Whether your income has decreased or your expenses have increased, you can have fun finding creative ways to save. When it comes to cost-saving entertainment, host a DIY Dine-In Dinner Party. Impress your friends (or your honey) with this do-it-yourself, dine-in dinner party (or date night) menu courtesy of culinary cutie Dave Lieberman, campaign spokesperson for Del Monte “Value without Sacrifice”  and Chef and Author of  The 10 Things You Need to Eat: – a New York Times Bestseller!! You can host a fabulous dinner party without sacrificing value or …

I love New Years because it gives me a chance to begin again that which I haven’t accomplished during the past year. If you search the web, you’ll find lists for the top 10 New Years resolutions. Amazingly, every list of New Years resolutions is almost identical to the others.
The order of priority may be different for each one of us, but for many this year Get Out of Debt is most definitely at the top of our New Years Resolutions.  My husband is retired and I hope to retire …

It’s the day after Halloween and we, unfortunately, have a large basket full of chocolate candy bars. While I was getting breakfast this morning, the radio caught my ear. I briefly heard the end of a commentary on how we can help our troops overseas by donating leftover Halloween candy to be included in care packages for soldiers. I went on the Internet and searched for the topic.  I found Operation Gratitude, located in California.
Why do our soldiers need candy in their military care packages?
Why do American soldiers need our …

Did you know…created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign that focuses on the importance of making informed food choices. And what better food choice is there other than delicious, colorful antioxidant-packed berries?

This March, Driscoll’s encourages you to make informed food choices by adding nutrient rich berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, to your daily diet.
The below breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes from Driscoll’s are sure to help you make the most out of March.
Breakfast:

Raspberry – Orange …

This homemade heart-shaped pinata is a perfect decoration for a Valentine, Engagement, Sweet 16, or Bridal Shower celebration. You can use the heart-shaped Valentine pinata as a gift container, cardholder, or in the traditional way as a game filled with treats for your Valentine’s Day party or any other celebration, even a child’s birthday party.

Refer to these illustrations

List of Materials:

12″ to 15″ (30.5 to 38 cm) heart-shaped latex balloon
1 cup (250 ml) flour, or wheat wallpaper paste
3 yd (2.75 m) each ribbon, 1/2″ (1.3 cm) wide: pink, dark pink, green, …

Use this Gingerbread Cookie recipe* to make delicious treats for the holidays.
What you need:

1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

What to do:

Beat shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg white and vanilla in large bowl at high speed of electric mixer until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices in small bowl. Add to shortening mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about …

This is a perfect cake to serve on any special gift giving occasion, such as Christmas. An eye catching marzipan bow transforms an everyday looking cake into a dazzling gift box.

Ingredients:

1 recipe Marzipan
red food color
1 package (18 1/4 ounces) devil’s food cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup finely ground hazelnuts or almonds
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

What to do:

Prepare Marzipan, coloring it red as shown in photo, set aside.
Preheat oven to …