Become a produce professional: healthy eats from farm to family Local. That's the buzzword when it comes to healthy eats these days. From the farm to the city, locally grown goods are keeping menus fresh and food lovers satisfied. This trend is on the rise in hot-spot restaurants around the nation and now it's never been easier to make fresh, culinary magic happen in your own home. H...
Holiday party in minutes: Three gourmet cheese plate pairings guaranteed to impress Whether you're gathering with friends, colleagues or family this holiday season, entertaining with appetizers is the perfect way to have fun without the stress of creating a multi-course meal. And when the question of what to serve arises and you need an easy-yet-impressive solution, cheese plates are an ideal way to bri...
Stress-free holiday gatherings Entertaining during the busy holiday season can vary from one extreme - like Halloween with grab-and-go snacks - to another - like Thanksgiving with a sit down formal dinner. And there's a good chance your family will be very busy hosting parties and gatherings well into 2013 with New Year's and the big football games.
Tips for elevating the traditional holiday meal If preparing the holiday feast falls upon you, the pressure is on to get it just right. Whether you're faithfully replicating treasured family recipes, or want to put a new creative spin on seasonal culinary customs, achieving success with the food you offer can define a happy holiday experience for all.
Green living project: Revamp your kitchen pantry to avoid waste and save money For a basic green living project with benefits to your wallet and the environment, consider revamping the kitchen pantry. The cupboard is the starting point for most kitchen activity and is more than just a storage space. Develop good buying habits and build a strong foundation and you can avoid the waste of food and mon...
Prevent winter fun from becoming a DUI Many Americans associate drinking and driving with New Year's Eve. But throughout the cold-weather months, from holiday season office parties through snowmobiling season in January and February, to St. Patrick's Day in March, there are ample opportunities for even cautious drivers to let their guard down when it comes dr...
Savory fall dishes enhanced with grapes Beautiful fall vegetables are in season now and make for wonderful dishes that will have your family members saying "yum." In addition to the traditional fall flavors of produce like squash and cauliflower, California grapes are also in season, having one of the longest, "just-picked" seasons among North American fruits,...
Keeping breakfast part of the morning routine Fitting breakfast into your kids' morning routine can be a struggle, especially during the school week. Between nagging them to get out of bed and preparing their book bags for school, breakfast is often put at the bottom of the morning to-do list. Here are a few tips for winning the "breakfast struggle."
A phenomenal breakfast As parents and kids fall back into their daily routines, it's important to be as prepared as possible with new shoes, pencils, notebooks and more. But there's one more thing that's just as essential when it comes to achieving a successful day at school: breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
How to know if your fish dinner is good for the environment - and you Even if you're educated about sustainable vegetables and fruits, separating responsibly produced seafood from the school of available products can raise many questions. Here is a chef's guide for recognizing sustainably sourced seafood in your grocery store and when dining out.
The keys to early learning: good nutrition and good books Growing evidence from nutritionists and literacy experts suggests access to good nutrition and good books are the building blocks to early learning. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lack of enough nutritious food impairs a child's ability to concentrate and perform well in school. Children who have not de...
Four foods you don't need The average super market offers some 45,000 food products, most of which are packaged, processed and a poor choice for someone who wants to eat healthy - even when the package says otherwise with claims of being natural, whole grain and even organic.
