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Serve up Affordable Protein
The first of each year often leaves us looking for ways to streamline overextended budgets and expanded waistlines, too. Fortunately, eggs can help us mend budget excesses and get back into the groove of healthful eating. Here's the best ways to serve them up to your family.


How to Fit a Hot Breakfast Into Your Weekday Routine
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
As the crisp fall mornings give way to the dim and frosty daybreaks of winter, cravings of comfort food for breakfast begin before braving the chilly commute to work or school. Unfortunately, many busy families fall prey to the myth that a hot breakfast is a luxury that can only be indulged on a leisurely weekend morning. But just because you don’t have much extra time before heading out the door doesn’t mean that a hot meal is beyond your reach!


Traditional Pumpkin Pie Goes Organic
What would the holidays be without pumpkin pie? It’s an American tradition and it may be hard to imagine how one could improve on such a classic dessert. By using organic pumpkin, you can give your family the pure, rich taste and wholesomeness the settlers enjoyed on that very first Thanksgiving.


Best Ways to Organize Your Kitchen for Holiday Entertaining
Word Count: 903
Shopping, wrapping, prepping, cooking and cleaning are time-consuming activities any time of year, but these tasks reach a new level of intensity as harbingers of the holiday season. But, if you get a jumpstart now, devoting a day or two to preparing your home, you’ll ease into the celebratory cycle with a lot less stress than ever before and enjoy the festive mood that permeates the atmosphere October through January.


Delicious Butter Recipes Maximize Holiday Flavors
Editor Alert: Includes Recipes
At holiday time, butter isn’t just something you spread on your bread. Just a few ingredients can turn butter into a versatile sauce, perfect for drizzling over vegetables and turkey. Flavored butters are ideal for spreading on freshly baked bread and melting over mashed potatoes.


Luxurious and Customized: Specialty Food Gifts are the New Trend
Retailers are predicting another big holiday season for online shopping. After spectacular growth, online commerce has now become a regular part of the holiday shopping routine for a record number of Americans. An online gift option that is becoming more and more popular is gourmet food.


Israeli Honey Helps Cancer Patients Cope with Side Effects
Approximately 1.4 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year and over half of them suffer from the side effects of chemotherapy. Now there's a natural way to make those side effects more bearable.


Feast on the Flavors of the Season
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Sure spring and summer get the credit for being the seasons of bountiful fresh produce. But don’t discount the plentiful harvest of pleasurable, fresh fare that accompanies autumn and the holiday season.


The Luxury Kitchen of Tomorrow Can Be Yours Today
The kitchen of tomorrow can be yours today if you make just a few changes. A good place to start is by replacing your conventional cook top and oven with an automatic cooker that can do everything from making omelets and cooking pasta to grilling steaks and baking cookies at the touch of a button.


Get a Kick Out of College Football with These Tailgating Tips
It’s college football season -- that time of year when campuses buzz with team spirit as fans gather together to root for their favorite teams. Along with the games comes a great American tradition -- tailgating. Stadium parking lots across the country are filled with pre-game partiers enjoying everything from simple snacks to elaborate spreads served out of the back of a car or truck.


Top Five Ways to Cut Holiday Entertaining Stress
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
If the thought of holiday entertaining creates more stress than satisfaction, here’s help. Cut down on holiday hassles with these five timesaving tips for simple but sensational holiday cooking.


Lighter Holiday Baking with Palm Oil
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Holiday entertaining without some scrumptious baked goods would be like Santa sans beard. It makes sense to try to lighten your holiday meals and many Americans are doing just that. But while it’s relatively easy to trim fats by serving your family turkey breast instead of the leg, or substituting skim milk for whole in your mashed potatoes, even the most dedicated fat-cutter can be flumoxed by holiday baking.


Treat Yourself to Better Heart Health this Holiday Season
With the holiday season just around the corner we can look forward to office gatherings, family festivities and weekend getaways to fill the void of a summer passed. While this month long merriment can be a great way to break up the monotony of cold winter days, it can also disrupt eating and exercise habits.


Tis’ the Season to Enjoy the Holidays Stress-Free
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
The holidays can be a joyous time of year. But, as the social calendar gets hectic, holiday menus are sorted, and shopping lists get started, it sometimes becomes challenging to get through the holiday season stress-free. In fact, according to an Opinion Research Survey, almost half of all women suffer more stress during the holidays.


Don’t Get Stuck in the Kitchen – Exchange Cookies Instead
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Treat your friends to a taste of your baking skills this holiday season with a recipe that yields delicious cookies and lasting friendships. Host a cookie exchange party. These festive swaps offer a time-saving way to share an assortment of baked-from-scratch treats.


Fright and Delight This Halloween
Halloween is a season that brings jack-o-lanterns to front porches and spiders, super heroes and princesses to the streets. This year add to the ghoulish atmosphere with a few safe and healthy tricks that will make your book of spells the most popular on the block.


Making Coffeehouse-quality Java in Your Own Home
When it comes to holiday entertaining, don’t overlook the impact of a great cup of coffee. A top-notch cup of America’s favorite beverage can add an unexpected and much appreciated quality touch to a festive gathering.


Wine Regions that Toast the Most from Coast-to-coast
When planning a trip to “wine country,” many think of California’s Napa Valley first and foremost. But what would the reaction be if you told your friends you were taking a trip to wine country -- in Arkansas, Texas, or Indiana?


Quick, Easy and Nutritious Game-day Recipes the Whole Gang Will Enjoy
Editor Alert: Includes recipes.
Looking for simple and nutritious ways to prepare traditional game-day fare? There are some easy and nutritious alternatives to usual choices that your family is sure to love.


Got Energy?
How will you find the energy to for exhausting morning car-pooling, after-school practices and weekend games now that summer is over? By pledging to commit to a healthier lifestyle. One of the greatest benefits of adopting better nutrition is increased energy. So say “buh-bye” once and for all to fast food and unhealthy snacks that zap energy, and “hello” to healthier living with these easy tips.


The Perfect Gift for the Chef in Every Family
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, food and gift giving accompany every occasion. Finding the right gift for that special chef in your life can be a challenge. A cookbook is a great gift, but how do you know which one is right for them?


Quick Clean-Up Tips for Holiday Hostesses
Between shopping, school pageants and holiday events, it’s easy for household chores to fall off the “to do” list. With the hustle and bustle of the busiest entertaining season upon us, there’s never much time to clean the house before family and friends come to celebrate. According to Paige Davis, former host of TLC’s popular “Trading Spaces,” keeping a clean and guest-worthy home can be quick and easy, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.


Savoring the Holidays: Tropical Traditions, Tastes and Tips
Editor Alert: Includes recipes.
Whether your family is celebrating the holidays on the coast of Atlanta or the coast of Maui, one central value bonds families together during this season – tradition. Regardless of locale, every family embraces annual rituals in which they partake, whether it’s fighting over the wishbone on the Thanksgiving turkey or strolling the neighborhood to view holiday lights on Christmas Eve.


Make the Most of Your Roasts and Other Hints for Safe Holiday Cooking
The table is set, the fire is lit and music is playing. But when friends and family are coming over for a holiday celebration, how do you make sure the food you’re preparing, serving and storing is safe and delicious? Experts say there are five easy steps you can follow to prevent making common food safety mistakes when feeding a crowd.


Shamelessly Simple Holiday Party Tips
Modern holiday entertaining puts the focus on spending time with your guests and impressing them with your holiday spirit – not with your baking skills or expensive tableware. Savvy holiday hostesses are no longer ashamed to admit they use time-saving tricks like store-bought hors d’oeuvres and disposable tableware.


The Secret to Healthful, Kid-Friendly Holiday Fare: Sweet Potatoes
Editor Alert: Includes Recipes
For parents trying to keep kids on track to develop healthy eating habits, the holidays can be as frustrating as that granddaddy of all bad eating days, Halloween. To prepare healthful, festive holiday meals that will also please a child's sweet tooth, turn to the sweet potato for inspiration.


Tips for Tackling the Impromptu Holiday Party
‘Tis the season to be jolly. As friends and family descend upon us, some might say, ‘tis the season of unexpected guests and surprise gatherings. A savvy host will have a few emergency supplies on hand and a couple of holiday tricks up their sleeve to pull together a memorable holiday party in a matter of minutes.


Holiday Etiquette: Simple Tips for a Perfect Gathering
You’ve spent the entire day cooking the perfect holiday feast. But it’s an hour before your guests arrive, and you find yourself standing in front of the table, listening to a little nagging voice in your head. Does the knife go on the left, fork on the right, or is it the other way around? Is that centerpiece too tall? The answers to these questions and other tips from an etiquette coach will help you dazzle your guests.


Navigating the Meat Case
Have you ever paused in front of the beef case in your favorite grocery store, overwhelmed at the choices available? Armed with a little knowledge about the options -- like grain-fed, grass-finished, certified organic and natural beef -- meat case shoppers can make an informed decision and feel good about taking home the type of beef that best fits their family’s needs.


The Ultimate Destination for Business Travelers
Savvy hotel operators know that providing their guests with all the comforts and conveniences of home, coupled with some of the latest and greatest technological amenities, is necessary to remain competitive. Here's what business travelers will find at one of the nation's most innovative hotels.


Ordering Food this Holiday Season?
When it comes to holiday food, people order from catalogs, gourmet Web sites and television shopping channels, pick up prepared meals from the supermarket and take advantage of home grocery delivery. Here are safety tips on how to handle prepared foods.


Chocolate to the Rescue for Last-Minute Holiday Fêtes
Editor Alert: Includes Recipes
Ah, the holidays, full of fun, friends and family and the unexpected, like surprise guests and last-minute gifts. Spontaneous entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful, however, if you rely on the tried and true appeal of chocolate to save the day.


Quick Appetizers Make Perfect Last Minute Parties
Editor Alert: Includes Recipes
Many holiday gatherings are planned ahead of time, but some pop up at the last minute and still require preparation. For these, every host needs to know a few tasty appetizers you can throw together in less than 20 minutes.


Tilapia, the New Fish in Town
Editor Alert: Includes recipes
The next time you visit a restaurant or grocery store, you’re likely to notice a new seafood addition. Tilapia, a broadly appealing, mild-tasting white fish, is rapidly gaining in popularity across the country.


Make Holiday Baking Extra Sweet This Season
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
According to a Baker’s Joy Homemade Holiday survey, more than 75 percent of Americans are planning to bake more this year compared to years past. Before you break out the sugar and cookie sheets, take a look at these baking and storage tips.


Concentrate on Grocery Store Savings
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Take a look at your supermarket bill. Chances are it is higher than it used to be. Prices are on the rise and that’s forcing budget-conscious consumers to look for affordable ways to enjoy their favorite foods and beverages.


Get a Head Start on Healthy After-School Living
Editor Alert: recipe included.
While what children eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner are extremely important for a child’s health, snacking also plays an important role. Developing healthy snacking habits early on may have more of an impact on a child’s overall health than most people realize. Here are some tips to consider.


The Key Ingredient for Healthy Holiday Meals
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
One of the most memorable things about the holiday season is all the delicious food that goes with it. This holiday season, show your guests how much you care about them by offering dishes that are good for them as well as tasty.


Get Control of Your Snack Attack with Grains
Editor Alert: Includes Recipes
We all know the feeling. That mid-morning grumble or the 3 o’ clock slump, when lunch is a distant memory and dinner is hours away. When a snack attack hits at the office or the kids are clamoring for an after school pick-me-up, where do you turn? Here are some healthy ideas.


"Smarter" Grapes: America’s Best Kept Health Secret
It’s amazing: With all the advances of modern medicine, doctors and nutritionists still find that natural remedies may be the best way to help fight and even prevent disease.


Frightfully Fun Halloween Décor Ideas
Any kid who’s ever jumped out from behind a bush to surprise a friend can tell you giving -- and getting -- a good scare can be great fun. Modern Halloween has become a uniquely American homage to our love for a good, clean fright. Decorations have gone far beyond cardboard skeletons and hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Now there’s something for every boy and ghoul -- from the serious collector to the casually creepy.


Listen Up Ladies -- Here’s How to Keep Your Heart Healthy
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Heart disease, the number one cause of death in women, is also the single most preventable cause of death, and lifestyle factors play a key role. Here's what you can do to reduce your risk.


Fun: The Secret Ingredient for Getting Kids to Eat Well
From friendly clown spokesmen to colorful grab-and-go convenience, fast food has a lot of appeal for kids. Is it any wonder, then, that nearly a third of all American children are overweight and 15 percent outright obese? Increasingly, health advocates, nutritionists and smart parents are fighting fire with fire by presenting healthy foods in ways that children will find fun and appealing.


Award Winning Chef Offers Grilling Tips for the Perfect Burger
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
With football season upon us, tailgating is top of mind for sports enthusiasts across the country. Fortunately, it is possible to grill up the perfect burger before kickoff. Here's how to do it.


Tomato Guru Shares Tips for Picking the Best of the Crop
Tomato season is a celebrated but fleeting time of year. For several months each year local produce stands pop up on roadsides and in parking lots, an opportunity for many areas of the country to show off their best locally grown in-season fruits and veggies. Here are some tips on how to get the best tomatoes.


Yes, You Can Eat Right Tonight
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Farmed catfish is so easy to cook, there’s no need to fear cooking catfish at home -- grilled, broiled, sautéed or baked, it is difficult to overcook so count on it being tender and moist every time. Try this family-pleasing quick and easy Pecan-Crusted Catfish tonight.


Entertain with Confidence: Make Sure You'll Never Run Out of Gas Again
You wouldn’t dream of hitting the road without a gauge that tells you how much gas you have left in your car, and you shouldn't grill without one either. The GasWatch indicator is a must-have gadget for everyone who entertains.


Winning Teen Chef Shares Secrets for Snacking Healthy
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Like any teenager when they get home from a long day at school, Amanda Nunez is plenty hungry, but as the winner of The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef competition, not just any average after school snack will do.


Summer Cooking Tips from Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
World famous chef Curtis Stone, star of the hit TLC show “Take Home Chef,” knows that each season is unique. With all the bounty of the summer season, cooks take advantage of the available produce to experiment with lighter fare and all the fresh vegetables that are readily available.


Tailgating? Menu Ideas that are Fun and Healthy
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Food, fans and fun all go together during the big game. When you get together with your favorite sports enthusiasts, it’s likely you’ll be surrounded by traditional tailgating fare which is often unhealthy. Here are some helpful tips for both the host and guest for a healthier tailgating experience.


Send Your Kids to School with Pencils, Notebooks and Nutritious Meals and Snacks
Now that kids are settled back in school, moms can get excited about the increased structure in their childrens’ lives, the numerous art projects that come home as gifts and about their lunchtime eating habits.


Bringing Back the Family Dinner
As Halloween decorations hit the stores, calendars fill up with school activities and class parties. In between running to the store to buy ingredients for the class treats and finding the perfect costumes, it can be tough to spend time with the whole family. Gathering at the dinner table can benefit more than kids’ stomachs. Here's why.


Fall Bonding at the Grill
Editor Alert: Includes Recipe
Sara Lee Chef and busy mother Jill Houk understands the importance of finding a simple and delicious dinner that involves the entire family. Her solution: the grill. Often solely associated with summer months, fall grilling allows families to capitalize on the time they have together creating an enjoyable and collaborative cooking experience.


Drink Up the Thirst-Quenching Facts About Your Favorite Beverages
Summer is over and we're all resuming our busy schedules. As we race through our jam-packed days, it's even more important to make sure we are drinking enough fluids to maintain our energy and our good health. But with so many choices and so much news swirling around about what’s safe and what’s healthy, choosing the right beverages for you and your family can seem complicated.


Lighter Wheat Beer Offers Distinctive Craft Beer Taste with Diversity that People Crave
When it comes to gathering with friends and family, craft beers are becoming a prominent guest. Craft beer has enjoyed double digit growth over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. Leinenkugel’s offers these tips for enjoying wheat beers.


Diet Foods Demystified: Add More Nutritional Punch to Eight Popular Diet Tactics
From salads and yogurts to cereals and sodas, grocery store shelves are lined with a myriad of products to help a person maintain and lose weight, control cravings and add vitamins and nutrients. But are all of these products healthy?


Are You Eating Enough Whole Foods?
Soaring numbers of people with Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease are convincing us that it’s time to start eating healthier. Now the push is on to raise awareness about the benefits of whole foods, which include fruits, vegetables and grains that have had little to no processing. They are so good for you, the U.S.D.A. recommends Americans consume at least 12 servings of whole foods every day.


Time-saving Cooking Tips for Healthy and Delicious Meals
Our cooking habits have become rushed and as a result, our food and diets suffer. Whether it’s quickly running to the nearest fast food restaurant or casually throwing something in the oven, dinner is now viewed as more of a chore than a time to catch up with family and enjoy a delicious meal. Here are some healthy and time-saving ideas to help you enjoy great food in less time than you think...


Take the Chill Out of Buying a New Refrigerator
Buying a refrigerator can be a chilling experience. When you think about it, it is a pretty big investment of time, money and effort. With so many brands and features to choose from, selecting the right appliance can be daunting. You can make it a more pleasant venture by getting educated about the variety of options before visiting your local appliance retailer.


Bring Out the Silver and Add Class to Your Holiday Party
Whatever happened to the silver table service items you received for your wedding? The silver bowls, platters, serviceware and flatware are probably sitting in the china cabinet becoming tarnished because who has time to polish silver? And no one actually uses them, do they?


Technology that Opens Up Your Entertainment World
Shortly after good old Alex Bell first transmitted the human voice, people realized the entertainment value of new technology. In a historical blink of an eye, technology, ever evolving and improving, became an integral part of our leisure life.


Sorting Through the Sweetener Scene
With all the information -- and misinformation -- about sweeteners in the news and online, it’s very possible that you are one of many Americans who is confused about which ones are the healthiest to use.