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Holidays and celebrations are a part of life where food is often the centerpiece.  Whether your typical routine meals are low carb, slow carb or no particular diet approach at all, joy and tradition are more important than deprivation during the holidays.

That said, if you want to stay true to low carb or slow carb during holidays or celebrations, it does not have to mean tasteless, boring dishes.  There are many options and many recipes that can stand in and stand up to joyful social eating.

New Years

Valentine’s Day

Easter

Kentucky Derby

Cinco de Mayo

Mother’s Day

Heirloom Tomato Festival

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Casual Afternoon Tea at Home with Easy Finger Food

High teas and afternoon teas are great, but they can be a bit on the formal side. A casual afternoon tea with snacks and games can be a great alternative. Throwing your own party means you can control the budget, select your favorite finger food and enjoy a creative activity if so desired. We have …

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Persian Saffron Rice Pudding Flavored with Rosewater

Persian saffron rice pudding makes a scrumptious springtime dessert, often enjoyed for Ramadan or Easter. In this recipe, traditional Persian spices of cardamom, cinnamon and saffron pair with sweet rice for the classic rice pudding dessert. Rose water is also added, which gives it a floral hint that is quite unique. Jump to: RECIPE | …

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Mini Vegetables for Small Space Container Gardening

Short on garden space? You can still grow your favorite vegetables on a balcony, on a deck, on a roof top, or in a small side yard. Growing vegetables in small urban spaces is easier however if you opt for growing baby vegetables (aka mini vegetables). Jump to: Benefits and Nutrition of Baby Veggies | …

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Holiday Care Packages: 7 Homemade Treats to Send

Have a kid in college or a loved one living abroad? This holiday season, let them know you’re thinking of them by sending a themed holiday care package filled with homemade treats and other goodies. Below, you’ll find 7 festive recipes that ship well. Jump to: Chocolate Cherry Bark | Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Zucchini …

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8 Specialty Martini Drinks For the Holidays

Looking for a nice martini recipe for the holidays, to wow guests at your next party, or just to celebrate Friday night? I’ve got you covered! Have a look at my 8 favorite martini drinks for every occasion. What Exactly is a Martini? Let’s clarify one thing first. Traditionally, a martini is just a mix …

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Peppermint Espresso Martini

Make the holidays extra festive with one of my favorite twists on the classic: a peppermint espresso martini! The perfect boozy pick-me-up to serve after a long family dinner, your guests will love this sweet and minty holiday cocktail. Jump to:RECIPEIngredientsMethod Peppermint Espresso Martini Ingredients Espresso martini… but make it festive! If you’re still looking …

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Southern Italian Beef Braciole (Involtini) Recipe

The Italians I know go all out for Winter holiday celebrations, and this show-stopping beef braciole (aka braciola) is often a centerpiece on the Southern Italian table. This Sicilian (Neapolitan) version includes pine nuts, prosciutto, parsley, garlic and cheese as the filling (raisins if you want the sweet flavor). It is served with high quality …

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Traditional Pork Pozole Rojo: Pork & Hominy Stew

This version of pozole rojo is from mi amiga who lives in the Bajío region of Mexico (west-central Mexico). It is a luscious slow-cooked stew made with pork, hominy, Mexican spices, and a blend of mild to moderate chile peppers in the rojo sauce. It is simple to make without a lot of hands-on time, …

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New England Apple Cheddar Cheese Rustic Tart (Galette)

This buttery galette dough makes a free-form tart that is not only easy but is crisp and flaky and can be made ahead by several days without drying out. The filling is the popular New England combination of apples and cheddar cheese, along with aromatic Fall spices. A beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving table! Jump …

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10 Drinks to Make with Homemade Vanilla Vodka Recipe

Move over, fake-tasting and sugary supermarket vanilla vodka! Find out how to make delicious vanilla vodka yourself at home using just two ingredients: vodka and real vanilla beans. Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Method | Ideas for Drinks I love playing around with making my own liqueurs! Whether it’s something summery like blueberry-infused liqueur …

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Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies: Low Sugar

Raspberries and chocolate is a classic pairing in desserts, and for good reason….the combination is superior in flavor, texture and visual appeal. These raspberry chocolate chip cookies are made with dark chocolate (78%) and minimal sugar so the sweet-tart raspberries and the rich but somewhat bitter chocolate is allowed to shine. Jump to: RECIPE | …

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Easy Swedish Potato Bake for the Holidays (aka Jansson’s Temptation)

This simple potato side dish is a mainstay on the Swedish smorgasbord at Christmastime, where it is referred to as Jansson’s Temptation or Janssons frestelse. It is a rich and creamy comfort food made with potatoes, onions, cream and the secret ingredient of anchovies. Perfect for the holiday table, no matter which country you celebrate …

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Orange Chocoflan (Impossible Cake): Tips for Avoiding Failure

I wanted to make this remarkable cake for a fiesta party, but the first two attempts were total failures. The third time around was perfection and raves from the friends and family on the both the taste and the presentation. Learn from my mistakes below and get your layered, sweet Impossible Chocoflan to turn out …

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Chicken Pipián Verde: Pumpkin Seed Green Mole

This classic Mexican pumpkin seed and tomatillo sauce, sometimes referred to as green mole or mole verde, is tangy, herbal and a little spicy. The pipián sauce is a rich blend of pumpkin seeds, spices, tomatillos, and roasted poblano peppers. Once the sauce ingredients are pureed in a blender, it is then briefly simmered with …

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