Saving Dinner for the Holidays: Menus, Recipes, Shopping Lists, and Timelines for Spectacular, Stress-Free Holidays and Family Celebrations: A Cookboo

Excellent resource. I easily balanced work, little ones, a menu, and a budget with very little stress on my end. Excellent budgeting and planning ideas!!! LOVE IT!!!

With all of the stresses the holiday season brings, it was nice having some help with the dinners that require a higher level of planning. At first I thought this was silly; "Who needs help with this sort of thing... Everyone knows how to do a basic dinner..." Well the inner child inside of me said to get it and give it a try anyway, no matter how silly I thought it was (at the time). Why did I not get this helper before? Now I feel silly for thinking so stinky. This book put a smile on my face and brain as I know I have a helper for many years to come with several holiday and other celebration type of meals. My menus with the recipes I needed were suggested to me. A timeline was something I have always needed. I have these now too (thank you!!!!!!) My grocery list was all ready made. I could tell everyone what we were having as well as the nutritional values for anyone who asked. This feature was fantasic. It helped show some of my loved ones that I care for thier wellness. With the help from this book, it freed up some valuble time. It kept me from getting stressed out over this sort of thing. A matter of fact I survived this year without getting really stressed out to much. Thanks Leanne!!!! This year my family was nice to me and I was nice to them as well. How strange a book could change one's life so much. I am already planning for the next year for those special dates, because the stress level has dropped significantly.

This book is excellent for those of us who are trying to get through the holidays. Meals have always been a struggle for me during certain holidays, and this book has given me many ideas that are simple and planned out. All the menus and shopping lists are included - so all my work is next to nothing. The book offers a variety of recipes.

I bought this book last year and used the Thanksgiving recipes. This was the first Thanksgiving I ever hosted at my house, and thanks to this book, it was a HUGE success. Not only does the book provide the grocery list and recipes, it also provides detailed discussions about various cooking techniques, organizational tips, and timelines to help you get your act together and keep it that way clear through until your event is over. The turkey we made using Leanne's recipe and treatment recommendations was OUTSTANDING, the best turkey I ever ate much less cooked. I highly recommend this book for domestically challenged OR beginner cooks/hostesses who wish to create beautiful celebrations with great food.

Leanne (the dinner diva) and the Flylady (Sink Reflections) are a winning combination for anyone that wants to keep their household running smoothly but still feel like a guest in their own home. What an amazing feeling to actually feel pampered in your own home as if someone else is taking care of everything for you but you're really the one doing it for yourself (with their help of course!) I discovered Leanne through Flylady and it has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. I've been on her menu mailer for awhile now which is also wonderful. It is much like the books she has out only delivered weekly to your inbox. I just adore it! This book however offers something really extra and different that can help you build family traditions and make holidays extra special. Instead of dreading planning the holiday meal (or worse going to Denny's!) I am finding myself looking forward to it now. Right now you can actually get the Thanksgiving menu from the book free off her website to try it out. Much of what is in the book is similar to that only with different holidays/occasions. It would never have even occurred to me to plan special meals for some of what she suggests. I am just so thrilled to have this resource. The main thing to know is that Leanne is for *real* people. The recipes are easy for you to understand and Leanne always explains things in full detail. The author of this book (and the others in the series) is also totally accessible to the public. Not only does she constantly ask for reader's opinions and suggestions but she USES them!! I have actually seen her incorporate new recipes and ideas after people suggested them. She also does a radio show now on World Talk Radio with Flylady (Marla). For the price the entire book series and menu mailer are worth every penny. Think about what you can pass on to your children about cooking and menu planning with this book and the others. For those who never learned to cook/menu plan she is a true friend. She is also a sincere person who shares herself with others. You can read more about her in another book she co wrote called Body Clutter to help people lose weight. I think she's terrific and I'm so excited to finally have this book! As you can tell I'm a big fan of both Leanne Ely (Dinner Diva) and Flylady (Marla Cilley). If you have not yet discovered these two then you are missing out. They have helped me more than prozac and therapy combined for getting my franny in gear!!