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Cutting Grocery Costs without Cutting Nutrition

Simple, healthy, and affordable ways to weather the rising price of food

 

by Karen Collins, R.D., American Institute of Cancer Research

 

Grocery prices are projected to increase again in 2008 – that’s following 2007’s highest annual increase in 17 years. But surviving these tough economic times doesn’t have to mean sacrificing good nutrition. Some simple strategies can help you cut food costs and eat more healthfully, too.

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Nicholas is Kid of the Month

Biggest Loser Family Cookbook: Budget-Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love

by Devin Alexander, Melissa Roberson

As grocery costs continue to rise, many family cooks are finding themselves in a tough predicament: How can they feed their families healthy, satisfying meals without breaking the bank? In The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, New York Times best-selling author Devin Alexander shows families that eating on a budget can be easy, nutritious—and delicious! With more than 125 recipes that will satisfy every member of the family, Chef Alexander provides complete, affordable options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with mix-and-match side dishes, healthy snacks, and desserts. From Broccoli & Cheddar Frittatas to Steak Fajita Quesadillas, Family Sized Meatball Parmesan to Peanut Butter Fudge Sundaes, these wholesome, satisfying dishes will become an essential part of every family cook’s repertoire. In addition to an overview of the Biggest Loser eating plan and Chef Alexander’s recipes, readers will find helpful cooking and cost-saving tips from favorite Biggest Loser contestants and online club members. They will also find simple ways to get kids involved in the kitchen and fun ideas for family.

 

10 Tips for Improving Your Family's Eating Habits

With today’s busy lifestyles, families don’t always eat as healthfully as we would like. But by practicing healthy eating habits at home, you can make it easier for your family to eat right. Try these 10 tips designed to encourage healthy eating habits:


Be a good food role model. Telling children to eat nutritious foods is one thing — showing them is better. If you offer nutritious foods regularly — and if they see you eating them — your children likely will learn to like them.

Serve a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. In addition to bananas and apples, try something new like kiwi or papaya. Add vegetables to stir fries or casseroles.

Schedule a snack time and stick to it. Space snacks at least two to three hours before a meal.

Involve kids in meal planning and preparation. Children often will eat foods they help plan and prepare.

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Consumer: food and drink news
 

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Cook Book Reviews

It's tough to run a household, do errands and look after children on a daily basis. On top of it all, we have to cook! Well, we'll try to make it a little easier with some quick and easy recipes and tips that will save you some kitchen time and frustration in the future. If we could only get our kids to wash the dishes every day and our friends and relatives to stop setting up blind dates, then we REALLY would have more time and less frustration!!

The Sneaky Chef Book

 

by Missy Chase Lapine
author of The Sneaky Chef

Missy Chase Lapine is the author of The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals (Running Press, March 2007). She is the former publisher of Eating Well magazine and the founder of a natural baby product line Baby Spa®. Missy is currently on the Culinary Arts faculty of The New School, in New York City, and operates The Sneaky Chef workshops, which is a program of cooking classes and demonstrations that teach families how to eat healthier. She is a contributor to Parenting Magazine, Ediets.com, and Education.com, and available to individuals, groups and businesses for private cooking instruction, workshops and personal coaching in The Sneaky Chef methods and recipes. Missy lives with her family in Westchester, New York. For more information visit www.TheSneakyChef.com.

 

Recipes:

 

Breakfast Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Corn Muffins

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Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet Book

 

recipes by Peter H. Gott, MD
Author of Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar

Peter H. Gott, MD - Peter H. Gott, MD, is the author of the nationally syndicated newspaper column ''Ask Dr. Gott." His articles have appeared in USA Today, the New England Journal of Medicine, Saturday Review, and other publications. He has a general practice in rural Connecticut. Visit www.hbgusa.com for more information.

 

Recipes:

 

Coconut Pecan Granola

Basic Crepes

Chipotle Tomato and Corn Bisque

Thai-Style Shrimp in Coconut Milk

Strawberry Crepes with Dark Chocolate Sauce

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Complete Party Planner

 

by Annabel Karmel
Author of Complete Party Planner & SuperFoods For Babies and Children

Everyone loves a good party, but all of the planning and preparations can dampen the fun for even the most enthusiastic host. With her new book, the Complete Party Planner: Over 120 Delicious Recipes and Party Ideas for Every Occasion, Annabel Karmel comes to the rescue. A beloved bestselling author, British television personality, and party-planning guru, Karmel shares her time saving tips, kid-approved recipes, creative activity ideas, and unusual twists guaranteed to make every party an unforgettable celebration. From birthdays to holidays, this ultimate party reference will inspire families to make every festive occasion extra special. While Annabel Karmel's recipes are unbeatable, what makes this book so special is the multitude of tips and ideas for what to do once the guests have arrived. Complete with creative suggestions for venues, theme parties, crafty invitations, easy-to-assemble goodie bags, and loads of indoor and outdoor games which are fun, inexpensive and easy to plan, Annabel Karmel's Complete Party Planner is a book that parents will turn time and time again. Complete with a party countdown timeline to help parents stay organized and beautifully illustrated with mouth-watering photographs and recipes. Annabel Karmel's Complete Party Planner is full of creative ideas and easy to follow step-by-step instructions to host the perfect party for any occasion.

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Crepes, Waffles & Pancakes! Cookbook

 

by Kathryn Hawkins

Most readers won't need to be convinced that sweet crepes, waffles and pancakes are delicious for breakfast or dessert, but this collection of recipes also makes a compelling argument for savory versions of these batter-based delights. The book begins with a brief history of pancakes around the world, and continues with an overview of the basics (add extra eggs and melted butter to pancake batter to make crepes, and a rising agent to make waffles), including variations on the main ingredients—flour, a liquid (usually milk), eggs—and how readers can change the taste by varying the type of flour (e.g., buckwheat, chickpea, gluten–free, etc.). Divided into breakfast, main meals (which encompass lunches and dinners), desserts, snacks and accompaniments, the recipes range from hearty (Breakfast Waffle Sandwich) to sweet (Oatmeal Pancakes with Raspberries) and salty sweet (Deep-Pan Bacon and Apple Pancakes). Hawkins, a cookbook author from Scotland, also offers such unusual fare as Chicken and Mushroom Pancake "Pasta" (where the pancakes, which are made from buckwheat batter, are sliced into thin strips). Color photos.

 

Recipes:

 

Lemon and sultana buttermilk pancakes

Spicy crab salad crepes

Wild rice pancakes with chicken

Lemon meringue waffles

Basic waffle batter

Sausage and bacon popovers

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Hors d’Oeuvres for a Crowd - For 10 guests

by Arthur Agatson, M.D.
Author of The South Beach Diet Parties And Holidays Cookbook

Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family And Friends. The oversized soft cover book features 150 healthy recipes. It begins with a chapter on preparing for your special time. This chapter explains simple techniques to make your occasion go smoothly. The book is divided into 2 sections. The first section covers festive parties. 10 parties ranging from a Super Bowl Bash to a Baby Shower to a Tuscan Feast. The second section includes Holidays throughout the year Mother's Day, Christmas Eve, and Valentine's Day for example. Each occasion includes a complete menu. The Family Buffet party menu includes such fare as dogs n' dips, asparagus and ham spears, baked chicken with artichokes, south beach waldorf salad, penne with homemade sauce and banana orange pops. Each menu includes when to start preparing. For the Family Buffet, it is suggested you make and freeze your pasta sauce up to a month ahead, make and freeze the pops up to 5 days in advance etc. The 242 page book also includes a conversion chart at the back and mouth watering photos of the different recipes. Each recipe gives prep time, ingredients, tips, and nutrition information calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbs and fiber. Make ahead info is also given which is a handy feature. The recipes in the book can also be used as regular meal fare and if you are on the program, phase 1, 2 or 3 is listed for each recipe. They are easy to prepare with easy of find ingredients. Lot's of great recipes here! Delicious and nutritious!

 

Menu:

 

Smoked Trout Salad in Cherry Tomato Cups

Spicy Citrus Shrimp

Deviled Eggs

Salmon Mousse

Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

Sweet Potato-Feta Rounds

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Cannoli Tartlets

Raspberry-Ginger Fizzes

read more...

Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook

 

by Phyllis Pellman Good

Meet the Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook, an irresistible collection of All-Purpose, Welcome-Home Recipes. Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook offers choice recipes for stove-top and oven cooking. Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook! is a "cousin" of the extraordinarily popular Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook. Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook!k is by New York Times bestselling author Phyllis Pellman Good, lead author of the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook series (more than 6.5 million copies already sold!) This book brings you delicious food for everyday that is easy to prepare; recipes which use ingredients that are already in most cooks’ cupboards; recipes which are not intimidating; the skills they require are simple and basic; nutritional food which your family and friends of all ages will heartily enjoy! This wonderful collection is packed with more than 800 recipes. Each includes the amount of Prep Time and Cooking Time needed. Each includes clear, step-by-step procedures for making the dish. Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook delivers recipes that are easy and pleasing -- for the cook -- and all who gather around the table. This is good everyday food! Persons who have loved the Fix-It and Forget-It slow cooker series will also love the all-purpose Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook!.

 

Recipes:

 

Tuscan-Style Pork Ribs with Balsamic Glaze

Curried Chicken Pitas

Black Bean and Butternut Burritos

Grilled Peach Melba

Yam fries

Linguine Salad with Peanut Sauce

read more...

The United States of Arugula: How We Became a Gourmet Nation

by David Kamp

One day we woke up and realized that our “macaroni” had become “pasta,” that our Wonder Bread had been replaced by organic whole wheat, that sushi was fast food, and that our tomatoes were heirlooms. How did all this happen, and who made it happen? The United States of Arugula is the rollicking, revealing chronicle of how gourmet eating in America went from obscure to pervasive, thanks to the contributions of some outsized, opinionated iconoclasts who couldn’t abide the status quo. Vanity Fair writer David Kamp chronicles this amazing transformation, from the overcooked vegetables and scary gelatin salads of yore to our current heyday of free-range chickens, extra-virgin olive oil, Iron Chef, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and that breed of human known as the “foodie.” A rich, frequently uproarious stew of culinary innovation, flavor revelations, balsamic pretensions, taste-making luminaries, food politics, and kitchen confidences, The United States of Arugula is the remarkable history of the cultural success story of our era.

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Grill Cooking Recipes

 

by Pippa Cuthbert & Lindsay Cameron Wilson

The new recipe book Grill! by experienced food writers Pippa Cuthbert and Lindsay Cameron Wilson. This book contains over 80 recipes and teaches readers how to achieve perfectly cooked food on the grill and in the grill pan. We are featuring these six wonderful recipes from the book for you this month.

 

Recipes:

 

Caramelized lamb chops

Blackened halibut

Sirloin with chimichurri marinade

Shrimp and chorizo skewers

Grilled sweet potato and mango salad

Angel food cake with chocolate cream

read more...

Eat Right for Your Metabolism

by Felicia Drury Kliment

Lose weight and prevent disease - without dieting! You’ve tried low-fat, low-carb, and high protein diets, but you can’t seem to keep the weight off. Why? As nutritionist Felicia Drury Kliment explains, all digestive metabolisms are not the same, and your friend’s diet miracle could be your diet disaster. The fact is, when you eat right for your metabolism, your body automatically regulates your food intake. We're introducing the new book Eat Right for Your Metabolism by Felicia Drury Kliment, acclaimed author and nutritional consultant. Kliment believes that all digestive metabolisms are not the same and metabolic type must be taken into account when creating a diet plan. Her book teaches readers about the three basic metabolic types -- meat-eater, grain-eater, and omnivore and how to customize an eating plan for each type.

 

Recipes:

 

Salmon Filet with Mango Cilantro Salsa

Chicken Corn Chowder

Roasted Vegetables

White Bean and Kale Salad

read more...

 

Join the SingleMom.com forums. Share your tips, resources and experience with other single moms

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9 Cash-Saving Tips That Pay Big Bucks

complaintsboard.com

The expression "a penny saved is a penny earned" doesn't cut it these days. But saving a few dollars here and there can add up...

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Try out these Thanksgiving recipes from tasteofhome

You May Have Too Much Debt But You Also Have Options

How Life Works

If you feel like you're in over your head with personal debt, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have become overextended, many as a result of easy credit and the recessions. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and raising interest rates do not make a good financial mix.

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Suze Orman's Recession Rescue Plan - helps you survive in times of financial crisis

OPRAH.com

Do you know what your family would do if you lost your job - or worse, your home? Financial expert Suze Orman is ready to help you devise a recession rescue plan to survive - and possibly thrive - during this deepening financial crisis...

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Could fat babies mean fat toddlers?

A new study from Harvard Medical School found that babies who gained weight quickly had a sharply higher risk of obesity. The study followed close to 600 babies and found those in the top quarter of weight for their length at 6 months had a 40 percent higher risk of obesity by age 3 than smaller babies.

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The 10-Ingredient Shopping Trip

By Tara Parker-Pope and Mark Bittman

... In his latest “How to Cook Everything” segment on the Today Show, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman makes it surprisingly easy to cook a week’s worth of dinners with just a 10-ingredient shopping trip.

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Finding last-minute tuition money

There's still time to find funds for this semester's college tuition. But you'll have to move quickly.

By Gerri Willis

It's only a couple of weeks or even days until school begins. And if you don't think you'll be able to get a handle on your college tuition bill, here with your guide to last minute money.

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Short-term Payday Loans

econ4u.org

...Which are more expensive, late fees or short-term loans?...
A short-term payday loan can be a better option than overdraft fees, reconnect fees, late payment fees or a damaged credit rating when the loan is repaid promptly. However, these loans are not suited for longer repayment periods... Being realistic about budgeting can help avoid the need for short-term borrowing.

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Your Just-in-Case Emergency Plan

by RealSimple

Who do you call if you can't make it home in time to meet the kids' bus? Who do you trust to take in your mail when you're on vacation? Who do you trust with the extra set of keys to your house?

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How to save $10,000 in 2009

By Liz Pulliam Weston

If you were hoping for a list of small tweaks you could make in your spending to save $10,000 a year, sorry. The reality is that $10,000 is a lot of money. And saving big money usually means making big changes in the areas where we spend the most, such as: Housing, Transportation, Food.

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The Super, Sexy, Single Mom on a Budget

by Renee Rayles

A quick reference guide designed for the busy, single mom who has

little time to read while running the mom taxi, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and trying to fit in a date night every now and then.



32 and Counting? Finding Your Happily Ever After Today

by Gi Gi

The author talks about the struggles a single mom goes through and the discovery that you can have HEAT (Happily Ever After Today) just as you are, being single, taking care of your kids...

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Single Mothers &
Male Role-Models / Mentors

Single mothers carry an enormous load of responsibility, especially those having sole and/or primary custody of minor children. They nourish, they nurture, they teach, they discipline, they shelter, they protect, and they provide… all without the assistance of another equally-invested adult.

read more...


Your 5-minute guide to protecting your identity

 

20 steps to protect yourself from identity theft, and seven ways to clean up things if you become a victim.

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TheOnlineMom.com offers parents and consumers a guide to the top-rated, age-appropriate, kid-tested and parent-approved tech toys and gifts.

read more...

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
by Jeff Kinney

For those wondering why tween boys don’t read very much, the answer is that more books aren’t like this...

read more...

 

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Ice Cream Tips

Make the easiest dessert even simpler

 

Scoop in advance for a crowd. To serve ice cream quickly and in well-shaped spheres, scoop it up to several hours before needed, place balls evenly on a wax-paper lined sheet, cover with plastic wrap and store in the freezer until needed.

 

Soften for easy scooping. If the ice cream is too hard for easy scooping, defrost it in the fridge for about 15 minutes or pop it in the microwave for about a minute, then give it a couple more minutes on the counter.

 

Treat ice cream with the coldness it deserves. When shopping, make the ice cream freezer your last stop. Bag the ice cream by itself or with other frozen items, go directly home and unpack and put in the freezer as soon as possible. In your home freezer, always store ice cream in the main section, not the door.

 

Be creative with serving dishes! Use juice glasses, coffee cups, colorful plastic wine glasses or even halved fresh fruit that's been scooped out. Freeze your serving pieces first to keepo the ice cream firmer.

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Angie's Money-Saving Tips

 

by Angie Ketterman

Tough, fatty cuts of meat are best for slow cooking. Buy inexpensive cuts like pork butt, pork spare ribs, beef short ribs and beef shoulder.

 

Leftovers can do double-duty — use pork butt in pulled pork sandwiches or shred short ribs to serve with rice and beans.

Tortillas are a great way to use up leftovers — you can put anything into them.

 

Potatoes are inexpensive and make soups and stews more filling. You can also try pasta, beans or grains.

Homemade soups cost a fraction of the canned version and are usually healthier. Freeze extra in single-serving portions for quick lunches.

Buy extra sweet corn at the farm stand, cut kernels off the cob and freeze in plastic bags. It's great sautéed with butter or tossed in soups and stews.

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