Tag: Holiday Tips

DIY /

WCPO, Cincy Lifestyle Segment: National Cranberry Day and Puff Pastry Swirls

I had the pleasure of hosting a television segment on Friday, November 20th with WCPO 9 News, Cincinnati.  The segment focused on celebrating National Cranberry Day which was right on time for the Thanksgiving holiday!
For many of us, cranberries are a staple side dish with our holiday feast but in the segment, I shared a new recipe, Cranberry Puff Pastry Swirls.
RECIPE:  Karen’s Naturals Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Swirls
Ingredients:
● 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
● 3 Tbsp salted butter, melted
● 6 oz. Brie cheese
● ¾ cup Karen’s Naturals Just Cranberries
● 3 Tbsp. cinnamon sugar
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper
3. Dice Brie cheese and remove the rind
Instructions:
1. Unroll the puff pastry and brush with 1 Tbsp of melted butter
2. Sprinkle pastry with 1-2 Tbsp of cinnamon sugar
3. Sprinkle diced brie and cranberries evenly on top of the pastry
4. Beginning at the long end, tightly roll the pastry
5. Brush the pastry with the remaining melted butter
6. Coat the roll with cinnamon sugar
7. Cut the roll into 16 swirls
8. Place swirls onto a baking sheet
9. Bake for 15-25 minutes or until
This simple dish can be served for brunch or an additional pastry appetizer with a warm cup of holiday tea.  To watch the lifestyle segment, click on the link https://www.facebook.com/CincyLifestyle/videos/218152979726399
Birmingham /

Painting and Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Tis’ the season to be jolly!  Last weekend, I decided to take a break from the holiday busyness and visit Painting With a Twist art studio.

The purpose behind the class was to celebrate my mom’s birthday.  We had a great time and made plans to register for more events.

Aside from the celebration, one aspect to remember is that painting has therapeutic properties.  Some of the benefits include memory strength, stress relief, and emotional growth.

Painting a one-of-a-kind picture was the perfect bonding activity and awesome way to meet new friends!

I am not the best painter but with guidance I can create a masterpiece!

I also want to share a few additional tips to reduce stress during the holiday season:

  • Make holiday decor during the off-season to eliminate a hectic schedule.
  • Create a food menu and prep/freeze holiday dishes.
  • Visit your local grocery store or warehouse club for prepared dishes (example, Assorted Pinwheel Wraps, Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas, or Ciabatta Sandwich Party Tray.)
  • Play upbeat holiday music to get everyone in the spirit.
  • Allow enough time to wrap gifts not excluding co-workers and care providers.
  • Include low-impact exercise into your weekly routine.
Amazon /

Amazon Prime Now: The Ultimate Destination for Thanksgiving Prep

As we are gearing up for our Thanksgiving feasts, wanted to call to mind that Amazon’s Prime Now service can deliver all Turkey Day essentials to customers’ doors in just one hour!

We can all relate to being in the kitchen cooking the biggest meal of the year and realizing you forgot the cranberry sauce, pie crusts or the roasting pan. Prime Now can bring customers these items and more in an hour or less so they can skip the trip to the store and continue spending time with friends and loved ones.

Beyond the food, customers can also find hostess gifts or “family fun” items, including the most popular board games that have been delivered in one hour through Prime Now: Pie Face Game, Connect 4, Catan and Taboo.  We also have localized shopping data for all Prime Now cities available upon request.

In Baltimore, Prime Now is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and will be operating on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to help account for anyone that’s forgotten the butter, paper towels or other essentials. Two-hour delivery is free and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99. All Prime members can download the Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, and will be notified when the service is available in their zip code.

BJs Wholesale Club /

Easter Celebration – Simple Lifestyle Tips

Easter can be an exciting holiday for everyone.  It’s the ultimate symbol of the Spring season and a time of rebirth.  Although celebrating Easter can be a lot of fun, preparation for this joyous holiday can also be overwhelming!

As a new mom (many years ago) I wanted to attack the holiday from all angles.  My eagerness stemmed from the excitement of having my very own children.  Over the years, I’ve learned to focus on what really matters.   The small details will come together once you concentrate on the priority of the day.

Easter Celebration Tips:

  1. Create your dinner menu – Decide whether your family will dine in or out.  Either option provides a good opportunity for quality fellowship.  Traditional Easter meals (if you’re cooking) include a honey glazed ham, roasted leg of lamb, baked salmon, green bean casserole, rice pilaf, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or home-style dinner rolls.
  2. Coordinate Easter crafts with the kids – This particular tip can vary depending on your interest but the idea is to teach your family the meaning of Easter.  Quick holiday crafts include decorating eggs, planting a Spring garden, or designing Easter bookmarks.
  3. Consider taking Easter photos – Start thinking of the right location, lighting, and even the weather.  Also, we can’t forget to coordinate the perfect attire whether a traditional suit or casual spring outfit.
  4. Decorate, Decorate, Decorate – Nothing brings more excitement than putting out spring decorations.  Add a wreath to the front door, create a tablescape, or flower arrangement in the hallway.

Some of my favorite Easter traditions include Sunday morning worship, egg hunt, brunch, and spring photos.  What are some of your favorite Easter traditions, share them with us here?

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Christmas in Baltimore and Festive Activities

“Baltimore city is an amazing mixture of the historical and the modern and would be a great end-destination for any time of the year, but during Christmastime, it is something special. The community in Baltimore comes together in harmony during the holidays and offers some of the most charming and entertaining festive events. From residents creating a world-renowned light show to bringing in traditions and entertainment from across the Atlantic, Baltimore, Maryland is the place to be during Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of the many ways to enjoy the holiday season in this captivating seaside city” from the BLT.com

Click on the link to read more:  Christmas in Baltimore