December 12, 2013

DECEMBER 12, 2013

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

Deck the Halls

View this section online @ www.albernivalleynews.com

Emphasize safety when decorating for the holidays

A Season

To Cook

Easy and creative dishes for celebrating

Healthy

Holiday Feasting Avoiding the holiday battle of the bulge

2

DEC. 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

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3 Holiday menu planning for first-time hosts

Other winners this week: • Shelley Darsie at Gone Fishin for Boston Pizza

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6 Emphasize safety when decorating for the holidays

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A less traditional yet tasty take on a holiday dinner

8

Put a stop to the battle of the holiday bulge

9

The benefits of putting it on plastic this holiday season

10

A pastry perfect for holiday parties

10

‘Tis the season for gingerbread cookies

11

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ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS • DEC. 12, 2013

Holiday menu planning

for first-time hosts N

ovice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates. Whether hosting family or friends or a combination of both, first-time hosts typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoyable evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are hosting.

allergies or medical conditions that restrict which foods they can eat. Solicit such information from all of your guests, and do your best to cater to each of your guests’ needs. Some guests might be on a glutenfree diet while others may need to limit their sodium intake. You might not be able to meet everyone’s demands. Let guests know if they should bring an appropriate snack if you cannot provide one for them.

• Include traditional holiday fare. People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals, be it sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, brisket for Chanukah or holiday cookies or even eggnog at Christmas parties. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one of these traditional items, even asking guests for suggestions. Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years.

When planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips.

• Get a head count. Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ultimately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food. On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrées, which means more time in the kitchen juggling the various cooking duties and less time with your guests.

Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course that suits the size of your guest list.

out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the • Decide which type of party you gathering, the more formal the menu. want to host. The type of party you Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host also will influence what want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, you serve. A formal gathering should inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or include an appetizer, a main courseDec. and 13th 9:30am - 9:00pm Friday, side dish while the hosts take care of the a dessert, including both caffeinated course. % and decaffeinated coffees.

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First-time holiday hosts can take a number of steps to ensure their menus appeal to all of their guests.

• Don’t overdo it. First-time hosts want to ensure everyone gets enough to eat, so it’s easy to overdo things and prepare too much food. This can be expensive, and guests may feel obligated to overeat so hosts don’t have to discard any of the food they worked so hard to prepare. Though it might once have been a holiday tradition to overeat, many men and women now prefer moderation, and hosts should keep that in mind when preparing their holiday meals.

Hosting a holiday dinner for the first time can be nerve-wracking. But there are a variety of steps first-timers can take when preparing their menus to come off looking like old pros.

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DEC. 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

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ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS • DEC. 12, 2013

A less traditional yet tasty take on

a holiday dinner

H

oliday dinners vary from household to household. Some might prefer a traditional meal of turkey with all of the trimmings, while others might want to try their hands at something new. For those among the latter group, the following recipe for “Winter-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin,� from Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook� (Storey Publishing), is sure to make a splash at your holiday dinner table this season.

Winter Fruit-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

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Serves 8

½ cup dried apricots ½ cup dried cherries ½ cup dried figs 2 pork tenderloins (about 3 pounds total) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup crumbled blue cheese 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 tablespoons butter Ÿ cup honey, preferably sourwood honey

2. Slice the tenderloins lengthwise, almost all the way through. Open them up and lay them flat. Place each tenderloin on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and pound each piece of meat with a meat tenderizer until it is about 1â „2-inch thick. Remove the top piece of plastic.

3. Season the surface of the pork with the salt and pepper. Divide the fruit mixture in half and spread evenly on the cut surface of each tenderloin. Top each with half of the cheese. Roll up each tenderloin, using the bottom piece of plastic to help you, tucking in the fruit and cheese as you go. Tie kitchen string every 2 inches around the tenderloins, continuing to push in any fruit or cheese that may fall out.

4. Preheat the oven to 450 F. 5. Heat the oil in a large skillet over

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1. Mince the apricots, cherries and figs by hand or in a food processor.

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tenderloins, turning as each side is browned. Be careful when searing the open side, as some fruit and cheese might fall out. You are just trying to seal in the meat juices, not trying to cook the pork all the way through.

6. Combine the butter and honey in a microwaveable bowl and microwave on high for about 20 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Drizzle the butter over the tenderloins.

7. Place the tenderloins on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 150 F. Remove the baking sheet and allow the tenderloins to sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will keep the juices in the meat rather than all over your kitchen counter.

8. Snip off and discard the strings. Slice the pork into 1-inch-thick pieces and serve.

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DEC. 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

Emphasize safety

Keep your pet

when decorating for the holidays

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D

ecking the halls for the holidays is a beloved tradition for many families. A home’s exterior festooned with lights help create a festive holiday mood, while stockings hung by the chimney and a Christmas tree in the living room bring that holiday cheer inside.

Though the holiday season is a festive time of year, it can quickly turn tragic if revelers do not emphasize safety when decorating their homes. When decorating this holiday season, be sure to employ the following precautions so your holiday season is festive, decorative and safe.

• Exercise extreme caution with holiday lights. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation

International, 150 home fires per year begin with holiday lights and other decorative lighting. Such fires may start because of frayed or bare wires, broken or cracked sockets or even loose connections. It’s important that men and women be especially careful when decorating their homes with holiday lights, inspecting each set of lights for damage and discarding any damaged sets. When choosing lights, use only lights that have been certified for outdoor use on your home’s exterior, and never use outdoor lights inside.

• Purchase the right Christmas tree. The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that Christmas trees are involved in hundreds of fires causing an average of 15 deaths each year. In addition, such fires cause an average of

ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS • DEC. 12, 2013 $13 million in property damage annually.

Though it can be tempting to purchase the most eye-catching Christmas tree you find, avoid acting rashly until you have learned a little about the tree.

Artificial trees should be labeled as “Fire Resistant.” Such trees can still catch fire, but they are more resistant to fire than trees without such labels. When buying a live tree, make sure the tree is fresh.

The tree should be green, and its needles should be difficult to pull off of branches, which should not be easily breakable. Tap the tree on the ground before purchasing it. If the tree loses a lot of needles upon tapping the ground, it isn’t fresh. Trees that aren’t fresh are more susceptible to going up in flames.

• Keep the tree away from heat sources. Though it might seem more idyllic to place your Christmas tree next to the fireplace, it’s a lot more dangerous as well. When choosing a spot for your tree, find a place that is away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators and vents. But homeowners also should know that even trees placed away from heat sources can still dry out, creating a fire hazard even if the tree was fresh and healthy when purchased. That’s because Christmas trees can quickly dry out in heated rooms. Monitor the tree’s water

7

levels every day, checking those levels in both the morning and at night before going to bed. This prevents the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard, and it also helps the tree maintain its aesthetic appeal through the holiday season.

• Limit use of candles. Like Christmas trees, candles are a popular yet potentially hazardous decorative item during the holiday season. When decorating with candles, be sure that all candles are extinguished before leaving a room and never leave them burning when you go to bed. Candles should be kept away from any decorative items, including Christmas trees, that can catch fire. Never place candles near curtains, furniture or presents. Holiday enthusiasts with little children or pets at home might want to decorate with fake LED-light candles instead of traditional candles. Curious kids or excitable pets may not recognize the potential dangers of lit candles and, as a result, might burn themselves or tips candles over.

The holiday season is upon us, and that means scores of celebrants will be decking their halls. Though festive decorations are a part of the season, safety should always come first.

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8

DEC. 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

Put a stop to the battle of the holiday bulge

T

• Exercise every day. It can be easy to puch exercise aside when you’re busy with holiday taskes. But soon your metabolism may slow down in response to your body’s suddenly more sedentary lifestyle, leading to weight gain. Aim for some sort of daily exercise, whether you decided to park further away for stores at the amll or take the stairs at work. don’t relegate exercise to a New Year’s resolution. Inactivity will only mean you have to work harder in the furture to shed those unwanted pounds.

he holiday season is dominated by parties, family gatherings and festive foods. Overindulgence in rich foods and drink during the holiday season, compounded by cold weather that can make it difficult to exercise, often leads to weight gain by the end of the holiday season. But focusing on diet and exercise during the holiday season can help you avoid unwanted weight gain and provide more energy as the season progresses.

The following are some effective ways to sail through the season without gaining weight.

• Don’t scrimp and sacrifice all of the time. The body is a powerful machine, but it does not always work the way that we want it to. According to nutritional experts, rather than metabolizing food on a daily basis, the body is geared to work over longer periods of time. That means you can balance out a high-calorie day by eating less food and/or lighter fare on the days before and after those days when you anticipate overeating.

each day can improve your mood and get you off of the couch.

• Fill up before you go out. If you are worried about high-calorie foods and drinks that are often served at parties or holiday gatherings, eat before going to the event. Hunger may cause you to overeat and fill up on the wrong kinds of foods.

Instead, eat a low-calorie snack that’s high in protein and high in fiber before leaving the house. Eating beforehand may help you avoid the chips and dips.

• Fill up your plate with the right mix of foods. Don’t deny yourself when faced with a big holiday dinner. Rather, fill the plate with a good mix of foods. Devote more space to lean proteins, such as roasted turkey or chicken. Even lean ham is good. Devote much of the rest of your plate to roasted vegetables and whole grains. Take only small portions of high-fat foods like candied yams or bread stuffings. You will still satisfy your craving, but you won’t be overdoing it.

• Get plenty of sunshine when possible. Lack of sunlight can attribute to winter blues, which may lead some people to rely on comfort foods. Such foods are typically rich in carbohydrates, fats and sugars. Spending time outdoors in the sun

• Skip the spirits for the most part.

Alcoholic beverages are loaded with empty calories. Many people would rather reserve bonus calories for a piece of pie or a rich brownie. Limit yourself to one drink per day.

Moderation is the best approach to diet during the holiday season.

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9

ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS • DEC. 12, 2013

The benefits of

putting it on plastic this holiday season

M

any shoppers are fully aware of the dangers of making too many credit card purchases during the holiday season. Though it’s important to avoid accumulating debt, there are advantages to using credit cards throughout the year, including during the popular holiday shopping season.

• Cardholders can earn rewards. Paying in cash or with debit cards rarely earns shoppers any rewards. However, many credit card companies now reward responsible cardholders for using their credit cards.

Some cards allow cardholders to get a percentage of cash back on each of their purchases, figures that can add up to a significant amount of money over time. Other cards reward

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cardholders with discounts on air travel or offer gift cards with a predetermined amount of money on them. Some cards even reward especially qualified applicants just for signing up, offering bonuses that can be as high as a few hundred dollars.

• Cardholders can pad their portfolios. Shoppers with strong credit histories and a grasp of the financial markets might be able to find a credit card that invests a certain percentage of their purchases. Such cards are essentially the same as cash back cards, only instead of getting the cash back from their credit card companies, cardholders have that cash deposited into an investment account. Such cards typically offer a higher percentage of cash

back per purchase than more standard cash back rewards cards.

• Credit cards offer more security than debit cards.

Security is another advantage of credit cards. When a debit card is used fraudulently, that money is immediately taken out of a cardholder’s account just as it would be when the card is used legally. Though account holders are likely to recover those funds eventually, they do not have those funds at their disposal until the situation is resolved, which can take as little as a few days to much, much longer.

However, when credit cards are used fraudulently, cardholders simply notify their companies and the charges being disputed do not need to be paid until the

issue has been resolved. Card numbers can be stolen at any time by anyone, be it store clerks at the mall or hackers peeking at your online purchases. Credit cards offer more security than debit cards when making such purchases.

• Credit cards offer more insurance than debit cards.

Though gifts for friends and family may account for the bulk of holiday budgets, consumers still make additional purchases during the holiday season. Using credit cards to rent vehicles, purchase airline tickets and buy products for your home may help you save money in the long run. For example, when using a major credit card to rent a car, chances are that car is already being insured by your credit card provider, which can save you substantial amounts of money on costly rental company insurance policies. Many credit cards also provide travel insurance to protect cardholders who financed their trips using their credit cards.

Such protections can come in handy for consumers who travel a lot during the holiday season.

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A pastry perfect

DEC. 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

‘Tis the season for

gingerbread cookies

for holiday parties

powder, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy. Slowly add the granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and soft. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the egg and mix well.

Few foods are more synonymous with the holiday season than desserts.

This delicious “Carrot Cake with Coconut” makes for the perfect end to a holiday dinner.

Add the molasses and corn syrup and beat until incorporated. Stop the mixer again and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until a dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl and all the ingredients are well incorporated. Remove the dough from the bowl, flatten it on a large piece of plastic wrap into a rectangle about 1 inch thick, cover the dough with the plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper on a nonstick liner.

T

Some of the more popular foods this time of year are pastries.

Be it cakes or cookies, many people find holiday desserts too delicious to resist. For those hosting a holiday party this season or those simply looking to satisfy their cravings for sweets, the following recipe for “Carrot Cake with Coconut” from Michael van Straten’s “The Healthy Jewish Cookbook” (Frog Books) is sure to please even the pickiest of pastry palates.

he holiday season is dominated by tradition.

Families typically have their own unique traditions, but certain practices are so widely popular that they have become synonymous with the holiday season. Such is the case with certain foods, including gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread cookies can be enjoyed year-round, but many people only enjoy this tasty treat during the holiday season.

For those who can’t wait to indulge in gingerbread cookies this year, consider this recipe for “Soft Glazed Gingerbread” from Elisabeth M. Prueitt and Chad Robertson’s “Tartine” (Chronicle Books).

Carrot Cake with Coconut

Soft Glazed Gingerbread

Serves 6-8

Yields 12 to 20 cookies

2

Dough

2⁄3

3¾ 1 4 1½ 2 ½ 1 1¼

T

he holidays are a time synonymous with food. In fact, the most popular New Year’s resolution each year is the pledge to shed a few pounds.

tablespoons honey cup raw sugar (if unavailable, use light brown) 3 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup whole-wheat flour 1¾ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 9 ounces carrots, grated (about 1¾-2 cups) 4 ounces (about 12⁄3 cups) dry unsweetened coconut, plus 2 tablespoons for decorating* ¾ cup mixed unsalted nuts, crushed Scant cup olive oil *can decorate with coconut flakes

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Put the honey, sugar and oil into a bowl and whisk briskly until well combined. Add the eggs and cinnamon and whisk well again. Gradually sift in the flour and whisk until well combined, then stir in the husks that have collected in sifter. Stir in the carrots, coconut and nuts. Pour into a greased 7-inch cake pan and cook for about 90 minutes.

Let cool and serve sprinkled with the extra coconut.

1 ¾ 1 ½ 2

cups all-purpose flour tablespoon cocoa powder teaspoons ground ginger teaspoons ground cloves teaspoons ground cinnamon teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt teaspoon freshly ground black pepper cup unsalted butter, at room temperature cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar large egg cup blackstrap or other dark molasses tablespoons light corn syrup

Glaze 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons water To make the dough, stir together the flour, cocoa

Unwrap the dough and place on a floured work surface. If using a plaque with a design, roll out the dough 1⁄3-inch thick, lightly dust the top with flour, press your cookie molds over the dough, and then cut out the shapes with a small knife and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Alternatively, using the mold as a guide, cut around it with a small knife, flip the mold over so the design is facing you, and place the dough over it, pressing it into the design. Unmold the shapes onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them.

If using a patterned rolling pin, lightly dust the lined baking sheet with flour and transfer the dough to the pan. Lightly dust the top of the dough with flour and roll it into a rectangle about 1⁄3-inch thick with a plain pin. Then, using the patterned pin, roll over the dough with enough pressure to ensure a clear impression of the design. Trim the sides with a small knife. It is not necessary to cut into smaller sizes before baking.

Bake the cookies until lightly golden along the sides but still soft to the touch in the centers, 7 to 15 minutes. The timing will depend on the size of the individual cookies, or if you have made a single large patterned piece that will be cut after baking.

While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and water until smooth.

When the cookies are ready, remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then, while the cookies are still warm, using even strokes, brush a light coat of glaze on the top of each cookie, evenly covering it. Let the cookies cool completely. When the glaze dries, it should leave a shiny, opaque finish. If you have used a patterned pin to make a single large plaque, cut into the desired sizes with a small, very sharp knife. The cookies will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for about 2 weeks. They do not freeze well, however, as the glaze becomes watery when they are thawed.

11

ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS • DEC. 12, 2013

WEST COAST WINTER WONDERLAND December 9 - 26, 2013 • • • • • • •

December 9 6:30 – 8:30 pm December 11 6:30 – 8:30 pm December 13 6:30 – 8:30 pm December 14 2:00 – 4:00 pm December 15 2:00 – 4:00 pm December 16 6:30 – 8:30 pm December 18 1:00 – 2:30 pm (Parents And Tots)

• • • • • •

December 20 December 21 December 22 December 22 December 26 December 26

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Nesting boxes

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Another way to present a gift card is to hide it inside of a box that looks like any other gift. However, once the person unwraps the gift, he or she will discover another wrapped box inside. This prank can be repeated over and over as many times as desired until the gift card is unearthed.

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Today’s gift cards are better than those of yesteryear, which typically came with expiration dates and onerous fees. E-gift cards, which can be purchased and redeemed online, are among the most convenient of all gift cards.

Themed wrapping

Although gift cards have many positive attributes, it’s difficult to overlook that gift cards are viewed as a safe gift lacking in originality. But the National Retail Federation notes that in 2011, 57.7 percent of survey respondents said they would prefer to get a gift card that year. This ranks gift cards higher than electronics, clothing and accessories as desired gifts. Recipients of holiday cheer seemingly would like to pick out their own presents, which can ease the burden on gift-givers searching high and low for the perfect gifts.

Still, giving a gift card can remove some of the excitement of unwrapping a mystery gift. By employing a few creative tips, gift cards can be fun and unique.

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G

Gift basket

ift cards are a staple of the holiday season. Often a go-to gift when other options just do not seem to suffice, gift cards remove the worry about whether or not the item will fit or if it’s the right color or model. Gift cards can make ideal gifts because they are chosen with the recipients’ likes and tastes in mind while allowing recipients to shop without spending their own money.

Peter Hetherington

4715 Roger Street • Call Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm • 250-724-5112

Have the gift recipient work a little in a clever way for the gift. Plant clues around the house that will gradually lead to the hiding spot where the gift card is stashed. Clues can include witty poetic verses or tie into recipients’ personal interests.

A gift card can be ensconced with other trinkets and tied into a theme.

For example, a gift card for a spa massage may be complemented by lotions, massage oil and a terry-cloth robe. These items can all be packaged together in a decorative basket to make the entire gift eye-catching and appealing.

Place the gift card inside of an item that epitomizes the gift. A card for a bookstore can be nestled inside of the pages of a classic book. A gift card to a hair salon can be attached to the end of a hairbrush. For those gifting to a favorite coffee shop, place the gift card inside of an empty coffee mug.

Shopping savvy Offering a gift card as a present is entitling the recipient to a day of shopping. Wrap the card with a reusable shopping tote so that he or she can carry purchases inside. You can monogram the bag with initials or even decorate it.

Otherwise, purchase a new wallet and place the gift card inside. Wrap the wallet and encourage the recipient to go on a spree.

Special delivery For a creative spin, work with a retailer that offers home delivery service. Ask to have the gift card attached inside of a pizza box or nestled in a bouquet of flowers. When the recipient receives the delivery, he or she will be surprised by the added gift.

Gift cards make convenient gifts, but they may not carry with them the panache of other holiday gifts. Dressing up gift cards in creative ways can make them even more appreciated.

DEC 12, 2013 • ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

12

SALES are RINGING Sale ends Dec 24, 2013!

SOCKS

Under Armour

20

20

%

OFF

Viberg Sweaters

30

$

OFF

CAT Clothing

30

%

OFF

Clothing

including BELTS & WALLETS

Stihl Clothing

%

BOOTS

99

OFF

%

OFF

All Hats

95

Each

CLEARANCE RACKS UP TO

40 - 70

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

20

%

LB WOODCHOPPERS

% OFF

20

20

Thermos Reg. $2995

%

OFF

Back Pack & Sackpacks

SALE $ 17 95

%

OFF

Duck Dynasty

SWEATERS

3995

$

Each

CLOTHING

20

%

OFF

Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm; Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

lbwoodchoppers.com • 3509 3rd Avenue

250 -723-5841

20 - 30 % OFF