Entertainment

Knowledge is our best defense (03/19/10)
In the past I only had to worry about "shade-tree" mechanics taking advantage of me, but this self-serving approach to doing business seems to be spreading like wildfire these days. I first noticed it when I was in Seattle and found myself having to stand my ground with my dentist, whose suggestions for an unnecessary monthly teeth-cleaning and replacement of fillings for "cosmetic" purposes eventually brought me to the realization that he wasn't offering me what I needed, but what my insurance would pay for.. ...

Healthy foods for healthy kids (03/19/10)
FAMILY FEATURES -- It seems that parents are on a continuous hunt for healthy foods that kids will actually eat. One of the simplest solutions is to choose soyfoods as the basis for snacks and meals. Great tasting soyfoods provide essential iron, calcium, potassium, fiber, and high-quality complete protein for growing kids and adolescents. ...

Making weekday meals with what's on hand (03/12/10)
Back to Basics FAMILY FEATURES -- Dinner is the perfect time for families to reconnect and enjoy a nourishing meal, but when evenings are hectic, firing up the range can seem daunting. While people often turn first to non-perishable pantry staples in a pinch, a well-stocked freezer also can inspire convenient, easy-to-prepare meals...

Our first Sweet and Sour Chicken (03/12/10)
This week I set my sights on a sweet and sour chicken recipe I found in a Pil Publications cookbook called "Chinese Favorites." My hope was to duplicate the dish I typically order when dining out. While the chicken in this recipe is not battered and deep fried, as you find in many restaurant versions of the dish, I found it just as delicious and guilt-free. ...

Bringing back the local menu (03/05/10)
For those that know me, you know that when I say "it is with great excitement that I take over as editor of the weekend menu page," it is said with the utmost sincerity. From my family members that know how easy I am to shop for each holiday season, cook books never get old to me, to my coworkers that must listen to my daily babbling about what I cooked the night before in my endless quest to find balance between healthy food and what my 4-year-old son, Declan, deems good food for him. ...