Free tips to avoid Thanksgiving Cooking Disasters AND roast a Low calories turkey

Avoid Thanksgiving Cooking Disasters AND roast a Low calories turkey

First of all I want to wish my blog readers a happy Thanksgiving Day. On occasion of this I want to share you with Low calories turkey recipe and some tips to avoid Thanksgiving Cooking Disasters.

Evade Problems in the First Place

Here's the best piece of advice we can share to ensure your Thanksgiving dinner is a success: Plan. (Or more specifically, plan, plan and then double-check your plan.) Two weeks beforehand, plan the menu. From there, assemble all your recipes. Then, make a shopping list.




Make as much ahead as you can. Plot out your cooking activities for the big day and—most importantly—the day before. Make yourself an hour-by-hour agenda that includes prep and cooking time for every recipe. What can be made ahead? Pies and cranberry sauce, for instance, can be completely prepared and baked the day before. Chop any vegetables for your stuffing, seal them in plastic bags (better than containers when space is at a premium) and refrigerate. If you're making stuffing with fresh breadcrumbs, prep those on Wednesday.



Give the turkey a head-start. You can roast the turkey earlier and keep it nicely warm for up to an hour: Remove the roasting pan from the oven and transfer the bird to a big platter or tray. Wrap very tightly with foil, and then cover with a heavy bath towel until you're ready to carve and eat.

Whether you're a veteran of Thanksgiving meal preparation or this is your first big feast, here's one more sanity saver: Ask for help. Graciously accept any offers from friends or family members who want to contribute a dish to the meal. And when guests arrive on the holiday, don't hesitate to put folks to work in the kitchen. That's where people will want to hang out, anyway.

 

Common Thanksgiving Mishaps (and How to Fix Them)

So, despite your best planning, you run into a kitchen problem on Thanksgiving Day (we won't call it a disaster). Here's how to resolve some common issues.

1. The sliced turkey is very dry!

The key to avoiding dry turkey is in the preparation. Many home cooks prefer to brine the whole turkey before roasting (this involves soaking the bird in a solution of water, salt, herbs and spices for several hours or overnight). Others soak a large piece of cheesecloth in melted butter and drape that over the bird. Roasting a stuffed turkey can also cause dryness. Whichever cooking method you choose, follow your recipe or directions carefully, and don't over-cook. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness: the temperature should be 180 degrees when you insert the thermometer deep into the thigh.

2. The pie crust is browning too quickly

Use foil to cover the crust only. For a 9-inch pie, cut roughly 10-inch circle of foil. Fold the circle in half, and then cut out the center, yielding a 3-inch-wide ring of foil. Place that ring over the crust and continue baking.

3. The gravy is lumpy

Pour the gravy through a fine mesh strainer to remove any clumps of flour or cornstarch.

4. The potatoes are done too early

This one's easy. Go ahead and finish preparing the mashed potatoes. Transfer them to a greased baking dish, dot them with butter and cover tightly with foil. They can be kept warm (or later re-warmed) in a 325 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

If your turkey still winds up a bit on the dry side, then heat up about 1 cup of chicken stock or broth, pour that over the sliced meat in a baking dish and wrap tightly with foil. Warm the moistened turkey in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

What is final piece of advice for everyone?

Just Relax. No one at your holiday table will go hungry

How to roast a Low calories turkey

Tasty way to cut the calories, not the tradition of roasting turkey

Ingredients needed

1 Whole Turkey (12 pounds)

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups water

How to prepare low fat turkey

 

Nutritional

Amount per Serving

Calories: 203.4

Total Fat: 12.5 g

Cholesterol: 43.0 mg

Sodium: 1,155.5 mg

Total Carbs: 5.1 g

Dietary Fiber: 0.6 g

Protein: 17.3 g


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Clean turkey and place into a roasting pan with a lid.

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, dried basil, ground sage, salt and black pepper. Using a basting brush apply the mixture to the outside of the uncooked turkey. Pour water into the bottom of the pan and cover with the lid.

3. Bake for 3 to 3.5 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh measures 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).

4. Remove bird from oven and allow standing for about 30 minutes before carving.

Makes 15 servings

How to Celebrate Halloween 2013 on budget (frugal way)

Celebrate Halloween 2013 on budget

This is my second blog on Halloween 2013. In this blog you will find how to enjoy Halloween 2013 on low budget.




Here are some easy and free ideas to enjoy Halloween 2013 on low low budget.

1. Use Coupon for Halloween 2013 purchases

You should never purchase Halloween candy or treat for that matter without a manufacturer’s coupon discount. Match the coupon discount with a sale or in store special for double savings. Now is the time to look for go to these companies website Hershey, Nestle, Wrigley, Cadbury to get money saving coupons.

You can also find some coupon in amazon website.

a) Wendy Halloween coupon

Wendy’s is now offering its Halloween Coupon Books for 2013. For $1, get a booklet of 10 coupons for free Junior Frosty, which will be valid from November 1, 2012, to February 1, 2013, at Wendy’s.



These make a great treat for your special trick-or-treaters, grandkids, nieces/nephews and just to have around the house for a wintry treat. Plus, 90 cents of every $1 coupon book sold will benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

B) Use Amazon coupon to buy

Daily deals and special offers

1. Today deals - Gold box

2. Digital products - Ebooks, Android apps, Music deals

3. Amazon coupons page (can applied for exact products listed only)

4. Used products cheaper with Warehouse deals

c) McDonald’s Halloween Treat Pack Coupons 2013 Are Available

The McDonald’s Halloween Treat Pack Coupons are available for purchase! Check your local store to see if they are participating. The cost is $1.00 and you get (12) coupons. Four of each – FREE Apple Slices, Free Hamburger, Free Apple Juice Box or White Milk Jug and FREE ice-cream cone. They are for children 12 and under and you can redeem them November 1 – December 21, 2013. One per child visit. You can use them in the drive thru! I love these for after school snacks or special treats!

2. Cheap Cheesecloth Ghost decorations

This is a fun Halloween Craft for adults or older children. It can become a fun centerpiece or hanging decoration.

Supplies: Cheesecloth (can be purchased at Lowe’s), aluminum foil, sugar, warm water, quart jars, mixing bowls, spoons, squiggly eyes, hot glue gun, black ribbon.

Cut cheesecloth large enough to drape over a quart jar. It is suggested to use 2-4 layers per ghost for best results.

Place heavy-duty foil over a quart jar to make a ghost form.

Mix 2 cups warm water and 1 cup granulated sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Soak the cut cheese cloth pieces in the sugar mixture.

Squeeze excess sugar – water out of the cloth.

Drape the cheesecloth over the ghost form, and keep layering until you use all the pieces

Dry the “ghost” for 24 hours or until it’s completely dry. Remove from the form.

Add squiggly eyes and a ribbon with a hot glue gun

3. Cheap Paper Pumpkin decorations

This is a super fun and frugal craft to do with the kids.

Supplies: 2 pieces of orange paper, 1 piece of black construction paper, 1 piece of green construction paper, glue, yarn, scissors, 1 piece of white paper

Fold the 2 pieces of orange paper into a fan (accordion fold lengthwise). Glue together to create a circle. Use paper clips to hold ends while they dry. Cut out 2 white circles for eyes. Cut out black eyes, nose and mouth. Cut out a green stem. Glue all to the circle to create a pumpkin. Hole punch the top (behind the stem) and add yarn for hanging. Remove paper clips once dry.

Free tips for Teaching abroad, Making money and Enjoying life

Free Tips for Teaching English Abroad

This is my 8th blog on getting money for study and getting job. In this blog you will see how to get job in Teaching English Abroad.

If you have completed your four years of post-secondary education – big sigh of relief – no more heavy textbooks or endless course readings! No more exams to study for! But wait, with all of this newfound free time, what’s next? (You’ve probably noticed many of your older relatives have started asking you this stress-inducing question.) .Unfortunately, the job hunt after graduation can be quite demotivating initially. The “needs 3-5 years of experience” requirement is every graduate’s biggest headache. How do you get a job without experience and how do you get experience without a job? It’s enough to make an A student feel like a failure.

Before you give in to those feelings of despair – there are other options! Nobody said you had to graduate today and join the working world tomorrow. (Well, maybe your grandfather did.) But guess what! There are ways to hold on to your youth a little longer, feel like a success, and make money at the same time! Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. Why not consider teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) abroad?

If the thought of living in another country, immersing yourself in a different language, and experiencing a whole new way of life doesn’t send you running in the other direction, keep reading! This article will help you get started if you’re seriously considering overseas employment.

Read the tips below to figure out what steps you should take to get the ball rolling.

1. Get certified (6 weeks)

I don’t mean enrolling in a two-year teaching program. I’m talking about a six-week intensive Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certification program. Although packing six months of learning into six very short weeks can be a lot of work, when you’re eating fresh sushi on the Sea of Japan or lying on the beach mid-winter in Thailand, you’ll agree it was well worth it in the end. Be wary of online courses or those offering certification in a few short days. Also, try to sign up for a course that offers a teaching practicum at the end. Not only will you have some of that experience potential employers are looking for, you’ll also feel much more prepared that first day you walk into your classroom.

http://www.oxfordseminars.ca/

 

2. Seek out reputable ESL schools

Remember, you are heading overseas – far away from friends and family. You want to make sure that you are going to a real school in a safe location. Seeking out the help of a Canadian recruitment company you can trust means you know you’re signing up for the real thing. Not only that, a recruiter’s job is to help you along the way – from deciding which country is for you to setting up your interview with the overseas school to lending an ear if you’re feeling homesick once you’re there. Also, the more reputable the school, the more resources and support will be available to you – a definite plus for newbie teachers!

http://www.teachaway.com/

3. Learn the language of country

Although most overseas schools will tell you that you don’t need the language to get the job (in fact, in many cases they would prefer you don’t know the local language for fear you may use it in the classroom), I highly recommend that you learn some phrases before heading over. Imagine not being able to ask where the washroom or the local Starbuck’s is! And picture how much easier your life would be if you knew how to say “no” or “good job” to your students.

Heading overseas without any knowledge of the language can be pretty scary. Take it from me; I did just that when I first moved to Japan. It’s no surprise that my second, third, and fourth years teaching were much more rewarding; I could understand what my students were saying, and I could use Japanese to communicate if I deemed it absolutely necessary.

4. Get the right travel insurance before you go

Spending a year (or more) living overseas is not the same as going on a trip for a couple of weeks. If you are making another country your home away from home, your regular travel health insurance just won’t cut it. You need to consider both the possibility of medical emergencies and your everyday health needs. Travel insurance may cover you for an unexpected illness or injury, but you’ll need more comprehensive coverage for routine check-ups, visits to the dentist, mental health concerns, and more!

Finding the insurance you need to cover your ESL stint will be trickier than buying the regular stuff. Call the experts at Ingle International to find out what product you’ll need for your extended stay abroad. Or, if your future employer provides health coverage (some do!), you’ll still need travel insurance to cover you for the initial waiting period. Believe me, this is not the time to be cheap! You want to be as healthy as can be while living away from your English-speaking doctor and your mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup.

http://inglestudents.com/studentawards/contact/

5. Prepare for the effects of Culture Shock

Once you get the job offer, you’ll probably be totally stoked to make the big move. And that’s great! Remember, as wonderful as your overseas experience will be, there will also be some challenges to overcome. And, after the Honeymoon Phase wears off, you will have to deal with a nasty little thing called Culture Shock. Don’t assume it won’t happen to you – it’s a five-stage process that most travellers cannot avoid, and it’s unlikely to pass you by. Learn about it before you go, and come up with a plan for when those blues hit!

So you’ve graduated and it’s time to join the real world. And when reality hits, it can be anxiety-provoking or downright scary. But now that you have an ultra-cool plan in place, the next time someone asks you, “What’s next?” you’ll have the perfect answer: “I’m heading overseas to teach ESL

Hurry up for getting good online deals for Halloween stuff

Good online deals for Halloween stuff

This is my first blog on this year’s Halloween. In this blog I want you to give some ideas to save money on Halloween costumes and candy. If you can save some money you can spend this on Christmas. Let us see what the best places to save money for Halloween.

Happy Early Halloween to all my blog readers

Amazon Halloween Shop - Costumes, Candy

 

Amazon online store

This is also best online place to check out some good deals for all Halloween needs

 

Save money- online on EBay.

You can often pick up a lot of decorations for really cheap because a lot of people buy them wholesale and sell them for practically nothing.

Womens Superhero Halloween Costumes

Womens Devil Halloween Costumes

Womens Mermaid Halloween Costumes

Save money -shop at local Factory Card Outlet

They usually have a ton of Halloween decorations for a really good price. They have a number of things there that are really large and you can place it outside. Right now they have realistic looking humans that pull their heads off and all that great stuff. They should usually have at least three different aisles of Halloween decorations.

 

Save money -shop at Local Dollar store

You can purchase each Halloween decoration for only one dollar. The best one to go to is called Dollar Bills but you can check the others as well. Different craft stores might also have a good supply of Halloween decorations. Some decorations that you can pick up for really cheap are the ghost bags that you can hang from trees and the pumpkin bags that you can place leaves in. These two decorations will cost you around $4.00. That's a good way to decorate your home without spending a whole lot of money.

Save money -shop at WalMart

You can also swing by your local WalMart. They don't have a lot of decorations out right now at this time but you can find some things such as Halloween rugs and other small decor like scarecrows and yard decorations. WalMart has some really good prices and you can purchase a lot of different things for under $50. Unless you want to purchase a lot of stuff and they have a lot of things that blow up and you use air pumps. You can also find the witch here which looks like she's been smashed into a tree.

All you really need to do is check around at different places and then go back and purchase the items that you want. Don't go to one particular store and pay for a lot of overpriced decorations. Some of them will break and are a complete waste of money. You can also buy a lot of decorations after Halloween and get them about 50% off, which is very nice to do for next Halloween.