Blog Posts by Tips on Healthy Living

Don't make the same old boring mashed potatoes for your family-give them a surprising smoky flavor with a secret sauce from Simple Food, Big Flavor by Aarón Sánchez.

Serves 6

1 whole head garlic
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 large russet potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup Garlic-Chipotle Love

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut about 1/4 inch off the top of the head of garlic and place the head, cut side up, on the center of a square of foil. Drizzle it with the olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Wrap the head tightly in the foil and roast in the oven until the garlic is tender and caramelized, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven, unwrap, and let cool to room temperature.

2. While the garlic is roasting, peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Put the potatoes into a large saucepan, cover them with cold

ScandinavianFood_HerringSalBy Kristin Sidorov
Diet trends claiming to be the next weight-loss phenomenon are nothing new and, usually, each is doomed from the start (Dukkan, your days are numbered). But the new Nordic Diet is proving to be more than a fad, with its holistic approach to food and healthy regional cuisine that has nutritionists and experts pushing for more research. That's because it's not just a diet; it aims to transform your diet, and some studies show that it really works.

Much like the beloved Mediterranean Diet, the Nordic Diet focuses on a balance of traditional foods that are staples of its region, but with a cold-climate twist. Lean meats, heart-healthy fish, root vegetables, whole grains, and antioxidant-rich berries are all classic foods in Scandinavian cuisine, providing a bounty of key nutrients.

In this region, where food comes from and how it is prepared are just as critical as the food itself. The diet is based on local, seasonal foods that are cultivated and prepared as

Don't Unravel When You TravelBy Deborah Goldstein
Just the thought alone of flying with little ones can put parents on edge. While less people are expected to fly this holiday season, flights will be more crowded [insert collective groan here]. Here's how to survive your next flight with a baby, toddler, or preschooler.

1) If you can afford it, buy an extra seat for your child. Most airlines let you hold kids under 2, saving you the expense, but your arms and lap will need the break-especially on long flights. This also means you can bring your own car seat, saving you a rental fee at your destination, and providing your child the comfort of familiarity during your entire trip.

2) Have the correct paperwork in order. If you're flying internationally, bring your child's passport. If flying domestically, check with your airline to see what ID they require for your child. If they're under 2, they may want proof.

3) Because you can't always buy these items at the gate, carry on twice as many

Vegetarians, look away. In the pioneering, do-it-yourself spirit, Jennifer Reese, author of Make the Bread, Buy the Butter, does an experiment with her own birds to see if it's more cost-effective (and tasty) to raise and cook your own turkey for Thanksgiving. The results are not for the weak of heart.

"The turkeys are gross," Mark said one morning.
"You're just realizing that?" said Isabel.
"They're funny," said Owen. "I like them."
"I know you do," I said. "But I think we have to get rid of them."
"Thank you," said Isabel.
"No!" Owen said. "I love the turkeys."
"They're not pets," I replied primly.
"Yes they are. Pretty much."
"Okay, here's the deal," I said. "If you go out and play with the turkeys for an hour this afternoon and every afternoon, we can keep them."

And so that day, after school, Owen dutifully went outside to play with the turkeys. Fifteen minutes later, he came back in. "You can do it," he said, "but I don't want to

By Kristin Sidorov
This weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, and although fall isn't officially over until Dec. 22, it signifies the beginning of a blue mood for many. While the winter doldrums aren't uncommon during those long, chilly months filled with too-short days, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a serious condition similar to clinical depression.

For the 6 to 10 percent of people affected by SAD, the beginning of winter can mark the start of a grueling battle. Loss of energy, extreme moodiness and anxiety, loss of interest, sadness and hopelessness, and appetite changes are all symptoms that can progressively worsen as the winter months go on. Knowing the risk factors, signs, and treatments can help ease the doldrums of winter-and let you get back to enjoying life.

Although SAD's exact cause is unknown, experts have determined that the changes in serotonin and melatonin levels brought on by the shifting seasons can cause extreme unbalance in some

By Deborah Goldstein
My sister is a travel agent. Last year, she booked a trip to Disney World for a family who required two rooms: one for mom, dad, and the 13-year-old daughter; and one for the 17-year-old daughter-and her teen boyfriend. Call me a prude, call me old-fashioned, but I cringed. (Disney, of all places?) I try not to judge other parents now that I'm one myself, but I think there's a huge difference between accepting the reality that your teen might experiment sexually and literally encouraging her to ah, do it, by booking and paying for her hotel room.

I also think there's a difference between offering feedback on a term paper your child has written and literally re-writing it yourself. Or giving them some space to grow when they go off to college instead of coddling them by texting, calling, or Skype-ing multiple times per day. These examples of modern parenting make me wonder if it's possible to be your child's best friend and parent. How do you set

Are you ready for holiday baking? These cookies-which replicate the flavors and textures of a brownie in a meringue-like cookie that's miraculously crisp on the outside and gooey in the middle-are undeniably perfect. From Baking with the Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro.

Once these get into the oven, something magical happens and these ugly ducklings turn into perfect little swans-and everybody will love the way they mimic the flavor and texture of brownies. It's a cookie to die for.

3 extra-large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 cups powdered (10X) sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups unsalted raw walnut halves

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F.

2. Put the egg whites and lemon juice in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Whip on low speed for 2 minutes, then on maximum speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.

3. Sift the sugar and

By Deborah Goldstein
The Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries breakup proves, once again, that you can be beautiful, rich, famous-and sadly, unlucky in love. Hollywood brides and grooms might enjoy free everything from publicity-seeking wedding vendors, but a happily-ever-after seems to be the one thing they can't get comped.

So, do Kim and Kris have to return their wedding gifts? With 500 guests, that's a lot of gravy bowls and Swarovski crystal photo frames to bubble wrap. Unfortunately, they could seek etiquette advice from a litany of stars who've suffered super-short marriages. Remember Renee Zellweger's blink-and-you-missed-it union with Kenny Chesney? Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd? Pam Anderson and Kid Rock? Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman? Drew Barrymore and… everyone?

Nope, you can't seduce or buy a solid relationship with a perfect body, millions in the bank, or legions of fans. And there's something oddly reassuring about that.

As Kim picks up the pieces