Kids and Christmas

Kids and Christmas
YOUNGSTOWN -- If you want your kids to enjoy some Christmas traditions, head to the grocery store. That's right. Grocery store.
Giant Eagle is offering breakfast with Santa, holiday shop and pictures with Santa programs at its Eagles Nests child care areas.
Check with your local Giant Eagle to see which programs will be available.
Minty season
OK, so Starbucks' new peppermint mocha isn't served with a candy cane in a fancy cup and saucer. Still, this one tastes just as special in that familiar cardboard cup. A combination of espresso, refreshing peppermint, chocolate, steamed milk and whipped cream, this beverage is Christmas in a cup. The drink costs $2.90-$4.55 at Starbucks; it will be served through Jan. 7.
Return to tradition
Many cooks learned to bake with "Betty Crocker's Cooky Book," first published in 1963. So it's a pleasure to see the 2002 facsimile edition of this well-loved cookbook, complete with the charming color photos and thoroughly tested recipes of the original. The 156 pages offer instruction on baking, decorating and packing cookies to ship, as well as many recipes that include drop and bar cookies, fancier treats for the holidays and several ethnic classics. The book is $24.95 and sold at some Borders and Barnes & amp; Noble bookstores, and online at amazon.com.
Egg whites and plastic
Don't use plastic bowls for whipping egg whites. Even when clean, the plastic can have a thin residue of oil on the surface. The smallest trace of oil or fat hampers successful whipping of egg whites. The best bowls for whipping eggs whites are copper or stainless steel.
Splatter-proof pomegranates
To avoid getting splattered with the pomegranate's quick staining juices, peel the fruit submerged in a bowl of water. The seeds, or arils, fall to the bottom of the bowl and the beige pith rises to the top.