Handling food allergies for Thanksgiving

Here's how to be prepared so that no one with allergies feels left out, and you aren't caught off guard this Thanksgiving.

Plan your Thanksgiving menu around allergies

Stress not this Thanksgiving when you learn that your young nephew has to follow a strict gluten-free menu, or your Uncle Al is allergic to shellfish, and you planned to serve shrimp bisque. Food allergies do not have to create anxiety. With a few extra steps, you and your family can be prepared for Thanksgiving!

Some view it as a "trend" or a "hype" while others view it as a medical condition. The Thanksgiving dinner table is not the time to get into a debate with your family and friends about allergies and whether they are true or a myth. (No one wants to hear how sick you once got, while you are eating.) So what can you do to ensure that no one has an allergic reaction because of something you placed on the table?

Ask

Be thoughtful ahead of time. Call and email everyone who will be at your home for Thanksgiving meals. (Or ask the host if you are bringing a dish to someone else's home). Ask if anyone in the family has any food allergies. You want your family (and friends) to feel welcome in your home and by making them feel safe, they will feel welcome.

Try these delicious gluten-free Thanksgiving desserts and vegan Thanksgiving side dishes >>Dairy allergy? Learn how to substitute for dairy to make any recipe dairy-free >>Plan accordingly

If you know that there is a nut allergy, perhaps pecan pie is not the best idea for your dessert table. Or, just offer another option for those with a nut allergy, so they do not feel left out. Same goes for gluten-free diet needs. You will need to eliminate foods that contain wheat, barley, rye and triticale. (Very important note — read labels carefully!) Offer at least two side dishes that are gluten-free for those guests. You can serve beans, rice, fruits and vegetables (without added flours) and most dairy products. Or try our Thanksgiving recipes for gluten-free baked potato soup and butternut squash risotto.

Feel free to ask for help

Just because it is your home, you do not have to cook the entire meal by yourself. If your brother has a soy allergy and your sister-in-law offers to bring a dish, graciously say yes! Maybe your uncle makes a great gluten-free dressing/stuffing dish and your aunt and uncle are both following GF diets. Do not feel that by asking them to bring this you are imposing. You might be surprised that your guests would rather bring something they know they can eat, than to show up hungry and have to leave hungry.

Remember the wine

Sadly, with some family members, the more wine, the less whine. So offer several selections of your favorites, their favorites and even some unheard of selections. These are the times to be thankful for what we have, and count our many blessings. Weird relatives and all.

Some holiday wine pairings for your Thanksgiving table >> More on food allergies

Entertaining kids with food allergies
Are food allergies real or hype?
Do you have a food allergy?

Elegant and chic holiday recipes

Have A
Chic HolidayThe holidays bring family and friends together to celebrate the festive season over delectable feast and drink. To help make your holiday dinner a mouthwateringly memorable holiday affair, Chef Jacques Haeringer of Washington DC’s legendary restaurant L’Auberge Chez Francois, shares his holiday feast philosophy and three elegant, yet easy, holiday recipes.An Elegant Holiday feast

Chef Jacques Haeringer, author of Two for Tonight, a collection of recipes that inspire romance through food and togetherness, and the Chez François Cookbook, the bible of classic Alsatian cuisine featuring some of the restaurant's most popular recipes, believes that combining great food and a warm, welcoming environment is the key to a memorable holiday evening.

"Unforgettable meals are a tradition at L'Auberge Chez François," explains Chef Jacques. "It's a tradition based on our philosophy that life's memorable moments are not complete without a festive meal – the ambience, the artful presentation and the anticipation of delightful tastes merge together to indulge the senses and help create a wonderful holiday experience."

You can create your own deliciously unforgettable feast by serving your holiday guests the following holiday recipes, courtesy of Chef Jacques.

Pumpkin Ginger Soup

Serves 6

The quintessential and humble holiday pumpkin soup gets an elegant update with the addition of succulent chunks of lobster. One delectable bite of this and your guests will never want plain ol' pumpkin soup again.

Ingredients1, 28-ounce can pure pumpkin2 cups chicken broth1 cup water1/4 cup pure maple syrup1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg1/2 teaspoon sea salt2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger1 cup half and half6 teaspoons raw, hulled pumpkin seeds1 (1-pound) lobster1 large pumpkin, top removed, seeds and membranes removed (for tureen)Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.In a large saucepan over medium high heat, combine pumpkin, broth, water, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.Meanwhile, fill a pot fitted with a steamer top with salted water and bring to a boil. Place the lobster in the steamer, cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the lobster is just cooked through. Remove and allow to cool.Crack the lobster claws to remove the meat. Split the lobster tail down the center and remove the meat. Reserve meat with the lobster claws.Remove pumpkin soup from heat and stir in the half and half. Divide the lobster meat between 6 warm serving bowls. Pour the hot soup into the pumpkin tureen and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds before serving. Ladle the soup into the warm serving bowls.

Roast Sea Bass Provencal

Serves 2

For an intimate holiday meal, serve this flavorful, tender sea bass swimming in a rich white sauce.

Ingredients2 pound sea bass, rinsed with cold water, patted drySea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste1 bulb fennel, trimmed and chopped3 branches dried fennel stalks2 bunches fresh tarragon, chopped1 tablespoon olive oil1 cup dry white vermouth, divided1/4 cup heavy cream, warmed, divided8 ounces butter, diced and chilledJuice of 2 lemonsCayenne pepper, to tasteDirections

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Lay a large sheet of parchment paper on a sheet pan. Season the inside of the fish with salt and pepper. Stuff with fresh and dried fennel and half of the tarragon, and rub the outside of the fish with oil.Place the sea bass in the center of the parchment paper. Gather the edges of the parchment, partially close, and pour 1/4 cup vermouth over the fish. Seal the edges of the parchment paper.Roast fish for 18 minutes or to desired doneness. Remove from the heat and set aside, keeping warm.Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan, bring the remaining vermouth, tarragon, and 1 tablespoon black pepper to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer until reduced to one tablespoon. Remove from the heat, strain, and return to low heat. Into the vermouth mixture, whisk in half of the cream. Gradually whisk in the butter to form an emulsion. Add the remaining cream to desired consistency. Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, and season with salt and cayenne to taste.

Champagne Mousse

Serves 4

No holiday meal is complete without a little bit of the "bubbly." Try this delightfully light mousse. For an extra elegant and sweet touch, garnish with fruit marinated in Champagne

Ingredients1/2 cup heavy whipping cream2 egg yolks3 tablespoons evaporated cane juice or sugar2/3 cup Champagne1/2 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin1 tablespoon waterIngredients

Whip the heavy cream to firm peaks and refrigerate.Combine egg yolks and evaporated cane juice or sugar in a heat-safe glass or stainless steel bowl and whisk until the mixture whitens. Whisk in the Champagne.Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and cook, beating constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a light hollandaise sauce. Remove from heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute. Set aside and allow to cool. Combine the gelatin and water in a small saucepan and let stand for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin. Heat the softened gelatin mixture until the gelatin dissolves and the liquid clears.Whisk the dissolved gelatin into the Champagne mixture. Fold in the whipped cream with the aid of a rubber spatula. Chill for 1 hour before piping the mousse into chilled Champagne flutes or dessert dishes.

Visit www.ChefJacques.com for video cooking demonstrations, the schedule for cooking classes, or to make a reservation at L'Auberge Chez Francois.

More gourmet holiday recipesElegant Christmas appetizersGourmet Green Bean CasseroleClassic English Christmas dinner

Feel better about your body this summer

5 Steps To Summer
Body ConfidenceIt’s summertime and the living is easy. Or is it? For many of us, the thought of hitting the beach in a bikini or wearing skimpy shorts and flimsy sundresses can cause some serious stress. It’s not always easy to show more skin than you’re normally comfortable with, but unless you want to hide out in your air-conditioned house until Labor Day or opt for pants and long sleeves despite the soaring temperatures, you’re going to have to find a way to embrace your body. We’ve put together some simple strategies to help boost your body confidence, just in time for summer.

Get moving

The first step to feeling better about your body is to get moving. We're not talking about setting goals to lose a certain amount or weight or fit into a certain size – this is just about making your health a priority and getting a little sweaty in the process. The more you make exercise a part of your life the better you'll feel about your body and what it can do. Your body's only job isn't to look good in a bikini – it has a myriad of much more important purposes – like walking, running, jumping, stretching and otherwise helping you make the most of your life. So with that in mind, it's time to fit in some fitness and move your body this summer. We have some ideas to get you started.

Go for a hike. Find a friend and a trail, and get moving for a vigorous but enjoyable summer workout that doesn't really even feel like exercise.Make it a family affair. Round up the troops and hit the park to toss around a Frisbee for 45 minutes or get on your bikes and go for a ride through the neighborhood.Walk more. Walking is great exercise and it's also the easiest way to fit fitness into your day. Still not sure? Enlist a friend or your spouse as a walking buddy to make the transition to moving easier.Do something fun. If you don't like the gym, don't force yourself to go. Instead, find an activity you love and that helps you get moving more often.Wear what suits your body

If you don't feel comfortable wearing an itty-bitty bikini – don't. There are no rules that state you have to wear only skimpy, revealing clothing all summer. There are a broad spectrum of looks that suit a variety of body types and the trick is to try on enough things so you figure out what works best for you. If you don't like showing too much leg, opt for a long, flowing maxi dress rather than something mini. If short-shorts aren't your thing, go for a style that hits just above the knee. If bikinis make you nervous, go for a one-piece or a tankini instead. The idea is to dress in a way that flatters your figure and leaves you feeling comfortable and confident.

Focus on fun

Summer is short – we're talking eight to 10 weekends if you really want to break it down, which is not a lot of time to enjoy the sunshine. So rather than spend much of that precious time fretting about how you look in this outfit or that, focus on having fun. Try to be in the moment as much as possible. If you're at the beach or a pool party, instead of thinking about how you look in your bathing suit, focus your attention on having fun with your family or friends. Trust us, they don't care how you look in your two-piece – they're just hoping you're having a good time.

Say no to negative thoughts

It's time to tell that little voice in your head telling you that you can't wear this or you're not skinny enough to wear that to shut up. Negative thoughts come in all shapes and sizes and they can be loudest when it comes to how we look. This summer, take a stand and say no to all those annoying negative thoughts that run through your head as you go bathing-suit shopping or try to pick out something to wear to a pool party. This is your summer and you want to make the most of it, so defy the little voice that complains about your weight or how you look in a bikini. When you hear it, immediately counter it with a positive thought about yourself. It may take a while to break your negative thought pattern, but the more you make an effort to switch to a more positive body outlook, the better you'll feel.

Stop comparing yourself to others

We all do it -- take one look at the gorgeous, perfectly tanned and ultra-toned woman on the beach wearing a barely-there bikini and sigh. We wonder why we can't look like her or chastise ourselves for not looking like her. But this line of thinking is only going to make you crazy. Just as negative thoughts are a bad habit that we're suggesting you break this summer, so is comparing yourself to others. The only rule we have is this: Just don't do it. Stop yourself when you feel it happening and think about something else -- and remember that everyone's body is different. If you want to make comparisons, look around at everyone – not just the bodies you wish you had or feel you should have. Short, tall, big, small, curvy – people come in so many varieties. The more you remember that, the better you'll feel this summer.

More summer body boosters

Think yourself thin: 5 Ways to use your brain to change your body
Avoid diet disaster this summer
Workout tips to get fit for bikini season

6 Freezer staples the family will love

Your Favorites
On IceDon't waste useful space in your freezer on freezer-burned Popsicles. Instead, fill it with these staples that will last for months and help feed your family in a pinch.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a healthy and inexpensive treat, so it tends to build up in refrigerators. Unfortunately, it doesn't last very long. Instead of throwing it away, stash your nearly expired yogurts in the freezer. Pull one out for a tasty, single-serving treat when your sweet tooth acts up. You can also throw them in the blender with fresh or frozen fruit and skim milk for a healthy fruit smoothie.

Homemade yogurt made easy >>

Cheese

Cheese makes everything better. A sprinkle of cheese can liven up any boring dinner, tired taco or sad sandwich. Keep your freezer stocked with your favorite varieties. You can pull it out of the freezer and have it thawed in about an hour -- just enough time to add a bit at the end of your recipe.

Pay attention to the sale cycles at your local grocery store. Only stock up on enough to last until the next sale, so you'll have room for other things in your freezer.Peas

A good freezer stash of any vegetable is helpful, but peas are especially so. Their light taste and texture, along with their small size, make them the perfect way to add vegetables to a meal.

Stir them into nearly any casserole or pasta dish, or serve them on the side of your entrée. If your kids hate waiting for their macaroni and cheese to cool down, throw a handful of frozen peas into each bowl and stir. The mac and cheese will cool, and the peas will heat up, making the perfect cheesy dish -- complete with a green vegetable.

Chicken

No idea what to make tonight? Keep a stash of chicken in your freezer and you'll never have that problem again.

Chicken goes with just about anything, and there are tons of ways to cook it: Fry, bake, bread, roast, boil or grill it. Top it with your favorite marinade, or slow-cook it in your favorite salad dressing. Cut it up and add it to pasta, or throw it in a salad to make it a little more filling. Throw together shredded chicken sandwiches or chicken salad. The possibilities with chicken are nearly endless, so keep a few pounds on hand at all times.

Cheap chicken thigh recipes >>

Baked goods

Sometimes, you just need something sweet. If you don't keep bags of cookies on hand and you don't always have time to bake, keep your freezer stocked with yummy treats so you'll always have something delicious ready to thaw.

Every time you get bit by the baking bug, make extra of whatever it is you're whipping up and store the extras in your freezer. Cookies, muffins, pies, breads and and other baked goods will be just as good as when you made them, as long as they're stored properly.

Fruit

The fruit at the farmers market looked too good to pass up -- but now that you've got it home, you're not sure what to do with it all. Cut it up and freeze it, so you'll have fresh fruit at the ready all year long. Once you thaw it out, use it for baking, or keep it frozen and add it to the blender for a delicious smoothie or slushy.

Fun ways to make fruit kid-friendly >>

More freezer tips

How to freeze meat without freezer burn
Make-ahead meals to fix & freeze
How to freeze anything

6 Exercises you are doing wrong

Check Your Form
To See ResultsWhoa, there! All those weights-swinging, swayed back, speed-demon moves you've got goin' on at the gym aren't going to get you the results you want to see. So go ahead and take a minute to check your form. Not only will you see better results over time, you'll be less likely to experience an injury, too. 1Squats

Squats are a gym favorite, but due to inexperience, poor range of motion or bad instruction, lots of gym goers still get this one wrong. This compound movement engages your entire body, so there are lots of ways to mess it up, but be on the lookout for two major culprits.

Bad form #1: Starting the movement with a knee bend, rather than a hip "sit back." By bending your knees first, your weight shifts forward, forcing your center of gravity over the balls of your feet, rather than your heels. Typically, this is accompanied by an awkward angle at the ankle, and knees that jut out in front of your toes. You may also find your chest tipping forward, pointing toward the floor.

Bad form #2: Women beware — this one's typically on you! Watch yourself in the mirror as you squat. If you have good form on the way down, but notice your knees buckling inward as you return to standing, chances are your legs aren't quite strong enough to perform a full squat with the weight you're attempting. Reduce the weight or focus on body weight only, and really concentrate on keeping your knees aligned with your toes as you return to standing.

Correct form: The squat movement should be initiated by a backward tilt of the hips as you "sit back," keeping your center of gravity over your heels. When you perform a full squat, your knees should remain in alignment with your toes and your chest and shoulders should be facing forward, rather than angling toward the floor.

2Dead lift

With more women turning to CrossFit-style lifting routines, the dead lift is becoming more popular. The trouble is, many women are trying these routines without receiving assistance from a trainer or coach. There are two major problems traditionally seen with dead lift form: 1) a swayed back and a forward-facing head — two factors that throw your back and neck out of alignment; and 2) a rounded back and neck, which places more stress on the upper back and shoulders as you perform the dead lift.

Correct form: The dead lift is supposed to target your hamstrings and glutes, not your back or upper body. To keep the focus on the right spots, it's extremely important that you keep your back and neck neutral and aligned. With a straight, flat back you can really focus on tightening your hamstrings and glutes to pull your body from a bent-over position to a standing position.

3Biceps curls

This one's an easy fix. And truthfully, guys are typically the ones at fault for poor biceps curl form. The problem is weight swinging. Weight swinging usually occurs when someone's trying to lift more than they can actually handle. If you find yourself having to bend forward or lean back to add some momentum to your curl in order to lift the weight, go ahead and switch out your dumbbells for a lighter set.

Correct form: The key here is to lift the weight in a controlled, steady manner. With your elbows in at your sides, steadily draw the weight up toward your shoulder, then reverse the movement, steadily lowering the weight back to start. Your back shouldn't move throughout the exercise, so if you find yourself leaning forward or tilting backward, refocus on form or go ahead and switch out your weights.

4Plank

Oh, the plank! There are millions of people doing planks every day, and there are thousands of people doing them with improper form. The thing to watch with the plank is to make sure that you maintain good form from start to finish. It's not unusual for a person to start off strong, but to allow their form to suffer in the hopes of holding the plank for a "personal best" time.

Bad form #1: Watch out for that swayed back and upright head! You want to keep your back in alignment from your heels to your head, which means you need to tighten those abs to straighten out that low back and lower your head so that you're looking at your hands, not the wall in front of you.

Bad form #2: Bottom's up! Nope, that bottom should be down. Not only does an upward thrust of the hips make the move easier to perform, it also throws your shoulders out of alignment, placing stress on your shoulder joints. Lower those hips back in place so that your body is straight, and if the move proves to be too hard, just lower your knees to the ground.

Correct form: Check three things: 1) Are your elbows directly under your shoulders? 2) Is your neck in line with your back? 3) Are your hips tight and flat, enabling your body to form a straight line from heels to head? If the answer to all three questions is "yes," then your form is on track!

5Seated row

There are two things wrong with the seated row. First, some people approach the exercise like it's a rowing machine, so they throw their whole body into the exercise, pushing and pulling with all their might as they fight to make their way up a "river." This is wrong. Second, some people don't seem to understand what the exercise is supposed to work or strengthen, so they end up moving from an awkward forward-bend position to an upright position, without ever actually pulling the band or cable to their body. This too, is wrong.

Correct form: Sit upright with your torso angled slightly back, your arms extended in front of you grasping the band or cable. Keeping your torso fixed in place, squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull the band or cable straight in to your torso. Again, keeping your torso fixed in place, reverse the movement and return to start.

6Overhead triceps extension

This is another easy fix. It's really common for women, in particular, to allow their elbows to splay outward when performing an overhead triceps extension. The fix is simple: Pull those elbows in.

Correct form: Hold a dumbbell in your hands so that the dumbbell is positioned directly behind your neck, your elbows pulled in close to your ears. Keeping your upper arms fixed in place, focus on using your triceps to press the weight directly upward as you straighten your arms over your head. Return to start.

More tips to get in shape

Awesome arms: Moves that will sculpt your arms
Beautiful back: 5 Moves to work your back muscles
Killer abs: Exercises for an amazing core

Pure and simple skin care recipes

Recipes For
Healthy SkinLooking for ways to improve your skin health without exposing yourself to the more than 10,000 chemical ingredients found in personal care products? Eco-activist Michael DeJong, author of Clean Body: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing Yourself, shares the following skincare recipes comprised of five common, pure and simple kitchen ingredients. Mix up a batch or two of each and you can stay smooth, clean and chemical-free.

Skin care products are not FDA regulated

According to the DeJong, personal care products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any government agency, and that 89 percent of the thousands of chemicals in these products have not undergone any safety testing.

Instead of spending scads of money on pricey products and exposing yourself to chemical-ridden cleansers and scrubs, DeJong suggests using five pure and simple ingredients: baking soda, lemon, olive oil, salt and white vinegar. Not only are these items easily found in your kitchen, they are cheaper than storebought skin care products and offer an organic and natural way to take care of your skin.

Recipes for natural skin careSkin softener recipe

This economical and quick to fix exfoliator will energize you and give you silky smooth skin.

To make skin softener recipe: Mix equal parts of extra virgin olive oil and salt to create a wonderful skin softener. Mix the two so that the salt soaks up the oil.

To use: Scrub your entire body, massaging the mixture into your skin. Wash off thoroughly.

Luxurious bath recipe

DeJong calls this invigorating skincare concoction a dermadip. He recommends, "Lock the door, put on some soothing music, and submerge yourself into the citrus mix by loosening up and settling down for a long, luxurious, lazy soak. Reappear recharged and revived. You owe yourself this one!"

To make luxurious bath recipe: Cut two lemons into super-skinny slivers. Dribble half a dozen drops of olive oil onto citrus slices. Give it a toss and finish with three cups of sea salt. Let mixture cure for five minutes.

To use: While filling your tub with hot steamy water, roil in citrus mixture. Then sit back and enjoy.

Exfoliator recipe

Free yourself from those rough, flaky dead skin cells with this easy exfoliator recipe. Even with one application, you'll find your skin soft and sparkling fresh.

To make exfoliator recipe: Blend three-quarters cup of sea salt or coarse kosher salt, three tablespoons baking soda and one-quarter cup of olive oil in a bowl.

To use: Douse yourself in a warm shower, dip a washcloth into the mixture and scrub everything you can reach with the exfoliator. Rinse well.

DeJong offers additional clear cut recipes and solutions for all types of skin ailments such as acne, dry skin, body odor, dandruff, sunburn and many others in his book Clean Body: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing Yourself. You can also visit MyKindofClean.com for more chemical-free eco-clean tips.

More natural ways to boost your skin healthRejuvenate your skin with homemade facial cleansersHomemade beauty with Epsom saltNatural skin care treatments at home

Tonight's Dinner Restaurant-Style Pad Thai

Amazing Take-Out Made From HomeWhy spend your hard-earned money on expensive restaurant food when you can make a whole-grain, healthful alternative at home? If you aren't used to cooking Asian or Thai style cuisine, you'll likey want to make a run to the market to pick up a few basic ingredients. But, don't be afraid to try something new! This recipe is so easy, and ridiculously delicious!

With everything we have to do in a day, it's easy to run out of time to cook. Cooking good, wholesome meals takes a lot of preparation and a lot of hard-to-find ingredients, right? Wrongo! I was thrilled to recently discover these Brown Rice Noodles from Annie Chun's Brown Rice Noodles. They are full of whole-grain goodness, and cook in only 5 minutes, making a bowl-full of my restaurant favorite, Pad Thai, just minutes from being ready in my own kitchen. While you can subsitute the brown rice noodles with regular rice noodles, I think you'll love the texture and health value of the more healthy version.

Restaurant-Style Pad Thai

4 tbsp. vegetable oil or canola oil2 garlic cloves, minced4 shallots, thinly sliced8 oz chicken or diced tofu2 eggs, lightly beaten1 pkg. Annie Chun's Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles (cooked, drained, rinsed)1 cup fresh bean sprouts 8 tbsp of Pad Thai Sauce (Annie Chun's makes a great version of this, too!) 

Heat wok or pan over high heat. Add 2 tbsp., oil, garlic, shallots and chicken/tofu, until fully cooked. Add remaining 2 tbsp. oil and 2 eggs, then scramble. Reduce heat to low; add sauce and noodles. Toss until well mixed. Add bean sprouts. Toss well. Garnish with cilantro, peanuts or lime wedges as desired.