Lifestyle & Trends - Entertaining

Put a little personality in your outdoor entertaining

Warm sun-drenched days and cool starry evenings can inspire the host or hostess in us all. It's the perfect time of year for easy outdoor entertaining - to reconnect with family and friends at a backyard barbecue, neighborhood block party or rooftop soiree. It's also a time to show off your unique style and personality without the pressure of planning an elaborate sit-down dinner. Read More

Five creative tips for packing healthier school lunches

It's that time of year again: back-to-school season. Amidst the jam-packed schedule of a child's school day, it's nice to know there is one area where parents make a difference - lunchtime. The mission is to create a nutritious lunch that your hungry kids will look forward to eating. Read More

Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion

Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think. Read More

Tempting summer meals that are healthy and easy to make

Once the warm weather arrives, we are all searching for ways to make our meals not only healthy, but refreshing and delicious. And we all want quick meal options - so that we can spend more time outside enjoying the weather with friends and family and less time in the kitchen. Read More

Before you plan your next summer BBQ - find out how take it from drab to fab

While most of us can plan and host a summer barbecue with our eyes closed, it's easy to fall into a rut of whipping up the same old menu and breaking out the basic decorations. This year, learn how to put a modern twist on your summer fete. Read More

Five tips for the perfect holiday party

With each holiday season comes the tradition of family reunions, school celebrations and parties with friends. During this hectic time, the idea of throwing your own party can be overwhelming, however, with these five tips, your holiday party will be simple to plan and an affair to remember. Read More

Backyard grilling: Sliding into summer with savory sliders

The backyard barbecue grilling season is in full swing and hamburgers continue to reign supreme as one of America's favorite grilled foods. Whether you cook with gas or charcoal, nothing beats the flavor of a juicy burger right off the grill. And, whether you're into bold flavors or basic toppings, nothing tops off a burger better than a great glass of wine. Read More

Chocolate connoisseur? Become a sophisticated sampler of dark chocolate

Of course you know how to eat chocolate - who doesn't? But as you indulge on your dark chocolate bar, are you really getting the most enjoyment out of it? Are you really tasting it, or just devouring it at warp speed? Read More

How to host a family reunion potluck

A family reunion can be one of your extended family's most memorable shared experiences, providing new family stories and deepening bonds for years to come. If you are in the coordinator's seat, it can also be a daunting amount of work. With a bit of advice from the experts on planning, delegation and, the centerpiece of any family gathering, food and drink, it can be a bit easier. Read More

Cooking more at home? 4 easy ways to spice things up

If you like to cook, there's a pretty good chance you're doing more of it now. With the economy slowly recovering and families rediscovering the value of gathering around the dinner table, more people are skipping restaurants and honing their skills as home chefs. Read More

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