It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here already!  That being said — I am cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner this year, so I am all about finding all the help I can get.  While looking for some ideas and recipes, I can across Better Homes and Gardens and found that they have a lot of helpful information.  They have an excellent tasty recipe section that has cranberry sauces, holiday salads, spice-rubbed turkey, turkey stuffings, and even a wine guide just to name a few.  They also have a lot of crafts and decorating ideas. You can make the Wheat Centerpiece, Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids, Thanksgiving Day Cards, Tic-Tac-Toe, and the Wild Turkey.  We can’t forget the Turkey Roasting Guide which is what I really need.  Best of all, its free!  The roasting guide helps you figure out defrosting and cooking instructions for your turkey, as well as chicken, beef, pork, and other large cuts of meat. You can even select the time you want to serve your meal and get a personalized cooking schedule.

If you are looking for some great ideas for Thanksgiving, make sure you check out Better Homes and Gardens.  I know I am glad I did!

You know you are about to eat some good chocolate when you see the following warnings:

• This chocolate has plenty of texture. It is not slippery smooth like processed chocolate.
• This chocolate is full of complex flavors that explode in your mouth. The flavor profile has not been muted by a commercial process.
• This chocolate has a natural look, of course. It is not shiny.
• Sorry, but our experience is that after indulging in some of our chocolates, you might never be able to fully enjoy a traditional candy bar again.

What chocolate am I talking about? IgnaFire Chocolates are some of the best chocolate you will ever eat.  If you are craving chocolate, one piece of this will solve your craving, because it is that good.  IgnaFire chocolates are made straight from the cacao bean.  There is no commercial processing and no added cacao butter.  They don’t use the extensive heating and industrial processing that a lot of other chocolate placs do.  This keeps all the healthful flavanols and antioxidants that occur naturally in the bean along with all its natural flavor.  I am not kidding when I say one on these pieces of chocolate will curve any sugar you have.  Since I am lactose intolerant, my favorite part of this chocolate is that no dairy products are added!  This also works well for vegans too!  When you first bite into a piece of this chocolate, it does have a different texture.  However, the chocolate really does seem to melt in your mouth.

Besides having awesome chocolates, the company that makes IgnaFire Chocolates is concerned about the environment.  What better gift than one that is environmentally friendly to the planet?  The packaging is completely compostable.  The boxes the chocolate comes in are handmade paper with no glue.  This allows the boxes to be used over and over again.  The boxes also are compostable.  The printed information that is included with your chocolate is printed on dissolvable potato paper.  That literally just washes down your kitchen sink.  Lastly, the cellulose bag that the chocolate is in will compost in 45-60 days.  I have never seen a company so carrying about the environment.

Ignafire Chocolates will be some of the best chocolates you will ever eat.  I highly recommend picking up box for yourself (if not others) and enjoy!  Great chocolate, saving the environment, how can you go wrong?

Like most people, we are a very busy family here, so we often order out which can quickly add up.  However, with the economy taking the downturn it has, everyone is looking for ways to save money.  I recently read in my local newspaper that people are joining food co-ops and buy whole cows to save money.  Another great way to save money, is to quit ordering out.  Instead, you can save a lot of money by making homecooked meals.  This easy to make recipe is not only easy but pretty cheap to make also.  This recipe will make 4 servings, and the total cost of this meal is $13.04 (which include the serving suggestions).  Where else can you feed your family for that cheap?  I do have to thank Prego for this great recipe to try out.   My family loved it and I am sure yours will too!

1 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 jar Prego Chunky Garden Mushroom & Green Pepper Italian Sauce
8 oz rotini pasta, cooked and drained

Heat oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium high heat.  Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned stirring often.

Stir the sauce in the skillet and heat to a boil.  Reduce heat to low.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.  Serve chicken mixture with the pasta.

Serving suggestions:  Served with whole green beans and soft wheat dinner rolls.  Dessert should be mini-eclaires.

This is a quick easy to make recipe.  This works well when you don’t have a lot of time to make dinner!

3 1/2 cups of mini penne noodles
1 cup chopped celery
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 can tuna, drained, flaked
1 jar chopped pimientos, drained

Cook and drain noodles as directed on the box. While they are cooking, place celery and water in a skillet and cover. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Once the noodles are done, stir the noodles and the remaining ingredients and into the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until thoroughly heated.

Anybody who watches the Deadliest Catch is well versed in the Alaskan King Crab (I know I am).  However, if you don’t watch the show, I have some interesting information for you regarding the alaskan king crabs.

1.  They are an excellent source of protein.
2. They low in calories.
3. Alaska leads all the states with over $1 Billion in the annual value of fish caught.  However, when buying online, you do need to be careful.  A lot of online shops tell you they are sending you Alaskan king crab, and you are really buying Russian Red King Crab.
4. Around 40 species of king crab are known.
5. 10 crab species are fished for in Alaska.
6. The largest of king crab can grow a leg span of 6 feet across and weigh over 20 pounds.
7. Females are smaller in size.
8. The average weight is 6 to 10 pounds, but king crab can grow to more than 20 pounds.
9. King crabs have only six legs.
10. When cooked, Alaskan red king crab will turn a fire red color.
11. King crab can live from 10 to 20 years.
12. King crab fishing takes place during the winter months of October through January.
13. Fresh king crab has a shelf life of 5-7 days.
14. Adult king crab eat worms, clams, mussels, snails, brittle stars, sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, barnacles, fish parts, and algae.
15. The texture and flavor of Alaskan king crab legs is more delicate and softer in appearance compared to other crab species.

Did you learn something today about King Alaskan Crab that you didn’t know before? I know I did!