I have always felt, deep in my heart, that chocolate is good for you.  And during the holiday season, there are ample opportunities to consume chocolate:  gooey chocolate cakes, delectable chocolate cookies, to-die-for chocolate candy.  Yum!

Read our Ready or Not #36: The Wonders of Chocolate to learn just how good chocolate is for you.  Hopefully, it will relieve some of the guilt you might be feeling about what you are eating at this time of year!

Christmas is going to be tight for a lot of families this year and so buying those sometimes expensive, but really cool, preparedness gifts might be out of the question. Of course I would never point out a problem unless I had a solution, and it is fun to give, easy to make, and inexpensive solution to boot!

Read about my great idea in Ready or Not #165: Towel Sanitary Kit and get a link to the pattern, too.

I just love how some of you are really getting into the Christmas spirit of giving preparedness gifts.  My friend was telling me that one of the gifts that she is giving her kids for Christmas is a toilet seat!  No kidding!  Not just a regular, run-of-the-mill toilet seat, but those really neat preparedness toilet seats that fit on the plastic five gallon buckets.  I would bet that you could give that gift to most people and it would be something that they didn’t already have.  Brilliant!  I just love that woman – she inspires me.

Read all about it in our Ready or Not #87: Toilet Seats article.

There has been a lot of talk about health care reform and insurance lately.  This isn’t a political narrative, but you will discover some of my political feelings in this article.  I have lived without insurance, I have lived under socialized medicine and I am now experiencing the blessings of being protected by insurance.

Our article Ready or Not #164: Insurance and Medical Care has great ideas on how to minimize medical expenses.

Now that we have recovered from Turkey overdose (of which I loved every minute), the last of the pie is long gone and Black Friday is over, we can get down to the serious business of Christmas presents. Of course you know that I am talking about special presents, the kind of presents that even if “they have everything” you can still find something cool and useful for them – I’m talking about preparedness and storage presents.

Read our Ready or Not #86: Christmas Stocking Stuffers for some great ideas.

Some families follow the ratio of one pie per person on Thanksgiving Day.  Sounds good to me!  For instructions on making a lattice-top crust for your cherry pies (or any fruit pie) and a very easy recipe for pumpkin pie, read our Ready or Not #85: Pumpkin Pie article.  And, make sure you have a yummy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

Ready for more pie recipes?  Check out our Ready or Not #83: Lemon Meringue and Pecan Pie post.  Easy.  Tasty.  What more could you ask for at this time of year, I ask you?

What is the first food item that comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving (besides turkey)? Pie! Read our Ready or Not #84: Apple and Ice Cream Pie for some delicious and easy pies to make for that special meal.