Yummies for Dummies

Ok, so in true Modern Mocha Mommy fashion, my mind is everywhere with regards to Thanksgiving. Everywhere from "Should I host dinner at my place this year?" to "What stores are on my hitlist for Black Friday" to "What to wear to that Black Friday afterparty." That being said, I'm offering in this post a little bit of everything that a Modern Mocha Mom may be interested in for Thanksgiving. Starting with the food. The following is taken from a GREAT website for modern moms, Disney's http://www.familyfun.go.com/

If you're prone to turkey trauma, relax. Here's a foolproof recipe that ensures a perfect feast!

Ingredients:
1 14- to 16-lb. turkey, fresh or defrosted
2 carrots, peeled
2 celery stalks
1 small onion, quartered
11 cups stuffing
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
Fresh herbs and orange slices

Instructions:
Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Rinse the turkey with cold water and blot dry, inside and out, with a paper towel. Place the neck, giblets, carrots, celery, and onion in a large roasting pan and arrange the turkey on top, breast-side up.

Loosely pack the stuffing in the neck cavity and inside the body. Fold the wings back and under the body of the turkey. Fold the neck skin under to enclose the stuffing and tie the legs together with butcher's twine.

Season the turkey with salt and pepper. Pour the broth into the roasting pan. Roast for 3 3/4 to 4 1/2 hours, basting frequently and tenting the turkey with aluminum foil two thirds of the way through the cooking process.

Test for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature in the thickest part of the thigh should be 180 degrees, in the thickest part of the breast, 170 degrees, and in the stuffing, 160 degrees.

Remove the stuffing and let the bird sit for 10 minutes before carving. Place the fresh herbs and orange slices on the turkey for a festive presentation. Serves 10 to 12.

If you're roasting a smaller or larger bird, use the chart below: Turkey Roasting Times 10 to 18 lbs.: 3 to 3 1/2 hours (unstuffed) 3 3/4 to 4 1/2 hours (stuffed) 18 to 22 lbs.: 3 1/2 to 4 hours (unstuffed) 4 1/2 to 5 hours (stuffed) 22 to 24 lbs.: 4 to 4 1/2 hours (unstuffed) 5 to 5 1/2 hours (stuffed) 24 to 30 lbs.: 4 1/2 to 5 hours (unstuffed) 5 1/2 to 6 1/4 (stuffed)

Tip- If you're not cooking the bird this year- only bringing a side, might I suggest my "semi" baked mac n cheese. Make the storebox mac n cheese as per instructions the box, put it in a baking pan and throw it in the oven with some shredded sharp chedar cheese on top. Cook 'till it get's that hint of homemade golden brown like grandma used to make (shout out to"Sparerib") and you're done.

Top 3 Places To Throw a Kids Birthday Party

Tired of hosting kid parties at the local fast food resturaunt? Try these places out:

#3- A Sports Center. Get physical! Large centers like Chelsea Piers in New York City offer birthday party packages with everything from bowling to ice skating. Too big? Try a fitness center. Same great play with a much smaller setting. Visit www.my-gym.com for the kiddie fitness center nearest you.

#2- The museum. Many parents opt for this creative outlet for fun and hands on learning. Both the Children's Museum of Manhattan and even the Scholastic bookstore in Soho (NYC) have private rooms booked for kid parties. For the recession friendly route, try your local public library. For $25 +$3 per child, the Cambridge Springs Public Library in Cambridge Springs, PA offers your kids story time, arts and crafts and a gently used book (for keepers) to the birthday kid.

#1- Home! If you live in an apartment complex, rent the community room. Since it's in your neighborhood, your guests won't have trouble finding it. Best of all, you can put together whatever theme you want. For less. If you live in a private house, why not a backyard adventure theme Backyardigain style? If it's cold outside, try a mystery theme. Both can be executed with a scavenger hunt.

Remember- all it takes to throw a successful kiddie party are the theree F's. Fantasy, Food and Fun. And if you're lacking the fourth F (funds) get creative. If you can't book Uncle Magic this year (www.hiphopmagician.com), there's nothing wrong with booking your Uncle Leroy.

Tip- One game that kids (and adults) all love is jump for George. Tape a line of singles together, lay it accross the floor and whatever the lucky jumper hops- they keep. Then at the end of the party YOU pick up the rest of the money and add that to the money you saved being creative and go to the spa.

Welcome to Modern Mocha Mommy!

To the woman with her kid's toys in her designer handbag...this blog is for YOU.

The purpose of this site is to share insight on how to balance everything that matters to us- from housework to homework; from first dates to play dates; from fingerpainting to resume updating - and still stay flyy. So sit back, relax and enjoy as we share tips and ideas on how to continue to inspire the world.