Stop, look and listen your way into stress-free entertaining This year when you turn the pages on your calendar, have no fear. Holiday entertaining at home can be as easy as pie if you remember what your mother taught you when crossing the street: Stop. Look. And listen. The same lesson applies to entertaining.

Nutrients, fats, sugars and more - it's all on the food label To determine the freshness of a fruit or vegetable, a person might squeeze, smell or even sneak a taste at the grocery store. However, when it comes to packaged foods, many Americans find it difficult to evaluate the quality and nutritional value of food items sold in cans, plastic containers and paper boxes.

Wholesome cooking at home We all want to eat a nutritious diet that helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases and manage cholesterol levels. The same holds true for diabetics; in fact, many of the guidelines for a balanced diabetic diet are useful for anyone who wants to stick to a healthful diet.

Save time and start the school day right Now that the kids are back in school, it means busy mornings for both parents and kids alike. No matter how chaotic the morning routine may be, it's important to have a nutritious breakfast to help start the day off right. A little planning ahead can make mornings (and breakfast) quick and easy.

Explore new flavors in recipes this holiday Holiday tunes on the radio, mistletoe hanging in strategic locations and the scent of pine lingering in the air - it's the perfect time to get into the kitchen and discover some new cooking flavors that will keep your taste buds happy and give your house a warm, yummy smell.

Kitchen kids' favorite ingredient: Wisconsin cheese Get your kids cooking in the kitchen with a simple recipe. Start with safety. Then, add an interest in learning. Sprinkle a few simple kitchen skills. And finally, mix in great tasting ingredients, including Wisconsin cheese.

Expert tips to take the stress out of holiday entertaining With the holidays quickly approaching, you can make a stress-free holiday meal with some handy tips from celebrity chef and expert entertainer Cat Cora, the first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's Iron Chef America.

Blueberries add flavorful flair to salads A colorful side salad can round out a meal. A bountiful salad can be the meal! Any time of year, salads are a great way to get your fruits and vegetables and, with a little creativity, you can make great-tasting salads your family will enjoy every day.

Easy meals for under $10 get you back into fall routines With the departure of summer barbecues and the approach of the busy holiday season, more than one family will rethink that familiar question ... "What's for dinner?"

Salt central to a healthy Mediterranean diet In the diet craze that has captured our attention over the last four decades, the one plan that stands out from the rest is the Mediterranean Diet. Since the Mediterranean embraces more than 20 countries, each with its own cuisine, the diet is really a fusion of the many foods consumed by the nations bordering the sea.

Love panini? Top chef's tips for making grilled sandwiches at home Gourmet panini is still a hot trend and many people look to duplicate the bold flavors of restaurant-grilled sandwiches in the comfort of their own homes. While there are countless ways to create a warm delicious panino or grilled sandwich, natural cheese serves as the common thread throughout most recipes.

Great tasting plum juice as effective as fiber supplements in aiding digestive health, study shows Most people know that fiber aids in digestion and general health, but many are unsure what foods are high in fiber to add to their diet, or they dislike the taste of chalky fiber supplements. Plums are clinically proven to help regulate digestion through providing a natural boost of fiber, potassium and magnesium.

5 top diet dilemmas solved If you're trying to lose weight, it's likely that you've heard or read about foods and behaviors that will derail your diet efforts. Whether it's a chat with your friend or a blog on the Web, dieters face dilemmas about what are the best and worst choices when trying to cut calories and trim the waist. Instead of listening to gossip, take the advice of a registered dietician who can help you solve the five top diet dilemmas.

Eat healthy - even while on the go Busy schedules and holiday activities can keep you on the run, making it hard to eat healthy at this time of year. There are times when you miss a meal and over-indulge at a later hour, but with a little snack preparation, you can stay on schedule and on track with healthful eating habits.

How to cook like a TV chef The sauteed John Dory with fennel confit you had at that fancy restaurant may have been fabulous, but you think you could never recreate it at home, right? While cooking may be an art, it's not magic. With a few tips, the right tools and a few "insider" techniques, you can cook like the celebrity chefs you see on TV.

Dried fruit and prune juice add flavor and depth to holiday stuffing Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, one thing's for sure - no holiday meal is complete without it. Sometimes savory, often sweet, but always delicious, stuffing is one of the most anticipated dishes on the holiday table. Here are some exciting secret ingredients.

New Year's resolution: Change the world a forkful at a time Do you have high ambitions for 2010 to get healthier, eat better and, oh yes, change the world, all at the same time? It's actually possible - if you resolve to eat Fair Trade certified foods at every opportunity. By choosing Fair Trade foods, you can help improve the lot of workers in developing countries ... one forkful at a time.

Fresh citrus makes cooking come alive Has your snacking and cooking become boring? It's easy to fall into a flavorless rut. If this sounds like you, take note from top chefs and health enthusiasts alike and look to citrus for the flavors and nutrients we love.

Liven up holiday cocktails with coffee 'Tis the season for holiday entertaining - the time of year when friends and family gather to indulge in good food, good times, laughter and holiday cheer. When it comes to celebrating with festive drinks, use your imagination in the kitchen and incorporate ingredients that your guests won't expect, like coffee.

Saying 'happy birthday' with a little creativity Parents can spend a small fortune to celebrate their little one's big day, but taking a more original -- and less costly -- approach can result in even more success. Here are some ideas for throwing a great children's party at an affordable price.

Fun ways to create lasting family traditions Whether you're a family of two or 10, there is no time like the present to create lasting family traditions. Like families, traditions come in many forms -- from cooking to storytelling -- and making new memories is easy and fun. Here are a variety of creative ways to get started.

After-school health 101 Kids need more than new notebooks and pencils to thrive at school. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine plays an important role in ensuring a successful school year, too.

Fruit: The secret weapon in parents' nutritional arsenal Parents, let's face it -- the average child will never really fall in love with Brussels sprouts, broccoli or cauliflower. But few kids object to fruit, making it easier to help children tap into its wealth of health benefits. Here are some helpful tips for getting your kids to enjoy healthy fruit options.

A peanut butter sandwich could help a creative kid chef pay for college With back-to-school season right around the corner, there's no better way to spend time with your kids and encourage them to use their imagination than to create something with them in the kitchen.

Turn your holiday feast fears to cheers It's now in plain view on the calendar: the holiday season - time to prepare for feasts, families and friends. Happy times indeed, although too many feel, with the economic strain and worry, that it's their goose that will be cooked while trying to keep spending in check this winter. Keep these few tips in mind as you cook up your meals and plans for entertaining.

Holiday decor trends feature rustic charm with homespun elegance The air is crisp, colors have changed and cozy sweaters have re-emerged into your wardrobe's rotation. The holidays are on the way, and the season's natural beauty shines radiantly to warm the heart and inspire fresh crafting ideas. Here are the top trends for holiday season 2009.

Tips to reduce the sodium in your diet without losing the taste Heart failure, high blood pressure and many other common health conditions all have one thing in common - reducing the amount of sodium in your diet. But the problem is that salt is everywhere in foods, even if you personally don't add it to anything served. There are ways to reduce this ingredient so you can follow your doctor's orders.

How to make the most of your fall harvest As fall harvest season begins, many gardeners find themselves with bushels of tomatoes, baskets of cucumbers and armfuls of lettuce. So when your garden is overflowing with produce, how do you make the most of your harvest?

Recipe makeover: make family favorites healthier Many favorite comfort foods are chock-full of fat and calories. But a few simple tweaks can transform familiar favorites into delicious and nutritious meals your family will ask for time and time again.

Easy tips for throwing a fun and safe holiday party Whether you're planning a small, intimate gathering or throwing a large-scale get-together, these entertaining tips will help keep the holidays happy and safe for all of your party guests.

You say you want a resolution . . . here's one for healthier food habits All the gravy has been ladled. The cookies have crumbled. The red and green candies are on the clearance rack. That can only mean one thing: people all over the country are resolving to eat better, if not less often. The start of the New Year - and with it, a new decade - means that consumers are focusing on their resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle for themselves, their loved ones, and, for that matter, the planet.

Unlock your pantry's potential with online meal planning tools The Internet is full of recommendations for inspirational meals, suggestions for planning dinners in advance, or tips on everything from organizing and sharing recipes to calculating ingredient quantities. Here are some places to get started, even if it's 5 p.m. and everyone's asking, "What's for dinner?"

Become the ultimate cookie exchange host Cookie exchange parties are a holiday tradition that provides a fun-filled reason for friends and family to enjoy each other's company and fill up their holiday cookie trays.

Simple tips for elegant holiday hosting 'Tis the season to spend quality time gathered with family and friends at festive celebrations and holiday parties. However, don't let the stress of hosting a holiday party overwhelm you - it's easier than you think to plan an elegant celebration that is sure to impress friends, family and coworkers.

Food: Your best route to better health Americans are giving a clear indication that one way they can improve their health and reduce the risk of disease is through food.

Dazzle your guests with holiday etiquette tips 101 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.

No more excuses: Quick tips to make family dinners work As SPF numbers give way to arithmetic and time spent building sand castles is now dedicated to proper sentence construction, school has surely started again. Despite the fact that family life tends to be busier, there is still hope for parents looking to spend a little quality time with the kids. It's called dinnertime and families everywhere can make it work for them.

Wine is a gift of flavor, knowledge Is there a person on your holiday gift list who has always wanted to become a little more cultured about wine? Perhaps he or she has attended several wine tasting events to sample different styles - just to pique his or her interest even more.

Candy crafts - a sweet way to spend family time With school in session, weekends become the best opportunity for quality time with your kids. Whether you're taking your family to the park or spending a day around the house, you can easily fill the time by planning several simple, budget-friendly, do-it-yourself activities. Ideal for indoor or outdoor time, these activities go a long way in creating memories without doing a number on your budget.

Resolve tough holiday stains with expert tips According to a recent survey of 50 top parenting, style and entertaining bloggers, 94 percent plan to entertain this holiday season. Decorating the house with seasonal decor and linens is part of the holiday tradition for many families. However, more than 84 percent of hosts anticipate they'll have to throw away linens following the celebration. Here are some tips to help you fight holiday stains.

Tips to add pizzazz to everyday cooking You are cooking more and more to save money these days, and it makes sense to assemble an assortment of basic herbs and spices. It's an easy, economical way to add fun to your cooking and flavor to your food. Whether you're reorganizing your cupboards in a flurry of cleaning or newly interested in the world of spices, it's a good time to freshen your spice rack and make sure you have the basics.

Generations draw together through family-published cookbooks Across the melting pot of America, families are self-publishing cookbooks that celebrate their family's unique culinary heritage. Generations come together to contribute recipes for favorite dishes rich in tradition, sentiment and cultural significance.

Making comfort food comforting to your waistline Comfort foods are familiar, simple foods that are usually home-cooked and are often emotionally significant and sometimes related to pleasant associations of childhood. However, when people think of comfort foods, they don't typically think of healthy foods. Comfort foods tend to be high in fat and calories, rather than vitamins and minerals. If you really want to make your recipes healthier, try simple modifications that won't change the end product drastically.

Comfort food season has arrived When temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, you know that comfort food season has arrived. And nothing is more heartwarming than bringing family and friends together for a traditional winter meal, evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia.

Moms, do something tasty and healthful - eat a pear With the kids back in school and the holidays a heartbeat away, this is a busy time for mothers everywhere. While you're busy taking care of the family and work, you might forget to take care of yourself. But this busy fall season, there's an easy and delicious way to do something good for your health - eat a pear.

Discover the great taste of whole grains For many, finding a simple way to get good nutrition without sacrificing taste can be a challenge - a daily dilemma between flavorful foods and products that promote a wholesome diet. Great solutions can easily be found thanks to the introduction of new better-for-you foods and beverages that are surprisingly delicious.

This year, show your holiday feast who's boss You've decked the halls. Sent out the cards. Now it's time to plan for the annual family feast that just happens to be at your house this year. The mere thought can send most chief celebration officers (aka holiday-stressed moms) into a tizzy.

How to make your New Year's resolution last Failed New Year's resolutions are a dime a dozen. That promise to go to the gym every day dwindles to three days a week, then two days a week, before falling into "whenever I can make it" territory. Diet and weight loss resolutions are among the most common, year after year, which says a lot about what kind of results people are getting from the promises they make to themselves.

Tips to make holiday cookie baking go smoothly It is the season to be making cookies. Whether they're for your family, a cookie exchange, treats for the office or a gift, cookies of all shapes, sizes, and flavors are always a hit.

The future of school lunch programs As students hit school cafeteria lunch lines this fall, members of Congress will discuss the future of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. School nutrition programs are facing a potential loss of $4.5 million per school day.

Prep the holiday meal quickly and save money If the holiday meal is at your house this year, you could completely stress out over the menu and ingredients, spending hours and plenty of money in an attempt to feed everyone the perfect holiday meal. Or, you could plan ahead, save a few dollars here and there, and enjoy the holiday.

Spruce up your holiday entertaining The upcoming holidays will not turn out the way Stephanie Andrews initially planned. The tight economy is forcing her to cancel her vacation to a sunny destination. But she's really not that disappointed. That's because Andrews is going to stay home and go all out decking the halls to create memories that she believes will end up being far more meaningful.

'Tis the season for holiday baking - it's better with butter Found in almost every pantry, butter's unique flavor, melting and cooking properties make it a great ingredient for cake and cookie recipes, frostings, candies and more.

Quick, easy and divine desserts to impress holiday guests The holidays are a time for gathering together with family and friends and enjoying delicious food. But when you are deciding what to serve or bring to your next celebration, don't feel that you have to toil away in the kitchen for hours or even break the budget to provide tasty treats for your guests.