Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is one of the most beloved Thanksgiving classics, but you shouldn’t opt for a canned version. It’s usually high in sugar and calories, and making your own is a much better option.

Mashed Potatoes

The first step to transforming mashed potatoes into a healthy dish is ditching gravy altogether. You can cut down on butter, and replace some of the potatoes with healthier veggies, such as cauliflower.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary Smith (@maryswholelife)

Apple Pie

Apple pies and the holiday season go hand in hand, and there are many ways to put a healthy twist on this beloved dessert. Whipped cream is best avoided, and you should also consider making homemade apple pie filling.

Turkey Stuffing

Sausage and bacon are usually used as the main ingredients in turkey stuffing, but you should try to cut down on them and make your stuffing healthier by using vegan ingredients.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is the staple of Thanksgiving dinner, and it wouldn’t be the same without melted cheese, but you can use less of it to make it healthier.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Highfalutin’ Low Carb (@highfalutinlowcarb)

The post Making Your Beloved Thanksgiving Dishes Healthier appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Autumn Leaf Fairy Lights

This project is a double whammy: not only is it fun, festive, and easy to do, it’s also great for the environment, making use of something you already have plenty of access to—leaves!

Mason Jar Leaf Lanterns

Can’t get enough glowy indoor autumn leaf decor? This mason jar DIY project is just as vibey and will pair perfectly with the fairy light garland above.

Pumpkin Vase

This DIY pumpkin vase project is basically like a jack-o-lantern for fancy adults. It works great as a centerpiece and – best of all – you can use it again next year (and the one after that!).

Acorn and Pine Cone Garland

Another project that uses natural materials to create a beautiful piece of DIY rustic harvest decor is this acorn and pine cone garland, which you can make out of stuff you find on the ground outside. Plus, it’ll look great on your Christmas tree, too, so you can keep the garland fun going even after Thanksgiving is over.

The post Check Out These Thanksgiving DIY Decorations appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Find Other Ex-Pats

Pretty much anywhere you live, there’s likely to be people from your home country who are also going to be looking for something festive to do during Thanksgiving. Getting a group of you all together can be a great way to not only make your holiday better but that of others, too.

Introduce Old Traditions to New Friends

Chances are, you’ve made plenty of friends in your new country who are excited about introducing you to traditions, dishes, and customs from their home. They’d probably be more than happy to have you return the favor and show them what a traditional Thanksgiving looks (and tastes!) like.

Call Into Thanksgiving at Home

Even if you can’t be at home with your family for Thanksgiving dinner this year, if time zones allow, consider video calling into their meal via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype. You’ll be able to feel connected to your loved ones even more miles away.

The post Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Abroad appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Have Fun with the Menu

It may be the perfect time to cook that meal you’ve always wanted to try, but never had the time. When you’re spending the holiday alone, you don’t need to make compromises with anyone about the food, so have fun and make your favorite things.

Have a Virtual Party

If you’re unable to spend Thanksgiving with family this year, perhaps you can gather with them on a video call, at least for a few hours. A virtual dinner together and catching up will have to do until next year.

Ignore It

If you want, you can choose to completely ignore the holiday and spend the day however you want. Takeout and movies? Why not! Everything is allowed this year and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for proper Thanksgiving celebrations.

The post 3 Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Alone appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Make a List 

You will want to have a budget for all of the items you plan to buy and to determine that, you need to make a list. Write down everything you want or need and then budget for each item. If it’s something you can live without for another year because it’s expensive, then just wait. You don’t want to find yourself with a big bill right before Christmas.

Scout Out the Store

If you’re not sticking to online shopping and you want to brave the Black Friday lines, then you will definitely want to do this. After you have made your list and your budget, head to the stores a couple of days before the main event. You can locate exactly where the items are that you want. Then, you can quickly grab them before anyone else does on the day of your shopping.

The post Black Friday Shopping Tips appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

A Cute Turkey

No Thanksgiving manicure list would be complete without at least one set with a turkey on it. Roast turkey is delicious, but it also looks pretty cute on nails. A white background, a single turkey, and some fall colored confetti is a great manicure for someone who wants to show off their love of the day. 

Pumpkin Spice

This might be the favorite beverage of the season, but it’s also a color palette that looks great for the holidays. You will want to choose a neutral orange and add a bit of pumpkin spice on one nail, with a nice bronze on your smallest fingers. Together, this creates a spice medley and it is relatively understated.

Fall Glitter

Gel manicures are one of the best to ensure that your polish doesn’t chip before Thanksgiving day. A manicure with gel polish full of glitter, in shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow can make your nails look like fall leaves.

The post Thanksgiving Manicure Trends appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Let’s focus on the good news first: we still get to celebrate Thanksgiving. Given that so many things have been canceled this year, we have to celebrate the small victories, right? The bad news is that you won’t be able to have your whole extended family around the table, at least if you want to stay safe. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not recommended to invite people who don’t live with you into your home. Additionally, traveling for Thanksgiving is still a bit challenging and can be risky.

Two options come to mind if you still want to gather dear people on this day: an outdoor celebration or a virtual celebration.

An outdoor Thanksgiving is trickier, but it can still be executed. If the weather allows for it and your family doesn’t have to travel from afar, you can plan a day outside and make sure everyone stays safely distanced from each other.

The other option includes a virtual dinner where you all join in on a Zoom call from your own homes, and even though it may seem weird at first, it may be the best way to relax and actually have fun with your loved ones.

The post Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Safely in 2020 appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Watch the Dog Show

Most of America follows football, but those people that aren’t sports fans should know that the National Dog Show takes place on Thanksgiving Day. It is always fun to watch the glitz and glamour of a dog show as pups strut their stuff.

Play Games

It is always fun to have some competition when the whole family is together. Try a new yard game like cornhole or a horseshoe toss. For the adults, it is always fun to play a poker game after dinner while you’re watching the game.

Break a Wishbone

A fun tradition for the youngest kids in the family is breaking the wishbone, a forked bone in the turkey. Two people grab either side of the bone, make a wish, and play tug-of-war with the bone until it breaks. According to tradition, whoever comes away with the larger side of the wishbone will have their wish come true.

Celebrate with Far Away Family

Holidays are always a family affair, but this year, a lot of families may not be able to celebrate together. Video chat with your family that lives elsewhere and catch up with people that you haven’t spoken to in a long time.

Make Toasts

People love to make toasts at any celebration. It can be fun and entertaining to go around the table and give everyone the opportunity to give their own unique reason for raising a glass.

The post Start New Traditions This Turkey Day appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

A Little Bit of Everything

This fall concoction really has it all. It gets most of its flavor from fresh fruits—pear, apple, cranberries, even pumpkin—and as a result, is incredibly healthy. It is wonderful because it is not a heavy drink either. The alcohol is just cider and white wine. This tangy drink is sure to complement any Thanksgiving meal.

The Old Fashioned

Everyone loves a good smoky whiskey drink around the holiday season and this holiday is the perfect opportunity to try a seasonal twist on a classic favorite. In addition to the traditional bourbon with bitters, this drink adds more sweet flavors to complement the meal and tone down the strong whiskey. Honey, cinnamon, and a little bit of apple cider take the edge off.

Pomegranate Spritzers

For anyone that wants a bit more of a bold flavor, this cocktail calls for pomegranate, blueberries, and a variety of flavorful juices to add some pizazz to the drink. The alcohol suggested is white wine, prosecco to be specific, so this is a light and incredibly flavorful addition to any dinner.

The post Thanksgiving-Inspired Cocktails appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

The only thing is that it can be a bit of a challenge to find things to be grateful for every single day, especially if you’re going through a hard time. But the truth is that no matter how bleak your circumstances may look, there’s always something to be grateful for. Here are just three items you may want to write about in your next gratitude journal entry.

Air to Breathe

It’s basic, but the oxygen you’re breathing in every day is what lets you be alive! Take a deep breath. Doesn’t that feel great?

Your Loved Ones

As the Beatles said, we get by with a little help from our friends (and family). How lucky are we to have them by our side to lean on?

Water to Drink

Do you have access to clean water to drink? That means you’re in a more fortunate position than 11% of the world’s population. That’s definitely not something to take for granted.

See, when you really think about it, there’s plenty to be grateful for. We don’t know about you, but we sure want to grab our gratitude journals right now.

The post 3 Things You Didn’t Even Know You Were Grateful For appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is one of the most beloved Thanksgiving classics, but you shouldn’t opt for a canned version. It’s usually high in sugar and calories, and making your own is a much better option.

Mashed Potatoes

The first step to transforming mashed potatoes into a healthy dish is ditching gravy altogether. You can cut down on butter, and replace some of the potatoes with healthier veggies, such as cauliflower.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary Smith (@maryswholelife)

Apple Pie

Apple pies and the holiday season go hand in hand, and there are many ways to put a healthy twist on this beloved dessert. Whipped cream is best avoided, and you should also consider making homemade apple pie filling.

Turkey Stuffing

Sausage and bacon are usually used as the main ingredients in turkey stuffing, but you should try to cut down on them and make your stuffing healthier by using vegan ingredients.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is the staple of Thanksgiving dinner, and it wouldn’t be the same without melted cheese, but you can use less of it to make it healthier.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Highfalutin’ Low Carb (@highfalutinlowcarb)

The post Making Your Beloved Thanksgiving Dishes Healthier appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Autumn Leaf Fairy Lights

This project is a double whammy: not only is it fun, festive, and easy to do, it’s also great for the environment, making use of something you already have plenty of access to—leaves!

Mason Jar Leaf Lanterns

Can’t get enough glowy indoor autumn leaf decor? This mason jar DIY project is just as vibey and will pair perfectly with the fairy light garland above.

Pumpkin Vase

This DIY pumpkin vase project is basically like a jack-o-lantern for fancy adults. It works great as a centerpiece and – best of all – you can use it again next year (and the one after that!).

Acorn and Pine Cone Garland

Another project that uses natural materials to create a beautiful piece of DIY rustic harvest decor is this acorn and pine cone garland, which you can make out of stuff you find on the ground outside. Plus, it’ll look great on your Christmas tree, too, so you can keep the garland fun going even after Thanksgiving is over.

The post Check Out These Thanksgiving DIY Decorations appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Find Other Ex-Pats

Pretty much anywhere you live, there’s likely to be people from your home country who are also going to be looking for something festive to do during Thanksgiving. Getting a group of you all together can be a great way to not only make your holiday better but that of others, too.

Introduce Old Traditions to New Friends

Chances are, you’ve made plenty of friends in your new country who are excited about introducing you to traditions, dishes, and customs from their home. They’d probably be more than happy to have you return the favor and show them what a traditional Thanksgiving looks (and tastes!) like.

Call Into Thanksgiving at Home

Even if you can’t be at home with your family for Thanksgiving dinner this year, if time zones allow, consider video calling into their meal via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype. You’ll be able to feel connected to your loved ones even more miles away.

The post Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Abroad appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Have Fun with the Menu

It may be the perfect time to cook that meal you’ve always wanted to try, but never had the time. When you’re spending the holiday alone, you don’t need to make compromises with anyone about the food, so have fun and make your favorite things.

Have a Virtual Party

If you’re unable to spend Thanksgiving with family this year, perhaps you can gather with them on a video call, at least for a few hours. A virtual dinner together and catching up will have to do until next year.

Ignore It

If you want, you can choose to completely ignore the holiday and spend the day however you want. Takeout and movies? Why not! Everything is allowed this year and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for proper Thanksgiving celebrations.

The post 3 Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Alone appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Make a List 

You will want to have a budget for all of the items you plan to buy and to determine that, you need to make a list. Write down everything you want or need and then budget for each item. If it’s something you can live without for another year because it’s expensive, then just wait. You don’t want to find yourself with a big bill right before Christmas.

Scout Out the Store

If you’re not sticking to online shopping and you want to brave the Black Friday lines, then you will definitely want to do this. After you have made your list and your budget, head to the stores a couple of days before the main event. You can locate exactly where the items are that you want. Then, you can quickly grab them before anyone else does on the day of your shopping.

The post Black Friday Shopping Tips appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

A Cute Turkey

No Thanksgiving manicure list would be complete without at least one set with a turkey on it. Roast turkey is delicious, but it also looks pretty cute on nails. A white background, a single turkey, and some fall colored confetti is a great manicure for someone who wants to show off their love of the day. 

Pumpkin Spice

This might be the favorite beverage of the season, but it’s also a color palette that looks great for the holidays. You will want to choose a neutral orange and add a bit of pumpkin spice on one nail, with a nice bronze on your smallest fingers. Together, this creates a spice medley and it is relatively understated.

Fall Glitter

Gel manicures are one of the best to ensure that your polish doesn’t chip before Thanksgiving day. A manicure with gel polish full of glitter, in shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow can make your nails look like fall leaves.

The post Thanksgiving Manicure Trends appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Let’s focus on the good news first: we still get to celebrate Thanksgiving. Given that so many things have been canceled this year, we have to celebrate the small victories, right? The bad news is that you won’t be able to have your whole extended family around the table, at least if you want to stay safe. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not recommended to invite people who don’t live with you into your home. Additionally, traveling for Thanksgiving is still a bit challenging and can be risky.

Two options come to mind if you still want to gather dear people on this day: an outdoor celebration or a virtual celebration.

An outdoor Thanksgiving is trickier, but it can still be executed. If the weather allows for it and your family doesn’t have to travel from afar, you can plan a day outside and make sure everyone stays safely distanced from each other.

The other option includes a virtual dinner where you all join in on a Zoom call from your own homes, and even though it may seem weird at first, it may be the best way to relax and actually have fun with your loved ones.

The post Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Safely in 2020 appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

Watch the Dog Show

Most of America follows football, but those people that aren’t sports fans should know that the National Dog Show takes place on Thanksgiving Day. It is always fun to watch the glitz and glamour of a dog show as pups strut their stuff.

Play Games

It is always fun to have some competition when the whole family is together. Try a new yard game like cornhole or a horseshoe toss. For the adults, it is always fun to play a poker game after dinner while you’re watching the game.

Break a Wishbone

A fun tradition for the youngest kids in the family is breaking the wishbone, a forked bone in the turkey. Two people grab either side of the bone, make a wish, and play tug-of-war with the bone until it breaks. According to tradition, whoever comes away with the larger side of the wishbone will have their wish come true.

Celebrate with Far Away Family

Holidays are always a family affair, but this year, a lot of families may not be able to celebrate together. Video chat with your family that lives elsewhere and catch up with people that you haven’t spoken to in a long time.

Make Toasts

People love to make toasts at any celebration. It can be fun and entertaining to go around the table and give everyone the opportunity to give their own unique reason for raising a glass.

The post Start New Traditions This Turkey Day appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

A Little Bit of Everything

This fall concoction really has it all. It gets most of its flavor from fresh fruits—pear, apple, cranberries, even pumpkin—and as a result, is incredibly healthy. It is wonderful because it is not a heavy drink either. The alcohol is just cider and white wine. This tangy drink is sure to complement any Thanksgiving meal.

The Old Fashioned

Everyone loves a good smoky whiskey drink around the holiday season and this holiday is the perfect opportunity to try a seasonal twist on a classic favorite. In addition to the traditional bourbon with bitters, this drink adds more sweet flavors to complement the meal and tone down the strong whiskey. Honey, cinnamon, and a little bit of apple cider take the edge off.

Pomegranate Spritzers

For anyone that wants a bit more of a bold flavor, this cocktail calls for pomegranate, blueberries, and a variety of flavorful juices to add some pizazz to the drink. The alcohol suggested is white wine, prosecco to be specific, so this is a light and incredibly flavorful addition to any dinner.

The post Thanksgiving-Inspired Cocktails appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.

The only thing is that it can be a bit of a challenge to find things to be grateful for every single day, especially if you’re going through a hard time. But the truth is that no matter how bleak your circumstances may look, there’s always something to be grateful for. Here are just three items you may want to write about in your next gratitude journal entry.

Air to Breathe

It’s basic, but the oxygen you’re breathing in every day is what lets you be alive! Take a deep breath. Doesn’t that feel great?

Your Loved Ones

As the Beatles said, we get by with a little help from our friends (and family). How lucky are we to have them by our side to lean on?

Water to Drink

Do you have access to clean water to drink? That means you’re in a more fortunate position than 11% of the world’s population. That’s definitely not something to take for granted.

See, when you really think about it, there’s plenty to be grateful for. We don’t know about you, but we sure want to grab our gratitude journals right now.

The post 3 Things You Didn’t Even Know You Were Grateful For appeared first on My Daily Magazine - Art, Design, DIY, Fashion and Beauty !.