Buttery Kettle Corn Truffle Mix in a Jar Recipe Russian Tea in a Gift Jar
Want more homemade gift ideas? Check out our recipes collections for Homemade Gifts for the Holidays and Mailable Holiday Food Gifts. 3. Make it From Scratch
Store-bought baked goods can be outrageously expensive. Spend a little money on baking ingredients (if you don't already have them in the pantry) and make one bag of flour go a long way. Don't be intimidated by the idea of baking, just follow these very simple recipes and you'll have beautiful desserts without the bakery prices.
Cakes: Fast 'N Fabulous Fruitcake Scripture Cake Holiday Spice Bread Candy Cane Ring Cake Swirled Pumpkin and Caramel Cheesecake
Cookies: Christmas Mocha Nut Butter Balls Easy Gingerbread Cookies Christmas Mint Cheesecake Bars The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies Peppermint Cookies Eggnog Bars Get more Christmas cookie recipes here! 4. Minimize the Meal
If you're willing to ditch the traditional dishes, why not have a cocktail party instead of an elaborate sit-down dinner? Serve festive cocktails and other beverages and let guests nibble on small, bite-sized appetizers and dips while they mingle. Keep it casual and everyone will have a great time (and you don't have to baste a ham all afternoon!).
Try some of these recipes for a cost-conscious Christmas cocktail party:
Appetizers: Spinach Balls Little Smokies Appetizers Holiday Ham and Onion Dip Crockpot Kielbasa and Cheese Dip Spinach and Artichoke Pinwheels Holiday Cheese Ball Hidden Surprise Meatballs Easy Baked Brie The Ultimate Last-Minute Appetizer Artichoke Wonton Bites
Drinks: Old Fashioned Eggnog Holiday Punch Crockpot Mulled Cider Irish Cream Liqueur Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Hot Spiked Cider Reindeer Punch Vodka Slush Starbucks Gingerbread Latte 5. Lighten the Load
Repeat after me: There's no shame in asking for help! Let your friends and family pitch in for the meal and make this Christmas potluck-style. We recommend assigning guests different parts of the meal (stuffing, appetizers, cookies, salad, fruit, etc.) and letting them choose exactly what to bring. Make sure to check in with them to avoid duplication. Not only does this cut down on your food costs, but everyone feels like part of the meal!
Use these great holiday recipes as inspiration for your menu planning.
>> Leftover Christmas Turkey Recipes.
Christmas is over and you still have turkey up to your ears. Now you don't have to let that turkey go to waste! It worked for Thanksgiving - now you can do it for Christmas... Recipe4Living has compiled a list of ways to reinvent your leftover turkey and make it taste like new all week long.
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Turkey Medley Surprise - The tasty solution for what to do with leftover turkey.
Low Fat Turkey Wrap - This is very quick to make. There is no cooking required because you are using leftover turkey. Warm Turkey and Havarti Sandwich - Perfect for leftover turkey, served open-face on warm, homemade bread and topped with sweet and simple Mango Chutney.
Turkey Cranberry Wontons - This quick and easy appetizer recipe will help you use your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. Plus they are low-cal and low-fat.
Chicken/Turkey Tot Pie - Use leftover chicken or turkey in this Tater Tot casserole dish. The kids will love it!
Country Chicken/Turkey Casserole - This cheesy casserole is the perfect way to use up leftover or frozen turkey or chicken. A quick meal to throw together when you're not feeling creative.
Turkey and Swiss Casserole - Use up your leftover turkey with this cheesy casserole dish.
Chicken/Turkey Biscuit Casserole - This is an easy and delicious way to use up leftover chicken or turkey. Have dinner on the table in a half an hour!
Turkey Fried Rice - My husband, our two kids and I enjoy this deliciously different fried rice dish. The brown rice makes it extra nutritious... and it's a great way to use up leftover cooked turkey.
Turkey Cranberry Bagels - This is an easy sandwich to throw together with a refreshing cranberry mayonnaise spread. A great way to use up leftover turkey!
Smoked Turkey Pasta Salad - This is a great way to use up leftover turkey and turn it into another delicious meal.
Crunchy Turkey Salad - The crunch in this delicious salad comes from celery, pecans, sweet red pepper, and green onions.
Turkey Tetrazzini - Try this delicious turkey recipe with your leftovers from Thanksgiving.
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup - This is a delicious winter soup recipe, especially if you have leftover turkey in the freezer.
Homestyle Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup - This turkey soup is always a crowd pleaser!
Grandpas' Turkey or Chicken Jook - This is an Oriental soup made from leftover roasted turkey or chicken and is a perfect Fall (or any time of year) soup.
Turkey Gumbo - Use your pressure-cooker to make this delicious soup that's like a meal!
Home Style Turkey Soup - Be sure to make the most of your leftover turkey with this tasty day-after Thanksgiving feast.
Cranberry Turkey Stew - This festive stew is a great way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving.
Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash - This hash is mild, but you can either eliminate the mild green chilies to make it even milder, or add chipotle peppers to spice it up.
>> 9 Flu Fighting Superfoods and 50 Recipes To Help You Not Get Sick This Winter.
When a family member, coworker, or classmate gets sick, you probably do everything you can to avoid them so you don't get sick too. 'Washing your hands and staying away from all germs as much as possible' is great advice, but you should also consider eating certain foods that are made for boosting your immune system and therefore fending off the flu.
Antioxidants do just that. Be it vitamins A, C, or E, foods that are rich in these immune system boosters will help you gear up to fight a cold before you even get one. The following foods are all rich in antioxidants or infection-fighting compounds that will help maintain a healthier you this winter.
Superfoods_Yogurt
1. Yogurt - The probiotics contained in yogurt help keep germs from invading our system by lining our intestines with its good bacteria. Yogurt also contains many vital nutrients such as protein, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamins B6 and B12. Incorporate yogurt into your regular diet with some of the recipes below or simply enjoy a carton of yogurt for breakfast or a healthy afternoon snack. If you need yogurt mix-in ideas, consult this list of Things to Do with Fage Yogurt.
Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie Yogurt Carrot Soup Dilled Yogurt Dressing Cucumber Yogurt Salad Key Lime Yogurt Bars
Superfoods_RedPepper
2. Red Bell Pepper - We've always been told that vitamin C is the key to strengthening our immune systems, but did you know that red bell peppers have more vitamin C than oranges? Red peppers are also rich in vitamin A, a less-known antioxidant that will help keep the flu away! So slice up some red pepper to go along with your salad or just dip a few strips in hummus for a light and tasty snack! Or, you can always make these recipes too:
Slow Cooker Rosemary and Red Pepper Chicken Roasted Red Pepper Spread Peppers and Orange Spinach Salad Yummy Red Pepper Sauce Red Pepper Roasted Lamb Chops
Superfoods_Nuts
3. Nuts - Particularly almonds and Brazil nuts, nuts contain vitamins that help strengthen the immune system. Almonds contain the antioxidant vitamin E while Brazil nuts contain Selenium which can protect us against not only colds and flus, but even cancer. Nuts have been found to have many cardiac benefits and can also lower cholesterol. Snack on almonds or Brazil nuts when you are hungry, add them to salads or incorporate them into dinner with the following recipes:
Barley Salad with Almonds and Apricots Flavored Nuts Delectable Almond Muffins Roasted Nuts Asparagus with Hazelnuts
Superfoods_ChickenSoup
4. Chicken Soup - I used to think chicken soup was just something we craved when we were sick until I found out it can actually heal and prevent sickness too. Chicken soup, especially when made with lots of nutrient rich vegetables, contains anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit mucus production. Not only will it make you feel better when you already have a cold, but if your symptoms haven't occurred yet, they will be lessened by chicken soup. Try one of these recipes for your next flu fighting venture:
Healthy and Hearty Chicken Soup Spicy Chicken Soup with Baby Corn and Bell Peppers Lots of Chicken Soup Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup Chicken N Dumpling Soup
Superfoods_GreenTea
5. Green Tea - The popular tea contains an immune boosting chemical called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) that not only staves away illness but can help you recover faster while you have an illness. Brew up a batch of plain green tea or add some extra ingredients for more flavor.
Stomach Soother Hot Green Tea with Vodka Spicy Green Tea Autumn Tea Hot Spiced Tea
In addition to green tea, it helps the immune system to drink hot liquids in general. Try these cold weather beverage recipes for even more flu fighting power.
Flu Buster Cold Weather Cayenne Drink Cold Tamer Tea Easy Vitamin Soup Soothing Winter Tea
Superfoods_SweetPotato
6. Sweet Potatoes - The beta carotene in sweet potatoes converts itself to vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps strengthen your immune system. Sweet potatoes are actually rich in all sorts of vitamins and flavor so there's really no reason not to eat them. Bake them plain or use them in the following immune system boosting recipes:
Sweet Potato Muffins Sweet Potato Orange Casserole Tzimmes Sweet Potato Curry with Spinach and Chickpeas African Sweet Potato Stew
Superfoods_Garlic
7. Garlic - Consuming garlic helps fend off viruses because it is full of antioxidant vitamins and minerals like manganese, vitamin B6, selenium and vitamin C. Consider chopping fresh garlic for the best results in these tasty recipes:
Low-Carb Garlic Chicken Hickory Smoked Roasted Garlic Sauteed Spinach with Garlic Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Garlic Cauliflower
Superfoods_Ginger
8. Ginger - The natural plant compound gingerol found in ginger helps to fight off infections. Ginger is also very good for digestion and alleviating stomach pain. Consider topping your sushi with ginger when available or incorporating fresh ginger into your regular diet with these recipes:
Gingered Chicken with Vegetables Ginger Cucumber Salad with Scallops Chilled Carrot Bisque with Ginger and Mixed Herbs Ginger Cinnamon Tea Ginger Vinaigrette
Superfoods_Oysters
9. Oysters - If you've used Cold Eeze or other zinc supplements to fend off colds and flu, you'll love this tastier zinc-rich recommendation. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food, and therefore are very good for our immune systems. 3 oysters is said to meet our daily zinc consumption recommendations. Oysters might not be everyday fare but when you get the chance, try one of these oyster recipes:
Oysters with Tangerine Salsa Scalloped Oysters Oysters Chesapeake Grilled Oysters with Fennel Butter Oysters with Chardonnay
Keep it Raw
While many of the recipes we recommended above involve cooking with these ingredients, we highly recommend eating these foods raw to reap the most health benefits. Cooking can sometimes deplete the nutritional content of the ingredient. Consider adding these ingredients toward the end of cooking so that they are still incorporated into the dish. Of course, tasty recipes still help us to incorporate healthy ingredients we otherwise may not have thought to eat into our diets so if you prefer these foods cooked, please don't hesitate to do so. This is simply a suggestion for best results.
More Like This: Fight the Fever: Staying Healthy This Winter New Superfruit in Town: Acai 10 Super Foods That Kick Your Metabolism and Energy into High Gear
Source: MyLifetime.com Best Bites: 10 Flu Fighting Foods.
Hillary Marshak is a writer and editor for Recipe4Living.com, a popular recipe sharing Website. For more articles like this, or for a large collection of recipes, visit the site at http://www.recipe4living.com/. Hillary enjoys reading and writing all about food! She loves trying out new recipes and thinks that everyone out there should be adventurous with their food! Among her favorite cuisine is Japanese. She also writes entries for the "Chew on That" blog to be read at http://chewonthatblog.com. Check it out!
What I Love About The Christmas Season
"Starting a Christmas light installation business is proving to be a Recession-proof money-maker!" - CNN
"The Christmas Lighting and Decorating Industry has experienced a 800% GROWTH over the last 6 years! It's been completely untouched by the Recession!
"Also, according to industry sources, residential homeowners and commercial and professional business owners spend over $200 Million each Holiday season for this service."
"The Best Work At Home Job For Cashing In On Christmas!"
Studies show that the average North American drives to work at least 53 minutes a day. And spends another hour going home. That's almost two hours of wasted time, wasted gas, and wasted resources.
And during winter, time spent commuting on the highways is even longer.
Opt to work at home and make full use of all your time!
Make Christmas money at home.
If you are one of those people who dreaded the winter because there is no income from your seasonal work-at-home job, I've found a solution that might work for you.
A few years ago, I discovered that seasonal contractors such as roofers, painters and landscapers were making additional income during the winter months.
They had learned how to create beautiful lighting displays during the holiday season and were making good money for their efforts.
The use of decorative lighting during the Christmas holiday season goes back as far as the early 1800s. By the mid-19th century, inexpensive electric power made it possible to use incandescent lights for decorations.
Edward H. Johnson, back in 1882, displayed the first electrically hand-wired Christmas lights. Every year since we just can't get enough.
And every year starting around September, holiday light installation pros get started all over the country. They usually market their business with flyers and mailers to middle and upper income neighborhoods in their area -- the people who still have money to spend!
Many of the seasoned pros are already booked up before the season begins. Their prices can range from as low as $200 all the way up to several thousand dollars for an installation.
Working with local businesses can also be very profitable.
Some holiday lighting experts are busy all year around starting with weddings in April and June, Fourth of July celebration lighting displays, Halloween lighting designs and of course, Christmas displays.
Many business owners use the lighting displays as elaborate signage to attract public attention.
In many towns across the country, and even around the world, people flocked to see the local annual displays and ended up patronizing the businesses.
So how do you get started in a small operation? This is the kind of work at home job that requires someone able to climb ladders, and know a bit about electrical installation -- although such a worker can be hired.
Most of all, you need to have an eye for design -- along with people skills.
If you feel you have these necessary characteristics, you could be pulling in from $500-$2000 a day.
Getting started in your own holiday lighting business isn't very expensive. If you already work with homes or businesses throughout the year, you have a head start.
Roofers, painters and landscapers tend to do well in this business because of their work ethic and their lists of clientele. They also tend to have trucks and ladders in their business, which makes their business start-up super simple.
You see, it's entirely possible to create a full-time income working part-time in your own work at home job.
Holiday lighting is a seriously lucrative income opportunity for many business owners who have seasonal operations such as landscaping, window washing or even house painting.
==>>> Learn How To Start Your Own Holiday Lighting Business - Click Here!
SEE: Top Ten Jobs to Make Christmas Money This Christmas
