Cooler weather often brings on cravings for warm beverages. Old, good habits die hard, though, and that may mean never venturing beyond a cup of coffee or plain hot chocolate. It's easy, though, to prepare both innovative and inexpensive treats... More >>

Sometimes seasonal specialties are saved for noteworthy occasions, like hearty dinners or festive suppers that entertain a crowd of friends and family. You deserve the treats, which can be fresh or products associated with this type of year, at every meal. More >>

Hearty soup is one of the most economical, easy and tasty treats of autumn. The contents of soup pots, however, don't have to be either homemade or store-bought. Halfway homemade can equal some super spoonfuls that start with a foundation of canned soup... More >>

The pumpkin is well deserving of its title as ambassador of Halloween season. Besides creating attractive decor, it's one of the healthiest foods available. A member of the gourd family, like watermelon and squash, it's high in vitamin A, as well as lots of antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber. It's a shame just to carve it for display or think of it only as an ingredient in sugary pies. More >>

Stuffed food is often seen as an elegant and sophisticated treat, but it actually can be a surprisingly easy and economical way to perk up just about anything: a spicy bran muffin, for instance, filled with gourmet oatmeal or meatloaf brimming with jazzed up chili. More >>

Slow cooking is a misnomer. Using the inexpensive appliance as a home to tempting economical ingredients that meld their flavors over hours without any work from you means that time is your own to achieve lots of other accomplishments done fast and to still have prepared a delicious family meal. Old-fashioned, plain recipes are no longer the norm when it comes to slow cookers... More >>

If you love the socializing and stories that serve as side dishes to a holiday cookie exchange, but don't have the time to whip up the homemade delicacies yourself, you don't have to sit cookie-less on the sidelines.  More >>

Eat like a royal family on the at-home budget, not of the emperor, but his cooking staff. It's easy with these three-course weeknight menus (appetizers, entrees, and healthy desserts) that include everything from an all-in-one soup 'n' sandwich in a snap creatively prepared with fresh herb-added tomato soup and grilled cheese "croutons," or cost-conscious veggie burgers that "Mama Mia" would be proud of with their tasty additions of fresh Italian herbs, vegetables, low-fat cheese and antioxidant-filled tomato dipping sauce. More >>