Valentine's Day recipes, homemade decorations, heart-shaped cupcakes, cookies

Arrgh! Your child did it again. She volunteered you to make three dozen cupcakes (pink, heartshaped, with sprinkles, please) for her class Valentine's Day party--tomorrow! And when does Lil Miss Cupid spring this news? 9 p.m.--no time to go to the store for supplies. Well, have no fear, Mama Been-There-Done-That has super-fast, last-minute, homemade treat recipes made with on-hand ingredients. You get bonus DIY heart-shaped snacks and improvised frosting, sprinkles and decoration tips.

DIY heart-shaped cookie cutter--Murphy's Law will have it that if you need heart-shaped cookies you won't be able to find your heart-shaped cookie cutter. If you ever had one. So, here are quick, homemade ones. Bend a coat hanger or large paper clip into a heart shape. Or draw a half-heart on the folded edge of a piece of sturdy paper. Cut out the heart and place on rolled out cookie dough. Trace around it with a butter knife, toothpick or metal skewer. Or just freehand it! The kiddies will
Pink cupcakes made with diy food coloring

Heart-shaped cupcakes--Make paper cupcake holders shaped like hearts by folding in half. Open and fold top point inward to form rounded sides of heart. Place folded cupcake paper in cupcake tin with three marbles: one between the halves of the heart to keep it open and one on each side to support the point.

Homemade pink frosting. Mix three parts red and one part blue food coloring and dye vanilla frosting. No food coloring? Use these mix-ins: red juice (grape, cherry, cranberry or beet), red pop, strawberry jam; strawberry ice cream syrup or red gelatin dissolved in a little hot water. Or melt red hard candy in the microwave.

No frosting? Blend a stick (or 8 ounces) of margarine with powdered sugar and milk to desired consistency. Add a dash of salt and vanilla or almond flavoring. For chocolate, add baking cocoa, melted baker's chocolate or melted chocolate chips. No powdered sugar? Heat granulated sugar in sauce pan to make glaze? No margarine? Use milk for icing.

Homemade Valentine decorations. Fresh out of requested sprinkles? Shave chocolate pieces. Crush hard candies in the blender. Form heart shapes with tiny candies: M&Ms, Runts, Nerds or other small candy. Use mini-marshmallows, pretzels, chocolate, cherry or vanilla chips, Snip fruit snacks, jelly beans, gum drops, red licorice into small pieces. Cut letters from gum strips or Fruit Roll-Ups. Kid's favorite: decorate with breakfast cereal: Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops, Trix, Fruity Pebbles.

DIY Valentine decorative frosting. To make icing you can write with, place frosting in small plastic bag. Squeeze frosting into corner, tie end closed and snip the tip off the corner. Use like decorator icing to write Valentine messages, like "These cookies brought to you by a creative mom who's kid forget to tell her till the last minute!" (Probs too long, but tempting).

DIY Valentine sentiments. Add messages to cookies and cupcakes with valentine conversation hearts. Write valentine words with Alpha-Bits cereal or letter-shaped pretzels. Cut letters from Fruit Rollups. Write on cookies with diluted gelatin water in a turkey baster. Form letters from thin cut strips from licorice or use string licorice, also called licorice laces.

Let little last-minute Lucy help and you'll get some fun bonding time, too. Your emergency Valentine treats may turn out to be the most popular yet!

How I Lost 100 Pounds: Sticking to My Diet At Restaurants

I gained a lot of weight after losing two stillborn babies. Since 2012, I lost 100 pounds. Left is August 2014 and right photo is December 2012 (when I had already started to lose).



As you might imagine, I get asked a lot how I lost weight. So, I write diet tips and recipes to answer that question. Today's topic is eating in restaurants. Now restaurant food can spell diet disaster. Restaurant food is higher in salt, fat and sugar. Portions are bigger than recommended. But eating out is so common. Ironically (or not) overweight/obese people tend to eat out more. Don't get me wrong. I love going out to eat. But it's important, if you want (need) to lose weight, to learn how to eat in restaurants and stick to the diet.  

Order water with your meal. Even if you drink other beverages, water will fill you up faster and make

you feel less hungry.

Ask for lemon with your water. Lemon is good system flush. It will help your food digest better.

Skip the alcohol, or if you do, order wine with dinner. Don't order alcohol before dinner. Many kinds of

alcohol are appetite stimulants.

Do not order coffee, diet soda or tea before dinner; coffee and caffeine are appetite stimulants. Do

drink coffee or tea after meals because they also boost metabolism.

Eat out at restaurants where meals are served in courses. Soup and salad make you feel full and help

you lose weight. If you eat buffet restaurants, start with a huge salad.

Ask for your salad dressing served on the side. Most restaurants bathe salad in dressing.

Choose vinegar and oil dressing instead of creamy dressings to lose weight.

Order grilled, baked or broiled entrees instead of sauteed, fried or deep-fried options.

Order vegetables or baked potato instead of french fries, mashed potatoes, scalloped or hash

browns.

If bread or rolls are served with the meal, skip it. This is one of the biggest diet tips and weight loss

don't go together.

Try vegetarian or tofu options. Eggplant Parmesan is just as good, if not better than Veal Parmesan.

If there is a salad bar, skip the mayonnaise based salads and load up on the veggies.

If you like cheese on your salad, choose feta; it's much lower in fat than regular cheese.

Go easy on the sauces, condiments and spreads to lose weight.

Skip the sour cream on a baked potato.

Use lemon or malt vinegar for fish instead of tartar sauce. Choose broiled instead of deep-fried fish.

These two diet tips can cut calories by 80 percent.

Skip the ranch and BBQ sauce dips; choose mustard or marinara sauce if you need a dipping sauce.

Ask for lemon instead of salt. Lemon is an excellent salt substitute.

Ask for Splenda for iced tea or coffee after your meal, instead of sugar.

Switch to garlic toast instead of garlic bread.

Eat slowly. Do not rush through the meal. This is on the top 10 diet tips anywhere you eat.

Order from the ala carte menu instead of the full dinner menu; portions tend to be very large in

restaurants.

Fish and seafood are sometimes healthier, but not often as filling. Good weight loss fish choices are:

marlin, swordfish, grilled yellow-fin tuna and baked salmon.

Choose broth soup or consomme over heavy creamy soups and chowders for weight loss.

Ask for vegetable options instead of potato or bread choices. I love a baked sweet potato with my

meals.

Order sorbet, sherbet or fruit with non-dairy topping for dessert.

All the best to you in the weight loss quest. Remember, no one is perfect and even with the best diet

tips, you'll fall off the wagon.. Don't torment yourself if you indulge, now and then, just get back on!

Cut Grocery Bill in Half? Eat Healthy Diet Food

Want to know how I save 50% at the grocery store? By eating better. Part of how I lost 100 pounds was with diet food swaps and calorie restricting. And the good  news is that eating healthier is a great way to save money! I lost weight by following Dr. Oz's advice and swapping fatty, high-carb foods for healthy, fat-blasting foods. Lots of people tell me diet food is more expensive and they can't afford it. They're right--about the commercial kind of diet foods. But not natural, healthy diet food. I save money--like 50-percent off my grocery bill--buying it.  

Was your New Year's resolution to save money? You're in good company--that's one of the top new year goals said Business News Wire on Jan. 4. But if you're like most people, you'll start out great for the first few weeks of January, as the holiday bills roll in. Then, when they're paid off, you'll slip into old habits and overspend. The secret to saving money is to change up spending habits and start economizing. Some expenses are easier to economize on. But how do you save money on

necessities like groceries? From over three decades of budget grocery shopping for a large family,

here are money saving tips to spend less and get more at the grocery store. Save at least 50% on

groceries with these suggestions. Some tips will be familiar, but others might surprise you.

Time shopping trips. You've probably heard not to shop when you’re hungry. You can’t think clearly

and tend to buy expensive convenience foods. But also avoid shopping when you're tired or in a

hurry. When you shop for groceries earlier in the day and have enough time to shop, you're more

organized and have the energy to bargain-hunt.

Money saving means doing the math. Track average costs of frequently-purchased groceries and

staples. This way, you know what is and isn’t a bargain. Dollar stores and discounts store don’t always

have lower prices. Walmart sells similar items for $.88. Store sale prices are generally lower than a

dollar. The quality is usually better, too.

Do your homework. Check store ads online before shopping. Decide where you’ll buy each item

based on best price. But don’t waste time and gas driving to a store for only a few sale items. Ya gotta

love budget grocery stores like Aldi and Big Lots. But if the nearest is 25 miles away, there's no

bargain wasting gas money. Only stop if you're going that way anyway. And hit other budget grocery

stores and bargain stores in the same vicinity.

Set a weekly store route to save money. Go to weekly-ad stores, like Meijer or Albertson's before no

ad stores (like Walmart, Family Dollar or Dollar General). After scanning ads, calculate if sale prices are

less than regular Walmart prices. Hit discount for items you can’t find on sale for less.

Use customer loyalty cards and store rewards cards. More stores are offering some form of perks,

rewards or discount cards. They’re not credit cards. Swiping the card at check-out deducts coupons

and sale prices. You might have to “clip” coupons online. Some stores allow you to use merchandiser

coupons too. I just saved $2.50 on fruit that I was going to buy anyway. 

Use credit cards with rewards. Pay off the balance monthly (to avoid incurring interest or fees). A great

money saving tip is to compare rewards rates on store credit cards versus your major credit cards

when grocery shopping.

Don't overlook non-food stores for budget grocery shopping. Save money at gas stations with better

prices on milk, bread, eggs and other groceries. TJ Maxx has cheaper gourmet foods and spices. Big

Lots sells bargain spices, HBA, convenience items and specialty imported foods.

Don’t shop with impulse buyers and spendthrifts. Stay away from shoppers who don't compare prices,

hurry you along or grab the first thing they see just to get out of the store (husbands). Avoid extensive

shopping with children who tire easily. But when you do shop with your children, make it multitask as

an object lesson in budget grocery shopping and money management.

BYOB is money saving. Do you like a beverage to sip while shopping? Bring a travel mug from home

and save money on Starbucks or store sodas. You'll save a good $3 bucks right there. Pack snacks

for the children so they don't get hungry and pester you to buy overpriced food.

DIY is money saving. Use self-checkout lanes to track your shopping more efficiently. Use bags from

home. Aldi keeps prices lower having customers bag their own groceries in their own bags.

Read shelf labels to cut grocery shopping costs. Bigger packages don’t always save money. Check unit prices (usually it’s a per-ounce price) and compare ounce for ounce costs. Pay close attention to

items that come in many different sized containers, such as breakfast cereals.

Beware of buying in bulk. Only buy non-perishable items in bulk if they’re super-cheap. Otherwise

there may be a better sale and you won’t be able to take advantage of it. Only buy fresh food in bulk

if you can freeze it. A chest freezer is a super saver's best friend. Nab great prices on meat, dairy,

produce and frozen foods and pop them in the freezer. Mind the dates and use the oldest food first.

Buy close sell-by date foods with caution. Buying reduced-priced baked goods, produce or meats

can save big. But make sure to use or freeze by expiration date. Spoiled food is no deal.

Check expiration dates. Be especially careful with food stuffs from non-grocery stores as expiration

dates aren’t always monitored as well. Watch out for expired medicines, vitamins and health aids.

They’re dangerous as well as a waste of money. Even batteries can expire.

Compare packaging options. Don't overlook pre-cut produce, shredded cheese or partially prepared

food, assuming it’s more expensive. Sometimes it’s a better deal. Check for freshness. Prepared food

spoils faster. Be sure the food on the bottom, where the weight rests, looks as fresh as the top.

Scrutinize receipts. Make sure prices are correct and all discounts credited. If you discover a mistake

address it immediately. Some stores won’t alter a wrong price once you’ve left the store

I Lost 98 Pounds With A-Z Fat-Burning Food Swaps

Part of how I lost 100 pounds without diet drugs or weight loss surgery was with fat burning food swaps like those in Men's Health "Eat This, Not That." I follow weight loss gurus like Dr. Oz. I change my eating as I learn new food wisdom. I experiment. If something helps me lose, I keep doing it. Here's an A-Z guide to food switches that helped me lose. 

Good fats are MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids): omega-6, omega-3, GLA (gamma linolenic acids), ALA (alpha linolenic acids), some polyunsaturated fats, CLA (myoleptin). These good fatty acids dissolve bad fats and boost metabolism. Bad fats--LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, saturated, transfat, hydrogenated--don't break down. They just accumulate. Here are A-Z fat burn food swaps to lose weight and lower cholesterol.

A is for avocados, anchovies, almonds, almond butter, almond milk, amaranth (one of the seven grains which have been shown to lower cholesterol. B is for black currant oil, borage seed oil, Brussels sprouts, beans, buckwheat and barley (latter two are ancient grains). C is for chia seed, dark chocolate (70% or higher cacao), coconut oil, coconut milk, cauliflower. D is for dairy products from free-range, pasture-raised animals that aren't fed commercial corn-based feed. Best sources are cheese, Greek yogurt, lowfat milk.

E is for eggs from pasture-raised poultry, edamame (green soybeans), evening primrose oil. F is for milled flaxseed, flaxseed oil, wild-caught fish (not farm-raised), fish oil. G is for goat, goat milk and green peas. H is for hummus and halibut. I is for ice cream made from soy, yogurt or milk from free range cows. J is for juiced smoothies made with coconut oil and flax seed.

K is for Kamut Khorosan (high-energy wheat) and Kashi 7-Grain Go Lean cereal. L is for lentils and lima beans, M is for lean meat from free range, pasture-raised animals, mackerel, millet (another ancient grain), miso (fermented tofu). N is for nuts. O is for olives, oats, oatmeal, canola and olive oil.

P is for pumpkin seeds, pecans, peanuts, pistachios, natural peanut butter and PB2 peanut powder. Q is for quinoa. R is for wild rice and rye. S is for sustainable, wild-caught seafood, Alaskan salmon, shrimp, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, sardines, spelt (ancient grain). T is for triticale and tahini (sesame seed spread). U is for unbleached, unprocessed, unhulled grains, unprocessed meats, dairy

V is for sea vegetables like kelp and wakame help. W is for walnuts and winter squash. X is for extra virgin olive oil. Y is for Greek yogurt and yellowfin tuna. Z is for zucchini.

Disney's 'Frozen' Party Food Recipes, Winter-Themed Snacks

 If you see one movie this winter, make it "Frozen." It's an arctic adventure like Hans Christian Andersen's "Fairy Snow Queen." It's the top-grossing cartoon of all times. Disney's Frozen is a perfect theme for a winter birthday or just-because party. Here's a menu of Frozen-inspired snacks kids will love. BTW, Olaf is probably my favorite Disney sidekick ever. 

Disney Frozen is the perfect theme for Halloween, winter, birthday, solstice or just

because party. Here's a menu for a Disney Frozen party with Olaf the Snowman snacks, recipes and

beverages kids will love!

Olaf the Snowman snowballs: Let kids help make this snack. Melt marshmallows and add popped

popcorn. Have kids rub light margarine on hands and form popcorn (snow) balls. Roll in sprinkles if

desired.

Disney Frozen party: Melted Olaf the Snowman : Uh-uh, Olaf's melted. But fear not, like with Frosty

the Snowman, he'll be back. In the meantime, enjoy this yummy melted Olaf beverage. Mix 2% milk,

melted white chocolate chips, a dash of vanilla and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Disney Frozen party: Olaf the Snowman cookies: Have kids roll sugar cookie dough in three

different balls for snowman body parts (good for fine motor skills). Attach in snowman shape and

bake. Frost with vanilla frosting. Add stick pretzel arms, candy corn nose, black jelly bean eyes, red

frosting mouth and Chiklets gum for teeth. This will melt the heart of Queen Elsa!

Disney Frozen party: Olaf the Snowman malts. Mix vanilla ice cream, milk, French vanilla pudding

and malt powder. Top with mini marshmallows arranged like a snow man and colored sprinkles for

eyes, mouth and nose.

Disney Frozen party: Olaf the Snowman snacks: Here's another interactive snack craft featuring our

favorite snowman, Olaf. Make popcorn balls above in different sizes: small for head, medium for

middle, large for snowman base. Use raisins for buttons and eyes and matchstick carrots for nose.

Cut Fruit Leather or Fruit Roll-Up for scarf and smile. Add candy corn cob pipe. For hat, place round

chocolate candy like Brach's Star on head. For hat top, affix gumdrop, Hershey's Kiss, or Reese's

Peanut Butter cup with dab of frosting

Diet Tip Abandon the Diet Sometimes

I'm going out to dinner with my husband tonight. He has to work another six-day week (nights) and may be working seven nights a week again (why do they not hire a new person when someone quits??) Anyway, I have been dieting intensely for 18 months and my advice is to occasionally abandon the diet for a day. Or at least quit calorie counting. Enjoy food! 

Lowfat Garam Masala Butter Chicken or Tofu Masala with Veggies

Our family has developed a devotion to Indian food. An Indian restaurant opened near us. We ate there once and were instantly in love. I've always been a curry hound. But the curry was only the beginning. I can't get enough butter chicken, masala, tikka, vindaloo, tandoori and other fragrant dishes. I don't need meat--just the spicy sauces is enough, but only level one heat please. Here's my vege-fied diet tweaked garam masala butter chicken recipe for calorie counters.  

It's Lent for us Catholics. I'm not giving up any particular food, but I am dieting. I have lost 95 pounds. And my husband and daughter have given up meat. So I made a vegan Indian masala. Each one-cup serving has about 100 calories, little fat and 10 grams of protein. It's similar to butter chicken. 

Cube one pound light silken firm tofu. Chop leek, celery (leaves and all) and green pepper. Saute in olive, coconut, safflower or sunflower oil. Season with garam masala, celery seed, turmeric, curry powder, ginger and salt-free Spike to taste.

Add two teaspoons Better Than Bouillon vegetable soup base, six ounces of tomato paste, one can coconut milk, one can sweet peas, and two cups light soy milk. Blend. Add dash of Bragg's Liquid Amino if desired. Serve with jasmine rice and fresh greens salad. 

This recipe is therapeutic for those with arthritis, as turmeric and ginger are anti-inflammatory. Enjoy.

Po Boy with Debris Gravy and Remoulade Recipe Leftover Use Up

When you clean the fridge, you're faced with a dilemma--what to do with leftovers. With some, it'll be obvious by the inch layer of grey kitty fur mold. Toss. Others still have life left in them, with a little repurposing. Chef Jacques Pepin showed how to make an awesome bouillabaisse with leftovers from his daughter's fridge. Here's my fridge clean out leftover use up Po Boy with debris gravy and remoulade. 

Fridge Clean Out Leftover Use Up Po Boys with Debris Gravy and remoulade cole slaw

 

Place in a crock pot or slow cooker:

 

Leftover meat (pork, beef, chicken) any cut. Can be cooked or raw

Chopped mirepoix--onions, peppers, celery, scallions, tomatoes, carrots--use up bits and ends. Use any kind. Throw in scallion tops and celery leaves.

 

Clean out fridge door jars: salsa, hot sauce, Tabasco, tomato or spaghetti sauce, garlic, Italian salad dressing. Add to pot. Rinse jar and add rinse water. Be careful with hot sauce unless you can handle the heat.

 

Use up open canned tomatoes, chiles, corn, green beans. Add leftover rice and roux.

 

Add open bags of frozen onions, carrots, peppers, okra, green beans.

 

Season with gumbo file, red pepper, black pepper, sage, paprika, celery seed, garlic, oregano.

 

Simmer and serve over leftover stale or toasted bread, rolls, buns or biscuits.

 

Top with cole slaw made with leftover chopped cabbage, celery, carrots, green peppers, onions. Blend with leftover mayonnaise or salad dressing, remoulade, mustard and horseradish.

 

All ingredients are optional and can be reconfigured to fit what you have leftover. Trivia: Po Boys originated in New Orleans during a streetcar strike. Strikers, called Po (poor) boys, were given free sandwiches.  For more awesome recipes and cooking tips, visit my blogs

 

Cheap, Quick, Healthy Cooking Cheats for Crazy-busy Parents

Mealtimes present a dilemma for me: I want the kids to enjoy hot, hearty, healthy meals, but I generally lack adequate time to cook. If you're a crazy-busy parent who values nutritious meals, you need shortcuts to "get-er-done" fast. Here are cooking cheats from a veteran mom of four and Omi to 13! Tailor recipe sizes to family need. These meals are easy on the budget as well. 

* 2-for-1 meals: Cook once, eat twice (or three times!) Make big meals that you can nibble on all week. A popular one is stuffed chicken breasts (or pork loin). 

Multitasking Chicken Casserole. Cover coated baking dish with thin-sliced chicken or pork. Sprinkle with rosemary. Mix bread cubes, chopped onion and celery, melted butter, sage, garlic, marjoram and black pepper. Or cheat and use boxed stuffing mix and add chopped celery and onion. Spread over meat. Layer more cutlets over stuffing. Add a can of green beans and pour a can of cream soup (with rinse water) over all and bake. Reheat and serve as many times as you can! This works great with Thanksgiving leftovers. 

Multi-Purpose Pasta Bake. Make spaghetti and meatballs one night. Then pour sauce, meatballs over pasta, top with shredded cheese and bake, for night two. 

* Soupcon supper: In a saucepan, add one can each tuna, chicken noodle soup, mushroom soup and peas or beans (rinse each can and add water). Press slices of bread in muffin tin slots and toast for 10 minutes to make bread "bowls." Fill with soup. This was my grandmother's washday recipe. Soupcon means "a small amount" in French and can be said "soup can!" My kids absolutely love this cute meal in minutes.

* Precut fruit and vegetables: I used to think it was lazy and wasteful to use pre-cut foods. That was before I had four kids and started homeschooling. Now I welcome time-savers. To cut costs, buy pre-cut produce when they're reduced for clearance. Use in order of expiration date.

* Bagged salad supper. Get one of those salad kits when they are cheap. Add crumbled bacon, or canned chicken cubes and extra cheese. If you have going-bad veggies, quick chop and add in. 

* Salad sandwiches. If there's leftover salad supper, make sandwiches the next night. Fill croissants or bagels. 

* Once-a-week cooking: In individual pans, cook rice, pasta and potatoes. Place in Ziploc bags or use food sealer. Fry hamburger, chicken (or turkey) breast cubes and/or pork cubes in the same pans (saves dishes). Fill Ziploc bags. Refrigerate and mix and match. Buy frozen peas, beans, broccoli and cauliflower. Each night, grab one package starch, one meat and one bag vegetables. Throw in oven stove top, with water, can of cream soup and seasonings, as desired. You'll get two weeks or more worth of meals and an endless variety of entrees. Our meal choice is chicken tetrazzini: pasta, chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, mushroom soup, Parmesan cheese, diced onions and black olives.

* Super speedy stir-fry suppers: Use frozen fish, shrimp and vegetables to save time. For fried rice stir-fry, mix cooked rice, fish, peas and carrots and eggs. Fry. For egg foo yung, mix eggs, pea pods, chopped bell peppers, chopped onions, fresh cut Asian vegetables or coleslaw with cabbage and carrots, canned Asian vegetables (water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts) and fish if desired. Make quick gravy with soy sauce, corn starch and water. Serve over rice or chow mien noodles. Our favorite is stir-fry curry. Cook fresh-cut oriental vegetables and diced chicken breasts with oil and Thai curry spice. Add half plain Greek yogurt and honey for a sweeter curry.

Using these cooking cheats, I can have supper on the table in 15 minutes.

"Jerusalem: A Cookbook" Celebrates Diversity, Shares Passions

Preface: When I wrote this piece, the Palestine-Israel War was but a far-off thunder. Now more than ever, we need collaborative efforts like "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" to lead us to peace. 

I love to cook, and it particular to experiment with different ethnic foods. I like to recreate the dishes we sample from different cuisines. I try to tie in not just the ingredients and cooking styles themselves, but the entire milieu in which they developed. Here's a great cookbook for exploring the varied cultures in Jerusalem, written by men from two sides of the city: Jewish and Muslim. This book would make a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift.   

We've tried New Orleans creole, Louisiana Cajun, Polish, Russian, Indian, African, Jamaican, South American and others across the globe. My own favorite styles are Indian and Mediterranean. I follow the Mediterranean Diet. Knowing that, my youngest son mentioned a cookbook he'd heard about on NPR. The book "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" celebrates religiously and culturally diverse city of Jerusalem through food. I'd forgotten his suggestion until, perusing new books at Barnes & Noble, I happened on it. When I said how intrigued I was, Jake quipped, "That's the one I was telling you about!"

 

The "Jerusalem Cookbook" authors, both natives that city, are agemates. But they came from opposite poles of the religious (and geographic) Jerusalem map. Yotam Ottolenghi (author of "Plenty" and restauranteur of Ottolenghi fame) is from the Jewish west side while Sami Tamimi, is an Arab from eastern Jerusalem. Not only do Ottolenghi and Tamimi share recipes and historical information from their own backgrounds, they include cultural tidbits from the myriad of heritages represented in this most "flavorful" city. Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, Coptic and Armenian Christians, eastern Orthodox, Muslims and many more call this ancient and pivotal city home. From these many traditions, "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" combines different elements into one wonderful feast.

As a teacher, I always plug for the educational. Beyond a cookbook, "Jerusalem" is a comprehensive, stand-alone social studies unit. The pictures are eloquent and evocative. Along with recipes, "Jerusalem" gives local bioscopes, is jam-packed with historical, anthropological, traditional and cultural detail. And it is relatable and even funny sometimes. I recommend any teacher of world history or world religions invest in a copy.

"Jerusalem: A Cookbook" touches a nerve with me on a deeper level. I have my own faith, but love to explore the faith backgrounds of others. I'm concerned when our differing ideologies interfere with our treatment of each other. I look for initiatives that promote common ground and social justice. I love how "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" focuses on shared passions not divisive differences. The "Jerusalem" cookbook doesn't homogenize because the city doesn't either. It turns diversity into a one big party! It blends similarities into a tasty multicultural salad where each flavor is identifiable and honored. And what better medium to share of ourselves than food?

Hostess Twinkies Minions Cupcakes for Despicable Me Party

"Despicable Me", "Despicable Me 2" and "Minions" are huge hit movies with kids and adults. Gru's yellow capsule-shaped minions are especially popular. Need ideas for Despicable Me or Minions birthday cakes? Here are recipes for Despicable Me birthday cakes, using Hostess Twinkies to make Minions. You can actually make Twinkie cake Minions recipes as party games or crafts. Use Twinkies Minions for party favors or edible decorations (eating the party decorations would be very Minion-like indeed!) Here are recipes for Despicable Me Twinkie cake Minions.

Hostess Twinkies: Party guests should get to decorate their own Twinkies Minions to eat.

Bowls of frosting or spray cans of decorator frosting in these colors: blue, black and white

Pep-O-Mint Lifesavers or other small round white candies with holes. If you can find candy necklaces or bracelets, cut the string apart and remove the candies. Cheerios or Alpha-bits cereal would work for Twinkie cake Minions.

blue Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-ups, blue fruit leather or blue frosting

string black licorice

yellow licorice, cylinder Good n Fruity, Runts or Mike 'n Ike Candies or cylinder cookies (for arms)

Tootsie Roll midgets

To make Despicable Me minions birthday cakes, unwrap Hostess Twinkies. For Minions' safety goggles, attach white candies to front with frosting. Fill in with white frosting then black dots in the center. You can also make a ring of silver frosting with white frosting inside and tiny black dots of frosting in the center. Use black frosting to draw goggles band around the Twinkie cake Minions heads.

Make Minions overalls by wrapping a strip of blue Fruit Roll-Ups wrap around base of Twinkie cake Minions. Draw overall straps with blue spray frosting. If you wish, you can also make overalls entirely from blue frosting. Poke yellow cylinder candies or cookies in sides for arms. Put dabs of frosting on the end for gloves. Attach two unwrapped Tootsie Roll midgets on bottom for feet. Poke bits of licorice in the top for hair.

Guests might name their Twinkies Minions and give them personas. You can also arrange decorated Despicable Me Minions upright on their Tootsie Roll feet and place atop birthday cakes. Or make them into Minions army birthday cakes! Children will love making their own Despicable Me minions treats.

Graduation Cap Candies and Cookies

Graduation Party Mortarboard Hat Cookies and Favors Recipes Sheet cakes for graduation open house parties are very expensive. And pretty though the cake may be, they usually taste like cardboard and sweetened shortening. So how

about a recipe for cheap, easy graduation hat cookies? Graduation hat cookies, also called mortarboard cookies, are the perfect graduation open house party dessert alternative to cakes. Make

enough for two per guest.

Graduation Mortarboard Cookies ingredients

small Reese's' Peanut Butter cups or any 1-inch diameter chocolate cup-type candies (mix it up with

caramel cups). Rolos work well too.

small square vanilla or chocolate covered cookies: chocolate mint cookies, Keebler Fudge Shoppe

Deluxe Grahams, Lorna Doone, Pepperidge Farm Chessmen or generic equivalent.

M&Ms in one of graduate's school colors

can of decorator cake frosting in the other school color

To Make Graduation Mortarboard Hat Cookies

Remove wrappers from peanut butter cups.

Invert peanut butter candy and "glue" cookie to base of candy with a dab of frosting.

Make frosting tassels with by using narrowest round tip on frosting can.

Place M&M on frosting tassel for center button of mortarboard hat.

Options:--Buy M&Ms and frosting in both school colors and alternate.--Frost plain square cookies in school colors.

--Add candy numbers in school year. Write numbers with frosting.--Use graduation hat cookies as edible place cards.--Use large Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or Mallo Cups and frosted graham cracker halves

Easy, Inexpensive Graduation Open House Party Planner

Hosting a graduation open house and need easy, budget-friendly tips? Use this party planning guide

to throw a cheap, nice backyard bash for your graduate! Here are recipes, tips shopping lists for

groceries, supplies, decorations and equipment. DIY alternatives save you money and hassle!

Graduation open house menu: Buy enough food for one serving per guest. Shop dollar stores, Aldi's,

Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Gordon Food Service and Target. Don't fuss with outdoor electrical

outlets. Prep ahead, chill or warm, and serve. Here's a cheap graduation open house buffet menu

under $100.

* Diploma roll-ups appetizers--flour tortilla shells --cream cheese --sliced ham --spray cheese

Spread cream cheese on tortillas, Place ham on top. Roll thin. Slice in half lengthwise. Draw "tie" with

spray cheese (or use licorice ropes). Arrange on serving tray. Chill.

* Watermelon basket: Cut watermelon in basket shape. Make two cuts two inches apart in center. Cut

one-third of the way down on each side. Cut a horizontal line around each side (connecting with the

vertical. Remove cutaway portions, leaving handle. Clean out fruit with melon baller (save melon

balls). Cut a scalloped or zigzag edge if desired. Carve "Congratulations Class of ____" on side. Mix

melon balls with partially thawed 4# bag Walmart frozen tropical fruit (reserve two cups). Fill basket.

* Hawaiian meatballs. Blend and heat in large disposable foil pan:--16 ounces ketchup --5# frozen meatballs --16 ounces grape jelly 

--reserved tropical fruit

* Veggie tray:--baby carrots --celery stalk --cucumbers --green peppers --dip

* Mac and cheese: Mix in large disposable aluminum pan and bake:--3# cooked mini seashell pasta --2 large cans mushroom soup --2# Velveeta cheese (cubed) --French friend onions (top with)

* Mortarboard graduation hat cookies (in lieu of cake).These went over crazy-well at our youngest

son's open house. Here's my tutorial and recipe for graduation cap cookies. You'll need:--peanut butter cups (Reese's, Palmer, generic) --chocolate covered graham cookies --M&Ms (school colors) Set extras out for party favors. --spray frosting (in one school color)

Additional groceries and supplies: For dual purpose decorations/ utensils, buy serving supplies and

paper products in school colors.--assorted chips/pretzels --assorted 2-litre bottles of soda (clear, cola, fruit-flavored, diet, caffeine-free) --water --instant coffee --tea assortment --creamer --sweetener --2 disposable rectangle aluminum pan (turkey size) for meatballs and mac and cheese --2 large plastic serving trays (for veggies and Diploma roll-ups) --large plastic bowls (for chips or pretzels) --2 plastic tablecloths (for buffet and gift table-guests don't need to sit at tables) --plastic spoons and forks --napkins --paper plates --congratulations banner 

--streamers (hang in trees) --balloon bouquet (cheap at Dollar Tree)

On-hand or borrowed supplies--2 picnic or outdoor buffet tables --folding chairs (campfire chairs work great) --portable awning or large umbrella (for food) --30-cup coffee pot or large carafe (for hot water) --2-gallon insulated beverage cooler --2 coolers (for ice, pop)

Decorations:

Make a memory table of your graduate. Arrange memorabilia, artwork, photos, projects, mementos,

awards, instruments, sports equipment, ribbons, trophies, scrapbooks, baby pictures. Place box

discreetly for cards.

And now, you wonderful parents you, relax, visit and enjoy. You've earned it! 

Graduation Open House Buffet Recipes for Bridal or Baby Shower too

May and June are busy with graduation open houses. If you have a graduating child, here's a guide to plan a graduation open house party cheap and easy. This festive budget graduation party guide has tips on purchasing, preparation, serving and clean-up tips for a perfect open house that even a busy DIY parents can enjoy!

--Set up self-maintaining buffet and drink areas.

--Serve simple appetizers and finger foods that people can graze from and don't require you to manage (aside from putting out a fresh tray possibly).

--Beverage bar: arrange variety of pop, water or juice, ice bucket and cups. Or buy canned soda in bulk cheap and fill a cooler. Set a box lined with plastic for returnable cans. Serve one each: cola product (Coke, Pepsi, RC), clear soda (7-Up, Sprite, Squirt), diet soda, non-caffeinated pop (root beer), bottled water, lemonade and juice boxes. If you serve alcohol, have a bar tender. Put bottled or canned beer in cooler. Monitor casually but carefully.

--Use disposable utensils, plates, cups and napkins. Get cheap paper products at Dollar Tree, Walmart or Family Dollar in your school colors. Serve food from large disposable foil roasting pans. Use the turkey size. Buy rectangular pans as they store in the refrigerator better. Fill roaster pans the night before and reheat before serving

--Cheap, easy open house buffet foods: These don't need to be reheated.

BBQ meatballs: Mix and heat thoroughly: 5# bag of Armour frozen meatballs and 16 oz jam or frozen fruit, 16 oz ketchup, envelope French onion soup mix, cup molasses, smoked paprika, garlic and lime juice.

Sausage and Sauerkraut: three 32 oz bags of refrigerated sauerkraut and 4# fresh bratwurst, sweet Italian or Polish sausage. Bake until sausage is thoroughly cooked about an hour.

Tuna Salad: Mix 2# cooked small seashell pasta, four 12 oz. or eight 6 oz. cans of drained tuna, 1 whole stalk of celery pared, cleaned and sliced, 1 large sweet or Vidalia onion, cleaned and chopped, 3 T. dill, 32 oz jar mayonnaise, 4 hard cooked eggs sliced and arranged on top, pepper or paprika for garnish

Chicken Salad: Mix 2# cooked small seashell pasta, four 12 oz cans cooked chicken, 32 oz jar mayonnaise, 1 # chopped walnuts, 1 stalk cleaned, pared chopped celery, 2# washed seedless purple grapes, 1/2 c. chopped sweet onion (optional), parsley for garnish.

Baked Beans: Mix 8 cans of pork and beans or 3 jars of great northern beans, two 3# bacon cut into bite-sized pieces, 32 oz ketchup, 2# brown sugar. Bake on low until beans and bacon are browned and bubbly.

Vegetable tray: For color variety use: cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, yellow pepper strips, mini ir baby portobella fresh mushrooms, cauliflower. Serve dish in hollowed out green pepper or use ranch dressing for dip.

Fruit bowl: canned pineapple chunks, fresh strawberries (washed and pared), fresh washed green grapes, canned mandarin oranges, fresh blueberries. Serve individually in disposable drink cups topped with whipped cream for a smaller party. You can also make a watermelon boat.I don't care for all the cutting up of a melons, though.

Cupcakes: Cupcakes are much easier to manage than a huge cake that messy and ends up all over your yard. You can buy bulk decorations like little diplomas, Class year or graduation. You can buy them from any party supply store or Walmart. Put one on each cupcake. Our local Meijer grocery superstore makes decorated graduation cupcakes. I paid $30 for 72 cupcakes, a big savings over a cake.