10 Ways To Deal With Your Teenager's Mood Swings

My son was the most agreeable, mild-mannered kid...until he hit puberty. Then, over the course of the next three years, he turned into a monosyllabic behemoth who only wants to play with his friends on the computer. As much as I love him (and I do, COMPLETELY), I only know he's alive when 1) I hear the toilet flush 2) he comes down to the kitchen to forage for food.

After a LOT of reading (books, on the Web) and talking to other parents as well as a few counselors, here are

10 Tips To Deal With Your Teenager's Mood Swings

1. Don't take it personally. This is not about you, it's all about your teenager. Between hormones and the pressures of school and extra-curricular activities, these kids are tornadoes of emotion.  They're not provoking you deliberately:  they can't help themselves!
   
   
   
   
2. Be there for your teen. I don't just mean emotionally, telling them they can talk to you about anything. I mean physically; the more opportunities they have to encounter you, the more comfortable they'll be in talking to you. Case in point: when I'm up late, Junior will sometimes invite me downstairs for a snack during which we'll cuddle on the couch. We don't have to talk, but on more than once occasion, he's confided in me about something bothering him. SWEET!
   
   
   
   
3. Model what to do when you're having a mood swing. When I get really frustrated or moody, I remove myself from the situation for a bit until I cool down. My son has done the same thing, waiting until he composes himself before talking.
   
   
   
   
4. Invite your teen to be a part of things. One of my son's favorite phrases is “I don't wanna.” That's acceptable sometimes, but not others. When there's a family adventure or one of his sister's gymnastics meets, he is required to attend just as we attend his marching band competitions. It's what WE do as a FAMILY. 
   
   
   
   
5. Teach your teenager to express herself and identify what she's feeling. I get frustrated when my kids don't listen and I tell them that. Give them the language (“torn,” “bittersweet,” “lonely”, “irritated”) to express themselves without resorting to name-calling or profanities.
   
   
   
   
6. Give your kid space. Running after a moody teen does not good. Let them sort it out and be there for when they have.
   
   
   
   
7. Provide outlets for teenager's physical and emotional energy. Exercise is essential for everyone, especially kids at this age. Encourage your kid to join a sport, individual or team, so they get moving.
   
   
   
   
8. Encourage your child to eat right. I've had my son accompany me to the grocery store to pick out healthy foods he'll eat. This way I'm not cooking meals he has no intention of eating while he nukes a burrito. 
   
   
   
   
9. Get them help. If you suspect your child is depressed, drinking, or into drugs, don't hesitate to contact a professional. 
   
   
   
   
10. Give your teen unconditional love. Even when they're at their most annoying, they still need you.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

I'm not religious, but I suspect that the “surly years” are Nature's way of pushing our kids away. They're SO nasty, you want them out of the nest! 

As I write this, I can hear my son talking with his friends over his computer. Every once in a while I hear a note or two of the kazoo and am reassured that he's still the sweet, goofy kid I've known his whole life. His mood swings? They're normal. And puberty? We'll get through it together.

Thank you for reading!!!

14 Tips For Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Last week, the family and I vacationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia (click here for tips on visiting this  lovely beach town) and, of course, we had to make a pilgrimage to at least one amusement park. 

Off to Busch Gardens Williamsburg we went!

For those who aren't familiar with it, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is owned by the firm that owns SeaWorld while it promotes Anheuser-Busch products, the latter company having developed the park as a marketing vehicle for their products. The theme is classic Europe, like the Parisian streets of France, towns of England ans Scotland, and the Oktoberfest celebrations of Germany. In all, Busch Gardens Williamsburg contains nine villages centered around six countries for you to explore. It also contains heart-stopping roller coasters, a variety of shows, shops, etc. designed to please attendees of all ages and courage levels. 

The Loch Ness Monster I was not courageous enough to go on.

 Here are my tips if you plan to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg:

1. Look for discount tickets before you go.  You can sometimes find them at Wendy's and McDonald's, but here's a good site with links you can use to score discounts.  Why pay full price if you don't have to?
   
   
2. Wear good walking shoes. The park is large, but not as daunting as other (i.e. Hersheypark and Disney). It is, however, hilly, so bring comfortable walking shoes and if you're packing a stroller or wheelchair, know that you'll be using your muscles!
   
   

   

   Essential equipment.

3. Be prepared to use data. Busch Gardens Williamsburg has wifi, but it was spotty and unreliable.
   
   
4. Skip the app.  There is an app for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but it didn't update you on waiting times for rides and didn't say which were closed.  Honestly, it added nothing to our experience.  In fact, most of the reviews in Google's Play Store were terrible and I can see why. Feel free to download the app, but don't rely on it.
   
   
5. Bring snacks. You're really not supposed to, but the guards were not confiscating any, so unless you're hauling in mass quantities of chips, you should be okay.  I packed carrots, granola bars, etc. which saved money on the unhealthy stuff the kids whined for.
   
   
6. Haul in water bottles. You're allowed one per person. I brought a small cooler with ice in Ziploc bags which kept the water cold and gave us additional cold drinking water. 
   
   
7. Purchase the souvenir bottle. It's worth it because refills are $.99 the day you're there and there aren't many water fountains in the park. Do what I do: after the initial drink, ask for refills that are half soda water and half juice or soda to cut down on amount of sugar you're getting. Oh, and you can always ask for a cup of ice water at any place that serves drinks.
   
   
8. Watch where you park either yourself or kiddies in the shade. Smoking is allowed in the park (DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!) and there's a good amount of shade you'll want to take advantage of. Just make sure you're not getting a whiff of cancer while avoiding the sun.
   
   
9. Use the tram as transportation. It goes from Italy to France to England and will save you walking. Plus the views are great!
   
   
10. See all the shows! They were all wonderful, especially Pet Shenanigans which featured rescued, trained dogs, cats, birds, a pig, and a rat. Adorable!
    
    
    
    

    

    LOVED Pet Shenanigans!

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    

    

    Celtic Fyre was good, too!

     
    
    
11. Skip the boat ride. It's boring and really doesn't add any value to your visit.  Some narration would have made it a less comatose experience.
    
    
12. Stop by and see a Clydesdale. They don't put the ones that pull the sleighs on exhibit, but even the horses they have on display are beautiful!
    
    
    
    
    
    

    

    Breathtaking animals!

     
     
13. Have dinner at the New France Trappers Smokehouse – the food was DIVINE!
    
    
14. Don't worry about the alcohol. I was concerned that they sell beer here (of course), but I honestly didn't see anyone even remotely intoxicated. Whew!
    
    

I found Busch Gardens Williamsburg to be one of, if not THE CLEANEST park, I've ever been to (sorry Hersheypark) with pleasant, efficient staff!

One refreshing aspect is that you're not constantly being hawked by marketers; sure, there are stores, but the number of merchandising kiosks is minimal and no one is blasting over the loudspeaker, “Buy this!” or “Buy that!"  Sure, it's a for-profit place, but they're not trying to snag every penny out of you - at least not openly.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg one of those parks you can do in a day and not feel completely shredded at the end of your visit. I would return in a heartbeat!  Use my tips, go, and have a blast!

For more information, visit the Busch Gardens Willilamsburg website.

For Reading!

Please note that all photos of Busch Gardens Williamsburg copied from their website. 

The PERFECT Drink For Kids At Easter (Or For Any Special Occasion)

My kids are not allowed to drink soda, except on special occasions.   Before you feel sorry for them, know that they get plenty of sugar, thank you very much, and I'd rather them drink water, milk, and seltzer. In fact, my teenager drinks so much seltzer that he has his own recycling bag in his room!

So I was surprised when, at a bar mitzvah last year, my 9-year old bellied up to the bar and ordered a Shirley Temple.  

“Where'd you learn about those?” I asked incredulously. “Oh, all my friends drink them,” she replied nonchalantly. As she sipped the pink drink garnished with a cherry, a look of bliss overcame her face. I didn't know what a Shirley Temple was, but I could tell it was sugary and delicious. Still, having one every once in a while couldn't hurt, I thought, as I sipped a rare martini.

A Shirley Temple is a nice treat for kids, especially at Easter with its pink color. Here's the simplest, cheapest way to make one at home:

A Shirley Temple is a great way to make an occasion even more special for kids!

Shirley Temple Ingredients: (makes 1)

• 1/4 cup lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
  
• 1 maraschino cherry
  
• ice
  

And here's what you do:



In a highball glass, over ice, combine the lemon-lime soda and grenadine. Stir well and garnish with a maraschino cherry.



So how did this drink get its name? According to Yahoo, the drink came about “when Temple was dining with her parents at the Brown Derby and wanted a beverage of her own.” Later, when the actress grew up, she supposedly replaced the ginger ale (again, I used lemon-lime soda) with ginger beer and added a bit of dark rum.”



In any case, the original alcohol-less Shirley Temple is a nice, easy treat for kids.


To them, it's a grown up drink. For parents, it's a lovely little treat to give your kids to make a day special.



Did you drink Shirley Temples growing up? How do you make holidays a little extra-special for your kids?


Thanks for reading!!!  And please follow me on Twitter!  

5 Pumpkin Cockails To Make Your Thanksgiving Sparkle

It seemed like everything was Fall and pumpkin-inspired until just after Halloween. Now society has fast-forwarded to Christmas with nary a thought to Thanksgiving. 

I am taking Thanksgiving back with pumpkin cocktails!

Well, dear reader, I'm taking Thanksgiving back! My mother-in-law is coming for the Feast which means alcohol will be on the menu. Here are my favorite 5 pumpkin-inspired cocktails to help add a bit more spirit to your THANKSGIVING season:

Hot Buttered Pumpkin Spice Rum – I would imagine that this isn't the lowest-calorie drink because it has butter in it, but it's a great drink to warm you up. Sip it before a roaring fire or flickering candle for extra ambiance.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoon of butter (make sure they're at room temperature); 1 tablespoon of softened dark brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of pumpkin-pie spice, 2 ounces of dark rum, and 12 ounces of HOT apple cider.

Directions: In a mixing bowl, use a whisk to whip the butter, brown sugar and pie spice together. Put it in the refrigerator and chill until it's firm. Then halve the mix and the mug and place in two mugs. Stir in the hot cider. Note: you could even top this with whipped cream and sprinkles and add a cinnamon stick to make it even more special.

This glass storage jar would be perfect to make pumpkin flavored vodka in.

Pumpkin Flavored Vodka – Okay, this is more time-intensive, so you might want to start now, but it yields a wonderful Fall take on vodka. Note that you'll need a large, sealable glass container for this, like a recycled glass juice bottle or glass storage jar.

Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups of pumpkin pie filling, vodka.

Directions: Place the pie filling in the container and fill the rest with vodka. Mix them both up and let the concoction sit in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days. Filter the mixture through a coffee filter which you've put in a kitchen strainer. TaDa!

This is out for a limited time only, so get it now!

Kahlua Pumpkin Martini - It doesn't get any easier than this!

Ingredients: Kahlua Pumpkin Spice, vodka

Directions: Mix equal parts of both together with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Add a bit of orange zest or a cinnamon stick to garnish.

Spiced Pumpkin Cider – Another warm drink you can sip while watching the leaves fall, it reminds me of the Spiced Rum recipe above, but with fewer calories. It also makes the house smell amazing!

Ingredients: 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 2-1/2 cups of apple cider, 1/3 cup of spiced rum, 1-1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, a cinnamon stick, a sprinkle or two of nutmeg.

Directions: In a large pot, whisk together the puree, cider, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon stick. When the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain it to get rid of any lumps and the cinnamon stick. Add rum and sprinkle with a bit of nutmeg. Serve it

warm. Yummmmmm!

Pumpkin Pie Martini – I've been watching quite a bit of Love It Or List It lately and at the end of each episode, the winner buys the loser a martini, so martinis have been on my mind lately. Here's a great one to celebrate with:

Ingredients: 4 ounces of vodka, pumpkin pie spice, 1 ounce of vanilla vodka

Directions: Pour both vodkas into a shaker of ice and, well, shake. Strain into two glasses and add a dash of pumpkin pie spice. 

Oh, and if you want something to go with your drinks, I just discovered these yesterday at Costco:

These go great with pumpkin cocktails!

Sconza Pumpkin Pie Almonds

As the package says, they're roasted almonds wrapped in the creamiest white chocolate with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. I don't want to admit how many of these I've eaten since I bought them last night. 

Despite the fact that the media and marketers have pushed us from Halloween into Christmas, I think Thanksgiving is such a meaningful holiday. Giving thanks is essential in my life and it's something I'm trying to instill in my children. We should be grateful that we have what we have. Enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving with the cocktails above. 

Now excuse me. MUST...GET...HAND...OUT...OF...THOSE...ALMONDS!

I'm THANKFUL that you're here!  Please come again! 

Teen Central Net: A Safe, Anonymous Website For Teens

It seems that every day we, as parents, are warned about the dangers facing teens on the Internet. Rare is it that you hear about a positive site aimed at these kids. I'm proud to have found one: TeenCentral (www.teencentral.net). This website is sponsored by KidsPeace, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children in crisis. It allows kids to post anonymously, was developed by experts in teen counseling and psychology, is professionally monitored, and provides “a password-protected, safe cyberspace for teens to work out their issues.”

Teens have a lot of options here: from writing their own stories (anonymously), to listening to teen podcasts, and exploring and learning about topics like:

• Bullying
• How To Quit Smoking
• Alcohol Awareness
• Growing Up Military
• Interfaith (where kids can learn about different faiths)
• Domestic Violence
• Dating Violence
• Weight Issues

One of the coolest features is the Search-O-Matic where young adults can search by a keyword. So, for example, if a teen types in the word “parents,” any teen stories that feature “parents” comes up. These could be stories about parents favoring one child over another, divorce, parents who promised music lessons but didn't follow through, etc.

Kids can also share videos on Teen Central, however they are warned that because the site values anonymously and safety, it will “not post any video that contains your actual name, where you live or any contact information such as email address or phone numbers.” Furthermore, they stress that “if you submit a video that you are visible in, people will see your face and therefore will be able to identify you.”

There's also a section called Just Ask Me that features a series of videos called “More Than Just Sex” and was created by Community Healthcare Network's Teens P.A.C.T. program in New York City. These videos are targeted to empower teens to make positive decisions, create social change, and positively impact the rates of teen pregnancy, STD's and HIV.

Lastly, the site features links to national and international help lines, thus ensuring that help for troubled teens is only a phone call away.

Kids can register on TeenCentral for free in order to gain full access to the entire site. Since it's interactive, it stores what they tell it and customizes topics to their life. BUT since it's totally anonymous, teens can feel free to share what's going on in their lives and because email addresses are not given, no one can track the kids down or spam them.

Pass this website’s address on to a teen you love. And if you'd like to learn more about KidsPeace, visit http://www.kidspeace.org.

--

Note:  This article first appeared on the website www.thegeekparent.com.  Visit me there!

My 8 Favorite New Year's Eve Jokes (Because Laughter Is The Best Sound At Midnight!)

 
There's nothing healthier than laughing, especially at the year we're putting behind. Thus, as my last post for 2013, I give you my 8 favorite New Year's jokes:



On New Year's Eve, Agnes stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living.
Unfortunately, as the clock struck midnight - the bartender was almost crushed to death.
~~

Many things can be preserved in alcohol this New Years Eve. One's dignity is not one of them.
~~

Your Dog's New Year's Resolutions

1. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
   
2. The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.
   
3. I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.
   
4. I will not roll my toys behind the fridge.
   
5. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house.
   
6. I will not eat the cats' food... before OR after they eat it.
   
7. I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet
   in the house when I am about to throw up.
   
8. I will not throw up in the car.
   
9. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc.
   
10. I will not lick my human's face after eating animal poop.
    
11. "Kitty box crunchies" are not food.
    
12. I will not eat any more socks and then redeposit them in the backyard after processing.
    
13. The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.
    
14. I will not wake Mommy up by sticking my cold, wet nose up her bottom end.
    
15. I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them.
    
16. I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.
    
17. When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside.
    
18. We do not have a doorbell.
    
19. I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.
    
20. I will not steal my Mom's underwear and dance all over the back yard with it.
    
21. The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom & Dad's laps.
    
22. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.
    
23. I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's driver's license and car registration.
    

Source: http://holidaymetro.com
~~


On New Year's Eve, Dave was in no shape to drive, so he wisely left his car in the bar's parking lot and walked home.  As he was wobbling along, he was stopped by a policeman.  “What are you doing out here at four o'clock in the morning,” asked the police officer.
“I'm on my way to a lecture,” answered Dave.
“And who on earth, in their right mind, is going to give a lecture at this time on New Year's Eve?' asked the officer sarcastically.
“My wife,”slurred Dave.
~~

10 Signs That You Have A New Year's Eve Hangover

• You get it into your head that chirping birds are the Devil's pets.
  

• Trying to gain control of the situation, you continue to tell your room to "Stay still."
  

• Looking at yourself in the mirror induces the same reaction as drinking a glass of fresh paint.
  

• The bathroom reminds you of the fairground cry, "Step right up and give it whirl!"
  

• You'd rather chew tacks than be exposed to sunlight.
  

• You set aside an entire afternoon to spend some quality time with your toilet.
  

• You replace the traditional praying on your knees with the more feasible praying in a fetal position.
  

• Your catch phrase is, "Never again."
  

• You could purchase a new fridge on the proceeds from recycling the bottles around your bed.
  

• Your new response to "Good morning," is "Be quiet!"
  

Source: http://www.guy-sports.com
~~

Anyone who says that alcohol is a depressant isn’t drinking enough of it.
~~


Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. - Mark Twain
~~


A man is sitting in a bar on New Year's Eve. He's just sitting there, looking into his drink for about half an hour. Soon, a big bully comes in, walks up to the man, takes his drink, and guzzles it down.


The poor man starts crying. “Come on, man! I was just joking,” says the bully. “Here, let me buy you another. Just stop crying!”


The man says, “No, it's not that. Today has bee the worst day of my life! First, I didn't wake up on time and was late to the office, so my boss fired me. Then, went I went to my car, it had been stolen and the police say they can't do anything about it. So I got a cab and when I left it, forgot my wallet and credit cards in the taxi. When I finally made it home, I found my wife in bed with the gardener.
Finally, I came to this bar for a drink, and while I was thinking about ending my life, you show up and drink my poison!”
~~


Thank you for your support in 2013. May 2014 be the year of your dreams! And check back in with me in a day or so, won't you?

2-Ingredient Drinks For The Lazy Hostess

Years before we had kids, my husband and I toured several wineries in Napa Valley.  We swished vividly-colored Merlots in large goblets, sniffed headily fragrant burgundies, and tasted a full array of California wines. And I learned something that has saved us hundreds of dollars over the years: I have absolutely no pallet for wine. I like it, but am unable to appreciate the difference between a pricey Chateau Belair Monange St. Emillion Bordeaux and and an economical Trader Joe's Bordeaux. I also have no pallet for fine liquors and am far too lazy and frugal to make complex mixed drinks containing multiple ingredients, even for my dearest friends. Still, this Holiday Season I do want to offer my adult guests something special in terms of alcohol, so I found some simple 2-ingredient drinks that even I, the Lazy Hostess, can make:

1. The Classics – Rum and coke, screwdrivers (orange juice and vodka), gin and tonic, vodka and tonic, scotch and soda, and white wine spritzers (white wine and Sprite) never go out of style. Depending on the brand of liquor you use, these drinks can be made cheaply plus they're classy and comfortably predictable.
   
2. Pink Bikini – Raspberry lemonade and rum. Pretty, but potent.
   
3. Bourbon Peach Tea – I always think of elderly men when I think of bourbon but becomes a more youthful drink when you add some Snapple or other peach iced tea to it.
   
4. Greyhound – One to two shots of citrus vodka and grapefruit juice. Vary it by using tequila instead of vodka and it's called a Paloma. Tasty and nutritious...sort of.
   
5. Horse's Neck – One or two shots of whiskey and ginger ale.
   
6. Dark & Stormy – Rum plus ginger beer. The ginger beer (a soda) adds a nice, spicy kick.
   
7. Shandy – I was introduced to this drink from a former Jamaican colleague. The basic version consists of one part beer with another beverage such as lemonade, limeade, ginger ale, or Sprite. Use a light beer with a diet drink for those who are weight-conscious or make it with ginger beer for a bit of heat. One of my all-time favorites!
   
8. Irish Cream and Chocolate Milk – Don't wrinkle your nose at this!  The chocolate milk makes this a little less thick and far much more delicious. Use skim milk to pretend you're on a diet and heat it up for extra warmth (read on for more warm drinks). 
   
9. Rum and Root Beer – Use a dark or spiced rum and grab a can of A&W Root Beer. It makes a surprisingly nice combination.
   
10. Bellini – This drink is made with peach puree and prosecco. If you don't have time to puree peaches, try a jar of pureed peaches baby food.

Warm drinks are par for this time of year and there's nothing like sitting in front of a fire sipping one after the kids have gone to bed. My first intro to a heated alcoholic drink was when I toured the Brotherhood Winery and sampled their amazing Holiday Wine (learn more at http://www.brotherhood-winery.com/winesSpecialty.html). At first, guests balked at a hot wine, but after trying this sweet, spicy drink, they were hooked. According to the website About.com (http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/a/warm_drinks.htm), the trick to keeping the drinks warm is to preheat the glass by pouring hot water in it before making the drink. So here are a few warm concoctions, perfect for Christmas Eve:

1. Irish Coffee – You've gotta give the Irish credit for mixing black coffee and Irish whiskey. Add whipped cream for extra flavor and color. Using a flavored coffee or a coffee syrup, obviously, gives it added dimension.
   
2. Adult Hot Cocoa – Grab your Swiss Miss hot chocolate and ad a little peppermint schnapps. Use a candy cane as a swizzle stick. A variation on this is hot cocoa with whiskey which is called a Hershey Squirt.
   
3. Hot Buttered Rum – This is not a 2-ingredient drink, but the extra effort is worth it. Place 1 small slice of butter, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar,a little vanilla extract and any spices you might like (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) at the bottom of a mug and stir. Pour in 2 ounces of dark rum and hot water. Stir again.
   
4. Butter Baby – Mix 1 ounce of butterscotch schnapps and hot chocolate. Garnish with whipped cream. Smooth, sweet, and delicious!
   
5. Mulled Wine – Again, not a 2-ingredient drink, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this classic at this time of year. Click here for an easy recipe from Food.com: http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-mulled-wine-79958.

Don't forget to give your guests some choices of non-alcoholic beverages as well! Designated drivers and those who just don't want to drink deserve something special. When I was on a diet a few years ago, I abstained from alcohol to forego the calories. How I wished someone had offered me something better than diet soda! So here are a few easy non-fermented drinks:

1. Coke and Drops – This is basically Coke With Lemon. Take a glass of cola and add a few drops of lemon juice. Serve with a lemon wedge. You can also mix ¾ cola with ¼ lemonade. The lemonade adds a nice tartness.
   
2. Mountain Dang – Mix three parts of Mountain Dew with 1 part of Tang powdered soft drink. Source: www.drinksmixer.com
   
3. Shot In The Pot – Ginger ale and Tabasco sauce. Watch the Tabasco.
   
4. Banana and Cocoa – Not a 2-ingredient drink, but versatile because it can be served hot or cold. Blend one banana (or use banana baby food) with either hot cocoa or chocolate milk and half and half. Depending on how you make it, you could be getting potassium and calcium in this drink, folks.
   
5. Breeze – Mix cranberry juice with pineapple juice. Yum!

Of course when discussing alcohol it bears emphasizing that you should drink responsibly and never walk home or drive if you're under the influence!  In fact, be careful even if you're just decorating and drinking! This article on the website Emergency Care For You (http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/YourHealth/HolidayAndSeasonal/Default.aspx?id=1832), mentions that emergency room doctors have seen injuries as a result of people who drink while decorating their homes for the holidays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 79,000 deaths occur every year as a direct result of excessive alcohol. Don't be one of them!  

If children are present, keep an eye on cocktails and make sure bottles are far away from small, curious hands. Keep the number for Poison Control (1/800-222-1222) on speed dial at home and on your cellphone.  Remember, too, that teens and tweens are curious creatures. Make sure they don't have access to anything that could be fodder for experimentation.  In fact, if you've got kids in the house, it's a good idea for at least one adult to remain completely sober in case of emergency. 

Never pressure anyone to drink and respect their wishes if they choose to abstain. Designated drivers should be appointed, thanked, and praised.  PLEASE: be smart and watch yourself and your guests!


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Thank you for reading! Come back again!