Family * Travel * Food

Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes from The Mixer

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to spend quality time with your loved ones, enjoying tasty food and family traditions. When you’ve gone to the trouble of cooking up a feast, you’ll want delicious drinks to match. 

The best thanksgiving cocktails are easy to serve when hosting a crowd. The kitchen gets busy, so choose drinks that suit your time frame. Also, serve cocktails that pair well with your Thanksgiving menu. Here is our ultimate pick of incredible drinks to serve this holiday season without going into a complete tailspin on Turkey Day!



Kir Royale


This French Champagne cocktail (aka Kir Royale) is a New York City favorite and an incredibly simple cocktail to master. You’ll wonder why you’ve waited all this time to try one! 


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz blackcurrant liqueur

  • 6 Oz Champagne


Method


  1. Pour creme de cassis in a champagne glass

  2. Top with Champagne and serve!



Apple Butter Old Fashioned

An Apple Butter Old Fashioned cocktail is packed with the inviting flavors of warm apple pie. Made with real apple butter (just like mama used to make), this fall Old Fashioned drink is perfect as an indulgent drink with your bourbon-loving friends. For this recipe, you’ll be making your own apple butter. Don’t worry, it’s super simple to make because YOLO! And it’s downright delicious. If you have leftovers, you can add it to cheese platters, use it as a glaze for that roast beef dinner or dollop it onto pancakes. Yum!


Hot tip: “Contrary to what the name suggests, apple butter does not contain any butter. It’s basically just a fancy name for apples that have been pureed, spiced and cooked down to give them a butter-like texture. It is easy to make and store in your fridge. Use it in cocktails, to spread on toast, as a glaze on meat or add it to your morning oats.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz of Apple cider 

  • 0.5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon

  • 2 tablespoon of apple butter 

  • Dash of orange bitters 

  • Juice of half a lemon 

  • Ginger beer (to top your glass) 

  • Coarse cinnamon sugar and simple syrup, for rimming 

  • Thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon stick, to garnish

 

Instructions


  1. Pour some simple syrup on a plate and some coarse cinnamon sugar on another

  2. Dip the rim of your cocktail glass into the syrup and then into the sugar, twisting to coat, before adding ice cubes to the glass 

  3. Combine the apple cider, apple butter, Wild Turkey, lemon juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker and give it a dry shake (in other words, a shake without ice) 

  4. Shake vigorously until properly combined then strain into your prepared cocktail glass

  5. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice on the rim to serve


Hot Toddy


Looking for warming thanksgiving drinks that are easy to make? A Hot Toddy is an ideal drink as you can let the crockpot do all the work - another thing you can tick off the to-do list!


Ingredients (per person)


  • 2 Oz Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey

  • 0.25 Oz Fresh lemon juice

  • 2 Teaspoons brown sugar

  • 5 Cloves

  • Sliced lemon

  • Boiling water  


Method


  1. Take a slice of lemon, press the cloves into the lemon round and set aside 

  2. Boil water and fill a mug to the three-quarter mark

  3. Pour in the whiskey and lemon juice and stir in the sugar until dissolved

  4. Add the clove-studded lemon wheel and allow to infuse

  5. Serve in a warmed mug



Mexican Coffee Cocktail


Also known as a Carajillo, this is a classic coffee cocktail that you can make with just a few ingredients. The tequila gives this coffee a decent kick, and the coffee liqueur balances out the flavor and adds sweetness.  


Ingredients (per person)


  • 1.5 Oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado

  • 1 Oz coffee liqueur

  • 5 Oz freshly brewed coffee

  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream (optional)

  • a dusting of cocoa powder, cinnamon or cayenne pepper (optional)


Method


  1. Pour the tequila and coffee liqueur into a mug

  2. Top up with freshly brewed coffee

  3. Garnish with whipped cream and dusting of your choice, if you want



Bourbon Apple Cider


This spiced cocktail is exactly what you need to warm up your guests on a cold night. This is a full-flavor cocktail, and the sourness of the lemon balances beautifully with the sweet notes of caramel, vanilla and apple.


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey 

  • 0.5 Oz of apple cider 

  • 0.5 Oz of Cinzano Vermouth Rosso 

  • 0.5 Oz of lemon juice 

  • 0.5 Oz of orange bitters 

  • Apple slices to garnish 

  • A sprig of thyme to garnish 

  • Ice

 

Method


  1. Add ice to a large mixing glass or cocktail shaker

  2. Pour in the bourbon, cider, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and bitters

  3. Stir until chilled (about 30 seconds)

  4. Strain into any cocktail glass of your choice

  5. Garnish with a few apple slices and a sprig of thyme

 

Hot Pumpkin Pie Cocktail


If you love the taste of a pumpkin spice latte, then choose this cocktail as the star of your Thanksgiving feast this year. Serve your Hot Pumpkin Pie cocktails in warmed mugs, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. As an extra treat, you can serve baked pumpkin pie crusts on the side for some decadent dipping.


Hot tip: “Make pumpkin-infused vodka by mixing together pumpkin puree and spice, with ½ cup of vodka in a large jar. Seal and keep in the fridge for three days before using, shaking it a few times a day.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)


Ingredients (for 6 people)


  • 2 cups of Irish cream 

  • ½ a cup vanilla or pumpkin pie vodka 

  • 4 cups of milk 

  • 0.67

  • 1 can of pumpkin puree 

  • 1.5 teaspoons of pumpkin spice 

  • Whipped cream 

  • Cinnamon 

  • Strips of baked pumpkin pie crust to garnish, optional

 

Method


  1. Add the Irish cream, vodka, and milk to a pot  

  2. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to a slow simmer

  3. Stir through pumpkin puree and spices until mixed through 

  4. Ladle into warmed glass mugs

  5. Dollop over some whipped cream

  6. Dust with cinnamon

  7. Serve with baked pumpkin pie crusts for dipping

 

Visit www.themixer.com for more cocktail inspiration.


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How To Prevent Your Turkey From Looking Pale Without Overcooking It

We've all seen it all over social media. The curse of the pale turkey. It's not pretty at all. I admit that I panic every year when it comes to roasting a turkey. I have finally gotten a good handle on how to bake it to the perfect crisp, golden brown while making sure it's super juicy, and fully cooked.
This post contains affiliate links. We will receive a small commission off of any sales made.

My first bit of advice it to ditch the baking bags or aluminum foil to cover the entire bird. Using either of those steams your turkey, and sometimes makes for a chewy, rubbery texture. The entire process really comes down to using the correct oven temperature, as well as baking your turkey with an oven-safe meat thermometer.

Here is the simple breakdown of what I do 

Start with a fresh or fully thawed turkey. Remove the giblets and neck, and discard. Next,  wash the turkey with citrus juice (usually lemon or lime) inside and out. Rinse it well, and dry with paper towels. I use a heavy turkey roasting pan with a rack so that the turkey sits up higher, and the underside gets brown as well. Heat your oven to 325 degrees.

I blend together a small bowl of dry seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, Complete seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, and a variety of dried herbs. I sprinkle the seasoning blend all over the outside of the turkey, as well as the cavity, and under the skin of the breast. I also rub some room temperature butter under the skin of the breast, and all over the bird. Next, you tuck your wings under the back, and insert your meat thermometer in the deepest part of the breast. Place your turkey on the rack breast side up, and pour one can of chicken or vegetable stock in the bottom of roasting pan. I also add some rough chopped onion and celery on bottom of roaster, and inside the cavity for extra flavor.

Now you place turkey in preheated oven and leave it for the first hour. Baste with the drippings from the bottom of pan every 30 minutes until your thermometer reaches the correct temperature for turkey which is 190 degrees. I tend to loosely cover the breast area and wings with foil to prevent over browning. For a turkey between 15-18 pounds, it should take around 3 and 3/4 to 4 hours to fully cook. When you remove your turkey from oven, cover completely with foil and let it rest for a good 15-20 minutes before carving. I use the drippings to make homemade gravy.

If you are planning to roast a turkey this holiday season, follow these directions. You will have a perfectly juicy, golden-brown masterpiece you will feel proud to serve your family and guests. I freeze the drumsticks, and wings for later use to make soup. I hope you and your family have a great holiday season! Thanks for stopping by.



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Score a $5 Frozen Honeysuckle Turkey at BI-LO!

Special promotion runs from Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 22


WHAT:  BI-LO is helping customers prepare for Thanksgiving by kicking-off a new, fresh holiday offer, featuring ANY size of Frozen Honeysuckle White Turkey for $5 each with a qualified grocery purchase of $30 or more, while supplies last. Customers will have the opportunity to pick out their own personal high-quality, Grade A turkey from a variety of sizes, all for one low price.

WHEN:  Now until Sunday

WHERE:  All BI-LO stores.


***Friday Nov. 20 through Sunday Nov. 22 only. Limit one per transaction, per customer. No rain checks. While supplies last. Reward Card required. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum $30.00 purchase, not including turkey, required before taxes. $30 purchase also excludes alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pharmacy prescriptions, fees, FTD, charity, Western Union, shipping, utility payments, fuel service departments, vending machine, bottle deposits/refunds, event tickets or lottery.
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3 Doggy Health Hazards to Avoid on Turkey Day

Every year, countless dogs head to the vet after Thanksgiving -- many suffering from digestive problems and canine pancreatitis -- because they've eaten things they really shouldn't.

So how can you say "Bone Appetit" to Fido on Thanksgiving while still keeping your hungry hound happy and healthy?

According to canine health and wellness experts at Milk-Bone, dog parents can start by avoiding these Top 3 major doggy health hazards:

1.  DOGGY HAZARD #1:  LEFT OUT LEFTOVERS
Many dogs get sick not from being fed directly but because they climb up on the table and eat huge quantities of food when humans aren't there.

2.  DOGGY HAZARD #2:  FOOD NO-NOS
Don't give your dog turkey skin, turkey or poultry bones, onions, grapes, raisins, fatty foods, or other holiday items that are harmful or toxic to dogs.

3.  DOGGY HEALTH HAZARD #3:  DENTAL DAMAGERS
Avoid plastic bones, ice cubes, antlers, and bully sticks -- all of which can cause painful doggy tooth fractures.


Get some great tips for your dog's health from this useful infographic provided by Milk-Bone . We wish you and your pup a Happy Woofgiving!
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5 Thanksgiving Turkey Carving Tips (Do's and Don’ts)


46 Million Turkey dinners are expected to be served on Thanksgiving.  But cooking is only half the battle. The taste can take a turkey turn downward if you don't slice your bird the right way. 

Dennis Snuszka, Vice President of Food & Beverage at dining destination TooJay’s Deli ( www.toojays.com ) has the must do's and don’ts to make sure you carving and serving of the feature Thanksgiving item is perfect.
  
1)    Don’t Cut Too Soon. Allow the roast turkey to rest 30 minutes before carving. This allows all of the natural juices to redistribute throughout the meat to prevent the turkey from drying out.

2)   Separation is a Good Thing.  Separate the leg from the breast by running a boning knife through the skin between the two. Continue to cut in a downward direction until you reach the thigh joint and carefully separate as you push the leg away from the frame. Cut off drumstick and serve it whole. Place thigh on to a cutting board and slice through the meat on either side of bone straight down

3)  Slicing the Right Size.   Using a slicer knife use the full length of the blade to cut slices no more than a ½” thick starting from the outside of the breast and moving towards the center or breastbone. 

4)  Again and Again.   Repeat these steps until the entire bird has been sliced. Remove the wings from the frame with a boning knife in the same way you removed the leg from the breast. 

5)   Boil and Go.  Make sure that the turkey gravy is brought up to a boil before serving to reheat the sliced turkey.

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IHOP Holiday Menu Available Until Jan 3

Families and friends coming together at IHOP® Restaurants can enjoy the tastes of the season with new holiday items and returning holiday favorites to the menu, starting November 9.

In addition to the return of the seasonal favorite Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes, guests can indulge in IHOP restaurant’s newest innovation: Banana Bread French Toast which brings the warm, beloved taste of rich banana bread grilled in vanilla French Toast batter and topped with the sweetness of caramel sauce.
Pumpkin is one of the most popular flavors of the holiday season, and this year, IHOP restaurants is giving pumpkin lovers a host of new dishes to choose from, including: Pumpkin Spice Waffles, Chicken & Pumpkin Spice Waffles or Pumpkin Waffle Sundaes.

Guests can also enjoy holiday beverages from IHOP restaurants, including Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate and Pumpkin Coffee. And friends and family can come to IHOP for the traditional holiday lunch or dinner of Roasted Turkey with all the favorite trimmings.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, participating IHOP restaurants throughout the country will be decked out in festive IHOP branded decorations and playing holiday music to provide the perfect backdrop for a wonderful holiday meal.



These menu items will be available at participating IHOP restaurants from now through January 3
·NEW Banana Bread French Toast - Banana bread with cinnamon bits, dipped in our vanilla French toast batter, then grilled and topped with caramel sauce, powdered sugar and whipped topping.

·NEW Pumpkin Spice Waffle - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, sprinkled with pumpkin spice sugar and whipped topping.

·NEW Chicken & Pumpkin Spice Waffle - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, topped with pumpkin spice sugar and candied pecans. Served with all white meat crispy chicken.

·NEW Pumpkin Waffle Sundae - Our Belgian waffle made with real pumpkin, topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans and pumpkin spice sugar.

·NEW Roasted Turkey & Fixings - Sliced roasted turkey breast topped with warm gravy.  Served with cornbread stuffing, Parmesan mashed potatoes, steamed fresh broccoli & a side of Lingonberries.

·Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes - Buttermilk pancakes layered with Dulce de Leche cream then topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and whipped topping.

·Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate - Hot chocolate flavored with Toasted Marshmallow syrup, finished with whipped topping and finished with cocoa powder.

·Pumpkin Coffee - IHOP restaurants’ 100% Arabica International House Roast Original™ coffee with a touch of pumpkin syrup, made with real pumpkin, and then crowned with whipped topping and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar.

Grab your family and friends and head to your nearest IHOP soon!
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bistroMD’s Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving will be here in a matter of weeks and many of you may be menu-planning already. Here are some healthy Thanksgiving recipes courtesy of bistroMD. I'ms sure we all could 'healthify' one of the most decadent meals of the year. Even if it's just a couple dishes. Check it out...

bistroMD’s Roasted Turkey Breast with Cranberry Chutney Recipe

Nutrition Per Serving (serving includes: 5 oz Turkey Breast + ¼ cup Cranberry Chutney + ½ cup Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Blend + ¾ cup Broccoli):

Calories: 300
Protein: 29 grams
Net Carbohydrate: 27 grams
Ingredients:

Roasted Turkey Breast:
5-6 lb Turkey Breast, bone-in, skinless
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Sage, fresh, chopped
1 teaspoon Thyme, fresh, chopped
1 tablespoon Rosemary, fresh, chopped
1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
½ teaspoon Black Pepper

Cranberry Chutney:
1 lb Cranberries, fresh
½ cup Raspberries, frozen
¼ cup Water
½ cup Celery, finely chopped
Juice and Zest of 1 Orange
1 tablespoon Honey
¼ teaspoon Cinnamon

Roasted Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Blend:
1 cup Wild Rice Blend (we like Lundberg Wild Blend)
1 Butternut Squash, cubed
1 Fennel Bulb, sliced
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions:
Roasted Turkey Breast:
Pre-heat oven to 325 °F
In a small bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, herbs, sea salt and black pepper to make a paste. Then rub the mixture into the turkey breast, coating all sides.
Transfer to a roasting pan and roast for about 1 ½ hours to 1 ¾ hours, until an instant read thermometer registered 165 °F when inserted into the thickest part of the breast.
Remove from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Cranberry Chutney:
Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add water, orange juice, orange zest, honey and cinnamon and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and add cranberries. Continue to cook until they become soft and burst, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add raspberries and celery, cook an additional 10 minutes, until raspberries begin to burst.
Reduce heat to low and cover until ready to serve.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Blend:
Pre-heat oven to 425 °F.
Cook rice according to package directions.
Spread butternut squash and fennel evenly, in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, sea salt and black pepper over the squash mixture and toss with your hands to coat.
Roast for 20-30 minutes, until squash is turning golden around the edges. Stir squash mixture halfway through cooking.
Once rice is complete, fluff with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Combine butternut squash and fennel with the rice, toss and serve

bistroMD’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Tartlets

Nutrition Per Tartlet (Serves: approximately 15 tartlets):

Calories: 150
NET Carbohydrate: 12 grams
Protein: 4 grams

Ingredients:
Pie Crust:
1.5 cups Almond Flour
1 Egg
2 tablespoons Butter, unsalted

Pie Filling:
1 can (15 oz) Pumpkin Puree
½ can Coconut Milk, unsweetened
½ cup Honey
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Ginger, ground
¼ teaspoon Cloves, ground
½ teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions:

Pie Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 °F.
Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender until a smooth dough forms.
Spritz muffin pan with non-stick olive oil spray or use muffin liners.
Press approximately 1 tablespoon of dough into each cup and press to evenly fill the bottom.

Pie Filling:
Add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl and mix using a hand mixer until smooth. Or add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Divide filling amongst muffin cups.
Bake approximately 10-15 minutes or until center is set.
Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before removing from pan

bistroMD’s Quinoa and Pumpkin Seed Stuffed Acorn Squash

Nutritional Information: (for each serving, serves 8):

Calories: 219
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Ingedients:

4 medium acorn squash, halved lengthwise with the seeds removed
3 cups of water
2 cups quinoa
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 ½ cups diced onion
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tablespoon minced cardamom
1/8 tablespoon of turmeric
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup diced apples
1/4 cup dried currants
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust rack to the middle shelf.
Simmer the quinoa in 3 cups of water to make fluffy, this should take 15 to 20 minutes.
While the quinoa cooks, add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the carrots, celery, cardamom and turmeric.
Using fresh apples, cut into small dices and soak with lemon juice.
Cover the pan and simmer the vegetables for 5 minutes until they are tender.
In a big bowl, toss together the quinoa and vegetables. Stir in the dried fruit, diced apples, pumpkin seeds, nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
Brush the skin of the squash lightly with olive oil. Place the squash, cut side down, in a baking pan.
Pour 1/2-inch of boiling water into the pan and bake for 20 minutes to soften the squash. Move the squash to a plate and set aside until cool enough to handle.
Stuff the squash halves with the quinoa mix, return them, stuffing-up to the pan, and bake until the flesh can be easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife. This should take 30 minutes or less.

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Try out Bojangles' Seasoned Deep Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving (Giveaway) #TisTheSeasoning #ad

I have always wanted to have a deep fried turkey for Thanksgiving, but I am scared to death to actually cook one. I think I have seen enough horror stories on the news to keep me from every attempting it on my own. Did you know that Bojangles' offers seasoned deep fried turkeys for the holidays? Bojangles' wants to do the hard work for you by cooking your turkey so you can have more time with your family and friends. After all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

You can pre-order Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting one of the participating stores. Customers who take home the turkey the same day their order is placed will also receive a bonus $5 Bojangles’ gift card. Those who’d like to pre-order and wait to pick up their tasty turkey can wait until as late as noon on Thanksgiving Day. Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys are a customer favorite—often they sell out even prior to Thanksgiving day so the sooner the order is placed the better! The turkeys are sold for $39.99. Each turkey weighs in at 10 to 13 pounds and feeds six to eight people. The turkeys come ready to cook—customers can simply take it home, heat and serve.

All Bojangles’ locations offering Seasoned Fried Turkeys can provide a full Thanksgiving meal, complete with made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and family-sized fixin’s such as mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, green beans, Seasoned Fries, Cajun Pintos ® and Dirty Rice® and sweet desserts like Bo-Berry Biscuits®, Cinnamon Pecan Twists and individual Sweet Potato Pies.

Customers can find out if their Bojangles’ is offering the popular Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting the bojangles.com/locator and calling their local store. In addition to Seasoned Fried Turkeys, customers can add the delicious taste of Bojangles’ seasonings to every holiday meal by purchasing Bojangles’ pre-packaged French Fry Seasoning at participating locations beginning Monday, Nov. 24. This makes me so happy because I am a huge fan of their seasoned fries! Customers and enthusiasts are invited to share their Bojangles’ seasoned dishes and holiday memories with the hashtag #TisTheSeasoning.

I think the Bojangles' offerings are perfect for office parties, potluck suppers and of course, at home with your family and friends. To get you prepared for Thanksgiving, the folks from Bojangles' have provided me with a $20 gift card to give away to one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on November 21, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

Disclosure: I received complimentary items from Bojangles' to help promote their holiday offerings. All opinions are my own as always.
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Make this Thanksgiving Mishap-free with Walmart winner


Our Walmart Thanksgiving gift card giveaway had ended and we have a winner. Congratulations to Thomas Murphy! His tip was "prepare as much food as possible ahead of time" 

Thanks to everyone for entering and sharing your Thanksgiving tips! I know I enjoyed reading them all. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Shelly, Mom Files
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10 Tips to help winterize your car for the busy holiday travel season

The holiday travel season is upon us, and so too is winter driving season. Is your car winterized? This is especially important if you are hitting the road with a high mileage vehicle. Just this week, AAA* projected that 43.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, of which ninety percent will drive to Thanksgiving destinations and 7% will fly. Furthermore, according to a recent AutoMD.com survey,** there is an aging fleet of cars on the streets, with the primary vehicle for 60% of respondents having over 100,000 miles. This all adds up to a lot of older metal on the road this holiday season. Fortunately, most cars on the roads today, even the high-mileage ones, have been built to last longer and withstand the test of time – and weather – with the proper care, of course.

AutoMD.com encourages all drivers to take some time to put their rides through their ten point winter travel vehicle checklist before making those Holiday road trips, so they don't end up stranded on a chilly roadside.


1. Check the antifreeze (coolant). The engine cooling system should be filled with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water to prevent freezing and boiling over. Antifreeze testers are available at your local auto parts store to test the mixture. To keep the cooling system operating at peak performance, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing the antifreeze (flush and fill). In addition to changing the antifreeze, pressure testing the cooling system on an older vehicle may expose a minor leak before it becomes a major problem. Most repair shops charge a minimal fee for pressure testing, and some shops will do it for free.

2. Change the engine oil. Be especially meticulous about changing your car’s fluids and filters during the winter months. Your car’s older engine will thank you for it! Remember to change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Use the recommended oil viscosity range for winter. 5W-30 motor oil flows quicker in cold weather than 20W-50. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend 5W-30 oil for year round protection.

3. Check the tires. Keep your vehicle riding smoothly and safely by maintaining your tires! Remember, there’s a very good chance a third set of tires is needed if your vehicle has reached the 80 to 90,000 mile mark. Tires that are unevenly worn or out of balance can cause a car to pull or shake when driven, potentially damaging other components. Remember to rotate and balance your tires every other oil change; regularly check for uneven wear and try to keep them clean. Tires should be properly inflated, and the tread depth should be at least 4/32”. Using snow tires can improve traction over all-season tires.

4. Check the battery. Cold temperatures can reduce the battery’s power. If the battery is older than four years, it may be time to replace it. Check the battery tray and hold down brackets for corrosion - a common problem on older vehicles.

5. Check the belts and hoses. If your vehicle has a timing belt, it’s very important to replace it at the recommended interval (60,000 miles or more). Cold weather can reduce the life expectancy of belts and hoses, so make sure yours are in good shape before getting on the road. A stretched timing belt affects engine performance, and a broken belt can leave you stranded. If you have an interference engine, a broken belt will also cause engine damage!

6. Check the wipers and wiper fluid. Replace wipers that are old or worn, and (to prevent freezing) use windshield washer fluid instead of water. Just like the elderly, an aging vehicle needs clean glasses to see!

7. Check the emergency kit. Make sure your kit is well stocked and add an ice scraper, tire chains, jumper cables, and warm clothes for winter weather emergencies. Remember to include a candle and matches, as well as some bottled water and energy bars. You can use a candle for light and warmth inside the vehicle if you get stranded.

8. Check 4WD operation if equipped. Since you may not have used 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) all year, or in several years, make sure the 4WD is activated (review your manual on “how to activate”) when you switch it on. Using 4WD improves traction in slippery conditions.

9. Change your driving habits. Cars that are driven easy last longer. To prevent component wear and possible damage in very cold temperatures, warm up your car by driving it slowly to start. This will help the engine, transmission and other drive line components warm up with less stress. Avoid fast driving in general, hitting curbs, off-roading, and trailer towing as these can put unnecessary strain on your vehicle. Slow down and increase your following distance when driving in harsh weather. All vehicles lose traction in rain, snow and ice.

10. Wash and wax your car. It is a good idea to get a good car wash and wax before heading out onto winter roads to protect your paint from road salt. And be sure to wash your car as soon as you return home, to remove any lingering road salt. As your vehicle ages, the paint/finish becomes more vulnerable to the elements, which could lead to rust etc. so, if you can, keep your vehicle in the garage to protect it or consider a cover if you don’t have a garage.



I wish you all safe travels this holiday season!
Shelly, Mom Files
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Classic Cheesecake Recipe and Food Lion's Holiday Bake-Off Recipe Contest

It's my favorite time of year. The holiday baking season is here! Every year I bake my favorite cheesecake that the family loves. I found this recipe online many years ago and I promise, it is fool-proof. I have shared this recipe with a lot of family members and friends and they all love it and found that it was very easy to make. The thing I love about this recipe is you can totally make it your own. You could add cocoa powder to part of the cheesecake batter to swirl it in and make it fancy. Instead of vanilla extract you could use almond or lemon. You can serve it with fruit or plain (just the way I like it!).
Classic Cheesecake
Ingredients
2 packages (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham 2 Extra Servings Pie Crust (you can use a store brand or make your own)
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
1. In large mixing bowl beat cream cheese on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Add 2/3 cup sugar, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition. 2. Place crust on baking sheet. Spread cream cheese mixture in crust. Bake on baking sheet at 350°F about 30 minutes or until center is almost set. 3. In small bowl combine sour cream, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Carefully spread over cheesecake. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. 4. Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator. *NOTE: Soften cream cheese in microwave at high for 15 to 20 seconds.

Right now, Food Lion is hosting a Holiday Bake-Off recipe contest on their Facebook page. You can enter the contest by sharing a recipe in any of the four categories: appetizer, entree  side dish or dessert. 12 grand prize winners will receive a $500 Food Lion gift card. The Food Lion Bake-Off contest kicks off 11/7 and will end 11/28. Hurry up and enter! You never know, your recipe can be a $500 winner!

What is your favorite recipe that you make for Thanksgiving?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Food Lion. I received a promotional item to facilitate my shopping experience and review.
Shelly, Mom Files
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