Benefits of a low carb diet

Type 2 Diabetes
& Low Carb DietDr Boris Draznin, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and director of research at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center says there are currently 18.2 million diabetics in America, with 800,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In addition, there are 20 million people at risk for developing adult-onset diabetes. Many of those are children suffering from obesity. How can a low carb diet benefit those with this prevasive disease? Poor choices and an obese societyThe rise in the development of diabetes in adults is clearly linked to obesity. What Dr Robert Atkins and others have taught us is that the obesity is a result of our modern lifestyle and poor dietchoices. The poor choices lead to spikes in blood sugar which causes cravings for the very foods that cause the spike, foods made with processed flour and sugar, and starchy vegetables. Originally,the human diet was made up of whole grains, fresh plants and meat. Now, as then the survival of the human species depends on our eating for fuel. Today, how many modern families rely on candy,donuts, pasta, white bread, potato chips and fries for their fuel? Too many, according to the statistics. Changes in insulin levels and diabetesThe healthy human body produces insulin which is the hormone used to control the body's use, distribution and storage of energy from the food we eat. In other words, insulin controls glucose.

In Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Dr Atkins wrote, "Foods rich in carbohydrates, especially sugar, honey, milk and fruit which contain simple sugars, and refined carbohydrates such as flour, white rice and potato starch -- are all readily absorbed through the stomach, so they speedily convert to glucose. When these foods are eaten in excess, they require a lot of insulin transportation." On the other hand, protein requires little insulin, and fats require none.

As the diabetic, or pre-diabetic, patient gains weight thanks to our fast food world, the body's cell's insulin receptors become blocked. The result is that glucose is no longer converted into energy, but into fat. The more excess weight a person carries increases the chance that he will continue to gain weight quickly, due to his body's inability to control the use and storage of the glucose.

Damage done by diabetes doesn't stop with peaking blood sugar levels. The onset of diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, adding to the probability of declining health and early death.

The good news is that with the aid of a controlled-carbohydrate diet, diabetics can reset their insulin receptors, and family members of diabetics no longer need feel they are pre-destined to a life of pills, insulin medications and the stark realities of uncontrolled diabetes: amputation, blindness, strokes and heart disease.

Follow a delicious low carb diet for healthThe Hamptons Diet is Dr Fred Pescatore's book on the low carb way of life developed from his personal experience treating diabetics and their families. Great tasting food and lifestyle advice are the keys toregaining and keeping good health. "The inspiration for the new diet book was to get people to eat healthy low carb. I wanted low carb to be about more than burgers, bacon and eggs," Dr Pescatoresays. To this end he mixes in the Mediterranean diet with traditional low carb fare.

Dr Pescatore has enjoyed many successes with his patients. "Their lives are changed always for the better as they can reduce or stop their medications once they are on a low carb lifestyle. Even those on insulin can drastically reduce their medications once they start eating this way." He emphasizes using the right type of fats in his book. He recommends monounsaturated fats, which have been shows to lower insulin resistance and blood sugar, and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Family involvement is key in managing diabetesFurthermore, Dr Pescatore recommends getting support of the entire family to change their diet. This not only helps the diagnosed diabetic but can stop the family heritage of obesity, heart diseaseand diabetes.

"If a family can learn to avoid sugar and simple carbs they will have a much better chance of being healthy in future generations, simply because their habits have gotten healthier," he says. He cautions that changing a family's habits can be rough, but time, energy, practice and patience can smooth things over.

Not only is Dr Pescatore helping his patients, he helped himself avoid a life of poor health. "I was an overweight child and never want to be overweight again. I have been following my own advice for 11 years now. I wrote The Hamptons Diet because it was time for the science of low carb dieting to be updated, and to make it truly healthy by adding the Mediterranean flair," he says.

Keep weight off for goodDr Draznin, who has been treating diabetics for more than 30 years, is also promoting his own spin on low carbing. Based on his years of success, he developed a book called The Thinking Person's Guide to Diabetes: The Draznin Plan for those seeking to achieve weight loss, treat existing diabetes, and most important, prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in family members of diagnosed diabetics.

"The real key to keeping weight off involves changing your lifestyle," Dr Draznin says. "Success means modifying your physical activities along with your eating habits. It requires an individualized approach and a serious commitment."

Holiday recipes and tips to help you stay skinny from author Christine Avanti

A Skinny chick's holiday survival tips

Most women gain approximately seven pounds over the holidays for one plain and simple reason -- they don't have any "stay skinny strategies." But never fear, because I've been helping Hollywood's hottest bodies stay skinny for over a decade. I'm also a huge foodie and certified professional chef. What a combo, huh?

With my combined love for naughty yet oh so nice holiday foods, I thought it would be amazing to share skinny holiday tips and some of my favorite skinny holiday recipes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family and clients do.

Tea time

Did you know you can enjoy chocolate desserts sans the calories? Check out fabulous dessert teas by Tea Forte. "Dolce Vitas" collection of dessert teas come in flavors like "Chocolate Truffle" and "Belgian Mint" that allow you to indulge without guilt, plus you get the fat burning benefits of tea's antioxidant called EGCG.

Start chewing

You can also chew gum to reduce stress and unwanted calories. A good one to check out is Wrigley's Dessert Delights gum in amazing flavors, such as mint chocolate chip ice cream or apple pie, and stop those nagging sugar cravings. And the skinny bonus? Did you know that studies have shown that chewing gum may help alleviate stress? Here's the skinny on stress: When we stress, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol, which is one of the culprits associated with the accumulation of belly fat. Thus, it's extremely important to keep your holiday stress at a minimum. Chewing gum, deep breathing, exercise and a full night's sleep will most definitely help!

Go dark

If you are a chocolate lover and you need the "real thing," opt for dark chocolate because it has less fat than milk chocolate and also contains more antioxidants than blueberries.

Plate size

At a holiday soirée, make only one trip to the buffet and use small plates instead of loading up with a large plate.

Caloric cocktails

Beware of liquid calories such as soda, beer, holiday cocktails, wine, hot chocolate and cider. These are highly available during the holiday season and research suggests that most folks gain two to three pounds over the holidays from beverages alone. Instead, reach for sparkling water with a twist of citrus or try drinking sake; it's approximately 40 calories less per ounce compared to other spirits.

Be selective

Don't waste calories on foods you don't like or foods you can eat any time of year. The best way to enjoy your favorite holiday dessert is to eat a low-carb meal such as roasted turkey with a green veggie and allocate your carbohydrate calories towards your dessert. Think of it this way: A 4-ounce slice of roasted turkey is approximately 135 calories and one serving of roasted Brussels sprouts is about 65 calories. That leaves you 250 calories to allocate towards your favorite holiday treat. Here are some foods for thought:

6 Sinful holiday treats that you can incorporate into your meal (under 250 calories)

Eggnog, 1 cupSugar cookies, 2 mediumCheesecake, 1 slicePecan pie, 1 small sliceGingerbread cookie, 1 large or 2 mediumPeanut brittle, 1.5 ouncesDon't skip meals

Never starve yourself all day so you can over eat at a holiday dinner. Contrary to popular belief, most of those calories will be converted to fat. It's far better to eat every four hours throughout the day so that when you arrive at the party, you are not ravenously hungry. Plus eating small frequent meals throughout the day is proven to help rev metabolism.

Spice it up

Spice up your food with hot sauce over the holidays. Adding hot spices to your meals can help curb hunger according to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition. Additionally, scientists at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that capsaicin (a compound found in chilies) triggers your brain to release feel-good endorphins. So tap into that Tabasco!!

Opt for veggies

Confused over which appetizers will help you keep you in your skinny jeans? Opt for olives over nuts and save yourself calories. Two ounces of olives are only 57 calories compared to two ounces of nuts which weigh in at 336 calories. Reach for a Caprese salad, 1 medium tomato, 1 ounce cheese with fresh basil (100 cals/serving) over 4 mini quiches (248) and save 148 calories.

Up next: Holiday recipes and tips to help you stay skinny >>

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Top 10 food apps

iPhone appsfood apps you can't miss

For many, an iPhone and iPad are way more than just a tool to check email, Facebook or make a call. They're a lifeline filled with apps to help us when there's an emergency, disaster or, worse, dinner party in 20 minutes without a hint as to what to make. Whether you're a chef, home cook extraordinaire or someone learning the basics, these 10 apps will become your new best friend in the kitchen or on those days you feel like ordering takeout.

As Bon Appetit says "cooking apps are to the kitchen as the utility belt is to Batman." In today's technology driven culture, people are looking to cookbooks and television shows less and to their phones more for cooking tips, hot new ingredients, recipes and more. These top 10 apps do everything from show you how to bone a duck to where to order food directly from your iPhone to how to find that name for that fancy cheese you love. So get to downloading!

10Speakeasy cocktails

If mixing new cocktails is something you love doing, Speakeasy Cocktails is one app you can't go without. Created by the bartenders behind NYC's biggest bars, this app comes loaded with hundreds of innovative and unique drink recipes to liven up any of your parties. In addition to recipes, the app offers tips for creating the best bar and what tools and ingredients you need to stock up on. As of now, this app is only available for the iPad and can be downloaded for $9.99.

9Seafood watch

This one-of-a-kind seafood-only app, created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, helps you find the best seafood restaurants where you live and helps you find the best local catch at your grocery store. Seafood Watch also allows you to easily search by the common fish names and find out all you need to know about a certain kind of fish, like when it's best to eat it and where you should buy it. It's also a great resource on sushi, so you never have to ask what's in that roll again! This app is free and can be used on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

8Fromage

Do you a wanna be cheese connoisseur but don't know the first thing about this delicacy? Download the top-rated app Fromage, which has hundreds of cheeses cataloged by region where they were made, milk type and texture! You can also add favorites and bookmark certain cheeses so you're never left digging through old notes or emails trying to find that distinct flavor you loved. You can download this app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch for $1.99.

7Chef's feed

Are you curious about where your favorite celebrity chefs dine when out on the town? Download Chef's Feed, which features live Twitter and Facebook feeds from your favorite chefs as they dine. You can also view your city's list of the best chefs and restaurants so you can learn more about good eats in your town. Some of the big name chefs participating are Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller and Mario Batali. The app is free to dowload on the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone so find out what your favorite chefs love to eat!

6Harvest

Are you a farmers market fiend whose fridge is bursting with fresh produce? Download Harvest so you never waste a piece of it! This app will help you determine when fruit is ripe, how to store your favorite vegetables and when to toss a sketchy looking pepper. In addition, Harvest will give you the inside scoop on your favorite fruits and veggies, like the best time to buy them and when they are in peak season. Plus, you can also learn about pesticide levels on your favorites. The app is $1.99 and can be downloaded on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

5Urbanspoon

Urbanspoon has been around for years and is one of the most popular food apps in the Apple Store. Why? It's a fun and innovative way to find a new place to grab a bite to eat or a drink in your city! If you're indecisive, simply shake your phone, iPod Touch or iPad, and it will spin and land on a place for you to try! You can also browse restaurants by neighborhood, type of cuisine and price as well as share reviews and ratings with other diners. You can also read reviews from some of the top newspapers and magazines in your area. This app is free to download so don't miss out on a new dining experience!

4Locavore

If you are lover of local produce, farmers markets and sustainable living, Locavore will be your new best friend. This app uses your location and then tells you what foods are in season where you are, provides addresses to local farmers and farmers markets and even gives you recipes using your city's best produce! You can also share and upload recipes you create. Plus, this app will also tell you, politely, just how many weeks you have left to buy an in-season item! This handy app is free for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, so never miss out on seasonal grub again!

3GrubHub delivery
and takeout

Feeling like vegging out on the couch this Friday night and don't want to have to surf the web to find what restaurants deliver in your neighborhood? Download GrubHub, which takes the guesswork out of finding delivery and takeout options near you! Based on your location and what kind of food you like, this app will find all the restaurants within a certain radius that offer takeout and delivery options! That's not all, though! You can also place orders and leave reviews right from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Now that's an app we can get on board with. Plus, it's free to download! Now, if only it could clean up our takeout boxes after we are done with them.

2Foodgawker

Do you love staring endlessly at gorgeous, mouthwatering photos of food? Are you a blossoming food blogger trying to learn how to photograph? Or do you just love photo-driven websites with easy access to unique and delicious recipes? If you said yes to any of these (and even if you didn't), you need to download Foodgawker. This photo-driven app is based on the popular website and features thousands of stunning food photographs of every food group you can think of. If your dish du jour doesn't pop up while you're scrolling, you can search by food group. To get the recipes, simply tap the photo of choice, and you'll be taken to the blog or website where it came from. This app is free to download on iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone! Just watch out, you could find yourself getting lost for hours drooling at photos.

1How to cook everything

So what is our favorite food app of all time? Well, this one was easy. How to Cook Everything, the brainchild of the incredibly talented New York Times food writer, Mark Bittman. This app is based on his delicious cookbook and website, also named How to Cook Everything. This app is super user friendly and all recipes are categorized by ingredient. You can make (and email) grocery lists to yourself or others and all of the recipes have how-to steps and photographs to guide you along the cooking process. Oh, that's not all though! Each recipe has a built-in timer so you never burn a muffin or overcook a steak again. The app is  $9.99 for the iPad and $4.99 for the iPhone. Plus, there's a free app, How to Cook Everything Essentials!

More food news and top 10s

Top 10 strangest foods from around the world
Top 10 food myths
10 risky foods you're eating

Healthy recipes for picky eaters with autism

Children with autism spectrum disorders often have symptoms that lead to picky eating or difficulty eating certain foods.

Simple, nutritious
meal ideas

Many ASD kids also have sensory processing disorder. Between rigid routines and preferences for certain textures and temperatures of food, it can be difficult to plan meals for children with autism. Discover simple recipes to please picky eaters.

Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. When a toddler or young child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, the picky eating can get downright epic. No child can live on french fries alone, so parents of kids with autism are often faced with battles when introducing new foods and new tastes. Every child with autism is different. Some may struggle with hot or cold foods, while others may prefer certain colors, textures or may be very rigid when it comes to the routines around mealtime.

Be patient

If your child with autism has a hard time with meals, you’re going to have to bulk up on patience. It may be several years before you can head to a restaurant that serves anything other than your child’s favorite foods. You may find mealtimes becoming a source of stress instead of a fun time to gather. Know that you’re not alone, and that it’s OK to celebrate small food victories.

Get help

Talk to your pediatrician about your child’s diet. If he only eats a few foods, it’s important to make sure he’s getting the right vitamins and nutrients. An occupational therapist can help with many common eating issues, especially related to textures, tastes and consistency. Take a break when you’re feeling overwhelmed or angry. It’s OK to ask your partner or another family member to take over meals when you’re feeling stretched too thin.

Work around pickiness

Get creative with meals. You may have to set aside your notions of an old fashioned sit down meal. Some kids thrive on grazing or eating small portions of a variety of finger foods. You have to play around and find what works. The main goal isn’t to have a picture-perfect mealtime, but to get a well-balanced diet in your child while gradually introducing new flavors and meals.

Banana and avocado smoothie recipeIngredients:1 banana, peeled and frozen1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted1-2 tablespoons coconut butterWaterFind the directions here >>Mashed ginger carrots recipeIngredients:2 tablespoons Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Spread1/4 cup onion, chopped1 clove garlic, chopped1/4 teaspoon ground ginger spice2 (14.5-ounce) cans sliced carrots, drained and warmed1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped Find the directions here >>Pumpkin zucchini bread recipeIngredients:3 eggs2 cups sugar1 cup canned pumpkin1 cup butter, melted1 tablespoon vanilla3 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon nutmeg1 cup grated zucchini1 cup chopped nuts Find the directions here >>More kid-friendly recipes

Chocolate pancakes
Ham and cheese muffins
Crispy baked eggplant fries

Online fitness challenges

Get healthy and make some dough
Get paid to
lose weight

Ah, the never-ending quest to lose weight. And now there's a new twist – social dieting. You may be among the thousands embarking on online weight loss challenges that pay participants who achieve a stated weight loss goal.

Numbers don’t lie – people are flocking to these challenges, and they are finding success in great numbers.

What are they?

Online weight loss and fitness challenges are virtual meetings/support groups that enable participants to connect with others with similar fitness and/or weight loss goals. Though companies like DietBet are among the largest offering these challenges, trainers around the country are joining in with challenges of their own. DietBet, which launched one year ago, enables participants to make a small investment of $25 and then choose a “group” with which they want to play. If they lose 4 percent of their body weight in four weeks, they are paid money from the large “pot” and they win! The pot is split between all those who lose 4 percent, so every participant will receive at least their $25 back, if not more.

DietBet challenges can have more than 500 participants. That’s a whole lot of people, providing a whole lot of combined cash (No. 1 key to success) and also providing a whole lot of support (No. 2 key to success) toward a common goal.

Breaking down the numbers

According to James Rosen, DietBet founder, a whopping 93 percent of DietBet participants lose weight during the four-week social game. Furthermore, a third of the game’s players achieve their goal and win the game — talk about motivation. Since DietBet launched, participants have lost more than 40,000 pounds combined.

Why such success?

Hmmm. Give people the chance to win money and they’ll stick with their weight loss goals? According to a recent report, yes. Weight loss study participants who received financial incentives were more likely to stick with a weight loss program and lost more weight than did study participants who received no incentives, according to a recently released Mayo Clinic research study.

"Financial incentives can improve results, compliance and adherence."

"The take-home message is that sustained weight loss can be achieved by financial incentives," says lead author Dr. Steven Driver, an internal medicine resident at Mayo Clinic. “Financial incentives can improve results, compliance and adherence.”

Tina Reale, NASM-certified personal trainer and the force behind tinareale.com, regularly hosts her own Best Body Bootcamp online fitness challenges. Reale is about to launch her fifth challenge and has found that financial incentives serve as a great motivator.

“I think people realize the value for what they pay (just $25 to register) and get friends and family to sign up,” Reale says. Reale randomly picks a weekly winner who has completed at least 5 workouts per week and therefore has earned points for the week. At the end of the challenge, participants with enough “points” are entered to win $1,000.

Taking it a little further

The second and perhaps equally important reason people opt to try these online challenges is the support they receive from other participants, the accountability they feel and the overall feeling of accomplishment when they succeed.

According to Tamara Grand, BCRPA-certified personal training, advanced group fitness leader and the author of fitknitchick.com, people are simply searching for the support they need, and these challenges provide it.

“The challenges motivate and keep people accountable to their goals,” says Grand, who just hosted her second DietBet challenge.

She said she is also struck by the “emerging sense of community” among players who provide tips and support.

In all of these challenges, social media plays a vital role in engaging participants. Motivational tips and support can prompt weight loss participants to succeed. Again, the numbers tell a story. According to DietBet, participants who engage with others by posting comments and/or photos in the game, are a whopping 381 percent more successful than those who sit on the “social media sidelines.”

So there you have it: Spend a little money and invest in yourself and connect with others, and you may be well on your way to reaching those weight loss goals. But remember, just because you connect and invest in yourself, you're not likely to lose weight if you still choose to enjoy that additional helping or two at dinner. If only it was that easy!

More about weight loss and fitness

Competition, cash aid in weight loss
Jillian Michaels on being slim for life
Break your food addiction and lose weight

5 Best cheese artisans you've never heard of

The best artisanal cheese in america

We all know you can get great European cheese, but some of the best cheeses you've never had are being made by smaller producers all across America. Check out these five cheese artisans who are producing a superior product that will make any cheese lover swoon.

Has there ever been a food more beloved than cheese? Eaten by itself, on a cracker, in a burrito, on eggs or a million other ways, it has the power to save an average dish, make a good dish legendary and keep a vegetarian from going vegan. There's not really bad cheese, but that doesn't mean all cheeses are made alike. More and more artisan cheese vendors, especially in the United States, are making superior cheeses at a fraction of the cost you would expect to pay for an import from Europe.

You've likely not heard of many of these cheese artisans until now, but let's change that. Here are five of the best that you simply must try. Today, in many cases, what you can buy from small farms in Wisconsin, Kansas or California rivals most of what you can buy from France, Italy or Spain.

Green Dirt Farm

Green Dirt Farm is a small cheese and lamb producer about 40 miles outside of Kansas City, Missouri. They currently produce four different types of sheep's milk aged cheeses (three of which were given awards by the American Cheese Society) and six different varieties of spreadable fresh cheese (two of which, plain and nettle, were given awards by the American Cheese Society). Still, the value of a cheesemaker is not in their awards but in their product, and Green Dirt Farms has been getting their product in stores and restaurants for several years. They have an online store if you want to try ash-dusted Dirt Lover or a tangy nettle or any of their other varieties.

Bohemian Creamery

An artisan creator in Napa Valley, Bohemian Creamery produces 10 different cheeses in a number of traditional styles and milk. Available throughout the San Francisco region (and available by phone order from certain retailers), cheese lovers can choose from the Asiago-like Capriago, the soft goat's milk HolyMoly or the sheep's milk Bo Peep. Bohemian Creamery doesn't boast as many awards as some other artisans, but the fact they are available in some very prestigious cheese shops in Northern California speaks to their quality and reputation.

Crave Brothers

Crave Brothers are fantastic cheesemakers and terrific stewards of the planet. Their creamery, which is run on 100 percent green energy, has created five different creamy, mild cheeses that have been winning awards from culinary magazines and the American Cheese Society alike. Their flagship product is probably the Petit Frere, a soft ripened cheese that is their most decorated offering. It can be purchased online, along with their other products, or in stores across the Midwest.

Carr Valley Cheese

Carr Valley has been making cheese for more than 100 years and boasts a large selection of products made from cow, sheep and goat milk, as well as producing mixed milk cheeses. However, they are perhaps most famous for their cheddar cheese, aka their Famous Cheddar! Being from Wisconsin, they sell fresh cheddar cheese curds and cheddar cheeses that have been aged anywhere from a day to 10 years. They also feature smoked cheddars in addition to regular aged varieties. Even better, they can ship orders placed on their website.

Widmer's Cheese

Family-owned and operated since 1922, Widmer's Cheese has been recognized nationally for a number of their cheeses. Being from Wisconsin, they, too, have a wide selection of cheddar cheeses, both white and yellow. They also have a selection of Colby cheese and many different curds to choose from. Their web presence is rather impressive and offers a range of cheeses you can purchase, but be sure to check out the Widmer varieties section for just the cheeses they produce.

These are just a few cheese options available to the connoisseur. Get out and find the local artisans producing cheeses near you.

Can't get enough cheese?

Mexican recipes featuring artisanal cheese
Delicious cheese cookies
Wine and cheese pairings for your cocktail party

Planning a party with your phone

The perfect party tool

The perfect party planning tool is in the palm of your hand. Use your Windows Phone to plan every aspect of your party, from start to spectacular finish.

These apps are all you need to turn your Windows Phone into the perfect party planning tool.

Party E-Invite

It’s not a party without the guests! Make sure everyone knows about your party with the Party E-Invite app ($0.99) that lets you create a guest list, send invites through SMS, keep track of RSVPs and send out reminders.

iFood Assistant Plus

A good menu makes a great party, so let the iFood Assistant Plus app ($0.99) help you out! Search for recipes, read reviews and even watch how-to videos.

Cake DecoratorIf your party requires cake, the Cake Decorator app (free) will make sure it’s impressive. This app compiles pictures of awesome cakes to provide just the inspiration you need for yours. Table Planner

Sometimes, a successful party just means controlling who is permitted to get close to some of the other guests (we’ve all got one of those family members, right?). Keep it all under control with Table Planner ($1.99), an app that lets you create a seating chart and keep track of individual menu selections.

Party Themes

You know you want a theme, but you just can’t decide on one. That’s where the Party Themes app (free) comes in handy. Simply select the type of party you’re having, and you’ll get a list of possible themes to choose from.

Shop ListsWhen you’re shopping for a party, it’s not just about the food. You need groceries, but also decorations, favors and more. Shop Lists ($0.99) lets you keep track of all your shopping lists in one place. Create multiple lists by category or store, and make sure you have everything you need when the big day arrives. Live Tile Countdown

Big events have a way of sneaking up on you, but yours won’t with the Live Tile Countdown app (free). It keeps a current countdown of days until your event right on your start screen, so you’ll know exactly how much longer you have to get things done.

Pandora

No DJ needed at this party, as long as you have your Windows Phone. Windows Phone is the only phone that brings you Pandora with no ads and no streaming limit free through 2013.

BartenderWho needs a professional bartender when you’ve got this app? You’ll have over 100 cocktail recipes at the tips of your fingers when you download the Bartender app ($1.29). Designated Driver

No one wants to be the designated driver, and no one wants to ask someone else to do the job, either. Let this app do the work for you! Just enter the names of every candidate, and let Designated Driver ($0.99) select the lucky sober partygoer.

Party Games

Your party will never get boring when you have Party Games (free). This app has rules and instructions to play over 40 party games, so you’ll have plenty to keep your guests entertained.

Tip: Use your Windows Phone and create a room with your fellow party planners and pin your party planning to-do list to the start screen so it's always handy. You'll see it every time you use your phone, so none of those important tasks will slip by you.More party tipsCocktail party shopping list
10 Party hostess tips
10 Party favor ideas

Kids health Tips to avoid digital eye strain

Prevent Children's
Vision ProblemsWe all want our kids to be tech-savvy, but there are risks that come with all that digital screen time: headaches, backaches, blurry vision and poor concentration. These symptoms can affect our children’s learning and productivity, but there are ways to prevent digital eye strain, commonly called computer vision syndrome (CVS).

Kids are wired starting at a young age

With PCs, hand-held video games, smartphones and e-readers at their disposal, kids are spending an exorbitant amount of time in front of digital screens. A 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 7.5 hours a day or more of electronic media time is common among kids eight to 18, up one hour and 17 minutes from five years ago. Because they spend so much of that time "media multitasking" – using more than one medium at a time – they actually pack a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes worth of media content into those 7.5 hours!

Children suffering digital eye strain

VSP Vision Care optometrists report that nearly one-third of their patients suffer from CVS symptoms. The company has launched a webseries to help prevent CVS, including this video:

While digital eye strain is commonly regarded as an adult condition, children are suffering from the side effects of overuse, says Dr. Leanne Liddicoat, a VSP optometrist. "With children spending upwards of 1.5 hours texting day, it's no wonder their eyes are causing them pain."

Tips for children's eye health

Easy steps parents and children can take to prevent digital eye strain.

Get regular eye exams

It's important that a child has the best vision possible when using digital devices. This starts with an examination by an eye doctor, not just a school screening. Children should have their first eye exam at six months, again at three years, before starting kindergarten and every year after that.

Follow the 20/20/20 rule

To avoid fatigue and digital eye strain symptoms, eye doctors recommend the "20/20/20 rule." Every 20 minutes, stop and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Ensure proper lighting

Poor lighting often causes eye strain. Ease strain by keeping bright lights overhead to a minimum and position a desk lamp to shine on your desk, not at you. Position the computer screen in a way that reduces reflections and glare from windows or overhead lights.

Limit electronic device use

Set time limits on the amount of screen time. Children under two years should have no screen time, and older children should have less than two hours per day. Be aware of how long children are using digital devices and look for digital eye strain symptoms such as squinting, rubbing of the eyes and complaints of back, neck or head pain.

Keep a working distance

The closer the eyes are to the object they're looking at, the harder the eyes have to work. A good rule is to apply the Harmon Distance (the distance between the elbow and first knuckle) as a guide. If a child is holding video games and digital devices closer than their Harmon Distance, let their eye doctor know.

Go outside

Not only does outdoor play feel good, but research shows that it helps prevent the development of nearsightedness. Just remember to use sunglasses and sunscreen.

More on vision health

Visual ergonomics for computer users
10 Tips to avoid vision loss
Tips for better vision

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Homemade funnel cakes

Make This Fair
Favorite At Home!There's nothing better, or more nostalgic, then eating a freshly fried funnel cake topped with powdered sugar. If you can't make it to a fair soon, make your own funnel cakes at home with this easy recipe!

You don't even need a factory grade deep-fryer to make these perfectly. All you need is a 2-inch skillet and a funnel spout! These funnel cakes make fun after-school treats for your kids as well as a perfectly acceptable breakfast for yourself!

Ingredients:1-1/2 cups buttermilk1/4 cup white sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon cinnamonVegetable or canola oil for fryingDirections:1Mix the ingredients

In a large bowl, mix all of your ingredients (except for the oil) together until mixture is smooth.

2Heat oil in a 2-inch skillet

Pour your oil into a deep 2-inch skillet. You want to fill the skillet at least halfway full so the batter can fry.

3Pour batter into a funnel

Pour your batter into a pouring jar with a funnel or an empty ketchup or syrup bottle that's been cleaned out.

You want something with a narrow funnel to create the best shape of cake.

4Pour batter into oil & fry

Once oil has heated up (to at least 300 degrees F), carefully pour the batter into the oil in a circular, lattice pattern.

Then fry the dough for about 4 minutes, 2 minutes on each side.

You want the entire cake to be a deep, golden brown. Once done, remove and place on a paper towel or brown bag to drain some of the grease.

5Add powdered sugar

Let your cake cool completely. Then sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

More fair food at home

5 Fair-inspired foods to serve at your next party
Taste of summer: Foods that bring it back
Quick fried donuts recipe

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Meatless Monday Baked eggplant marinara

Baked veggies

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that's terrific stuffed, grilled, pureed for a dip or baked. Give this recipe for baked eggplant marinara a try for a fabulous Meatless Monday meal.

You can find eggplant in the stores all year, but in late summer, they're in season and grow in abundance. Keep in mind that you can't really store eggplant for very long, so once you make a purchase, plan to make your meatless meal in the next day or so.

Try this recipe for baba ghanoush (eggplant dip) >>

According to the Meatless Monday organization, there are a number of studies that show the health benefits associated with going meat free at least one day a week. Consider the following:

Diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk.Replacing saturated fat-rich foods (like meat) with foods rich in polyunsaturated fats (nuts, vegetable oil, seeds) can reduce the risk of heart disease.Diets high in red and processed meats may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.A reduction in meat consumption can lower long-term weight gain.Read how Meatless Monday is a positive, tasty trend >>

Making your meals meat free one day a week can help you feel good about yourself, and you’ll be sure to find some tasty new recipes along the way. This recipe is delightful, and you might even have leftovers!

Baked eggplant marinara

Recipe courtesy of Grab a Plate

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:1 medium-sized eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch round slices2 eggs, beaten1/4 cup milk3/4 cup flour2 cups Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (maybe more if you run low when breading)1/2 cup Parmesan cheese1/2 cup mozzarella cheese2 cups of marinara sauce (a bit more to use when serving)Salt and pepper to tasteRed pepper flakes (to season the marinara sauce)Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.After you slice the eggplant into one-quarter-inch rounds, salt them to drain off some of their liquid (this helps to eliminate any bitterness). Place the slices in a colander over the sink and sprinkle them with salt. Allow them to remain in the colander for about 30 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together and set aside.In another shallow bowl add the flour, salt and pepper and set aside.In a third shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs mixed together with one-quarter cup of the Parmesan cheese, and set aside with the others.Spread about one-quarter cup of the marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or enough to coat the bottom, and set aside.Gather your shallow bowls together in the same area as your baking sheets. First dip the eggplant slices in the flour mixture and cover both sides. Next, dredge them in the egg and milk mixture and allow the excess liquid to drip off, and finally coat them on both sides in the breadcrumb/Parmesan mixture.Arrange each of the eggplant slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. You'll need two baking sheets.Bake for about 10 minutes, then flip them over for another 10 minutes, until they become golden.Remove, set aside and lower your oven to 350 degrees F.Add the eggplant slices to your prepared baking dish. To the top of the first layer, add some of the marinara sauce to lightly cover them. Double layer the slices, overlapping, if you have too many slices for a single layer.When all the slices are in the baking pan, top them with about three-quarters cup of marinara sauce and sprinkle with one-quarter cup of Parmesan cheese.Bake, covered with aluminum foil for about 15 minutes. Remove the pan, top the slices with the mozzarella cheese, and put them back in the oven, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the eggplant slices are cooked, and the cheese is bubbly.Serve warm with extra sauce.

Baked eggplant marinara makes a wonderful Meatless Monday meal!

More Meatless Monday recipes to try

Grilled salmon with orange-miso glaze
Jalapeño deviled eggs
Sauteed cauliflower with olives and orange zest

Perfect Italian food and wine pairings

Food & Wine Pairing Tips
From A SommelierItalian wines are made to go with food. They have high acidity, which causes our mouths to salivate, cleansing the palate and preparing us for the next bite. So, enjoying Italian wines with food is a real treat for the taste buds. And, of course, the best food pairings for Italian wines are Italian foods.

What to drink with tomato-based pasta

Many pasta dishes contain tomato sauce, which is quite acidic. This makes it difficult to pair with wines, especially red wines. But don't worry -- there are Italian reds that can match the acidity in tomato sauce and elevate a simple Italian dinner to a new level. Think of Barbera, a red wine made from the grape of the same name grown in Piedmont in northwestern Italy. Barbera has high acidity and is one of the few Italian wines that can match the acidity in tomato sauce, complementing the Italian food without being overwhelmed. There are several different styles of Barbera and many different producers.

Next time you're enjoying pasta with tomato sauce or pizza with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, choose a Barbera that has moderate alcohol (12-13 percent or so) and has not been aged in oak. Oak aging softens the acidity of Barbera and makes it less likely to pair well with tomato sauce. But oak-aged Barbera is perfect for meat sauce and meat dishes or on its own. Its soft and velvety texture makes it approachable and appealing for many palates.

Fresh tomatoes and Italian wine

From Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella to bruschetta, tomatoes are the mainstay of many Italian appetizers. But tomatoes, like tomato sauce, have high acidity. They are also quite light, which makes white wines a better pairing for dishes with fresh tomatoes. So, when choosing a wine for a dish that contains fresh tomatoes, go for an Italian white with higher acidity.

The best Italian whites also have tons of flavor and character. The region of Campania in the South makes whites that pair well with fresh tomatoes and other foods commonly served as appetizers: olives, fresh mozzarella or seafood. The best is Greco di Tufo, an Italian white wine made from the greco grape. Greco di Tufo is full of flavor and character, but also has enough acidity to match dishes with fresh tomatoes. Its minerality and the medium body make it a perfect match for mozzarella and pasta with seafood, from shrimp and scampi to clams and squid. After all, this white comes from the same area as some of the best Italian tomatoes, the best mozzarella and the wonderful seafood of the coast.

So next time you are cooking pasta or making fresh tomato salad, put the Chianti aside and save it for a meal that includes some red meat. Reach for Barbera and Greco di Tufo instead, and you're guaranteed a great dining experience.

More wine and food pairings

Tips for pairing chocolates and wine
Greek food and wine pairings
Which wine do I serve?