This savory snack is perfect for the holiday season or anytime, really

If you’re looking for an appetizer or a snack-worthy finger food, try this recipe for ham and cheese puff pastry. Courtesy of The Clever Carrot, whipping this dish up is like making a sandwich, but filled with melted cheese and ham. The pre-made puff pastry dough makes the process quick and simple.

Makes 12-16 squares

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted*
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ pound black forest ham, thinly sliced
½ pound Gruyère cheese, grated
1 egg
flour for dusting

*Defrost overnight in the fridge before you begin.
**Puff pastry sheets are available in the frozen section of most grocery stores. If you cannot find them, you can use a whole block of dough instead. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough and cut it into two sheets measuring approximately 10 x 12 inches (use a ruler if necessary). Transfer to a piece of parchment paper and proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 F.

2. To make the egg wash, lightly beat an egg with 1 tbsp. of water. Set aside.

3. Place a piece of parchment paper onto your work surface and dust lightly with flour. Lay one sheet of puff pastry on top of the paper. Using the back of a teaspoon, brush the dough with mustard leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Use a ruler if necessary.

4. Staying within the border, add the sliced ham in overlapping layers. Add the cheese. Brush the border with some of the egg wash to create a seal.

5. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the filled pastry lining up the edges.
Using a sharp knife, trim the dough so that the edges line up and the square is even. It’s just like cutting the crust off of a sandwich. Make sure to cut the dough in a swift downward motion (think paper slicer). If you drag your knife, it will not rise properly. Press down lightly.

6. Brush the top with more egg wash and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
Transfer the dough to a baking sheet by lifting up the parchment paper.

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes and cut into squares (about 12-16 depending how large you want them). Serve hot.

 

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clever Carrot. For more great family recipe ideas, head on over to the blog by clicking here.

Some days it feels as if all our kids will eat is pasta. To save you from another night of plain, buttery pasta, we humbly suggest this pasta with cream and ham that also has major grown-up appeal. Marta at Travel For Taste says this recipe is so simple, all you need are two major ingredients–ham and cream! An added bonus: it only takes 20 minutes to prepare, and that even includes cooking the pasta. We’re pretty confident you’ll be making this recipe on more than one occasion, so be sure to print it out and save it in your recipe book.

Ingredients for Pasta with Cream and Ham:

– 5 cups pasta
– 1 3/4 cream
– 1/2 lb ham
– salt to taste
– 1/2 tsp pepper
– 1 flat teaspoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (optional, if you want the cream thicker)
– parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Method:

1. Put the water for pasta to boil, salt it a bit, and add pasta. Follow the instructions on your package.

2. Pour cream into a deep frying pan and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Keep cooking for 5-7 minutes, while stirring all the time, in order to reduce it a little bit.

3. If you like the sauce even thicker you might mix cornstarch with some cold water and add it to the cream (while stirring constantly).

4. Add ham and mix everything well.

5. Mix with pasta and serve. Optional step: serve with copious amounts of parmesan cheese.

recipe and photo courtesy of Marta at Travel For Taste

As a world traveler, Marta has experienced culinary creations from all across the globe. Mementos of her travels often come in the form of food-related souvenirs. Using nothing more than a tiny studio kitchen, she creates recipes that span the globe as wide as her travels, with a special emphasis on foods from her childhood. Find all of her favorite recipes as well as check out her superstar photography skills on her website, Travel For Taste.

 

From easy-to-make-sides to Instant Pot turkey breast, here are our favorite Thanksgiving recipes that’ll have everyone at your table asking for seconds

We know everyone has tried and true family favorites when it comes to Thanksgiving Day recipes, but we also know that variety is the spice of life! Whether you’re looking to mix it up with a new dish that’ll surprise everyone or if you want some delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes, we’ve got a little bit of everything in our list perfect for sharing with loved ones. Catch your kids’ attention with these delicious additions to the dinner table and impress the grownup foodies in your life.

Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes

Sliced turkey made from an Instant Pot sits on a white plate and is a game-changing Thanksgiving recipe
Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Instant Pot Turkey Breast. Are you ready to revolutionize your Thanksgiving turkey? Because this Thanksgiving recipe is an absolute game-changer. Crunchy Creamy Sweet has the hookup: bone-in skin-on turkey breast that’s ready in 35 minutes. It’s a winner-winner turkey dinner. 

Instant Pot Deviled Eggs. Need a holiday appetizer ASAP? Lexi’s Clean Kitchen has you covered with no-fuss Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs and a deviled egg recipe that’ll wow your party guests.

Slow Cooker Carrot and Apple Soup. This hearty and flavorful soup from Foxes Love Lemons features ingredients like apples, carrots, and fresh garlic. It’s a guaranteed fall classic and a great way to warm up on a chilly day! Plus the mouthwatering smell coming from this Thanksgiving recipe will fill your home as it cooks. 

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. Do you crave cranberry sauce when Thanksgiving rolls around? Then you’ve got to check out this version from Zen & Spice. It calls for fresh cranberries instead of the artificial canned stuff, and it’s done in no time at all. 

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes the Kids Will Love

A Thanksgiving recipe for stuffing-in-a-bundt pan that is sure to please the kids
A Spicy Perspective

Stuffing in a Bundt Pan. With this stuffing recipe from A Spicy Perspective, the magic word is “bundt.” That’s right, with your handy bundt pan, you can make a stuffing sculpture that’s fit for any Thanksgiving dinner table! 

Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins. Think outside the turkey! Not only are these stuffing muffins from The Colorful Kitchen kid-size, but they’re also vegan and gluten-free. Add a scoop of mashed potatoes on top and you’re all set for a can’t-miss combo. 

Classic Vegan Stuffing. Plant-based eaters don’t have to miss out on the feast thanks to this tasty stuffing recipe from Raepublic. It’s made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, making it a win for your shopping list. 

Marilyn Monroe’s Stuffing. Ready for Hollywood-worthy stuffing? This yummy dish is adapted from Marilyn Monroe’s recipe. This New York Times article has the low-down on the recipe and where it was found.

Related: 33 Free Thanksgiving Activity Pages That’ll Keep the Kids Busy

Potato Recipes You Haven’t Tried Yet

A thanksgiving recipe for Potato gratin, baked potato slices with creamy sauce. Top view
iStock

Au Gratin Potatoes. Pretty as pie! This healthy potato gratin with herbs from Food and Wine is creamy without having to add cream—and great flavor results from thyme and rosemary. This is a go-to Thanksgiving recipe if you’re going to a potluck-style turkey dinner. 

Perfect Potato Pancakes. These simple potato pancakes, made from pre-shredded frozen potatoes, can be fun for more than just one holiday this season. Switch out the flour for matzo meal and enjoy them at Passover too. 

Pretty Purple Potatoes. Finding perfectly hued purple potatoes is the most challenging part of this simple recipe, but if you do, you’ve got yourself a side dish recipe from Smitten Kitchen that will be the belle of the ball (our apologies to the turkey). So, you don't HAVE TO use purple potatoes (Purple Majesty Potatoes, to be exact) for this Thanksgiving dish, but it will certainly make the food more fun. 

Not Quite Mashed Potatoes. Let’s call it a mockmash! This savory cauliflower puree from The Iron You makes a healthy stand-in for mashed potatoes. It gets its fabulous flavor from the cheese, milk (or almond milk), and a touch of butter, has about one-quarter of the calories of typical mashed potatoes, and best of all, little eaters may not even realize they’re getting their daily dose of vegetables. 

Related: 11 Things to Do with Your Family (That Don’t Involve Talking Politics)

No-Sweat Side Recipes to Make This Thanksgiving

Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil sit on a plate as an easy-to-make Thanksgiving side
Bryony Elena on Unsplash

Mozzarella and Tomato Salad. You can’t go wrong with a caprese salad! This kid-friendly version is made with fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and a few other ingredients.

Instant Pot Honey Butter Carrots. These ain’t your average carrots! Covered in a honey butter glaze, these veggies from Salt & Lavender are positively addictive. The whole fam (kids included!) will be asking for seconds.

The Best Cornbread. Instead of plain rolls, why not cornbread? This recipe from Bless This Mess is super kid-friendly, and they will love helping make the batter. An added bonus: cornbread is a great tool to soak up the leftover juices on your plate!

Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Packed with kid-friendly flavors like bacon and apples, this recipe from How Sweet Eats is a great dish to make ahead of time and reheat in the oven just before serving. These flavorful spuds are perfect if you’re planning to be a guest at someone’s house for Thanksgiving. We’re pretty sure this dish will earn you a repeat invitation next year.

Easy Cranberry Thanksgiving Recipes

Easy to make maple cranberry sauce surrounded by Zucchini Latkes
The View from Great Island

Maple Cranberry Sauce. This easy cranberry sauce from The View from Great Island takes just 15 minutes to make, is made with just two ingredients, and has the perfect amount of tartness. Pair it with zucchini latkes and you'll not only have a great Thanksgiving recipe but also a fun twist on tradition for Passover and Hanukkah. 

Spiced Cranberry Sauce. Chef Ryan Rendano offers up a wonderfully spiced version of cranberry sauce that only takes 20 minutes to make. We love that the recipe includes lemon and orange, some of the best winter produce around.

Simple Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce. Keep it simple with this easy recipe from Eat Within Your Means. It’s sweetened with apple cider and maple syrup instead of sugar and makes a perfect alternative to the canned stuff. 

Cranberry Relish. This refreshing take on cranberries from Kevin Is Cooking turns the traditional sauce on its head. Instead of cooking the cranberries, they’re blitzed up with orange and mixed with cherry jello to make a yummy relish. Cross your fingers for leftovers—this will taste fantastic on those day-after-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches. 

Related: 25 Simple Ways to Keep the Kids Busy on Thanksgiving

Plant-Based Main Dish Recipes

Sliced portobello mushroom "steaks" sit on a white plate as a finished plant-based Thanksgiving recipe
Lindsey Eats LA

Portobello Mushroom “Steaks.” Impress your guests by serving up this beautiful dish from Lindsey Eats LA. The mushrooms are marinated in a savory sauce, then quickly fried to create a hearty main dish that just might steal the show.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Walnuts, Parsley, and Garlic. These sweet potatoes from Irena Macri are a feast for the eyes and the stomach. The key is the super flavorful topping, made with a delicious mix of walnuts, herbs, and garlic. This Thanksgiving recipe will impress your friends, whether are vegan, vegetarian or not!

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash. Put fall produce to good use with this fabulous recipe from Veggies Save the Day. Stuffed with quinoa, chickpeas, and tomatoes, it’s a hearty and satisfying dish that’ll go great with the rest of your Thanksgiving meal.

Sweet Potato Souffle. Sweet potatoes aren’t just for side dishes—they can take center stage with this fabulous recipe from From Scratch Fast. Laced with Comté cheese, brown sugar, and butter, it’s a great pick for vegetarians and omnivores alike. 

Thanksgiving Pie Recipes

A full pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream as a Thanksgiving recipe from Little Sweet Baker
Little Sweet Baker

Pumpkin Pie with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream. If your family prefers the classic pumpkin pie, try this Thanksgiving recipe from Little Sweet Baker. The pie crust is perfectly flaky, but the real star here is the salted caramel whipped cream—you just might not go back to the normal kind! 

Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie. Wow your family and friends by making this adorable pie from Kudos Kitchen. It’s easier than you might think to pull off the intricate pattern, thanks to pre-made pie crusts and helpful step-by-step photos. 

Mini Pumpkin Tarts. These cute pumpkin tarts from What Great Grandma Ate are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Since it’s a no-bake recipe, it’s a great way to free up space in the oven for all your baked Thanksgiving sides. 

Chai Spiced Pumpkin Pie. Classic pumpkin pie gets a little bit fancy with this fab Thanksgiving recipe from Flavor the Moments. Warm chai spices make the perfect complement to pumpkin. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream, there’s no way this one won’t be a hit with your whole crew.

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Aren’t Pie

pumpkin bars are a good idea if you're looking for Thanksgiving desserts that aren't pie
Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese. How cute are these pumpkin bars from Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts? We love the criss-cross pattern of cream cheese on top, and we’re happy to report that they taste as good as they look. 

Turkey Cookies. Maybe you have so much on your plate cooking the big meal that the idea of adding dessert to your to-do list is a tad too much. That’s where Chelsea from Chelsea’s Messy Apron comes in. These treats are not only no-bake, but they’re also really creative. Recruit the kids to do them, and you have dessert and activities crossed off with one “recipe.”

No-Bake Pumpkin Parfait. The oven is already going to be working overtime on Thanksgiving Day, so why not take advantage of these creamy, no-bake parfaits from The Cozy Apron? If you’re worried about your fancy stemware, serve it up the kids’ desserts in plastic cups. Either way, your guests will be impressed by your creative Thanksgiving dessert that isn’t pie. 

Caramel-Chocolate Dipped Pears. Talk about a statement dessert: these caramel-chocolate-dipped pears are downright beautiful and incorporate a fall fruit favorite. Insider tip: use mini pears, as they’re the perfect size for your little one’s hands. 

 

Space trivia for kids is perfect for a night under the stars

Whether you’ve got a would-be astronaut in your household or are just looking for quirky or interesting facts for kids, there’s no denying that space is a fascinating topic. From the moon and stars to space exploration, here’s some of our favorite space trivia for kids.

1. The moon is very hot (224 degrees Fahrenheit, average) during the day but very cold (-243 degrees average) at night.

2. Venus spins clockwise. It’s the only planet that does!

3. One teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh six-billion tons.

4. Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space, on June 18, 1983.

5. One million Earths could fit inside the sun!

6. Even in an airplane, a trip to Pluto would take about 800 years. 

7. Ham the Astrochimp was the first hominid in space, launched on Jan. 31, 1961. 

8. Neptune’s days are 16 hours long.

Astronaut in space
NASA via Unsplash

9. It takes eight minutes and 19 seconds for light to travel from the sun to Earth.

10. The footprints on the moon will be there for 100 million years. 

11. A neutron star can spin 600 times in one second. 

12. Jupiter is the fastest spinning planet in the solar system (it only takes about 10 hours to complete a full rotation on its axis). 

13. Sound does not carry in space. 

14. The Earth's core is as hot as the surface of the sun. 

15. The very first animals in space were fruit flies...they were sent up in 1947 and recovered alive. 

16. In 2011, ten-year-old Kathryn Aurora Gray discovered a supernova (a star that has run out of energy, explodes and then collapses before it dies) that no one else had seen before. 

Chabot Space & Science Center

17. Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has saltwater geysers that are 20x taller than Mt. Everest. 

18. Saturn's rings are made from trillions of chunks of orbiting ice. 

19. Alpha Centauri isn't a star, but a star system. It is 4.22 light years away. 

20. One day on Venus is almost 8 months on Earth. 

21. Golf is one of only two sports ever played on the moon. In 1971, Alan Shepard hit a ball with a six-iron while on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission. The other sport was a javelin toss, during the same visit. 

22. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is the Solar System's longest raging storm: it has been observed for more than 200 years. 

23. Mercury and Venus do not have moons. (They are the only two planets in our solar system that don't!)

24. There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sands on Earth. 

 

space trivia for kids
NASA via Unsplash

25. Mars has the biggest volcano (so far) ever discovered in the solar system. 

26. Jupiter's red spot, which scientists have been observing for 150 years, is changing shape and might be shrinking

27. Since there is no atmosphere in space, it is completely silent. 

So you’re keeping the Easter egg hunt uber-local (ahem, in your house or backyard) this year, which means you’re probably looking for recipes and ideas for an Easter breakfast or bunch, too. Lucky for you, we love easy recipes for great food, so we went ahead and rounded up a few awesome ideas that are easy to whip up at home. From french toast and pancake recipes to how to make a perfect omelet and even a casserole that you can make in the Crock Pot, here are our favorite Easter breakfast and brunch recipes.

Overnight Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

Kristine's Kitchen

French toast is a classic breakfast, but this overnight recipe from Kristine's Kitchen adds so much flavor and makes it easier. This recipe is just what your Easter Sunday needs.

Sausage and Veggie Bake

One Lovely Life

This sausage and veggie back from One Lovely Life is a delicious brunch recipe for Easter, but it's also a fantastic way to use up veggies that you need to use up. 

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Boulder Locavore

For Easter Sunday, it's never a bad idea to up the ante on a breakfast and brunch classic. Think French toast sandwiches filled with a cream cheese-strawberry jam mix, topped with fresh strawberries and syrup. Get the recipe from Boulder Locavore.

 

The Perfect Omelet

Weelicious

Making the perfect omelet is no easy feat, but when you consider how easy it is to make one exactly how everyone at home like it made, it's worth the effort. Luckily, popular food blog Weelicious has an easy tutorial video to help you make it happen.

Pancakes

Calum Lewis via Unsplash

Who doesn't love pancakes? Lucky for you, we've got a great selection of pancake recipes, so you can choose the one that your family will love best. See them here

Bacon Puff Pinwheels

Eat Well 101

Cheese, pastry dough, bacon? What else is there in life? These bacon pinwheel apps are the perfect addition to your main sweet breakfast recipe. Get the recipe from Eat Well 101

Ham and Leek Quiche

courtesy Jacques Pépin

A quiche sounds fancy, but it's one of the easiest brunch recipes around. We especially love this ham and leek version that even picky eaters will enjoy. Check out this kid-friendly recipe from chef Jacques Pépin, and be prepared to add it to your regular brunch recipe rotation.

Waffle Breakfast Board

Sandra's Easy Cooking

How gorgeous is this waffle board? From the berries to the yogurt and homemade granola, our mouths are watering now! Find out what you need to know to pull this off over at Sandra's Easy Cooking

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

Even those of you who claim to avoid the kitchen at all costs can pull off this Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole. Filled with kid-friendly ingredients like tater tots, sausage and eggs, the hardest part will be to remember to get this ready to go and turned on the night before, as it takes up to 10 hours to cook.

Easy Banana Bread

Jeff Seipman via Unsplash

This tried and true recipe for banana bread is a favorite with our entire team. Pair it with bacon, eggs, a casserole or pretty much whatever your family likes for brunch and call it a day. Grab the recipe here. 

Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches

Damn Delicious

If the thought of whipping up a full breakfast or brunch for the family sounds exhausting, how about an easy make-ahead recipe for croissant breakfast sandwiches? From Damn Delicious, these yummy concoctions can be popped into the freezer and pulled out why the kids are on the hunt.

Simple Deviled Eggs

Rosalind Chang via Unsplash

If you've decided to go more lunch instead of breakfast for Easter Sunday, then your meal won't be complete without a dish of the ever-iconic deviled eggs. We've got the perfect recipe for you, click here to see what you'll need

Spring Salmon Salad Platter

The View from Great Island

This salmon salad platter from The View from Great Island almost looks too good to eat! What we really love though, is that the options for what you add to your salad platter is endless. Use what veggies you have on hand, what you've gotten from your produce box, or what the Farmer's Market has on special. 

Strawberry Apple Crisp

A warm crisp right out of the oven is the perfect complement for a savory brunch menu. We love this strawberry-apple version

Chiles Rellenos Strata

Kitchen Treaty

Fancy up your go-to strata by whipping up this Chiles Rellenos version from Kitchen Treaty. Filled with yummy ingredients like eggs, jack and cheddar cheese, and of course, green chiles, if you've got picky eaters at home, be sure to check out the option without spicy chorizo. 

Scrambled Egg Brunch Bread

It's a Keeper

We just can imagine our kids tearing into this yummy egg bread! From start to finish, it'll be done in under an hour, and there's an option to swap the ham for bacon. Here's a meal-prep tip: Assemble your bread the night before, so it's ready to pop in the oven on Easter morning. Get the recipe from It's a Keeper

Challah French Toast with Berries

Boulder Locavore

We are drooling over this Challah French Toast with berries from Boulder Locavore. The Challah bread makes this dish light and airy, and, since Passover occurs nearly at the same time as Easter, it's easier to find this bread. Don't want to bother hunting it down? Try the overnight french toast casserole instead

—Taylor Clifton & Gabby Cullen

 

RELATED STORIES:

Fun & Free Easter Printables for Kids

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If you’ve been snagging ham or pepperoni for easy meals during the holiday season, you’ll want to take a look at this recall. Alexander & Hornung, the business unit of Perdue Premium Meat Company, Inc. recently recalled 234,391 pounds of the fully cooked meat products due to potential listeria contamination. But in an important update, the recall has now expanded to 2,320,774 pounds of products.

The recall affects many different brands of ham, including lunch meat from Wellshire, spiral sliced ham from Garrett Valley Farms and Niman Ranch uncured ham. It also affects Five Star pepperoni and pepperoni sticks. You can see the full list of products and the associated dates here.

There have been no reports of associated illness but Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that mostly affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, stiff neck and convulsions and the infection spreads from the gastrointestinal tract.

The original recall listed an establishment number of “EST. M10125” inside the USDA mark of inspection but check the updated info to see if a ham product in your fridge is now included.

Check your refrigerator or freezer if you think you might have purchased one of these products and throw it away if you find it. If you have more questions about this recall and the affected products you can visit www.alexanderhornung.com or call the Alexander & Hornung Consumer Hotline at 1-866-866-3703.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Сергей Орловский via Unsplash

 

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Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness for family and friends.

Legend has it that the Pilgrims made it through their first winter in the New World thanks to the Native Americans who provided food and shared their means for survival in a harsh climate.

Traditional Thanksgiving fare includes mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams and other vegetables, cranberry sauce, ham, and of course, the main attraction, the Thanksgiving turkey. This is all followed by pumpkin or apple pie (or both, in my family) topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Wow, I’m salivating for that meal already, but it’s still more than a week away.

Wait, isn’t it Christmas already?

No, you say?

But everywhere I go, I see Christmas garlands strung across store aisles, Christmas tree farms are throwing open their gates, inflatable snowmen have replaced their jack-o’-lantern counterparts, and Santa has set up camp at the mall.

When I was younger, I remember that after Halloween, I would continue to see autumn-themed decorations and other trimmings wherever I went; it was basically Halloween décor minus the scare factor.

It was still autumn and everyone was celebrating the “Harvest Season.” Thanksgiving was always a nice, smooth transition into the “Christmas Season.”

Now with retail taking more and more of a chunk of our attention to the holidays, The “Christmas State of Mind” needs to start earlier and earlier to feed the gift-giving frenzy of a confused populace who keep thinking Christmas is right around the corner, forgetting that speed bump called Thanksgiving.

Why squeeze out a holiday that is totally non-denominational, brings family and friends together for delicious food, and reminds us to show gratitude for all our blessings?

So I’m here, with a defense of Thanksgiving—let’s slow down and enjoy November, its fiery show of leaves going out in a blaze of glory, the countdown to the Thanksgiving Feast, the constant reminder to “give thanks” inherent in the name of the season.

And to those who wish to rush, don’t panic. As soon as you finish that last bite of turkey and stuffing, you may don your ugly sweater and play those Christmas carols. You still have an entire month, after all.

This post originally appeared on The Haute Mommy Handbook.

Jen Kathrina-Anne is a blogger, freelance writer, and graphic designer. When she’s not writing or designing, she enjoys spending time outdoors in the California Bay Area where she resides with her husband and two fearless daughters. Find her at www.hautemommyhandbook.com.

 

 

In the past, March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, well known as a picture book author, Dr. Seuss, was a cause for celebration. During my years as the Director of the Little Folks Nursery School in Washington, DC, on this day, children were asked to bring in their favorite Dr. Seuss books for sharing and reading aloud. Children and teachers made red and white striped “Cat in the Hat” hats. And to add to the festivities, I took the opportunity to cook up some ham and eggs —I mean green eggs and ham—to everyone’s delight!

While many were shocked by the announcement yesterday to cease publication of six of Mr. Geisel’s books, I believe that we have even more to celebrate, with this decision by Dr. Seuss Enterprise, the keeper of his legacy. Some may cry “cancel culture” at the news of this choice. But, I, for one, applaud it and appreciate the greater awareness brought to his past instances of racial stereotyping.

How can we be more sensitive to this type of transgression if we don’t point it out when we see it? In Theodor Geisel’s case, racist and anti-semitic depictions can be found in drawings from his college days, his early cartoons, and long before he became a successful children’s book author. When delving into his early work, there is no mistaking his ugly and hateful depiction of Blacks, Asians, and Jews; it is indefensible. More subtle insulting imagery of non-whites in his children’s picture books resulted in the decision to discontinue their publication.

Like all humans, artists are flawed…and full of contradictions. Still, we can “call out” their harmful mistakes while acknowledging their positive contributions. And moving forward, we all can learn from and make a more significant effort to represent all book characters with dignity and respect while acknowledging when someone falls short.

In Mr. Geisel’s case, his later attempts to instill tolerance, diversity, and compromise in books such as The Sneetches and Other Stories, published in the late fifties, can be embraced and appreciated. In The Lorax, published in 1971, readers are introduced to environmentalism and the importance of taking care of our earth. So, like Dr. Seuss himself, who grew and changed with the times, our consciousness can be broadened as well, if we welcome an honest look at the expression of others. We can take the good, leave the bad, or at least acknowledge how wrong and damaging degrading representation can be.

As an educator, parent, grandparent, and human, I know that representation is important. When children do not see themselves in books or see depictions that are negative, no matter how subtle, true damage is done. When they see others represented in a negative way, those thoughts and feelings are internalized. We all have a responsibility to think critically and call out such representation.

While I approach the idea of censorship with caution and a genuine concern for free speech and the exchange of ideas, I don’t see how the discontinuation of these six books affects either free speech or an exchange of ideas; if anything, it encourages reflection and discussion.

I am not buying the notion that we must endure offensive imagery or language because of nostalgia or the risk of censorship gone too far. Lies, hateful and hurtful visuals can and should be named. Some are more worried about being called “PC” or politically correct, than undoing the damage caused by white supremacy and white privilege. If that is where the concern lies, there is more to worry about than a publishing decision by an organization that is, after years of consideration, trying to get it right for our future and the future of our children.

In my view, it is the past acceptance or obliviousness to the subtle and not-so-subtle racist messages in books, television, movies, and advertising that contribute to the disease of racism. It isn’t the only factor that feeds it, but it plays a role, and acknowledging it as such is a step in the right direction.

Like the Dr. Seuss Enterprise, I look forward to a new chapter.

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

It feels like eons since we’ve seen Chip and JoJo grace the silver screen, but with the launch of new streaming platform Discovery+, they’re officially back! Debuting on Jan. 4, the platform is now streaming several of the upcoming shows from Magnolia Network, that will debut later this year, and has all the Gaines goodies you could ask for.

The “Magnolia Network Preview” is currently showing advanced episodes of Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines and the new Fixer Upper: Welcome Home. The rebooted DIY fan fave is set to debut on Fri., Jan. 29, with a new episode airing each Friday through Feb. 19.

In a blog post by Chip, he writes “This past year, we have poured our hearts into content and programming for Magnolia Network. Searching for stories we believe the world needs to hear. Stories that bring us together, that let us see things in a whole new light. Stories that connect us to our roots, and to one another. And for Jo and me, it dawned on us that we wanted to be a part of this lineup with a new season of Fixer Upper.”

You can expect more of what you’ve come to love from Fixer Upper, including Demo Day, ham sandwiches, shiplap and a look into the Gaines family as they change homeowners’ lives. Get a trial of Discovery+ and stay tuned for the official launch date of The Magnolia Network later this year.

––Karly Wood

Featured photo: HGTV

 

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The holidays are all about enjoying plenty of seasonal treats, but not everything comes packed with sugar. If you’re into the more savory side of life, you’ll love Archie McPhee’s collection of weird candy canes.

With ten flavors to choose from, you can enjoy the salty seasonings of unique offerings that include ham, ketchup, clam and pizza. Oh, but there’s more! Keep scrolling to see them all.

Kale

Ketchup

Mac & Cheese

Mushroom

Bacon

Pickle

Clam

Pizza

Ham

Pho

You can shop the entire collection at Archie McPhee, where each box is $6.50 and comes with six candy canes each.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Archie McPhee

 

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