Halloween Safety Tips

Easy Upgrades for Holiday Entertaining

Holiday gatherings call for an extra touch to make the celebrating special. Since many holiday festivities are centered on food, focus some attention on the refreshments for a simple way to upgrade your next holiday party.

From the presentation to the pairings, it's easy to make an ordinary spread extraordinary this holiday season. Take this year's event to the next level with these easy tips that bring the wow-factor to your gathering:

Make it look as pretty as it tastes. Even simple platters of crackers and cheese can feel extra special when presented on a pretty plate. If you're serving food buffet style, use a colorful tablecloth and stack sturdy boxes of varying sizes underneath to serve as risers that create some visual interest for the spread. Incorporate seasonal decorations such as ornaments or sprigs of holly and poinsettia blooms. For a plated meal, a table-runner adds just the right pop of color and a tasteful centerpiece of candles or evergreen dressed with holiday trinkets elevates an everyday table.

Offer the perfect pairings. When planning your menu, consider the types of beverages you'll serve along with the appetizers and dishes. When paired properly, food and cocktails complement one another, making the flavors more vibrant and the overall experience more impressive. A good starting place is cheese. Pair alpine-style cheese such as Roth Grand Cru with Riesling; creamy blue with gin; smoky blue with merlot; Havarti with pinot noir; Spanish-style such as Roth GranQueso with scotch; and Gouda with prosecco.

Enhance traditional favorites. Putting a fresh, elegant spin on the basics instantly elevates your menu and the overall experience for your guests. Even a staple like cheese can get some special dressing for the occasion. This recipe combines three rich, flavorful cheeses for a fondue that's sure to delight guests.

Explore more ideas for exceptional holiday entertaining at rothcheese.com.

Culinary Education Center House FondueCook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

3/4       pound Grand Cru Original, shredded
3/4       pound Grand Cru Reserve, shredded
1/2       pound Roth Fontina, shredded
16        ounces Pinot Grigio or other light- to medium-bodied white wine
1          loaf crusty artisan bread
            fresh apples, grapes and pears
            black and white pepper (optional)
            nutmeg (optional)

Combine cheeses and wine in ceramic fondue pot and stir to combine. Allow mixture to soak 15-30 minutes.

Heat mixture over low heat, approximately 7-10 minutes, stirring constantly with wooden spoon. Do not allow mixture to boil. When cheese has melted completely, remove from heat and transfer to tabletop burner.

Serve fondue with chunks of bread and fruit. If desired, provide pepper and/or nutmeg guests can sprinkle onto a plate and use for dipping bread and cheese. Pair with chilled dry Riesling and a shot of authentic Swiss kirschwasser.

Pop Culture Dominates 2016 Halloween Costume Trends

From Pokémon GO to Suicide Squad, Americans look to their screens for stand-out ideas

Nearly a quarter of Americans call Halloween their favorite holiday, and according to a new survey* from Savers thrift stores, there will be no shortage of celebrating this year. The majority are planning to attend multiple parties in one night, and the social calendars of those aged 35-44 are packed; this demographic is anticipated to attend about three parties this Halloween season, outshining their millennial contemporaries.

Decision 2016What will you be for Halloween, and have you started planning yet? A quarter of people insist on having a different Halloweencostume every year, and with plenty of party appearances to be made, selecting a costume can be serious business. The average span of planning is nearly three weeks and a quarter of millennials have been planning their outfits since last year.

The Trends:

• Pokémon GO Over Politics: Despite the U.S. election dominating headlines, candidates take the back seat when it comes to inspiring costumes. Americans are one-and-a-half times more likely to see Halloween ensembles inspired by Pokémon GO characters than by the election.
• Still, Trump Trumps: While the election may not inspire the most costumes, when comparing the two parties, 52 percent of Americans say Republican candidates would have better costumes than the Democratic candidates.
• Mirror Mirror on the Wall: Nearly a third of people (28 percent) want their outfit to make them look scary, but the vanity factor is key for millennials who want their outfits to make them look beautiful, handsome or sexy (40 percent) – not surprising since this is also the crowd that's likely to be snapping the most selfies and sharing on social media.
• Squad Goals: Most people believe that Pokémon GO will be the most popular group costume inspiration, but millennials are much more inclined to say it's Suicide Squad. The Avengers have the vote among those aged 25 to 34, and when it comes to Star Wars, the Force is strong with those aged 45 and older.
• Celeb Showdown: Americans are confident that Ellen DeGeneres will dress to impress (30 percent), beating out Kim Kardashian (18 percent) and Justin Bieber (7 percent) for the best celebrity costume.
• Being a Good Sport: Of the 2016 star athletes, one in three Americans picked Michael Phelps as the most popularHalloween costume, followed by Ryan Lochte and Usain Bolt.
• Battle of the Sexes: While all people aged 18 to 44 will be increasing their spend on outfits, men in particular are nearly 50 percent more likely to spend more than females.

Thrift or TreatWith Americans showing an appetite for originality and many making or buying multiple costumes for Halloween, Savers offers the one-of-a-kind finds shoppers want at prices that won't break the bank. During Halloween, Savers stocks its shelves with new packaged costumes, makeup, wigs and accessories – perfect to combine with the reused clothing and accessories that fill the aisles at Savers for a fraction of their original price. Two in five people look to thrift stores as great places to gather ideas during Halloween. 

"Savers is proud to be the one-stop destination for shoppers to find a unique, budget-friendly costume. Halloween is one of our busiest times of year and of course, one of our favorite holidays. Our stores are especially popular during this time because we're the only retailer that offers a huge selection of both new and pre-owned Halloween merchandise all under one roof, and at prices to accommodate every budget," said Ken Alterman, President and CEO of Savers, "Our store teams look forward to being a part of your celebration."

Savers stores have trained "Costume Consultants" ready to help put together the perfect costume, and host free "HalloweenCostume Catwalk" fashion shows at 3 p.m. every Thursday in October that showcase the season's most popular and unique looks for adults and children.

Online Inspiration and Fun  

• Savers.com Halloween Hub: Savers.com provides a store locator tool, costume inspiration and instructions for HalloweenDIY costumes and home décor.
• Social Media: Find Halloween costume ideas, DIY tips, spooky décor and more on the @SaversVVillage Pinterest channel and engage with Savers' social networks via the #thriftortreat hashtag on Facebook.com/Savers, @SaversVVillage on Twitter and @Savers_thrift on Instagram.

September is National Rice Month

To highlight its importance, both as a crop and as part of the changing U.S. diet, this is National Rice Month.  Globally, rice is the world's most important cereal grain.  Reflecting both our increasing cultural diversity and awareness of good nutrition, Americans have increased their annual consumption of rice from 1980's 9½ pounds to today's 26 pounds each.  Rice has been grown in America since the late 17th century, and is currently a nearly $3 billion a year crop.  While raising only 2 percent of the world's rice, the U.S. is the leading non-Asian exporter, sending nearly $2.2 billion worth annually to overseas markets.  The grain is raised by farmers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Texas.  

Are you a Planner or a Moocher? BJ’s Wholesale Club Kicks off Football Season with Insights on America’s Tailgating Habits

Survey shows Buffalo wings rule, and a team’s loss can affect tailgaters for the whole week

Break out the face paint, a funny wig or team jersey, football season is here and that means it’s time to tailgate. New research from BJ’s Wholesale Club tackles the question of America’s tailgating habits, showing that for almost half of Americans

(45 percent) tailgating is more important than the game. And 60 percent of us are diehard tailgaters, showing up for the pre-game party rain, sleet, snow or shine.

According to an online survey conducted by BJ’s Wholesale Club of more than 1,000 tailgaters on the East Coast, when it comes to sandwiches, burgers (49 percent) are the clear winner among pre-game partiers, followed by pulled pork (24 percent) and hotdogs (21 percent). And according to the research, the most important item for a tailgate is the cooler and ice (71 percent), followed by the grill (57 percent). The most forgotten items are bug spray (15 percent), with sunscreen (11 percent) and trash bags (10 percent) a close second and third.

“Football fans might be even more passionate about their tailgates than their teams,” said Bari Harlam, executive vice president, marketing and membership at BJ’s Wholesale Club. “For our Members, tailgate parties are a family tradition. BJ’s Wholesale Club offers great value on everything fans need for the perfect tailgate party, whether you’re a Patriots fan craving wings or a Gators fan grilling a pre-game burger.”

Key survey findings reveal:But for some tailgating comes with a downside. About 40 percent of fans say a loss by a favorite team affects them all week -- but there’s always another tailgate to look forward to.

Planner or a moocher?

• Half of tailgaters (50 percent) say they are planners, while two in five (39 percent) prefer to wing it, putting things together at the last minute. Only one in ten (11 percent) consider themselves moochers, just waiting to enjoy what the planners bring.
• Almost half of tailgaters (45 percent) say they would have no problem tailgating and not attending a game.
• Three to four hours before is when over three in five (62 percent) tailgaters start.

Most popular foods

• Overall, appetizers and wings are the favorite foods.
• For over half of tailgaters (56 percent), it’s got to be Buffalo-style wings followed by barbeque at 44 percent.
• Beer is the beverage of choice for 73 percent of tailgaters and almost half say they also need soft drinks/soda (49 percent) and water (48 percent) on hand.

Tailgating Type

• Thirty-seven percent of tailgaters say they are diehard fans because when their team loses, they feel lost all week.
• Three in five (60 percent) tailgaters throw the football around while over half (53 percent) prefer to play cornhole.
• When it comes to the most enjoyable football games, it’s almost even across the board. One-third (34 percent) find professional football games more fun for tailgating, one-third (33 percent) say college games are more fun and one-third (34 percent) say both are equally as fun!

And finally, when it comes to showing spirit, most tailgaters go with a team jersey (82 percent), while 13 percent choose face paint and five percent pick body paint. Only two percent opt to wear a team wig.

Moms Seeking 'Me' Time This Mother's Day

New Survey Finds Nearly All Mothers Would Appreciate a Special Snack on Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, give the mom in your life exactly what she's looking for – "me time." According to a national poll sponsored by Stacy's Snacks, 71 percent of moms with children living at home say they would appreciate some alone time on Mother's Day. Nearly all moms – 9 out of 10 (91 percent) - say they would also appreciate a snack her family cooked or prepared just for her.

"Our poll shows mom wants a Mother's Day balanced with 'me time' activities and family fun," said Katie Ceclan, senior director of marketing, Stacy's Snacks. "Stacy's is a champion for life's simple-yet-inspired moments from a gourmet breakfast in bed to a thoughtfully prepared snack using mom's favorite foods." 

When it comes to great gifts, mothers say they would like a fun family outing where she's treated like a queen (51 percent) and a handwritten note expressing the family's love and appreciation (42 percent). 

When mothers were asked how they would most like to spend their Mother's Day "me time," they chose a spa treatment (38 percent), watching a favorite movie or TV show (21 percent), catching up on a favorite book or magazine (19 percent), enjoying breakfast in bed (14 percent) or a relaxing picnic lunch (12 percent).

"Why choose one when you can give mom all that she wants?" said Ceclan. "We recommend kicking off her special day with breakfast in bed: A serving tray adorned with hot coffee, fresh fruit and a snack like our cinnamon roll stackers."

The stackers, a recipe from chef Douglas Keane, winner of the James Beard Award and Top Chef Masters, features a delectable combination of toasted pecans, cream cheese, powdered sugar and Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips.

If a family brunch is already in the works, create an opportunity for "me time" in the afternoon with a gourmet snack. Fill a picnic basket with ready-to-eat treats like Stacy's Toasted Cheddar Pita Chips, Sabra hummus, aged cheddar, salami, apple slices and her favorite wine. Include a blanket and some magazines to help make the most of her "me time," whether it takes place in the backyard or a beautiful nearby park.

Put a twist on springtime celebrations with these recipes

Spring celebrations wouldn't be the same without one classic centerpiece: leg of lamb. Whether roasted or grilled, a leg of lamb is a tried and true addition to the Easter or Passover table. As elegant as it is, it's also quite simple to prepare.

For a new take on tradition, swap conventional mint jelly with a vibrant salsa verde or mint-pistachio pesto for a fresh, but familiar, flavor that complements the rich taste of American lamb. Find more springtime celebration-worthy American lamb recipe ideas atamericanlamb.com.

Boneless Leg of American Lamb

Follow these easy guidelines for preparing the perfect roast:

• For generous portions, figure on one half pound of American lamb per serving.
• Use a good meat thermometer to determine doneness. Medium Rare: 145 F; Medium: 160 F.
• Remove the roast from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 10 degrees less than your desired temperature; it will reach desired doneness while it rests, allowing the meat's juices to settle.
• Carve the roast across the grain so the meat will be tender.

Roasted Boneless Leg of American Lamb with Fingerling Potatoes, Leeks and Mint Salsa Verde
Serves: 6-8
Mint Salsa Verde
	3	garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
	2	cups loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
	1	cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
	3	anchovy fillets
	1	tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
	1/2	teaspoon kosher salt
	1/4	teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
	2	tablespoons plus 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
	3-3 1/2	pounds boneless leg of American lamb, butterflied
	2 1/2	teaspoons kosher salt, divided
	3	large leeks
	2	pounds fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise
	1	tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Position rack in lower third of oven (so roast will be in the middle) and heat to 325 F.

With food processor running, add garlic cloves. When finely minced, stop motor, remove top and scrape down bowl. Add parsley, mint, anchovies, capers, salt and pepper. Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped. Pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil and pulse to combine. Transfer about two-thirds of paste to small bowl and cover with remaining olive oil. Cover tightly and refrigerate until serving time, or up to 2 days.

Lay lamb flat on cutting board with fat side up. Trim fat to no more than 1/8 inch. Turn meat over and trim away any large chunks of fat from interior, but leave the rest intact. Be careful not to trim away connective tissue that holds meat together. Season lamb on both sides with 2 teaspoons salt.

Spread salsa verde paste over interior of meat to edges, rubbing into crevices. Reserve remaining salsa verde. Roll lamb up lengthwise into cylinder. Use kitchen twine to tie cylinder at 1 1/2-inch intervals. Tie another piece of twine lengthwise to secure ends. Allow lamb to sit at room temperature 1-2 hours before roasting. (If you plan to wait more than 2 hours before roasting, loosely cover and refrigerate roast, but bring to room temperature before cooking.) Pat outside of roast dry using paper towels before roasting.

Trim dark green tops from leeks. Halve leeks lengthwise and rinse well. Pat dry and cut into 2-inch pieces. Put leeks and halved potatoes in large roasting pan. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil, season with remaining salt and toss to coat. Spread vegetables around roasting pan in even layer. Place lamb roast on top, seam-side down and transfer to oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat reaches 135 F for medium-rare, about 1-1 1/2 hours.

Transfer lamb to cutting board and allow meat to rest for 20-30 minutes, loosely covered with foil. (The internal temperature will increase to 145 F.) Bring reserved salsa verde to room temperature. Toss vegetables in roasting pan to coat in pan drippings. If they are tender and browned, set aside in a warm spot while meat rests. If not, return to oven to finish cooking.

Trim away kitchen twine and cut roast into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices over vegetables. Stir salsa verde to incorporate oil, spoon it over meat and serve.

Grilled Butterflied American Lamb Leg with Mint-Pistachio Pesto
Serves: 6-8
	3	pounds boneless leg of American lamb, butterflied
		salt and pepper (to taste)
Mint-Pistachio Pesto
	1	cup shelled pistachios
	1	cup fresh mint (leaves only)
	1/2	cup fresh Italian parsley
	1/4	cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
	2	tablespoons red wine vinegar
	1	tablespoon lemon juice (to taste)
	1	teaspoon lemon zest
	1/2	teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
		freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
		pinch red chili pepper flakes
Heat oven to 350 F.

Lay lamb leg open on a cutting board. Trim off visible fat. Season lamb generously with salt and pepper; allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to grilling.

Toast pistachios by placing in single layer in shallow dish or pan and baking 8 to 10 minutes.

In food processor, add pistachios, mint, parsley, oil, vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and chili flakes; blend until somewhat chunky.

Heat grill to medium-high. Grill lamb leg to medium-rare (remove from heat when thermometer reads between 130 F and 135 F), or to desired doneness. Rest meat, lightly covered, for at least 10 minutes before serving. Slice meat across grain into thin slices.

Serve lamb with pesto, grilled vegetables and salad.

An Easier and Faster Way to Hard-Boiled Eggs

Difficulty peeling off the shells is the top barrier to making hard-boiled eggs more often, according a recent consumer survey.[1]Fortunately, just in time for Easter – the biggest hard-boiled holiday of all – the American Egg Board is introducing a new method to help make eggs not only easier to peel, but takes 30 percent less time.[2]

• HEAT ½- to 1-inch of water in a large saucepan to boiling over high heat. Carefully place steamer insert into pan over boiling water OR proceed to Step 2, if not using a steamer insert.
• Carefully ADD eggs using a large spoon or tongs. COVER pan. Continue cooking 12 minutes for large eggs (13 minutes for extra large eggs).
• DRAIN immediately and serve warm. OR, cool completely under cold running water or in bowl of ice water, then REFRIGERATE.

Instead of waiting for an entire pot filled with water and eggs to boil, this method relies on filling the pot with less water and adding eggs after it’s brought to a boil. This cuts the classic hard-boiling cook time by nearly one-third. Making hard-boiled eggs fast and easy-to-peel is good news for the millions who search for ”boiled eggs,“ one of the most popular search terms related to ”eggs“ in Google. ”Hard-boiled eggs“ is also the most popular recipe on IncredibleEgg.org.

Eggceptionally Easy and Eye-Catching Easter Eggs
Once you’ve mastered the art of hard-boiling, it’s time to start decorating. Modern designs on jewel-toned and spring-colored hard-boiled eggs are easy to make, great for displaying and tasty to eat, making them a staple for Easter celebrations. Pick up an extra dozen eggs for hard-boiling, find the right egg dye color combinations and then give these fun ideas a try:

• Stick To It: Take rolls of craft tape (Japanese Washi Tape) from your local craft store and start wrapping. Mix and match different colors and patterns of tape to give eggs a modern edge.
• Perfect Polka: Use the eraser end of a pencil to paint perfect polka dots on your egg. Just dip the eraser into acrylic craft paint and dab onto the egg. Make different patterns and use different colors to create your whimsical designs!
• Glitter Eggs: Add sparkle to your eggs by covering them in your favorite colored glitter. Brush craft glue over the egg until the entire surface is covered. Sprinkle a handful of glitter on paper plates and start rolling!
• Cascarones: Give family and friends good luck by making a dozen ”confetti eggs,“ a Latin American tradition, and cracking it over their heads! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to empty the eggshells. Once they’re clean and dry, dye the egg shells and fill the insides with confetti. Place glue around the edges of the hole, cover it with colorful tissue paper and get cracking.

For more Easter tips, how to have a fun and safe Easter egg hunt, brunch recipes and a second helping of Bacon – the Bacon Brothers, that is – visit us at IncredibleEgg.org and check us out on Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram.

Survey Finds Singles Aren't Dreading Valentine's Day

According to a survey conducted by OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), many singles (42%) across the country are looking forward to dining out in celebration of Valentine's Day this year.

"Contrary to popular belief and defying misconceptions about their Valentine's Day habits, singles are getting comfortable with dining out on Valentine's Day regardless of relationship status," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable.

The survey also revealed that almost half of the singles (46%) who plan to dine out for Valentine's Day plan to share their experiences on social media with one in five (21%) planning to share dish photos.

Singles may help restaurants fill their larger tables on Valentine's Day this year as one in three singles (35%) plan to dine with multiple platonic friends or family members.

More than half (59%) of the singles surveyed are fine with couples' PDA at the table, saying it is okay to feed your date a bite of food, à la Lady and the Tramp. However, singles are less enthusiastic about the concept of Valentine's Day marriage proposals with one in three (36%) indicating that any day of the year would be better, whereas only one in four (25%) of married respondents shared this sentiment.

For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable recently released its list of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2016. OpenTable also released a list of the Most Romantic Cities in America for 2016. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine's Day on the OpenTable Blog as well as details about our #savorthelove Valentine's Daygiveaway.

Candy continues to be an important part of Valentine's Day traditions

Sharing a sweet treat with a friend or loved one is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day, according to a recent national survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Some 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive a gift of candy or chocolate this Valentine's Day.

On February 14, 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to one to three friends or family members. And those sharing a sweet treat are embracing moderation as it relates to enjoying chocolate, candy, gum and mints, according to NCA's survey. More than 80 percent of percent of Americans believe that candy is treat, and its one that makes holidays even more special. Most people in the U.S. enjoy candy about twice per week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items.

NCA projects that retail sales of Valentine's Day candy in 2016 will be $1.1 billion (up 1.6 percent from 2015), a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.

"People understand that candy is a transparent and fun treat, and they are choosing to enjoy it in moderation this Valentine's Day and all year long," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Chocolate and other sweets have long been associated with celebrations. Even a small taste of your favorite candy can transport you to another place, and conjure up happy memories. Because of this, candy plays a wonderful and unique role in a happy, balanced life."

According to NCA's research, 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive candy or chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, compared to 89 percent who would like to receive a card and 87 percent who would like to receive a handmade gift. Perhaps indicating that Americans are still focused on affordable luxuries, 71 percent said they would like to receive flowers and only 67 percent would like jewelry.

Not having a special someone to celebrate with on February 14 will not stop Americans from enjoying the day. 43 percent of Americans say they will buy their own box of chocolate this year, and nearly half of all consumers say they plan to bake or decorate with chocolate or candy for Valentine's Day. Women (47 percent) are more likely than men (42 percent) to treat themselves, and millennials under age 30 (55 percent) are the most likely of any age group to shop for themselves.

Regardless of whether the chocolate was purchased as a gift, chocolate lovers can rejoice in this fact: scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients in cocoa and chocolate may be associated with heart health. These effects have been attributed to flavanols, which are natural compounds that occur in a wide range of fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied in cocoa. Over the past decade, studies examining the eating patterns of adults and their overall health over the course of several years suggest that those who regularly included cocoa products and chocolate in their diets maintained better cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that chocolate and cocoa are associated with improved well-being and happiness.

That's no surprise to the 55,000 people in the United States directed employed by the manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood, as well. For every job that is created by the confectionery industry, seven more are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent. The industry is comprised of hundreds of small and medium-size, family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.

For more sweet information on the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and how these treats fit into family and holiday traditions, visit CandyUSA.com and follow NCA on Twitter (@CandyUSA), Instagram (@CandyUSA), Snapchat (CandyNCA), and Facebook (NationalConfectionersAssociation).