The warm flavors of pumpkin and eggnog mingle gorgeously in these simple but elegant little cupcakes. Serve them as a dessert in fall or winter, or instead of (or alongside!) the Christmas or Thanksgiving pies at your gatherings. Their size also makes them super-portable, so they’re easy to share with neighbors, at the office, or for a potluck. Courses Desserts 1 box (about 17 ounces) yellow cake mix1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree3 eggs1/2 cup vegetable oil1/3 cup Shamrock Farms eggnog2 teaspoons vanilla extract...

All good cooks know that we eat with our eyes first. This recipe for rainbow roasted vegetables, inspired by the Simply Vegan Blog, features veggies in nearly every color of the rainbow — all lined up and roasted in the oven, with tons of flavor and absolutely zero fat. They make a feast for the eyes and the palate. As a side dish for a dinner party, this platter will dazzle in shades of purple, red, orange, yellow and green....

Dare to be different this Thanksgiving and surprise your hungry holiday guests with these delicious salt and vinegar kale mashed potatoes inspired by Prevention RD. Salt and vinegar add a punch of welcome flavor while buttery sautéed kale gives this must-eat holiday dish gorgeous color, earthy taste and a deceptively tasty boost of nutrition. Admit it: salt and vinegar potato chips are your favorite snack attack food when you’re craving the sting of salt and the lip-smacking burn of vinegar in one satisfying bite....

Pizza has come a long way: it’s no longer limited to round and saucy. Pizza can be savory, sweet — or not exactly pizza at all. For those looking for something sweet and different, this strawberry kiwi fruit “pizza” from Hungry Happenings should be right up your alley. Fruity pizzas are terrific year round. This recipe isn’t only enjoyable to make – it’s perfect for dessert or even a tasty breakfast....

The slightly spicy arugula paired with cooked carrots, tart cranberries, and creamy goat cheese tossed with a touch of olive oil-based red wine vinaigrette is the perfect combination. This is a very quick and easy salad to make, and balances well with many of Thanksgiving’s dishes. Yield 2 Courses Salad Cuisine American

Harvest festivals are as old as civilization itself, but our Thanksgiving is much more than an annual festival. It is a national day of expressing thanks, according to every individual’s personal beliefs. There were many “thanksgivings” in the early days of American colonization, when life and travel were so difficult that people were always giving thanks for safe journeys, favorable weather and good crops. Spanish colonists held such feasts in Texas in the 1500s, as did English colonists in Virginia from the 1600s....

No-bake energy balls have been quite the rage for a while now. A super-packed super snack, if you will. They can be used as a make-ahead breakfast or a healthy snack for school, the office or a long flight, even an indulgent dessert that won’t derail your self-care plans. What’s not to love? But every so often, something unique comes up: a holiday, a family get-together, an event at school or church....

Donuts are fantastic, but just not big enough. A few delicious bites — suddenly the one you’re eating is long gone. Not so with this giant donut cake inspired by The Baker Upstairs! You’ll have donut-y goodness for at least a few servings (unless you keep it all to yourself, which we totally understand). Donuts have (thankfully) been around for a long time. While archaeologists have found chunks of fossilized “possible donuts” in ancient settlements, we can trace the modern donut back to the former New Amsterdam (now known as Manhattan) thanks to Dutch settlers in the early 18th century....

In almost every case, the #1 key to dealing with holiday stains is to act quickly, and by using the right method for the problem. With these tips on how to deal with common Thanksgiving stains, you won’t need to wait until the end of the night or the next day to manage spills and spots. Here are ten quick and easy Thanksgiving stain removal tips from the experts!...

If you’re new to learning about the vagus nerve, you’re in for a treat. We spoke to Victoria Albina, life coach, breathwork facilitator and holistic nurse practitioner, about the vagus nerve, what it is, what function it serves, and how to best ensure ours is in tip-top shape. What is the vagus nerve, exactly? “The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve and runs in two directions. One branch goes up and connects with the nerves of your face (eyes, ears), neck and throat....

1. Cranberry fluff salad Mels Kitchen Cafe brings us an appetizer that just looks like Christmas. This cranberry fluff salad is so simple, you will not believe this little gem could be as decadent as it is. Rich and creamy from the cream cheese, cream, and marshmallows, paired with tart cranberries and tangy pineapple makes for the perfect appetizer marriage. Dreamy and creamy this luscious salad (uh, dessert?) gets better with age....

Surprisingly, the at-home version is equally as satisfying and it’s simple to make with just three ingredients you might already have on hand. The copycat Frosty comes together with ingredients you may already have on hand. The best part is that you have options for how to make this frosty your own. The chocolate milk Option 1: Use premixed chocolate milk of your choice from the grocery store. Even non-dairy options work great....

1. Revisit Dr. King’s speeches “I have a dream” is King’s most famous and popular speech, but the civil rights leader, activist and preacher gave a number of speeches with poignant points. Here are a few from which to choose: “What is your life’s blueprint?” — this speech was delivered on Oct. 26, 1967, at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “I have been to the mountaintop” — this speech was given on April 3, 1968, at Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee....

This pancake recipe is for those who love a sweet breakfast. It’s reminiscent of a black forest cake–but we’re making it totally legit to eat it before 10 a.m. The combination of chocolate and cherries is to die for, and the vanilla whipped cream just takes it over the top! The fact that they’re gluten free is even better. These pancakes are so beautiful they’d make a great breakfast or brunch for a special occasion–like a birthday, Mother’s Day, or an anniversary....

Champagne is an expected staple for New Year’s Eve parties and holiday celebrations alike. Dare to be different and make these champagne Jell-O shots, a lusciously jiggly cocktail inspired by CakeWhiz. A lip-smacking festive drink, these fancy Jell-O shots show up to the party flaunting refreshing cranberry ginger flavor and a showy rim of edible gold stars. The eye-catching crimson gelatin is made with an effervescent combination of cranberry Jell-O, champagne, and ginger ale that excitedly wiggles in the glass and goes down deliciously smooth....

Need a new idea for a holiday dessert? Try this this cranberry & almond apple pie! This luscious pie, inspired by Sally’s Baking Addiction, offers a delectable combination of apples and cranberries, creating a punch of festive flavor and color. But the secret ingredient is the almond paste, tucked away at the bottom of the pie dish. You may not see it (it’s being pressed into the pie shell in the photo below), but you will taste the difference!...

Mix it up this time. Instead of throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave, go all out with dinner and a movie. Your family will be lining up for warm hugs when you treat them to an evening inspired by this Disney favorite, including drinks, yummy snacks and a delicious Norwegian-inspired dinner. Want to see more? Check out our other Dinner and a movie features here! Dress the part Baby, it’s cold outside!...

There are more than a dozen recipes featured inside our free downloadable holiday cocktail recipe ebook (which you can get below). If you want to know more, you can see extra photos and a video how-to for each of these tasty drinks by visiting any of these links: Want more? Here are some other delicious holiday cocktails you may like! Candy vodka with Jolly Ranchers New Year’s Eve party punch Caramel apple sparkling sangria Pumpkin martini Jalapeño-cranberry cosmos Apple cider Moscow mule Holiday orange wassail punch Cranberry wine Moscow mule...

It’s not, of course, but maintaining your wellness routine in a new environment requires work. We’ve put together a cheat sheet of tips for keeping your wellness habits intact during the most wonderful time of the year. Holiday health tip 1: Focus on how you’re eating, not what you’re eating According to fitness expert and coach Andrea Marcellus, portions are more important than what’s on the menu. This goes double during the holidays and maintaining your health....

Here’s a Thanksgiving recipe from Food Blogs Star Monique Kilgore of Divas Can Cook! See more from Monique’s holiday menu here. Monique’s Honey-butter dinner rolls Growing up with sad store-bought rolls and spongy white bread from a plastic bag, it’s easy to believe that homemade yeast rolls are created with some kind of magic. Like so many of us, Monique was totally intimidated by the idea of making her own rolls at home, especially without the aid of a machine....