| Secrets to Stress-free
Bridal Shower Planning
(ARA) - When your best friend or sister announces
she's engaged and wants you to be her maid of honor,
of course you jump up and down with excitement - for
her. But inside, you're starting to cringe. Dresses,
presents and planning at least one bridal shower -
you can feel the pressure building up.
If the thought of the bridal shower creates more
stress than satisfaction, there's help. Culinary
expert and newlywed, Kendall McFarland, research and
development manager at Simply Organic, suggests
cutting down on hassles with these five timesaving
tips for simple but sensational shower refreshments.
* Take smart shortcuts. For enticing flavor
without fuss, keep a supply of natural dressing and
dip mixes on hand for fresh, homemade appetizers and
snacks. Add a dip or dressing mix, such as creamy
dill, French onion, guacamole, or ranch to equal
parts of low-fat cottage cheese and non-fat plain
yogurt and mix in a blender or food processor until
smooth. Serve with fresh veggies you can buy already
cleaned and cut up at the store.
* Dress up everyday favorites. Special dishes
don't require hours in the kitchen. Make your
easy-to-prepare favorites and dress them up with
special, wedding seasonings. Try distinctive
seasoning blends like red pepper and curry, apple
and basil, pineapple and cilantro, or orange and
ginger for a gourmet touch. For example, simply add
a liberal dose of a spice (like oregano, basil, or
cayenne) or seasoning blend along with some garlic
and Parmesan cheese to your usual mashed potatoes,
and you'll instantly serve something outside
everyday fare.
* Plan and shop wisely. Forget about shopping
'til you drop. Develop your menu, including
impromptu snacks, ahead of time. Then pick up
everything non-perishable at the same time,
eliminating those last-minute treks to the grocery
store. To save even more time, order ingredients
online. For example, Simply Organic carries culinary
items like organic spices, seasoning blends, baking
extracts and flavors, gluten-free baking mixes and
other cooking ingredients and supplies which they
will ship to you within a few days of your order.
* Accept help. When the bride's mother or
other guests ask if they can bring anything, say
yes! Ask them to bring something you don't
especially enjoy preparing or something you know is
that person's specialty which the bride really
loves. Or have each guest bring a dessert or
appetizer, so you can focus solely on the rest of
the party and fun. Offers to help are gifts, so
allow other bridesmaids or friends to assist if they
offer. Working together can add to the shower fun,
and give you stories to share as you continue down
the wedding planning road.
* Make it healthy - the bride, her
bridesmaids and the mother of the bride all want to
fit into their dresses when the big day finally
arrives. The best meal you can offer your guests is
a delicious and healthful one. Provide
great-tasting, nutritious snacks that go easy on
salt, fat, sugar, and other potentially unhealthy
ingredients and your guests will fondly remember
your hospitality.
Here are two great examples of healthy bridal shower
dishes from the Simply Organic recipe Web site that
are easy to prepare:
Fruit Chutney
Serves 8
Dishes like this Fruit
Chutney are special without requiring hours
in the kitchen. |
Ingredients:
1 cup peeled and diced mixed fruit
1 package Apple Basil Dressing Mix
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
|
Directions:
In a medium bowl, mash fruit or use a food processor
and blend. Add Apple Basil Dressing Mix and vinegar
and mix. Chill and serve as a relish.
Italian Egg Bake
Serves 6
Ingredients:
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 package Italian Dressing Mix
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup diced vegetables (tomatoes and
mushrooms are good choices) |
Take smart
shortcuts. A natural dressing mix gives this
Italian Egg Bake enticing flavor without
fuss. |
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, beat the
eggs. Add milk and Italian Dressing Mix and whisk
well. Add cheese and vegetables. Pour into a greased
9-inch pie pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until
center is firm. Top with diced tomatoes and shredded
Parmesan cheese for an extra special flavor.
For more delicious, healthy and easy recipes, visit
www.simplyorganicfoods.com and click on the recipe
drop-down menu.
Courtesy of ARAcontent |
