Don't hog the stuffing!

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Kelly Diamond

With ~~THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER CREATED~~ Thanksgiving coming up in just a few short days, I think it”s obvious that my mind is wrapped around one thing: food. While I love turkey more than any meat, there is one thing that I just can never seem to get enough of each year — STUFFING. Stuffing is so delicious, it should be its own food group. And if your family is anything like mine, stuffing is one hot commodity come turkey day. You better be the first to get a good helping because if not, you”re out of luck! And in honor of my favorite side dish (or in some cases, DINNER), I thought it would be a great time to look at some different versions of stuffing. Because in my own opinion, you can just never have enough!

All of these recipes can be found on the Thanksgiving section of the Food Network website. If you haven”t seen it yet, be sure to take a look! They have a bunch of great tips and how-to”s. Here are some yummy stuffing recipes, just an example of what you”ll find on the website!

CLASSIC STUFFING

Yum yum yum! You can never go wrong with traditional bread stuffing. Fresh onion and celery is a must! Some people like to bake their stuffing in individual muffin tins, which is a cute idea — not so practical for myself and my usual mountain of stuffing each holiday, but to each their own!

BOURBON-PECAN STUFFING

I”m a big fan of pecans and I love all types of foods containing them. This bourbon-pecan stuffing sounds awesome! It also contains pears — basically it”s a classic stuffing with a little kick. It adds a little jazz to the Thanksgiving table while still keeping tradition!

APPLE-FENNEL STUFFING

What better way to celebrate the end of the Fall season than to incorporate apples into everything? This apple-fennel stuffing is obviously no exception. Perfect for apple fanatics that want to embrace Fall in every way possible, especially on the greatest holiday of the year! This recipe includes cranberries, too. Yummy!

BACON-RICE STUFFING

I love bacon, as does most of the world. While this stuffing goes a little off-tradition, it”s still a great option to have on the table next to the classic stuffing. Who doesn”t love a little variety? This recipe includes a pound of bacon and chopped chestnuts … get in my belly.

SPINACH-SAUSAGE CORNBREAD STUFFING

Take cornbread stuffing, add crumbled sausage, spinach and some parmesan cheese. What do you get? Spinach-Sausage Cornbread Stuffing. Oh my .. I really don”t know what other word to use to describe this stuffing other than FANTASMICAL. Yeah, I used fantasmical. Pretty sure this recipe is worthy of the title, though. Just saying.

For more awesome stuffing recipes, view Food Network”s list of 50 Mix & Match Stuffings. Yes, FIFTY. LOVE IT!

Are you a stuffing fanatic, too?

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When Storms Rain Down, Shoppers Stock Up [INFOGRAPHIC]

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Nichole Magoon

A little over a month ago, Hurricane Irene made landfall along the Eastern Coastline, causing over $10.5 billion dollars in damage. Here in Vermont, the home state of Social Grocery, many towns, businesses, and people are still cleaning up the mess it left behind. Our parent company, MyWebGrocer, took a look at its online sales data and found that many consumers were stocking up prior to Hurricane Irene”s landfall. So, we give you our “Preparing for Hurricane Irene” infographic.

(click image for a larger version.)

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4 ways to get a good night's sleep

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Kelly Diamond

If you read my post yesterday, you would know that I”m not the best sleeper. I”ve tried many things and nothing has seemed to work. If you can relate, don”t lose hope! I”ve done my research and found four new things to try that will hopefully ease our sleeping issues so we can finally get some well-deserved snooze time.

HAVE A SNACK

Okay, I know what you must be thinking, and no I am not saying to eat a huge meal before bed. The truth is that foods that are high on the glycemic index (foods that raise your blood sugar levels) can help make you sleepy. Such foods include french bread, saltine crackers, mashed potatoes, watermelon and honey. So next time you lather up that baguette with honey while watching your favorite evening drama, don”t feel so bad. Your body will thank you later!

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy. When I think of aromatherapy, I think of those fancy bath salts and soaps — not so much my sleeping patterns. But it”s true. Lavender is used as a way to help people relax before bedtime. So next time you”re feeling the need for sleep, add some lavender to your nighttime bath. Or perhaps buy a lavender air freshener. You can also look into lavender herbal pillows.

YOGA / DEEP BREATHING

By practicing yoga, you help to eliminate stress levels in your body. The relaxation that comes from yoga is helpful when its time to hit the hay. In addition, deep breathing before bedtime can also help put your body and mind into a relaxing state. If you”re not a yoga fan, even slight meditation or counting down (yes, count your sheep!) before bed are good practices to experiment with.

RELAXING MUSIC

I will admit, I have used this remedy before and it”s definitely worked for me. And no, it doesn”t need to be classical music. But listening to a soothing playlist definitely helps calm your nerves and slowly drift into dreamland. I personally enjoy listening to a little Mumford & Sons, Brandi Carlile and Adele before bed. It all depends on your tastes, but definitely worth a try!

Hopefully these few tips will help us all get a little extra snooze. If not, there”s always night caps and sleeping masks. To each his own!

What”s your before-bed routine? Share with us:

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10 (Surprising) Foods That Induce Happiness

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Nichole Magoon

It”s National Smile Week, and in order to smile (truthfully) we have to boost up our happiness levels. Sounds easy, right? With the help of these 10 foods (and many, many more) we can increase our happiness just a tad more this week. Now we all know the usual — chocolate, nuts — blah blah blah. Here are some different options for you, while slightly surprising, these yummy foods are a tad easier to fit into your weekly meal calendar — unless you really want to eat chocolate and nuts all week, then power to you!

1. HUMMUS

Hummus serves as a great source of protein and fiber. Its slow release of glucose to the body helps maintain blood sugar control — creating less of a risk of depression. Grab some pita chips and dip away!

2. SALMON

Oily fish, like salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids which help to lift your mood. Not to mention, it”s good for your heart and brain, too! Grill ”er up!

3. BREAD

Who doesn”t love CARBS? While an overkill of carbs can be a bit much, carbs in moderation help to increase serotonin levels in the body, which can in turn help calm us down and promote other body functions. If you”re freaked out by carbs, choose healthier carbs such as wheat bread, brown rice and vegetables to get your serotonin.

4. PARSLEY

Who needs Red Bull? Parsley contains amino acid L-glutamine, which helps increase your concentration and elevates your brain”s energy levels. Add fresh parsley to your dishes for a nice kick — literally!

5. BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C — these work together to help attack stress levels. Add these to your morning oatmeal or yogurt to start the day stress free.

6. COTTAGE CHEESE

Cottage cheese is a great source of tryptophan, which helps battle depression levels. In addition, trytophan in the body can help guarantee you a better night”s sleep. Maybe consider some cottage cheese and crackers for your next after-dinner snack?

7. GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit contains folic acid, which is crucial for oxygen to get to the brain. Try grapefruit with a sprinkle of sugar, or even grilled.

8. SESAME SEEDS

Sesame seeds serve as one of the best sources of amino acid threonine. It has been found that people with depression have low levels of threonine, so adding sesame seeds into your diet certainly won”t hurt! Add these seeds to salads, marinades, stir frys, dressings and baked goods.

9. GINSENG TEA

Ginseng tea has so many benefits — resistance to stress, helps with circulation, improvement of mental functions, reduces the risk of several types of cancer, helps control blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes, and helps resistance to the common cold. We know that you”re getting a cup ready right now! Add some honey for a nice, smooth experience.

10. LIQUORICE

Liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which helps to break down cortisol, helping the body deal with stress better. Satisfy your sweet tooth and increase your mood at the same time. Perfection!

What are foods that make you feel happy? Share with us on SocialGrocery.com and our Facebook page.

Cheers!

Fridge Notes

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