YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions

There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.
Bay of Fundy Salmon.

Welcome Home

When Allie’s Beach Street Cafe closed last spring, all of Manchester wondered what might be next for the space in the heart of downtown. The answer is 35 Beach, a completely reimagined eatery with a new, beautiful interior and a fusion menu.

Alex Pineda and Noe Ortega are The New Landing

The Landing in Marblehead has been a mainstay restaurant for decades, but in recent years a new operations team and two chefs with a big Boston pedigree has taken over. Kris McGinn checked it out.

Mushroom of the Week: Fungal Fruitings

All of our seemingly endless summer rains have produced some interesting fungal fruitings! Typically, we have a mid-summer drought, or worse, and can only collect fall species, but this year, we …

The Pink Moment: Mayflour Bakery Shines in Essex

For the past five years, Kris McGinn has been praying that a bakery would open in Essex. Wth Mayflour Bakery opening, her call is answered.

Mushroom of the Week: Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the Woods is one of the “Top 4” easiest edible mushrooms to identify.   It is right up there with Morels, Puffballs, and the Shaggy Mane. Its bright orange colors can shine …

Mushroom of the Week: The White Button Mushroom

<p>Slate plate with cremini mushrooms on table</p>

The common White Button Mushroom is probably the most famous fungal fruiting body of them all.  It is found in virtually every grocery store in the world.   Eaten raw, or cooked, it is an …

The Caprese Fantastica (above) with burrata stracciatella, organic cherry tomatoes, and grilled Virgilios ciabatta is a popular new menu item, but the Cobb Salad (below) is a loved staple.
SPRING IS THE BUFFER SEASON, when daylight savings time brings an extra hour of sunlight, and the cool air starts to warm.  Summer’s coming, and locals start thinking about outdoor dining around …
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Vidalia’s — Hello Again
Melissa is trying to understand what the space should be.  She is standing in the middle of the sun filled room, toggling between produce, baked goods, artisanal groceries, and the insanely good …
Brick Caps, Hypholoma lateritium, (Photo: Bernard Spragg)
The Joys of Winter Mushrooms
It may be surprising, but one can find a few edible wild mushrooms during wintertime.  The good thing is that hunting them gives you something to do while you’re cross-country skiing or walking in …
<p>Black Trumpet Mushroom</p>
Mushroom Of The Week: Black Trumpet Martinis Anyone?
It is a long-standing tradition in Scandinavia, and more recently in North America, to infuse vodkas, aquavit, and other high-test distillates with local mushrooms, particularly Black Trumpets or …
Food stories from around the web

5 simple (but smart) kitchen upgrades to save you time this summer

(BPT) - Summer is here! The warm weather is the perfect excuse to spend time outdoors doing what you enjoy with the people you love. To maximize your time for relaxation and enjoyment, it’s a …
Thai culture lit up Times Square in September. Now the trade work begins.
(BPT) - The vibrant culture of Thailand took center stage in New York's Times Square this September with the Ignite Thailand Festival — a groundbreaking event that immersed New Yorkers and …
Rise, Dine and Shine: Discover How to Better Your Breakfast When Traveling
(BPT) - This September is Better Breakfast Month, making it a perfect time to celebrate the meal that kicks off the day. The U.S. government encouraged citizens to eat better, well-balanced …
5 recipes to ease into the back-to-school season
(BPT) - Fall is here and so is the back-to-school season. This is a busy time of year for families, and breakfast can often be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings.To help you make …
It's pumpkin spice season: 17 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest
Hers ranks 17 fall coffee drinks from top chains in the U.S. to determine the healthiest and unhealthiest seasonal indulgences.
Four Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
(BPT) - Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino …
Recipes, tips & food info

Take Back Busy School Days with Simplicity and Creativity

(Family Features) Ease and convenience are the name of the game during the school year as parents and students alike adapt to overwhelming schedules, mounds of homework and seemingly never-ending after-school activities.

Nourish Family Connections with Every Bite: Boost social, emotional and physical health with egg-inspired recipes

(Family Features) Weekly sit-down meals with family can reduce stress, boost self-esteem and make everyone feel more connected - all while sharing delicious, healthy and easy-to-prepare food.

Enjoy the Simple Delights of Butter, Dairy-Free

(Family Features) Gracing home chefs with its deliciousness, the simple smell of butter ignites fond memories and provides inspiration for creative recipes.

Celebrate National Pepperoni Pizza Day!

(BPT) - HORMEL® Pepperoni, America’s No. 1 pepperoni brand*, is encouraging fans to lean into their desires and celebrate the most important day of the year — National Pepperoni Pizza …

Worth the wake up: 5 expert tips to kick-start your day

(BPT) - Starting your morning off right can make all the difference in how your day unfolds, setting the tone for a successful and energized day ahead. Don’t have a solid morning routine? Fear …

What your dog breed pick reveals about your taste in wine

(BPT) - Did you know your favorite dog breed can reveal a lot about your personality? According to celebrity dog trainer and certified pet behavioral expert Nicole Ellis, it can even tell you what …
Optimizing protein and fiber throughout the day
(BPT) - By Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, former lead dietitian and Cleveland Clinic Integrative Medicine and Quest partnerConsumers are becoming more savvy about getting the most bang for their …
Registered Dietitian Shares Tips and Recipes for the Busy Fall Season
(BPT) - Back-to-school season is here which means families are gearing up for a busy fall filled with homework, activities, and packed schedules.Keeping kids fueled and focused throughout the day, …
New reality show tasks contestants to furnish an empty mansion
(BPT) - Imagine having the opportunity to move into an opulent mansion. What’s the catch? You don’t have any furnishings, appliances or other modern comforts. No washing machine, …
Game day gourmet: How to build the perfect game day table
(BPT) - It's tailgating season! Whether you're relaxing in the parking lot before the game or gathering in front of the television with family and friends, it means football and food. The biggest …
3 Smart Ways to Support Brain Health
(Family Features) Staying healthy goes far beyond physical activity. If you're laying out a path toward healthier living, keep your brain's fitness top of mind with healthy foods such as this Chicken and Grape Cauliflower Rice Bowl. 

How to create the perfect backyard oasis

(BPT) - There are no two ways about it, this summer has been a hot one for the entire country. Everyone is experiencing record high temperatures. But that doesn't mean you need to retreat inside and …

Savor Smart Snacking with Kiwifruit

Savor Smart Snacking with Kiwifruit

(NewsUSA) - Nearly half of Americans (46%) report eating at least three snacks per day, according to research from data insights firm Circana. While many people reach for not-so-healthy snacks, …

3 Essential Steps to Love Your Heart

(Family Features) Adopting habits like exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet with recipes like Baked Grape Falafel Bites and getting the proper amount of sleep can set you on the right path.

More food ideas

(BPT) - Looking to add more fruits and vegetables to your day, but not sure how? The key to success might be simpler than you think. Building on your current eating habits and finding easy ways to …
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