Top Chef's Tom Colicchio wants you to sit down to family dinner

America Makes Dinner Connect as a family with food

No time to make dinner and sit down to eat with the family? Celebrity chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, among others, is sharing some favorite family recipes in a campaign to bring back the family dinner. It's time to shelve our excuses and make good eating around the table a priority.

With fast-food intake and obesity on the rise, people need to make some changes. First step: food. A new campaign, America Makes Dinner, wants to get people back in the kitchen making their own meals and sitting down to eat them with the family. The focus is to provide the tools, encouragement and inspiration from chefs, food bloggers and other celebrities to make it happen.

Healthy choices can be easy

Cozi, an online and mobile family calendar, and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), an organization focused on making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and families, are behind the campaign that has brought Tom Colicchio and others on board to share tips and recipes. Don’t worry if you’re gourmet-challenged. Nothing should be complicated or time-consuming -- these are just simple and nutritious meal ideas.

Connect as a family

"The single most important act anyone can do with their family is to sit down together and enjoy a home-cooked meal," says Laurie David, author of The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time. "If you do, your children will reap the benefits long into their adult years." David will be sharing some of her favorite kid-friendly recipes during the campaign.

Need more incentive? You can enter a family-friendly dinner recipe of your own to win a private cooking lesson with chef-preneur Allison Sosna, former executive chef of DC Central Kitchen, a competitor on Food Network’s Chopped and a passionate advocate of healthy food for children. During the three-hour cooking lesson, Sosna will teach the basics of preparing quick and easy dinners, and leave the family with a full week’s worth of family dinner ideas. The winner will also receive an All-Clad sauté pan, perfect for preparing one-dish meals.

Join in with America Makes Dinner Day

Each week, you're invited to try a featured recipe submission and give your feedback, helping to choose recipe finalists. Once the favorite recipes have been chosen, the America Makes Dinner campaign will culminate with America Makes Dinner Day on Oct. 17, 2012, when families across the country will sit down and enjoy the winning recipes.

More family health tips

How Brooke Burke keeps her family happy and healthy
Heart-healthy family activities
5 Simple rules for preventing childhood weight problems

Photo credit: PNP/WENN.com

American Heart Association announces new CPR guidelines

New Lifesaving CPR
Techniques RevealedThe American Heart Association announced new guidelines for CPR on Monday. The new form of CPR focuses less on breathing and more on proper chest compressions.

The old way of doing CPR was intimidating -- there were so many steps to remember that people spent more time thinking about it rather than actually giving CPR.

Not anymore. The American Heart Association announced their revised CPR guidelines on Monday with more emphasis on compressions than proper breathing techniques.

New CPR is novice-friendly

The new CPR guidelines recommend focusing on chest compressions to keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and heart. The new recommendations comes on the heels of a study that shows compressions do more to save lives then proper breathing.

"For a variety of reasons, when someone suddenly collapses in cardiac arrest, people often don't start any type of CPR, and one of the barriers, we believe, is that people think it's fairly complicated to do CPR," said Dr. Michael Sayre, co-author of the new American Heart Association guidelines said.

"But chest compressions alone are easy, and anyone can do it," he told Businessweek.

Always call 911 first

The American Heart Association recommends that anyone giving assistance should first call 911 (or instruct another person to call.) After medical personnel are notified, then first responders can begin chest compressions.

"To give the victim the best chance of survival, three actions must occur within the first moments of a cardiac arrest: activation of the EMS [emergency medical services] system, provision of CPR and operation of a defibrillator," according to the new guidelines.

Hard and fast compressions

Many who give CPR worry that their compressions will hurt the other person. In actuality, the American Heart Association says that first responders aren't compressing hard enough.

The new guidelines recommend that compressions be done at depth of at least one to two inches and at least 100 compressions per minute. Yes -- it will be tiring.

The process could break the patient's rib – but as the American Heart Association points out, it's better to break a rib and have the patient survive than risk the patient's life by being too careful.

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5 Unique, low-cal foods to add to your diet this spring

What better time to boost your diet than at the start of a new season? Now that we’re (nearly) out of hibernation, it’s time to put nutrition first and kick our diets back into high gear. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. We put together some unique ways to power up your menu this spring.

Spice up your
spring menu

We asked Yu Hannah Kim, fitness and nutrition expert and co-founder and president of Youble.com, known as, “the gym in the cloud” for online fitness, what foods to incorporate into our diet as the weather warms up. Youble offers access to high-definition streaming videos and provides unlimited access to multiple gym-quality fitness, from beginner to advanced workouts. Kim shares her picks for some interesting and power-packed foods.

“For this spring’s must-eat foods, try these bitter foods that pack a health and vitamin punch,” she tells us. “Why am I listing a ‘must-eat’ list full of bitter foods? Well, bitter foods are thought to reset the taste buds, thus kicking out food cravings,” she explains. Now doesn’t that sound like a great concept? Food that’s low in calories, packed with nutrition and minimizes food cravings? Sounds good to us!

Bitter melon

It may take a few times to get used to the intense bitter flavor of this item, but there are benefits to giving it a try. Bitter melon contains a whole host of nutrients that your body needs -- vitamins B1, B2, and B3, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, fiber and iron, Kim says. Not to mention it contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach and twice the potassium of a banana. Try adding to a stir-fry or other Asian-inspired dish.

Endive

If you’ve been bypassing this vegetable at the grocery store, it’s time to pay closer attention. “Whether you chop pieces up and sprinkle into salads, braise as a hearty veggie dish on the side or use the pretty vessels as an eatable container for an appetizer, at 20 calories for a whole endive, it’s as versatile as it is nutritious,” Kim says. This crunchy and slightly bitter vegetable is packed with potassium, fiber and vitamins A and B.

Dandelion greens

When you think of spring, one of the things that likely comes to mind are dandelions, those pesky weeds that take over lawns as the weather warms up. Before you shake your head in frustration, know that they do serve a purpose. “It’s time to eat those weeds as well,” Kim advises. High in magnesium and calcium, beta-carotene and manganese, dandelion greens can be tossed into a spring salad, lightly sauteed, wilted into pasta or put on top of a chilled soup. “I personally love stacking my juicy piece of meat on top of the peppery greens for dinner."

Radicchio

Pretty to look at (we love the rich purple hue) and packed with fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins C, E, K and folate, radicchio can be used in many ways, Kim says. Roughly chop and place into salads, add to sandwiches or even grill it! Slice a radicchio in half, spray with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt before throwing it on the grill. Toss in with some juicy oranges and sliced red onion for a colorful, healthy side dish low on calories and high in nutrition.

Chard

Easy to grow (it needs sun but not a lot of attention) and even easier to cook (a quick saute will do), chard is a great all-around addition to your spring menu, says Kim. “I love sauteing chard with gnocchi, white beans and garlic,” she says. “It’s also great sauteed with nuts, basil and garlic as a high-nutrient side dish. It’s high in vitamins A, K and C, fiber, minerals and protein.”

Make a note

If you’re not sure about the bitter flavor of some of the choices above, opt for the braised, sauteed or grilled options, which create a milder taste. Cooking these bitter seasonal veggies with a bit of healthy fat and sprinkle of salt will also take the bitterness down a notch.

More healthy eating tips

Can you eat your water?
Lazy girl's 4-step guide to better nutrition
How to eat for a better body and healthier life

Peanut butter Oreo stuffed brownies

Layers Of Flavor!Who doesn't love when their food is stuffed? These simple brownie bites are stuffed with not one but two Oreos! Then, sandwiched between them is a layer of peanut butter. It's amazing!

These brownies are over the top! Your kids will love them, your partner will love them and your office mates are sure to love them! They are super simple and stuffed with tons of sweet treats. Don't worry if you think these are complicated to make. They are beyond easy! Create a little peanut butter Oreo sandwich and cover with brownie batter. Simply bake and enjoy... it's that simple!

Peanut butter Oreo stuffed brownie recipe

Yielda 12 cupcake-sized stuffed brownies

Ingredients:1 brownie mix for an 8 x 8-inch pan24 Oreo cookies1/4 cup creamy peanut butterDirections:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Make brownie mix according to directions. Do not bake.Fill cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Add about a teaspoon of peanut butter between two Oreo cookies. Put completed peanut butter Oreo sandwich into a lined cupcake space.Scoop about 2 tablespoons brownie batter over top of the peanut butter Oreo sandwiches.Bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through. Let brownies cool completely before eating.

More brownie recipes

Cake batter brownie recipe
Boozy bacon brownie recipe
Brown butter walnut brownie recipe

The buzz Free, cheap coffee today

It's National Coffee Day!Wake up and smell the coffee! It's National Coffee Day and some stores and restaurants are giving it away for free.

Whether you need it to help wake up or to help keep you going during the long day, celebrate National Coffee Day with free or cheap options. To help you get your buzz on, check out the following celebratory specials:

7-Eleven stores – Free medium cups of coffee from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. today

Krispy Kreme – Free 12 oz. cups of coffee all day today

Dunkin Donuts – 50 cents for a cup of coffee today

Caribou Coffee – Buy one coffee, get one free today

Thorntons – Free cup of coffee or a cappuccino from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. today

McDonald's – Some locations have been rumored to be giving away free coffee today. Check your local restaurant for details.

Cool beans

Need another reason to love coffee? A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine notes that women who consumed two to three cups of coffee a day were 15 percent less likely to develop depression compared to women who drank a cup or less daily.

Try these recipes that include coffee

Pumpkin spice latte

Coffee spice cake

Coffee liqueur sundae

Meatless Monday Saffron pilaf with grilled vegetables

This side dish gets a boost of flavor and color from a lovely spice derived from a flower. Try saffron pilaf with grilled vegetables as a side dish at your next holiday meal (or weeknight dinner) to wow those gathered at your table!

Flower power!

The crocus flower is responsible for producing saffron -- the colorful spice in this terrific side dish. Although it's an expensive spice, a little goes a long way and makes your meals worth the price. Approximately 75,000 flowers are needed to produce one pound of the saffron filaments (the dried stigmas from inside the flower) to make this spice -- talk about flower power!

We all know vegetables are good for us, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenagers don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. The CDC notes that "fruits and vegetables can reduce chronic diseases and some cancers and help teens manage their weight." Vegetarian dishes that taste great (like this one) can help encourage your teens (and adults, too) to eat more veggies.

Try going meat-free at meals at least one day a week, as encouraged by the Meatless Monday organization. You'll be pleased with the new flavors and options you'll discover -- not to mention the health benefits offered by a plant-based diet!

Saffron pilaf with grilled vegetables recipe

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:1 cup long grain rice1 (14-1/2 ounce) can vegetable broth1/4 cup water1/8 teaspoon saffron threads2 tablespoons olive oil1/2 teaspoon minced garlic1 red sweet pepper, seeded and quartered1 large zucchini, halved lengthwise1 eggplant, sliced 1/2 inch thick1 ounce herbed semi-soft goat cheese, crumbled2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans, toastedDirections:

Prepare your oven broiler. Place the rice, vegetable broth, water and saffron into a saucepan and bring to a boil. When it's boiling, cover the pan and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes.In the meantime, place the sweet pepper, zucchini and eggplant onto a baking sheet and brush generously with oil. Sprinkle the vegetables with the garlic and a few pinches of salt and pepper; grill for 10 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time.Remove the vegetables from the oven and cut into small pieces once cool enough to handle. Add the vegetables to the rice, toss to combine and then serve topped with the crumbled goat cheese and the hazelnuts.

This is a dish everyone will enjoy. With its golden hue and savory flavor, it's a great way to encourage people to eat more veggies!

Try these Meatless Monday meals

Meatless Monday Mediterranean style
Carrot-mushroom barley stew
Start the week with a pizza party
For the love of lentils

The perfect portions Thanksgiving dinner for two

Tasty, Traditional
Thanksgiving Recipes For TwoNot everyone cooks for a crowd on Thanksgiving. No matter how many are sitting around the table, whether 2 or 20, everyone loves the traditional Thanksgiving dishes of the day. Leftovers are great for later, but some of the more common Thanksgiving recipes will leave twosomes with way too much food to enjoy down the road!

Cooking a big, traditional dinner for two can be troubling if you're using some of the more common Thanksgiving recipes. Check out some of these traditional dishes with portions that are perfect for two! Don't worry, you'll still have enough (but not too much) left over to enjoy during the holiday weekend!

Turkey for two

Nothing says (or smells like) traditional Thanksgiving without roasting a turkey! Taste of Home offers up this delicious and easy turkey recipe for a dinner for two. Keep in mind that this serves only two people, so if you want leftovers, consider doubling the recipe.

Serves 2 people

Ingredients:2 turkey breast tenderloins (6 ounces each)1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth1 tablespoon butter, melted1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon1/4 teaspoon paprika1/2 cup sliced fresh mushroomsNon-stick cooking sprayDirections:

Place turkey in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the wine, butter, salt, tarragon and paprika. Spoon the mixture over the turkey. Arrange the mushrooms around the tenderloins.Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F. for 30-35 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees F., basting occasionally with the pan drippings.Let stand for five minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining pan drippings.

Thanksgiving stuffing for two

Thanksgiving is nothing without stuffing! This recipe, courtesy of MSNBC, includes lots of herbs for a delicious flavor.

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:8 slices multigrain or whole-wheat bread, cut in 3/4-inch cubes1 tablespoon canola oil1 celery rib, chopped1/2 cup finely chopped red onion1/2 leek, white part only, finely chopped1/2 small shallot, finely chopped1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut in half-inch cubes1 teaspoon dried and crumbled rosemary, or to taste1 teaspoon dried thyme, or to taste1 large egg, beatenSalt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1-1/2 cups fat-free, low-sodium, chicken brothDirections:

Spread the bread cubes in one layer on a baking sheet and leave them out overnight to dry. Or, toast the cubes in a 300 degree F. oven until dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Place dried cubes in a large bowl and set aside.Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sautee the celery, onion, leek and shallot until they're soft, or about four minutes. Mix in the apple and coat it with oil.Add this mixture to the bread cubes. With a fork, mix in the egg. Add the rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Toss with a fork to blend.Pour in one cup of the broth and mix until the dressing is moist but not soggy, adding more broth if needed. Pack the dressing firmly into the prepared pan, and cover with foil.Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and set aside for 15 minutes before serving.

Perfect mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are like the glue that holds Thanksgiving dinner together! This recipe from Simply Recipes, can be cut in half to serve two, but we're fairly sure you'll enjoy the extra as leftovers!

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:1-1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered length-wise1/2 teaspoon salt4 tablespoons heavy cream2 tablespoons butter1 tablespoon milkSalt and pepper to tasteDirections:

Put potatoes into a saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add water until the potatoes are covered. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes, or until done (when a fork can easily be poked through them).Warm the cream and melt the butter, together, either in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.Drain water from potatoes. Add the hot potatoes into a bowl. Add the cream and melted butter. Use potato masher to mash potatoes until well mashed.Use a wooden spoon to beat further, adding the milk to achieve the consistency you desire. (Do not over-beat or your potatoes will turn into glue.) Salt and pepper to taste.

Simple and amazing cranberry sauce

I can't think of when fresh isn't best when it comes to food, so forget about the stuff that comes out of the can! This cranberry sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes so good. After making this recipe you'll never consider cranberry sauce from a can again! This is courtesy of Savory Sweet Life.

To save time, you can make this cranberry sauce a few days ahead of time, store in the refrigerator and then bring it to room temperature or slightly heat it before you're ready to serve it.

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients:1 (12 ounce) bag of fresh cranberries3/4 cup orange juice2/3 cup brown sugar1/3 cup white sugar2 ounces gold rum, optionalDirections:

Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and cook on medium-high for 15-20 minutes or until most of the liquid has reduced, stirring occasionally.You may hear the cranberries popping, but that's okay. Remove them from the heat and serve.

Green bean salad with almonds

Green beans are a standard at the table for Thanksgiving. But this dish isn't the mushy casserole your aunt makes! These green beans from Whole Living are fresh and crunchy!

Serves 3 people

Ingredients:1/4 cup whole roasted almonds2 teaspoons tamari1 pound green beans, trimmed1 tablespoon toasted sesame oilLess than two tablespoons rice vinegar1 clove garlic, minced1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped roughly (optional)Directions:

Place almonds in a small nonstick saute pan. Lightly toast them over medium-high heat, for about three minutes. Add one teaspoon of tamari and stir until the almonds are coated evenly, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a plate and cool. Chop almonds roughly.Prepare a large bowl of ice water. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook beans until crisp-tender, about eight to 10 minutes.Drain the beans and transfer to the bowl of ice water. Remove green beans and drain well.In a large bowl, combine the sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, ginger and remaining one teaspoon of tamari. Add the drained green beans and toss them to coat. Garnish with roasted almonds and fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately, while warm.

Mini apple crostatas

Do you really want dessert for two or are you looking for a bit more? Either way, try these delightful desserts for two (well….there will be enough for seconds)! Totally easy to make (just five ingredients) and serves four -- just in case!

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:1 refrigerated pie crust from a 15-ounce box, softened as directed on box (Pillsbury® makes one)1 large baking apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)2 tablespoons sugar1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon8 teaspoons caramel flavored toppingDirections:

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Unroll crust on work surface. Roll crust out slightly and cut it into four, 5-inch rounds. Place rounds on a parchment lined cookie sheet.In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon and toss the apple slices into the sugar mixture. Divide the apple slices evenly onto the center of each pie crust round. Fold 1/2-inch of crust over filling, pinching slightly so that crust lays flat on apples.Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples slices are tender. Drizzle two teaspoons of caramel topping over each crostata. If desired, serve warm with ice cream. This recipe is courtesy of Pillsbury.

If you're having two for Thanksgiving dinner, these recipes will leave you satisfied, with maybe just a little left over for later!

Try these recipe ideas for two people

Turkey for two
The best Thanksgiving leftover recipes
Dessert fondue for two
Cooking for one…or two

Lemon Cookies

Luscious
Lemon Cookies Here is a sugar cookie recipe that is easy to make and has endless possibilities for variation. The simple sugar cookie base uses lemon zest and sour cream, to create a soft texture and a splash of citrus. To keep with the lemon theme, I have chosen to adorn the cookies with a sweet and tart lemon curd giving it an alluring appeal that most will find truly irresistible. Lemon Cookies

Yield | about 30 cookies

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened1 cup granulated sugar; plus more for rolling cookies inZest of one lemon1 egg1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1/2 cup sour cream2  2/3  cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly grated3/4 cup lemon curd

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar and lemon zest with an electric mixer and beat until light, fluffy and fragrant; about 3 minutes.Add in egg and mix until well combined. Add in vanilla and sour cream; mix until thoroughly incorporated. Mixture may appear curdled, but that's okay, it will come back together once the dry ingredients are introduced to the mixture.In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.Slowly add the dry mixture to the butter mixture until just combined.Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.Form dough into one inch balls, roll dough balls in sugar and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.Bake for 7-8 minutes.As soon as removing cookies from the oven press small indentation into the top of the cookies with the bottom of a measuring teaspoon.Once the cookies have cooled, spoon or pipe lemon curd into the indentation.

Storage: Store cookies in airtight container for up to 3 days.

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Tonight's Dinner Hickory Beef Casserole

Ground Beef And Corn Bread Make A Great CoupleSometimes there's nothing better than chili and corn bread. But this casserole which piles ground beef on top of corn bread comes awfully close.

Sometimes there's nothing better on a cold night than chili and corn bread. The spicy taste of the chili coupled with the sweetness of the corn bread makes for the perfect comfort food no matter what the weather or occasion. So, when I saw this recipe from Taste of Home that piled ground beef on top of cornbread, I knew I had to try it. The recipe goes even further by adding kernels of corn and hickory sauce, making for a smokey chili that will make you think you're feasting in the mountains instead of in your own home.

Hickory Beef Casserole

Ingredients

Filling

1 pound ground beef1 (11 ounce) can Mexicorn, drained1 cup marinara sauce1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded1/4 cup hickory sauce1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon chili powder

Crust

1 cup flour1/2 cup yellow cornmeal2 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded1/4 cup cold butter1/2 cup milk1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining filling ingredients; set aside. For the crust, in a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Fold in the cheese. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk and egg.Spread crust mixture over the bottom and up the sides of a greased 2 quart square baking dish. Pour filling into crust. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and bake for another five minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

>>More Tonight's Dinner Recipes

 

Other Corn Bread Recipes from SheKnows

 

Beefy mexican corn bread

Indian corn bread

Topper corn bread

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How to train like a world class athlete (Or at least dress like one)

Chances are, if you've ever watched pro sports or the Olympics, you look at top athletes and think they have something you don't. Granted, they have hours to devote to daily training and you may be pushing it to squeeze in 45 minutes.

I spoke with Mark Verstegen about the system he's perfected with world-class athletes revealed in his book, Core Performance. Finding time to workout, much less begin a regime designed for elite athletes may not be high on your priority list. The good news is that Mark details an abbreviated workout for the time-crunched in his book which you can order at www.coreperformance.com.

Core Performance is written so that aspiring athletes and everyday people like you and me can quickly achieve fantastic results working out less than an hour a day. It works those key areas we all care about so much: butt, thighs, and stomach and most importantly, these techniques prevent the kind of injuries than almost every active person I know suffers from time to time. No matter what level you're at, there's a starting place for everyone with his program. Please read on to learn about the special three-week interactive training program Mark has generously offered to sheknows.com readers.

Get ready to work out in the Relaxed Pant and Basic tank by Jockey. I can vouch for this amazingly comfortable soft cotton sportswear which has taken me gracefully through yoga class, around town to do errands, and made it through some grueling workouts with Billy Blank's new Ultimate Bootcamp DVD. Relaxed pant $32 and Basic Tank $22, available at www.jockey.com. Don't miss Jockey's special offer for sheknows.com readers at the end of this article. Ultimate Bootcamp available at www.billyblank.com.

Mark Verstegen has trained world class athletes such as WTA tennis player Meghann Shaughnessy; soccer star Mia Hamm; baseball's Nomar Garciaparra, Roberto Alomar, and Vernon Wells, plus a list of NFL, hockey, and NBA stars too long to mention. Tennis star Mary Pierce attributes the techniques she learned from Mark Verstegen as being key in the most memorable moment of her career--beating Martina Hingis in the semis of the 2000 French Open before she went on to win the doubles and singles titles. When Mark trains an athlete, millions of dollars are at stake. He needs to bring clients to peak performance as well as train them in a way that will keep them from getting hurt. These are techniques that apply to everyone.

Keep Cool
If you're in the mood for sporty racing stripes try out this Double Dry cotton blocked tee by Champion. One of the original sportswear companies--remember those great thick hooded sweatshirts? Champion has reintroduced them in re-engineered fabric that avoids shrinkage along with a new line of tees, tanks, jackets, and bras made from their Double Dry fabric which draws moisture away from the skin into a second outer layer where it quickly evaporates. Check out their Intense, Active, and Moderate Activewear at www.championusa.com.

When it comes to staying dry and avoiding perspiration stains, Dove's new Radiant Silk goes on clear and provides outstanding protection. For more information go to www.dove.com.

On their first visit, most of the top athletes that visit Mark Verstegen's world renowned Athlete Performance centers in Tempe, Arizona and Carson, California, find that they have at least one muscle group that's completely shut off. The rest of us can be sure we have a few muscle groups that aren't being used. This means other areas of the body have to compensate, which is what ultimately leads to injury. Mark feels that many of us suffer hip and lower-back problems because we're not training our bodies for these movements. Luckily, with his Movement Prep Routine, it takes only a day or two to reactivate these inactive areas.

Reactivate your inactive muscle groups in a pair of these fabulous high tech Reeboks with a retro feel. The Premier Competition II racing flat by Reebok is $84.99. Reebok also has an extensive line of great workout clothes including some of my favorite sports bras, shorts, workout pants, tees, and jackets at www.rbk.com.

According to Mark Verstegen, you don't have to be Marion Jones, the world-class sprinter, to learn how to apply the same principals that allow her to run at such high speeds. His Core Workout will help you build "pillar strength" by learning to align your torso (your core area), hip, and shoulder stability so that you smoothly transfer energy throughout your entire body. What this means is that learning his techniques can actually prevent workout injuries while you increase your endurance and flexibility.

Build pillar strength in these state-of-the art Reese Receptors designed with an anatomical underfoot construction and a special rubber outsole for sure grip traction in any conditions. $79.95 at www.eccousa.com.

No one has ever addressed why I needed to add recovery times into my weekly workouts until Mark explained to me that "regeneration" or "reload" days actually help your body recover more quickly. Having "active rest" days help you to avoid overtraining, which can lead to injury.

Take an "active rest" day in these wonderful cardio walking shoes by New Balance. Indulge comfortably in retail therapy, shopping for what else--new sportswear, of course! The New Balance Cardio Walker comes in white & lime or blue. To find a retailer near you go to www.newbalance.com.

Warm up and cool down in style with this REI Old School meets High Tech jacket. REI, known for their excellent outdoor wear also has a great line of sportswear including a new line designed for triathalon training. North Face Ryan Jacket $65 at www.rei.com.

When I asked Mark how he keeps top athletes or anyone following his regime motivated, he told me, "The majority of people need to understand what their definition of success is. Are they working hard for the right reasons and not just because they want to look better? Instead of being driven from unrealistic expectations from magazine covers, Core Performance is about building a centered self." I couldn't agree more. As a special gift to sheknows.com readers, Mark is offering a three week trial period to try out your own interactive fitness training program, weight-loss program, or a tailored fitness regimen. Go to www.coreperformance.com and in the gray Access box, click on "Gain Access." Insert the special access code: CP-MARYJO. At the end of the three-week period, the program simply ends. No opting-out required. www.duofold.com (That's me in the Duofold hoodie and my favorite all-purpose Jockey bootleg workout pants).

One of my favorite sportswear picks for practicality and style is this lightweight hoodie by Duofold. It's uses cutting edge technology to keep you dry and has princess seams for a great slimming fit. All Season Hoodie in Orchid at

Almost all of us have experienced working out like a maniac only to ruin the results by eating the wrong foods afterward. If you're interested in making your workouts count with a diet that's delicious, healthy, and requires no work on your part other than opening your door each morning and picking up the day's meals and snacks, then I can't recommend ZoneChefs highly enough. Stars like Angela Bassett, Lorraine Bracco, Courtney Vance, supermodels, and pro hockey and football players use ZoneChefs, which is America's only 5 star diet with fresh food delivery service. On average, people spend $20-25 a day on food and usually don't eat a balanced diet in the right proportions with quality control or door-to-door service! For only a few extra dollars a day, ZoneChefs will make your life much easier and healthier.

When you sign up, your personal concierge will find out your menu restrictions and set up a gourmet meal plan containing a balance of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent favorable fats with a calorie count based on your height and weight. I'll admit I was skeptical the first day when my meals arrived and I saw breakfast was a lemon poppy muffin; lunch was a Portobello roasted peppers, mozzarella and arugula wrap; the first snack was cheesecake (!); dinner, Segedin Goulash, and the snack to eat an hour before bed was vegetarian fried rice. It all tasted amazing, but I was sure I would gain weight. Fortunately, ZoneChefs meals are created by six top chefs adhering to Zone Diet principles. The average client loses approximately 8 to 10 pounds per month. To sign up or learn more go to www.zonechefs.com or call toll free: 1-800-906-5927.

No matter where you are with your workout routine, it helps to have a miracle motto which I share in my new book, How To Get A Body Like A Rock Star (Without Suffering, Starvation, or Spending A Fortune). Mary Jo's Miracle Motto is: "Yes, I can do it." Your job is to stay receptive to all the tools available to you and trust yourself enough to know that nobody's going to take better care of you than you.

As a special bonus to my readers who want to work out in comfort and style, you can receive 25% off Jockey Women's Activewear and athletic socks! To take advantage of this wonderful offer, go to www.jockey.com and use the Coupon code: SHEKNOWS. Offer good only for Women's Activewear and athletic socks available only at Jockey.com, operated by Jockey International Global, Inc. (Offer expires July 31, 2005. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Valid while supplies last. Selection from available stock only. No rain checks. Void where prohibited. Jockey� and jockey.com� are trademarks of Jockey International, Inc.)

Tonight's Dinner Red wine risotto with clams recipe

Red Wine Makes Risotto Rich And HeartyWhite wine risotto is a classic dish perfect for any time of the year. But using red wine instead of white turns that entree into a hearty meal with bold flavors.

I've discussed the reality show Top Chef several times in this column because of how entertaining the show is. Not only is it entertaining, but there are always a few recipes per season that intrigue me so much that I have to try and recreate them. Sarah Grueneberg has been the risotto queen this season making the Italian dish several times over the course of the show. (Well, maybe not so much the queen, but hey, she keeps trying.) Every time Sarah makes risotto, I want to try it, partly because it looks so good and partly because I love risotto. Her last risotto recipe was no different. This time she used an amarone red wine and lamb hearts. The final dish looked so delectable that I wanted to taste it immediately. It was just as amazing as it looked. The red wine gave the risotto a flavor I'd never experienced before -- it was bolder and definitely had more depth. And now that I've experienced risotto made with red wine, I'm definitely going to make it again.

Red wine risotto with clams

Serves 4

Ingredients:2 pounds clams2 tablespoons olive oil1 cup chopped onion2 garlic cloves, minced2 cups Arborio rice2 cups amarone wine3 cups beef broth4 tablespoons butter1 cup Grana Padano cheese, gratedSalt and pepper to tasteFrench fried onions (optional)Directions:

Place clams in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes or until clam shells open; remove meat from shells and set aside.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about four minutes. Add the rice and stir until lightly toasted.Add the wine, one cup at a time and stir until absorbed. Add the broth one cup at a time and stir continuously until absorbed and creamy.Stir in the butter and Grana Padano until melted and well combined. Stir in the salt, pepper and clams. Ladle the risotto into bowls, garnish with the fried onions if you like and serve.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>Other red wine recipes

Cherries in red wine

Red wine chocolate truffles

Rosemary and red wine beef sauté

Go back to basics with health and fitness this fall

Health And
Fitness RebootFall is the perfect time to take stock of your fitness routine and go back to basics. Whether you’re stuck in a fitness rut, can’t seem to drop that last five pounds or you’ve fallen clean off the healthy eating bandwagon, now is an ideal time to refocus on your health and put a fresh plan into place.

Why now? Before you know it, you’ll be roasting turkey, hosting family dinners and shopping for gifts -- so we say get back to basics while you still have time! Here’s how.

Clean out your cupboards

One of the first places to start when refocusing on fitness and health is the kitchen. What exactly is in those cupboards? Take an afternoon to really look at what you’re buying and whether it helps -- or hinders -- your health and fitness goals. Are you shopping for convenience? If so, you might have some serious purging to do. The more healthy items you have, the better your meals and snacks will be.

Replace white pasta with whole wheat, or better yet, pasta made with brown rice, quinoa, spelt or kamut.Trade white rice for brown and/or wild rice, or quinoa (which cooks up quickly).Say goodbye to sugary cookies and granola bars. Instead, make your own trail mix for easy grab-and-go snacking. Pack it full of pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries or blueberries, raw almonds, raw sunflower seeds and raisins.Skip the snacking crackers and instead stock whole grain or rice crackers.Say no to canned soups, which can be loaded with sodium and preservatives.What should you stock up on? Things that make it easy to make a quick meal (canned beans, canned diced tomatoes, coconut milk, all-natural curry pastes and other robust seasonings).Regroup on goals

What are your health and fitness goals? If you don’t have a clear idea in mind, do some thinking about what you want to focus on. Set a healthy example for your kids? Provide healthier meals for your family? Lose 10 pounds? Run a half-marathon? Your goal can be simple, or it can be a real challenge, but the key is to pinpoint something that will motivate you to keep moving and eat in a way that not only tastes good, but that fuels your body with everything it needs (and nothing it doesn’t).

Reprioritize your health

Sure, losing a few pounds would be great, but the real reason you hit the gym every week is because you want to be healthy, right? If not, it’s time to remember that being active and eating a healthy diet are more about leading a long, healthy life than fitting into a size two. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, and we all want to look our best, but this fall, focus on the fact that all your sweat sessions, trips down the produce aisle and extra-long walks with the dog are for long-term gain, not for bathing-suit season.

Focus on what fulfills you

If you hate the step class you drag yourself to every Wednesday after work, stop going. If jogging is the last thing you would ever want to do, but you do it anyway, stop doing it. No, we’re not suggesting you sit on the couch instead, but this fall, take the time to try some new activities and figure out what you really love. Maybe it’s martial arts, maybe it’s CrossFit, maybe it’s swimming or a combination of all three. But if what you’re doing doesn’t fulfill you, you’re either not going to do it for long or you won’t give it your all.

Get a checkup

One of the easiest, but most important, things you can do for your health is pay a visit to your doctor. Get a general checkup and find out if there are any tests you should get based on where you are in life, age, weight or stress level. That way any potential problems can be nipped in the bud before they become full-blown health issues.

12 Health screenings women need >> Tell us

What are you doing to stay fit and healthy this fall? Share in the comments below!

More healthy living tips

5 Easy ways to fit in a workout
Tips to get energized for fall
Help your kids have their healthiest school year yet

Cookies and Cream Truffles

Oreo Cookie Truffles Rich, velvety bites of heaven that will extinguish any chocolate lover’s craving. Oreos and cream cheese, dipped in melted chocolate with virtually no work, how can you possibly go wrong?Cookies and Cream “Truffles”Cookies and Cream Truffles

Yield | 36 truffles

Ingredients: 

1, 16-ounce package of Oreo Cookies8 ounces cream cheese, softened2 1/4 cups chocolate candy melts

Directions: 

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Place Oreos into the food processor and pulse until finely ground.Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well combined. For quickest results, use an electric mixer or simply combine with your hands.Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 teaspoons), measure and form approximately 36 truffles.Melt candy melts according to package directions.Dip the truffles into the melted chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet.

Note:  If desired, drizzle with additional colored candy melts or festive sprinkles.

More Truffle Recipes from SheKnows

Chocolate Truffles Recipes

White Chocolate Truffles

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen Official Website

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