They feature all different kinds of symbols of fall — from pumpkins and gourds to cute turkeys and the warm glow of candles. Thanksgiving centerpiece under glass Photo credit: Russ Cornucopia centerpiece Photo credit: Carmen Pumpkins and squash in a basket Photo credit: rjcox Pretty, rustic centerpiece in a wooden box Photo credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina} Thanksgiving centerpiece with vases and faux branches Photo credit: Klara Pumpkins and tiny gourds in a glass bowl Photo credit: Alasam...

Most people associate the fine art of winemaking with France — but Spain also produces many delicious wines, both sparkling and still. A good example is Cava: a sparkling wine that’s not only delicious, but also typically less pricey than Champagne and its Italian cousin, Prosecco. All three are made using similar methods, and are named for the places in which they’re produced — in Cava’s case, the cool, dark caves or cellars found in Spain, in which the wine was originally stored and allowed to age....

But the day holds a lot more meaning than candy and funny costume parties — there is a long history behind Halloween, and it pre-dates anything happening in any church. Here are some interesting facts about Halloween you probably didn’t even know. Facts about Halloween: The day’s origins Honoring the natural cycle of death and rebirth is as old as time, and the ancient Celts had their own holiday, called Samhain, around November 1 of each year....

Sommelier Shelby Krause has picked some wines that will pair perfectly with your dad’s favorite foods, from ice cream to Chinese and everything in between. MORE: What are dad groups, and where can you find one? Dad can have his wine and get some education, too. Plus, our guide is easy to follow and won’t leave you standing in that grocery store aisle scratching your head the day before Father’s Day....

For the richest, smoothest and tastiest recipe, you need to first find a reliable recipe, read it through, and then follow it to the letter, says Drusilla Banks, the Extension Educator of Nutrition and Wellness at the University of Illinois Extension. Pan gravy is a type of gravy that’s made directly in the roasting pan. Here’s the best basic pan gravy recipe. It’s really easy, and you’ve got one less pot to wash!...

But for some — like those who have dealt with major challenges or who have overcome a health scare — the Thanksgiving spirit has added meaning. Whether Thanksgiving means celebrating a big life change or simply enjoying a four-day weekend and football, for many Americans, Turkey Day ranks at the top of the list of the best holidays. Here are some of the reasons why. Thankful for health Entertainment journalist Joel Amos has a new appreciation for life after he was given just a 15 percent chance of survival following an aortic dissection — a serious heart condition, necessitating emergency surgery....

But swearing off your device altogether isn’t required to make meaningful improvements in your relationships. Technology has both positives and negatives, of course, and not all online behavior is created equal. What’s the key? To pay closer, more mindful attention to your digital habits. Which ones actually help you connect, and which ones drive you away from true closeness with the people you care about? Here are ways to use social media without letting it affect your relationships....

Here’s a Thanksgiving recipe from Food Blogs Star Katie Higgins of Chocolate Covered Katie! See more from Katie’s holiday menu here. Chocolate Covered Katie’s pumpkin pie with coconut ice cream It’s a “one bowl” pumpkin pie recipe that takes just minutes to prepare. Just stir everything together in a mixing bowl, pour into a pan, and let the oven do the work. With all the calories saved, you can easily have multiple slices… or pile it high with whipped cream or your favorite ice cream....

Thanksgiving dinner round two? No, it’s time to get a little more creative than that! Use those leftovers to make a mouthwatering Leftover Turkey, Cranberry, and Stuffing Panini stuffed with turkey meat, cranberry sauce, stuffing and added romaine lettuce for a crunchy element. Now that is what I call a perfect Thanksgiving leftover lunch. Yield 1

For the past decade, Whole Foods been teaming up with Kayco to bring you some delish kosher-for-Passover options. The partnership was born out of consumer desire for products that fit both the kosher and health lifestyles. “People today are genuinely interested in food — not just for the way it tastes, but how it’s produced and what that means to their overall health. They expect convenience, and they no longer want to choose between delicious and healthy just because it’s Passover,” Kayco’s executive vice president Harold Weiss said....

This Thanksgiving, complete your feast with these airy but indulgent pumpkin bars that pair nicely with coffee or hot cocoa. Yield 8

Preparing a meal and need gravy right now? How about a holiday-caliber recipe that doesn’t require cooking a turkey or a roast for hours? Here’s a mushroom herb gravy inspired by Budget Bytes you can whip up in a flash. Gravy is, at heart, a sauce: a flavorful liquid, such as juicy meat drippings or meat-based stock, thickened with flour and seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Homemade or canned broth is also a go-to liquid if meat drippings are unavailable....

Guacamole toasts might seem like a trendy new creation, but people have been enjoying this healthy, filling combo for centuries. In areas where avocados are plentiful, such as Australia, Mexico, California and Chile, they’re eaten with bread or tortillas as a regular daily staple. The California Avocado Association marketed avocado toasts as an hors d’oeuvre in America back in 1915. Still, the avocado remained an exotic, relatively expensive luxury for most Americans....

Need a flashy salad to get your family excited for healthier meals? This smoky quinoa and black bean salad, inspired by Budget Bytes, is a gorgeous side dish that will immediately get their attention and healthfully fill their bellies. Whether you need a diet reset after the holidays or simply want to incorporate more power foods into your everyday family meals, this quinoa and black bean recipe is an easy yet impressive way to put a delicious and nutritious dish on the table....

Sure, Easter is a fun celebration involving candy, baskets of gifts, and delicious home-cooked food. But, after being asked trivial questions about the Easter bunny’s name, age and gender as well as questions about the origins of Easter, it surprised us to find out how many kids knew the real history behind the holiday. Not only are they thoughtful, but they’re so adorable. MORE: Easter traditions that aren’t just hiding eggs & gifting baskets Watch these cute kids share their interpretations of Easter and its meaning in front of the camera....

Unlike other workout trends, functional training can benefit everyone, even those of us not built like superheroes. The point is to improve your body’s mobility, making it functional for everyday activities. What is functional training? According to Dr. Lev Kalika, internationally known chiropractor and owner of New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, functional training engages the nervous system as a whole, rather than individual muscles. “The goal of functional training is improvement of movement control rather than strengthening,” he explains....

Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t be! You might not want to have a super-fancy table this Easter, but we have some easy ideas to bring elegance and beauty to your Easter dinner. They’re easy to replicate, so you can make as many pieces as you need. Are you a guest at Easter this year? Bring a centerpiece as a hostess gift. MORE: 8 recipes to upgrade your Easter dinner party menu...

Turns out, it’s a lot. But even these numbers exceeded our expectations. To sum it up: People really love Easter. And they really love celebrating Easter with all their favorites like eggs, ham, church and, of course, candy. (Gotta have those Peeps.) Easter celebrations About 80 percent of Americans celebrate Easter. 60 percent visit family and friends 58 percent make a holiday meal. 50 percent attend church. 35 percent have an Easter egg hunt....

While cranberries are all but inedible on their own, adding sweetener and boiling them down rounds out their bitterness, allowing their tart and unique berry flavor to shine through magnificently. If it were up to us, we’d vote cranberry sauce as the Best Supporting Actor for every holiday spread, which is why it kills us to see so many people serve cranberry sauce in its canned form. Just a friendly PSA from us here at Grateful: Put down the can-opener....

With the addition of tomatoes, cilantro, black beans, bell peppers and taco seasoning, these flavorful mashed potatoes will be a delicious hit with your Thanksgiving guests. MORE: Check out these creamy mashed potatoes like the ones the Pioneer Woman makes MORE: Here’s something new: Cauliflower mashed potatoes!