How happy is your kitchen?

In Eastern and Oriental traditions, the fourth day of the New Year is a time reserved for cooking a wonderful and festive meal, as well as for acknowledging the kitchen, the one room that nurtures and nourishes us. Many Eastern cultures hold a deep belief that there are spirits in every room of the home.

According to ancient legend, the most influential spirit of any home is thought to reside in the kitchen, so in the cultures that believe such things, they are taught to 'talk' to their kitchens. They will greet their kitchens with a hearty and happy 'good morning' and they'll do whatever it takes to make sure that their kitchen spirits are healthy and happy. The belief goes that if the kitchen is happy, then you will be as well. So be sure to send love to the kitchen as you cook your culinary heart out today.

Also be sure to offer the scents from the fabulous food to the spirits who watch over you and yours. If you want to take this effort a step further you can also affix a small mirror behind or on the backwash of the stove. This appliance is said to be the 'cooker' in the kitchen, the one thing that makes sure that your food sustains and fills you. Placing a mirror in this particular space is said to double the abundance from the cooker and bring you health, happiness and prosperity, three things you'll want seconds and thirds of!
Daily Feng Shui Tip by Ellen Whitehurst

Birthday freebies

Birthday Freebies
Food & Restaurants
Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy – Get a coupon for a free dinner entree with the purchase of an equally priced entree.
Applebees – Free dessert. They also have a newsletter, but no word if it sends out a birthday coupon or not.
Arby’s – As of 02/10, they’re offering coupons for a free Swirl Shake with any Roastburger purchase.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels – They’ll send you monthly coupons all year long if you sign up for their newsletter, so it’s pretty safe to guess you’ll get a birthday treat.
Baskin Robbins – Get a free ice cream treat if you sign up for their Birthday Club.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – Become a Chunk Spelunker and you can get some free ice cream!
Benihana’s Japanese Restaurant – They’ll send you a $30 gift certificate valid during the month of your birthday.
BD’s Mongolian’s B.B.Q. – Signup for their Club Mongo and you’ll get a coupon for a free birthday meal.
BJ’s Restaurants – Free Pazookie!! (otherwise known as a delicious dessert.)

Boston Market – Free kids B-Day meal coupon for kids under 12 and coupons online for their various entrees.
Bruegger’s – Get a free cookie and an e-mail with a goofy looking mascot.

Buca di Beppo – Sign up for their eClub and get a free dessert.
Burger King – Free kids meal to all kids club members.
California Pizza Kitchen – Free kids meal during the month of their birthday if you register first.
Captain D’s – Join their D’s Club and get a coupon for $3 off any meal, among other freebies.

Chili’s – Free dessert if you join their club.
Coldstone Creamery – Join now and get a free creation on your birthday. (My…God…Is…This…Delicious…)
Dairy Queen – Free ice cream coupon via e-mail for kids 16 and under. They also have a Blizzard Club for adults with the same offer.

Something sweet to Share

COOKIE SWAP by Lauren Chattman (Workman). She has a modern take on this age-old tradition with inventive recipes, clever packaging, and the many different occasions that are perfect for swapping cookies.

With the holidays approaching she has ideas for a pre-Thanksgiving cookie swap that will let you have a little fun and get your Thanksgiving baking out of the way. And her Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies are just the thing for Christmas. She even can show you how to transform a store-bought cookie into a home-made masterpiece with her no-bake cookies.

She is in Dallas on Wednesday, November 16 and will be doing a Cookie Swap event at Milestone Culinary Arts Center at 6 pm that evening.