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 Thanksgiving planning is over, Now what? Do you take a break or start planning for the next holiday? What to do next?

Most home chefs will take a break from any kind of cooking and baking. Thanksgiving is always draining and it is nice to take a couple weeks off just to relax. This is the time to get out the crockpot or Insta pot ad start thiuking stews and chilis. They're easy to make and easy to store leftovers. You can also use leftover turkey for a white chili. This is cooking the turkey cooked with cannelini beans and Monterey Jack cheese. Onions and garlic are also added as are such spices as cumin, oregano and garlic along with cinnamon. It's a nice dish to come home to on a blustery cold night. This is also a good time to think about cooking other easy dishes like hamburgers and hot dogs .These are easy to grill and again are filling. if you're still tapped out from the holiday then order in. You can easily get a roasted chicken and sides at any grocery store or Wal-Mart. Also take advantage of the family sized meals from Marie Callender's and Stouffer's family style meals that can feed four  to five people.

What about those home chefs and bakers who are all set to tackle Christmas and Hanukkah? The last is later this year, starting December 18th and ending on the 26th. Both holidays require cooking and baking. It;s a good time to start stocking up especially if groceries are offering after Thanksgiving sales. Write down your plans. Are you planning a cookie exchange? Will there be family parties as well as a sit down dinner? Are you going to be on a budget? These are all factors to consider in the upcoming weeks. You can  easily pace yourself with both shopping, cooking and baking. It;s also a good time to assess all your baking equipment. is your cookie shooters up to par? Is the barrel that holds the dough cracked? Take advantage of sales to get a new one. Also check your cookie cutters. Do you feel like you need one or two new ones? Check your shapes. You don't want to have just snow flakes or reindeer. Get a new one like a sleigh or Santa to mix things up What about the latkes? Do you need a new peeler?  You can easily make them in an air fryer which is also on sale now.

what's up next is up to you. You can take it easy for th next couple of weeks. You could also start your holiday cooking and baking plans. It's your decision.

January Is Kitchen Sale Times

January has always been the month for white sales. Sheets, pillowcases and towels were marked down to unbelievable prices. The same is now true with appliances and gadgets.If you feel like you need new gear or just over worked your blenders and toaster ovens over the holidays, then treat yourself to new ones this month.

Many stores from Targets to Kohl's are having major sales right now, especially on pots and pans sets. This is the time to buy them, especially with the great discounts happening. Some of the better brands such as LeCreuset can be bought with tremendous sales pricing right now. Kitchen Aid , always a chef's must have is also being offered at good pricing. A crock pot can be had at only twenty bucks and this is a steal at Target  , especially if you're big into slow cooking. Other must haves to pick up are electric griddles, rotisseries and grills. Any of these also make great shower or housewarming gifts too so stock up if you're going to have a few of these to attend.

Frill appliances are also going on sale right now too.If you wanted that cool Soda Stream, the aerator that carbonates regular water , scoop it up. Their  flavors are also being offered at discounts too at againlike stroes at Target and Kohl's.Those mini cake pop ovens  along with donut makers are also being sold at lower pricing too. Buy them now for some fun Valentine's Day baking later on. Keurig Coffee makers are being offered at lower pricing right now at some stores . Definitely take advantage of this if you're a big coffee maker,

January is a big sales month. Take advantage of these discounts if you need any appliance or just want a fun gadget. Pinching pennies is always good, better yet when thy're being saved on kitchen appliances.