Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Taking on Your First Turkey

By Jackie Burns MSN Shopping Contributor

Each time a major holiday rolls around, inevitably there are going to be those left feeling like amateurs. Whether it's the person who dresses up at Halloween and spends the whole night trying to explain their costume or my own personal handicap, wrapping Christmas presents like a three-year-old. As Thanksgiving rolls around, no doubt there will be a slew of amateur chefs who will try their darnedest to cover up the fact that they've never cooked a turkey. Oh sure, they may boast a mean mashed potato dish but when it comes to the bird, they've yet to venture down that scary road. You can browse through several interesting turkey recipes that will hold your hand during your "first" time but before you get started you'll have to stock your kitchen with the necessary tools. Here goes:

Roasting pan: Sorry but your favourite frying pan is no match for the bird. You will need a full-on roasting pan to take on this job and be prepared to spend hours in and around your kitchen while it cooks.

Meat thermometer: This trusty tool will ensure that your turkey is cooked to the proper temperature, because while it's all about giving to the ones you love on Thanksgiving, that doesn't include salmonella.

Oven mitts: This is no job for a lowly T-towel, unless you want to spend part of your holiday at the burn unit. Be sure you have some proper oven mitts on hand for removing your masterpiece from the oven.

Electric knife: The minute you fire up the granddaddy of all kitchen tools you will know you made a wise investment. It will shave precious time off your serving schedule and plus, don't your arms deserve a break at Thanksgiving?

Serving platter: When it's time to proudly show off your inaugural turkey, be sure you have a serving platter worthy of the spread. You can use it again for future special occasions because by doing such a good job this time, you'll be asked to host over and over again! (Sorry, we saved that part for last.)

Related links:

• 10 turkey questions answered
• Video: the easy way to carve a turkey
• delish.ca's 60 minute Thanksgiving plan

What's your favourite Thanksgiving recipe or tradition?

Become a Sneaky Chef Like Seinfeld's Wife (Who's No Copycat)

By Jackie Burns MSN Shopping Contributor

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld's wife is off the hook after a judge tossed out a rival author's claim that she copied her cookbook. (Both Jessica Seinfeld's "Deceptively Delicious" and Missy Chase Lapine's "The Sneaky Chef" are bestselling books with a shared goal of hiding healthy food inside the favourite meals of children.) I've been using "Deceptively Delicious" for a while now and have learned the art of sneaking cauliflower into my son's scrambled eggs and spinach into the batter of his chicken tenders. If only my poor grandmother had access to either of these books, she could have saved herself a trip to the emergency room with my uncle who decided it would be fun to hide peas up his nose. If you think your child is about to get scurvy, then it may be time to become a sneaky chef. Here are the essential tools you'll need to get started:

Steamer: Before you can puree your veggies to hide in your kids' favourite meals, you'll need to steam them first.

Food Processor or blender: Steamed veggies like cauliflower, spinach, sweet potato or carrots are easily pureed with a little water in a food processor or blender.

Bakeware: What kid doesn't love brownies? Spinach is another whole story. However, if you mix the two, they're none the wiser. You can have a good laugh slipping veggies into muffins, cookies and cakes as well.

Popsicle mold: Frozen yogurt pops filled with healthy berries make a great alternative to high-fat ice-cream.

Sandwich Grills: Move over frying pan, there's a new tool in town. Kids love sandwich grills and they'll be too busy waiting for their exotic lunch to notice you slipped squash puree into their grilled cheese.

Fondue Set: Thanks to this interactive dessert tool, kids can get their vitamin C intake while dipping their fruit into a cheese or chocolate fondue.

How do you get your kids to eat their veggies?

(AP Photo)

Related links:

• Organize your kitchen for back to school
• Kitchen tools to help win the weight war

How to Drag Your Kids Away from their Video Games

By Jackie Burns Sympatico/MSN Shopping Contributor

My little brother used to spend hours glued to his precious video games and it was like WWIII whenever my mother would try and tear him away. Over the years I saw some of her techniques begin to take effect and eventually his time in front of the screen was greatly minimized. Here are five suggestions (by way of mother dearest) for getting your kids away from the gaming console.

#1 Create an Environment for Fun Outdoor Activities: If your child has several options for outdoor play at their disposal then they will be far more inclined to ditch the joystick. You might consider erecting a badminton net in the backyard and suggest your child invites friends over for a tournament. For this you will need to have a few badminton racquets on hand. Setting up a basketball net outside is another fantastic option and can even facilitate some good parental bonding time during a game of 21! (Biking, tennis and skateboarding are also great distractions that encourage your child to get active and off the couch.)

#2 Enroll them in Team Sports: As anyone who has ever played team sports as a child will tell you, they can lay the foundation for life-long friendships, help to build self-confidence and teach hard work and discipline. Signing your child up for a soccer, baseball or hockey team will also guarantee that they're safely away from their video games for at least a few hours a week! It will also encourage them to be social with their peers and counteract some of the negative effects of solo gaming.

#3 Schedule a Family Games Night: You may encounter resistance at first, but eventually your child will be the one twisting your arm to play games with them. Your selections will vary depending on the age of your child, but some of the favourites for older children and adults to play together are Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Boggle and Clue. There are several popular card games as well for younger kids.

#4 Help them Find a Hobby: A child who is engrossed in a stimulating hobby will be far less likely to fall prey to a video game addiction. The more things to sink their teeth into the better; whether it's getting them outfitted in the kitchen with some kids cooking activities, working together on a family tree project or setting them up with their own little art studio.

#5 Turn Them into Book Worms: What did we all do before TV, the internet and video games? It just may be time to rewind the clock and encourage your children to pick up a good book for an hour or so before bed each night. You'll probably find they'll be sneaking a flashlight under the covers before long. The Sammy Keyes or Molly Moon collections are great for tweens, whereas the Harry Potter series can make its way through the whole family.

What do you suggest for video game alternatives?

Check out other suggestions from our Green Channel:
Bring Nature Home With a Backyard Campout
School's out, Green's in: 10 Green Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer