Have you ever been in forums and discussion groups with people discussing how their diets are going and seeking help on how to bake sugarfree goodies because they have diabetes or have to cut back on the carbs? Usually, the dieters in these forums dish out really good advice about reviews of diet products such as Decaslim, and you have to wonder… how about meeting up and baking these together?

I had this idea when I met a woman who regularly gave out cooking lessons to families with diabetes predisposition. There is a lack of diabetic-friendly options even in the best restaurants and so parties with the theme “sugarfree, low carb recipes” are sure to attract boatloads of dieters and diabetics.The invited guests could bring their own ingredients, or simply a notepad to jot down notes and tips. The venue could be in the residence of the one giving the seminar, but the mood should be festive.

Party Objectives

• provide guests with information on a safe and delightful way to enjoy their favorite desserts without endangering their health.
• provide a place for diabetics, health buffs and dieters to mingle and compare notes
• introduce a new product or a new cooking method to the public (this could also be the sponsor of the party)
• be the breeding ground for eat-healthy support groups and networks

What you need to do:

1. Spread the word and solicit advice as well as support from bakeries and delis in the locality
2. Promote your party in a forum, and contact the webmaster of a big discussion group online for endorsement possibilities
3. Get sponsors/advertisers, preferably the startups that need to get their products out (cook books, sugar alternatives, raw food diet plans etc)
4. Look for a venue where a “cooking show” can be held

There are women who work 6 days a week, with their day off spent mostly relaxing in preparation for the next week’s work load. How in the world will women like these find time to throw a spectacular all-nighter shower with all their colleagues and friends in attendance? A party planner hired to manage this task will have to be shrewd and think of a venue and a theme for the bridal shower of such a lady.

My suggestion:

Coffee-themed Bridal Shower!

Many people like coffee but some love it to distraction. These coffee connoisseurs know the brands that they like or the store that makes the best coffee. A classy coffee shop is also a favorite 5 o’clock hang out of employees and office people. This is the best venue for the bridal shower he have in mind.

Food Ideas:

freshly baked Baguettes

Crispy Croissants

Coffee or non-coffee beverages (tea, fruit juice etc.)

Cookies and Chips

Spiked Coffee for the more adventurous

Giveaways

Coffee Mugs
There’s nothing better than a steaming cup of hot coffee in your favorite mug. Give your guests your own bridal shower mugs with your bridal shower date and a nice thank you quote on it. Colleagues and girl friends may bring these home after, and a certain thrill may consume you when you see them drinking from these mugs at the office. Economically, check out this set of 4 Cabin Series Coffee Mugs, which you can order online to save time and cash. Buying a set is cheaper than paying for the mugs individually.

Gift for the Bride-to-Be

For someone who’s used to being on the go, a HONEYMOON SUITCASE is the best gift choice. She can plop it inside her luggage and never have to worry that she left some toiletries at home. Lessen her stress and let her enjoy her 3-day, 2-night honeymoon with her new husband.

Pronounced as ‘Or-derv’, these delicious morsels are the most commonly served appetizers in parties. In fact, the French term itself means “a dish served as an appetizer before the main meal”.

There’s no set recipe for the best hors d’oeuvres, but the best tips for making interesting and party-worthy ones include a unique presentation. A nice tray, cheese in wedges, well trimmed bread and crunchy toast… all these will make your appetizer dish hard to resist.

Soft cheeses are usually served in a separate plate while the chips, toasted bread or crackers stay on the tray. However, for ease of eating by guests, I suggest spreading the cheese or the liver pate on these before serving. After all, party people are mostly just standing in groups talking and probably won’t spend time hanging out on the buffet tables.

The appetizers that don’t require much effort to make are sure hits in parties. Ask the caterer to make the viands or main dishes, while you yourself can create the canapes and finger food. A real cost saver.

My example is Sauteed Mushroom on Toast. This can serve as appetizer in house parties where anyone can just go to the table and grab a bite.

Here’s what you need for a party of 4:

Toasted Bread – 8 pieces
One can of sliced Button Mushrooms – drained
Garlic – 4 cloves, crushed
Onion – one bulb, sliced
Red Bell Pepper – sliced (julienne) for garnish
Soy Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce – 2 table spoons
Hot Sauce – for spicy variation
Salt and pepper

Sautee the garlic until browned, followed by the onions. Add the button mushrooms and keep sauteeing at high heat, gradually adding the soy sauce/Worcestershire sauce, the hot sauce and the salt and pepper. Add the bell pepper strips before turning off the fire. Pour the mushrooms over the toasted bread.

For genuine Restaurant Recipes and recipe secrets, Click Here.

Research Research!

A successful bachelorette party depends on how well the activities reflect the bachelorette-hood of the bride-to-be. Not all girls lived their single lives going out and attending parties; and certainly not everyone had more than one boyrfiend.

A party coordinator must research her love life during her single days and determine the best way to make her remember all the happy experiences. Talk to her friends, and plot to bring surprise guests, people who the bride-to-be hasn’t seen in a long time, to the party.

These guests will do a speech or bring a special gift. Some suggestions:

1. A Former Boyfriend – Someone who has moved on, and is happy now (with a wife or a girlfriend of his own or kids!). This guy must have had many fond memories of the bride-to-be.

2. A close female relative – Someone who was the bride-to-be’s confidante during her childhood, besides her mother.

3. A childhood friend who she drifted apart from – Childhood is the best reminisce memory for someone who will undergo a major change in her life. A childhood friend will remind her of that time when she barely knew the word marriage existed.

4. Her bestfriend – Though this person is expected to do a speech and has probably been the source of useful information about the bride-to-be, having her take the mic is always a good idea because she can talk about the bride-to-be like no one else can.

Does all of these seem familiar? Yes, it is like the eighteenth birthday of the bride-to-be! A debutante’s party and a bachelorette party are not as dissimilar as one would think. They both have the same purpose: to sum up the experiences of someone who embarking on a life journey; in this case, marriage.

Sex talk and tips, and naughty games will always be good additions to a bachelorette party. The main focus should be on making the bride-to-be look back on her life, and look forward to her new life as a married woman.

Click here for Free Bridal Shower Invitations. And, here for more information on Bridal Shower Planning.

Enjoy your Shower!