Cookbooks for busy families

Busy Doesn't
Mean BoringEven though it seems like you have the least amount of time during the fall and winter months, with back to school and the holidays, the reality is that every season is busy for most of us. Eating out is expensive and can take even longer than sitting down to a home cooked meal, yet beyond your favorite go-to recipes, you're running short on family dinner ideas. Fret not! Here are a few of our favorite cookbooks that were written with the busy family in mind. They'll put those too oft-forgotten time-saving kitchen appliances to work.The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes, Second Edition

The humble slow cooker is receiving a growing level of attention these days with people turning to lower-energy appliances and time-efficient ways to cook healthy, hearty meals for their entire family. The second edition of Judith Finlayson's The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes (Robert Rose, 2011) has been revised and expanded for today's food trends. It delivers nearly 100 of the first edition's scrumptious slow cooker recipes, plus an additional 75 new recipes that reflect updated tastes and the desire for healthier fare. Think Down-Home Chicken Gumbo, Minestrone with Crostini, Classic Lasagna, Lamb Korma with Spinach and Blackberry Peach Cobbler. As a tasty bonus, Finlayson also shares over a dozen of her sumptuous chili recipes, including Chili with Black Beans with Grilled Chicken.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pressure Cooking

Remember that pressure cooker you got for a wedding present that you've pushed to the back of the cabinet because you haven't a clue how to put it to use? While learning a new cooking technique may seem daunting, pressure cooking will save you loads of time in the kitchen and assist you in serving nutritious, delicious meals to your family. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pressure Cooking (Alpha, 2011) by Carole Jacobs and Chef Patrice Johnson is the time-saving cookbook for you, taking the guesswork out of pressure cooking, and delivering more than 200 simple yet scrumptious pressure cooker recipes covering every meal of the day. You'll be delighted to discover that dusting off that pressure cooker will give you the ability to cook amazing meals, such as Vegetable Stew with Pineapple Chutney, Herbed Cornish Game Hens, Lamb Shank Provencal, Best Barley Greek Salad and Braised Cabbage and Apples. Got a sweet tooth? Jacobs and Johnson share a tasty array of pressure cooker desserts, such as cheesecakes, custards and puddings that are cooked in minutes.

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300 Best Rice Cooker Recipes

Your rice cooker isn't just a convenience-appliance that perfectly cooks rice when you don't want to tend to a pot on the stove. As Katie Chin's cookbook 300 Best Rice Cooker Recipes (Robert Rose, 2011) proves, your rice cooker can cook hearty, healthy meals featuring rice and other whole grains, beans, vegetables and even meats. Chin gives you a wide range of recipes inspired by flavors from around the world for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. A few of our favorite rice cooker recipes include Berry Breakfast Risotto, Red Lentil and Rice Patties, Tuscan Wheat Berry Soup, Wild Rice and Pork Stew, Bombay Turkey and Rocky Road Polenta Pudding. Your rice cooker is not only a time-saving kitchen appliance; it can also help you deliciously incorporate more whole grains and vegetables into your family's diet.

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More meal ideas for busy families

Slow cooker recipes
Quick and easy dinner recipes
Quick comfort food recipes for busy families

Get juiced! Make a batch of apple cider at home

Take A Shine To Homemade Apple CiderRaise a glass to the colorful autumn season! What you put in that glass is up to you, but it's the perfect time of year to toast with apple cider you make at home. The best part: You don't need an apple press to make this seasonal beverage!

It's easier than you think to make your own apple cider, and it's a great family activity for a chilly fall day. Besides, how many apple pies can you eat?

Enjoy the "forbidden" fruit

Since apples are readily available at this time of year and it's the perfect weather for an excursion to a local farm, consider picking your own for a big dose of family fun! If you don't have access to a spot where you can harvest your own apples, check your local farmers market or grocery store. Organic apples have been found to have a better taste, and something else to consider when deciding on organic: this year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization focused on public health, ranked apples at the top of the "dirty dozen" list as the most chemically-contaminated produce, which may influence your choice.

Take your pick

The type of apples you use for your cider is simply a matter of taste. The more tart the apple, like Granny Smith for example, the more tart your cider. Sweeter apples include Red Delicious, Fuji and Gala among others. The more tart variety includes Granny Smith and Macintosh apples. You can also mix and match until your heart's content!

You'll need about 36 apples to make one gallon of cider, along with seasonings of your choice, like cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon.

Equipment needed:Food processor or blenderSharp knifeCutting boardApple corer (if you have it, but it's not necessary)CheeseclothLarge panLarge container to store your ciderDirections:

Thoroughly wash your apples, whether they're organic or not.Core your apples. If you don't have an apple corer, simply slice them in half and cut away the core area.Cut the apples into small pieces (leaving the peels intact) and add them to your blender or processor. Blend the apples to produce the finest pulp possible.Place the cheesecloth over a large pan and add the apples to the cheesecloth. Wring and squeeze the pulp in the cheesecloth over the pan so the juice goes into the pan.When you get to the amount of juice you want, add your seasonings to taste.

If you end up with any cider left over, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you like your cider hot, warm it up! If you'd rather chill with your cider, that makes a terrific beverage option, too.Making your own cider takes a bit of elbow grease, but it's well worth the effort, especially during such a great time of year. What a fantastic way to make some family fun and a tasty treat!Watch: Varieties of apples

Red and Golden Delicious may be the most common, but there are more than 10,000 varieties of apples! Watch this video to learn about the appearance, texture and taste of a variety of apples.

More seasonal apple recipes to try

Drunken apple spice muffin
Chunky cheese and apple dip
Apple butter
Pork chops with sautéed apples
Grilled cheese and apple sandwich

Hanukkah rugelach recipes

Two Delicious Hanukkah Options!Just like the pronunciation of this Hanukkah cookie differs from person to person, there are thousands of different ways to prepare them. Many prefer the traditional recipe made with walnuts and honey, while others prefer to spice it up with exotic jellies and jams. Since the fillings are different, what makes a rugelach a rugelach is the way it's rolled and baked, into a crescent shape with a brown sugar coating. Since it's too hard to choose which flavor is best, make both varieties of this Hanukkah dessert recipe this season!

This sweet and rich rugelach cookie recipe is made with cream cheese dough, but if you are keeping a kosher meal this holiday, substitute non-dairy creamer in your dough instead!

Traditional rugelach

Yields about 36

Ingredients:1 cup plus one teaspoon butter, divided (room temperature)1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese3 cups all-purpose flour4 cups ground walnuts3/4 cups sugar1/4 cup brown sugar1/2 cup milk (2 percent)1 teaspoon almond extract2 tablespoons honey1/8 teaspoon kosher saltDirections:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.Using a mixer (hand-held or Kitchen Aid), add one cup of butter and cream cheese and beat until creamy. Gradually add flour until mixture forms a ball. Divide the dough and roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour.While dough is chilling, melt remaining butter in a large bowl. Add walnuts, 3/4 cup of the sugar, honey, milk, almond extract and salt into the melted butter. Spread the walnut mixture over the dough circles, spreading evenly. Roll up the wedges and form crescent shapes.Place dough point side down and bake for at least 35 minutes or until cookie is browned. Put the rest of the sugar in a bowl and dip the tops of the cookies in the sugar.

Jam filled rugelach

Yields about 36

For this recipe, just double the dough recipe above to save time and effort in the kitchen!

Ingredients:4 (12-inch) rugelach dough circles (see above)1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts1 cup raspberry preserves1/2 cup chopped fresh blueberries1/4 cup sugarDirections:

Prepare rugelach dough and chill. While chilling, mix together the jam, the walnuts and the chopped blueberries.Spread the filling over the dough circles and cut into wedges and form a crescent shape.Bake for at least 35 minutes or until soft. Roll dough in excess sugar and cool.

More Hanukkah recipes

Hanukkah recipes that will delight
Apple cider latkes
Hanukkah menu and wine pairing

Hotel fitness programs for healthy holiday travel

Stay fit & stress-
free

Good news for those of you workout-hungry gals who are traveling this holiday season. If your relatives don't have room for you in their abode, check in to a hotel that offers a state-of-the-art fitness center and sweat-worthy exercise programs. The following hotels deliver comfy accommodations and holiday calorie-busting exercise options.

Hotel fitness is a growing trend

Gone are the days when all a hotel had to offer was a room with a bed and bathroom. According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association 2010 Lodging Survey, hotels are getting healthier.

The survey found:The number of hotels with exercise equipment in guest rooms nearly tripled in three years to 17 percent, up from 6 percent in 2008.Eighty-three percent of hotels have exercise rooms or fitness facilities, up from 63 percent in 2004.Fifty-six percent of hotels have 100 percent non-smoking guest rooms, an 18 percent increase from 2008.

The hotel fitness trend makes travel far more enjoyable for exercise enthusiasts and it offers a healthy venue for families to enjoy while on the road for the holidays and beyond.

Hotel fitness offerings flex their muscles – and yoursWestin Hotels & Resorts/New Balance

Did you know that workout gear takes up approximately half of the space in a carry-on? Now you don't have to worry about toting it with you when you stay at a Westin property. The worldwide hospitality brand has an exclusive partnership with New Balance, in which fitness gear (shoes with disposable insoles, tank tops, pants, accessories and more) will be available to guests through a complimentary gear lending program. The program is currently available in 10 pilot properties and will launch globally in early 2012.

Gansevoort Hotel Group/Exhale

You've seen the DVDs and perhaps even experienced Exhale, the popular mind-body spa facility best known for its unique spa therapies and transformational Core Fusion fitness program. Now you can visit your family and friends in New York and stay at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, and Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC. Exhale offers a schedule of Core Fusion, Core Fusion Cardio, Core Fusion Sport, Core Fusion Yoga, and Music Yoga Flow classes within a mind-body studio. Core Fusion is a blend of core conditioning, Pilates and yoga to produce long, lean muscles, a flexible, youthful body, and a sense of peace and relaxation. And couldn't we all use that during the stressful holiday season?

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts/Core Performance

As part of Sheraton's $6 billion revitalization, the hotel company has completely revamped their fitness centers and offerings by partnering with Core Performance, the leader in performance training, nutrition, and physical therapy. Stay at a Sheraton and indulge in the Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core Performance program. Mark Verstegen, pro athlete trainer and founder of Core Performance, helped Sheraton create a customized training and nutrition program for travelers. Of note, this alliance marks the first time that Core Performance has partnered with a hotel company.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts/Stay Fit

The Hyatt Stay Fit program, which was launched with celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, offers state-of-the-art fitness facilities at Hyatts throughout North America and the Caribbean. Equipped with the latest in cardio and strength-training equipment and fitness tools, the Stay Fit gyms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need motivation, you can take advantage of the Gunnar Peterson-designed workouts and if you need a mind-body workout, you can do the in-room Yoga Away program with TV classes. As a bonus, the hotel's Stay Fit Fitness Concierges can accommodate you with workout gear, fitness tips for the local area and arm you with a GPS watch to map and monitor your outdoor fitness treks.

Hilton Hotels and Resorts/ Precor

Available at select locations, the Hilton Fitness by Precor program includes the latest Precor equipment, including ellipticals, treadmills and stationary bikes, all with personal TV screens and headphones. When you're done with your cardio, you can lift free weights, hydrate with the complimentary water, grab a towel and cool down while stretching your muscles. According to the hotel's main website, the Hilton Fitness by Precor program will be available at all locations by year's end.

More holiday health tips

Holiday diet tips to keep you trim
Top 5 tips to eat less this holiday season
10 Stay-fit travel tips for the holidays

Diabetes How to lose weight and keep it off

Weight Loss Tips For People With DiabetesNovember may be the beginning of the holiday season but it is also National Diabetes Month. If you’re one of the nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. with diabetes, the holidays can especially stressful, since food is in abundance and weight gain is almost a given. You may even believe having diabetes makes weight loss impossible. Good news: You really can manage your weight -- and even lose weight -- with simple changes in your lifestyle. We turned to dietitian and diabetes specialist Molly Gee to learn how people with diabetes can best manage their weight.

The weight and diabetes connection

Molly Gee, M.Ed., R.D., L.D., managing director at the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine and spokesperson for Glucerna, says there is an unquestionable connection between weight and diabetes but that this link doesn't mean people with diabetes are sentenced to a lifetime of being overweight.

"We now know that being obese or overweight is a leading modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The good news is that with a few small changes, including moderate weight loss of 5 to 10 percent, you can significantly help improve your type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of complications," the diabetes expert explains.

Take small steps for weight loss success

Before you make changes in your diet and exercise, Gee stresses that you should check with your doctor to ensure the changes you make are right for you. She also encourages people with diabetes to confidently make changes and not be daunted by the belief that you have to drastically overhaul your lifestyle.

"Making positive changes to your overall health is not about big actions, but rather the small lifestyle changes that anyone can make," she says.

Weight loss tips for people with diabetes Be smart about nutrition

As a registered dietitian, nutrition smarts are always at the top of Gee's recommendations. "Become familiar with the nutritious, healthy choices you should be incorporating into your daily diet," she suggests. "Plan nutritious meals, which include lean proteins and high-fiber foods that are filling and low in fat, like beans, brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables."

Keep track of your diet

"It's important to remember what you've already eaten throughout the day so that you can continue to plan meals accordingly and get the balance of nutrients you need," Gee says. "Try writing down everything you eat in a food log, or in this digital age, take pictures with your smartphone so that you have a running nutrition log that you can access at any time."

Make healthy eating easy

Gee knows that putting together balanced meals can be challenging, especially when people are on the go. "This is why I recommend substituting one or two meals or snacks a day with a meal replacement such as Glucerna Hunger Smart shakes or bars, [which are] made for people with diabetes and offer more protein to help manage hunger."

Closely monitor blood glucose levels

Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial for anyone with diabetes, but is especially important for those who are trying to lose weight. "Low blood sugar can occur with reducing calories, and it's important to contact your doctor if symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, confusion, sweating or trembling occur," cautions Gee.

Get moving

"Incorporate exercise into your routine every day to manage your weight and improve your overall health," suggests Gee. "Start gradually with 10 minute bouts of walking, and, as always, consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program."

Make exercise a group activity

If you consider exercise the most challenging lifestyle change, partner with someone else to make exercise more enjoyable. "It's hard to get started on any new routine alone, so try starting by taking daily walks at lunch with co-workers, or walking the dog an extra lap around the block," Gee says. "Again, start slowly, and eventually you will be incorporating more and more exercise into your daily routine."

For more information or tips in managing diabetes, please visit www.Glucerna.com.

More on diabetes

Diabetes tips: Exercise to manage the disease
Tips to prevent diabetes-related complications in aging parents
The best diabetes cookbooks

No-bake peanut butter pretzel bites

Easy And No-BakeSometimes it's just easier not to turn on the oven. These simple no-bake bars are a breeze to throw together and perfect to make with the kids. Just press in a pan. It's that simple!

No-bake treats are delicious and perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen. These bars are packed with peanut butter, chocolate and pretzels! What a classic combination! These flavors are sure to impress, and they couldn't be easier to put together!

No-bake peanut butter pretzel bites recipe

Adapted from Very Best Baking

Yields 9 x 13-inch pan

Ingredients:1-1/4 cups chunky peanut butter1-1/2 sticks butter, room temperature2 cups powdered sugar4 cups crushed pretzels, divided2 cups chocolate chips, divided3/4 cup creamy peanut butterDirections:

Parchment line a 9 x 13-inch pan and spray parchment with nonstick spray.Beat chunky peanut butter and butter till creamy.Gradually beat in 1 cup of the powdered sugar. Stir in remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 cups crushed pretzels and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Press into pan and smooth top.Microwave 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips and 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter till melted and smooth.Spread over peanut butter mixture and sprinkle with remaining crushed pretzels.Chill for at least 3 hours before cutting.

More no-bake recipes

No-bake icebox cakes recipe
No-bake hummus pizza recipe
Mini no-bake brownie batter cheesecake recipe

Best reasons to get fit

Look Better, Feel Better, Live Better!If it’s been a while since you hit the gym or went for a run, starting an exercise routine can be difficult. While it’s important to start small and stay light at first, staying motivated will be easier if you consider all the reasons you want to get fit.

Access almost any university or health center website and you'll be able to find comprehensive lists of the benefits of exercise, but sometimes a simple list doesn't feel tangible. Consider how the health benefits of exercise will actually enhance your life in the following ways:

Live better

Georgia State University's Exercise and Physical Fitness Page highlights a few of the benefits of cardiovascular and strength training. For instance, exercise helps reduce and prevent cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Exercise can also prevent disease, like certain types of colon and breast cancers as well as Type 2 Diabetes. With the rates of cancer, diabetes and heart disease on the rise, prevention through exercise is a first line of defense.

You'll also find that with a regular fitness routine, you have a lot more energy, which translates into more time to spend playing with your kids or having fun with your partner or friends. By getting fit, you'll not only live better, you'll live longer and healthier, too!

Feel better

Getting fit now will help you feel better in many ways. For example, exercise builds your resistance to illnesses like the cold and flu by strengthening your immune system, keeping you healthy year-round. If you suffer from back pain, getting fit will help you combat pain and reduce your risk of further injury, since the stabilizing muscles of the core will be strengthened. Plus, that added strength may help you prevent and bounce back from injuries quicker than someone who is out of shape. Still need more "feel good" reasons to get fit? Regular exercise helps you sleep better and can also increase your sex drive.

Think better

Exercise is a natural mood elevator. According to Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publications, as you get fit, you'll experience a reduction in stress and anxiety. Along with a decrease in stress, you'll experience a corresponding increase in happiness. Plus, getting fit is a sure-fire way to boost your confidence and feel better about yourself.

If you're feeling mentally fuzzy, The Franklin Institute notes that regular exercise enhances memory and boosts brain function in an immediate and tangible way. In the long-term, exercise may also help prevent Alzheimer's disease. All this mental clarity can come at a minimal time commitment, too — moderate exercise for only 20 minutes a day delivers all these mental health benefits.

Look better

Appearance isn't everything, of course. But how great would you feel if you could zip yourself into your skinny jeans again? Dig through your closet and find your favorite outfits that no longer fit well. Imagine yourself wearing them again. Getting fit can get you there. As you get fit, you'll probably notice that your skin starts to look clearer and more radiant. Though outward improvements aren't nearly as important as all those internal health benefits, why not focus on the perfect swimsuit or that curve-hugging dress as a get-fit motivator? You'll feel fabulous and look fabulous, too!

More fitness tips

Quick cardio workouts in your neighborhood
Setting up a workout schedule
Ways to motivate yourself to get fit

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