Summer is here, and that means barbecues, get-togethers and outdoor parties with friends and family. With so many tempting treats, it can be hard to snack smartly, but some easy substitutions here and there can keep the whole family on track all summer long.
Seven tips for making your outdoor event a sizzling success
Warm weather and longer days mean people are spending more time outdoors. Why not use the beauty of nature to your advantage and choose to entertain outside this season? Between the grill, the bugs and the heat, entertaining outdoors can prove a tricky proposition, so follow these easy steps to ensure that this summer your outdoor entertaining efforts go off without a hitch.
Want to get kids into the kitchen? Start simple, encourage creativity
Experts agree that getting children involved with cooking has many benefits - from getting them to try new foods and learning about nutrition, to providing bonding time with other family members. No matter what age you begin introducing your child to culinary skills, keep in mind it's best to start simple and with foods that are already familiar to them.
Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Don't succumb to gift cards, baseball hats, and t-shirts. Instead, be creative and try a gift like a 1- to 12-month wine club gift or even wine-related accessory to round out your shopping, and the recipient will surely be impressed.
Achieve better health while fighting hunger in your local community
Surprisingly hunger and obesity can be linked. The same communities can suffer from both epidemics. There are nearly 2 billion overweight people in the world, while 1 billion people in the world are underfed, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United States.
You've heard the phrase, "As American as apple pie." While apples provide the fabric for some of our most basic, familiar and comfortable foods, they can be used in more versatile ways than you might have imagined. While you can't go wrong with staples like apple pie, caramel apples and apple fritters, there's plenty more to explore in the world of cooking with apples.
Simple, sophisticated snacks and drinks for summer
Summer is the season for entertaining, but there isn't any reason you have to slave away in a hot kitchen in order to throw a sophisticated summer party.
You scaled back the family summer vacation and expect to curtail spending on holiday gifts this year. Still, you would like to do something special for the holidays, even if your budget isn't as grand as it once was. Thanksgiving is one holiday when you can make a big splash without spending a lot of cash.
Simple tips to take the fear out of Halloween planning
Does it seem like the kids start talking about Halloween as soon as school starts again? Fun costumes, spooky decor and heaps of candy - no wonder kids love Halloween. And for adults, having a happy Halloween can help set an upbeat tone for all the end-of-year holidays. With that much love of the holiday floating around, it makes sense to seek out unique Halloween ideas before the big day arrives.
Did you know more babies are born in August than any other month of the year? According to data from the CDC, there is a "baby boom" from July to September -- meaning most women become pregnant during the cooler nine months prior. For all moms who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, it's important to have a healthy diet of nutrient-rich foods. By following clear advice from health experts, moms-to-be can ensure their health and boost their baby's growth.
