You are here: Home / Archives for Seasonal

Think Beyond the Mug With These Delicious Recipes Using Eggnog

December 3, 2015 by

Translate your love of eggnog into everything from cookies to puddings this holiday seasons with a bit of creativity in the kitchen. Although the tried-and-true winter beverage is decadent and delicious, it may start to get a bit stale after so many years. If you want to experience the old seasonal favorite in a brand new way, these sweet recipes will provide the perfect inspiration.

Eggnog Coffee Cake Muffins [twopeasandtheirpod.com]
Enjoy your eggnog first thing in the morning—in the form of delicious coffee cake muffins, that is! This recipe features an eggnog-flavored base, a perfectly crumbly topping, and an eggnog icing drizzle for a bit of extra sweetness.

Frosted Eggnog Cookies [tasteofhome.com]
Instead of handing out your usual holiday sugar cookies, try something different this year with these frosted cookies filled with eggnog flavor. Because there is eggnog in both the frosting and the cookie itself, this recipe offers double the delicious winter taste.

Eggnog Pudding [foodnetwork.com]
Rich, creamy and just a bit spicy, this unique eggnog pudding is the perfect dessert to finish off any holiday meal. Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top to add even more spice.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Delicious Recipes to Help You Make the Most Out of Apple Season

October 23, 2015 by

You may find yourself with a surplus of apples after your weekend visit to the orchard, but it’s certainly not a bad problem to have. Apple recipes are on everyone’s minds come fall, and these three recipes offer some creative suggestions for how to make the most of those extra Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies.

Classic Applesauce [marthastewart.com]
Although the name suggests otherwise, this versatile applesauce is anything but classic. Instead of just the usual McIntosh apples, the recipe calls for an eclectic mix of McIntosh, Gala, Braeburn, and just about any other type of apples that you have on hand. Cinnamon offers a hefty dose of spice, and the thick consistency will fill your stomach on a chilly fall day.

Honey Apple Cake [southernliving.com]
There are few flavors meant for each other more than honey and apples, and this dense cake takes that combination to the next level. Bake this incredibly moist Bundt on a cold fall evening and enjoy it with your coffee the next morning.

Apple Crisp [allrecipes.com]
If you’re in charge of providing dessert for a holiday gathering or party, this apple crisp recipe will surely be a hit. It’s easy to make, completely versatile and will make your house smell divine while baking.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Parents and Kids

October 22, 2015 by

If your kids are still young enough to partner with you on a Halloween costume, you likely want to come up with a really creative idea. Costumes for kids and parents are some of the cutest combinations, and there are quite a few to choose from! Here are just a few of our favorites:

Garden Duo [parents.com]
Art mimics life in this costume that transforms you into a gardener tending to a precious little flower. Simply wear a gardening outfit or dress as a life-sized package of seeds, then create a flower costume for your son or daughter by gluing paper petals to a headband. Best of all, this costume also works for multiple children (think a whole garden of flowers).

Eaten by Sharks [babble.com]
If you’re a family with a sense of humor, you’ll all get a kick out of this surfer and hungry shark costume. Parents should carry a faux surfboard and wear a wetsuit, while you can make or buy tiny shark costumes for your little sharks.

Westminster Dog Show [huffingtonpost.com]
This incredibly creative costume will ensure that no one else at the party has the same costume as you. Mom or dad can wear a smart blazer with a number pinned to the back to dress as a competitor in a dog show, while your child will look adorable as a prized pup.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Put a Spring in Your Step With These Springtime Decorating Tips

March 13, 2015 by

After spending an entire weekend checking off items on your spring cleaning checklist, you’re likely ready to add a few fun, spring-themed touches to your freshly cleaned home. It doesn’t take a big budget to decorate your home for the changing season, however; all it takes is some creativity and these adorable decorating tips.

  • Use natural items wherever possible. Go outside and gather blooming branches, pebbles, and other organic objects to use in your DIY decor. Arrange them in a clear bowl on the center of the table, or corral them in a wicker basket for a chic, natural look.
  • Switch out your throw pillows. Add a burst of citrus-inspired color to your living area just in time for spring by replacing your usual throw pillows with bright, cheerful alternatives.
  • Add a bit of green. Nothing says springtime like live plants in the home, so make a stop at your local nursery to pick up a few for your home. Ferns are an especially good idea because they make a big impact and are easy to care for.
  • Change your doormat. If your current doormat looks a bit worse for the wear from all of those heavy winter boots, switch it out for something fun and colorful or even a mat with a cheeky greeting.

Easy Spring Decorating Ideas [Midwest Living]
Inspired Spring Décor [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Decorating Ideas for Spring [Style at Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Boo! Read About the History of the Jack-o’-Lantern

October 3, 2014 by

Carving pumpkins is a beloved tradition in most households, but this history of the jack-o’-lantern dates back much farther than just your own family’s Halloween festivities. Here are a few interesting points about the history of the spooky, silly jack-o’-lantern.

  • The name “jack-o’-lantern” is derived from a 17th century British term that described a man carrying a lantern, usually a night watchman. Townspeople began to call the mysterious lights that they often saw over the wetlands "jack-o’-lanterns" because they thought that they were ghosts or spirits.
  • Irish tradition also uses the term jack-o’-lantern in a story about Stingy Jack, a man who was forced to wander the earth for all eternity with only the light from a dull ember.
  • In some parts of Great Britain, it became customary for children to carry jack-o’-lanterns door-to-door on All Saints Day to represent the souls of deceased relatives.
  • Irish immigrants brought the tradition of the jack-o’-lantern with them to the United States, and they soon began to use the more readily available pumpkin instead of the turnip.
  • Pumpkin carving and the jack-o’-lantern didn’t become a part of Halloween tradition until the late 19th century, almost 200 years after it was initially invented.

History of the Jack-O’-Lantern [History Channel]
What’s the Origin of Jack-O’-Lanterns? [Mental Floss]
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween? [About News]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Check Out These Surprising Health Benefits of Autumn’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

September 18, 2014 by

Apples are some of the most delicious types of fall produce, but they’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients that do your body some good. If you needed another reason to justify that second (or third) piece of apple pie, you’ll love this list of the many health benefits of apples.

  1. Cardiovascular health. The beneficial phytonutrients found in apples function as antioxidants and decrease the oxidation of cell membranes in the cardiovascular system. Quercetin, which is found mainly in the apple’s skin, is its main phytonutrient, but apples also contain chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and myricetin.
  2. Blood sugar regulation. The polyphenols in apples are also thought to help regulate blood sugar because they influence digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reduce glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
  3. Cancer prevention. Amazingly, apples have also been shown to prevent several types of cancers. They are even the only fruit or vegetable that’s been shown to prevent lung cancer.
  4. Asthma treatment. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to reach for an apple before your inhaler from now on. Apples contain a number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that work wonders on human lungs and have even been shown to decrease asthma symptoms.

What's New and Beneficial About Apples [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
5 Health Benefits of an Apple [Eating Well]
10 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day [Care2]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pin It on Pinterest