GoodyBlog

Panicking About Holiday Pounds?

Holiday weight gain is definitely a legit concern, but there's a bit of good news: A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that most of us don't pack on as much weight as we think, phew! (The average study subject gained about one pound from early November to early- to mid-January.) The real problem is that we don't lose those few pounds we do gain from super-size holiday feasts—and all that extra weight adds up as the years pass. Get the full scoop on how to eat, drink, and be merry in moderation here.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Central Park, NYC. Photo by Eduardo.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Over at Slashfood, they're doing an entire feed about Thanksgiving leftovers. I know—you probably are right in the middle of cooking and the last thing you want to think about is leftovers. But you'll thank me tomorrow. I am especially intrigued by their recipe to use leftover canned cranberry sauce to make meatballs, and all the amazing recipes for post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches. Yum! I love using the leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce to make a warm sandwich on Friday morning. What's your favorite leftover recipe?

Photo via.

DIY Place Card Round-Up

Call me bossy, but I love telling people where to sit. Here are some really cute place cards I found that you can make.
1. Apples! Simple, elegant and easy to make. Complete tutorial at yumsugar.

2. Boats! I really love these and if the kids are too young to do the folding, they could still decorate them.

The big boat is the Mayflower of course. Here's a close up the the actual place card

These were made by Barefoot in the Orchard. Link thanks to Black Eiffel

3. Hand Sewn! These are so beautiful. I could never do this in a million years

.Linda Made has a complete tutorial. Boy is she talented. Link thanks to craftzine

Holiday Shopping in NYC

Charmin has done it again: set up free, clean, comfy, family-friendly restrooms in Times Square—between west 45th and west 46th streets. They are open from 10 am to 11 pm, seven days a week (closed Christmas day), from November 19 through December 31. So if you’re watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on Broadway or shopping in the area and looking for a loo, head on over!

Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Granted, just saying the name of this pie will put a little more junk in your trunk. But trust me: It's so worth it. I shared the secrets of this sure-to-impress recipe with a coworker last year, and she loved it so much that she made a bunch to give as Christmas gifts to her friends and family.

Best part is, this pie is not only simple but fun to make. You'll see.

Please remember to enjoy pie responsibly.

Pumpkin Apple Bread

This is so soft and yummy that even older babies and toddlers love it. Since it goes so fast in my family, this recipe makes two loaves.

3 cups flour (make it healthier by substituting whole wheat flour for half)
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
3 cups sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable or olive oil
½ cup water
2 apples peeled and diced (I put them in food processor)
1 cup yellow raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in one bowl. Combine pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugar, and water in another bowl and mix until smooth. Combine contents of two bowls. Stir in apples and raisins. Pour into two greased/floured bread loaf pans (9-10”). Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Share your favorite recipe!