I have a question for all you Gentiles -- have you ever bought kosher food -- on purpose? I used to buy a lot of kosher chicken because the process can make the chicken safer. The chickens are often hand-inspected, and the safety standards are higher than the USDA's. They're a smart buy for anyone. But I don't often choose other kosher foods.

That's because most other kosher foods are traditional Jewish foods -- and as a Gentile, I don't have many occasions for gefilte fish in jelled broth or Manischewitz wine. Not that there's anything wrong with gefilte fish! But that could change. Kosher foods are starting to go gourmet -- and they're tempting even people like me. Chili roasted carrots, anyone?

Grandma DottieGrandmas cook. It's what they do. Well, a lot of them anyway. Not my mother — my kids have a grandmother that could burn a pot of boiling water. But that's an entirely different story.

Usually grandmas cook, and though not all of them are amazing cooks, the love that goes into their preparation outweighs the terribly bad slightly "off" meal every now and again. And a lot of grandmas have their dish. You know the one ... the one the grandkids clamor for.

But as children and grandchildren get older, they figure out how to cook and may just try to move in on grandma's territory, especially around the holidays. This is exactly what happened with my husband, when he was 22. And it could have really been a disaster!

I've got a handle on pumpkin pie, and I've now got a fab list of pecan pie recipes. But a Thanksgiving classic I've never tried baking is sweet potato pie. So this year I'm checking out recipes -- and I've already left behind any notion that sweet potato pies are even remotely healthy. Oh no. There may be beta carotene lurking within these pies, but these recipes are all about sweet, rich decadence!

The sweet potato pie being a Southern specialty, I'm looking to the authorities. All of these recipes are by food writers and cooks from the South. No slight to you, Yankees and Midwesterners -- I just want my pie straight from the source, and maybe with a side of Kentucky bourbon. 

This Thanksgiving, some of us will head to the kitchen and cook up a meal made from recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. But for others, it's a game of researching the best, tastiest, most widely reviewed recipes on the web. When faced with so many options -- especially for something as traditional as stuffing -- it's not the worst thing to hunt down a celeb chef recipe! And who better to entrust your taste buds to than the Skinnygirl herself, Bethenny Frankel?

Yes, knowing Bethenny, her "Out of This World" Stuffing recipe is slimmed down, but at the same time, it's probably totally delicious. You know she wouldn't settle for anything less, and neither should we. So, without further ado, here's how to give one of the yummiest Turkey Day side dishes some star power ... 

Wouldn't you love to wake up Thanksgiving morning smelling the cozy aroma of fresh pumpkin bread baking in the oven? This recipe combines my two favorite Thanksgiving flavors -- pumpkin and pecans. And it's a simple enough recipe that you can whip it up in a snap first thing in the morning before you get started on the main event!

You must try this nutty, satisfying pumpkin bread. Get the taste of roasted pecans without having to make pecan pie! This bread will easily become a Thanksgiving morning tradition. I don't think you'll be dealing with "leftovers" with this tasty treat. It's a sure family-pleaser for Thanks-givers of all ages.

There's something to be said for holiday traditions, but did you ever wonder why we serve dishes nobody really even likes because, well, that's just what you're supposed to eat on Thanksgiving? Case in point: Green bean casserole. I know the classic side has its diehard fans, but I don't think I've ever known anyone personally who would touch the condensed soup/canned fried onions concoction any other day of the year.

So why even bother making green bean casserole at all? There are plenty of other vegetable-based side dishes that go perfectly well with turkey and stuffing and are just as simple to make.

I'll definitely be serving one of these 5 green bean casserole alternatives this Thanksgiving. The only problem is deciding which recipe to try first!

I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the notion that, yes, it's almost Thanksgiving and, yes, I'm going to be hosting the shebang this year. Inspired by the fun-filled Hoochgiving Friendsgiving on the past season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, I decided to call a similar event at my house this weekend. Who doesn't love an excuse to splurge on a festive cocktail dress and eat their body weight in stuffing? OOOH OOOH, PICK ME!

For my Friendsgiving, everyone is coming with a contribution, but I'll make the basics. You know -- the stuffing, the green beans, and most importantly, the turkey. Let me tell you a little something, I've never done this myself before, and I'm frightened.

Now that the to-do list is made and the turkey coupons have been located, I'm starting to get a whole lot of anxiety. Thus I present you with the 15 fears I have as a first-time Thanksgiving host:

I know my grocery bills have been skyrocketing, but now I have proof that we're all spending more and saving less at the groc shop. The American Farm Bureau informs us that this year for Thanksgiving, you can expect to spend 13 percent more on all the fixins' than you did last year. That's a huge jump! Just think if our cost of living went up 13 percent every year.

While the list compiled by the AFB encompasses a dinner for 10 including "turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie mix, pie shells, whipping cream, peas, stuffing, rolls, sweet potatoes, whole milk, and other items," there are ways you can keep those costs down. Last year this list would run you $43.37 (which is not bad, actually, for feeding 10 people), and this year, it will run up your bill to $49.20.

Which is why you should do these three things right now to save on the big day.