I was lucky enough to receive Dinner for Busy Moms in the mail today.  What a great book! It is not a cookbook, but a strategy guide full of tips on how to streamline food shopping and how to organize your pantry.  It also explains how to get kids involved in the process.  Those who know me well will know that I will LOVE reading this book.  This is a magazine type read with side bars and tips. 

My friend, and author,  Jeanne Muchnick states, “It’s not about what you’re serving that matters, it’s that you are sitting together in the first place.”  Jeanne is a “normal” mom that admits to having a messy house, a car full of snack wrappers, a huge stack of books and magazines by her bed, and a crazed, multi-tasking life she calls “controlled chaos.”  After her daughter told her she liked eating at her aunts house rather than at home, Jeanne decided she needed to be better about the needs of her family, rather than working on her deadlines.  Jeanne says, “I am often so busy with work and errands and life in general that dinner became something that fell by the wayside.”  We can all relate to that! 

Jeanne shares the same vision as TAYGA.  Spending time with family is important!  Sitting down for meals and catching up on your day should be a priority.

You can find Dinner for Busy Moms on our site.  Don’t miss out on this book!  Tie on a pretty apron and whip up something fast for your family!  Don’t forget to check page 168 to see the sidebar on TAYGA Aprons!

-Peg

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New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year.  Wear your black and white ruffle apron and make sure your party is successful with these helpful tips. 

1.  Buy more food and supplies than you’ll think you’ll need.  There are always unplanned guests and preparing for 20% more will make sure you have enough of everything.  Guests can always take home leftovers!

 

2.  Invite guests, but be specific on how many guests they can bring.  You don’t want a party that is too crowded.

 

3.  Designate 2-3 people as bartenders.  This will limit the traffic in and out of the kitchen and make it fun for the bartenders and other guests.  Have bartenders tie on a luxury apron so guests can find them.

4.  Decorate! Decorate before guests come with the help of one or two friends.  With everyone working to gether the decotations will look great.

 

5.  State an ending time.  Let everyone know on the invitations when the party will end. 

 

6. Prepare for cabs.  If guests are drinking have cab numbers available for them to call.

 

7.  Have activities for guests. Some people like to sit and talk, while others like to play darts or board games.  Have a variety of activities for your guests to choose from.

 

8.  Midnight Special. Have something special ready for your guests at midnight.  Whether it be a whistle or a toast, make it memorable!

 

9.  Don’t be afraid to use plastic. Plastic utensils are ok to use.  That will be less mess for you in the morning and keep the clutter out of your kitchen. 

 

10.  Variety of drinks. Have a variety of drinks on hand.  Also have creative nonalcoholic beverages for your drivers. 

 

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