Blog Posts by The Editors of EatingWell Magazine

My husband and I have friends over for dinner at least once a week. And more often than not, our entertaining is done on a weeknight. Seems counterintuitive, I know, but our friends seem to have fewer plans on a weeknight, so it's easier to get together.

An impressive dinner can be super-easy, especially when you follow my formula: start with an entree that's ready in 45 minutes or less.

Last time we had friends over for dinner, I planned the meal around Seafood Linguine, a restaurant-worthy seafood pasta dish that is a snap to make and an easy way to impress guests. We like the sweet taste and extra-saucy consistency of canned diced San Marzano tomatoes in sauces like this one. Marjoram pairs well with the seafood, but basil or even parsley works too.

Seafood Linguine

8 ounces whole-wheat linguine or spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2

'Tis the season for colds and the flu. It's also the time of year when I tend to burn the candle at both ends with holiday cooking and shopping, parties and traveling to visit family. If you're like me, there isn't any spare time built into the schedule to get sick.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when, in the December issue of EatingWell Magazine, our senior nutrition advisor Rachel Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., revealed which 3 immune-boosting superfoods work-and what products aren't worth the money.

After reading Rachel's article I'm going to think twice about:

• Airborne: As with many label claims, Airborne's current one begins with a kernel of truth: vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium-nutrients in the supplement-are among the vitamins and minerals that our immune systems need to function efficiently. According to a 2002 report in the British Journal of Nutrition, deficiencies of any of these nutrients (or of vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, copper or iron)

Forget dropping a lot of cash to rent a bar for your holiday cocktail party this year. I have a better idea that'll save you money and be infinitely more fun-host an interactive cocktail party.

This type of party is especially great if you're inviting family and friends from different social circles, as it encourages strangers to talk (oh my!). And it's a great opportunity to fix up any single friends in a not-so-obvious way.

Here's what you do: Ask your guests to bring a festive cocktail or mocktail (like the 5-minute recipe for Pomegranate Champagne Punch, below) or set out budget-friendly party wines. Then you take care of the appetizers. Pick 5 to 7 of these 20+ quick appetizer recipes (see ideas, below) and have areas set up around your house with instructions and the fixings for making each appetizer, along with small plates and napkins. And have fun-it is a holiday party, after all!

Appetizer ideas:

Mini Meatball Sliders
Place Neapolitan Meatballs in a

Every year when I was a kid, my mother, my sisters and I made dozens and dozens of cookies to fill our holiday tins. Now I that I live in Vermont, I'm too far away to bake with my family in the Midwest, but I still love the idea of giving homemade, edible gifts. Plus, homemade presents are an affordable gift that won't break your budget and in such a busy world I think it's comforting and thoughtful to give someone a gift you took the time to make.

This year for my friends and family, I'll be making big batches of Blueberry-Pecan Pancake Mix, crunchy Maple-Nut Granola and easy gourmet spice rubs, such as Indian Spice Rub and Spanish Spice Rub (see recipe below). In the spirit of keeping my holidays "green," I'm skipping the wrapping paper and packaging the gifts in reusable containers with a ribbon and a simple gift tag with the recipe printed on it.

I hope these ideas and recipes inspire you to start your own tradition of homemade gifts from your kitchen.

Spanish Spice

Pomegranate CosmosI love a glass of wine or a cup of hot cocoa when it's cold out-but since I want to survive the holidays and not gain weight, I'll need to count the calories I drink. After all, it is the season of eggnog and hot chocolate, mulled cider and sparkling wine. 'Tis also the season when Americans tend to put on weight.

It's easy to blame holiday cookies, but festive foods and rich desserts aren't the only culprits. Sugar-sweetened beverages (soft drinks, sports drinks, sweetened teas, etc.) are a key contributor to excessive weight gain and obesity. Consider that:

• At 500 calories, a Starbucks 16-ounce eggnog latte has almost twice the calories of a regular-size (2-ounce) Snickers bar.
• A cup of rich hot chocolate can add up to 13 Hershey's Kisses.

Most of us don't consider the calories we get from beverages in the same way we think of those we get from foods. And those calories do count: in fact, soft drinks are now the number one source of calories in Americans' diets

Neapolitan MeatballsIt's tradition in my house to take in as much football as possible over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. To sustain us through all that yelling and exhausting television watching I am going to make one of our favorite game-day foods-meatballs-for my husband (a meatball connoisseur) and our football-loving friends.

Many traditional meatball recipes pack tons of calories and fat, but this recipe for Neapolitan Meatballs makes them healthier without sacrificing flavor. Needless to say, these meatballs are always a hit and no one realizes they are healthy!

To boost fiber and cut calories, sodium and carbs use these healthy recipe makeover secrets from EatingWell's new cookbook Comfort Foods Made Healthy:

• Use lean ground beef instead of fattier meats like ground pork.
• Add whole-grain bulgur to the mix for more fiber.
• Use a mix of canned and fresh tomatoes to keep sodium low.

Neapolitan Meatballs

A touch of cinnamon distinguishes these

"How can I have fun, but avoid gaining weight, during the holidays?"

It's the most common question I get this time of year-an occupational hazard of being a registered dietitian, I guess. But it's no wonder everyone wants to know: from Thanksgiving to New Year's, the holidays are all about the food. And not just any food, but the rich celebration foods we look forward to all year long. When forgoing these foods just isn't an option, follow these 7 tips and tricks to stay in your skinny jeans all season long.

1. Lighten up. Give your favorite traditional recipe a healthy makeover that preserves its original deliciousness so it can still fit into your eating plan. That green bean casserole you love might be just as wonderful, or even better, if you replace the canned mushroom soup with fresh mushrooms and skim milk as we do in our healthier version. It's just one of many favorite recipes-from creamy soups to sinful desserts-we've made healthier without sacrificing flavor.

Crispy Turkey TostadasWhile I do love a leftover-turkey sandwich made with Cheddar cheese, lettuce, cranberry sauce and a touch of reduced-fat mayo, I really crave some variety after Thanksgiving. In particular, I crave Mexican food (quite the opposite of traditional Thanksgiving foods).

Luckily for me, these Crispy Turkey Tostadas are a perfect way to use up any leftover turkey. The tostada shells are homemade from fresh corn tortillas-they're super-easy (crisp them in the oven while you prepare the toppings) and have a lot less fat than the fried ones at the grocery store. Serve with high-fiber Easy Black Beans, rice and extra salsa or hot sauce.

Crispy Turkey Tostadas

ACTIVE TIME: 35 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapeños
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken (12 ounces; see Tip, below)
8 corn tortillas
Canola or olive oil cooking spray
1