Holiday

November 17, 2012

Thanksgiving Leftovers: 50 Totally Awesome Recipes

Totally Awesome? Sure why not! My inner Valley Girl is telling me to tell you that these are completely genius ways to use up those Thanksgiving Leftovers.

We look forward with great anticipation for turkey day. When it finally rolls around we feast in gratitude. We eat until our bellies are full. Leftovers are great the first time around. After that tastebuds can tire from the monotony.

I have sourced these Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes from around the web ~ curated just for you so you know what to do with all of that food after the big day….

Continue reading “Thanksgiving Leftovers: 50 Totally Awesome Recipes”

~ Marla Meridith

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Cheese

November 16, 2012

Brussels Sprouts with Feta & Pecans

How is your Thanksgiving planning going? Are you cooking for a large group, small gathering or going to your favorite restaurant? Whether or not you are hosting Thanksgiving you will need to try these brussels sprouts.

Whether or not you like sprouts these will convert you into a sprouts lover.

Pinky promise… Continue reading “Brussels Sprouts with Feta & Pecans”

~ Marla Meridith

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Entertaining

November 14, 2012

Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Corn Flakes Topping

Wow! Thanksgiving is just over one week away. Can you believe that? I am thankful to celebrate this foodie holiday with family, friends & YOU!

I developed this healthier version of a traditional holiday side dish using super crunchy Erewhon Corn Flakes cereal instead of the usual marshmallow topping ~ the results…AMAZING! You have gotta try Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Corn Flakes Topping as soon as you can.

As a matter of fact, do a test drive in the next few days before Turkey Day. Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and in your lunchbox too.

Continue reading “Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Corn Flakes Topping”

~ Marla Meridith

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Crafts & DIY

November 12, 2012

Pine Cone Turkey Centerpieces

With Thanksgiving around the corner I wanted to share a really fun and simple holiday craft with you. These cute pine cone turkeys are perfect for table top, mantle or anywhere! The awesome creative team over at Martha Stewart sent me this brand new Circle Edge Punch to give a test drive and I love it! Lets’s talk turkey shall we?!

As soon as I accepted to do the review of this punch I pondered how I could create something super cute, creative & memorable. I love whimsical designs that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Must come from my background as a textile & graphic designer for Disney…

A few years ago my daughter brought home the cutest pine cone turkey that she had made at school. It had feathers and google eyes. It was very pretty on the Thanksgiving table. It inspired me to come up with this! By the way, if you are looking for healthy and delicious Thanksgiving recipes please visit my round-up post for those.

Using the awesome, simple to use Circle Edge Punch ~ it was fun to create all different shapes for my turkey. What I love about this punch is that you can easily vary the diameters of your circles. Punch circular borders in 7 sizes from paper up to 12 inches.

What you need for this craft:

Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch
Or this one
Large Pine Cone
Card Stock in at least 3 Colors
White Paper for the Eyes
Black Marker
Glue Gun
Piece of Red Ribbon

~ Marla Meridith

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Giveaways

November 11, 2012

BIG Famous Idaho Potatoes Giveaway

You know how much I adore the folks over at Famous Idaho Potatoes.

After my recent trip to Beautiful Idaho I have a great BIG crush on potatoes. I decided to spread the love by sharing this awesome giveaway with you!

Let’s check it out…

Continue reading “BIG Famous Idaho Potatoes Giveaway”

~ Marla Meridith

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Lifestyle

November 10, 2012

Karen Ard Photography

This week after I dropped my kids off at school I had my usual coffee break at Starbucks. It is always fun to catch up with my friends for a few minutes after the hustle bustle of the morning rush.

The main topic of conversation was on holiday photo cards. If you live in LA or Orange County you must connect with our family portrait photographer Karen Ard.

If not for the upcoming holidays then be sure to bookmark her for Valentine’s Day, engagement shoots, weddings, Mitzvahs, portraits, head shots…or any thing at all!

*All of the photographs in this post are © Karen Ard Photography

Continue reading “Karen Ard Photography”

~ Marla Meridith

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Giveaways

November 9, 2012

Bakerella JOY! {giveaway}

Raise your hand if you know who the fabulously talented Bakerella is?!

OK, I know all of you are waving your hands in the air. I am so excited to share a GIANT holiday collection of her amazing products with you today.

You too can make your own cake pops…

Continue reading “Bakerella JOY! {giveaway}”

~ Marla Meridith

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Dessert

November 7, 2012

Maple Cheddar Skillet Cornbread

The past few weeks I’ve been posting recipes including all of my fall cravings. Apple, cranberry, pumpkin & sweet potato show up often. Now I have this amazing Maple Cheddar Skillet Cornbread for you to try!

Do you adore cornbread? It doesn’t take long at all to bake & it looks so rustic and fun in the skillet ~ don’t ya think?

Continue reading “Maple Cheddar Skillet Cornbread”

~ Marla Meridith

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Berries

November 6, 2012

Vegan Cranberry Whipped Cream

You knew it was coming right? It is very obvious that I need to make coconut whipped cream out of everything. We dip with it, frost, fill and eat it by the spoonful.

Do you like sweet tart combinations? Great than this vegan cranberry whipped cream will be your best friend!

Continue reading “Vegan Cranberry Whipped Cream”

~ Marla Meridith

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Berries

November 4, 2012

Maple Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce

I have decided to give pumpkin a break (OK, not true.) I have also decided it’s time to let cranberries shine! How much do you love tart little cranberries? They are easily sweetened with maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, stevia or agave…your choice! This is a basic recipe for a simple sweet tangy cranberry sauce that’ll knock your socks off & will only take 10 minutes from prep to finish.

All you need to do is put the cranberries in a pan with a splash of water and some maple syrup. Add a few pinches of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick. Bring it to a boil and listen as the cranberries pop and sizzle. A delight for the eyes, ears and tastebuds! The sauce thickens as it cooks. I suggest making a Big Batch at a time. It goes quickly. I encourage you to think outside the box with your cranberry sauce, it’s excellent as a pancake topping and layered in creamy yogurt parfaits…or just eat it as a snack with a spoon.

Do you have a favorite recipe for cranberry sauce? Do you go basic or add all kinds of bells and whistles?

For more Thanksgiving ideas check out Tidy Mom’s 20 Great Ideas for the Thanksgiving Table.

Click HERE for recipe details.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe Links

Cranberry Fruit Conserve With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart
Cranberry Sauce Jungle Frog
Cranberry Sauce with Pear and Pomegranate MarlaMeridith.com
Kickin Cranberry Sauce Graceful Fitness
Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce Eat Yourself Skinny!
Tequila and Lime Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce Closet Cooking

~ Marla Meridith

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Giveaways

November 4, 2012

Blendtec Blender + Twister Jar Giveaway!

Are you throwing a Thanksgiving, Christmas or holiday party this year? If you are or even if you aren’t I bet you could use this awesome Blendtec Blender & Twister jar, right?

After all that holiday fun a lot of healthy smoothies & shakes will probably be on the menu too. Don’t worry I have your back ~ you will love the efficiency and speed of this blender.

Enter now to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ Marla Meridith

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Apple

November 2, 2012

Quinoa Stuffing with Apple, Sweet Potato & Hazelnuts

Yay! We all made it through Halloween…are you ready to start thinking about Thanksgiving? I sure hope so because I have been recipe testing lots of great new recipes that I can’t wait to share with you. Raise your hand if you love stuffing. OK. Great! How about a new twist on this classic holiday side dish.