Blog Posts by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's "Living the Good Long Life" is a best-selling guide to aging with grace and good health -- and practicing smart eating habits is a major part of that. Fill your kitchen with healthful ingredients, and you'll be much more prepared to put together a nutritious meal any time.

While Martha may not be able to do your grocery shopping for you, she's happy to offer wisdom to help guide you through the aisles. The following tips will help you determine what to keep on hand and what to look for on food labels.

Get Your Copy of "Living the Good Long Life"

Nut Butters
Look for natural versions, which have no added sugar and no hydrogenated oil -- a source of unhealthy trans fats.

Cereal
Look for at least 3 grams of fiber and no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving (less is even better). And pay attention to the recommended serving size -- it's likely smaller than what you usually pour into your bowl.

Related: 15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way

These easy-to-assemble care packages suit a variety of camper personalities -- see what we've found for yours!

More from Martha Stewart:
15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook
19 Tips for Perfect Laundry Every Time
30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do
10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen

While we love a fella who doesn't mind hand-washing some china, certain chores seem to fall disproportionately in the "dad" camp -- those that require lifting something heavy, touching something icky, or evicting a many-legged roommate (eek!).

But there's no reason you can't mow lawns and wash cars with the best of them. This Father's Day, save him the trouble of cleaning the garage -- and learn to do it better than he can.

Taking out the trash may seem banal, but better technique can make the whole thing more pleasant. Store extra liners under the current one for easy access -- and rather than surrender precious floor space to piles (or dig through it all on collection day), build a sorting station to hold recyclable items as they accrue. At the curbside stage, drainage holes make barrel maintenance a snap. Talk about a Father's Day gift that keeps on giving.

For extra green points, consider composting, which can streamline both garbage and

Feeling saucy? Five minutes and a few basic ingredients are all you'll need to make a tasty dip or marinade. If you're feeling ambitious, try the 30-minute recipe instead -- a small price to pay for a killer condiment you can bottle and use all summer long. Happy grilling!

Related: 34 Reasons to Eat a Burger Everyday

Quick BBQ Sauce

For a basic barbecue sauce, all you have to do is whisk together all the ingredients.

3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (optional)

1. Whisk together all ingredients.

Related: Hands Down, The 20 Grilling Recipes You Must Try This Summer

Barbecue Sauce

It takes just thirty minutes to make and keeps for at least one month. Brush the sauce on ribs or whatever you may be barbecuing.

Let the sauce cool completely before transferring to airtight containers and storing in the refrigerator (label and date).

1 tablespoon olive

For years, we've saved you energy (and money) with our smart, practical ideas for shopping and cooking. Here are 10 of our best.

Write It Out

Check your pantry and the refrigerator before you shop, and make a list so you buy only what you need. For the most efficient shopping trip, organize items by the section of the store you'll find them in.

The Big Batch Bonus

Plan a week of menus to make every ingredient count -- sometimes more than once! Cook big batches of meat and chicken, and use leftovers in next-day salads and sandwiches.

Shop While Satisfied

Don't go food shopping when you or the kids are hungry. This will help you avoid unhealthy and expensive impulse buys.

Related: 15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook

Be an Outsider

Stick to the outer aisles of the supermarket to find the widest selection of unprocessed foods, which also happen to be less expensive -- and healthier.

Think Fresh

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season for the lowest prices and best

Make Dad's day extra-special this year with these Father's Day crafts kids can make.

More from Martha Stewart:

15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook

19 Tips for Perfect Laundry Every Time

10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen

12 Secrets for a Cleaner Bathroom Without Spending More Time Cleaning It

Arugula's lobed leaves and spicy taste are as distinctive as its name. We've pulled together the best recipes to give this plucky green the spotlight it deserves. Click through for salads, seafood, pasta, quiche, and more.

In Season: The best flavor, peppery yet sweet, comes from plants grown rapidly in cool climates and harvested young. Arugula is an ideal early-spring and fall crop.

What to Look For: Arugula should be bright green and fresh looking.

How to Store: Wrap arugula tightly in a plastic bag and refrigerate for no more than two days.

More from Martha Stewart:

Hands Down, The 20 Grilling Recipes You Must Try This Summer

35 Beyond Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes

15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook

34 Reasons to Eat a Burger Every Day

Do you ever wish life came with a handbook? Well, look no further -- Martha's new, best-selling book is a practical guide unlike any other. Honest and upbeat, Living the Good Long Life features charts, resources, and tips from doctors and wellness specialists, all presented with Martha's trademark wisdom and wit. From the best ways to organize your home to protecting your mental well-being and appearance as you age, you'll find all you need to plan for a healthy future in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. Read on for a sneak peek.

Combine Travel with Exercise
I love to walk. But when I discovered hiking, it took walking to a whole new level. Suddenly, I found I could combine walking with my passion for traveling. In one sense, it's just walking, but it takes me to new heights, literally. I've hiked all over Acadia National Park in Maine, near where I have my summer home, but it's fun to figure out where else in the world I want to hike. So far I've accomplished a few major hikes, such