Posts Tagged ‘holidays’

Great Wholesome Holiday Meals For the Family

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Food is always a big part of holiday celebrations. During the holidays, it can often be difficult to make wholesome meals for the family. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can make meals for the family that will be both healthy and tasty. Although not for breakfast, below are a few wholesome healthy recipes and holiday meal ideas for the family.

1. Smoked Turkey Breast with Collard Greens: Ingredients include: 1.5 pounds collard greens, pound smoked turkey breast, cup chicken broth, minced onion, tsp. red pepper flakes, tsp. minced celery, and tsp. ground black pepper. Place the cut up pieces of collard greens and turkey in a pot. Cover them with water and cook on medium heat, covered, for 20 minutes. Add the onion, celery, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, onion, red pepper flakes, and black pepper, and cook on medium heat for approximately an hour.

2. Peppercorn Honey Mustard Pork Roast: Ingredients include: 1- pound pork loin roast, 1 orange, a 12-oz package of cranberries, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp. honey mustard, 2 tbsp. crushed peppercorns, 1/2 tsp. 1 tsp. minced thyme, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Chop up orange and cranberries. Place in saucepan and blend in honey. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Cool. Place the pork around the roast in a roast cooking pot. Mix the honey mixture and other ingredients in a bowl. Baste the roast and pork with the sauce. Cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove and baste the meat. Cook for another 20 minutes. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then serve.

3. Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey: Ingredients include: 5 pound turkey breast , 1/4 cup apricot preserves, 1 tbsp. honey-style mustard. Place turkey breast in roast pan. Bake for 2 hours at 325 degrees. In a bowl, blend the mustard and apricot preserves. Baste the glaze over the turkey breast and cook for another 20 min. Remove and serve.

4. Rib Eye Roast with Gravy, Potatoes, and Mushrooms: 1 tbsp minced rosemary, 2 minced garlic gloves, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, one 4-pound rib eye roast, 4 pounds small potatoes (cut in small portions), 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 pound chopped white mushrooms, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 can beef broth, and 1 tbsp tomato paste. In a bowl, mix rosemary, garlic, and salt and pepper. Baste the roast. Cook for 40 minutes at 350F (175C). Add potatoes to the roast pan. Cook for another 20 minutes. Put mushrooms in the roast pan, swirl, and cook for another 40 minutes. Mix butter and flour together in a bowl. Remove roast and vegetables from oven. Remove food from the pan. Add beef broth to the pan juices, boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat and mix in flour mixture and tomato paste, and blend. Pour the gravy in a bowl. Slice beef and serve with gravy, potatoes and gravy.

The holidays do not have to be a time of eating unhealthy foods. Careful meal planning and healthy preparation will give your family plenty of wholesome meals to eat over the holidays.

Eating healthy isn’t always easy. Help your family eat healthier by including nutritious delicious eggs to your diet. Healthy recipes with eggs can be found online.

Give Great Gifts and Baskets on Valentines Day

Friday, January 1st, 2010

February 14th is officially known as Valentine’s Day throughout the world. This is a day where people give cards, candy, flowers, and other gifts to show how much they love someone. Valentine’s Day, which has been celebrated for centuries, derives its name from a Christian martyr known as Saint Valentine

Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. It is a day to reach out to your parents, Aunts & Uncles, cousins and even the younger relatives like Nieces or Nephews. Gifts are sent to all who are close to your heart and all the near and dear ones. People wish one another and send their best wishes through Valentine’s card and Valentine’s Day gifts.

Specific gift ideas for specific people are available and you can decide on an appropriate gift from the wide variety displayed. For younger family members you have a choice of presents to send, such as cookies, chocolate boxes, and many other delicious treats. A game or a toy would make any child smile. Valentine’s Day gift baskets stuffed full of the top gift options are available for sale. The baskets most popular for kids contain an assortment of candy, soft toys, and stuffed animals.

For those looking for gift ideas for their loved one, many choices are available depending on the person’s interests and likes. Flowers are always an excellent choice for Valentine’s Day. In today’s world, you can send almost any type of flower to any destination. What could be better than receiving a beautiful, exotic bouquet with a perfect fragrance from your loved one!

If your valentine is very dear to you, an expensive gift such as a watch decorated with diamonds or custom jewelry can be given. Valentine’s Day is the time to give the best present that you have ever given your beloved. Gourmet cakes, cookies, or chocolates are always appreciated. Everyone adores chocolates and gourmet chocolate is a singular experience for your lover.

The most popular Valentine’s Day gifts in recent years have been gift baskets, probably because they are so easily changed to meet your gifting needs. Many of the baskets have a sweet treat theme, like those featuring indulgent chocolates or detailed decorated cookies. However, for those on a restricted diet who still love chocolate, many baskets include an option for low calorie or even zero calorie sweets. Do you have a wine lover on your gift list? Wine baskets are an excellent idea and can be filled with wines chosen specifically to suit your loved one’s taste. Most basket makers even offer a Champagne basket!

Your girlfriend or wife will love a spa essentials basket filled with everything for a spa day at home. Men will enjoy themed gift baskets such as fishing, golf, grooming tools, chocolates, or fine cigars. Customize a basket however you desire for that personal touch missing from the pre-packed baskets. The time and attention it took to assemble will definitely be noticed and appreciated by that certain someone. Avoid the stress and hassle of holiday crowds in stores by selecting and ordering your Valentine’s Day gift baskets at an online website.

Carnations are the most unique men gifts for Valentine’s day. They are absolutely mouthwatering and will leave a big smile on your girlfriends face. Consider going to TheBasketSpot.com when ordering your Valentine’s day gifts. They are classy and affordable.