Your Color of Underwear Does Matter

You read that right... what color of undies will you have on. Why??? Well it seems a tradition of those that live in Latin American countries like Mexico, Bolivia and Brazil hold true to the belief that the color of undies you wear will help determine the year ahead. 

Don a pair of red panties and you may just be lucky enough to find love and romance. Meanwhile, yellow undies are thought to lead to wealth and success. Traditional white undies are thought to resemble peace and harmony. While eating greens on New Years is thought to bring about a year of good finances wearing green undies will hopefully bring about good health. 

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Eating Grapes On New Years

Take note that I have shared a few recipes to help you have good luck in the new year. You can find them here here and here

Now, I want to share another tradition that comes from Spain and Mexico. This one involves eating fruit,,, grapes to be exact. The thought is that when the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve welcoming in the new year one eats 12 grapes. That is one grape for each month of the year hoping to bring luck into ones life.

Meanwhile.... check out this recipe

1. 1 package (8 ounces) 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
2. 1 cup (8 ounces) lite sour cream
3. 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons sugar splenda blend
4. 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
5. 2 pounds seedless red grapes
6. 2 pounds seedless green grapes
7. 2 cups fat free cool whip
8. 3 tablespoons brown sugar-to garnish (optional)
9. 3 tablespoons chopped pecans-to garnish (optional)

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, cool whip, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving. Enjoy!

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Enjoy Dark Greens in the New Year

There are many reasons as to why you should include greens in your diet. As one food rich in antioxidants and alkaline they help fight inflammation and help to neutralize acids found in your body. Our bodies will also benefit by eating dark green veggies. From our skin to our tummies there are many reason that we should enjoy dark greens. 

Dark green veggies are not only healthy but they are a fun addition to the New Years Day dinner and are thought to bring good luck as well.  The Thought is that the dark green color is the same color as money making room for a good financial future. 

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large bunch of kale, rinsed & leaves torn from stems
• 8 ounces baby spinach
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 – 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded

1. Melt 4 TBSP of butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for one minute stirring constantly.
2. Slowly whisk in milk, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Add onion and bring to a simmer, stirring quite often to prevent clumping and scorching. Simmer on low heat while you prepare the kale.
3. Chop kale into small pieces.
4. Melt remaining butter in large saute pan over medium heat. Add kale a little at a time, stirring occasionally until it begins to wilt, cover, turn to medium-low heat and let kale cook for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and let it wilt.
5. Once kale & spinach is soft, pour in cream sauce, folding with spatula to combine. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
6. Mix in Parmesan cheese. Pour into an oven safe dish, and sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes; then broil for 5 minutes until cheese is browned.

Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

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Pork Brings Good Luck In New Year ==== Slow Cooker Recipe

One food considered lucky is pig. Pigs often symbolize progress in countries around the world. Pigs are always moving forward and rarely if at all backward. Countries such as Hungary, Austria, Spain, Cuba and Portugal have all had a part in making pork or pig a traditional food for the first of the year. Perhaps you should try enjoying a recipe related to pigs or pork on the first of the year so that you too can follow the tradition and superstition that may help bring your good fortune in the new year

2 pounds pork tenderloin

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried sage

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrot

1 (14.5-ounce) can sauerkraut (the whole thing)

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

8 rolls for serving (optional)

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. 

Put the roast into the bottom or your cooker. In a mixing bowl, combine the dried spices: mustard, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, pepper. Rub these spices on all sides of the roast. Put the shredded carrot, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds into the empty bowl, and stir to combine. Then pour all contents on top of the spiced roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the meat shreds easily with two forks.

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Play a game of Hopscotch

One of my favorite games when I was a child was hopscotch. While my kids have not found a true fondness for the game as I did I have seen them play the game as well.

Hopscotch was a game played in ancient Britain during the Roman Empire. The original boards did not only have 10 squares but rather had over 100 feet of playing area. These boards were used for military training purposes in which the men would run the course in full armor with field packs attached. Thus hopefully making the men stronger with steady footwork.

The children during this time period drew their own courts which were much smaller. The new boards also had a scoring system and "hopscotch" was created. The game quickly spread throughout Europe.

To Play:
The game is played with each player holding a marker. The marker is normally a stone of some sort. To start the game a player will toss the marker into the first square. The stone must land in the square without touching a line or bouncing out. In the case that it does the player will not be able to go further. However if the stone lands properly in the square the player then hops through the court straddling the side by side squares and hopping on the left or right foot in the single squares.

In the end the player then turns around and continues to hop back stopping to pick up the marker. The game continues with each square. If the player steps on a line, misses a square or loses his balance and falls the player must end their turn and repeat the square that they are currently on. The winner is the player that completes each square first.

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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts #recipe

1 cup ketchup

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

16 oz sliced bacon

3 (5 oz) cans water chestnuts

wooden toothpicks

1. Preheat your over to 350 degrees.
2. In a small saucepan combine the ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce and heat until bubbly and then remove from heat.
3. Cut your bacon strips into thirds. Don't use too think of a cut of bacon for this or it wont get crispy.
4. Wrap each water chestnut with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
5. Dip each bite into the sauce to coat thoroughly and place into a baking pan.
6. Repeat with the remainder of the bacon and water chestnuts.
7. Be careful not to crowd the pan. As these appetizers cook, the bacon fat renders and will fill the bottom of the pan. If you place too many in your baking dish you will end up with soggy bites.

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Identity Theft

Have you ever thought much about identity theft?? Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to commit fraudulent acts or crimes. It is something that should be taken seriously as over 9 million Americans are taken advantage by in this manner every year. Identity theft can not only ruin your finances but can also be emotionally draining. In addition, Identity theft can occur whether the individual is living or deceased. 

By using another individuals information such as their name, address, social security number, or credit card number to purchase items or property, get loans, credit or services are committing identity fraud. Fraud has occurred in such occasions as to get official documents such as government issued IDs or passports, open accounts, obtain loans or government benefits or get goods or services. Moreover these frauds occurred with little regard to the individual whose ID had been stolen.

Individuals who have their identities stolen will find their finances and reputation are often damaged. Victims of identity fraud often have a hard time getting credit cards, mortgages or loans. So what is it that you can do to help prevent this from happening to you::

• be sure to shed all documents that contain personal or financial info before getting rid of them. ID thieves will often dumpster dive to find some shred of information they can use if all information is shredded it can not be used.
• Protect your social security number and only give out when absolutely needed
•  Often individual looking for information will call you on the phone claiming they work at a bank or credit card company and ask questions. Never give out any information to callers who you do not know

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Ugly Sweater Weather

Have you seen them??? Many think they are cute others think they are a bit ugly, I simply think they are very charmingly warm. Yes!! We are talking about those ugly sweaters that seem to be growing in popularity. Want to get one that will gather lots of attention as well?? Then you will want to take a few notes here are some tips that may help you choose the perfect one for you:

• Animal or cartoon characters with a holiday theme give sweaters a kitsch feel. Think reindeer, snowmen, mice, kittens or elves.
• Select ridiculous colors. The more they clash, the better.
• Embellish. Scratch that. Over-embellish! Pom-poms, bells, felt, tinsel, or any other glittery, jingly items lying around the house.
• Add a collar, dickey, or ruffle.
• Electrify it! Put Rudolph to shame and go to the head of the team with bright, flashing lights!
• Give it some 80s flair with shoulder pads.

So just how did the idea of the ugly sweater get started?? It was in 2011 when the day first was seen. After that the ugly sweater took off on its own becoming more and more ugly year after year. 

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Southern Style Cornbread Stuffing #Recipe

Corn Bread Dressing Recipe

2 cup self rising corn meal

1-2 tablespoons sugar (optional)

1 1/2 cup milk

1 egg

3 tablespoon vegetable shortening oil or dripping

1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken gizzard

1 cup finely chopped celery

1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 teaspoon sage (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon poultry season (adjust to taste)

1 cup finely chopped onions (optional)

5-8 cups chicken broth

Preheat oven to 425.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine corn meal and sugar. Add milk and egg. Mix until blended, then add shortening and again mix until well blended. Pour cornbread mixture into greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Once done remove from oven and allow to cool. Grease a 8 or 9 inch baking pan and set aside.

To make dressing, crumble up cornbread, add chicken gizzards, celery, green bell pepper, sage and poultry seasoning to taste. Add chopped onions if you like.

Next pour 5 to 8 cups of chicken broth into cornbread mixture. Mix well and then pour unto greased baking pan. Bake dressing at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until dressing is browned to your liking.

For large families you can double or triple this recipe. Just make double or triple the amount of corn bread and do the same for chicken gizzards, celery, bell peppers, etc. Add sage and poultry seasoning to taste. Then pour in enough chicken broth to make your mixture somewhat soupy. Pop the cornbread dressing into the oven and cook until browned.

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