(Family Features) When it comes to entertaining, it’s not always about three-course meals or hours upon hours of preparation. Sometimes, the best hosts look toward simple snacks and small plates to please guests with an array of palates.

(Family Features) Picnics, patio dining and al fresco foods all come to mind when warmer weather allows families and friends to enjoy the flavors of homemade meals in the great outdoors. As you seek out recipes for outdoor entertaining and more, try keeping the options light and simple with …

(Family Features) With a variety of fruits and veggies available in every color of the rainbow and ingredients packed with protein and fiber, it’s easy to create a unique salad. In fact, there are more than 15 million ways to create a one-of-a-kind salad at Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes’ …

(Family Features) The summer months offer seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy the warm weather with friends and family. Serving crowd-pleasing foods and drinks can go a long way toward a successful gathering, whether you’re hosting a brunch, relaxing by the pool or throwing a backyard bash.

(Family Features) Establishing a regular pattern of healthy snacks and meals made from fresh, whole foods is essential to promoting good health. Fresh grapes always make a great snack because they are tasty, healthy and portable. Yet grapes can also be used as an ingredient to make good-for-…

Refreshing, dairy-infused dishes for warm days

(Family Features) While lemon is a traditional summer flavor, you can add a little extra to your gatherings – from picnics and brunches – with this classic dessert. Quick and easy to make, these Lemon Bars feature a soft crust and a tangy, sweet filling topped with powdered sugar.

(BPT) - Summertime is just about here, and that means new temperatures, new travel plans, and perhaps most importantly, new flavors. Finding the right flavor combinations can make or break your summer taste experiences. In fact, new research from Cape Cod Potato Chips surveying Americans 21+…

(NAPSI)—Summer is here and everyone is diving into the season by beating the heat at the pool. Whether you’re planning a pool party at home or attending a friend’s, it’s time to gather all the essentials for a day of fun, starting with staples like your favorite swimsuit, a towel and your go…

(StatePoint) If you’re like many folks, your backyard will become the heart of the home throughout the summer, as you play host to barbecues, picnics, parties and more.

Add healthy avocado for fresh, creamy flavor

(Family Features) When it comes to healthy eating, looking for nutrient-rich foods to include in your diet is one of the more important goals. However, when warmer weather is in full swing, it may be tricky to incorporate nourishing foods that are versatile enough for grilling season.

(Family Features) As warmer weather approaches, so do a variety of special occasions. If you're looking for an easy way to celebrate with family and friends, brunch is a perfect option.

Use on-hand ingredients for a quick-fix meal

(Family Features) Sheet pan and one-pot dinners can be perfect in a pinch, so it’s no wonder they’ve become a go-to for busy families. Cleanup is typically a breeze with just one pan, and it’s a quick way to get vegetables and protein all in one step. Combine your key ingredients with rich s…

(Family Features) Finding the perfect recipe to share with loved ones can prove to be a year-round challenge. These tasty dishes that include a flatbread appetizer, shrimp main dish and a favorite seasonal dessert made with strawberries can help you serve up a meal perfect for any spring gathering.

(Family Features) Make dinner a cinch with these Slow Cooker Tacos. Seasoned with chili powder and ground cumin then slow-cooked for four hours with picante sauce, the meat can be shredded and served alongside your family’s favorite toppings for a stress-free meal.

(NewsUSA) - Spring is full of fun celebrations and holidays, but did you know that May 4th is National Orange Juice Day? Celebrate with your friends and family by raising a refreshing glass of Florida Orange Juice and enjoying first-hand the "Amazing Inside" Florida Orange Juice that helps f…

by Joan Lawrence, the “Toy Safety Mom”

(NAPSI)—Look at a menu these days and you’re bound to see such words as “hot,” “spicy,” “flaming,” “volcano,” “bang-bang” and other names for dialed-up flavor profiles.

(NAPSI)—The Golden State and its farmers have garnered a delicious reputation for the fresh fruits and crisp vegetables they produce locally. Springtime is when many of those products reach the peak of their seasons, including the heart-healthy superfood California avocados, which are only a…

(Family Features) When the scent of fresh blooms begins to fill the air, it’s a sure sign that spring has sprung. It’s the perfect time of year to gather loved ones for a leisurely meal, then linger over dessert as you enjoy this season of refreshment.

(Family Features) When it comes to eating, it can be difficult to find foods that kids can enjoy while also introducing them to valuable nourishment and health principles.

(BPT) - It’s that time of year again, when smaller smiles, tinier helping hands and bigger imaginations start coming into work — this Thursday is Bring Your Kids to Work Day!

(NAPSI)—We all know the real star of the Easter season. No, not the Easter bunny—it’s eggs! In fact, in 2018 there were 242 million dozen eggs sold during Easter; that’s 2.9 billion eggs eaten during the Easter season alone!

(Family Features) Farm-fresh is what many families desire. Straight from the farm to your table is one of the best ways you can ensure you’re delivering a nutritious and delicious meal for family or friends.

(Family Features) As a parent, instilling healthy eating habits in your children at an early age can aid in proper growth and development. Eating well goes a long way toward maintaining a healthy weight, increasing energy levels and improving moods while also reducing risk of obesity and oth…

(Family Features) Create custom Easter egg colors you won't find in a kit. Use this guide, along with food color, vinegar and hot water, to make more than 40 different colors. For more Easter egg dyeing tips and inspiration, visit McCormick.com.

(Family Features) Take advantage of warmer weather by hosting an outdoor brunch serving an egg-tastic recipe that's sure to please your friends and family. Eggs Benedict Casserole is a do-it-yourself version of the restaurant classic, combining traditional ingredients with a spicy twist. Req…

(Family Features) Get out your ramekins and fill them up with layers of ricotta cheese, four-berry compote and pistachios topped with granola.  This tasty treat is perfect for breakfast or even as a sweet ending to dinner. Either way you serve it can leave your taste buds feeling happy.

(Family Features) For those busy nights plan, on this simple yet savory sliders recipe. Kids are almost certain to love the taste and you will enjoy how quick and easy they are to make.

Ideas for an easy Easter menu

(Family Features) Easter is a time to celebrate with friends and family. You can create a crowd-pleasing brunch with affordable, high-quality ingredients, wine and tablescape decor.

(Family Features) Spring is blooming on your Easter table. From yellow chick cupcakes to blueberry French-toast casseroles, there are plenty of ways to wow your brunch guests with simple seasonal recipes.

(NAPSI)—Here’s a delicious twist on an old favorite: creamy, cheesy, scalloped sweet potatoes, an easy-to-make casserole that will wow everyone at the table. High in fiber and loaded with vitamins and minerals, California sweet potatoes add just a hint of sweetness to this rich and savory di…

(Family Features) Entertaining guests can be difficult and looking for new treats to serve can also add a tricky element to hosting duties. However, entertaining can be made easier by using milk as the main ingredient in your dessert menu.

(Family Features) Building out a full menu to please your brunch guests with simple, tasty recipes can help create a fun, flavorful atmosphere when it’s time for a morning bite.

(Family Features) For flavor fans, there is nearly no better combo than the complementary tastes in a Cubano sandwich. Complete with layers of roast pork, ham, soft swiss cheese, mustard and topped with tangy pickles, all the flavors and textures play in concert.

(Family Features) Deviled eggs, also known as stuffed eggs, first appeared in American cookbooks in the mid-19th century, but the origin can be traced back to ancient Rome where eggs were boiled and seasoned with spicy sauces, according to the History Channel. Today, deviled eggs are a stapl…

Sensible tips for healthy eating

It's little secret that eating more nutritious veggies is an essential element of healthier eating. Fortunately, finding ways to boost the veggie content of your favorite dishes may be easier than you think.

(Family Features) Perfect for a party or simply indulging yourself, these addictive pastry puffs make it hard to stop at one.

(Family Features) With school, work and evening activities all spiraling in different directions, most families find that some things have to give. Make sure quality time around the dinner table isn’t one of them with these savvy solutions that can help make weekday meals a cinch.

(NAPSI)—If you're like 90 percent of shoppers, you consult the Nutrition Facts panel on food packages before you buy. To make it easier to make informed food choices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a new Nutrition Facts label. Here are the seven major new features: