Saturday, December 1, 2012
A post-Thanksgiving sinus infection inspires Sally Higginson to play favorites with her food, and it's not the leftovers she's craving, but a box of Lipton's chicken soup.
Face it: everyone has favorites. All those kids who begged to know from their parents if they were the most beloved child? They got answered with the stock parental line, “Your father and I don’t have a favorite. We love all of our children equally.” Lies, lies, lies. There is a preferential order to everything. I thought about this the other day, as I shoved the ninth load of post-Thanksgiving laundry into my front-loading washing machine. “I love you,” I murmured to the white enamel Maytag. “You’re my favorite appliance.” Let the dryer or freezer or dishwasher hear my declaration of love. I don’t care. It’s true. I love my washing machine the most. It’s my favorite appliance, disposal be damned. What caught me off-guard, however, was …
Saturday, November 24, 2012
What’s the ideal game for a group of psychotically competitive people ranging in age from 15 to 81? Read this week's column to find out.
Here’s what Thanksgiving traditionally brings to mind: an appreciation for family, stuffing, turkey, football, pie and Alka-Seltzer. This year, however, my waist and my reference points for the holiday have expanded. This year I’m adding thanks for grilled chestnuts and turkey necks, a balmy walk to Rosewood Beach followed by a rain-soaked dash home, and the introduction into my life of Gresham’s Law, oik, konak, hendeca, Zonda and tierce. That’s right. Three historic things happened at my parents’ house this Thanksgiving. First, sixteen of us sat around the family room after dinner and played a game. Second, nobody cheated. And third, nobody cried. We are growing up. So what’s the ideal game for a group of psychotically competitive people…
Friday, November 23, 2012
The answers to Thursday's pop culture quiz may give you some movie suggestions for the holiday weekend.
And the answers to Patch's Thanksgiving Pop Culture Quiz are: Congratulations to Joan Burny for getting all the answers right!
Share your best recipes for the day after.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here's some arts-flavored trivia about famous Thanksgiving movie and television scenes. Can you figure them out?
There are some movies that have holiday dinners you'd be thrilled to be a part of, and some you'd be relieved to never have to see again. Every bit of the "Christmas Vacation" dinner is pretty brutal to watch even before Chevy Chase cuts into a gross, flatulent turkey. But a chance to sit down and eat and drink with the Big T from "The Sopranos" could be interesting as long as you don't make him angry. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Patch has assembled some trivia questions for those of you that like movies and television as much as you like turkey. The answers will be posted on Friday, along with as many Thanksgiving-flavored YouTube clips that can be assembled. Leave your answers in the comments, along with your favorite pop culture …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Registered Dietitian Bob Carrara offers suggestions on cutting back on unwanted calories and fat.
It’s no secret that many Americans tend to overindulge on Thanksgiving Day. The average adult will consume more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving, according to the Caloric Control Council.That’s more than twice the amount of calories and triple the amount of fat most of need in a 24-hour period. There are ways to enjoy a traditional meal without ruining your diet plans. Registered Dietitian Bob Carrara with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital’s Diabetes Care Center has some simple suggestions to trim the fat. Carrara says to stick with white meat turkey instead of dark, and when possible, swap out a healthier version of a traditional side dish. Some suggestions include making baked sweet potatoes instead of sweet …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Share your best recipes for the day after.
Dinner’s done and the only thing more stuffed than the bird is you. Now the question becomes: What to do with all those leftovers? While many say simple reheating is all that’s necessary to have a “day after” feast, others have elaborate recipes for turning Thanksgiving leftovers into gourmet delights. From savory turkey soups to sinfully delicious pot pies and mile-high sandwiches, everyone has their own ideas on what to do with what’s leftover. The Food Network even has an entire recipe collection dedicated to the topic. We’d prefer to hear from you! What are your favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes? Share them in the comments section.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Maybe you forgot cranberry sauce. Or your turkey fell in a toilet. Or you're still hungry.
Imagine the perfect Thanksgiving. Yeah, mine doesn't look like that either. It can be a stressful holidays for some people, and unforseen disaster is always looming. So if something goes wrong and you need to run to a store, this list of local grocery stores might help.
Do you bake a mean apple pie? Have you invented a new and delicious twist on stuffing? Give a recipe and share one with your neighbors around Chicagoland.
It's that time of year again — time to give thanks, celebrate the season in good company and bring out those tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes. Patch wants to know about those dishes that always have a place on your Thanksgiving table and those that are making their debut this year. Have a creative spin on cranberry sauce? Are you known for famous stuffing that friends and relatives talk about long after all the Turkey Day leftovers have been gobbled up? This is your opportunity to find out what your neighbors are cooking. Give a recipe and get one from your neighbors. If you have a recipe you would like to share, post it in the comments below or upload a PDF to this story. Feel free to include a short history of how the recipe came to …
Friday, November 16, 2012
Keep the kids amused and Mom and Dad sane while traveling this Thanksgiving
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sue Kirchner
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Friday, November 16, 2012
Heading out to see the relatives this Thanksgiving? Before you travel over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house, check out these sanity-saving tips to make your ROADTRIP stress-free and even fun. (If you are flying instead of driving, check out my tips on How to Have Fun at the Airport with Kids in Tow.) Tip: Make a List Make a list of everything you'll need on the trip for everyone in the family. If it's on the list, you won't forget it. To make it easier, download a free Family Vacation Packing List and then add your unique items. Tip: Plan the route ahead of time. By taking a little time up front to plan the route including places to stop for bathroom breaks or energy stops, you might feel a little more in control …
LaVerne
4:27 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I hear some of the Jewel Stores will have TWINKIES tomorrow for the last time more ›