Thanksgiving 2008 Recap

Thanksgiving here was really great this year. Really, this has been the first time in years that I can honestly say it was a fun gathering and not very stressful at all. I was super organized and focused, and when guests began arriving at noon, all was ready. The last guests arrived just as we were ready to nosh at 1:00.

I have a very small house--I call it my dollhouse--and so food service here, by necessity, must be buffet-style. I set out my two biggest tables for all the food. Here's table #1:

At the left-most is my stack of plates, then one of our 2 turkeys, macaroni & cheese, white bean & potato mash in the slow cooker, dressing in front of that, pureed sweet potatoes, and roasted broccoli peeking out from under foil.

Here's a better picture of that stuffing:


On to table #2:


At the top are 2 of the 3 types of cranberry jelly available. The one on the left is a sugar-free cranberry-banana compote for the insulin-challenged, and on the right is a brandied cranberry jelly that was TO DIE FOR. In front of those, a big salad--lettuces, bacon and sliced NY state macintosh apples topped with a dusting of grated blue cheese and a mustard-white balsamic vinaigrette. I used Michael Chiarello's method of freezing the blue cheese so that I could grate it finely--even Mr.W ate it and said it was good! There's also a basket of assorted rolls & biscuits and a green footed bowl packed with sweet cream butter, followed by a basket filled with flatware rolls & napkins.

I set drink service in the kitchen, which worked out really well. I didn't have enough matching glasses or mugs for everyone, so I did my best to arrange an assortment in a haphazard way. Planned disarray, if you will.

Unfortunately I was in full-on eating-frenzy by the time dessert rolled around, so there are no photos of all that--we enjoyed all the pies, and my mother also brough a sinfully delicious chocolate cake. My pumpkin-sour cream parfait was delicious but went begging.

There was only 1 casualty of the day: a slice cut from the very tip of my right thumb. Fortunately I had rubber gloves on hand and avoided contaminating the food with my bloody digit. It's healed over now, and I have a delightful dent left as a Thanksgiving war-wound.

Everyone seemed to have a great time--our last guests left after 8pm! That's 8 hours of Thanksgiving revelry!

Since Thanksgiving we've had a steady stream of family returning for leftovers. Here are Mr.W with my brother having a lunchtime nosh today:


The hits:

- turkey
- stuffing
- salad
- brandied cranberry sauce

The misses:

- I made gravy to feed an army and poured most of it down the drain.
- I panicked at the last minute and made an extra pre-meal snack of dulce de leche cream cheese dip with sliced apples--hardly anyone touched it, even though it was delicious. They were waiting for the big meal.

Lessons learned:

1. DO prep as much as possible the day before. Having the dressing and mashed potatoes already made saved me a TON of time this year. I wasn't the crazy person that I've been in previous years.

2. DO take advantage of guest's offers to bring something. My sister-in-law's help with various side dishes really saved the day.

3. DO make turkey stock from boiled turkey necks while the birds are roasting--water, salt, onion & turkey necks. That way you have stock ready for making your gravy without the bother of dealing with pan juices--and no attempted coup by your hungry crowd!

4. DO serve a fruited ice water as a beverage. With all those flavors going on, it's refreshing to have a light beverage.

5. DO put out various bottles of booze for folks to spike their own apple cider. My family loved adding a splash of vanilla vodka to their cider for a special treat.

6. DO NOT panic when there aren't enough matching dishes. No one cares--as long as they have something to drink out of, they're happy--and a unique glass means they're more likely to find it again later.

7. Figuring 1 pound of turkey per person is enough. I more than doubled it and had an entire untouched bird leftover. That's okay, though, because we love turkey leftovers--but it was unnecessary.

8. DO make sure there's some seating at a table for everyone. There's nothing worse than balancing a plate on your lap and trying to cut your meat. I borrowed a 6-foot folding table and a small card table and they worked out perfectly.

9. DO take the time to plan what music you'll play during your meal. It sets just the right mood.

10. DO NOT let the small stuff bother you. I had a bit of a kitchen cupboard crash (too many things stacked precariously in a deep cupboard) and just closed the door and went back to my guests. It was all still there when I was ready to deal with it.


So let's hear how your Thanksgiving (or other special holiday meal) went!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. Warm wishes to all those who celebrate it!

There will be no post tomorrow (Friday, November 28), which is Black Friday--the biggest shopping day of the year! Mr.W and I will be braving the crowds in search of remarkable sales.

Thanksgiving 2008 Menu

It's the day before--and the big prep day! Here is our menu for tomorrow:

Curried Winter Squash Samosas
Spiced Mixed Nuts

Apple-Glazed Roasted Tom Turkeys with Cider-Shallot Gravy
Sausage, Barley and Dried Fruit Stuffing
Jellied Cranberry Sauce and Sugar-Free Cranberry-Banana Compote
White Bean & Potato Mash
Macaroni & Cheese
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Romano
Salad of Mixed Greens, Tomato, Sliced Crisp Apple, Crumbled Bacon & Grated Blue Cheese with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Buttermilk Biscuits & Sweet Cream Butter

Assorted Pies (regular and sugar-free)
Sugar-Free Sour Cream-Pumpkin Pudding Parfaits

Cold Apple Cider (with optional Jack Daniels or Vanilla Vodka)
Fruited Pomegranate Water
Hot Coffee & Tea

I like very simple table settings--a stack of dishes at the beginning of the buffet line and silverware-napkin rolls at the end; the tables will be covered with cloths topped with white butcher paper hand-decorated to resemble the ocean, with some land masses scattered here and there. I made a little paper Mayflower (which holds our toothpicks) that will sail on said sea, facing sea monsters, gravy hurricanes and cranberry calamities!

Appetizers will be served in the living room, with beverage service in the kitchen.

I hope that tomorrow will be a relatively low-stress, enjoyable feast, full of family and fellowship--for all of us!

And to ensure that kind of atmosphere here, I need to get back to my work!

Asian Flavors to Avoid Holiday Food Burnout

Just before a holiday--especially one involving a feast--we tend to go on something of a fast. With all of the preparations and housecleaning going into Thursday's meal, the last thing I want to do is make a big supper to throw off my schedule!

A fried egg sandwich, a small plate of french toast, Little Debbies and some filling-but-forgettable fast-food have each already been eaten this week; today I long for something better. Yes, something healthy, light and tasty seem to be calling.

I often turn to asian flavors just before (and intermittently throughout) the holidays--because I love asian foods, and because it allows me to get away from those often over-used American flavor profiles of the season.

I'm thinking a noodle bowl is just right for tonight.

The Noodle Soup Oracle is a fun way to inspire economical pre-holiday fare as well as ideas for using all your Thanksgiving leftovers in clever ways. For dinner I've decided on whole-wheat noodles in a simple chicken broth, topped with broccoli and spicy peanut sauce. Simple, and something that promises to be delicious.

Asian meals are also a great way to turn those holiday meal leftovers into new, interesting dishes for your family. Here are some of my favorites that can easily be adapted to use your leftovers:

Pajeon (Korean Pancakes) are a great use for any leftover veggies on-hand.

Curry cannot be overlooked as a perfect way to transform any leftover meat, poultry and vegetables into something extraordinary. Use turkey and add whatever vegetables you have on-hand. Curry in a Hurry and my Quick Chicken Curry for Two are two good recipes to start with.

This Stir Fry Broccoli with Hoisin Sauce, Cashew Nuts, Orange and Baby Corn can be adapted to include your leftover meat/poultry and other vegetables.

Chez Pim's Pad Thai for Beginners is a great tutorial for asian food-loving cooks of all skill levels; another great opportunity to use some leftovers in a new and interesting way.

Thai Basil Chicken is great transformed into Thai Basil Turkey with Cashews (or leftover pepitas or any kind of nuts from that bowl on your coffee table) and other veggies you might have.

Last, but certainly not least, is the lovable noodle bowl. Use the Noodle Soup Oracle for freestyle fun, or prepare a more traditional bowl of Vietnamese Pho.

Panettone French Toast

Panettone is a tall, domed fruitcake bread. It's big. It's sweet. It's got fruit--and that must mean it's healthy! ;)

Originating in Milan, this big baby is now most often made in southern Italy and exported worldwide as a Christmastime treat. In my hometown--a decidedly Italian-American city--this tasty bread starts making it's appearance shortly before Thanksgiving and remains visible on market shelves through January.

I looooooove this stuff. It's just so pretty. And yummy eaten right out-of-hand. See that end slice on the right? That one went right into my mouth.


With a fine crumb, sweet taste and studded with all that lovely fruit, this Italian import can be a bit on the dry side--which makes it perfect for making into french toast.


Panettone French Toast

serves 1



1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

2-3 small slices of panettone



Whisk together egg and milk; soak panettone slices in the milk mixture for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side (you want the bread to soak up the liquid). Transfer each soaked slice to a buttered skillet over medium heat and fry on both sides until golden.


Serve as desired; I like it very simply with a little maple syrup.



Think of all the variations you could make with just one box of panettone--including monte cristo sandwiches (using some of your leftover holiday meats) and baked french toast for your holiday breakfast crowd. Kids and adults alike with love it!

A Thanksgiving Meme

Since Thanksgiving prep is underway and there is much housecleaning to be done, I’m afraid I haven’t been cooking anything noteworthy of late. So instead, here’s a little Thanksgiving Meme fun. And to do this, I’m tagging:

- Lulu

- Joy

- Mary

There are only two rules:

1. Post these rules when you participate in this meme.
2. Link to the people you tag as well as the person who tagged you.

Now onto the fun:

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?
   
   I prefer to host Thanksgiving; I like having a certain measure of control over what is being served. Call me a control freak!
   
   
2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?
   
   I usually buy/get a frozen turkey due to availability and finances; occasionally I’ve gotten a fresh bird but that’s unusual.
   
   
3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?
   
   It’s been a mix over the years; while I prefer to stuff the bird itself, I agree that it’s so much easier just to make dressing in a separate pan. My favorite recipe that I rely on year after year (with a few variations here and there) contains pork sausage and dried fruit. Yum!
   
   
4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie?
   
   I’m a pumpkin pie gal!
   
   
5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?
   
   I think a little bit of both; the tastiest leftovers go quickly, while the ho-hum items seem to hang around forever. I hate to waste, so coming up with things to do with the not-so-noteworthy items is a challenge.
   
   
6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family?
   
   Cranberry jelly is a must. And Mr.W absolutely needs to have macaroni & cheese. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving for him otherwise.
   
   
7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?
   
   A chest freezer would be nice; so would a kitchen bigger than the closet I currently have.
   
   
8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it?
   
   When Mr.W and I lived in GA, his family invited us to Thanksgiving every year. Although I always cooked our own meal at home earlier in the day (because I have to be in control, remember), I would bring some kind of dessert to the family gathering. Most of the time it was Mr.W’s banana pudding.
   
   
9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?
   
   Anything that meets my dietary restrictions is fine with me.
   
   
10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?
    
    Popcorn. I hate popcorn.
    
    
11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?
    
    I like to mix it up; of course there’s always the mains: turkey, gravy, something cran, something potato, something sweet taters, mac & cheese, veg and pie. But from year to year what I do is alter the way they’re prepared. For example, last year I stuffed the a hubbard squash instead of the bird, and the turkey had an orange glaze. This year it’ll be dressing and an apple-glazed turkey.
    
    
12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?
    
    Thanksgiving is a religious holiday for us, in that we recognize God during the event.
    
    
13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.
    
    I’m not really a tradition kind of gal. That probably sounds odd, but my family growing up was highly dysfunctional and the chaos that invaded the holidays was the polar opposite of happy family celebration. As a military wife, I often lived far away from family… no kids… that also requires that certain standards & ideas become flexible. I guess the only traditions I can identify are (a) invite a guest that has nowhere else to go for Thanksgiving, (b) enjoy a lovely meal and (c) attempt normalcy as much as possible.
    
    
14. Share one Thanksgiving memory.
    
    My favorite Thanksgiving memory was my first one in Key West. I was having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit because of the warm weather/lack of seasonal weather change, and we decided to just embrace what we did have. We strung white Christmas lights to form a canopy over our patio and dragged the dining table outside. The meal was enjoyed with several neighbors outside, under our twinkling lights—lots of laughter.
    
    
15. Name five things you’re thankful for.
    
    (1) Living close to home.
    
    (2) My wonderful husband.
    
    (3) My Sunday School class--what an impressive group of young people. They're so easy to teach, and they, in turn, teach me valuable lessons as well.
    
    (4) Good friends.
    
    (5) My faith.

Join in the fun! If I didn’t tag you, please feel free to participate anyway! Add a link to your replies in the comments below.

Thanksgiving Plans and Holiday Crafts

My church Thanksgiving feast has been canceled... hooray!

Is that terrible of me?

Last week I found myself committed to two Thanksgiving dinners--one full meal at noontime here at Chez W, the other at my church--which meant a LOT of extra work for me. Not that I was complaining, mind you.

Today, however, the leaders of this fete decided that, due to minimal participation, the dinner would be canceled altogether. It was becoming a huge effort with not the turnout we had hoped for. What started as a well-meaning opportunity for group fellowship became more of a chore for the organizers & cooks for only about 8-10 guests, all of whom have other events to attend, anyway.

Now I can breathe a little easier and enjoy hosting my own celebration.

Meanwhile, I'm really enjoying Frugal Upstate's Frugal Thanksgiving Mini-Series this week! Jenn is featuring a daily roundup of cost-effective holiday ideas that are quite clever and full of recipe ideas.

Other than trying to keep up with my immense holiday to-do list--which is shrinking day by day--I've been doing some non-food crafts. Scarves and wraps have been knitted, and I'm now working on a pair of wool felt slippers.

I know this has no business on a food blog, but indulge me for just a moment--I'm so proud! I made the felt from a thrift-store wool sweater. I'm fascinated by this--you hot-water machine wash the sweater and then machine dry to shrink it, thus turning it into felt that won't fray when you cut it. The perfect--and thrifty--craft medium! I made the pattern and obviously my sewing isn't very straight... but they'll keep my tootsies warm this winter. Once I have them embellished you won't see the imperfections will be hardly noticeable.

This, obviously, is my way of pretending that Thanksgiving isn't only a week away and that I should actually be cooking something every day. Aah, let me live in denial just a little while longer, won't you? I'll have plenty of time. (Famous last words, I'm sure.)

Meatloaf Burgers

My family loves meatloaf. Leftover meat slabs become a midnight snack: a forbidden sandwich gobbled alone in the kitchen darkness when no one is around.

The key to the perfect meatloaf sandwich is the meatloaf itself. It must be seasoned to be tasty warm or cold. It must possess the perfect meat-to-topping ratio so that there is no need for any other condiment on the sandwich: ketchup. Oh, yes, this king wears only rubies in his crown.

As it's often only Mr.W and I for dinner, when I do make meatloaf it's either one very small one, dwarfed in the loaf pan, or two individual portions. We are eaters, mind you, and often overeaters at that. Portions must be controlled with military precision.

That doesn't leave room for very many midnight sandwiches.

You might think that, as a housewife, I wouldn't need to have quick-fix meals available--but that actually isn't the case. I'm often doing this or that thing, running errands, or have some meeting or other activity to attend after dinner, thus making quick-to-prepare meals a very real necessity.

I was actually rather surprised by that--until I became a house-spouse myself I always imagined daily leisurely cooking. Silly me!

One of my favorite speedy mealtime solutions is the lowly hamburger. After purchasing family-sized vats of ground meat, I divide it according to planned meals: some pre-cooked and portioned for a fast pot of chili/goulash/pasta sauce, some made into meatballs, and others shaped into mini-loaves and hamburgers.

And this week, a lightbulb came on.

I made a batch of hamburger patties from my standard meat loaf mix and, last night, I pulled them out for supper and prepared them the same way as I do meat loaf: lightly brush with steak sauce, bake until just cooked to one degree below desired doneness (which means medium-plus here--the thinner burgers make it medium-well for Mr.W), topped with ketchup and returned to the oven while sides are prepared. (Note: I cooked these from frozen solid--the outside became a rich mohagony brown while the inside remained moist and, for mine, slightly pink.)

Making this as a burger also provided the desired topping-to-meat ratio. No other condiment was needed, though I did add a slice of white american cheese for a little added dairy.



It was positively sinful. The very sandwich I associate with a forbidden midnight kitchen rendezvous was suddenly made public.

It made me blush.

Paprika Toasted Chick Peas

Sometimes it's difficult to come up with something interesting to eat. I guess I could be one of those women. You know the kind: Monday is Spaghetti, Tuesday is Meat Loaf....

There's nothing wrong with that. It's just not enough for me. I need variety. I need creativity. I need excitement.

So I read foodblogs galore. I read foodie magazines and cookbooks. I read online recipe banks like allrecipes and epicurious. And I watch tv chefs and cooks preparing various meals.

Rachel Ray is a local girl who made good. Her magazine is displayed at every grocery store, her product line featured, and her recipes are the stuff of frequent conversation. She created a veritable movement: kitchen accessibility for the most hurried home cook. I watched her show, 30-Minute Meals, back when it first started and enjoyed some of her ideas.

I've always said, "delish," but now I kick myself when I hear it escape my lips. She stole it and made it hers; it's not mine anymore. Her cutesy catch-phrases aren't cute anymore, and if I hear "Yum-O" one more time I might scream. Once I saw her make a dinner salad with sliced hotdogs on top, well, I just couldn't take it any longer. Enough was enough. I stopped watching.

I did, however, recently watch her 'Thanksgiving in 60 Minutes' special and I'll admit she really hustled. You can't fault the woman--she's got energy. But the Ray-Ray time warp must be considered: 60 minutes for her is more like 90 to 120 minutes in normal human time.

Once I was able to overlook the several times she uttered the phrases "let the flavors develop," and "niiiiiiice," one recipe caught my attention: Paprika Toasted Chick Peas.

It's very basic. You drain & blot dry canned chick peas and toast them in a dry skillet. The problem I found was that these little beans are incredibly moist--after they steamed dry, they really just started to dehydrate. I could not possibly have continued cooking them for the recommended 10-15 minutes. To avoid an inedible result, I stopped at 5 minutes and seasoned them generously with salt, pepper and sweet hungarian paprika (I don't have the smoked variety).

We love chick peas anyway, and we liked these--though I had hoped for a tidbit with a crunchy exterior. While this recipe did not deliver that particular result, they were still very good.

Next time I'll be looking for another recipe, but we did love the flavor of the paprika on these; it was a great accompaniment to a late supper of oven-roasted chicken and a salad.

I suppose we all have our favorite TV chef/cook personalities. Whom do you love to watch, and whom do you loathe?

The Bird Has Landed. Repeat. The Bird Has Landed.

What a fabulous morning I've had today!

Warmer weather, busy activity, pleasant chatting with other grocery shoppers... people already seem to be in the holiday mood.

My biweekly grocery shopping spectacular usually starts early in the morning. I go through my list store-by-store for the best bargains. There's a particular circuit I follow, too, beginning at the farthest store on the edge of town, working my way back toward home. It's the dance of the housewife--efficiency, bargain-hunting, and entertainment all rolled into one.

I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself. I found some unexpected bargains, and, best of all, I bought our Thanksgiving turkey.

Can you hear the applause? I can.

He's safely nestled in the freezer. The groceries are away and I've had a little lunch nosh--a quick ham sandwich, a small glass of soda and a kiwi. I wasn't even aggravated when Thundercat tore into the new cat food bag (even though her dish is full) to nibble on a few morsels of the new stuff. Incidentally, she also gave a paws-up to the new dog food I bought for Pickle.

Now on with my to-do list. I hope y'all have a lovely weekend.

Pureed White Beans

My grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes about 15 years ago. To be fair, the woman eats pretty well most of the time. It's just those special occasions that seem to cause her to lose her willpower completely. Over the years I've watched her snarf dinner rolls and sugary cranberry jelly, mountains of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with abandon. She knows she's not supposed to--but it's the holidays. These are the things you eat during the holidays.

Not everyone can turn it off so easily--I, certainly, can't easily cheat one day and go back to the straight-and-narrow the next. Once that door is opened, well, it's ON, baby! Six months later I'm still sneaking potatoes and breads and sugary sweets.

And that's bad for me.

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I've learned to make a number of things sugar-free, especially desserts. Cranberry jelly is a no-brainer. Sweet potatoes, which are low glycemic-index, are already fair game--and finding a spicy-and-lightly sweet version instead of the pie-esque concoction that formerly graced my table was easy.

It's those pesky mashed potatoes. How would I enjoy gravy? What would cradle my peas and carrots? What would adorn my forkful of turkey?

Beans.

They lower bad cholesterol. They are digested slowly, which has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar. They're chock full of antioxidants. They encourage weight loss. They make your colon happy. And, best of all, they contain starch-blocking compounds (called amylase inhibitors), which are believed to help prevent some of the starch from other foods eaten during the same meal from being absorbed.

Do we need any more reason to add beans to every holiday meal? I don't!

I've been making pureed white beans for a few years now, occasionally through the year, but especially on holidays. It's so easy: just pre-soak white beans according to package directions (I usually follow the overnight method--1/2 pound of beans, sorted, soaked overnight in 6 cups of cold water), drain, rinse, then cover with a fresh 6 cups of water. Simmer until tender--about 30 minutes, cool slightly and drain again.

Now here's where you can get creative. These are the three main versions I stick with:

Variation 1 - Simple Puree

Process cooked, drained beans in the food processor or with a hand blender until pureed. Add a little melted butter, skim milk, salt and pepper for a simple side dish.

Variation 2 - Skinny Potato-Bean Puree

Process cooked, drained beans in the food processor or with a hand blender until pureed. Add 1-2 peeled, chopped, boiled & drained white potatoes and mash with a little chicken broth, salt and pepper for the right consistency and seasoning. Note: My family likes mashed potatoes a little on the lumpy side, so I usually hand-mash once the potatoes have been added to ensure a lumpy result, which incidentally serves as an excellent disguise.

Variation 3 - Onion and Garlic Pureed White Beans

While cooked beans are draining, saute 1 medium sliced onion in extra virgin olive oil until browned and beginning to caramelize. Add several cloves of chopped garlic (to taste; I like it pretty strong, so I use about 4-5 cloves) and saute until fragrant. Add drained beans and puree with a hand blender; thin with a little chicken broth or skim milk as needed, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

1/2 pound beans prepared serves about 4.


Make your bean puree as flavorful as you like. No, they won't taste exactly like mashed potatoes--but they're a lot tastier than those nasty "fauxtatos" made from cauliflower, they are lovely with turkey and gravy, and best of all, they have those awesome amylase inhibitors which will hopefully help your body process any extra starches you might indulge in at your holiday celebration.


This is my entry to Eat Healthy: Fight Diabetes event hosted by Art of Cooking Indian Food. I'll post a link to the roundup here sometime after the event deadline of November 30, 2008. I'm also submitting this post to Just the Right Spice's Healthy Holiday Recipe Roundup--visit the recipe roundup here.

Meanwhile, here are some other recipes that might help you as you plan your own diabetic-friendly feast:

Pumpkin Curry Soup - this can be made with any winter squash
Pumpkin Milkshake
Sugar-Free Cheesecake
Flourless Dessert Crepes
One-Bowl Sugar-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake - this one contains a stick of butter, but the cake is SO unbelievably rich that you'll get a good many servings from it. Everything in moderation...
Pumpkin Coconut Panna Cotta
Healthy Holiday Recipe Roundup of November 12

World Diabetes Day is November 14

World Diabetes Day is a campaign led by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization to raise awareness and funds for combating this pervasive disease.

This year's theme is "Diabetes in Children and Adolescents." Here are a few facts you may not be aware of:


- Every day 200 children develop type 1 diabetes.*

- Type 2 diabetes has been reported in children as young as eight and reports reveal that it now exists in children thought previously not to be at risk.*

- In Native and Aboriginal communities in the United States, Canada and Australia at least one in 100 youth have diabetes. In some communities, it is one in every 25.*

- Over half of children with diabetes develop complications within 15 years.*

- Type 2 diabetes affects children in both developed and developing countries, and is becoming a global public health issue with potentially serious outcomes.*


What can you do?


- Engage in Active Play

Get away from the tv & computer! When I was a kid we weren't allowed much television, and, well, there were no home computers to play with back then. Unless it was raining or we were sick, we went outside. One of our favorite activities was shovelling mazes in the yard. Sledding, snowshoeing and making snowmen and snow-angels were other favorite winter activities. So dress the little ones in warm layers and head outside--or, if outdoors is out of the question, visit a gym, do stretches and phys-ed-type games in your basement or garage, or put on the radio and dance (my mother used to do this with us while she vacuumed).

- Reduce those sweet & carb-y snacks!

Forget those pre-packaged snack cakes. Instead, reach for a piece of fruit or veggies. Avoid the dips--an apple is delicious without the caramel dip. If you must make that fruit slice more interesting, add a small piece of flavorful cheese.

- Participate in diabetes awareness activities.

Light a blue candle, organize a walk-a-thon to raise funds, or talk to your child's school about the warning signs of juvenile diabetes.

- Change the ways you celebrate.

When celebrating your little one's birthday at school, instead of sending sugary jumbo cupcakes with super-sweet punch, how about mini-sized cupcakes with small gift bags containing coloring books or other small treats? Instead of a sugary reward for good grades, how about a donation towards your child's next financial goal, or a trip to the park? Let home events be about the fun things you do, not what you eat. When food is part of your celebration, choose healthier options. Here is a dip recipe that's delicious with veggie dippers, and it's made from vegetables!

- Say no to soda.

Keep the kiddos away from sugary sodas. In my Sunday School class, we enjoy our snack with water, or the occasional water-thinned juice. They love it, and never ask for sodas.

- Vegetables are delicious!

Teach your little ones to love their veg. Half your plate should be filled with veggies, with a starch on 1/4, and a protein on 1/4. Serve a wide variety of different vegetables and encourage children to try them. If you have a particularly stubborn veg-phob, visit the Great Big Vegetable Challenge for inspiration.

- Healthier meals at home.

Add high-fiber and lower-glycemic index dishes to your mealtime repertoire. Switch mashed white beans for mashed potatoes or enjoy pancakes made with oat bran. The next time you serve hamburgers, skip the bun and make oven-fries with sweet potatoes.

- Write about diabetes.

Post an article to raise awareness on your blog. Go ahead, there's still time!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional; my advice should be taken as my personal opinion only.

*Facts taken from the World Diabetes Day website.

Behind, and My Holiday Planner

Oh, I feel so behind the curve right now! With Thanksgiving looming and Christmas right around the corner... all of my best-laid plans have gone awry. I had hoped to be even more organized than last year.

Originally I was to have Thanksgiving here at Chez W for my family. But our budget got a bit tight and other circumstances have caused an overflow of "stuff" around my house... well, I panicked and committed myself to a group Thanksgiving with my church. I figured everyone could go there, right?

Wrong. My mom & g'ma are antisocial types, you know, and apparently unable to bend even for the closest of family.

Then the guilt trip. "Oh, we'll be fine; we'll just have our Lean Cuisines."

Ugh.

So now, not only am I committed to cooking for and setting up an afternoon church Thanksgiving meal, I'm also hosting a noontime meal in my home on Thanksgiving Day.

Fortunately, my brother and his sweet wife have volunteered half of the cooking. Hopefully this won't be as crazy as it sounds.

Still, I feel wholly unprepared and a bit scattered at this point. I need to make some attempt at organization, so here's my holiday planner as it exists today:


November 12-15

- Clean, clean, clean! Tidy entire house and organize "stuff" overflow; relocate as needed.

- Finalize Thanksgiving-at-home menu. Prepare a shopping list.

- Make a list of the dishes that will be prepared for the Home meal on Thanksgiving Day. Select, clean and set aside serving dishes & tableware.

- Arrange to borrow a folding table.


November 16-22

- Finalize Church-Thanksgiving Menu & who's-bringing-what list; prepare shopping list.

- Make a timeline of what to prepare, when, and which meal it's for.

- Clean out refrigerator to make room; plug in basement fridge for extra space.

- Change filter in water pitcher.

- Shop for groceries and begin advanced cooking.

- Determine date for annual Holiday Open House (est. Saturday, December 6); determine menu (keep it simple!), prepare shopping list and email invitations/deliver flyers.


November 23-26

- Continue advance meal prep wherever possible.

- Update lists as appropriate.

- Deliver furniture/decorations to be set up at the church.

- Clean house. That means DUST!

- Purchase wine for Thanksgiving-at-home.

- Set up tables & chairs.

- Determine arrangement of food platters.

- Label each platter/serving piece.

- Decorate and set table the night before.

- Banish Thundercat.


November 27 - Thanksgiving Day

- Get up early to start turkey.

- Wake Mr.W

- Tidy house one last time. Clean bathrooms.

- Wake Mr.W

- Warm/finalize sides for Thanksgiving-at-home.

- Threaten Mr.W with a slow, painful death if he doesn't get out of bed & help before guests arrive.

- Be prepared to rotate dishes for church meal into oven after Thanksgiving-at-home meal comes to the table.

- Update lists as appropriate.

- Celebrate with family 11am to 1:30pm.

- Arrive at church at 2pm, Mr.W to follow after dishwasher has been started at home.

- Celebrate with church 2:30 to 6:00pm.

- Retire home by 6:30 to drink a bottle of wine and eat all leftover pies.


November 28 - Black Friday (The Biggest Shopping Day of the Year)

- Get out & enjoy the holiday crowds. Maybe see a movie.


November 29 - December 5

- Shop & prepare for Holiday Open House; advance cooking, furniture arrangement, house tidy and prep serving pieces for foods.

- Finalize Christmas gift list and continue any home crafting of gifts.

- Shop for gifts.

- Decorate interior & exterior for Christmas.


December 6 - Tentative Date for Holiday Open House

- Wake Mr.W

- Prepare food for Open House.

- Wake Mr.W

- Banish Pickle and Thundercat.

- Threaten Mr.W with a slow, painful death if he doesn't wake up and help before guests arrive.

- Set out food and greet guests. Enjoy party.


December 7 - 13

- Mail gifts for out-of-town recipients.

- Finalize Christmas celebration plans (family celebration on Xmas eve or day?) and identify menu. Prepare grocery list.

- Continue gift crafting/shopping. Wrap gifts.


December 14 - 20

- Continue gift crafting/shopping/wrapping.

- Buy groceries for Christmas celebration and prep foods in advance wherever possible.


December 21 - 23

- Finish gift crafting/shopping/wrapping.

- Continue meal prep as appropriate.

- Rent movies for over the Christmas holidays.


December 24 - Christmas Eve

- If family celebration is today, prepare meal and enjoy family.

- Otherwise, enjoy a quiet day with Mr.W watching movies, visiting with friends.

(Family Christmas is much less formal than Thanksgiving--heavy snacks, salads, rolls and cold cuts, cheese, sweets.)


December 25 - Christmas Day

- If family celebration is today, prepare meal and enjoy family.

- Otherwise, enjoy a quiet day with Mr.W watching movies, visiting with friends.


December 26

- Sleep in.

- Return movies.

- Promise myself I won't do this again next year.


December 27 - 30

- Undecorate.

- Telephone out-of-town friends and relatives for post-holiday chats.

- Finalize New Year's plans. (Hopefully someone will invite us to their celebration. Not-so-veiled hint, there! Hey--I'll even bring Zombies & Carcassone!)


December 31 - New Year's Eve

- Celebrate! Or, maybe just sleep!


January 1, 2009 - New Year's Day

- Make resolutions and try to stick to them.


Now that I've written up this gigantic to-do list, I'm REALLY scared. But, since I've shared it with you, it's now REAL, and I'm committed to sticking to it as much as possible.

Meme: Six More Random Things About Me

My blogging-buddy, Sam, tagged me for a meme so, without further ado, here are six personal tidbits previously unstated (I think) here at Mrs.W's Kitchen:

- I am a crafter. I knit scarves and hats and various other small wearables. I occasionally sew. I've been known to cross-stitch, bead and make all sorts of other bits & baubles. I make holiday wreaths. The best part of my week is doing some kind of craft with my Sunday School class. I'm now playing with felting--just today I purposely shrank a thrift-store wool sweater that I plan to make, well, something with.

- Somehow Mr.W and I have made it to almost ten years of marriage without owning a dresser. Okay, that's a little bit of a lie. I do have a small youth-sized chest of drawers that I rescued from the curb; it's currently in my garage, waiting to be sanded and painted for use. However, that will be put to use in my kitchen, not to hold clothes.

- Which brings me to my next random thing: I'm a trash-picker. But only if an item appears to be usable/refinishable. This is a fact that I generally don't let out--but I trust y'all.

- I love, love, love shopping at the Salvation Army store. Maybe I've mentioned that here, I don't know. I'm like a kid in a candy store there--dishes, strange bits of furniture, clothes--you name it. I love to pick up the odd dish, or serving piece.

- This year I'm disappointing my family and NOT doing Thanksgiving at my house. I feel a little guilty about it. Well, maybe a lot guilty.

- I'm rather upset that Mr.W recently lost 35 lbs. Sure, it's great for him, he looks better, and there's no doubt it's better for his health. It's my vanity that's been affected--I'm afraid of being that fat chick married to that skinny guy. He has been banned from losing any more weight.


There were some rules for this tag:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Since I'm a ritual nonconformist, I'm going against the rules per se. If you want to play along, consider yourself tagged and please do link to me (I'll add a link to you if you let me know). Those of you doing NaBloPoMo 2008 I'm sure will enjoy adding a meme or two!

Want to learn more about me? See the other memes I've answered.

Veteran's Day 2008

Image from FreeFoto.com

Today is Veterans Day, a U.S. Federal holiday.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of World War I, which was fought between 1914 and 1918. WWI ended upon the signing of a peace agreement between the Allied Nations and Germany this very day in 1918. Originally declared Armistice Day by President Wilson in 1919, the holiday was later changed to 'Veterans Day' by President Eisenhower in 1954.

It's a day to celebrate freedom, and sacrifice, and the heroic efforts of millions of men and women who have fought in wars and conflicts around the world, as well as those who have served in peacetime. We celebrate our fallen soldiers and living veterans with parades and memorial services, flags on veterans graves, and various events nationwide.

The following is an excerpt from President George W. Bush's 2008 Veterans Day Proclamation:

Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

I couldn't have said it better, myself.

Easy Cheesy Gratin in an Acorn Squash

I finally got around to trying Ruch Reichl's Pumpkin Soup recipe recommended by Michele of Fine Furious Life.

Wow.

Not a soup at all, this is really a gratin baked inside a hollowed-out acorn squash. Layers of toasted day-old french bread cubes were layered with swiss cheese that I had tossed with a little flour, and milk was poured over before baking.


The squash was then baked with it's lid on until it was very tender. The filling was very impressive--it puffed up beautifully!

Even more of a surprise was the flavor. I mean, who really expects such ingredients to come together so deliciously? The sweet, tender squash flesh was a perfect counterpoint to the soft, cheesy interior that was lightly dusted with white pepper and nutmeg. It was almost too easy--anyone could put this baby together, and it's definitely company-worthy.

Easy Cheesy Gratin in an Acorn Squash
based on Ruth Reichl's Pumpkin Soup recipe, here
serves 4

You can purchase 4 small acorn squash, or buy one larger of some other squash that will hold all the filling--it's completely up to you. I only made this one for the sake of experimentation, and baked the remaining filling in a pie plate--also yummy, but it's so much better with the squash.

1-4 acorn (or other) squash, washed, bottom sliced off, seeds and strings removed (Note: acorn squash are usually flat on top and pointed on the bottom--hence making a "lid" of the bottom; if you use another type of squash that sits flat on it's bottom, obviously remove your lid from the top)
neutral vegetable oil, like canola
1/2 loaf (about 3-4 cups) day-old french bread, cut into cubes and toasted in the oven
1-1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese, gently tossed with 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
milk
white pepper
nutmeg

1. Oil the interior and exterior of squash and place in a baking dish. Preheat oven to 350*F.

2. Layer some bread crumbs in the bottom of the squash; sprinkle with cheese. Repeat this process until squash cavity is filled, ending with cheese. Carefully pour milk over filling until you see it approaching the top--I stopped at about 1 inch below the top. Dust generously with ground white pepper and several scrapes of nutmeg.

3. Replace squash lid and bake until squash flesh is very soft when poked with the tip of a knife and filling is puffed and golden; you may decide to remove the lid for a light golden color.

4. Cool a good 15 minutes before eating.

This would be a great lunch served with a salad. People with blood sugar issues should beware--this is high-carb with all that bread inside! Be sure to eat this in moderation with lots of veggies & fiber in the same meal.

Oven-Baked Tortellini Alfredo with Pepperoni and Green Peas

When the weather is cold, when you're sick, when you've had a bad day, or when you're just feeling blah... these all call for comfort. Warm, cozy, rich, creamy comfort.

When I purchased some frozen cheese tortellini recently, I had planned a very simple garlic-olive oil sauce. Then I saw this post by the clever Anne of Anne's Food--a cheesy-baked tortellini. I knew I had to make some.

It's very easy--make an oniony, garlicky roux, add milk and cheese, season with pepper, a few scrapes of nutmeg, salt if you need it, and mix it with just-cooked tortellini and bake. I added pepperoni and peas for extra flavor and texture.

Wow! It was just right for a solo meal at home, cozy on the couch with a blanket--with lots of leftovers!

Oven-Baked Tortellini Alfredo with Pepperoni and Green Peas
serves 4

1 pound frozen cheese tortellini, cooked according to package directions to al dente
extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced (or more or less to taste)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
about 1 quart milk
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
few scrapes nutmeg
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 pound frozen peas
about 1-1/2 ounces thinly sliced or chopped pepperoni

Saute onion in olive oil until lightly browned and very soft; reduce heat to low and add garlic and butter. Stir until butter is melted. Mix in flour to form a paste and cook 1-2 minutes. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, also adding pepper, nutmeg and parmesan cheese as you go. (Be sure to taste for seasoning--you may need added salt.) You may also use less or more milk depending on the consistency you prefer. Mine came out pretty thick--just how I like it. Stir in peas and pepperoni and remove from heat.

Combine cooked tortellini and cream sauce in a buttered casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 350*F oven until bubbly and lightly browned (about 15-20 minutes). Allow to cool for 5 minutes before digging in--it's HOT!

This is a relatively quick-fix meal if you're very organized, and definitely pocketbook-friendly. I was able to put the dish together for about $5 US.

Kinder Egg Surprise

For those of you not familiar with the awesomeness that is the Kinder Egg, behold:

This foil-wrapped goodie is an occasional treat here at Chez W. It's better than any old piece of candy because, well, there's a toy.

And that makes everything better.

I would be remiss to not share with you the chocolaty goodness of the candy itself. The milk-chocolate exterior has a white-chocolate lining is good quality and just plain tasty.

Inside there's a capsule containing the toy parts that require assembly. I'm always amazed by the decent quality of the toy itself all jam-packed into it's wee little housing. There are even pictoral instructions, detail stickers and warning labels--not for children under 3!

Never fear, there are no children here!

I knew you must be dying to know what my toy was, since I only mentioned my egg-shaped prize before. Its a junk to sail along the kinder-wrapper sea, bold in the face of cat-like monsters of the deep.

Sourdough Experiments: A Disasterous Diagnosis

My starter has not been well, people. Not well at all.

It started out fabulously... lots of expansion and indication of wild yeast activity by day 3.

Then I switched from pineapple puree to just plain water. Things went flat, but then I found hooch. Oh, the hope I held in my heart...

That ushered a period of seeming inactivity, but I kept at it. I fed it every day, tried my best to keep it warm overnights in the microwave--and there, I believe, was the problem. It got too warm. There was one night in particular that Mr.W, in his well-meaning way, put The Beast to bed... but directly over the over-stove lightbulb. In the morning it was almost hot to the touch--my fear was the killer 100 degree (F) mark.

Several more days and various attempts to motivate the starter were unfruitful. Then, the final change: the gym sock smell.

Everything I read around the blogosphere about sourdough starter says that's bad mojo... so I've relegated this particular experiment to a watery grave in the sewer.

Although I feel some disappointment, I also think it was a really good first try. I should have been using whole grain flour, after all, and I was surprised to actually have had some success with plain old all-purpose flour. I did buy a bag of whole wheat flour a few days ago that I plan to use for another try... though I think I'll experiment and do the photos BEFORE posting the whole story, for fear of another public failure!

At any rate, thanks for sharing this experience with me, and the comments and emails that helped to encourage me along the way! I'm determined to figure this out--without use of commercial yeast--and with my previous success at capturing wild yeast I know it's possible.

Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

I often show you my best, most impressive meals--that's just what foodbloggers do! But I'll share a little secret with you: I don't always eat that way.

No, there are many, many meals that are just plain, old dinners. Meals that I'd never serve company. Regular, inexpensive, stick-t0-your-ribs food. It ain't pretty--but it's good.



Salisbury steak reminds me of happy days, before the work-a-day world, before bad breakups and car wrecks, before I knew what stress was. It reminds me of the play yard behind my elementary school, the monkey bars and the woo-woo tree.

Yes, this is one of our comfort meals for a regular day.

Some people say it should be a piece of cube steak, but I like a basic seasoned ground beef patty, fried and then warmed in a rich gravy. Easy peasy and budget-friendly to boot.


Salisbury Steak and Gravy
serves 4

1 pound ground beef, formed into 4 patties
canola oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth or bullion
1 cup beef broth or bullion
salt and pepper, to taste

Season beef patties with salt and pepper and any other seasonings desired. Fry in a little canola oil until well-browned on both sides. Set cooked patties aside; discard excess oil and return pan to the stove over medium heat.

Mix broths together in a 4-cup measure; set aside.

Melt butter in pan and scrape up any browned bits. Stir flour into butter and cook for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in broth, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Set heat to low and return beef patties to gravy. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Eating for the Season

Here we are in November, already on the cusp of the holidays. Soon there will be that whirlwind of soirees to attend. A potluck here, a cocktail party there. Oh, the joys of the season!

Homemade treats can be riddled with hidden ingredients that can be taboo for a guest not free to eat with abandon. Take, for example, this seemingly harmless soup I ate at a recent luncheon: rich, beef-tomato broth chock full of veggies, tiny chunks of potato and flavorful meatballs. What could be wrong with that?

A casual conversation with the cook revealed some alarming details: mashed potatoes were mixed into the meatball mixture, and his preferred brand of tomato sauce contains corn syrup. Oh, it's just a little bit--that won't really harm anything, will it?

Yes. Yes it will.

This is why diabetics experience "unexplainable" blood sugar spikes, and people with food allergies have a sudden explosion of symptoms. Even if it looks acceptable and appears to meet dietary restrictions you may have, it might not be. Wherever possible, ask what's in it.

That can be so hard to do while trying to be gracious to our guests, though. You know the people you can quiz about ingredients without taking offense--your mom, your sibling, your cousin, your best friend. Your spouse's boss, though, might not be so understanding. We don't want to come off as picky pains in the you-know-where, now do we?

I have two main tactics in my arsenal of party-going prophylaxis:

1. Contribute a dish or two to the the party. You can make something that's safe for you to eat while sharing your own foodie culture. No one will notice that you're staying close to what you brought.

2. For those times when it's impossible to bring a dish, eat a salad or some other acceptable heavy snack before going. Bummer, I know, but it's my job to be aware of my dietary needs. If ruining my appetite means I can enjoy the party more (because I'm avoiding that icky feeling that comes with eating the wrong stuff), well, I'm okay with that.

How do you deal with dietary restrictions/preferences
at holiday gatherings?

It's Election Day!

Today--Tuesday, November 4, 2008--is Election Day in the United States. In a matter of hours we'll all know who will be the next President and Vice President.

Whatever your political views, I hope you'll get out there and vote. It's our right--one that many have died to protect. I'll be joining the hustle and bustle today, myself. It's exciting!

I've inserted a fun widget so we can all enjoy the race. May the best candidates win!



Know Your Voting Rights - State by State
CNN Voter Hotline
Ballotpedia: A breakdown of all the measures where you live.
Saturday Night Live's Election Headquarters

It's Been a Wild, Wild Few Days

Ever had a weekend that left you exhausted?

Friday I headed to Syracuse to pick up Mr.W from the airport and enjoy a day of leisure. Syracuse is a fun little city, with a great mall, my beloved Christmas Tree Shop and the nearest Moe's. It is also home to my favorite little italian import store, Vince's.

One of my most favorite things to do in Syracuse, too, is stop by a particular store in the mall called Around the World. They sell a fantastic assortment of imported candy that is SO FUN to eat. Dave got a Yorkie, because it's not for girls.

I agree with the packaging. It's one. chunky. candybar. Just thick blocks chocolate. That's it. Very butch, indeed.

I got a kinder egg. My dear friend Nalinee turned me on to this treat in South Africa and I grab them whenever I can. Yum!

We arrive home to unload our many packages. Amid the confusion of bags of amaretti cookies and lady fingers, christmas gifts (yes, we've started already), baking products and seasonings, some wonderful pomegranate juice and some magazines we just can't get locally, Thundercat escaped.

Quick as lightening, she dashed right out the door.

There's something about a cat going outside on Halloween that bothers me. It's not a good night for small pets.

We went outside calling her name periodically. And when I say we, I mean me. She's gotten out occasionally in the past--Thundercat just loves the great outdoors--and normally stays close to the house, climbs a tree, chases a bunny (sorry, Michele!) and comes home. This time, however, she didn't. Come home, I mean.

Saturday night was a friend's annual Halloween party. I brought some goodies: mini mummy dogs (lil smokies wrapped in strips of refrigerated crescent roll dough, dotted with nigella seed 'eyes') and a pumpkin ale fondue that, though yummy, seized up. I think I was a little too anxious to get it out and ready. Someone with fondue experience must share with me this particular kitchen secret. Fondue dippers included roasted potato chunks, slices of chorizo and pepperoni, apple slices and grapes. And the mummy dogs--they were good doused in cheese, too!

Last, but certainly not least, I brought a selection of pretzel rod fingers in a sleeved vase. They were a real hit!

Sunday was another fast & furious day--we had to pack up my Sunday School because we're moving to another building. Fortunately I keep things relatively organized so it didn't take too long.

By Sunday afternoon I was in full distress mode. All that activity and lack of sleep looking for Thundercat. We walked the neighborhood. We called out day and night.

Evening fell and Mr.W ran an errand. He returned home with much activity and, even with the tv on full-blast, I heard something outside. Was it a meow? "Mute the tv!" I yelled as I ran for the kitchen door.

In dashed Thundercat, her coat full of leaves and burdocks, collar still on and none the worse for wear. She's been a lovey-dovey purrbox ever since. I can't tell you how relieved I am. Now I can rest.

Pumpkin Ale Fondue

- 1 cup shredded swiss cheese
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 3/4 cup pumpkin ale (I used Dogfish Head's "Punkin Ale" as recommended by a local shopkeeper. The label says, "A full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon & nutmeg." It was GOOD. And I don't even like beer.)

- 1 clove garlic, peeled

Toss cheeses with flour; set aside.

In a saucepan, bring ale with whole garlic clove to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low setting. Add cheese, a handful at a time, until melted, stirring often. (This is where my impatience came in.)

Transfer cheese to a fondue pot and keep warm. Enjoy with assorted dippers.

Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker

Jenn at Frugal Upstate is having a giveaway of a Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker. It seems like an interesting contraption--basically it has some one-cupcake-size mix packets for the cake, small packets of frosting and sprinkles. You "bake" the cupcakes in the microwave, too.

Certainly not for the cupcake afficionado, but it would be fun for kids and moms who don't normally bake. Jenn has a video demonstrating the process. I bet someone who's very, very creative could make up their own single-sized cake mixes, too!

Click on over to enter for this giveaway if this is something you're interested in! (For US shipping locations only.) Deadline is Friday, November 7, 2008.