Holiday baking with kids is easier than you think
Looking for a low-cost activity that brings the family together and produces delicious results? Try introducing your children to baking. If you're looking for a place to start, consider Auntie Anne's At-Home Baking Kit, which includes pretzel dough mix, fixings like salt and cinnamon sugar to hand-twist and bake yummy soft pretzels at home. Here are a few examples of the types of meals and snacks you can prepare using the dough as your base:
Pretzels: What better way to start than with something simple and delicious? Twist into the classic pretzel bowtie or keep it simple with pretzel sticks. Coat sticks with cinnamon sugar for a sweet spin on a savory delight. Or for a fun activity for the kids, create numbers, letters and shapes with your pretzels.
Appetizers: Beef up your pretzels by wrapping dough around mini hot dogs for tasty pretzel dog bites. Or cut dough into small pieces, coat with salt and serve pretzel bites along with a variety of dipping sauces like queso and honey mustard.
Pizzas: Make mini crusts for each of your kids, lay out the toppings and let them go to town making the pie of their dreams. For more dough-based recipes, visit www.AuntieAnnesRecipes.com.
The fall brings beautiful new scents and sounds with crisp air, vibrant colors of leaves gently falling to the ground, crackling wood popping on campfires and the sweet smell of apples hovering in the kitchen.
To get the most enjoyment out of the fall months this year, venture out with your family and friends to enjoy some of these scents and sounds: * Apple and pumpkin picking *Celebrate your favorite sport, family activity or just tailgate at any outdoor setting with finger foods that are quick cooking and easy-to-pack. Save on the utensils and use Old London Melba Snacks as the key ingredient to add any topper or perfect scoop for dip. *Participate in a good cause. Fall is an excellent time to direct your energies and donations toward nonprofit organizations and charities. For example, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can participate in a fundraiser for any breast cancer organization or donate funds during this special month. Old London is helping to find a cure by donating $0.75 to Breast Cancer research for each proof of purchase from any Old London product received through Feb. 6, 2012. Enter the UPC at oldlondonfoods.com. * Get lost in a corn maze.
When the calendar turns to fall months, temperatures drop and local football teams come to mind. With the approach of the cooler weather, many of us also begin to yearn for the warmth of comfort foods like hearty soups and stews or freshly baked pies, but these traditional favorites need not be boring and unhealthy. A modern take on comfort foods uses what is fresh and available during the season, but also explores new ingredients and stretches your imagination to look at old ingredients or recipes in new ways.
It seems consumers can always manage to find a slew of excuses to celebrate the end of the year like Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's and even wrapping up Q4. Many individuals and families devote the holidays to visiting with friends and families or slipping away from the hustle and bustle for a little R and R, but the festive season is also known for eating. And lots of it. Turkey, hams, pies, pumpkins, stuffing, latkes, candy canes, chocolates, you name it, it is being consumed.
The approach of fall means different things in different parts of the country. While leaves begin turning from emerald to crimson in Maine, gardeners in Arizona may be just plotting out the vegetable garden. For nearly everywhere in the United States, however, the cooler temperatures and increased precipitation make for an ideal climate in which to give the grass some attention.
Pull that fleece jacket out of the back of the closet, order up a pumpkin-spice latte, and breathe in the crisp morning air. Yes, fall is here. And that means the trees are beginning their yearly transformation into blazing glory. And what better way to enjoy the show than to hop in the car, roll down the windows, and let the beautiful sights coast by. Here are the top scenic drives to see those vibrant leaves:
That first chilly autumn morning is the perfect reminder that when winter arrives it can be sudden, often leaving homeowners unprepared for the plumbing problems associated with cold weather. The number of frozen pipe claims nearly tripled nationally from 2008 to 2009, to more than 26,000 claims. This hassle and extra expense is easily prevented with a couple hours worth of weekend chores or a quick call to your local plumber.
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