November begins the holiday season with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness or anxiety. Research (and common sense) suggests one aspect of Thanksgiving can lift our spirits, and it's built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude. Gratitude is thankful appreciation for what we receive, tangible or intangible. However, gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving. It is a way of life. Being thankful allows you to recognize and appreciate the amazing things in your life. It is good for you, too. Benefits – backed up by science and research -- of being thankful include: A connection to something larger than ourselves. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, ... [Read More]
Thanksgiving
Today I choose Gratitude
Thanksgiving makes us think about things we appreciate – family, friends, a roof overhead, food on the table. This feeling of gratitude is so important and not just during the holiday season. Gratitude is about being mindful of the abundance in our lives. Feeling grateful about what you have in your life can lead to a tremendous number of positive results. Reminding yourself on a regular basis of all that's good in your life comes with a host of benefits. Your daily life becomes more calm and peaceful. Gratitude helps to slay a lot of negative emotions. In today's digitally connected world, especially, it's easy to compare yourself to others and to think you're lacking. Gratitude helps to push envy, insecurity, and fear aside. Essentially, it can lessen depression and anxiety, ... [Read More]
Cranberry Pineapple Salad
Cranberry Pineapple Salad is a kid friendly addition to holiday dinners. The addition of crushed pineapple and diced apples in raspberry gelatin take away the signature tartness of the cranberry. Easier for kids and people who aren’t into tart – like me – to eat. I have a tart reflex. One bite and my face just folds – no way to hide it. On the other hand this is not overly sweet either – but just right. Cranberries are also healthy. Cranberries are one of the top antioxidant-rich foods, containing more than other superfoods – including pears, grapes, apples and strawberries. Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage. For this reason, you can serve them any time of year – don’t wait for holidays! This salad is also versatile in the ways you can serve it. I like the minis ... [Read More]
What Shall I Make for Holiday Dinner?
Searching for holiday dinner recipes? Me too! We’re unexpectedly hosting festivities since the originally scheduled host can’t. If you’re in the same boat – vs my usual boat of waiting till the last minute -- here’s a helpful list of some ideas from past A Pinch of Joy posts. You can find more ideas in the index above. Don't forget to pin and share!!! Main Dish Cornish hens serves four Moist and Tender Turkey for a crowd Sides Classic cheesy potatoes -- Everybody loves creamy, cheesy potatoes. Easy to make and transport. Sweet Potatoes A lower carb alternative recipe Sweet potato Struesel topped classic Crunchy struesel topping ( no marshmallows :-) ) Baked Corn Chowder -- Bread, casserole, vegetable, delicious, classic in one dish Vegetables Maple ... [Read More]
Four Secrets to Roasting a Moist and Tender Turkey
Turkey -- tender and moist. Crispy and golden on the platter. A twelve to fourteen pound bird that roasts in 2 and a half hours instead of 4. What creates this magic? Mayonnaise makes the turkey moist and tender. And no, there is no mayo taste -- just tender turkey. The bird turns out a beautiful deep golden color. The skin will be thin and on the crispy side. How to achieve a moist and tender roast turkey? Here's secret # 1 -- Begin with a thoroughly thawed turkey -- no ice crystals. Thaw in the refrigerator according to package directions. Guidelines are 24 hours in the fridge for each 5 pounds of turkey weight. For a 12-14 pound turkey that's about three nights so that means plan ahead! If you are like me -- that planning ahead business doesn't always happen! Backup ... [Read More]
Wicked Good Unusual Baked Corn Chowder
Last spring, my niece graduated college so we did the family thing and threw a day of eating to celebrate. Her dad (my brother) Gene, and wife Deb drove all the way from North Carolina to the middle of the Great Plains where we live. Deb dashed out to the local store and grabbed a bunch of groceries to put together their contribution to the celebration. Unusual Corn Chowder was one of the dishes she prepared. Now y’all know Deb is from New England. She said it’s also called Corn Pudding up in the northeastern corner of this big country. Here in the Great Plains it’s sometimes called Scalloped Corn. Although my elderly aunt once scoffed at that because “everyone knows if you scallop something, it’s got crackers in it and this doesn’t”. She called it Corn Casserole. My sister Bee ... [Read More]