Feast without Frenzy: Put People to Work

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For whatever reason, I often feel like I have to do everything myself when guests gather—plan, cook, serve, clean (alright, I admit, Christopher does that). But the truth is, involving others in the meal makes them feel even more welcome, more at home. Here are five strategies for putting people to work during the holidays in a way that will bring cheer to all.

Feast without Frenzy: Make Ahead

The big day is drawing near and, if you’re like me, so is family. In this series, we’ve talked about planning ahead, freezing ahead and keeping it light. Our next strategy for enjoying time together instead of toiling endlessly in the kitchen is making certain dishes ahead.

Where’s Your Beef Been?

It used to be simple. You’d hear “Beef: It’s what’s for dinner®,” grab a steak, a roast or some burger, cook it and eat it. No questions, no fuss. But then different messages started cropping up and a seed of concern and confusion is planted, about how the beef you’re eating affects the health of your family, the health of the earth. Here’s a guide to understanding the jargon so that you can decide what’s for dinner.

Feast without Frenzy: Freeze It

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One of the easiest ways to free up time once house guests arrive is to have an arsenal of frozen meals already prepared. And I don't mean Birdseye. I’m talking chili, soups, braises, grains, pulses and even meat like pork carnitas and duck confit. Here are three tips for scrumptious freezer meals.

Feast Without Frenzy: Plan Ahead

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Mention the phrase “meal plan” and you’ll likely hear a litany of reasons for why there's no time. Yet even fifteen minutes can help you set a simple framework that will make your holiday feasts less stressful. Here are three steps to crafting a plan.

7 Super Sustainable Seafood Picks – 2009

As grateful as I am for the seafood guides out there, I wanted a short list of sustainable fish that were healthy and easy to understand so I could still choose wisely if I was caught without my pocket guide. So here they are: Nourish Network's Seven Super Sustainable Seafood Picks.

Get a New Grain: Oats

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With all the different types of oats out there it can get confusing. Is one superior to the other? Is one healthier than another? Here’s the simple scoop . . .

Making Leftovers Lovable

Leftovers have an inherent challenge built into them. "Make me as inspiring as I was yesterday," they seem to say. Once you've done the reheat and the sandwich, though, then what? Here are three ways I've learned over the years to live up to leftovers' dare.

A Story of Heritage Turkey

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Turkey is the iconic American bird. The species is native to the Americas, but many of the breeds that populated our country’s agricultural landscape throughout the centuries were a mix of indigenous wild turkeys and domesticated ones bred in Europe from stock originally exported from the New World. To me, though, turkeys are a living illustration of how much our country’s food culture has changed in the past fifty years. Read on for more of the story . . .