All About December!

Here is a list of all of the holidays for December from holidayinsights.com

Month:

• Bingo Month
• Write a Friend Month

Year 2012 Each Day: 1 Eat a Red Apple Day 1 World Aids Awareness Day 2 National Fritters Day 3 National Roof over Your Head Day 4 Santas' List Day - we hope you are on the "Nice" list 4 Wear Brown Shoes Day 5 Bathtub Party Day 5 Repeal Day - The 21st Amendment ends Prohibition. I'll drink to that! 6 St. Nicholas Day 6 Mitten Tree Day 6 Put on your own Shoes Day 7 International Civil Aviation Day 7 Letter Writing Day 7 National Cotton Candy Day - would you like some fairy floss? 7 Pearl Harbor Day 8 National Brownie Day 8 Take it in the Ear Day 9 Christmas Card Day 9 International Children's Day - Second Sunday in December 9 National Pastry Day 10 Human Rights Day 11 National Noodle Ring Day 12 National Ding-a-Ling Day 12 Poinsettia Day 13 Ice Cream Day 13 Violin Day 14 National Bouillabaisse Day 15 Bill of Rights Day 15 National Lemon Cupcake Day 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 17 National Maple Syrup Day 18 Bake Cookies Day 18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day 19 Look for an Evergreen Day 19 Oatmeal Muffin Day 20 Go Caroling Day 21 Mayan Calendar Ends - is it the end of Humanity!? 21 Forefather's Day 21 Humbug Day 21 National Flashlight Day 21 Look on the Bright Side Day 22 National Date Nut Bread Day - or September 8!? 23 Festivus - for the rest of us 23 Roots Day 24 National Chocolate Day 24 National Egg Nog Day 25 Christmas Day 25 National Pumpkin Pie Day for recipes see Pumpkin Nook 's Cookbook 26 Boxing Day 27 Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day 27 National Fruitcake Day 28 Card Playing Day 29 Pepper Pot Day 30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day 31 Make Up Your Mind Day 31 New Year's Eve 31 Unlucky Day

All About November!

Here are November's holidays from holidayinsights.com

Month:

• Aviation History Month
• Child Safety Protection Month
• International Drum Month
• National Adoption Awareness Month
• National Epilepsy Month
• National Model Railroad Month
• NAtional Novel Writing Month
• Native American Heritage Month
• Peanut Butter Lovers Month
• Real Jewelry Month
• National Sleep Comfort Month

Week Celebrations:

• Week 1 Chemistry Week
• Week 3 Game and Puzzle Week

Daily Celebrations: 1 All Saint's Day 2 All Soul's Day 2 Look for Circles Day 2 Deviled Egg Day 3 Book Lovers Day - first Saturday of the month 3 Housewife's Day 3 Sandwich Day 4 King Tut Day 5 Gunpowder Day 5 Guy Fawkes Day 6 Marooned without a Compass Day 6 Saxophone Day 7 Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day 8 Cook Something Bold Day 8 Dunce Day 9 Chaos Never Dies Day - you've got that right 10 Forget-Me-Not Day 10 USMC Day 11 Veteran's Day 12 Chicken Soup for the Soul Day 13 National Indian Pudding Day 13 Sadie Hawkins Day 13 World Kindness Day 13 Young Readers Day second Tuesday of month 14 Operating Room Nurse Day 15 Clean Your Refrigerator Day 15 America Recycles Day 15 Great American Smokeout - third Thursday in November 15 National Philanthropy Day 16 Button Day 16 Have a Party With Your Bear Day 17 Electronic Greeting Card Day 17 Homemade Bread Day 17 National Adoption Day - Saturday before Thanksgiving 17 Take A Hike Day 17 World Peace Day 18 Occult Day 19 Have a Bad Day Day 20 Absurdity Day 20 Beautiful Day 20 Universal Children's Day 21 False Confession Day 21 World Hello Day 22 Go For a Ride Day 22 Thanksgiving - Eat, drink, and be thankful. 23 Black Friday 23 Buy Nothing Day - always the day after Thanksgiving...does anyone abide by it!?! 23 Eat a Cranberry Day 23 National Cashew Day 23 You're Welcome Day - the day after Thanksgiving 25 National Parfait Day 26 Shopping Reminder Day 27 Pins and Needles Day 28 Make Your Own Head Day 28 Red Planet Day 29 Electronic Greetings Day- now who do you think created this day!? 29 Square Dance Day 30 Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

The Dating Divas - Another great blog

Great blog for great ideas for planning dates!!

Find them at:  http://www.thedatingdivas.com/

Or on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/thedatingdivas?fref=ts
They have 32,345 followers -  amazing!

Here is a little bit about them from their blog:

We began this lil’ venture of dating our spouses, just like anyone else…..waaay back before we said, “I Do”! Back when dates were the most important element of our life and held a high status over all else. {WINK} Being at the top of our lists, the focus on dating helped us fall MADLY in love with the men we now call our DEAR husbands. Since those dating years some of us have had children, finished school, started careers, and quite simply have embarked on what we know now as, “The Married Life”. We all know that marriage can become TOO comfortable {a.k.a. routine} and dating your amazing spouse – the way you did when first falling in love… is the sure-fire way to keep that SPARK in marriage! We are sharing with you the SECRETS to our success! We hope that you will find ideas that keep your marriage healthy, happy, and full of love!

In a nutshell, each Monday the Divas will offer an awesome date already completely planned for your upcoming weekend! {Aw geez… you’re totally welcome!} Throughout the rest of the week we’ll also post quick & easy ideas to serve your spouse, unforgettable family outings and activities with the kids, intimate moment ideas to spice things up in that room, and fun “romance” crafts to boot! There is definitely something for every couple! {Don’t forget to check out our archives for dates you may have missed!}

Our Mission Statement:

We are wives, mothers, sisters, and friends who strive to enrich marriages everywhere. We want to celebrate the gift of marriage while inspiring others to do the same. It is our goal to provide creative, inexpensive, and innovative dating ideas that will bring joy, fun, and excitement back into the relationship. We encourage all married men and women to take a conscious and proactive approach to investing in their spouse. By putting our spouses first, we are taken back to the simple magic of being head over heels in love again. We desire to help make lasting marriages, which in return will create everlasting families.

 

 

So check them out for some great ideas! 

Here's another great blog site - Six Sisters Stuff

 

 

 

I have been finding some great blogs to follow and love to share them with Taste Magazine followers.

 

You can find Six Sisters' Stuff at:

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/

 

On Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Six-Sisters-Stuff/148323315240164?fref=ts

They have 98,999 followers !!  Wow!!

 



Her is an overview of their blog taken from their site:

Six Girls . . . no boys. Seriously, what are the odds of that happening?

In February 2011, we started our blog SixSistersStuff.com. After years of living close to one another, we were being pulled in many different directions- one sister moved to the West coast, another sister followed her husband to medical school, one moved away to college, and another sister had just lost a baby. We needed each other now more than ever and we used our blog as a way to stay in touch.

Before we started blogging, we were constantly calling each other for recipe ideas, craft projects, and ways to keep our children entertained during those long winter days. The blog was the perfect way for us to share those ideas with each other and we were having so much fun doing it. We are all busy, whether it's with our kids, jobs, school, husbands, community involvement, or something else eating up our time, so all the recipes and projects you will find on this blog are quick and easy! Our recipes are family favorites that use ingredients that can commonly be found in your pantry and our crafts and home decor projects can be made with little or no money. We don't claim to be amazing chefs- we just know the importance of feeding your family a home-cooked meal and sitting down to eat it together. Our mom and dad taught us so many great values and we are thankful that they instilled the importance of family time in our lives. Even the busiest of people can make the food and project ideas we share, which will give you even more time to spend with your family and loved ones.

We told our friends and family about our little blog and slowly found more and more people were visiting it each day. We started doing research and discovered that we could turn this blog into something more . . . something bigger than we ever could have dreamed. Within one year of starting our blog, we went from hundreds of hits per day to HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of hits per day.

This blog has now turned into a family business, providing part-time work for each of the sisters.

Want to learn more about how we grew our blog? Check our our eBook:
Six Sisters' Success: 10 Ways to Grow Your Blog

The Girl Who Ate Everything - Awesome Blog Find

Just came upon a cool blog and wantd to share.
You can find The Girl Who Ate Everything at:  http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/


Here is a little bit about her taken from her website:

Hi, I'm Christy Denney and I am a foodaholic. 

I have always loved food but didn't really start cooking and baking until I got married and realized I needed to feed this huge man! The Man Who Ate Everything gets the benefits of the dishes that turn out and stomaches the ones that don't. I usually like to follow a recipe the first time and then make changes as I feel after that.

The one question people ALWAYS ask how I am not 500 lbs and the answer is...hmm...I don't know. I do like running and am slowly, ever slowly learning moderation. But I really, really love to eat.

 

I started working for Tablespoon and General Mills in October of 2010 doing freelance writing and recipe development. I couldn't ask for a better company to work for.

They always surprise me with big red boxes filled with all kinds of goodies from their newest fun products to try to cupcake adorned jewelry for my new baby girl. I am blessed.

She has great recipes, giveaways and more.  Check her out. 

FIT The Woodlands - You need to check them out!

FIT The Woodlands
27240 Glen Loch Drive
The Woodlands, TX  77380
http://www.fitwoodlands.com
https://www.facebook.com/fithumanperformance?fref=ts

F.I.T. provides clients with specific individualized functional assessments and ongoing optimal performance training helping clients achieve their highest level of human performance. F.I.T. is goal setting for cardiorespiratory conditioning, flexibility training, and musculoskeletal resistance/strength training.

Our goal at F.I.T. is helping you achieve and maintain your optimal functional human ...

performance level.

The mindset at F.I.T. Human Performance is catering to clients and designing programs that address functional capacity as part of a complete fitness plan developed especially for each individual client. Our training programs incorporate each individuals environment and specific goals, and address any muscle imbalances and movement deficiencies needed to improve in order to achieve for optimal function and to decrease the risk of injuries.

Here is their lastest blog entry.  Check them out!


October 7, 2012

Lift to Lose (Cardio vs. Weights, part VI)

If you want to get leaner, step away from the treadmill. I have been preaching this for the past six weeks but if you still aren’t certain, the latest studies and smartest trainers agree with me. It’s time to hit the weights!

Many gym goers, and even some health and fitness professionals, still believe that strength training is only for people who want to gain weight in the form of shirt-stretching muscles, and that long-duration exercise like running and cycling is the fastest way to lose fat. Wicked smart trainers (like Me) believe otherwise.

Real life experience and the latest fitness research suggest that low to moderate aerobic exercise, while beneficial (Read Muscles & Metabolism, August ##, 12), is not the fastest route to leanness and overall health that many people believe it is. The real key to fat loss is weight/strength training, real sweat and real effort.

The results may have little to do with what the scale tells you. Your weight may go down, stay the same, or even go up a bit. Your shape, however, will change dramatically. Do you want to hit a number on the scale, or do you want to be leaner, more athletic, and able to fit into your clothes better? Nobody asks for a 'mushy' body!

The numerous studies have demonstrated conclusively that weight and strength training, in conjunction with good nutrition, burns fat much more effectively than dieting alone and dieting in conjunction with aerobic exercise.

By itself, body weight is a poor measure of fitness. If you gain muscle and lose fat, you’ll be fitter, but the scale might tell you you’re heavier. Lose muscle and gain fat, and you’ll be fatter, but the scale might read lighter?

True fitness is about performance. (get it FIT Human Performance!) Regarless of your weight, it’s generally more effective to set goals based on what you can do rather than what you weigh. You may settle into an “ideal” weight that’s a few pounds more, or less, than you originally expected. If you look and feel great, who cares?

In good health,

Bob

‘There’s 1440 minutes in a day. Use 30 of them to workout.’

All About October!

Here is a list of traditional and non-traditional holidays for October 2012 from holidayinsights.com

 

 

Month:

• Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
• American Pharmacist Month
• Apple Jack Month
• Awareness Month
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Clergy Appreciation Month
• Computer Learning Month
• Cookie Month
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• Eat Country Ham Month
• International Drum Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• National Diabetes Month
• National Pizza Month
• National Vegetarian Month
• National Popcorn Popping Month
• Sarcastic Month
• Seafood Month

Weekly Celebrations:

• Week 1 Get Organized Week
• Week 1 Customer Service Week
• Week 2 Fire Prevention Week
• Week 2 Pet Peeve Week
• Week 3 Pastoral Care Week

Each Day Year 2012: 1 World Vegetarian Day 2 National Custodial Worker Day 2 Name Your Car Day 3 Techies Day 3 Virus Appreciation Day 4 National Golf Day 4 National Frappe Day 5 Do Something Nice Day 5 World Teacher's Day 6 Come and Take it Day 6 International Frugal Fun Day - first Saturday of the month 6 Mad Hatter Day 6 Physician Assistant Day 7 Bald and Free Day 7 Oktoberfest in Germany ends, date varies 7 World Smile Day 8 American Touch Tag Day 8 Columbus Day - second Monday of month 9 Curious Events Day 9 Fire Prevention Day 9 Leif Erikson Day 9 Moldy Cheese Day 10 Emergency Nurses Day- date varies 10 National Angel Food Cake Day 11 It's My Party Day 11 Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day 12 Cookbook Launch Day 12 Old Farmer's Day 12 Moment of Frustration Day 12 World Egg Day - second Friday of the month 13 International Skeptics Day 14 Be Bald and Free Day 14 National Dessert Day - take an extra helping, or two 15 White Cane Safety Day 16 Bosses Day 16 Dictionary Day 17 Wear Something Gaudy Day 18 No Beard Day 19 Evaluate Your Life Day 20 Brandied Fruit Day 20 International Newspaper Carrier Day -date varies each year 20 Sweetest Day Third Saturday of month 21 Babbling Day 21 Count Your Buttons Day 21 National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day find a recipe, too. 22 National Nut Day 23 National Mole Day 23 Tv Talk Show Host Day 24 National Bologna Day 24 United Nations Day 25 Punk for a Day Day 25 World Pasta Day 26 Frankenstein Friday - last Friday in October 26 National Mincemeat Day 27 Make a Difference Day- fourth Saturday of the month, an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors. 27 National Tell a Story Day - in Scotland and the U.K. 27 Navy Day 28 Mother-In-Law Day - fourth Sunday in October 28 Plush Animal Lover's Day 29 Hermit Day 29 National Frankenstein Day 30 National Candy Corn Day 30 Mischief Night 31 Carve a Pumpkin Day - no surprise here 31 Halloween 31 Increase Your Psychic Powers Day



Celebrations of Houston - The Woodlands, TX

Celebrations of Houston is a very unique business located in The Woodlands, TX.  Originally opened as an event planning company, the owner decided to step back and change gears to make the business compliment her other business - Flamingos 2 Go (The Woodlands).  Flamingos 2 Go is a lawn decoration delivery company.  They deliver fun lawn displays for anniversaries, birthdays, new babies and more.  Here are some samples of the displays available:

Celebrations of Houston is adding homemade cookies and brownies for delivery or pick up! 
They will start out with the following flavors:
Cookies:  Traditional Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, M&M Sugar cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Kisses Sugar Cookies,
Brownies:  Traditional Chocolate Fudge, Blondie Chocolate Chip, and  Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

They are also adding custom made decorative wreaths.  They will offer holiday wreaths, Texas sports teams (Texas A&M, Texas Longhorns and The Texans for fall and winter!), seasonal wreaths, and keepsake birthday and baby wreaths. 

Pictures will be popping up on Taste Magazines blog and on Celebrations of Houston's Facebook page over the next few weeks.  You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/celebrationsofhouston  

Some new things to watch!!!

From the Food Network --- make sure you check out Restaurant Stakeout.  It is on Wednesday nights at 9:00 PM.  Hidden cameras are placed in restuarants to observe the staff.  It is amazing to see what  people wil do when they think no one is watching!!!

Also On Food Network $24 in 24 with Jeff Mauro - The Sandwich King.  Premieres September 24th at 9:30 PM. 

Here is a little about the show from Foodnetwork.com:
Each week, he’ll hit a new locale with a budget of just $24 to find the tastiest breakfast, lunch and dinner in town.
From unexpected mom and pop shops to globally inspired spots, Jeff’s coast-to-coast journey proves great food doesn’t have to break the bank. But can you really find good food for just $24? You absolutely can: “The beauty of this great country is that you can always find plenty of great food for a great price. There are so many interesting and affordable unearthed joints strewn about the ethnic enclaves that are so common in even the smallest of American cities,” Jeff added. He continued to say that showcasing great, family-run establishments that haven’t had much publicity and celebrating their food is one of his favorite things about this new show. “That, and watching myself eat on camera, which is always ultra-sexy!”

You Go Girls!!!!!

 

 

I think this is great!!!    Go Pink!!

 

 

'All Girls' Tire Shop Thriving in Texas

By CHRISTINA NG | Good Morning America

 

 

 

  Photo courtesy of Good Morning America

 

 

At first look, Treds Tire and Wheel in San Antonio seems familiar. Stacks of tires surround busy workers doing repairs, rotations and fixing flats. But a closer look reveals some unusual details.

The tire jack is pink, the tools have polka dots, and all of the employees are women.

"I'm a strong believer that women can do things that men can do," Andrea Rodriguez, the manager, told ABCNews.com. "I have four brothers so I was raised with that mentality. I can do things that my brothers could do."

Rodriguez is 19. When her family told her they wanted to open a tire shop in a building where several consecutive tire businesses had failed, she asked her mother, "Why not make it different and make it all girls?"

"She started getting on Facebook to recruit some people and put in ads and there was a lot of female applicants that wanted to do it and didn't mind the work," said Rodriguez's mother, Margaret.

"We didn't paint a pretty picture," she said. "It's a man's job -- dirty, tiring. There's nothing easy about it."

The applications poured in and the shop now employs six women and a female intern from a local college. Margaret Rodriguez said that the clients are a good mix of men and women. She said most people are excited about the shop and supportive, but there are some detractors. She said some have said the women should not be doing a man's job and that they should be in the kitchen "making sandwiches," but the negativity makes the women work harder.

"We just think it's funny, but, actually, it gives us more willpower and incentive to keep going."

One of Andrea Rodriguez's brothers trained her and she now runs the business. She plans on going to school to become a dentist, but is working at the shop full-time for now.

She said she does not aim to be a role model, but hopes that she can help change people's stereotypes about women. "Everyone has their own opinions about women doing a man's job -- if it's even a man's job," she said. "We have women doing it."

The shop has been open for seven months and Margaret Rodriguez said that business is thriving.

"For us, it was like a miracle," she said. "We're very fortunate."

 

 

Love women doing something good!!!



All About September!

Who knew so many things are celebrated in September.  Check out this long list from About.com!!!!

Month Long Observances

• Baby Safety Month
  
• Better Breakfast Month
  Cable TV Month


• Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
  
• Classical Music Month
  
• Library Card Sign-Up Month
  National Chicken Month


• National Courtesy Month
  
• National Honey Month
  
• National Pediculosis Prevention Month
  
• National Piano Month
  
• National Rice Month
  
• National School Success Month
  
• National Sewing Month
  
• Read-A-New-Book Month
  
• Women of Achievement Month

Week Long Observances

• 1st Week - Child Injury Prevention Week
  Every September 1st - 7th.
  
• 2nd Week - International Housekeepers Week
  
• 3rd Week - National Child Care Week
  
• 3rd Week - National Farm Animals Awareness Week
  
• 3rd Week - National Flower Week
  
• 4th Week - Equal Parents' Week
  
• 4th Week - National Dog Week
  4th Week - National Roller Skating Week

September 1st

• Mary Had A Little Lamb Published
  Published in 1830.

September 2nd

• Father's Day in Australia
  Celebrated on the first Sunday in September.
  
• National Blueberry Popsicle Day

September 3rd

• Barkley the Dog's Birthday
  Sesame Street Character.
  
• Labor Day
  First Monday in September. Check out my page for this special day!
  
• Skyscraper Day
  
• Uncle Sam's Birthday
  Uncle Sam's image was first used on this day in 1813.

September 4th

• Newspaper Carrier Day

September 5th

• National Cheese Pizza Day

September 6th

• Read a Book Day

September 7th

• Neither Rain Nor Snow Day

September 8th

• International Literacy Day

September 9th

• National Grandparents Day
  First Sunday after Labor Day in September. Check out my page for this special day!
  
• Teddy Bear Day
  Check out my page for this special day!

September 10th

• Swap Ideas Day
  
• T.V. Dinner Day
  On this day, in 1954, Swanson sells it's first T.V. Dinner.

September 11th

• Make Your Bed Day
  
• Patriot Day
  World Trade Center Remembrance Day.

September 12th

• National Chocolate Milk Shake Day

September 13th

• National Peanut Day
  
• Positive Thinking Day
  
• Scooby Doo's Birthday
  First cartoon debuted.

September 14th

• First Department Store Opens
  Opened in 1848 by Alexander Stewart.

September 15th

• Make A Hat Day
  
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
  Begins September 15 and ends October 15.

September 16th

• El Grito de Independencia
  Mexican Independence Day.


• Mayflower Day
  
• National Working Parents Day
  
• Rosh Hashanah
  Begins at Sundown.
  
• Stepfamily Day

September 17th

• Citizenship Day
  Also known as Constitution Day.
  
• National Apple Dumpling Day

September 18th

• First Edition of the New York Times Published
  In 1851.
  
• Lance Armstrong's Birthday
  Born in 1971.
  
• Mushroom Picking Day
  
• National Play-Doh Day

September 19th

• Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 20th

• First Railroad Station Opened

September 21st

• International Day of Peace
  
• Miniature Golf Day
  
• POW/MIA Recognition Day
  Observed on the third Friday of September.
  
• World Gratitude Day

September 22nd

• Band-Aid Invented
  In 1920.
  
• Dear Diary Day
  
• Elephant Appreciation Day
  
• First Day of Autumn
  Check out my page for this special day!
  
• Ice Cream Cone Invented
  In 1903. Check out my page for this special day!
  
• U.S. Post Office Opened
  In 1789.

September 23rd

• Checkers Day
  
• Great American Pot Pie Day
  Sponsored by Marie Callender.

September 24th

• First Toy Store Opened
  
• National Bluebird of Happiness Day
  
• National Punctuation Day

September 25th

• Barbara Walters' Birthday
  Born in Boston in 1931.
  
• Christopher Reeve's Birthday
  Born in 1952.
  
• Mary Poppins Debuted
  In 1964.
  
• National Comic Book Day
  
• Will Smith's Birthday
  The 'Fresh Prince' was born in 1965.
  
• Yom Kippur
  Begins at sundown.

September 26th

• Johnny Appleseed's Birthday
  John Chapman born in 1774. Check out my page for this special day!

September 27th

• Crush A Can Day

September 28th

• Good Neighbor Day
  
• Native American Day
  Fourth Friday in September.
  
• First Airport Opened

September 29th

• Scotland Yard Formed
  In London in 1829.

September 30th

• Safety Pin Invented

 

Sweet and Sassy - Girls Night Out September 28th!

 

Girls Night Out at Sweet and Sassy - Market Street

September 28th from 6 -8 pm

It's all about the 80's.  My favorite!!!

 

 

$25  -  What a deal!!!

Dress to impress!

*Limo Ride

*Pizza

*Hair and Nails

*80's Dancing on the stage

Costume Contest- Winner gets a Free Glittery Glam

Must call to reserve your spot. 281.292.9090

 

So much fun!!!

 

 

 

New Show coming to Bravotv - Life After Top Chef

Life After Top Chef is a new show coming to Bravotv.  It will premiere on October 3rd at 9:00 PM.  Set your DVR's if you are a true follower of Top Chef.

Life After Top Chef will follow four previous contestants on the show including:

My Favorite:   Richard Blaise from Atlanta, Ga

Fabio Viviani from Los Angeles, CA

 

 

Spike Mendelsohn from Washington, DC

 

 

 

 

And Jen Carroll from Philadelphia, PA

 



It looks like a very interesting perspective into these chef's lives.   Can't wait.

 

 







Getting ready for Pie Season!!!

Here are some great tips for pies from Kitchen Daily.  Their website is:  http://kitchendaily.com

Tip #1     Not the prettiest pie on the table? Try brushing the top of your crust with egg wash to create a glossy glow. To make egg wash, combine a beaten egg with water, cream or milk.

Tip #2   Does your pie have air space between the filling and the crust? Precook or cut the fruit you use for filling into smaller pieces to help eliminate the gap.

Tip #3   When slicing your pie, make sure it is completely cooled first. If not, the pie may start to run ruining all of your hard work!

Tip #4  For fruit filled pies, make sure to choose firm fruit to avoid a mushy slice. Choose fruit in season for an even better and richer taste!

Tip #5  There's a crack in my pie! Avoid cracks by baking certain types of by at a lower degrees. Try 375 degrees F to ensure a smooth top layer.

Tip #6  Soggy on the bottom? To avoid a soggy crust, make sure you are using the correct pan and and avoid underbaking.


Top Five Pies for the Holidays compiled by Taste Magazines!!!

Pumpkin
Sweet Potato
Apple
Cherry
Pecan

Celebrity Owned Restaurants

Locanda Verde -  New York City, New York

One of the owners is:  Robert DeNiro

From their website: 
Locanda Verde is a casual, energetic, affordable neighborhood Italian taverna in TriBeCa serving celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini’s soul-satisfying riffs on Italian cooking. It's airy, bustling, and easy-going: a comfortable, light-flooded place open from dawn to late night; the food and service are as casual, as easygoing and as well-conceived as the space.
Claim a spot in the cafe for a great cappuccino and one of pastry chef Karen DeMasco's irresistible pastries, or order up a serious breakfast or brunch feast; relax over lunch at a sunny table by the window, or in our outdoor cafe seating; meet friends for a house cocktail or a specialty Italian beer and a snack or two at our generous, convivial bar; or settle into the banquets and kick back with a leisurely dinner, perhaps with a bottle of wine from our reasonably priced, wide-ranging Italian list.
The website is:  http://locandaverdenyc.com/

Southern Hospitality BBQ and Bar - Located in New York City, New York

One of the owners is:  Justin Timberlake

From their website:

The phrase "Southern Hospitality" has always had the idea that people of the South are particularly warm and welcoming and use proper local etiquette - calling one "Sir" or "Ma'am," opening doors for ladies, inviting one to their home, and the like.
At our restaurant "Southern Hospitality" takes on that philosophy and more. At Southern Hospitality BBQ, you'll find everyone from Hollywood stars to locals, a menu of fine pulled pork sandwiches, baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, Southern fried catfish and many other southern favorites. All of this is topped off with a true New York setting, marked by flat screen TVs. And it's all the vision of one gentleman dedicated to bringing sexy back - Justin Timberlake, along with friends Eytan Sugarman and Trace Ayala.

The website is:  http://www.southernhospitalitybbq.com/

Wahlburgers - Hingham. Massachusetts

Owners:  Mark and Donny Wahlberg

From their website: 

Growing up in Dorchester, MA with 9 kids in a triple decker house, we didn’t have much, but we had each other and that’s what mattered most.

In the toughest of times we always made the best of times. For us, there was no better time than sitting around the table together, sharing good food, a few laughs and lots of love.
At Wahlburgers we hope to share a little bit of those times with you and we hope you create some of your own special memories around our tables. Sure our family had some humble beginnings and some amazing success, but now it’s all about the food. We want our high quality, simple down home burgers to speak for themselves.

The website is:  http://wahlburgers.com/


Zoom - Park City, Utah

Owned by:  Robert Reford

 

 

 

From their website: 

Welcome to Zoom. Zoom is a warm casual dining experience, uniquely located at the foot of Main Street in Park City.
Opened in 1995 by Robert Redford, Zoom exudes a vibrant communal atmosphere where good food and conversation are celebrated as art forms. This casually elegant setting, originally a Union Pacific Depot, preserves and pays homage to Park City's pioneering roots.
A part of the Sundance Resort family of fine restaurants, Zoom serves a hearty yet sophisticated American menu along with a hand-selected list of fine wines to complement any meal.


The website is:  http://www.zoomparkcity.com/



to be continued....  

Remembering 9/11

Cotton Candy at Sweet and Sassy - The Woodlands

Sweet and Sassy located on Market Street in The Woodlands has two new great packages!

Cotton Candy Princess Package      $25
Includes:  Cotton Candy Updo, Swirl facepaint design, Pink or Blue just-a-polish, cotton candy hair scent, princess candy necklace and cotton candy sweet treat.


Cotton Candy Spa Package   $35
Includes:  Cotton candy pedicure, cotton candy manicure, cotton candy nail art design, sweet pink mini facial, cotton cady hair scent, cotton candy sweet treat. rong and toe ring.


Book a spot for your little cotton candy princess today-   Call:  281-292-9090

Food World Records

Here are some interesting records concerning food from The Guiness World Book of Records.

Most Big Macs consumed:

Donald Gorske of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA consumed his 23,000th McDonald's Big Mac on 17 August 2008. He is now in his 37th consecutive year of eating Big Macs on a daily basis.

Largest bubblegum bubble blown:

Chad Fell (USA) blew a bubblegum bubble with a diameter of 50.8 cm (20 in) without using his hands at the Double Springs High School, Winston County, Alabama, USA on 24 April 2004.

Largest pizza base spun in 2 minutes:

Tony Gemignani (USA, left) spun 500 g (17.6 oz) of dough for two minutes to form a pizza base measuring 84.33 cm (33.2 in) wide at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on 20 April 2006 during the filming of Guinness World Records Week for the Food Network channel.

Most expensive pizza:

The most expensive pizza, commercially available, is a thin-crust, wood fire-baked pizza topped with onion puree, white truffle paste, fontina cheese, baby mozzarella, pancetta, cep mushrooms, freshly picked wild mizuna lettuce and garnished with fresh shavings of a rare Italian white truffle, itself worth £1,400 (then $2,500) per 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz). Depending upon the amount of truffles available each season, the pizza is regularly sold at £100 (then $178) each to customers of Gordon Ramsey's Maze restaurant, London, UK.

World's Largest burger:

Over the weekend Minnesota's Black Bear Casino broke the Guinness record for world's biggest hamburger. Local publication the Duluth News Tribune reported yesterday that the burger clocks in at just over one ton (2,014 pounds), has a diamater of ten feet, and contains "60 pounds of bacon, 50 pounds of lettuce, 50 pounds of sliced onions, 40 pounds of pickles and 40 pounds of cheese."
It took four hours to cook the burger and the patty was flipped using a crane. It took seven hours to bake the bun. The casino flew in a Guinness official, Philip Robertson, who said of the stunt, "What I saw today was a feat of remarkable teamwork that resulted in a world record burger that actually tastes really good." The previous record was at 881 pounds.

Interesting.... stay tuned for more!!!

Dinner Party scheduled for September 13th!

The dinner party is September 13th at 3510 Reed Rd Houston, Texas 77051.  It is being given by:

Rainey's Creole Lunchroom and Catering

 

Join Rainey and the gang as we bring our private dinner parties to a public location for a few of our friends. Enjoy mingling and listening to our special guest artist to be announced later, as we learn more about the field of fine arts. grab a friend, or come solo and meet a friend for an endless meal and a dining experience you wont forget. This is an invite where foodies can engage in a gastronomical adventure. closed door. private

We've discounted the prices greatly for this one so please dont check ...

attending until after you donation has been paid.this is to ensure an accurate head count. there are only 30 seats available

OUR MENU

Creole Stuffed Mushrooms
( stuffed with crab meat)
Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp
Rainey's Shrimp Joy Salad
( home made salad dressing with shrimp/boiled eggs on the side)
Crawfish Pasta w/ creamy butter sauce
Blackened Catfish
( made with our house blend blackening seasonings)
Corn maque choux
Roasted vegetable medley
Rice dressing
Chocolate/raspberry mousse

It is very possible to customize a menu for anyone with dietary restrictions or who may be allergic to shellfish. let me know and i will try my best to accommodate

$17.00 per person

make payments thru paypal at decaturcooks@yahoo.com
if anyone needs an invoice, let me know.

Wine will be available or you can BYOW

 

Here is the link to the Facebook event:  http://www.facebook.com/events/261821393937740/

 

 

Food In The News!!!

Here are some links to some interesting food articles and videos!!


Video From Yahoo:

Most Creative Burger in America

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 5:00 AM EDT - Blue Ribbon Hunter 4:28

We traveled to the National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio where fifteen chefs battled it out for America's most creative burger. We saw everything from a Korean BBQ burger to an Over-Easy burger, but the winner will really blow you away.

 

http://screen.yahoo.com/most-creative-burger-in-america-30456033.html?pb_list=809f7f41-46e5-4104-9eba-e0702551faaf

 

 

Video from Yahoo:

 

Outrageously Priced Foods

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 5:00 AM EDT - Blue Ribbon Hunter 3:27

Would you pay $666.00 for a burger? Or $1,000.00 for an ice cream sundae? Check out some of the most outrageously priced foods in the country.

 

http://screen.yahoo.com/outrageously-priced-foods-30296772.html;_ylt=Av4AlZLrQHEVsZwz2ccraa1Zc0Iv;_ylu=X3oDMTJkdDQ0ajlrBG1pdANVUFAgUmVsYXRlZCBWaWRlbzIgV2l0aCBWaWV3IENvdW50cwRwa2cDaWQtMzAyOTY3NzIEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3ZjX25hdgR2ZXID;_ylg=X3oDMTFoOTlpZTNlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDdmlkLWdhbGxlcnk-;_ylv=3

 

From Consumerreports.org

 

Chicken Fingers Taste Test

 

http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/chicken-fingers-taste-test.html

 

 

 

Video from Yahoo:

 

 

The Great Garlic Cook-Off

Mon, Aug 6, 2012 5:00 AM EDT - Blue Ribbon Hunter 4:55

Come along to America's stinkiest festival as host Allison Fishman samples everything from garlic ice cream, to garlic cheesecake, to a savory garlic and pistachio baklava. 

 

http://screen.yahoo.com/the-great-garlic-cook-off-30167715.html;_ylt=AjV9oobDoNkwlcDuZXFGYqBZc0Iv;_ylu=X3oDMTIyazBqc2I2BG1pdANDaG93IENpYW8gUGxheWxpc3QgQmFyBHBrZwMzMDE2NzcxNQRwb3MDNQRzZWMDTWVkaWFQbGF5bGlzdEJhcg--;_ylg=X3oDMTA1bmkzZDc4BHRlc3QD;_ylv=3?pb_list=809f7f41-46e5-4104-9eba-e0702551faaf