By keeping summer menus simple and light, you can enjoy the natural flavors of food just as they are.

(ARA) – Hot dogs, hamburgers and pork ribs aren’t the healthiest eats in the bunch, especially if getting fit for the summertime is a priority. You won’t have to compromise these good ol’ grilling favorites at your next barbecue if lighter substitutions are made elsewhere.

“Incorporating healthy, flavorful side dishes is key when you’re serving copious amounts of barbecued meat,” says Chef Steven M. Simpson, Culinary Director at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Michigan. “What I like to do is take an old favorite like coleslaw that’s typically drenched in a mayonnaise dressing and modify it to create a light, refreshing alternative.” For example, Simpson makes an Asian-inspired coleslaw with several kinds of Chinese cabbages, oranges, carrots and red onion with a light dressing of orange juice, ginger and a dash of canola oil.

He also advises keeping different types of oils and vinegars on tap to make vinaigrettes, which serve as a good substitute for the heavier cream and mayonnaise dressings typically found in pasta and potato salads.

Another tip is to experiment with salad greens. “You can liven up a humdrum salad by switching out your standard iceberg or romaine lettuce with chicory, dandelion greens, Belgian endive, Bibb lettuce, watercress or arugula,” Simpson says. “Not only are these darker greens more flavorful, but they also tend to be much higher in vitamins and minerals.”

An advocate for homegrown foods and spices, Simpson utilizes herbs and various vegetables like lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and chili peppers from his own backyard. “When planting a garden, choose foods that you eat frequently and enjoy because if all goes well, you’ll have an abundance of them.”

If gardening isn’t your cup of tea, then Simpson suggests buying produce and meats from your local farmers market, as it’s the next best thing.

Grilling fresh meats and produce isn’t just for special occasions. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, 63 percent of parents say that barbecuing or grilling outdoors is the most fun way for a family to eat dinner together during the summer months. And facilitating family bonding isn’t the only benefit. Cooking on a grill can help food retain nutritional value if cooked properly.

Simpson cooks almost everything on the grill — potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, greens, salmon and eggplant, just to name a few. “Aside from oil, salt and pepper, I don’t do too much to the foods I grill. It’s a flavorful and simple way to preserve the integrity of the organic products, whether bought or homegrown,” he says.

“The beauty of eating in the summertime is that there is so much variety to choose from. My best advice is to keep it simple, refreshing and light, and enjoy the natural flavors of the food just as they are,” he adds.

To see what else is “cooking” at The Art Institutes system of schools check out www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Asian Coleslaw

Recipe courtesy of chef Steven M. Simpson, culinary director at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Michigan

Yields 6 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup
8 Servings

Ingredients:

2 cups Napa cabbage,shredded
2 cups bok choy, baby bok choy, Savoy or other cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, julienned
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1/4 cup red onion, julienned
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Rice vinegar (unseasoned) to taste
1/4 cup canola, sunflower or soybean oil
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
12-15 orange, grapefruit or tangerine segments (can substitute canned mandarin oranges)

Preparation:

1. Combine cabbages, carrot, red pepper and red onion into a large mixing bowl and toss together.
2. In a separate bowl whisk orange juice, canola and sesame oils together. This is a broken vinaigrette so it will need to be whisked immediately prior to dressing the coleslaw.
3. Add salt and pepper to dressing and taste. If you would like a more tart dressing you can add rice vinegar to adjust the acidity.
4. Combine 2/3 of the dressing with the slaw mixture. You just want to coat the cabbage; it will release some moisture as it sits. If needed, add the remaining dressing.
5. Check the seasoning again and transfer the coleslaw to the serving dish.
6. Garnish with the citrus segments and toasted sesame seeds.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

——————————————————————————–
EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Tip: Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test.

(ARA) – It’s fun, it’s messy, and it means time with an adult — no wonder most kids love to cook. Kitchen duty provides plenty of learning opportunities for kids too. Problem is, for many parents, the goal of cooking is getting something on the table, pronto. And that’s OK — whipping up a nutritious meal using a mix or livening up leftovers together can also be a fun learning experience.

Here’s how to make the most out of cooking with a pint-size helper:

* Look for the lesson. No need to get preachy, but take advantage of the learning potential. Besides kitchen safety and cooking techniques, your child can also practice reading, basic math skills (everything from number recognition to division), and how to follow directions.

* Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test. (Somehow it’s less intimidating than sitting down for a serious “talk.”)

* Encourage easy creativity by stocking up on an array of spices. Try asking your kids things like: “Want to try cardamom instead of cinnamon on those apples?” and “How about adding some zip to these leftover mashed potatoes with a little garlic powder?”

* Explore other cultures. Spice blends like Indian curry and Mexican seasoning are an easy way to introduce ethnic flair — and conversation — to dinner.

* Choose dishes that are fun to make, nutritious, and bound to succeed. Pass down family favorites or try new recipes when time permits. Or go quick and simple with convenient mixes. Frontier Natural Products Co-op offers quality, healthful bulk mixes for soups, dips, beverages like lemonade and cocoa, salsas, soy burgers, falafel and taco filling. And its Simply Organic line has meal-size quantities of everything from baking and dip mixes to gravies, pasta sauces, taco mixes, dressings and marinades.

* Take advantage of broth powders. Just add water and you’re on your way to homemade soup. Have your child toss in leftovers from the week and a few spices, and you’ve got yourselves a budget-friendly, healthful dinner.

* Sprout seeds. Show your child how to start a batch of sprouts and rinse them twice a day until they’re ready. (It’s an easier way to teach responsibility than a family pet!)

* Introduce your child to related life skills, like meal planning and nutrition, grocery shopping and budget management, table setting, and gardening. Visit the farmer’s market and the food co-op together.

* Use cooking as a springboard. “Kids can learn about important topics like organics, food miles, and ethical sourcing at an early age,” says Kathy Larson, vice president of Sustainability and Education at Frontier Natural Products Co-op. “You might explain that you purchase your produce from a local farmer who sells at the co-op, for example — or that you order your coffee, tea, spices, sprouting seeds and other cooking ingredients from a company that helps the farmers who grow their products and makes business decisions with the environment in mind.”

* If you find that your child is eager for more time in the kitchen, devote some of your weekend to baking a cake or making cookies from scratch. (That’ll give you plenty of time to talk about why cakes rise or the concept of that Fair Trade cocoa you’re using.)

Cooking side-by-side with your child means you can set the timer for quality time and make every minute count. You’ll find more tips on cooking with kids — and kid-friendly recipes — at www.frontiercoop.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Playdates have taken off in America, and it is no wonder. In this economy, where else can you find an inexpensive activity that is fun for both children and moms? Not only do playdates help youngsters learn socialization and cooperation skills, but they also allow moms to mingle and share advice.

Participating in playdates (or “playgroups”) is a great way to spend the afternoon, until one of your guests sneezes … and then sneezes again. If it turns out that a member of your playdate is severely allergic to the family cat, your afternoon plans could be ruined.

On any given day in America, 10,000 children miss school because of allergies, according to one study referenced on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Web site, www.AAAAI.org. Their site also mentions that up to 40 percent of American children are believed to suffer from nasal allergies, and millions more have food and skin allergies.

Yet in a recent national survey conducted by Ipsos and The Clorox Company, just three percent of the parents polled said they are most concerned about exposure to indoor allergens during playdates.

“Playdates nurture a sense of community among children and parents,” says Jeff Van Lom, co-founder and CEO of Playgroups USA, a national organization that helps parents form playgroups for their children. “Kids get to be kids and enjoy playing together while parents can share advice, experiences and support. But an allergic reaction can take all the fun out of a playdate.”

Nearly half of parents reported their children have experienced indoor allergy symptoms in the past year, according to the survey. Because playdates often occur indoors, they can be tough for children who are allergic to indoor allergens such as dust mite matter and pet dander. Whether you’re hosting the playdate or your child is a guest, it pays to prepare with some allergy precautions.

A new free, downloadable guide on www.PlaygroupsUSA.com, called the “Guide to the ABCs of Playdates and Allergies,” helps parents prepare homes for playdates — especially when guests have allergies. The guide, created through a partnership between Playgroups USA and The Clorox Company, provides information on common allergens, statistics on allergies among children, and tips for minimizing allergy triggers during playdates.

Prepping for the Playdate

Everyone knows how tough it is to be a parent in general, much less also be in charge of hosting a playdate with other children — especially children with allergies. This guide outlines simple steps that you can take to help make life easier as the playdate host.

For example, prior to the playdate, follow these easy steps to help reduce common indoor allergens like dust mite matter and pet dander:

* To help make indoor allergen management easier, spray upholstered furniture and other fabrics with a product such as Clorox Anywhere Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray to reduce up to 90 percent of common indoor allergens such as dust mite matter and pet dander. This spray is also fragrance-free and dye-free, so it is safe to use around pets and won’t bother kids with sensitive skin.

* Wash fabric toys and blankets with an anti-allergen bleach like Clorox Plus Anti-Allergen Bleach that removes 99 percent of household allergens. The bleach denatures common household allergens — such as mold, dust mite matter and pet dander — that can hide in fabric fibers or on hard surfaces.

* It is also a good idea to vacuum and dust the room where you plan to host your playdate. Also try to keep your pets out of the house for the day. As all moms know, there are not enough hours in the day, so just focus on where you plan to spend time with your guests. The rest of the house can wait.

* Find out from other parents if their children have food allergies, and plan menu choices accordingly. If their child has a food allergy, they will be very impressed — and thankful — that you asked. Invite parents to join in and, if it raises their comfort level, supply their own snacks for their food-allergic child.

The “Guide to the ABCs of Playdates and Allergies” offers more easy-to-follow advice on how to keep allergies from being a playdate problem and is available for free download at www.PlaygroupsUSA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Spring is just around the corner. How will you spend those extra hours of daylight? Longer spring days signal the perfect time to get outdoors, yet according to The Nature Conservancy, nature-related activities, such as fishing, hiking, and visits to public parks, have declined between 18 percent and 25 percent since 1981.

So what should you do with your time outdoors this spring? Back to Nature, creators of delicious food products made from simple, natural ingredients, and The Nature Conservancy have collaborated to bring you “The Backyard Guide to Nature” to help you enjoy, experience and explore nature.

Offering a range of fun, easy-to-do outdoor activities which can be done in your own neighborhood, whether urban, suburban or rural, “The Backyard Guide to Nature” helps to remind people that nature is within their reach, and that reconnecting with the world around you can be both easy and inspiring.

Here’s a sample of the tips and activities you’ll find in the Guide:

Enjoy Nature

* Start by doing just one thing in your backyard or neighborhood each week. Enjoy a breakfast of tasty Back to Nature granola on your back deck or patio, read the morning newspaper or your book in the park, or try to spot different kinds of birds, trees or animals. Even try moving your exercise routine outside.

* Appreciate nature wherever you find it — look up at the sky more often, listen to the chirping birds, breathe in the fresh air or feel the rain on your face, or watch a sunset or sunrise.

Experience Nature

* Relive childhood camping experiences, and bond with your own family in a fun, educational way, by having a backyard camping trip. Gather all the camping essentials, including a tent, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, flashlights or lanterns, games, insect repellant and a camera to preserve the memories. Be sure to pack camping-friendly snacks and munchies, like Back to Nature granola, nuts and trail mix.

* Gardening draws you closer to nature and all you need is a sunny spot on your deck, patio, yard or windowsill, a few containers, some potting soil and some seeds or seedlings. Try planting tomatoes, peppers, green onions, lettuce, radishes and herbs like rosemary, basil and thyme, which do well in potted containers.

* Watching and listening to birds is an easy, fun way to reconnect with nature. Attract a variety of birds to your yard with a bird feeder you make yourself. Simply spread peanut butter on pine cones, roll them in bird seed until they’re covered, tie on a piece of string or ribbon and hang them outside to attract feathered friends to your backyard.

* Preserve some of the season’s bright blooms for use in arts and crafts throughout the year. Place flowers, arranged in a single layer, between sheets of tissue paper. Cover the top sheet with newspaper, then press the bundle beneath several heavy books for two to three weeks to remove all moisture. Use the dried flowers to decorate picture frames, cards, bookmarks and other crafts.

Explore Nature

* For a hands-on experience of nature, try a day trip to a working farm, look for a walking group or bird-watching group in your area, or gather a group of friends and head to a nearby hiking trail for a day of up-close-and personal nature.

* Pack up the family and take a scenic weekend drive through one of the country’s glorious national parks or visit a Nature Conservancy preserve in or near your state. Visit www.nature.org to find an interactive map of preserves near you.

For more ideas on how to get back to nature, visit www.backtonaturefoods.com to download your free copy of “The Backyard Guide to Nature.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Hannah Keeley

(ARA) – That last school bell has rung and the kids are back home, enjoying all the pleasures that summer vacation offers. But there’s got to be more to life than sleeping until noon and sipping lemonade by the pool. Here are some more ideas to make sure your kids stay happy and healthy this summer.

1. Block the sun. Sunlight is great; but too much exposure can be dangerous. Cover the kids with generous amounts of waterproof sunscreen — SPF of 30 or greater — 30 minutes prior to any sun exposure. Be sure to reapply it every 30 minutes for maximum protection.

2. Take a hometown vacation. With gas prices soaring, summer vacations may need to be spent a little closer to home. Check out your hometown’s restaurants, museums or parks together as a family and pretend you’re tourists for a few days.

3. Keep active. Keep the kids up and moving with some fun games such as badminton, swimming or soccer. And, of course, never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned game of hide and seek or catching fireflies at dusk.

4. Pick some produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are aplenty during the summer months. Gather the kids to visit a local farm or check out the local farmers market. With so many delicious choices this summer, your kids may actually eat their vegetables!

5. Stay hydrated. Enjoying the summer heat can sometimes lead to dehydration. Be sure to keep plenty of filtered water on tap and instead of letting the kids grab for sodas, enjoy some healthier treats such as juice spritzers or frozen fruit juice popsicles.

6. Start a reading club. Don’t let those brain cells get lazy during the summer. Reading is a great way to keep your kids’ minds active. Gather some of your children’s friends for meetings to discuss fun summer reads. If food is involved, turnout will be much higher — guaranteed.

7. Record some memories. Make this a summer to remember. Arm the kids with a video camera to make family movies. Or, take still pictures and create an online scrapbook that you can share with friends and family.

8. Breathe easy. Hot, summer weather forces us to keep our doors and windows shut tight, trapping allergens and airborne molecules in our homes and in our lungs. Keep your home’s indoor air healthy by installing a whole-home air filtration system, such as AccuClean from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning.

9. Go around the world. Take a trip around the world without leaving your own home. Pick a different country or culture each week. Read books and create maps of the area. Wrap up your week of study by creating and enjoying a traditional meal from the region.

10. Have fun. Don’t over schedule your summer. Instead, use summer vacation to lighten your family’s load, kick back, and enjoy these long, golden days. Memories are created, not scheduled, so start creating some today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hannah Keeley is a lifestyle expert, author and founder of TotalMom.com. Her work has been published in numerous publications and she has been featured on national television programming as the go-to source for moms.

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“Working together on a hands-on project is one of the most rewarding activities you can engage in with young family members,” says Pat Hensiak, Dremel customer service supervisor. “You’ll create memories that will last a lifetime, and often end up with a special souvenir.” Interestingly, the Dremel company recently conducted a survey about Do-It-Yourself projects and found that a high percentage of men – 44 percent – believe that working on home improvement projects with another family member strengthens the relationship.

These projects include easy steps that kids of any age can follow when working with their parents. An experienced adult should always complete power tool work, and this time provides a good opportunity for adults to explain the proper use of power tools and shop safety to their young helpers.

* Build a wooden toy racing car. Working together to create a wooden toy racing car is a classic father/son activity, stemming from derby car racing’s early association with clubs such as the Boy Scouts of America. Nowadays, derby car racing has been adapted by many other groups, including church and community groups, and could even be turned into a family race.

Start by drawing the car on a block of pine showing the top, side, front and back views. Using a vise to hold the wood block, remove large areas of wood with a scroll saw or coping saw. Then, use a Dremel 300 Series Rotary Tool to shape, smooth and make contours to the car. Kids can jump into hand-sand the car, then paint with their favorite colors and designs. Assemble wheels and you’re ready to roll.

* Create a homemade puzzle. Let your kids pick their favorite photo – maybe one from vacation or of a family pet – and use a photo service found in most drug stores to enlarge it to the size puzzle you wish to create. A colorful magazine page or one of your kids’ own drawings will also work. Purchase or cut an 1/8- to 1/2-inch piece of wood to the same size as your image. Allow kids to hand-sand the wood until smooth, then draw an outline for puzzle pieces onto the back. Using glue, affix the image to the top of the wood piece. Follow the puzzle piece outlines drawn on the back of the wood with a scroll saw to cut the wood into the puzzle pieces.

* Make a terra cotta birdhouse. Kids love watching wildlife gather in their own back yards. Make a trip to the hardware store first to gather supplies: a clay pot 4 to 6 inches in diameter, a clay saucer large enough to cover the pot, a 3/8-inch threaded rod two inches longer than the length of the pot and saucer combined, three nuts for the 3/8-inch rod, three metal washers, three rubber washers, an extended nut, an eyebolt or threaded hook and a 1/4-inch dowel 3 inches long.

The saucer serves as the birdhouse roof. Using a rotary tool, grind a 3/8-inch hole in the center of the saucer. Make the bird’s door by grinding a 1- to 1 1/2-inch hole in the side of the pot. Beneath the door, grind a 1/4-inch hole using a tungsten carbide cutter and press a dowel into it for a perch.

Thread all components together to form the hanging house:

* Thread the nut from the top of the rod to position the pot.
* Slip the metal washer, then rubber washer, up from the bottom of the rod then slide the pot into position.
* Slide rubber washer then metal washer up under pot.
* Thread the nut up from the bottom of the rod and tighten against washers until pot is securely held.
* Repeat the same procedure for securing the saucer upside-down. Then, thread on another nut to act as a lock nut. Thread extended nut on top of rod and screw eyebolt into it as a hanger.

After hanging in a nearby tree, wait for a bird family to make the house a home.

For more family-friendly project ideas, visit www.dremel.com or call the Dremel Experts at
(800) 437-3635.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Over scheduling is a nationwide epidemic. From preschoolers to CEOs, we are constantly running from one activity to the next. This busy and sometimes frantic lifestyle affects all aspects of life and many people feel the strain caused by overloaded to-do lists.

According to the authors of “Yes, You Can… Find More Meaning in Your Life”, Jack Jonathan and Sheelagh Manheim, PhD, over scheduling can create a narrow focus that prevents you from experiencing meaning in your life. These two regular contributors to www.YesYouCanOnline.info offer ways to step off the treadmill of busyness and reaffirm what is good in your life.

Jonathan and Manheim suggest finding a balance in five fundamental areas of life: positive attitude, good physical health, personal relationships, financial well-being and a passion for knowledge.

“Anyone looking to streamline their schedule can use these essentials as guidelines to help balance the way they spend their time,” said Jonathan. “Paying attention to each basic area of life may help a person to feel more at peace.”

Jonathan and Manheim offer the following six ideas to help bring a feeling of meaning into a busy life.

* Foster a Positive Attitude. Begin your day with a sense of wonder. Ask yourself, “What is in store for me today?” Then set achievable goals for the day. Remain open to other possibilities so challenges that come up will not feel overwhelming. Do at least one thing each day that creates in you a sense of happiness, delight, accomplishment or wonder.

* Nurture Your Body. Sometimes basic physical needs are set aside because of busy schedules. It is ideal to schedule time for exercise and recreation. “But, you can also nurture your body by simply paying attention,” Jonathan advises. “Why not pause a minute between activities, look out of the window, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.” Manheim advises looking forward to your lunch break, choosing foods that really appeal to you, and then savoring your meal in the presence of friends.

* Honor Your Personal Relationships. Friendships often suffer from neglect when life gets too busy. Even if you can’t fit in a weekend getaway or a night out, you can still find time to foster meaningful relationships. Connect over lunch, make regular phone calls, keep in touch frequently with meaningful e-mails or better yet, send a note or a card. Whenever you are able to contact your friend be sure to truly relax and give your friend your whole attention. Let time stand still for those precious moments you do have together.

* Pay Regular Attention to Your Finances. The only person you can count on for your financial well-being is you. Set aside a regular time each month to pay bills and review your financial situation. Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, recommends that when you review your spending, you ask yourself, “Am I getting my money’s worth?” Do you spend your money in a way that brings meaning to your life? You will find that careful financial planning will set you free to enjoy your life more.

* Cultivate Your Curiosity. Having a passion for knowledge is one of our greatest innate gifts. It does not require a great deal of time – only the curiosity to ask what? or why? and then spend a few minutes to search for an answer. Learning something new goes beyond book learning. It can involve simply paying attention to what is going on in your own neighborhood. The more we know about the little piece of turf we inhabit, the more meaningful our life becomes because we step outside ourselves.

* Value Your Time. Jim Stowers, co-author along with Jack Jonathan, of the soon-to-be published “Yes, You Can… Reach Your Goals and Achieve Your Dreams,” comments, “Time is often taken for granted. Yet, properly used, time becomes a key multiplier that can be leveraged by effort and determination to help you achieve your dreams.” When you set aside small amounts of time to be truly present to your attitude, physical well being, friendships, finances and curiosity, you can increase your joy in life.

For more ways to lead a meaningful life in the middle of a busy schedule, visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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With a full serving of veggies in every 1/2 cup of pasta sauce, Ragú pasta sauce has some effortless ideas for game-time foods without the guilt and hassle.

* Cut the grease. French fries and frozen appetizers may seem like the easy way out when faced with a crowd of hungry guests but there are more nutritious solutions when feeding a group. As an alternative that is just as easy, try cutting up veggies and pairing them with a dressing-based dip, or serving cubed turkey and cheese to dunk in warmed Ragú pasta sauce.

* You are not a waitress. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to serve themselves, and clean up after themselves. Spread all food and drinks out on a table, buffet-style, and let guests take what they want when they want it. Use disposable plates, napkins and cutlery and have everyone deposit their used items into a prominently placed trash can. At the end of the night all you’ll have to do is say goodbye!

* Don’t try to be a gourmet chef. Pick simple recipes with very few ingredients. You’ll please even the pickiest of eaters and still have time to enjoy the game yourself. Try the following recipes that easily feed a crowd:

Brown ground beef or turkey and add in a 26 oz. jar of Ragu pasta sauce for each pound of meat. Toss in some flavorful “add-ins,” heat through and serve. And feel free to mix and match ingredients to please your game-day guests. Try adding the following to make:

Ragú Chili
Add in sautéed onions, chili powder and red kidney beans. Serve over rice and top with cheddar cheese.

Quick Burrito
Add in sautéed veggies such as bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini and onions, about 4 tsp. chili powder and some canned corn. Serve rolled in flour tortillas, which you can bake when anybody is ready to eat.

Sloppy Joe
Increase the ground beef to 2 lbs., then add in sautéed onions, about 1/2 cup of brown sugar and some sweet relish. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns.

Taco Salad
Add in sautéed veggies like bell peppers, corn or black beans. Serve over a bed of lettuce with tortilla chips.

For more game-day recipes, and even more recipes and tips, pick up a free copy of the Ragú Soccer Moms Shortcuts book, available at www.Ragu.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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2 baking potatoes (Russets), unpeeled, washed

2 oz. (50 g) pepperoni slices, cut in quarters

Pizza toppings such as sliced olive, bell peppers, etc. (optional)

1/4 cup (50 mL) tomato sauce

1 tbsp (15 mL) Parmesan or Romano cheese

1 tsp (5 mL) soft margarine or butter

1/3 cup (75 mL) grated Cheddar cheese

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Prick each potato three times.

Place potatoes cut side down on microwaveable plate. Microwave on high for four to five minutes, or until a fork pierces potato easily. Remove plate of potatoes from microwave and cover with clean tea towel for five minutes to let potatoes continue cooking.

In a bowl, mix pepperoni, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese and margarine or butter. Set aside.

Scoop out flesh in each potato half, leaving a thin shell of potato inside skins. Stir scooped potato into pepperoni mixture.

Fill potato shells with potato-pepperoni mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Place on a baking sheet, Bake 15 to 20 minutes in a regular oven at 400 F (200 C), until cheese is lightly browned. Or heat in toaster oven until cheese is browned.

Makes four Pizza-Style Stuffed Potatoes.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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Here are some of the hottest tickets for summer:

Sports

“Major League Baseball is in full swing and there are scores of great deals to be had on tickets,” says Janes.

It’s not hard to see why sporting events are a favorite summer outing for many Americans, he adds. “Going to a sporting event is now about a lot more than just watching the game. The trip itself can be an experience, especially if you have a tailgate party before going into the stadium,” Janes says. “Plus, sporting events are great for all kinds of groups, from families to a group of guys spending time with their buddies.”

Music

This summer, there are concerts for everyone, from those who love the oldies to today’s hippest, hottest young stars. The Police, one of rock music’s most influential groups, have reunited and are touring extensively this summer for the first time in over 20 years. Grammy-winner Beyonce is also performing throughout the summer. And Jimmy Buffet, the king of fun summer music, is on the road touring through October.

Theater

If you’re looking for a hot summer ticket that combines culture and air conditioning, attending the theater may be the summer outing for you. This summer’s offerings range from silly to sublime. Monty Python’s Tony Award-winning Spamalot is on a nationwide tour across the country, hitting venues from Boston to Las Vegas to Seattle. Critically acclaimed hit Broadway musical Wicked is also touring throughout 2007. And The Color Purple, the musical adaptation of the movie that netted Whoopie Goldberg an Oscar, is touring from Baltimore to Los Angeles.

“If you waited until the last minute to make your summer outing plans, turning to the internet for hot summer tickets may be the solution,” says Janes. At StubHub, people who have sought-after tickets for more than 20,000 events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the Tonight Show can connect with those eager to buy them. “These are regular folks who’ve been lucky enough to come by tickets they don’t need, want or can’t use, and who are interested in selling them to the people who do want them,” Janes says.

StubHub guarantees every online purchase. Because the tickets up for sale on the site are being sold by private parties, buyers can often find tickets for shows that have been sold out for months. Seats range from front row to “nosebleed” and prices encompass rock bottom bargains to big-ticket VIP experiences. To learn more, visit www.StubHub.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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