How to Choose the Right Food and Drink For a Party

By Michael J Henderson


Having a party can be fun but it can also be a rather nerve wracking and mind-boggling endeavor if you do not know how to properly plan. Especially, when it comes to food and drinks. Here are some tips you might want to consider when you are planning a party and want to have quick ideas for what chow to serve your guests:

Plan around a theme - one of the easiest ways to plan a food and drinks menu for a party is to plan around a certain theme. When you have a theme, you can easily select food types and drinks that will complement these foods to revolve around your theme. For example, if you are planning on a Western style party, you can opt for foods that are reminiscent of the Wild West like huge slabs of roasted beef, corn on the cob, wild rice, pumpkin pie and other similar food.

Consider your guests preferences - if you have guests who are vegetarians or are allergic to certain shellfish, you may want to consider these as things you need to work around when coming up with a food and drinks menu for your party.

Consider something simple yet tasty - some people go overboard with trying to impress people with what they serve at parties. Simple yet tasty fare is actually a lot better for them. Try to incorporate some of the simpler foods to prepare in your menu along with a few impressive ones to help you manage your time better and to leave you a little less frazzled.

Beating the Yuletide Bulge - How to Keep the Holidays and Watch Your Waistline

By Dianne Orwig


Here they come... the holidays... the most inhospitable time of the year when it comes to staying healthy and fit. Shopping, chores, decorating, food temptations, stress, even the cooler weather all contribute to an overload on your routine and energy until, before you know it, you're saying goodbye to last year and hello to 6 extra pounds. Ugh!

But, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, some of my most successful clients have made amazing transformations between October and January! Here are a few things that contributed to their success:

A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO BE DIFFERENT: When you decide you want to look different, it becomes very clear that being different starts with ACTING and THINKING differently. "I always attend holiday get-togethers with my mind pointed towards what I WANT (a firm, healthy body) instead of constantly focusing on all the food and drinks I can't have," one client explains. "I always spend a few minutes before I leave for the party reviewing my goals, looking at my goal picture and writing out the things that are important to me... like connecting with friends, or learning something new about someone. That way, the celebration is about enjoying the people around me as opposed to making the food and drinks the star of the show."

A CLEAR PICTURE OF SUCCESS: "The night before a party or family gathering, I visualize myself sharing time with my friends without mindlessly eating and drinking everything in sight. I 'practice' the whole thing in my mind - from the time I walk in the door until I say 'Good Night.'" When you know you're facing a tempting situation, mentally rehearsing your success (as opposed to imagining yourself failing) will not only help you formulate alternative choices, it is one of the most powerful and often overlooked methods for maintaining control when you might otherwise just give in and go hog wild.

THE RIGHT WORDS: Let's face it, it's tough enough to turn down pumpkin pie... but Aunt Frances' pumpkin pie? Ah... no way! Food prepared by family or friends is one of the sincerest offerings of love there is, which is why it's so hard to refuse without a fight. Here is a great win-win solution: Come to every celebration ready to say these words. "I can't wait to taste that pie, Aunt Frances... will you cut me a piece to take home so I can enjoy it later, when I'm not so full?" This way, you get to eat the pie (or not) on your own terms, without hurting anyone's feelings. A good rule of thumb is to give your aunt or friend a call the next day to say how much you appreciate the love and effort that went into preparing the dish, pie, cake, or cookies they made with you in mind. When you point your focus toward fulfilling this desire (the main thing folks want when they have prepared something special is to know that you love and appreciate their gesture) everyone wins!

So, as you approach this holiday season, plan to be different, keep a clear view of what you want and make sure you say it right!