Warm Sips

 This is the time of year for a good warm sip of something soothing. it could be a cup of soup or a cup of hot cocoa. We all need something warm to keep us toasty from our heads to our toes. These could be had anytime, from breakfast to late night.

A cold morning deserves a hot drink. Thanks to Dunkin Donuts , Starbucks and Panera anyone can have a good strong cup of espresso to start the day. However it's a cup of foamy cappuccino that 's  also a lift. Morning sips deserve simplicity. Save all the candy bits and whipped cream for later in the day. A good cup of Earl Grey also is the perfect heater for a frosty December morning. You could always make it at home and pour it into a Stanley Thermos Cup. This cup are perfect for hot homemade drinks.Fiil your travel mug or thermos with any of Celestial Seasonings. They now have a Black Enrgy Black Tea that will wake you up, helping you power through a busy morning. They also offer a Green Energy Green tea along with a Fast Lane Caffeinated Tea. These are also perfect for those weekend mornings when you have a lot of to do , from house cleaning to holiday shopping.The same thing can be said for coffee. Try some of the stronger brews like Cafe Bustelo or Chock Full O Nuts Uptown Express. Another good hot sip is Lidl's Bellarom brand.It's tasty with or without  a creamer.

As for a hot sip during lunch time. nothing can beat ramen, whether you;re at home or at work. Nowadays there are so many different flavors from spicy shrimp to chicken. Maruchan has the most flavors.They have everything from creamy chicken to lime chili shrimp. Surprisingly enough  you can make homemade ramen.  It's an egg noodle recipe and any broth can be used. Add fresh veggies bits  like chopped carrots and cabbage.Add a teaspoon of frozen peas and corn to make it more authentic Fresh ginger can zing it up. One of the best warm sips is hot chocolate. Yes there are so many different kinds , from Swiss Miss with its' packets full of marshmallows to Lidl's  Holiday Peppermint and Hazelnut varieties.Then there are the in house brands, from Acme, Shop Rite and Stop & Shop. These in house brands are just as good as the national ones. Instant hot cocoa packs are great for a quick hot sip, especially after dinner when you want something sweet and warming but not too heavy. Add a puff of Reddi-Whip and you can settle in with a good drink and a good book to read.

Hot sips are wonderful during these frosty days.Savory or sweet , they are perfect for warding off winter chills. Have a cup today and enjoy the heat seeping through  you.

Are You Cookie Ready

 Yes it's that time of year when home bakers get nervous.It's cookie baking season  and that can cause more than a few shivers. Are you ready? Don't worry if you're not. Just take a deep breath and make a list.

The first list should be the list of cookies you want to bake. if' you;re super busy then think about logs or pull apart frozen cookie dough. Both Pilsbury and Lidl have these and these are the easiest to bake No fuss , no muss  -and no mess to clean up.The first has everything from sugar  to  peanut butter flavors while Lidl offers pull apart cookout]ie dough sheets in chocolate chip. Another quick bake is the Betty Crocker cookie mixes which come in such beloved flavors as snickerdoodle and double chocolate chunk . Of course some home bakers  want to make scratch  dough. Then make lists of what flours you'll need,.The all purpose kind is not only perfect for creating cookies but also for making rolls and loaves. If you're making as something as elaborate as macarons, then you'll need to write down almond flour. You may need gluten free too if there are family and friends with celiac disease. Also check your cabinets to see if you cocoa powder or bitter chocolate for both cookies and icing. Look over your  flavoring and icings. You may want  to add another bottle of almond or vanilla extract. Parchment paper is a must as well. This prevents cookies from sticking.

Another list you may want to make is tradition and new. Of course family will clamor for their favorites that have been around for years. These are usually peanut butter cookies chocolate chips and sugar cookies. There may be spritz cookies on the list. Some cookies look good like macarons and Lindzer tarts or cookies but these can be elaborate. Make a tester batch first one , to acclimate yourself with the steps and two to test out on the family. Family, especially kids may wrinkle their noses at the macarons and their too almond-y taste and the Lindzer cookies with their jam filled middles. For the last if they don;t like the jam but adore the cookie, then fill them with chocolate ganache. Icing is also an important factor. Kids usually love to do this. The question is do you make your own cookie icing or rely on food coloring gels for color. Cookie icing is a mix if confectioner;s sugar, water, a bit of corn syrup and vanilla extract. A touch of salt is added to bring out the flavor. Keep the colors simple, Use just red and green along with keeping a bowl of uncolored which will be a snowy white. Have little bottles of nonpareils and sprinkles handy as well.

Yes , it's cookie season. It's going to be labor intensive but also it's going to be fun. Breathe ,relax and create a list of what's going to be baked and what you'll need.