Tell Those Turkeys To Mind Their Business (Answering Questions)

It's the holiday season, guys. Time for family, friends, food, & fun and also the underlying foolishness that come along with it. But it is ok, we will get through it.

Q: My family loves to ask the most offensive questions during the holidays. I Hate It!!! How do you handle those offensive questions dealing with Dating/Marriage, Kids, & School/Career?

A: Simple Answer is "Not Well at All".

I Love my loved ones! I truly do!!! But unfortunately, I act like a jerk with those type of questions. Pray for me, you hear. I have been such a jerk, my family dislike asking me anything about me. Two of my aunts tried to talk about boys with me as a teenager. I stopped them, immediately. My sex life will never be topic I talk to everyone about. Around the same time, I observed how people were talking about those that would bring someone different all the time to family events. So, by the time I was 18, I knew not to bring no one I was dating to family events unless he & I were nearing engagement. And because of that personal rule, I have Never officially brought any man home.

Oh & when I graduated from college and many were confused that my degree was in Family & Consumer Sciences and not Nursing. I understood my extended family like great aunts, great uncles & their offsprings having questions. But I knew I had informed my immediate family about the change after I did it, two years prior to graduating. I felt unheard & ignored and some folks were told off. Pay Attention, The First Time!!! I also come from a family that have a few that loudly say, "When I graduated from high school, I was through" when anything about education comes up. I know they're not dissuading anyone from going to school, but I give them some fierce, educated side eye, whenever I hear them say that.

Don't Act Like Me!!! I do work hard at not being rude. But we must find direct & considerate ways to tell people that those questions are not something you will be talking about.

And even though I am rude if you ask me something that will offend me, I make sure I act how I want to be treated when talking to others. If you say school or work is Fine, Fine is the answer. If that person is not expecting a child, "having children" is not topic I bring up. I don't have children and believe it is more to everybody than being fruitful & multiplying. When people bring their significant others over, I engage with them. But if my loved ones have to ask me later if I like them or not. I don't offer that opinion all willy, nilly. The day I bring "The One" to a family event, I want him to be treated like I have treated others.

So, How to Handle Offensive Questions...

• Do be Direct about your feelings but not Rude
• Don't be Offensive to Others also
• And be as Loving as possible

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

How the Turkey Survived (Food-Know-It-All)

Ok, I know the title sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but it's the only thing that would come to my mind. So, it stuck. The holidays are coming up and many of us will have turkey as the featured meat during a meal.

Turkey is synonymous with the holidays, Thanksgiving & Christmas. No rule says we must have it. Our history books tell us that was fish, shellfish, venison, & waterfowl along with Turkey on the 1st Thanksgiving. So, why is Turkey the only protein survivor? Who said "Christmas Turkey"? Ok, Let's talk Turkey!

Turkey became the choice because of historical influence & economically pragmatic reasons. By the time Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving in 1863 as a national holiday in the USA, many eminent figures in the country's past gave high praise to the turkey. William Bradford's diary, Of Plymouth Plantation, included turkey in the first Thanksgiving meal.

Before turkey farms, turkeys were caught in the wild. So as Thanksgiving started becoming a celebration, there were more turkeys to catch than the other animals. Turkeys are not serviceable as other animals. They aren't used for a milk or egg source. Turkeys are also uniquely American. It is a native bird to the USA, Canada, & Mexico. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the country's bird over the bald eagle. So for many years, turkeys were talked about especially. Even Alexander Hamilton is documented saying "No citizen shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day". So, the turkey "seed" was planted with the founding of the country. So before the November holiday became major, turkey was already center stage.

Winter holidays have been pricey for generations. Turkey is large enough to feed a table full of hungry guests. The bird is thought to be the most cost-effective protein. They are cheaper per pound than chicken. And it is also cheaper & easier to raise than geese, the former traditional yuletide bird. Turkeys (farm raise & wild) are born in the spring and eat a diet of worms, insects, corn, & nuts to make them grow 10+ pounds in 6-7 months.

Those big birds can feed the multitude. Many food chroniclers feel like the iconic status of the turkey yuletide meal was popularized by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol, published in 1843 (20 years before American Thanksgiving became a national holiday). It is believed that Scrooge's gift of a turkey was to help Mrs. Cratchit with meals to feed the family. Many sneer their noses at leftovers these days but then they were needed. That leftover turkey could make soup for a few days to warm the kids after playing in the cold while on school break. Bob could have a few sandwiches for lunch. And though the Crachits are fictional, that kind of poverty was(is) not. A lot of real people were (are) making those meals for that reason.

So, that is how the turkey survived. Unlike deer and seafood, that big bird is a beloved native that helps lessen a hit or two to our bank accounts.

Ok here's a question, who makes the best turkey, for you? You? Your Grandmother? Your Mother? A Mom & Pop Diner? A Luxury Department Store? In my opinion, my cousin, blog name Cha-Cha makes the Best turkey.  I think my whole family agrees. It is moist, tender, and very flavorful. And with her permission, I am sharing her recipe. It is her take on Ree Drummond's(The Pioneer Woman) recipe. Her recipe takes out the salt, butter, and cooks it in a bag. We are a roasting bag kind of family. We don't stay up to baste anything. LoL

Cha-Cha's Roasted Turkey
Turkey "Brine"
Ingredients

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 2-1/2 cups Garlic Powder
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tblsp Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
• Peel Of Three Large Oranges

 Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until garlic powder and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover. 
2. Allow to cool completely, then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in "brine" solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours. 
3. When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside. 
4. Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.

Roasted Turkey Method
Ingredients

• 1 whole Turkey, Brined 
• 1 cup Olive Oil
• 1 whole Orange
• 2 whole Fresh Rosemary Sprigs, Leaves Stripped And Minced
• 1 teaspoon Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

• Roasting Bag, Turkey Size
• 1 Tbs Flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Remove the turkey from the "brine" Pat the turkey dry and place in a sink. 
3. Using a vegetable peeler, shave off thick slices of orange peel and slice them very thin. Combine with oil, rosemary, garlic, and pepper. Smear the oil mixture all over the skin, in crevices, etc so that it is fully covered. 
4. Shake flour inside the roasting bag and place in a large roasting pan that is at least 2 inches deep.
5. Carefully slide turkey into the oven bag, breast side up. Close oven bag with the included nylon tie and cut six 1/2 inch slits in the top of the bag.
6. Baking time varies depending on the size of your turkey. (Times are at end of recipe)
7. When your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, remove it from the oven and let stand in the oven bag for another 15 minutes. Cut open the top of the bag and carefully remove turkey from the bag, and place it onto a cutting board
8. Cover loosely with clean aluminum foil until you're ready to carve!

Turkey Cooking Times

• 1.5-2 hours for 8-12 lb turkeys
• 2-2.5 hours for 12-16 lb turkeys
• 2.5-3 hours for 16-20 lb turkeys
• 3-3.5 hours for 20-24 lb turkey

Pair that with the actual food star on our family's table, my mother's green bean casserole, and my plate is complete. LoL I need to do some sit-ups just thinking about it.

No matter what you have on your table remember those who are less fortunate and be grateful for whatever you have. Not to sound cliche, all of it is truly about the reason for the holiday season. It is about the peace, happiness, joy, & love that we are blessed with. If material things are how you define the word Blessed, then your dictionary is wrong. Be Thankful! Be Joyful! Be Blessed!

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Peter Rabbit Approved!!! (Healthy Holiday Recipes)

♫ Ohhh Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail

Hippity hoppin', Easter's on its way ♫

If you're new to my blog, here is a fact about me. Easter is my Favorite Holiday. You can read about it Here, Here, & Here!!! Easter is the reason why the baby was born and the greatest thing to be grateful for. 

On Easter Sunday, we have a very light meal of ham or smoked turkey and salads. If it is cold weather, I will add a hot vegetable side dish, many times turnip greens to the menu, Potato Salad is the traditional salad but we have been known to add some others to the rotation. Since Easter is my personal favorite, I decided to feature recipes from myself and people I actually know. 

Yes, like most black & southern people, I don't eat any & everybody's potato salad. Most folks like it mayo or mustard based. Some people don't trust who cooked it. I have the latter concern because of 2 main reasons.

• Potato Salad is a Cold dish.

I'm not into the German kind. So, I won't eat it hot. Room Temperature potato salad can kill you. Well, at least think you dying. According to the CDC, the temperature “danger zone” encompasses the temperatures between 41°F and 140°F. Oh and trust me, I will ask if you made it the night before and let it chill for several hours. Ptomaine poisoning is never welcomed on my plate.

• Potato Salad should have salad in it.

Potatoes, eggs, & condiments is not potato salad to me. It needs at least celery, dill pickles & onions for me to enjoy it. So, if you want to make a basic OUTSPOKEN_DIVA approved recipe, take notes.

  

Potato Salad

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 mid-sized Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

• 3 Tbsps. finely chopped dill pickles

• 1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 or 2 chopped scallions, including the greens

• 1-2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (My mom used a few of the eggs we dyed the night before. LoL)

• 1 medium carrot, shredded

• 1/2 red bell pepper, raw or roasted, chopped

• 1 (3.25 ounce) can sliced black olives

• 1 (7-oz.) jar pimiento-stuffed olives, drained and chopped

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or sandwich spread)

• 1/2 cup yellow mustard

Directions

1. Place peeled, cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover with an inch of water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Simmer for 10-20 minutes until just fork tender. Remove from pot. Let cool enough to handle, but still warm.

2. Put potatoes into a large bowl. Smash the potatoes. Add the finely chopped pickles themselves. Add onions, celery, scallions, the hard-boiled egg, carrots, and red bell pepper.

3. In a separate small bowl, mix mayonnaise with mustard. Mix in the dressing with the potato mixture.

I love Pickled Beets. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've had them prepared in any other manner  I saw this picture on my pals, Diet Solutions' Facebook page and I begged for their recipe. DS usually only releases most of their recipes to their clients. But they know they have my heart so, they gave it to me to post. *wink*

Pickled Beet & Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons vinegar

• 1 tablespoon orange juice

• 1 (15-ounce) can sliced beets (drained)

• 1 large English cucumber, unpeeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

• 1/2 sweet onion, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced

• 1 Tsp Salt-Free Italian Seasoning

Directions

1. Mix vinegar & juice together in a small bowl

2. Set it aside

3. Arrange vegetables in a bowl or platter. Pour vinegar & juice mixture onto vegetables Sprinkle with salt-free Italian seasoning

4. Cover & refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving

If you told me 10 years ago my friends & I would talk about recipes as much as we laugh at each other, I would still be standing there in awe. I think I only have one friend that does not cook And yeah, she catches a little ribbing about it. My Bestie Boo, LJ and I are at least once a week talking about recipes. He was making this, one afternoon while we were yacking on the phone. He rattle off the ingredients and I had to tell you guys about it.

Spinach & Strawberry Salad

Ingredients

• 6 cups baby spinach leaves

• 1 pint (approx. 16 medium-size) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered or sliced

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 3-4 tablespoons vinaigrette dressing of your choice (A classic recipe is provided below)

• 1/2 cup pecan pieces

Directions

1. In large bowl, toss spinach, strawberries, and cheese.

2. Sprinkle pecan pieces & drizzle dressing on top just before serving

**Add a little red onion for a little pizazz**

Classic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Combine vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, and pepper.

2. Gradually add olive oil, stirring until incorporated.

Well, my appetite has been whetted. No matter what you serve for Easter let your heart & mind be on the true meaning of the holiday. It is our Lord's son laying his life down and rising 3 days later, so that we could have life more abundantly. As a songwriter wrote, "There is No Greater Love".

Alright, I will have more recipes for you guys for Juneteenth. Since Memorial Day is a Monday holiday like Labor Day, I will refer you to the Labor Day installment for ideas. 

Happy Easter!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Term

I Was__ Years Old When I Stop Believing In Santa

With my siblings, G. & A. and our cousin, D.D.

When I look back over my life, I can't even figure out how I even believed in Santa Claus as long as I did. My mother admits that she had no plans of teaching us about Santa. But since she had active grandparents like ours beating her to the punch on that lesson, she just rolled with it. Even then that should've just explained why A believed in Santa. Yes, she pretty much set some of the precedents on how things went with the kids in my family because my brother, who is older has special needs. But there is a 7 year age distance between my sister and me so, she should've stopped believing in Santa by the time I was old enough to believe in him. But I guess she was taught not to ruin it for me. So, I still believed in Santa Claus.

I guess I just wanted to believe in him. There were so many signs that he didn't exist in my home. Every year my mother would call me in to pick out 5 things out of the JC Penney or Sears Christmas catalogs, so she could call Santa with her order. Common sense said she was calling the store. I also grew up in in a home without a fireplace. So, when I asked how did Santa get in our home, I was told by my mother that he had a special doorbell that only adults could here. The crazy part is that was and still believable. We don't leave our doors unlocked and only acknowledge the doorbell (Knocking is purposely unheard).

Giving you face & shoulder

But leave it to Foundation church to haphazardly disprove my belief in Santa. Yes, I said haphazardly because how it happened was by chance and not on purpose. Oh, and yes, we had Santa Claus appearances at our programs. I think even in a few plays he was the "narrator" of the plays that taught us about the true meaning of Christmas. Our usual Sunday School teacher, my mother's buddy, we will call in this blog post, Aunt Erika was absent that Sunday. Well, Sister Kevin (RIP) (Yes, another blog post name) was our substitute. Sis. Kevin wrote some of the holidays plays for the youth, so I guess the superintendents thought it was ok for her to teach up that Sunday.

I loved that dress

Well, she decided to have question & answer time. Somebody asked was Santa real. And she said Jesus was Santa Claus. He was responsible for giving us gifts, Now, as an adult, I understand what she was trying to say. But I was not an adult. I knew then something was up. I came home and told my mother and she asked who told me that and shook her head. So, I started paying attention and that when I all the signs became clear. There was No Santa. I was eight years old

I kept my mouth closed for a year. But even when I did reveal my disbelief, I had to be a smart mouth. I almost didn't get Christmas gifts. The truth about Santa got "very real" that morning. But after everyone else finish opening gifts, my mother brought out a large gift bag saying Santa said he almost forgot since I didn't believe.

I have a feeling my mother conspired with Pau-Pau Santa & Granny Claus in hiding All my gifts. LoL SMH After that I was called in and asked what did I want out of the catalog so my mother could place the order to the store. Also, she placed the order in front of me.

So, that's how I stopped believing in Santa. But I still believe the true message of a baby that was born to save me from my sins. I don't remember ever not believing in that story. No matter what is not received on Christmas or in life, even, If one has Jesus that will always be enough.

Alrighty!!! You guys have a great holiday. Oh if you want to share your "I Was__ Years Old When I Stop Believing In Santa" stories below in the comments, Merry Christmas!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Party Healthy This Holiday Season (Healthy Holiday Recipes)

The holidays are a time to reconnect with the joy of togetherness. We have family gatherings. We have Holiday potlucks or buffets at work. We get together and have "Secret Santa" or "White Elephant" Christmas parties with our friends. Some of us bring in the New Year on it's eve with parties. Some of  us gather after Watch Night services and have a late night meal. Many of us have a gathering on New Years day and hang out,

No matter how we hang out with one another, we All have to eat. Parties, family gatherings, and feasts make keeping off the pounds a difficult task. I said difficult not impossible. The holidays don't have to mean weight gain. We can't can expect everyone not to cook fattening foods to parties but we can bring our own healthy & tasty treats & share.

The colors in this dish scream Christmas. It is a simple healthy recipe and requires minimal cooking.

Zu-Canoes (Eating Well have a great recipe to make this)
Ingredients
• 2 medium 2-inch-wide zucchini
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 cup quartered grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced mozzarella cheese, preferably fresh
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparation:
1. Trim both ends off zucchini; cut in half lengthwise. Cut a thin slice off the backs so each half sits flat. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Finely chop the pulp; set aside.
2. Place the zucchini halves in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and microwave on High until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. (Alternatively, steam in a steamer basket over 1 inch of boiling water in a large skillet or pot.)
3. Whisk oil, vinegar, shallot and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add tomatoes, cheese, basil and the reserved zucchini pulp; toss to combine. Divide the filling among the zu-canoes.

Nothing says holiday party to me like a wing. They are full of flavor and portable. My only issue is most are fried with butter based sauces. But here is a baked wing to rival any fried wing out there. Oh I have other healthier sauce recipes, you want a different flavor. Email me or leave me comment and I can send you a copy.

Balsamic Soy Glazed Chicken Wings (Inspired by THIS Recipe)
Ingredients
• 4 pounds chicken wingettes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preparation:
1. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Line 2 large shallow baking pans (17 by 11 inches) with foil. Put pans in oven and preheat oven to 500°F.
2. Pat wings dry, then toss with oil, ginger, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl and divide between preheated pans, spreading wings in 1 layer. Roast, without turning, until golden and tender, about 35 minutes.
3. While wings roast, simmer vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
4. Remove roasted wings from oven and let stand in pans 1 minute (to make wings easier to remove from foil), then transfer with tongs to a clean large bowl.
5. Pour balsamic mixture over wings and toss to coat well. Let stand 5 minutes, then toss again.

Oh my Jewish readers, I didn't leave you guys out. A Latke is a variation of a Potato Pancake (what I grew up eating) and it is usually fried. The oil for cooking the latkes is symbolic of the oil from the Hanukkah story that kept the Second Temple of ancient Israel lit with a long-lasting flame that is celebrated as a miracle. But us Gentiles are not the only ones watching our figures. Try this baked version of this traditional dish  and take it to this year's Hanukkah.

Baked Latkes (Recipe is found HERE)
Ingredients
• 2 lbs potatoes (shredded or grated)
• 1 onion (shredded or grated)
• 2 eggs
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste
• 1/4 cup matzo meal or 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Nonstick cooking spray

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Drain excess liquid from potatoes. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Spray two baking sheets.
4. Add latke mixture by 1/4 cup; flatten.
5. Bake 15 minutes; turn latkes; and bake 10 minutes longer.
Serve with applesauce or sour cream.

My cousin, Clory made this punch for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. Alcohol has empty calories and we don't need them anyway.

Non-Alcoholic Apple Pie Punch (Great recipe HERE)
Ingredients:
• 4 Cups Apple Cider
• 1 Cup White Grape Juice
• 3 Cups Ginger Ale
• 1 Apple, diced

Preparation:
1. Combine apple cider, white grape juice, and ginger ale into a pitcher or punch bowl.
2. Throw in the apples and enjoy!

Now, just because We will bring healthier dishes does not mean we can't eat what other's brings. Here are some tips to enjoy some of our favorite holiday dishes without overindulging.

• Snack Beforehand - Do Not go hungry.

• Be The Last In Line - Once a large amount of people have gone through, the food loses its luster

• If You Must Drink, Drink A Wine Spritzer - Remember, many holiday drinks are loaded with calories that add up quickly!

• Avoid Elastic Waisted Holiday Outfit - Elastic waistbands are cheerleaders to overeating. Fitted waist & belts give your appetite discipline.

• Stand at least 4 Arms' Length Away from the Munchies or Buffet - Causes you not to want to walk back to get seconds.

Well, I won't be back until February 2016, if God says the same, with Healthy Eating Recipes. I promise to come back a little sweeter (Yes, that is a hint). Happy Holidays to all you reading this. Be blessed & ready to for me in 2016.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms