#75 Try Tofurkey

For picky eaters, the approaching holiday season can be an exciting, yet terrifying time. If you aren’t a big fan of meat, nuts, or vegetables (like myself) then you may be… um… screwed. Is it just me, or have any of you left the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, and then proceeded to the nearest fast food restaurant to grab some french fries and a coke?

My mom and dad just tell me that I “don’t know how to appreciate fine dining.” Whatever. I usually try to make a meal out of some of the sides like macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes and marshmallow casserole (hold the nuts please), and homemade rolls.

When I was in high school, my parents introduced me to tofurkey in an attempt to end my fast food trips after holiday dinners. In essence, it’s a loaf of tofu (soybean protein) with stuffed with bread or grains flavored to taste like real stuffing and turkey. I think it’s pretty good… it tastes better than a real turkey in my opinion. You may even like it if you aren’t a huge tofu fan.

So, chances are if you are a picky eater, you aren’t in to trying new things. BUT… really people, anything’s got to be better than McDonalds! Also, there are tons of health benefits to eating tofu. Click here to find out where to buy a tofurkey near you, or here to make your very own deep fried tofurkey (my personal favorite)! Whether you end up liking it or not, I promise you that substituting that same old, boring holiday bird for a trendy tofurkey will make for some lasting holiday memories! Enjoy!

 

 

PS: If you have nothing else to do, check out this great educational video on tofurkey!! 

#72 Be a Secret Santa

I know it’s a little early for the holiday season, but heck! 95.5 is definitely already playing the classics and all the major stores have already released their holiday commercials! I don’t know about you all, but I’ve already broken out all of my winter clothes and am just anxiously awaiting the “cold!” And by cold in Texas, I mean the 50s and low 60s.  I also bought a glade plug  in with the apple cinnamon scent, and all of my roommates’ stockings are hanging on our entertainment center!

My cute festive mom making pumpkin bread for one of the nights!

Anyways, this is something that was done to my mom a few years back and she has made a tradition every year since. Basically, you choose a recipient to place anonymous gifts on their doorstep every night before Christmas. Mom likes to do it the 12 days before Christmas, so she can sing the song EVERY night, semi- torturing my sister and me. Then, she will make up a riddle that has 12 parts to coincide with each gift. She will cut each part so she can attach them to the gift of the night.

The gifts don’t have to be anything lavish at all! They can be funny holiday socks, or 7 snickers for the seventh night, 8 candy canes, cookies, homemade ornaments etc. It’s a rush when you have to go to the house at night and place something on the door, and basically do a ring-and-run. Mom gets a kick out of this! It’s just really fun when you are expecting something and knowing that someone is thinking of you every day, it really gets those holiday spirits going!

And if you don’t take part in the whole Christmas thing, that’s okay! It can be for Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or  just a nice gesture around the time, or any other time for that manner.

So, go ahead and start thinking of your “victim” and just be as anonymous as possible! This is just a fun way to celebrate the giving part of the season! I’ve added a video from youtube that my roommates showed me the other night and it really got me excited, especially since it’s from Robert Earl Keen! Hope you enjoy!

Happy Holidays y’all!