Five ways to enhance entertaining with a California cheese course
(ARA) - Whether it's preparing for a holiday gathering, watching the big game or planning a dinner party with friends and family, it can be difficult to decide what food to serve. A cheese course is a simple, elegant solution that also saves much-needed kitchen prep time.
Sunday, December 11, 2011 6:00 PM CSTThe secret ingredient to unforgettable holiday get-togethers
As holidays line up and families draw together, the age-old question is how to make these special gatherings unforgettable for all. The answer is so simple, we often don't realize how truly powerful it is: food.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 6:00 PM CST
Dinner club tips: Mussel up your menu
(ARA) - Dinner clubs have been a popular activity for many Americans for decades. And why not? Combining the best of fabulous food and good friends with whom to share it, dinner clubs (or supper clubs as they are sometimes known) provide a regular opportunity for group members to get together and enjoy delicious meals together.
Monday, October 24, 2011 7:00 PM CDTFive ways to make entertaining easy
(ARA) - Whether hosting a special meal for the family or an open house for the neighborhood, entertaining can be stressful.
Sunday, November 6, 2011 6:00 PM CSTChic holiday entertaining for less
(ARA) - A beautiful holiday table can be the centerpiece of any celebration. However, many hostesses are discouraged by the idea and potential cost of fancy linens, expensive serving ware and a perfect centerpiece.
Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:00 PM CSTImpress your guests with holiday etiquette 101
(ARA) - You've spent the entire day in the kitchen cooking the perfect holiday meal. But it's an hour before your guests arrive and you find yourself standing in front of the table listening to that little nagging voice inside your head.
Thursday, October 13, 2011 7:00 PM CDTTry adding a twist to your holiday staples this year
(ARA) - We look forward to the holidays for many reasons, and the food is often near the top of the list. But while traditional holiday dishes are a familiar comfort that everyone in the family can look forward to, there's no harm in adding a slight twist to your staples to give them a gourmet touch.
Monday, November 7, 2011 6:00 PM CSTDon't wait until the holidays to start planning your annual cookie exchange
(ARA) - 'Tis the season for delicious treats and festive gatherings. The fun of baking, sharing recipes and getting together for holiday parties, such as a cookie exchange, are what make the season extra special.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 6:00 PM CSTHoliday recipes with a twist
(ARA) - The invitations are arriving. Office parties, family parties, school parties and the list goes on; it's a sign the holiday season is fast approaching.
Monday, October 31, 2011 7:00 PM CDTOut-of-the-chocolate-box ideas for Valentine's Day treats
(ARA) - Valentine's Day usually brings to mind a box of chocolates for your sweetheart. As delicious as solid milk chocolate hearts and raspberry creams are, how about something a little different this year?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 6:00 PM CSTMake over your boring breakfast with these tempting turkey recipes
(ARA) - Are you starting off your day with a bagel and a coffee ... again? It's easy for a breakfast routine to quickly turn into a breakfast rut. People often sacrifice a well-rounded breakfast that helps fuel morning activities and stave off hunger for a quick breakfast loaded with refined carbohydrates and sugar.
Monday, January 16, 2012 6:00 PM CSTDon't miss a beat in 2012: Get the facts about fats and heart health
(ARA) - With heart disease the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's time to listen to your heart and get the right kinds of fats into your daily diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming polyunsaturated fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids, for heart health. But what are these "good fats" and how do you make them a part of your daily nutrition program?
Thursday, January 19, 2012 6:00 PM CSTSimple ways to make dinner at home a special night
(ARA) - Dining at home has many advantages, from saving money to affording family members more time together. But it's easy for those at-home meals to become routine and boring - unless you take some simple steps to make dinner time a special time for everyone.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 6:00 PM CSTHow to stay heartburn-free
(ARA) - For heartburn sufferers, rich food and drink at can be trouble. Contrary to its name, heartburn, which affects 60 million Americans at least once a month, has nothing to do with the heart. It's a digestive problem that is also called reflux esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when contents in the stomach flow back into the esophagus. This happens when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus does not close properly.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 6:00 PM CSTTips for easy, fun holiday entertaining
(ARA) - Entertaining friends and family during the holiday season is as customary as drinking eggnog and opening presents. These gatherings usually involve investigating new - and delicious - recipes, decorating the house to the hilt, building the perfect collection of holiday tunes to play and finding fun activities to keep everyone engaged throughout.
Thursday, October 13, 2011 7:00 PM CDTCreative ways to preserve family recipes and traditions
(ARA) - Whether families are around the corner or across the country, special memories and cherished traditions bring them together. From cooking favorite dishes to re-telling classic family stories, it's important to keep those traditions alive.
Monday, October 17, 2011 7:00 PM CDTHealthy holiday eating advice for people with diabetes
(ARA) - The holidays can be difficult for people watching their diet. For those with health issues such as diabetes, the dietary minefield of holiday temptations can be especially troublesome.
Monday, November 14, 2011 6:00 PM CSTFive ways to eat local throughout the year
(ARA) - Fall is a great time for enthusiasts of fresh and local food. Farmers' markets are overflowing with tasty produce at harvest time, and if you've worked long and hard on your home garden, it's time to reap the rewards. Fresh food is harder to come by once the last leaves fall and the frost sets in, but there are still a number of ways you can keep your commitment to eating locally alive year-round.
Sunday, November 6, 2011 6:00 PM CSTFive tricks for celebrating the holidays with smart and satisfying choices
(ARA) - Celebrating with friends and family over the holidays can lead to one too many glasses of eggnog and slices of pumpkin pie. But just because the holidays include decadent indulgences, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the celebrations and treats you love.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 6:00 PM CSTEscape boredom and add some fun to winter break
(ARA) - Winter break is upon us and students of all ages have cast aside their textbooks, pencils and laptops for several weeks of homework and classroom-free fun.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 6:00 PM CSTMore Americans looking to food as a source for everyday wellness
(ARA) - It was about 60 years ago that processed foods and fast-food outlets started to become mainstays of the American lifestyle. The fast-food culture that developed tended to view eating as an inconvenience, providing basic fuel for the day and not much else.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 6:00 PM CSTGut check: Digestive health tips from nutrition expert Keri Glassman
(ARA) - A new survey from The Dannon Company, conducted by StrategyOne, reveals that Americans are making health-conscious decisions about the foods they eat, with six in 10 saying they have made food purchases driven by health concerns. In particular, 43 percent say they have purchased a food to help their digestive system. "While this finding reveals a positive step for many Americans, it also means that more than half of us aren't paying close enough attention to our digestive health", said Dr. Miguel Freitas, Director of Health Affairs for Dannon.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:00 PM CSTGive a gift that goes beyond the ordinary
(ARA) - Are you looking for gift ideas this holiday season that are more than just a gift? How about enhancing a tasteful gift with culture and knowledge to enhance your loved one's stature?
Sunday, December 11, 2011 6:00 PM CSTHow to make your holiday event stand out
(ARA) - When you open your home to family and friends this holiday season, you want to give your guests the best impression possible. But, it's likely that you might not have everything that you need to accommodate your visitors.
Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:00 PM CSTWhat you need to cook like a pro at home
With the proliferation of shows like "Top Chef" where viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create restaurant-quality food, more and more people are becoming interested in raising their own skill level in the kitchen. Cooking better at home has many benefits, including saving money that you would otherwise spend dining out and the satisfaction you can take in creating a delicious meal of your own.
Monday, January 30, 2012 6:00 PM CSTA guide for festivities, family and food this holiday season
As you prepare to stock up for the busy holiday season, remember to put a case of the funnies at the top of your list to keep you going all season long. With 46 million parties planned this holiday season, preparation and a sense of humor are key. With a few simple steps you can make the most of your time with family and friends as you run the party gauntlet.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:00 PM CSTGot holiday leftovers? Tips for safely savoring foods a second time around
(ARA) - Sure the gifts, decorations and sparkly lights are all lovely elements of the holiday season. But let's be honest. For many of us, the holidays are all about the yummy foods that we don't get at any other time of year, like turkey, ham, green bean casserole, creamy mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cookies, and yes, even fruitcake.
Thursday, December 15, 2011 6:00 PM CSTFive tips to make snack time easier for moms and kids
What's the first thing kids are looking for when they get home from school? More times than not, it's a snack - and a recent survey shows that moms are more than happy to oblige their children; 90 percent of them think it's important to give their kids a snack between lunch and dinner. However, finding something that is easy to make and can be eaten on the go is also important. Here are a few tips for moms trying to find the perfect snack for the occasion:
Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:00 PM CSTGive an international flair to traditional holiday meals
As the holidays near, you may be wondering how to add a different touch to traditional recipes such as the tried-and-true turkey and those staple side dishes of green beans or mashed potatoes.
Thursday, December 8, 2011 6:00 PM CSTEasing the stress of hosting guests during the holiday season
(ARA) - Whether it's for the holidays or another big occasion, hosting people in your home can be both gratifying and stressful. It can be especially tricky when you're entertaining out of town guests for days at a time. By planning ahead, you can avoid some of the common pitfalls that can cause a gathering to go south in a hurry and ensure that both you and your guests have such a great time that everyone will be looking forward to the next get-together once it's all over.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 6:00 PM CST