Ideas & Tips — Seasonal

Some healthy meals to get your day started on the right foot and keep you full until lunch. For a summer mid-day meal, we love light, healthy fare that takes minimum of preparation and doesn't require heating up the kitchen. After all, who wants to stand over a hot stove when the mercury is climbing! Try these delicious ideas for tomorrow's lunch:  Beans: Pre-cooked beans are fast and filling when you mix them with fresh vegetables and seasonings for a quick meal. Try this recipe from Martha Stewart, which uses a little Parmesan, basil and lemons to add flavor.  Chilled...

The thought of a smoothie usually calls to mind the bright colors and tart flavors of the various fruits that are commonly used in blended concoctions, but the smoothie is so much more than that. Namely, the form of a smoothie can be used to convey any number of flavors and ingredients, including thematic seasonal blends. Also, seasonal smoothies are often much healthier than their non-smoothie counterparts, such as pumpkin pie and eggnog, so they are a good choice for people looking to stick to a diet without missing out on the flavors of the holidays. Don't put your blender...

Labor Day may have come and gone, but don't get too depressed — we still have a few more weeks before summer is officially over. In the meantime, cook up some healthy and delicious meals making good use of plentiful late-season produce. Before you know it, we'll be making the hearty fall stews and casseroles that are perfect for fall but, for now, enjoy the bounty of tomatoes and summer squash.   Corn soup: Cooking Light tells us that corn is at its peak from May through September, so now is a great time to cook with fresh ears from your local farmers...

Whether it's a full-on centerpiece or a mason jar full of flowers from your garden, a flower arrangement brings a breath of fresh air into your living space, especially in the colder months when you're less likely to see flowers outside. Before you buy an expensive bouquet, consider choosing and arranging the flowers yourself. It's a relaxing creative activity that lets you match or play off of your existing decor while saving money. Here are some tips from Better Homes and Gardens and blogger Mateja Holter: First, create a grid in the opening of your vase with scotch tape, or...

Fruit baskets and bowls are beautifully versatile: they are some of the only things that can serve as an item of decor and also as a tasty snack for your guests when they get hungry. Having an artfully arranged fruit basket on your table is a welcoming, hospitable touch, and can also add a touch of color and freshness to the home as the days grow shorter. Here are some tips to help you create your own edible centerpieces: Choose the right basket. You'll want something that goes with your other decor and doesn't overpower the fruit in appearance. This brushed stainless...