The Bitch Ditch

Thanksgiving is always a busy time and of course you want your Thanksgiving Dinner to be perfect, but each year you seem to behind. Guests show up and dinner is not ready. Well, these five ways for a perfect Thanksgiving Dinner should help ease your stress, so you can also enjoy your meal.

1. First and foremost, plan ahead. Last minute preparation is not what you want to run into. A shopping list with only what you really need will cut your time in half. Do your shopping at least three days before the big event. Try to avoid any last minute trips to the store unless they are absolutely necessary. Try and not spend your whole day in the kitchen. Pace yourself and go at your own speed. There is no need to rush. Enjoy the holiday as much as you can. If you must be in the kitchen longer that you would like, put on some holiday music. This will help ease your mind and help you to not be overwhelmed with the tasks at hand. Dance around and take a breath. Get into that holiday spirit. Take that occasional sip of sherry.
2. Along with the ordering of the turkey, foods that can be made in advance should be an executed part of your plan. The turkey is the main focus and cannot be forgotten, so order him within plenty of time for delivery. A late turkey is a disaster waiting in the wings. Vegetable trays, dips, and a few desserts can be arranged a couple days beforehand. Buy frozen pie crusts. You can even buy prepared trays of fruit, vegetables, and meat and cheese. This will eliminate the hassle of making them. These simple tasks can be completed therefore leaving you more time to accomplish more involved tasks. Finger foods will enhance dinner and not overwhelm it. You want your family to be waiting on dinner, not already full of appetizers.
3. Make sure you have all the tools you will need days before the big event. Make sure your gravy boat is in the china cabinet and all eight serving spoons are in their place. Imagine the mess of running around on Thanksgiving Day looking for one lost minor detail. This is also a good time to organize your recipes, set a time for dinner to begin, and start finalizing your menu. When you put final next to a task that means no more worries, it is done. Setting up a to-do list, and checking it twice, will help ease your mind. Write it down and you are less likely to forget it. Check it off and that is one less thing.
4. Get the whole family and your guests involved. Have a great selection of traditional Thanksgiving “must haves” then have everyone compliment your dishes. They can bring their favorites and add a little of themselves to the table. This will save you time and energy. Your immediate family can help with the preparation and shopping. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Doing it alone is too much. This is your holiday too.
5. Remember, it is not all about the food. Decorations around your home should be as equally important as the food. Focus on eye catching pieces that will not only create a genuine holiday feel, but bring an inviting presentation as well. Light candles just as everyone is arriving. The smell of Christmas and that illuminating glow will make your family and friends feel welcome. Any earth tone décor you might already have goes great in the house this time of year. Utilize what you already have first, and then buy if you see a need to. Spray paint leaves and add them to pine cones in a fall basket. That would make a lovely centerpiece for dinner. Nothing says fall like pumpkins. Pick up a couple.

We have compiled a PDF file packed with recipes and tips for the holidays. It’s free to download at our site.

Linda is author of

Christmas and Thanksgiving Cooking Tips at http://www.steaks-guide.com

This very Englishman asked us to inform you about Russian food you are going to eat here. This is what we are going to dwell upon today.

Russian people are very anxious about food. The former Soviet Union joined together 15 nations and we all know various national dishes. We know both their names (that are often hard to pronounce:)) and the way of cooking. Once my fellow guy bet with an Italian chef that he would cook a better pizza than this Italian guy. It was a real event highlighted by mass media!:) As a result my fellow lost the bet because he couldn’t know that the chef could cook much better than what he did in his café! He had neither time nor desire to work doing all his best for mass production!:)))
Indeed, Russian people like both cooking and eating. Almost all our women are excellent cookers because they learn in the family first, then - at school, then - competing with their girlfriends (who’s the best cooker?:))

Here is the story. One of our former translators came to visit us not so long ago. She lives in States now and perhaps, some of you remember her. Her name’s Indira. She is a wonderful and friendly person. She married an American guy. We asked her about everything, including American food. You know what she said? She has cooked meals herself twice for the whole year of staying there! It sounds fantastic for any Russian woman! We cook at least twice a day (breakfast and dinner), sometimes - lunch. On weekends we spoil our close people with something tasty (some baking for example). Twice a year is incredible! However, the majority of Russian people cannot afford restaurants so often. Our average salary is 150$ and a dinner at a restaurant costs at least 20$.

So, it is much cheaper to cook food on your own in Russia. By the way, ask your sweetheart about her favorite dish and I’m sure she will be happy to tell you about her cooking specialty!:)

So, what do we usually eat? (I hope, guys, you’ve had your meal already or we warm up your appetite!)

Breakfast. There are people who prefer to avoid breakfast at all or drink a cup of coffee. But they are not numerous and I’m not one of them:) In general, we eat eggs, porridges, sausages, macaronis, pancakes, milk products like cottage cheese, cheese, sandwiches, flakes and… perhaps, some remains of yesterday dinner. Our breakfast gives us energy till lunch. It is well known that the period from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is the best time for working. So breakfast is very important.

Lunch. It usually consists of three dishes and a drink that are a salad, soup, the main dish and some juice (or compote, tea, mineral water, etc.).

Dinner - salads, some snack and the main dish (meat or fish with vegetables, rice, macaroni and so on as garnish). Perhaps, wine or beer… or something stronger:)
What Russian food do you know? Cabbage soup (shchi), red-beet soup (borsch), ravioli (pelmeni), caviar (ikra), pies (pirozhki), pancakes (blini)? If you know at least some of them you are quite ready to visit Russia!

If you don’t feel like eating traditional Russian food don’t be scared of starving in Russia! For example, in Kazan there are a lot of restaurants and cafes where you can try Chinese, Turkish, Italian, Georgian, European and Indian food. Besides, we have MacDonald’s where you can eat American food. Oh, just don’t beat me, American guys…:)))

At last I’d like to give you a kind piece of advice (from our Englishman). Before buying a hotel accommodation with breakfast included please find out their menu. Perhaps, you like this English guy, are going to give your money but not to be able to stuff yourself with these “rich” sausages and porridges. Maybe you’d better buy some fruits and eat them in your room? Or just order a cup of coffee. Food can be very expensive in some Russian hotels and restaurants, so, you’d better enquire about what you are going to eat before paying.

However, the best and most romantic variant… I’ll tell you and make you envy…

The best alternative is to rent an apartment with your future wife and wake up in the morning feeling a wonderful smell of the breakfast she is cooking for you.

Have a good meal!

I am 28 years old Russian female, working in dating field for almost 7 years and my specialty is dating articles for ChanceForlove Russian Online Dating

Being green is a thing that is going to change us all in the next 6yrs. We have Environmental Travel, Electric Cars and Bio Diesels to look at now.

There are likewise several breeds of Biological Fuels. Biological Fuels are many on the whole plant based alternatives to oil- based fuels such as petroleum, diesel and cooking oil. Using biodiesel releases C02, yet this is offset by the fact that the plants used to produce it uses CO2 emissions from the climate to develop. Nevertheless the green benefits of Bio Diesels are hotly argued, with some climate and green friendly professionals declaring that Bio Fuels cause more harm than good. There is two prime breeds of Biological Diesel & Ethanol.

As the brand implies, biodiesel is considered for use in diesel cars. It is remarkably alike to vegetable oil & is constructed from the identical sorts of plants- oil rich sources such as sun flower, palm, rapeseed & groundnut. Biological Diesel may also be manufactured from cow fat or oils taken from French food restaurants. Biodiesel and fuels will probably be tried smart in some diesel engines, but nevertheless, at present Bio Diesel is much more often reflected in a mixture with regular diesel- regularly three % biodiesel with diesel fuel. This recipe may be consumed by any diesel automobile. Get green and environmentally friendly with reduced carbon dioxide Eco Travel.

Ever thought about purchasing a environmentally friendly car? There are many two types the G WIZ electric car & the Mega City. Both of these are many genuinely environmentally friendly machines; in fact Biological Diesel cars are many an environmental daydream. Electric automobiles do not create any C02 emissions in fact more to the point Bio Diesels do not even have an emission pipe. If you power an eco car from renewable energy, it creates zero CO2. Though this eco friendly car has loads of advantages it does have several cons as well. The evident one being it is an eco car and it might only do 110 miles before you may have to top up the powerpack and this in general has to be concluded over the course of the night, if you’re scheduling on doing an extensive road trip, this may have to be done over the course of several excursions.

Here’s a fresh take on a traditional New Orleans dish that will be an instant classic with everyone you serve it to.

Ingredients

Nutrition Details

Nutrition Features

• * Excellent source of vitamin D (100 %DV) and iron (30 %DV).
• * Good source of vitamin A (20 %DV), vitamin B6 (15 %DV), vitamin B12 (15 %DV), calcium (15 %DV) and magnesium (15 %DV).
• * Source of fibre.

Heat 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the butter in a large, oven-safe skillet set

over medium heat.Add the onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden. Sprinkle sugar into the pan. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in the potatoes, chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce; cook until liquid evaporates, about 1 minute.

Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C).

Stir in the cream and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Drain the oysters and reserve 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the juices. Stir the smoked oysters, reserved juices and spinach into the potato mixture.Toss the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and remaining butter until well combined. Sprinkle evenly over top.Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.

Tip: If you dont own an ovenproof skillet, transfer the potato-clam mixture to a shallow gratin dish before adding crumb topping.

Beer bellies, for some beer drinkers, are a prideful symbol of
their greatest passion: drinking beer. They proudly display
their rounded protuberances as testimony to their excessive
consumption of their chosen ambrosia. Are beer bellies caused by
an excessive intake of beer? Not according to some scientists,
who claim that beer bellies are a myth and not caused by foamy
goodness at all.

Typically, the beer belly has been considered a man’s province
or tendency as over time, and with much flexing of arm muscles
as they bring glass to mouth, the belly grows with age and
consumption. Usually, when women gain weight, they often do so
first on their thighs and hips, not their bellies. Women may
develop a pot belly, but it is rarely referred to as a beer
belly and is likely caused by age and childbirth.

Researchers in Britain and the Czech Republic surveyed close to
2000 Czechs in their study that asked the question: Is there an
association between beer and obesity? The citizens of the Czech
Republic are generally regarded as and have the honour to be the
world’s biggest beer drinkers. Dr. Martin Bobak from University
College London and researchers at the Institute of Clinical and
Experimental Medicine in Prague examined 891 men and 1,098 women
between the ages of 25 and 64. All of the participants drank
either no alcohol or only beer. There were only a few heavy
drinkers. The participants were given a questionnaire and a
medical examination during which their weight, waist-to-hip
ratio and body mass index were measured. The conclusion? The
association between beer and obesity, if it exists, is probably
weak.

Then where does that rounded belly come from? Professor Morton
Gronbeck of the Centre for Alcoholic research in Copenhagen,
claims that binge drinkers tend to have more of an
“apple-shaped” body. There is some indication that binge
drinkers are more frequently apple-shaped, but if the amount of
beer drunk is spread out over the week, it will not provoke the
apple-shaped beer belly. This suggests that if beer drinkers
drink in moderation and not in a binge fashion, they will not
develop a beer belly.

Furthermore, some scientists believe that genetic make-up and
not beer could be to blame for the beer belly. A team at the
University of Naples examined natural variations in the genes
found in men. They found that one variant, labelled “DD,” is
linked to developing fat around the stomach. Not all men have it
so this study suggests that only those with this gene will get
beer bellies. Which came first, the gene or the beer belly? If a
man has the DD gene, he is twice as likely to develop a beer
belly, but not necessarily from beer. If he binge drinks, he
will probably get a beer belly. If a man does not have the DD
gene, but he drinks copious amounts of beer, will he get a beer
belly? Is he genetically able to develop one? He might, but what
about the other factors involved in drinking beer?

According to most diet plans, alcohol and weight loss don’t mix.
Alcohol has almost twice the amount of calories than
carbohydrates or protein. Alcohol can lessen the body’s ability
to burn stored fat both chemically and actively. Perhaps one
reason is that the last thing drinkers want to do while drinking
good beer is to get off that bar stool and exercise.

Have you ever tried to stick to a diet while drinking? It’s
almost impossible. If judgment while drinking is too impaired to
drive a car, how can drinkers make healthy choices when faced
with natchos and nuts to go with their beer? Also, many people
would prefer to drink their calories during alcohol consumption
and alcohol is not very nutritious, nor is it low in calories.

How can beer drinkers avoid a beer belly? As diet gurus have
told us for years, moderation in all things promotes good health
including a healthy body weight and shape. Beer bellies may not
be the true result of drinking beer, but beer drinking is
certainly an influence over aspects of diet and lifestyle that
may cause that jiggly tummy called a beer belly.