What’s the best way to control snacking on Superbowl Sunday? Throw your own party. That way you’ll be in control of the snacks and can substitute some healthier choices for some of the usual junk food that abounds. Here are easy substitutions that are so good that no one will even notice that they are healthier…

Wondering what little gifts to get the foodies in your life? Especially those who have everything? Here are some suggestions, based on my experience. These are lower priced gifts, all in the affordable range, perfect for hostess gifts.

Roasted vegetables aren’t just for the grill. You can roast vegetables in the oven and then mix with pasta for a very flavorful sauce. In this recipe I roast the vegetables rather than sautéing them.  Roasting brings out a richer, deeper flavor, and is especially great for getting the most out of canned black olives. If you love olives, you’ll love this dish. The oil-cured olives that are tossed in at the end add a salty zing to this dish. Serve this with a green salad and bread. Either red or white wine will work with this - pick your favorite.

This soup was adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe. People seem to be very divided about how they feel about Rachael. They love her or hate her… but nothing much in between. I think she’s great -- fun to watch, down to earth, charming -- but I find that her recipes include WAY too many fattening ingredients. This soup sounded great, but originally included 1/2 cup of olive oil. I increased the liquid ingredients, decreased the oil, and omitted the cheese (you can add a sprinkle on top if you’d like). The end result was a thick, rich and flavorful soup -- hearty and satisfying. Serve it with a green salad and a piece of bread and you’ve got an easy meal. Plus, you get plenty of lycopene. read more...

It happens to all of us. You go to a holiday dinner, a party, a night out… and you eat way too much. Thanksgiving, in particular, brings on a lot of lying on the couch and moaning afterwards (at least in my house). It’s easy to berate yourself - “oh why did I have that second slice of pie!” - but why bother? The fact of the matter is that despite how bloated or guilty you may feel… you don’t gain enormous amounts of weight from one meal. Make it a habit though, and it could be a problem. So, try these tips to get yourself back on track after having a bit too much of a festive feast…