(ARA) – Holiday stress has a significant impact on women who, according to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, often take the lead in planning holiday celebrations and decorations. With all of the additional holiday responsibilities, 69 percent of women surveyed identify lack of time as the leading stress increaser, and only 27 percent report the ability to relax during the season at all. But a few key tips can help hosts plan – and even enjoy – memorable holiday events.
No one understands the challenges of holiday entertaining better than celebrity chef, best-selling author and event planner Lulu Powers. As a chef to Hollywood’s top stars, Powers knows smooth entertaining means the perfect balance of preparation and innovation – both on the menu and in the decor.
“Holiday gatherings can be one of the most stressful types of events to host,” admits Powers. “As I tell my celebrity clientele, the key to success is selecting unique, yet convenient, short-cuts for recipes and decorations. This leaves a host plenty of time to dazzle guests with event details that complement the delicious food.”
One of Powers’ go-to entertaining ingredients is Sargento Artisan Blends natural shredded cheeses because they make for old-world taste with easy preparation – perfect for holiday occasions and making everyday meals more special. Similar to all Sargento premium cheeses, Artisan Blends are never processed and always made from 100 percent natural cheese to ensure authentic quality and taste in every recipe.
Powers also offers these additional tips, which she suggests for her own celebrity clientele, to ensure memorable holiday entertaining:
* Cocktail ornaments: Store cranberries in the freezer and later use to adorn cocktails. These frozen delights will give any gathering the holiday spirit.
* Jack-of-all-toppings: Always have a bag of Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan cheese on hand. Sargento Artisan Blends are made with handcrafted artisan cheeses and combined with Sargento premium shredded cheeses. The Parmesan variety is perfect on soup, pasta, salad, chicken and so much more.
* Back-up libations: Unexpected opportunities to entertain come up – especially during the holidays – so ensure guests are never thirsty by keeping a few bottles of wine and champagne in the house.
* Festive details: Details as small as festive cocktail napkins can make a big impact, so be prepared for any occasion by having a few readily available.
* Quick-fix hors d’oeuvres: Keep Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Double Cheddar cheese and tortillas in the freezer for any last minute guests. Quick quesadillas are always party pleasers.
To view more information on Sargento Artisan Blends natural cheeses or for holiday recipes, visit www.sargento.com.
