So... I just made a sweet potato ancho soup that turned out way too spicy. I'm about to boil another sweet potato in just a bit of water & add it into the mix, with the hope that it will tone things down a little. Aside from that, it is supposed to be served with a dash of fresh lime juice in each bowl (I know that the citrus will cut the heat some). My question is this: as we want to keep the soup fairly healthy, I don't want to add cream/Crema/ etc that would have a lot of unnecessary fat... Would skim milk do anything at all, or would it just make it watery &/or curdle when the citrus is added? Does anyone have any tips? I've read honey, sugar, etc, but I only want to reduce the heat, not change the flavor... Thanks in advance!!!-Christy

Okay SE  Friends- Looking for some advice... An old HS friend of mine (haven't actually seen her in prob 20 years, but we do keep in touch) recently travelled about 3,000 miles to have a very specific surgery performed. She will be off her feet (literally) for at least 2 months. She is "living" in an Extended-Stay type hotel, will be having therapy take place in her hotel room, & will have various friends/family members with her on occasion. There will be times, however, when she will also be on her own. I'm not able to swing a visit, but I have promised to send Care Packages throughout her stay. I've got some good ideas, but am looking for inspiration... Don't want  all sweets- food items that will ship well, could sub for meals, or maybe easy-prep things once she is semi-mobile... Any suggestions welcome- Thanks in advance!!!- Chris

So, it's the busiest time of the year for both myself & my Other Half. We are up daily around 5 a.m. (4:45-5:15), leave home at 6:20 & 6:30, & neither of us returns until at LEAST 4:30, usually much later... The dogs are already suffering, & our dinner is beginning to as well. Usually don't get around to eating until 8-9:30 right now. We try to eat healthy during the week & have fun on the weekends... I do crockpot meals, he grills on the weekend, and we def know how to do other "big" items that we can repurpose & use throughout the week. But we are also in the middle of remodeling 2 baths & shopping for a new mattress set... Amongst other projects...Have tried lots of "skillet" meals from the store (spoofing them up, always), but are not happy... Too much salt, cheese, etc... Any ideas out there for quick & easy 1- pot/skillet meals that aren't so generic? And fairly Healthy? Any ideas appreciated- Thanks in advance!!!- Chris

There is a certain popular Chicken fast-food chain that has always been very open about their (Christian) faith- based beliefs. They're even closed on Sundays so that their employees can spend the day in worship & with family. I just read an article that states the CEO of said Chain has made some public remarks against "non-traditional" relationships/ marriages- & the author was encouraging those of us who disagree w/the statements made should stop frequenting their restaurant. This made me start thinking about it all- Do any of you NOT purchase certain products or brands due to a company's policies or political stance/ beliefs? I know plenty of peeps w/ "alternative lifestyles" that love this place- also, if you're not Christian, should you stop eating there? (I have a Muslim friend that eats there all the time)... Where do you draw the line? I personally think that it's pretty silly. If I like a product, I'm going to use it... My beliefs shouldn't matter to the company, so why should I care about theirs? Any thoughts?!?-c

OK,
SE'rs - I might be WAY off base by asking here, but... DH is turning 40 in July, & we have lived in our 1st home together for over 2 years (& never had a Housewarming Party)... I want to combine the 2 & have a really fun time doing so...inviting about 70, but planning on about 50 to actually show (plus a few Wee Ones).

I'm thinking of doing a "Come & Go" Dinner Buffet/ Check Out the House from about 4 or 5- 7 p.m. Bring the kids, visit, Family Time... Cake Cutting & a Toast of some sort around 7-7:15... Around 8, request that it be Adults only, as the Music will be Cranked Up & the Adult Beverages will be Flowing...(Pool Table, Darts, Blackjack, Fire Pit, etc will get going) Is this Rude?!? I'm thinking not, as it gives people w/ kiddos a chance to either come early WITH them or later without- or both, as most live nearby.

Also, if I do the Buffet Dinner, I want a "Theme"- ideas for: Italian, Mexican (Tex-Mex), Asian, BBQ/Southern, Finger Foods/Apps, Greek, Middle Eastern, Cajun, Any Other- would all be appreciated! Most of the Big shopping will be done at Sam's Club- But i do plan on cooking as well... (And I have a HUGE group of friends already willing to help cook/ store stuff)! Drink Ideas also very welcome! Thanks in Advance!!! BTW, I'm not rich, but have time to put away some $$$ for the Event! Thanks again- Christy

Okay, I've made pizza at home for years now, casually... I have a decent stone, use the oven or the grill, have a couple of very "basic" dough/crust recipes that we are fine with for a basic Pizza Night at home... Now that I've started following SE, however, I've become very interested in the Slice articles and how YOU GUYS do things. Can anyone out there recommend a good "Beginner's" book or website that would explain the terminology, techniques, etc that are used?!? I get the idea of most of it, but if I really want to step up my game, where/ how do I begin? Any suggestions welcome- Thanks in advance!!!- Chris

Dublin, Tx, was the birthplace of the Dr. Pepper soda... The product(s) from this plant have been made with pure cane sugar since day one. In fact, this is the ONLY plant to still use the "origional" formula... It was just shut down today due a lawsuit brought on by the "big" company- Dr. P/Snapple/Cadbury... Due to a technicality, as far as I can see...I'm pretty upset about this, but I'd like to know if anyone else out there has heard about this all... Would love some other opinions/ feedback. Thanks!!!

I saw the post(s) earlier this week asking everyone to voice their opinion(s) as to the date... Has there been any sort of official announcement that I missed? Or are we all still waiting on the Powers That Be to let us know what's going to happen...?

My family is interested in putting together a collection of our recipes, including those of relatives who have passed. I will have plenty of help with the project, but I am "in charge" of getting the whole thing off the ground... Do any of you have info or reccomendations as to some decent companies that do this type of project? I looked into Morris awhile back, but we really don't need 100s of copies- probably 40-60 copies would be good. As for price, we are flexible (I know it changes depending on #s), but not wanting to spend tons (maybe around $20 per copy, max?!?)... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!! Happy Holidays!- c