Howcast

Thanksgiving 101

Here’s a thought: How about spending less time in the kitchen and more time with your family this Thanksgiving?

We just blew your mind with our crazy logic, didn’t we?

This year, be thankful for quick and easy Thanksgiving tips from your good friends at Howcast:

• Decoration and Dinner Ideas
• Turkey Time
• Side Dishes 
• Dessert
• Leftovers and Cleanup

Feliz día de los Muertos!

Or, for our non-Spanish speaking peeps, Happy Day of the Dead! The 2-day celebration begins today, and you’re more than welcome to join in the festivities.

Start by learning the history of this sacred holiday and constructing an altar to offer gifts to your deceased loved ones. And what holiday would be complete without a delicious spread of traditional recipes? 

Please Accept My Apology

Today is “Pardon Day,” a time to reflect on people we might have wronged and ask for their forgiveness. What? You didn’t do anything? It’s not your fault? Sigh. Well, for the sake of peace, why don’t you just patch things up anyway? Go on. You know you’ll feel better.

image via Flickr: “Sorry, no. :-(” by °Florian

The Meaning of Ramadan

This year, Ramadan begins today and ends August 29, and we thought we’d give you a breakdown of what goes down!

Ramadan, celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time for spiritual purification, reflection, and devotion. Muslims exchange joyous greetings during the holiday in order to congratulate each other for their participation. The month is marked by religious fasting which lasts from sunrise to sunset every day and reinforces the necessity of self-control as well as encouraging clarity of thought and prayer, free from physical distractions. Although fasting involves abstaining from food for a large portion of the day, it is not dangerous if done properly.

The fast is broken at sunset each night, and special Ramadan foods are often prepared at this time. Ramadan ends with Eid Al-Fitr, a 3-day long celebration centered around prayer, community, and giving. 

Kul ’am wa enta bi-khair!