03/28/2024

Organic Vs. Hydroponic Strawberries— Which Should You Choose?

During a recent marketing trip I did something a bit reckless. (And I’m not talking about buying eggs without checking for broken shells.) I bought hydroponic strawberries without any knowledge of their nutritional or taste value. It’s hard not to miss hydroponic strawberry’s recent entry to the fruit section. How their rectangular container aptly displays plump berries in a shade of red that’s making tomatoes blush.

hydroponic strawberries

Hydroponic strawberries have piqued my curiosity because they are pricey, like organic berries, but look healthier. They don’t have the sad, bruised appearance of the organic variety with their tattered leaves and the occasional patch of cottony fuzz.

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03/19/2024

Hosting a No-Cook Easter Dinner

Spoiler Alert: the Easter bunny doesn’t exist. For those hosting the holiday dinner — along with creating baskets and stuffing plastic eggs with goodies for a world-class egg hunt — assistance from a folkloric rabbit would certainly be welcomed. Here, no holiday magic is needed with these hacks for a no-cook Easter dinner that’s delicious, festive and easy to do.

Easter dessert table

Five hacks to a no-cook Easter

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01/30/2024

Allentine’s Day: A Valentine’s Day for Everyone

Leave it to Trader Joe’s for the reminder to plan a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with their displays devoted to the holiday. You’ll find everything from a pair of strip steaks to heart-shaped macarons. Reluctant singletons may want to avoid going there until Saint Patrick’s Day. This token holiday of love has become controversial. For couples it can become treacle with its chocolate samplers that crimp the winter diet and flammable lingerie. Those who are unattached have the Galentine’s options that involves slabbing on clay masks and drinking way too much carbonated alcohol. Allentine’s Day has become our  household policy, which opens up the holiday to not just the one you love but ones you love.

 

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11/20/2023

Style a Thanksgiving Table that’s So Gorgeous and Simple, You’ll Hardly Notice the Turkey

Who’s with me that there can be a lot of effort over a bird that often gets passed over for the sides? Simplify holiday hosting with a few simple shortcuts so you can be a guest at your own gathering. Thanksgiving is a holiday rich in autumn colors, tastes, and intimacy–perfect for small gatherings long on eating and relaxing.

Go easy on yourself this Thanksgiving with simple dishes and creative touches.

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03/15/2022

How to Respect Your Food

When you prepare a meal for someone it feels pretty great. Even a beautiful tray of cut veggies and hummus shows care. If someone were to take a few bites and then throw away their meal, reactions could get emotional. This happened when I served dinner recently to close family — “respect your food” was said repeatedly. Learning to respect your food is an ethos that covers health, positive engagement, and enjoyment.

Picture of rice in pots

Seven ways to respect your food, as follows:

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02/07/2022

Five Steps to an Allentine’s Day Celebration

Every February, or earlier thanks to holiday marketers, our bleak winter environment is saturated with red, hot pink and an abundance of hearts thanks to Valentine’s Day. Many aren’t as receptive to Feb. 14th’s arrival and its treacle overtures of romance. Not everyone is in a relationship. Some prefer not to participate in a cliched holiday. We have a solution — celebrate Allentine’s Day, which is a Valentine’s Day that includes everyone you love. Here, we provide simple Allentine’s Day celebration ideas that deliver on fun.

Photo of red hearts for Allentine's Day

Five Steps to a Memorable Allentine’s Day Celebration:
  1. Plan the guest list: Inviting your friends and family to the holiday event is a simple enough agenda simply cut out those who are celebrating a traditional, romantic Valentine’s Day and refine your guest list to willing participants.
  2. Choose a party theme: Treat the festivities like a birthday party with an abundance of decorations, albeit styled for Valentine’s Day. Hang a garland of glittery hearts woven through a pink ribbon across a mantle or over a window. Classic streamers, paper streamers or colored lights will round out the look.
  3. Create a menu: Valentine’s Day doesn’t have a set traditional menu like Thanksgiving or Christmas, which opens up your options. Serve foods associated with romance like oysters, figs and honey. Heck, just go straight to dessert with chocolate-covered strawberries, assorted chocolates and a chocolate fountain.
  4. Activities: Before the event starts, make sure you have music playing. A busy host will not have time to handle the playlist once guests arrive. Also set up different activities, like charades, truth or dare or a crafts table with blank cards and art supplies to create and exchange at your event.
  5. Goody bags: Treat guests to a bag of holiday favors or one tasty treat they’ll love. Who wouldn’t appreciate Louis Sherry chocolates with a tin they can save as a keepsake of the day?
12/29/2021

Holiday Plans Canceled? No Biggie, 6 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Home

Another New Year’s Eve at home doesn’t have to be the source of frustration but, for some, relief. In a recent article about celebrating New Yea’s Eve safely, The New York Times recommends weighing the risks over the benefits if you are going to host or attend a party. For those who have mastered time at home entertaining after a year where we’ve become experts on the ritual, this is another excuse to maximize time with family and making a holiday a festive opportunity. Here, we provide tips on how to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home.

New Year's Eve 2021

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12/17/2021

Charcuterie Boards: Not Just for Cheese and Crackers

Look inside any millennial’s cupboard and the variety of charcuterie boards will confirm their status as the food trend in recent years. Charcuterie boards are as regular a staple to an event as drinks and dessert. But are they used exclusively for quintessential charcuterie fare like meats, cheeses and fruit? Not at all. Broaden their use by treating the boards the way you would any food serving tray. Charcuterie boards also make for great centerpieces when you arrange with stunning fruits and ornamental food, like colored miniature carrots and baby heirloom tomatoes.

Picture of charcuterie board with fruit and vegetables

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11/25/2021

Hacks for a Proper Table Setting

Your Aunt Polly is coming over for the holidays and you lost your Tiffany’s Table Manners on the last move. Trying to remember where to put all the forks and glasses is like rejigging your mind to those ratios in pre-trig. No fear, just make bunny ears with your hands, it works.

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11/22/2021

Thanksgiving 2021 Has Been Hit with Inflation — Now What?

Thanksgiving parade balloons aren’t the only thing on the rise, this year’s celebration is experiencing inflation. What does this mean for your gathering? A rise in costs does not have to impede your gathering, simply plan smarter. For starters, revisit Thanksgiving pasts when half the dinner was scraped into a two-ply Hefty. Cut expenses by purchasing less food, bake more over getting pricey store-bought items, and be selective on non-essentials like serving a cheesecake no one eats. Three kinds of pie should be enough. Wine and alcohol is also an extravagance that can be reduced, besides, it may contribute to a sobering, quieter festivity. Some splurges are worth it, like fresh flowers that are the best leftovers after the holiday is over from their lingering beauty and scent.girl with sunflowers

 

What to Look Forward to this Thanksgiving:

This time last year, there was wonder if you could ever gather without it being illegal. Emerging from this collective experience of isolation and uncertainty, there is more optimism. Simple pleasures are valued. And, when the rounds go around the table this year on what it is you’re most thankful for, it’s safe to assume it will be togetherness.

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