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Spices play an important part in making delicious meals. They give our foods distinct flavor and aroma. Did you know that certain winter spices can give your body warmth? Here are just a few that can help steer off that down to the bone chill winter so graciously offers.

Cinnamon – This winter spice is used often for its distinctive taste and smell. Add a cinnamon stick to a hot beverage. Ground cinnamon is a great topping for toast, oatmeal and fruit. Cinnamon also finds it way into baked foods, chili and soup. Cinnamon can be used as a natural sweetener for applesauce. Diabetics can use this winter spice to help reduce blood sugar levels along with triglycerides and cholesterol.

Ginger – Ginger not only warms a cold body, but is also quite healthy. This spice is known for having powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Many use this spice to help with migraine headaches, arthritis and nausea. Ginger can be added to soups, to top vegetables or sprinkled over meats to give them a tangy flavor. It can also give tea a zesty bite.

Cloves – Cloves have a unique taste. They are often used when roasting meats to give the meat a full flavor. Hams are especially tasty when topped with cloves. This spice can be used in teas or baked foods. Cloves are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric – This Indian spice is usually found in powder form. It adds flavor to soups, stews and chili. It can be used when roasting meats and is often found in pasta sauce. Scientific studies have shown that turmeric not only warms the body but can also help in protecting the body against cancer. Turmeric has been used for treating stomach ulcers and relieving free radical stress in people suffering inflammation.

Cardamom – In experimental studies cardamom has been shown to prevent cancer and help in detoxifying the liver. Cardamom is often used in conjunction with cinnamon. Teas, ciders and flavored hot waters are enhanced by cardamom. Cardamom can also be used when flavoring foods with cloves to enhance the flavors and aroma.

Pepper – Just the sound of pepper warms a body. Pepper is a strong spice often used when cooking bland dishes. This spice gives a pungent flavor to almost any food. Adding a little extra pepper instead of salt to your foods can be both a warming and healthy benefit. Pepper is also said to be helpful to those who have asthma.

These are just a few of the winter spices that will help head off that cold winter chill. Add them to any of your favorite foods. The taste and smell are sure to warm the body and comfort the soul.




Who says that you have to go out to have fun on New Year’s Eve? If it is just the immediate family this year, that’s alright. Here are five ways that you can welcome the New Year and have a few laughs at the same time.

Holidays are about making memories. On the last day of a year you’ll never see again think of ways that you can share it with those who mean the most to you.

1. Watch some movies. There will certainly be enough time before midnight for everyone to throw a movie they like into the mix. You can give your movie night a theme. Choose a variety of movies celebrating other holidays in the year. You’ll have scary, funny, romantic, dramatic and jingle bells thrown in for good measure. How’s that for eclectic?

2. Play board games. On a regular night it might be hard to get everyone together to have a family game night. But, on this night, everyone is at home. Bring back a little of those childhood years with games like Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders (that’s a really old one), Sorry! And Life. For a large family, set up more than one game station so everyone can play what they like.

3. Play team games. This is when people traditionally play charades, drawing games and others. Divide into teams and see who can put on the best game face. Keep changing teams so that each family member gets to be on a team with each other. You can also make up your own games like a team scavenger hunt throughout the house.

4. Reminisce with old pictures. Who is that kid in the plaid pants and butterfly collar shirt? It might be you. Use this time to bond as a family. Go through old photo albums and remember times gone by. There may be a few pictures of folks you don’t remember. Or, there could be some interesting stories that are told just from a photo. Before you know it, everyone’s sides will threaten to burst from laughter.

5. Make a dessert. All this other fun may make you want to feed your sweet tooth. For those who want to, let them make a dessert for the family to try. The more desserts you have, the more yummy goodness you can enjoy.

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? These five ideas offer fun for the family who wants to spend time celebrating together.


It’s that time again. One year gone and another fast approaches. If you are used to being the party host, mix things up this year with a New Year’s Eve theme party.

What is a theme?

A theme party is one that is based around a certain idea. It can be something related to the holiday or something totally different. It is all up to you.

Theme parties are fun because everyone gets to participate. All of your guests can wear a costume and come ready to have fun.

Theme Ideas

Well, there are a million ideas that would be appropriate for a party. Now, some stick with a traditional theme for New Year. How about the Roaring Twenties? Your guests can dress as Dapper Dan or a sultry flapper.

What about a 60s party? You’d be surrounded by flower power and long hair all evening but to each his own. The idea is to make the party one that your guests won’t want to miss.

Theme Decorating

When you choose your theme, you will want the guests to feel like they have walked into that time. If your theme is “disco boogie,” be sure that there is at least one disco ball hanging from your ceiling. You can forgo the lit dance floor if you don’t have room, but it would be a conversation piece!

The Kids

Don’t forget the younger set that is joining you for the party. They may not appreciate the 60s or the disco era, so give them the opportunity to have their own theme represented at the party. Your kids can come up with ideas for their generation. It doesn’t have to match the adults since they will be celebrating in a different space.

Contests

Everyone will be dressed in their best to try and become the belle and beau of the ball. Come up with contest categories: Best Dressed, Most Authentic, Funniest Costume, and etcetera. So everyone can participate, type out ballots with the contest categories and let the guests vote for their choices. And yes, they can vote for themselves. There is one stipulation: Kids vote for kids and adults for adults.

The prizes can also be themed. Choose something appropriate for each group like a lava lamp for a 60s or disco party and a pair of binoculars for a Dora and Diego kid’s party.

Who says that a New Year’s Eve party has to be just dresses and suits? A theme party adds a new dimension to the affair. Both kids and adults will want to get in on the fun that goes along with wearing costumes.