Mommy Blog, Tips & Ideas
Christmas Recipes
The Feel-Good Factor: Ethical Christmas Gifts
Nov 30th
Christmas is the season for giving. We give to our families, the community and friends. Gifts are a large part of the spirit of the holiday. When we do something for another, it adds to our well-being.
Ethical Christmas gifts are those that will help someone else just by using them. It can be gifts purchased to support a cause or a donation given in the name of someone else. The choice is yours.
Kerry
Ethical gifts are best appreciated by someone who also likes to give to others in their lives. If you have someone on your Christmas list who is a regular volunteer worker or who donates to several causes during the year, they make a great candidate for an ethical gift. Know the people in your life who would most appreciate it.
Now maybe you don’t have enough money to make a donation in the name of everyone that you know. If so, you can turn your donation into a family gift. Let’s say that one of your good neighbors likes animals. Make a donation in their name to an animal rescue program or a wildlife fund. Present a plaque or card, to the family, stating that the donation was made.
For a greater level of support this year, buy your gifts and cards from organizations trying to raise money for global awareness campaigns. For instance, you can purchase recycled greeting cards from an organization that is trying to save the earth. Charities like the March of Dimes, The American Red Cross and UNICEF sell cards, the profits from which go to help in relief efforts and research.
Many people want to get in touch with the real spirit of giving around the holidays. It is okay to give gifts when the spirit in which they are given is one of love and kindness. Ethical Christmas gifts have the distinction of being timeless. A gift of a vase may sit in your living room and collect dust. A gift of new water wells for a poor village will continue to give even after Christmas is over.
Ethical gifts have the distinction of positive feelings tied to them. Parents know the frustration they feel when a toy that was begged for is tossed in the corner a week later. Instead of so many gifts that clutter up the household, you can teach kids how they can give to other kids just like them who are far away and need even the basic things like a meal or clothing.
Giving to a worthy cause gives you a chance to help others. You are actively making a difference in the world by choosing to give an ethical gift and/or receiving one graciously from another. Who wouldn’t get a deep down good feeling from that?
Super Easy Christmas Swirl Brownies
Nov 24th
Ingredients:
1 package cake style brownie mix
1/ teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 cup cream
1 package of cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 bag M&Ms holiday edition
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the egg, cream and vanilla extra. Mix well and set aside.
Prepare the brownie mix according to instructions. Like a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and then school 2/3 of the batter into the pan. Place ½ cup of the M&Ms over the brownie batter. Then spoon the cream cheese mixture over the M&Ms and batter. And finally scoop the remaining brownie mixture over that. Using the tip of a knife swirl the mixture for a marbled effect.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes at 350F until baked through but still moist (do not over bake). Cool before cutting into squares.
Five Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes for Holiday Parties
Nov 23rd
When you attend a holiday party most people are mingling and eating finger foods. If you are a vegetarian, the selection of treats may be slim to none. The next time you throw a party, serve some smashing meat-free appetizers that friends won’t be able to tell are vegetarian.
If you have vegetarian friends, try to provide an even proportion of meat and meatless appetizers for everyone to enjoy. Sometimes it only takes a few adjustments to an existing recipe to bring it into compliance with the vegetarian lifestyle. Try the following five ideas if you are at a loss for what to prepare.
1. Hummus – This is a Middle Eastern dish that has gained popularity in the west. The base for hummus is ground-up chickpeas. They are mixed with garlic, tahini (sesame paste used for seasoning), lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Depending on your tastes, you can add sun-dried tomatoes to the puree and as a garnish, parsley and other herbs to change the flavor. Serve hummus with pita bread triangles (toasted or untoasted) or tortilla chips.
2. Antipasto – This is an Italian dish that is light and fun to eat. Most of the time it includes some sort of meat like salami or pepperoni, but you can change that for a vegetarian feel. Use a large platter for serving and cut your foods up into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking. Here are a few suggestions: olives, tomato wedges, green beans, broccoli, provolone, feta cheese, onion, peppers, roasted garlic, toasted pita slices, baguettes or Melba toast. Drizzle with olive oil and a selection of herbs.
3. Salsa dip – This one can be poured straight out of the jar or made fresh at home. Add some cubes of cheese for a creamier taste. Serve with tortilla chips, green pepper sticks and grape tomatoes.
4. Sweet potato fries – These are less greasy than regular white potato fries. Cut a sweet potato into long, thin strips much like French fries. If you have a fancy cutter, then turn them into crinkle cut sweet potatoes. Bake them in the oven until crispy and then top with spray butter and a touch of cinnamon and sugar. They can be eaten alone or with a vegetable dip.
5. Loaded nachos – These are great for bowl game parties as well as holiday ones. Layer your nachos on the bottom of a pan. Cover them with a layer of shredded cheddar and asiago cheeses. Top that with banana pepper slices and jalapeno slices. Add some black beans and more cheese. Bake for twenty minutes on about 350 degrees or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and add diced tomatoes, olives and sour cream.
Every dish at the party doesn’t have to contain meat. Vegetarian dishes are full of flavor as well and they aren’t just for vegetarians – but they will thank you.
Stained Glass Cookies
Oct 5th
* This recipe is a lot of fun to make with the kids and the cookies look great once they’re baked. You can use them to decorate the tree or just display them in a nice bowl or of course just eat them!
Ingredients:
3 cups sifted flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (melted)
1/3 cup honey
¼ cup water
Bright coloured hard candies
Cookie cutters
Directions:
Mix the butter, sugar and honey in a large bowl and add water, mix until smooth. Combine the salt, baking soda and sifted flour in a large bowl. Add butter mixture to flour mixture and knead the dough a little with your hands. Wrap up roll in cling film and place in freezer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
While the dough is chilling unwrap a selection of round hard candies and set aside.
Once the dough is ready roll it on a lightly floured surface and cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Using the tip of a knife cut out a circle in the center of the cookie to approximately fit the hard candy. If you’re cookie is meant to be an ornament make a hole at the top using a straw.
Bake at 350F for approximately 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly golden, remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Place the hard candy in the center of cookie and bake for another minute or so (just until the candy slightly starts to bubble). Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before displaying or eating.
Spiced Apple Muffins
Oct 5th
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 cup peeled and grated/shredded apple
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in brown sugar. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk and butter. Mix well. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and mix (do not over mix). Fold in apples and walnuts (if using). Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin tin. Bake in preheated oven at 350F for approximately 20 minutes or until golden and baked through. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
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