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Cocktail and Dinner Party Menus
There was a day when entertaining a crowd meant making an extra big pot of chile con carne or spaghetti sauce. And while that certainly remains a possibility...
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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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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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Consumer: food and drink news
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Single Moms - find here resources on financial aid, scholarships, help with basic needs, food, prescription drugs, health care, housing, legal info, and much more...
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By Tara Parker-Pope AND Mark Bittman
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... 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.
Mark assumes you’ve stocked your pantry with easy basics like spices, good
cooking oils and vinegars, long-keeping carbs like pasta, rice and udon noodles,
as well as soy sauce, garlic, lemon, butter and Parmesan cheese. With these
staples, you can just pick up a few fresh ingredients every now and then, and
“cook for days at a time,” Mark says.
Here’s a 10-ingredient shopping list that will give you five days of meals.
» 1. Chicken breasts (4 boneless)
» 2. Bacon (1/2 pound)
» 3. Shrimp (1 pound)
» 4. Spinach (1 pound)
» 5. Tomatoes (6)
» 6. Ginger
» 7. Onions
» 8. Asparagus (2 pounds)
» 9. Button mushrooms (1 pound)
» 10. Loaf of good country bread
Sound impossible? The ingredients can be easily combined, using oils, herbs and
spices, to create the following five meals:
• Stir-Fried Chicken With Asparagus
• B.S.T. (Bacon, Spinach, Tomato) Sandwiches
• Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Kebabs With
Vegetables
• Shrimp With Asparagus and Udon Noodles
• Pasta With Bacon, Spinach and Breadcrumbs
Top Online School Matching Service
Stir-Fried Chicken With Asparagus
Makes: 4 servings
Time: 30 minutes
• Rice from the pantry for steaming or boiling
• 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2
pound), cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks or thin slices and blotted dry
• 1 onion, halved and sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated or minced fresh ginger
• 1 pound asparagus, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
» 1. Cook the rice while you prepare the chicken and
vegetables.
» 2. Put a large, deep skillet over high heat. Add
half the oil, swirl it around, and when it’s hot, add the chicken. Stir once,
then let it sit for 1 minute to sear. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the
chicken has lost its pink color, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and lower
the heat to medium-high.
» 3. Put the remaining oil in the pan (it should heat
immediately) and add the onions, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds,
stirring, then add the asparagus. Raise the heat to high and cook, stirring
occasionally, until the asparagus scorches a little in places and just starts to
become tender, but not soft, about 2 minutes.
» 4. Turn the heat down to medium and return the
chicken to the pan, and toss once or twice. Add the sugar if you’re using it,
along with the soy sauce, and toss again. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and add
1/2 cup water. Raise the heat to high and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom
of the pan, until the liquid is reduced slightly and you’ve scraped up all the
crisp bits of chicken and vegetables. Serve over the rice.
The B.S.T. (Bacon, Spinach and Tomato) Sandwich
Makes: 4 sandwiches
Time: 30 minutes
• 1/4 pound bacon (about 8 slices)
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 8 slices good quality rustic bread, toasted
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 1 to 2 cups spinach, washed and trimmed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
» 1. Put the bacon in a skillet over medium heat and
cook, turning frequently, until desired crispness, about 6 to 8 minutes.
» 2. Spread the mayonnaise on the bread and layer the
bacon, tomatoes and spinach on top. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper
and top with another piece of bread to serve.
Chicken and Shrimp Kebabs With Vegetables
Make: 4 servings
Time: About 30 minutes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lemons: one juiced; one cut in wedges
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh marjoram or oregano leaves or 1
teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1 pound button mushrooms, trimmed but left whole
• 4 tomatoes, cored and quartered
• 2 onions, quartered
» 1. If you’re using wooden skewers (you’ll need at
least eight), soak them in warm water while you prepare the ingredients. Heat a
charcoal or gas grill or the broiler to moderate heat and put the rack about
four inches from the heat source.
» 2. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herb
and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a small bowl; taste and adjust the
seasoning. Marinate the chicken for a few minutes, an hour or even overnight.
Thread the ingredients on skewers, alternating as you like.
» 3. Broil or grill, turning once or twice, until the
chicken and shrimp are cooked through and the vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 8
minutes total (to check for doneness, cut into a piece with a thin-bladed knife;
the center should be opaque or still slightly pink). Serve with the lemon
wedges.
Shrimp With Asparagus and Udon Noodles
Makes: 4 servings
Time: 20 minutes
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and peeled
• 12 ounces udon noodles
• 2 to 3 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like
corn, canola or grapeseed
•; 1/2 pound peeled and chopped shrimp
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• Soy sauce, to taste
• Sesame oil, to taste (optional)
» 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt
it. Cook the asparagus until the thick parts of the stalk can just be pierced
with a knife, just a couple minutes. Remove with tongs and shock them in cold
water to stop the cooking process. Cut into 2-inch lengths, and set aside.
» 2. In the same pot of water, cook the noodles until
just tender but not at all mushy; drain, rinse and set aside.
» 3. Put the oil in a large skillet or wok, and turn
the heat to medium-high. A minute later, add the garlic and cook until just
fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring, until they turn
pink, 3 or 4 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the asparagus and noodles to
the shrimp and toss a few times to blend. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil
if using, taste and the adjust seasonings and serve hot or at room temperature.
Pasta With Bacon, Spinach and Breadcrumbs
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Time: 30 minutes
• 1/4 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 or 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and slivered
• 1 cup of homemade breadcrumbs (from the leftover
country loaf)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt
• Remaining spinach (about 3/4 pound), washed and
trimmed
• 1 pound spaghetti or other pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or more as
needed
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional
» 1. Put the bacon in a large skillet and cook over
medium heat until it begins to brown and renders fat. Remove with a slotted
spoon and set aside.
» 2. Add the garlic to the bacon fat, and cook,
stirring occasionally until just fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the breadcrumbs
and red pepper flakes, if using, and continue cooking and stirring until the
garlic is lightly crisp and the breadcrumbs are just golden. Remove the garlic
and breadcrumbs from the pan and set aside.
» 3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt
it. Cook the spinach until it’s soft, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the spinach
from the pan with a slotted spoon or small strainer, drain well, chop and set
aside. Using the same pot of boiling water, cook the pasta.
» 4. While the pasta cooks, add the oil to the
skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Add the drained spinach and toss well
with the oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When the spinach is warm add the
bacon, garlic and breadcrumbs back to the pan and mix well.
» 5. When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to
the skillet with the spinach, bacon, garlic and breadcrumbs; toss until well
combined. If the mixture is dry, drizzle with a bit of olive oil; adjust the
seasonings, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like.
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Utility Prices are Significant Expenses
by Randi Lynn Millward
I don't know about you, but my electric bill is sky-high. I've been running around the house unplugging everything in sight so as not to incur charges from my appliances using "phantom energy".
read more...
Because you are somebody special!
by Annette Bridges
Since my trip to Italy, my husband and I have enjoyed a delicious breakfast routine that often includes French toast, fresh fruit and a yummy cup of cappuccino.
read more...
Our Friendships
by Laurie Cesario-Overton
We all have those days when we get overwhelmed and it seems like every
time we turn around there is another problem.
read more...
3 Money Rules for Stay-at-Home Moms
As we all know, life is unpredictable. We lose jobs, get divorced and even become widowed...
Here are three steps stay-at-home parents should take to better manage their own and the family’s finances.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
Offer to barter
Dr. Marie - Advice for Pet Owners
A vetʼs office is a business that requires a lot of
services. In many cases your vet may be willing to
barter in exchange for veterinary services.
read more...
How to Find the Best Car Loans for Single Moms
Financial Advice for Single Moms
The best car loans for single mothers might be just around the corner at your local car lot.
read more...
Crystal Bowersox - A Single Mom And A Real American Idol
Read how the amazing Crystal Bowersox. the runner-up of American Idol Season 9, handles fame and life as a single mom, raising her 17 month old son.
read more...
5 Ways for Single Moms to Save Money
Single moms are always looking for ways to save money, and for good reason... It’s important to find ways to cut corners on the little things that perhaps you don’t think about too often, because those are usually where your biggest money drains are.
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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...
read more...
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?
read more...
How to save $10,000
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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...
Mom's Obesity Raises Newborn's Heart Risk
from the National Institute of Health
The more obese a woman is when she becomes pregnant, the greater the likelihood that her newborn baby will have a congenital heart defect, a new study suggests. The finding raises concerns because 1 in 5 women are obese at the start of pregnancy in the United States.
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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.
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.
read more...
Single Moms in the News
6 Best Celebrity Single Moms
Read about Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Williams, Reese Witherspoon, Kimora Lee Simmons, Mary-Louise Parker... 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...
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.
read more...
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