Here Comes Thanksgiving!

Make Something Delicious Happen Today!
Try A Restaurant Recipe!

Is It Possible? !!!

Don't misunderstand. I LOVE Thanksgiving and the holiday season, but I swear, it was just a short time ago when we celebrated it, wasn't it? Oh well, time flies when we're having fun - or like me, getting older. :-)

You can access menu and recipe ideas using this link: Thanksgiving Menu Ideas and Recipes. More recipes to specifically consider for the holidays will be added to the website over the next 2-3 weeks so please stay "tuned."

If you would like a refresher on Cooking Turkey or How To Carve A Turkey, just follow those links.

And please remember to also visit Fall Menu Ideas #1 and Fall Menu Ideas #2

In Case You Haven't Noticed

In case you haven't yet noticed, another thing that is "Cookin'?" is a new recipe section for the website, "Low Carb Recipes".

Many of the recipes on the website are low carb, but a number of people have asked that those recipes be specifically "pointed to." I have been in the process of doing that most of the month.

But putting up a page specifically pointing to low carb recipes does not mean I believe reduced carb diets are for everyone. Read on, please.

I believe everyone's metabolism is different; meaning what "works" and is healthy for one person, may not be a good idea for someone else.

Our Metabolisms have a wider range than the choices we have for cars. Some of us may be Jaguars and some of us Toyotas. We need to match the right kind of gas (food) with the right kind of engine (metabolism).

I'm afraid there is NO perfect diet that will work for everyone. One size only - only fits the people who come in that size. Please understand: if you have, or believe you have, a weight issue, you really should consult a nutritionist or dietician.

Dieting is a practice of regulating the foods you eat with the goal of re-gaining your health, maintaining your health and/or loosing weight in the form of fat, not muscle, (and sometimes for some people - gaining muscle weight) over a period of time and on an on-going basis.

Weight loss or weight gain diets restrict (reduce) or increase (add) the intake of specific foods, or food in general, to reduce or add to body weight. And, for a variety of reasons, it is apparent that most people find it very difficult to maintain significant weight loss or weight gain over time.

I believe that receiving adequate nutrition through a well-balanced diet is critical - from birth through your entire life. Extreme calorie or carbohydrate restriction, medication or unusual patterns of eating can be dangerous.

And what really constitutes "low" or "high" protein or carbohydrates really depends on what your reference point is. Some people regularly consume way more calories and carbs than others. When some people reduce their intake of carbs or calories, that reduction may not even be considered a "low carb or calorie" diet for others. So, the next time someone asks you if you're on a "low carb" diet, or a high protein diet or a low calorie diet, ask them ..."compared to what?"

Weight loss diets have been big business for many, many years. That tells me some people understand they need to loose weight - or they simply want to for one reason or another. But one of the major problems is that we want to do so immediately. That causes us to accept "extreme dieting," which may endanger our health and may also even guarantee we will fail to keep our weight off (or on) in the long run.

I am not a nutritionist nor a registered dietician nor am I an advocate for a specific diet. But I do believe to address the issue of weight (fat) most of us should ...

eat quality food (meaning limiting the "junk foods" that are high in those nasty fats and lack any nutritional value)

I also think we should "tortise" our efforts. Realize that it will take some time and prolonged motivation to reduce our body weight while staying healthy. By slowly "attacking" weight loss we can get the job done and have a better chance of keeping the weight off long term.

The "Low Carbohydrate Recipes Page is for those interested in tasty recipes that will help reduce your intake of carbs if you choose to do so.

Featured Recipe This Month

Roast New York Strip Loin
Why not? !!! Something extravagant this holiday for you, your family and your company. You, and they, deserve a treat - right? This recipe walks you through the process of how to cook a New York Strip Loin. Yummmy!

Who will be the fortunate people you share this special beef entree with?

One of the most important factors in preparing a high quality, nutritious, delicious meal is starting with quality ingredients. For beef recipes, buy organic - or at least buy naturally raised beef whenever possible.

Most good grocery stores are now handling such products. And if you plan several days in advance, you can always purchase naturally raised beef online.

The company I do most of my online beef shopping with is Montana Legend. I have tried other companies, but Montana Legend never disappoints. The service is outstanding, as well as the product. Give them a look. Stock up on quality beef for the holiday season!

What? No Time To Cook? Unfortunately we ALL run into this problem - sometimes more often than we like. There are also those friends and relatives who cannot join us for a Thanksgiving feast. Why not surprise them with a very special food gift? You can do it! Just click on A Gourmet Thanksgiving Dinner for Two. What a fantastically successful gift this would be for someone you love and/or appreciate. Check out GourmetStation.com. And for "What's Cookin'?" readers (that's you) GourmetStation.com sends you a complimentary PDF brochure on Wine And Pairing Wine With Food. Enjoy!

It's Also Gift-Giving Season!

I DO ENJOY the holidays. I love the decorations, the sounds of seasonal music, the smell of the trees and wreaths and the laughter of children all caught up with the idea that Santa will be visiting.

Sometime early in December, my sisters and sisters-in-law and I will visit the shops and seasonal activities in order to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer - and each others company. But we do very little actual shopping.

I personally do not like last-minute shopping. Some time ago I figured it out. Throughout the year, when I spot the perfect gift for someone, I purchase it and put it away until the time Santa is to visit. No more hurried pressure. I love this changed way of "doing business" and can now fully enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.

As I mentioned, when I am in stores throughout the year and see that perfect gift, I will buy it and save it. But much of my shopping is now done online, again - throughout the year. I save time, gas and the hazzle of the last minute shopping. I am also able to spread out the cost of gift-giving so I don't face large bills during and right after the holidays. This is a huge relief!

What I do order just before a special day are perishable food gifts such as natural beef, seafood -including lobster, or even gourmet dinners. These items have to arrive just before the time needed.

Gift baskets of various kinds are ordered and sent a week to ten days before that special day arrives so the recipients can enjoy the contents whenever they want during the holidays.

Part of my family LOVES to try salsas, hot sauces, dips and rubs. This year I am ordering several items for them from Salsa Express - a very special, family-owned and operated company.

Seafood Online - a variety of companies to choose from but look for wild seafood.

Gift Baskets From Just About Every Company You Can Think Of