4 Unique styles for Hosting (3)

4 Unique Styles for Hosting Over the Holidays

When it comes to holiday entertaining there are many ways to bring different groups of people together. A memorable holiday gathering leaves a lasting impression–a warm feeling of family, community filled with rambling conversations, peppered with flavors that fill the stomach as well as the soul.

Hosting a successful holiday gathering goes well beyond just the theme of Thanksgiving or Christmas. Consider who you will be entertaining, and what type of atmosphere you would like to create.

The recipe for a successful holiday gathering is very simply–a classic combination of food, people, drinks, and meaningful discussions. Food has the power to bring people together–whether you’re serving family members, business colleagues, or new friends. Every choice you make–from theme to menu to music–should center around creating this atmosphere of warmth, openness, and discussion. However, every host or hostess adds their own personal flavor to the event–a sprinkle of fun, a dash of competition, or a heaping spoonful of classic elegance.

Choose a theme by thinking about the reason for your holiday dinner party. Are you entertaining close friends, neighbors, inviting your boss or colleagues? Are you celebrating a holiday with just your relatives or a mix of family and friends?

Consider The Atmosphere You Want to Create

From there you can consider the atmosphere you’d like to create. Will this be an intimate event, or will the evening be an energetic introduction of many new acquaintances? Is this a formal dinner, or a casual gathering? Would you like your guests to feel calm and relaxed, or excited and boisterous?

The atmosphere and theme work together. Even a theme as simple as “Christmas Dinner” can be interpreted in many ways. Is it a classic, elegant, Charles Dickens-style Christmas? A Southern charm Christmas? A fun, whimsical, snow wonderland Christmas with elves and sparkles? A gingerbread and candy Christmas?

Once you’ve decided on the atmosphere you plan to create, you can begin to really narrow down your theme. Many factors can determine a theme.

1. Hosting An Eclectic Group

This is the perfect time to try out some fun finger foods. Maybe make it a pot luck of appetizers. Create a light and casual get together where people can mix and mingle, bring along their children and catch up with others. Imagine guests standing around with a signature cocktail or glasses of sparkling cider, chatting away with an assortment of finger foods and sweets. Mix up the music to appeal to everyone’s style.

2. The Formal Sit Down Dinner

Perhaps you want to dust off your grandmother’s china and host a formal dinner with napkins folded into swans and glistening holiday candles. Place guests according to their interests and hobbies so that the conversation is lively at the table. Keep in mind that this is not much fun for little ones. We are not saying don’t invite them but there was a reason Grandma sat you at the kids table.

3. Hosting Outdoors

Depending on the climate where you live, outdoors can be an amazing way to host friends and neighbors for the holidays. Perhaps you will spark up a fire pit and serve up some butternut squash soup and rustic bread.

Even if you are fortunate enough to live in a region that boasts long lovely springs and blissful autumns, you still cannot always count on Mother Nature to deliver the perfect weather, can you? Having an entertaining plan that incorporates the inside space of your home into the flow of a party can cut down on the anxiety of a pop-up storm or another unplanned unpleasant occurrence.

4. Traditional Family Dinner

Entertaining small can be wonderful. Take care not to create the atmosphere of a weeknight family meal. Make the dinner special for your intimate group. If you want to create a magical dinner for your immediate family, think about special moments in their lives that you want to honor or celebrate and turn your table settings into personalized themes with photos and mementos. You can list the years achievements like you would in a Christmas letter but instead of sharing their accomplishments with the world, share how proud you are of them at the holiday table. This can work regardless of the holiday.

Simple is still memorable

There are thousands of creative, whimsical, elegant, and classic ideas for decorating a tablescape, which can easily be found online. Sometimes just browsing through photos can help you brainstorm the perfect theme and decor for your dinner party.

However good the food, however fine the drink, and however fun the atmosphere — the highlight of a dinner party remains memorable and meaningful conversation among friends and family.

If you plan a few questions beforehand, you won’t be stuck in a rut if the conversation starts to dwindle. Deep, meaningful conversations over wine, candles, and good food — this is the stuff memorable dinner parties are made of.

Your holiday dinner should be as distinct and unique as you. The games, atmosphere, themes, and menu should reflect who you are. Likewise, a host or hostess shouldn’t have to stress out; a dinner doesn’t have to be complex to be amazing. Remember: All of the lace, flowers, and candles on earth won’t make a holiday memorable–at the end, what everyone remember most are how they felt, the people they connected with and conversations.

All of the lace, flowers, and candles on earth won’t make a holiday memorable–at the end what everyone remember most are how they felt, the people they connected with and the conversations.

Cheers. Here’s to creating an unforgettable holiday lasting happy memories.

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Holiday Entertaining Check List

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Make The List – Check it Twice!

Starting from the beginning with a well thought out entertaining plan will determine everything from your menu to your choice of music.

Once you’ve determined your menu, take a few moments to write down each and every ingredient you’ll need for each course. Any event planner or caterer will tell you – staying organized is key! You’ve got a lot of things to think about: cooking, decorating, invitations, seating arrangements, games. It’ll be far easier and less stressful if you take a deep breath and take the time to organize. The last thing you want is to run back to the grocery store two or three times because you forgot a small ingredient!

On a separate document, make a list of every decor item you need. Put a checkmark next to any items you already own.

Most event coordinators will tell you: Begin planning early. Give yourself at least a month to plan. Here’s a simple checklist of your timeline for planning a dinner party.

A Month Before Your Event

  • Check Pinterest for unique themes
  • Brainstorm desired atmosphere and decor items
  • Create guest list
  • Begin planning menu

Three Weeks Before Your Event

  • Design and send invitations
  • Determine theme
  • Create a shopping list of required decor items
  • Begin shopping for decorations

Two Weeks Before Your Event

  • Guests RSVP; finalize the list of attendees
  • Check dietary needs for guests
  • Create seating arrangements
  • Finalize menu
  • Create a shopping list for ingredients

One Week Before Your Event

  • Choose music; begin creating a playlist
  • Create name cards if needed
  • Create ice-breaker question cards if needed
  • Deep clean house – Baseboards, lighting fixtures, etc.

Three Days Before Your Event

  • Use finalized shopping list; buy ingredients
  • Purchase alcoholic beverages – wine, champagne, beer, or cocktail mixes.
  • Purchase bottle-openers and corkscrews for opening wine.

The Day Before Your Event

  • Prepare as much of the menu as you can, so you can easily heat and serve the next day.
  • Trash out, restrooms clean
  • Begin decorating and laying out centerpieces, tablecloths, candles, flowers.
  • Hook-up playlist to make sure music plays
  • Go ahead and set your table as much as possible — one less thing to worry about tomorrow.

The Day Of Your Event

  • Prepare any remaining menu items
  • Warm-up previously-prepared foods
  • Layout hors-d’oeuvres and drinks for cocktail hour
  • Arrange all dishes for the prepared courses in the order you’ll need to serve them
  • Set the mood by lighting candles, turning on your playlist, and staging your home for guests.
  • Finally, get dressed for your holiday gathering
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Ideally, all of this early-preparation will leave very little work for you to do on the actual day of your holiday gathering. Be sure to take some time for yourself. Drink a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and take a few moments to enjoy your space before your guests arrive.

Holiday Blunders (3)

10 Holiday Entertaining Blunders

We have all encountered one or all of these situations at one time. We have provided not only the hosting faux pas but the tips to ensure that when it’s your turn to entertain, you will be able to navigate the hosting of your party with ease and avoid these all too common entertaining blunders.


1. A Flurry of Confusion


The hosts are still preparing food an hour after the party started. No one knows where to place their gifts or leave their coats. Guests are scrambling through kitchen drawers looking for a wine opener.

Tip: As hosts of a party, being prepared and on time is can be challenging. Your guests deserve to enter a well planned environment. Make a list of everything you need to do to prepare and utilize t time management skills. We have written an article that can help Holiday Entertaining Checklist.

2. The Snooze Fest


A formal holiday dinner party where you were seated for the next two hours alongside a guest you have absolutely nothing in common with.

Tip: When planning out the seating arrangement at a dinner party, make sure you seat people with like interests together. As the host it is your job to keep the conversations moving, Always be scanning the table for lulls in the conversation and find a commonality for people.

3. Menu Snafu

You leave a party hungry.

Tip There are many people with dietary restrictions. Make sure you are aware of allergies or known food sensitivities prior to planning your menu. Make sure there is enough food for the amount of guests. It is always better to have more than less.

4. Sporting of the Lampshade

You arrive to find earlier guests or worse, the hosts already well on their way to feeling no pain

Tip: Start a party off with less alcohol by offering a spritzer in lieu of a glass of wine. A light beer instead of a 10 % stout, or a punch with light alcohol rather than a shot.

5. The Glass House

You were told it was okay to bring your small children to the party only to find precious antiques placed all over the house at their eye level.

Tip: As the hosts, you do not have to redecorate your entire home but do place precious items above the reach of very small children. Make sure they do not have access to anything that can be harmful to themselves such as cleaning supplies, sharp objects or medicines.

6. The House is a Mess

You’re not sure what has happened, however it is apparent that the house keeper has not visited in sometime.

Tip: Cleaning over several days before your party is an easy way to ensure that you will have time for tidying up your home the day of your event. If you have clean laundry that is not going to be folded, tuck it away in a closet. No one wants to look at a pile of your undergarments while nibbling on an appetizer.

7. The “I Am Too Stuffy” Party

Pretentious people stand around in their own cliques while you try to fit in with small talk about the caviar.

Tip: In business situations, this can not always be avoided. But when hosting, it’s your job to match up the guest list appropriately.

8. The Uncomfortable Family Drama

You are forced to listen to Uncle Joe and his half-sister publicly air their respective families past grievances.

Tip: When putting together a guest list, sometimes you may not have a choice but to invite certain relatives. However, try to mitigate the drama by structuring a less formal seating arrangement.

9. Who left the dog out?

Fido is running amuck and jumping on everyone who had food in their hands.

Tip: Pets are great, but not always at your holiday party. Some well-meaning people do not understand that they should not feed your four legged friends. Accidentally dropped party food or spilled alcohol can be poisonous to pets.

10. Hosting if someone in your home is ill.

Tip: After all the world has been through since 2020 we should all know better. If someone becomes ill, it is better to contact all your invited guests to let them know you must cancel or postpone your festivities. It is never in good form to share an illness with guests.

4 Unique styles for Hosting

Holiday Table Setting Tips

When it comes to creating, serving, and showcasing food, the choices are limitless. From setting the tone for a fun party to a formal dinner, and everything in between. All you need is a little creativity, some dinnerware, table cloths, glassware, and holiday decor. A theme will make your food stand out and set the right mood for a memorable holiday meal.

Designing Your Holiday Table- Where Should You Begin?

Many times people shy away from entertaining because the idea of having to set up an extravagant table appears like a daunting task. But it does not have to be hard. The key is starting a week or two ahead of time and follow these simple steps.

1. Elegance or Fun

The first rule of thumb is to decide is who will be in attendance? Perhaps your guest list includes your very traditional mother in law, and or your new boss. If this is the case, the answer is simple. You should shoot for elegance above all else. If it’s a group of close friends and neighbors you may want to decide on a fun theme.

There can however be extenuating circumstances once you take your guest list into consideration. Can you have both? The answer is kind of… yes.

Case in point; this Thanksgiving we have little ones attending. While we still all want everyone to feel as if they were being treated to a wonderful meal, we had to consider spills, drips, table bumps and busy hands. We opted to ditch the formality but weave in a sprinkle of elegance. While our tables will not be magazine cover worthy and as fancy as previous years, we are blessed to have children in our lives.

Grandmother’s antique platters will not make their appearance. We will skip the tall candles and the decorative glass votives. Low profile decor that is more stable will dawn our table. The crystal long-stemmed wine glasses that can tip too easily will be replaced with stemless options. Instead of the fancy table cloths, our tables will be draped with cloths that will be no worse for their wear if/when they get spilled upon.

Our tables will still be quite festive, and have a hint of elegance but are more approachable for all the guests. The parents of the little ones will feel more relaxed, as will we, as the hosts. Here are some of the designs we plan to use.

The most important part of creating this sacred space where we will partake of our Thanksgiving meal is that each and everyone seated at the dining table is made to feel comfortable.

Now that you have considered who will be attending, what do you do next?

2. Select A Signature Piece and Build Around It

Start with one signature piece for inspiration that will help define the theme of your design, Sometimes it can be a fantastic dinner plate.

It does not always have to be the dinnerware that is your muse. We found this rooster placemat and decided the theme would be farm/country. From there we were able to gather pieces, gift bags and really hone in on the details. Fresh vegetables were even part of the decor.

Once we hosted a birthday dinner for a girlfriend from Texas and that gave us the idea of a fun cowgirl theme. The inspiration for this, believe it or not, was not the hat but the cute little checkered pigs we found at a craft store.

3. You Do Not Have to Break The Bank Creating a Centerpiece

Beautiful tables can be made from Items you source just about anywhere. These beautiful flowers are from a Crepe Myrtle tree located in our neighborhood. Tall weeds were growing around them so they were added for greenery. You can also find sticks or Cat N Nine tails. Even wheat grass can be a great way to add color and dimension to your tablescape. Just be sure to spray anything before coming in from the outside with a solution of dish soap and water to remove any insects hiding in tiny crevices.

4. Secret Dollar Store Finds

This past Halloween, we were challenged to set a great table using mostly Dollar Store finds. We hosted a dinner and a brunch using the same items. It was the best 15 dollars we ever spent. Storing these items does not make sense for our space, so the next day we packed it all up and made a donation to the local thrift store.

Thrift stores can be a great place to find pieces that you can use for your dinner parties. One time we hosted a birthday dinner for a friend who happens to really like the color blue. We found some pretty blue glassware sitting on the store shelves just begging for us to take it home. We made a small donation to a good cause and made our friend smile when she saw her favorite color proudly displayed on her table. When the party was over we gave her all the glassware to keep.

Thrifting is only one of the ways to have fun with your tablescapes. We know some of you cringe at the thought of using someone else’s dishes, but if you think about it you do this each time you dine out. Yes, it would be nice to walk into Sur La Table or Pottery Barn and purchase everything showcased, but unless your last name is Rockefeller, that kind of expenditure for each and every holiday is not sustainable. We even set our Christmas table with pretty red snowflake plates that we found in a box at a local thrift store. This year we donated them back to the same store. That is good example of re-use.

5. Incorporate and Repurpose Already Owned Pieces

You do not have to purchase dinnerware and decorative items for every holiday. The best way to make the most of pieces you love and a table look different is to repurpose them.

For the Halloween tables shown previously we repurposed everything and transformed the dinner table to a buffet. The tree in the middle of the table is an old jewelry tree that we found on clearance at Kirklands. This tree will make its reappearance on our Christmas table. Instead of spooky bats and orange lights it will sparkle with white lights and hold little ornaments. Perhaps it will be repurposed again at Easter where it can drip with pastel colored ribbons and dangle little eggs. One piece repurposed over and over.

Your table is your canvass to create on.

  • Think of it as a piece of art
  • Find your muse for inspiration
  • Follow the tips that we have provided

It does not matter if you will have lots of company or just an intimate holiday dinner. Like a Broadway production, a well staged table allows your food to shine as the star of the show. You and your guest will be seated in the front row. Your holiday dinner table is the vehicle for meaningful dialogue, laughs, and entertainment. Like a well written play the storyline of your dinner may be cherished for many years to come.

We hope you have found some creative inspiration and clear direction on getting started. To see more beautifully dressed tables you can preview of the submissions from our table scape contest on our Facebook Group Page.

Healthy Happy

Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

The holiday season is now in full swing! The hustle and bustle of gift shopping, family visits, holiday parties, and end of year to-do lists can become quite overwhelming. After the year we have all endured, why not simplify life, slow down, and enjoy all that we have been blessed with?

While this year may look a little different, I am sure there will still be families gathering and friends celebrating together. Whether your gathering includes two people or twenty people, one thing is for sure – there will be food! If you are anything like me, the promise of delicious food may be one of your top reasons for attending such events. 

It also means we may not make the healthiest of choices as we navigate the wide array of sweet and savory options on every table. There is a way to make better choices for ourselves and enjoy a great holiday season. Some of us may need to simply avoid too much sugar while others, including myself, must be wary of the options presented due to allergies. I am not able to eat gluten or dairy due to severe intolerances. Once upon a time, this made every gathering daunting and unenjoyable. 

No matter what your goals are this year, here are five great tips that I have taught myself over the years! They are simple and easy to remember.

EAT BEFORE YOU GO

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Don’t show up on an empty stomach! One sure fire way to ensure confidence in yourself when presented with a huge table of sweets and treats is to already have a belly full of food that makes you feel great. With this already done, you can grab a glass of wine or champagne and focus on other things. Your energy is high, you feel great in that new outfit you bought for the season, and you are ready to enjoy friends and family. 

FILL YOUR PLATE ONCE

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You have already had your belly filling meal before showing up – great! This does not mean you are not allowed to enjoy a few treats. I will find the smallest plate being offered and fill it up once. I will add a dessert or two and maybe a small bunch of veggies. This allows you to still feel a part of the crowd and treat yourself a bit.

DON’T SOCIALIZE BY THE FOOD TABLE

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This may seem obvious, but it is quite easy to stand, chat, and pick at the food all evening long. Remove yourself from the temptation of grabbing all of the small finger foods or cookies within an arm’s reach.

TAKE A DISH TO SHARE THAT YOU CAN ENJOY

My number ONE favorite thing to do is cook! All my friends know this, and I am usually asked to bring at least one dish to all parties or get togethers. I am flattered when they ask but also excited because it means I can bring something that I know I can enjoy without any guilt. Take a fun dip without dairy products or create a fun dessert that is sugar free. People will be amazed at how it tastes, and you know it is at least one option you can feel no guilt about enjoying. 

Below is my Spiced Cranberry Turkey Meatball recipe. It is Gluten and Dairy-free and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at whatever event you attend this season. Everyone loves a party meatball!

Spiced Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

Time: 30 minutes total
Recipe makes 25-30 small meatballs

Meatballs Ingredients:

  • lb. lean ground turkey
  • ¾ cup almond flour
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup shredded Granny Smith Apple
  • .5 tsp allspice 
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1.5 tsp salt

Sauce

  • 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • Zest from half an orange
  • Juice from half an orange
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Allergy note: if you have Celiac or severe gluten allergies, be sure to purchase Gluten-Free versions of any spices or sauces needed

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Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
  2. Place a baking rack on top of a baking sheet and spray generously with cooking spray.
  3. Spoon out 1 tbsp of meatball mix and roll into a small ball. Place onto the baking rack.
  4. Bake for 12-14 minutes until slightly browned and no longer pink on the inside.
  5. While the meatballs are baking, make your sauce! Add all sauce ingredients to a small saucepan on low heat. Whisk ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce. Simmer on low heat for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally as not to burn the fruit.
  6. Add as much spice as you would like! I added a whole teaspoon of red pepper flakes and my kids still enjoyed them. Red pepper flakes go a long way. Add a little and taste before adding more!
  7. Once meatballs are done, add your sauce to the bottom of a large bowl. Add in the meatballs and toss them together. Serve immediately. You can also make them ahead of time and transport them in a slow cooker set on WARM.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

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This time of year is supposed to be about joy and family and love. While it is important to be continually conscious about our health, it is equally as vital to keep priorities in their place. Family and togetherness are at the top of the list! That one party, one special family holiday reunion, or one diet slip up, should not determine your happiness this year. You are not what you eat and what your slightly altered diet plans say. Have a great time and give yourself grace! Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from R&R Table!

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New Year-New Decade-New Beginnings

We are entering a new year and a new decade with a fresh new perspective on life, an attitude of gratitude and a healthier eating style. Personally I am poised to not only have a prosperous year financially but mentally and physically too! If you are like most of us, these items are top on the list of things we want to improve as we enter 2020.

Hopes and wishes will not get us to our goals. In order to make this last more than the first few weeks of the month, we will need a plan. So first up is to recognize and appreciate all of last year’s challenges and successes. Start with what worked? Did you try something new and it worked? Did you learn something and apply it? Did you stick to something you set out to do? Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate yourself. Giving ourselves kudos is not being boastful, it is a way of being kind to ourselves about our achievements. 

Secondly, we need to find out where the glitches were in our previous year. What did we find the most challenging last year? What took away from, rather than helped us enjoy our time, our peace or our health? Note these things so as to not repeat them. If you have a habit of rushing to a fast food place in between a hectic schedule, note it. If that same schedule kept you from working out or going to the gym, note it. If that one or two extra glasses of wine during the week made you feel sluggish the next day, note it. If you have been eating pizza and drinking beer with the boys, note it. Has dessert snuck in as a habit after dinner? Note it. We have to get real with what our challenges are. Yes, what I am saying is we create our own environments and if we are serious about starting with a clean slate then we need to be honest with ourselves about the things we can control. 

Next up is to create a plan to manage all of those situations. I will use myself as an example.  I experience the topic of food and document it, from food trucks to restaurants, to fairs and my own kitchen. I need to taste it and to experience it in order to do my job properly. Even when I am editing I look at food all day in pictures, and video. In order to put a plan into motion, I will need to think about how to best manage my lifestyle. That means selecting healthier options, seeking out opportunities to write, video and experience less calorie-laden options. 

I am not saying, I will never eat fast food. Today I have to cover a food truck opening for the Naked Empanada and it will be empanadas and cheese for lunch. Did I mention it is at Bond Brothers Brewery? Yikes!

So acknowledging my reality is the first step. The second step is to have a plan, so my plan will be two-fold. Work out in the morning focusing on cardio, drink a pre-maid homemade smoothie for fiber and sugar balance. Plan a dinner tonight that is based on greens and protein, with fewer carbs. Without a plan it would be easy to overindulge in meat pies and alcohol. Then come home to crash on the couch and write my article. 

What are the challenges you faced this past year when it came to eating more healthy? Be honest with yourself, write them down. 

Next up for me was the challenge of exercise, In my home, I have a treadmill, yoga mat, free weights, etc. I kept it in a spare room that no one used, literally, no one used this room or the equipment. It was easy to walk right past it. It was out of sight and out of mind. I recently moved it front-and-center near my master bathroom. Why? Since I have to walk by it and get naked right after to shower, it makes me more aware of what I need to be doing. I let it mock me and no, I have not used it as an extra towel rack to hang my wet towel and clothes over, not yet anyway. 

The next challenge around exercising is carving out that time. For me this is two-fold, I need to arise at least 50 minutes earlier each day and I need to fall asleep at least 50 minutes earlier each day. Again, this involves planning. Being aware at what time I need to start winding down my evening activities in order to become sleepy earlier is part of the plan. Using an alarm clock will be imperative even if just for a while until my body gets into the natural rhythm of waking earlier. Laying out a set of workout clothes next to my alarm clock so that they are the first thing I see will mentally prepare me to get dressed to exercise every morning. If I do not do this it is too tempting to put on my comfy robe and sit down on the couch with a cup of coffee and my phone.

What about boredom with the exercise routine? How will I ensure I keep that going? My plan to tackle that challenge is to try some new classes, yoga, boxing, etc. I plan to walk the dog in new parks and go kayaking and take drives to the beach and trips to the mountains to hike. All of this will add up!

What About Mental Health? What Can Be Done About Reducing Stress?

The exercise actually does help you deal better with stress so exercising is a two-for. Dealing with stress for me means being realistic with my time. Not putting too much on my plate.  Learning to say “no” was something that has helped in the past. No, I can not serve on a board. No, I do not have time to meet for coffee. No, I do not want to go to this social engagement or business networking event. Yes, I have to do some of this, but I am much more selective with my time. I have to learn to listen to my body when it says, “You need a break”. I have to learn to not try to be perfect when no one else really cares if I am trying to be. 

Writing is reflective and healing for me and being able to write from my heart aids tremendously in my mental health. I can’t always write in this style, however, if I plan to write once a month in order to just purge my thoughts this will help me. Search for what helps you? Perhaps it is dancing, singing or journaling.

How Can Daily Eating Habits Help Shape our Future?

We all know what we are supposed to eat. We know what foods we are supposed to avoid. But for some reason, we don’t always eat right. We as humans like to indulge in things that we know can hurt us in the long run. Like fatty foods, sweets, and bread. This can be blamed in part to lack of planning. Experts tell us fatigue, boredom, depression, anxiety and sometimes social pressure from someone else who wants us to indulge with them can all lead to poor eating habits. I eat and drink socially and am guilty of dragging my husband and friends along with me for some harmless wings and a beer and then when they reciprocate how can I decline? I read an article many years ago in The New York Times called “ Are Your Friends Making You Fat?” This totally resonated with me as a social eater.  People joke that if you need to gain weight, just hang around with me and I will get that ten pounds on you easily.

Learning new coping habits can help such as more healthy meal planning and preparation. One of our guest authors, Laura Murdof just wrote an amazing article where she shared her story and her recipes about how she and her husband lost 60 pounds by meal prepping. Read the Article Here

Making healthier selections when I do go out socially can really go a long way. I just recently tried buffalo cauliflower at a restaurant instead of wings, but since they were flash-fried I am not sure how much healthier that is if at all. I read in the food blog called Real House Moms “traditional buffalo chicken wings weigh in at around 430 calories and 29 grams of fat per 1 cup serving.  Their baked cauliflower buffalo bites are a measly 150 calories and 6 grams of fat per 1 cup serving! Plus, they are fiber-filled and antioxidant-rich! You can even turn these into vegan chicken wings by substituting melted coconut oil for the butter!” Thanks, real House Moms, this is one I will try in my test kitchen. Readers, I will share with you as I discover and modify any new tasty healthy recipes.

Speaking of which, I recently went to a local smoothie shop in Wake Forest called the Juice Bar. I had a delicious, nutritious smoothie that certainly jumped started my digestive system. I think I lost weight after just a single smoothie, seriously. Read the review of the Juice Bar here.

Getting off the cycle of having alcohol as part of my diet is another change to make. I see a lot of people abstaining from drinking for the entire month of January and that is good in theory. I once gave up all alcohol for a year and did lose weight. I may try to limit my alcohol intake to weekends only and cut out rich IPA’s or sugary cocktails. I recently tried a pickle beer be sure to watch the fun video. It was a pilsner cut with 4 ounces of pickle juice. It was wonderful, contained less alcohol per drink and I have read that the pickle juice is good for balancing your PH. I am not a nutritionist or a health professional so please take my words as layman advice. I am also exploring the new mocktails craze. There are so many cool products out in the marketplace that infuse herbs with citrus zests and spices, this will be fun to explore. Remember if you do a mocktail avoid the use of sugary juices as this will not help your calorie count.

Change is never easy but it is the most natural way of life. Embrace this opportunity for change. Head into this new decade with all the enthusiasm and gusto you can muster. Be realistic, have a plan and go for it. Remember to be kind and celebrate your successes along the way. So what will 2020 bring for you in terms of changes to your health? What new routines will you try in order to be the “best you”? We want to hear from you. Join us on social media at www.facebook.com/groups/loveoffoodnc

Black-Eyed Peas

  • 1 Package/16-Ounces of Dried Black-Eyed Peas 
  • 6 Oz. Bacon or other Edible Side Meat Such as Streak”o” Lean (chopped into bit sized pieces)
  • 1 Ham Hock 
  • 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
  • 1  Onion (chopped)
  • 2 Celery Stalks (diced)
  • 1/2 Tablespoon of Red Pepper Flake
  • 2-3 Bay Leaves
  • 1 Sprig of Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Tablespoon of Smoked Paprika
  • 4 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
  • 3 and 1/2 Cups of Chicken Stock
  • 1/4 Tablespoon of Black Pepper 
  1. Rinse the beans and remove anything that may not be a bean (yes sometimes little pebbles are in the bag).
  2. Set the Instant-Pot to the sauté function.
  3. Add the oil to the pot.
  4. Add the onion and celery, cook until translucent.
  5. Add the garlic, thyme, red pepper flake, black pepper, and bay leaf, cook for 30 seconds. 
  6. Add the ham hock, bacon and paprika and cook till it is browned on all sides.
  7. Add the chicken stock and black-eyed peas.
  8. Cover with the lid and lock into place. Make sure it is sealed and no steam can escape through the release button.
  9. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button, set to  16 minutes. 
  10. When the pot beeps, do not release the steam just let it sit undisturbed for another 16 minutes.
  11. Open the Instant-Pot (you may have to use the steam release button). Pull out the bay leaves and the ham hock, discard them both. 

Serve with our  Collard Greens Recipe and Cornbread Recipe

Collard Greens In the Instant Pot

  • 1 Bunch of Collard Greens (stipped from the stem and ribs removed)
  • ¼ Teaspoon of Baking Soda  
  • 1-2 Smoked Ham Hocks (depending on size)
  • 1 Quart of Chicken Stock
  • 2 Cloves of Garlic
  • 1 Onion
  • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon of Red Pepper Flake
  • ⅓  Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1-2 Tablespoons of Sugar
  1. Soak the greens overnight in water and baking soda, rinse well.
  2. Brown the ham hock in the oil.
  3. Add the garlic when the meat is browned.
  4. Add in all the rest of the ingredients.
  5. Set the Insta-pot to pressure cook for 60 minutes.
  6. Release the pressure when indicated.
  7. Remove greens from the pot.
  8. Reserve the liquid in the bottom, this is called Pot Liquor and can be used to flavor other dishes like black-eyed peas.  

Collard Greens to Ring in The New Year!

If you are from the south you know that collard greens are a New Years tradition. Its green leaves are said to represent money and depict a year that will bring wealth (black-eyed peas are also on that list).

I got to know just how serious southerners take the making of collard greens when I worked in a busy real estate office. Real estate agents love food. I had never before worked in an office where food was this abundant. The local builders figured this out and sent over catered breakfast, they treated agents to lavish lunches, and filled our office kitchen with cakes and cookies on a regular basis.

The broker in charge of our office knew this too, so she held several successful food events for her agents every year. On the first week of January, the agents looked forward to ringing in the new year with a collard green contest. They competed for a coveted homemade collard trophy and hat. I also came to realize just how competitive real estate agents can be.

This office was comprised of about 150 agents representing Coldwell Banker, Howard Perry, and Walston. That meant lots of cooks and no shortage of judges. Those judges considered themselves to be collard green aficionados having grown up eating them all their lives. Many had stories about their moms, aunts, and grandmother’s secret to making the best collards they had ever tasted.

I grew up in Boston where no one has ever grown a collard and I never tasted them until I moved to the south fifteen years ago, but I loved them from the first time I tried them. By the time I was working at this real estate office I felt confident enough that I had tasted enough of them that I could enter the contest respectfully.

I decided to use smoked ham hocks as the meat base in my collards as is the most common way to make them. I found out that many people use smoked turkey necks and other pork side-meat to flavor these green leaves. I saw a recipe recently where you use both smoked turkey and smoked pork (I may try that one soon). Speaking of the leaves, that is all that is used in the dish, stems are not allowed. The reason for this is that collards are very tough. Even the leaves themselves need to be cooked for quite some time just to soften them enough to chew.

To prepare collards the leaves are stripped from the stems, center ribs removed and washed well. Some people wash theirs in a little baking soda as it is said to remove some of the bitterness of the leaves. Some swear by vinegar (never use both as the baking soda and vinegar react to one another). Some people soak the collards overnight and others triple wash them. Whatever method you use, make sure you wash the leaves well because they are usually grown in sandy soil. Once clean, the leaves can then be chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Collards are not a fast cooking green so you will need to plan to have them in the pot for several hours. This is after you have browned your seasoning meat. The last time I made them I used my Insta-pot to pressure cook them in 60 minutes. They came out fabulous and provided more of the pot-liquor (the chicken stock, fats, and juice from the collards) leftover for using in seasoning other dishes.

Collards stink when they are cooking, they have a great flavor but because collards are related to cabbage and they come from the same vegetable family called “Brassicacae” they are pungent. I like to keep a window cracked while I am boiling them.

Getting back to my story about the contest. The competing collards kept coming in all morning in their crockpots.  We lined them up on tables with an entry number so the judges could score them. In addition, the office would purchase southern fried chicken, cornbread and sweet tea. Once lunch-time approached, the judges were brought in first to sample some of the collards from each pot. While the judges went off to confer on the winning dishes the rest of the office was a sea of real estate agents filling plates with collards, fried chicken and cornbread.

The competition was fierce and most all of the collards were delicious. Some did vegetarian versions and some made them so spicy they burnt your mouth. My entry was unconventional. You see I had been to a great local southern restaurant where the cook added cream to the collards and I loved them. So for the finishing touch to my collards I did the same. This may be where I went wrong. My dish tasted great but for a contest this was apparently a bit too far outside the box. I didn’t even get a third place seat. Since then I have talked to many native southerners who confirmed my suspicion.

Regardless, it was fun, my palate was satisfied, my belly was full and I had the opportunity to learn even more that one year about collard greens by working at that busy southern real estate office.  

If you would like my Insta-pot non-creamed collard green recipe click the button below.  

Fixed Pics in LOF 1023 (2)

Herb Smoked and Roasted Whole Turkey

The star of the Thanksgiving meal is the turkey. I used a 14.5 lb. frozen turkey. I removed it from the freezer to the refrigerator on Saturday to be ready on Thursday.  It is important to brine the bird for moisture, so we will start with those ingredients. I made my brine more of a marinade than a traditional brine. (A traditional brine calls for more salt and you have to rinse it down before cooking).  I planned to smoke my turkey using a steam pot in my smoker to hold in even more moisture and infuse additional flavor. I will share that also below. Lastly, I rubbed the turkey. This was by far the best turkey I have ever made! 

Brine

  • 2 Gallons of Water
  • 18 Ounces of Vegetable Stock
  • 1/3 Cup of Sea Salt
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Apple (sliced)
  • 1 Onion (rough cut)
  • 1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary 
  • 1 Sprig of Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Sprig of Sage

 Steam Pot
(I used my blue dutch oven to put in the smoker under the bird) I used mostly all the same ingredients as above. 

  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Apple (sliced)
  • 1 Onion (rough cut)
  • 1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary 
  • 1 Sprig of Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Sprig of Sage
  • 18 Ounces of Vegetable Stock
  • 1-2 Carrots (cut into quarters)
  • 1-2 Celery Stalks (cut into quarters)

For the Turkey Rub 

3/4 of a Stick of Butter

1/4 Cup of Fresh Thyme (removed from stem)

1/2 Cup of Minced Rosemary (no stems)

1/2 Cup to 3/4 Cup of Minced Sage (no stems)

 

For the Brine

  1. Add all brine/marinade ingredients to a large pot or oversized bowl. 
    (remember I made a quasi brine that was more like a marinade so no need to boil and cool or to rinse the next day).
  2. Soak overnight. 
  3. Pull the turkey from the brine after 12 hours and pat completely dry with paper towels. (This is an important step for the skin to cook properly in the smoker).

For the Rub

  1. Mix all the ingredients with a food processor or immersion blender
  2. Apply the rub with your hands all over the dry turkey before smoking it.
  3. Reserve some for basting in a small pot on the stove. 

For the Steam Pot

  1. Add in all the ingredients and once your smoker has been lit and the smoke is the right color, set the steam pot down into the grill, right on the reflector plates and then place your grill racks over it. 

For the Grill

  1. I made a little foil packet of the fresh herbs, sealed it well and poked 3 tiny holes in it and set it down right on the coals (optional) 
  2. I placed a small piece of applewood in the smoker for a mild smoke flavor. 

For the Turkey

  1. Place the turkey on the racks in the grill for 2 hours at 350 degrees F.  
  2. At 1 hour and 40 minutes, preheat your indoor oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Remove the turkey and place it in a roasting pan. Baste it with the extra mixture of butter and herbs.
  4. Transfer it to your oven. Baste one more time over the next hour.
  5. Tent it with a piece of aluminum foil if the skin appears to be getting too dark before the temperature reaches 160 degrees F. 
  6. When the temp is 160 degrees F pull the turkey from the oven and wrap it in aluminum foil completely and let it sit for 45 mins to an hour before carving.