5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

We repeat: we're a food blog, not a diet blog - that's not to say we don't have your health in mind. For most, over-eating on Thanksgiving is allowed, nay, encouraged - but for some, whatever the reason, the Turkey Day spread isn't worth the diet derail. Kudos brave soul. We'll be the ones funneling the gravy.

To guide those on the buffet bob-and-weave, we've enlisted the help of David Zinczenko, the editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine and the bestselling author behind the Eat This! Not That! series of books.

Eat This, Not That! Thanksgiving Tips: David Zinczenko
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Over the next seven days – including yes, the very day of – we'll be sharing our time-tested hosting tips and recipes, as well as plenty from chefs, hospitality experts, celebrities (that's always fun, right?), hosts and home cooks we love. Our goal – sending you into Thanksgiving with a confident smile on your face, and seeing you emerge on the other side with your sanity intact.

I'm doing my first Thanksgiving for about 18 people in a few weeks (giving my grandmother a break this year). Usually we eat early – around 1:30-2pm to make everyone happy. People should be arriving around 12:30pm which leaves about an hour to 1.5 hours of hungry guests waiting. I want to serve an appetizer or two to hold them over but nothing too filling, and since the kitchen will be occupied with creating the Thanksgiving Feast, I want a few somewhat simple items, yet a little more sophisticated and Thanksgiving-like than a veggie tray. Have some ideas? - Lauren

Bless your heart, you've pulled app duty. It's often a thankless task, as you're essentially running defense for kitchen, so peckish guests don't pick away at the corn pudding and green bean casserole before the turkey is served. It also calls for a thick-ish skin, as many folks will feel the need to loudly state that they're ONLY deigning to nibble so they won't, you know, STARVE before the REAL meal is served.

Their loss. You're going to be serving up major flavor in bitty bites and those folks who decide to hold out for the big feast will be kicking themselves once they hear the rave reviews.

A few of our favorites:
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OMG, I forgot the turkey for Thanksgiving!

OK, so I’ve never really been so forgetful to as to not have a naked, yellow-pinkish, featherless, defrosted bird in the house on Turkey Day. But there have been so many other things that I have sent family and friends searching for in cities where grocery stores close for the holiday.

Now convenience stores may have milk and butter, but try to find a bottle of sage, thyme or nutmeg at these tiny shops. Buying aluminum foil or an extra pie pan can also be a challenge.

Sink your teeth into today's top stories from around the globe.

• After the artichoke scandal of '10, one New Orleans blogger offers safe-eating tips for "visiting gourmands, Miami doctors, and just plain idiots."– Fitz NOLA

• The family of a man who killed himself after binging on Four Loko is suing the drink's manufacturer. - TIME

• A recipe round-up for the wizarding world of Harry Potter. - Globe and Mail

• It's a marshmallow world in the winter, where everyone drinks peppermint coffee. - Bloomberg

Perhaps they're just big Cee-Lo Green fans?

KCRA has more on the story of the raunchy receipt.

While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday and the most delicious finds on TV.

It’s Friday and we’re feeling bubbly! November 19 is National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day.

Carbonated water was invented in 1767 by Joseph Priestley, but it wasn’t until the late 18th  century that flavors were added to the fizzy beverage. Soft drinks were mainly consumed at a soda fountain until bottled soda became common in the 20th century.

The Coca-Cola Company alone provides more than 1.5 billion servings worldwide every day, though not all are in the carbonated camp.

What’s your favorite kind of caffeinated carbonated beverage?

What's on TV?
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