Baseball may not be quite the yardstick by which kid-dom is measured, but that doesn't mean the National Pastime does not permeate into the collective consciousness of most children. The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, is unquestionably a destination spot that any lover of baseball will enjoy, regardless of age.

It is perhaps more important than ever to taken kids to Cooperstown, however. After all, the current state of baseball is not one that is inclined to inspire idol worship and heroism the way it used to. Steroids, salary disputes and strikes have tarnished much of the glamour of the game, and for those reasons, it behooves the parent of any baseball fan to take their child to Cooperstown so they can see what baseball players used to be like.

The Babe, Jackie Robinson, The Mick, Dizzy and Daffy. These names are threatening to disappear off the face of the playground, not just because they are old and dead, but because baseball as a social force in America is dying. It is very hard to teach kids about how vital the game of baseball used to be to the very fabric of America when the home run king's tally is tarnished by allegations that his well-sculpted body may not entirely be the result of good old-fashioned workouts. But baseball really did used to mean something special to kids, in part because baseball players were special. There was something elemental about a man knocking out 60 home runs in a season or tossing a perfect game in the World Series. Those days may be gone, but they will exist forever at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Shopping for shoes can be such a joy. So many styles, so many cute colors, and oh, look at those pumps. When you're pregnant, though, it is NOT the time to invest in those sleek shoes with stiletto heels. Do you love those socks with the embroidered puppies and kittens on them? Well, yes, they're adorable ... but just how soft are they?

Here's what to do to provide TLC (Tender Loving Care!) for your precious feet:
Choose shoes for their comfort level not their cuteness. The best time for shoe-shopping: mid to late afternoon. Your feet swell as the day goes on, and by that point in the day, you'll be able to ensure that you buy shoes that are large enough. Look for low or no heeled shoes and make sure that the tread is secure. Consider looking in the athletic section for walking shoes, which typically offer better support than the average woman's shoe. For example, consider New Balance's top-rated walking shoes, such as the 622.

Sock it to your feet ... with the softest ones that you can find! Look for socks that are described as designed for comfort. And be sure that the material wicks moisture to avoid that nasty "my feet are perspiring" feeling.

When you're home, consider switching to cozy slippers that soothe your feet. For example, Brampton by Crabtree & Evelyn is made of the softest faux suede, with full padding, which are highly rated by customers, and the ribbon lacing and bow on these slippers make it fun to wear!

Two words: foot massage. Treat yourself to an occasional foot massage at a day spa. Be sure to tell them that you are pregnant and ask them to use lotion that is for sensitive skin. In addition, next time your husband asks if there's anything he can do for you, smile, hold up a bottle of massage lotion and prop your feet in his lap. Motto: togetherness means caring for each other's tootsies!

It's getting close. You can almost feel it. Spring will soon be pushing winter out of the way so we can once again enjoy warm weather. While the official date is March 20th, you can actually enjoy a bit of spring tonight. Just imagine sitting down to a meal that whisks you away to a warmer time and place. If this sounds like something you'd like to do for your family, why not try the following recipes?

Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
Serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
8 pineapple rings, grilled and chilled
1 small red onion, finely chopped
½ of a jalapeno, seeded and minced

1. Season the chicken breast with the salt and pepper and grill on a grill pan until cooked through.
2. In the meantime, chop the pineapple and toss with the onion and jalapeno. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Top the chicken breasts with salsa and serve with a baked potato or baked French fries.

Tip: If you have small children, you may want to use even less jalapeno or add a bit of honey to increase the sweetness.

Chocolate Dipped Bananas
Serves 4

2 large bananas, cut in half
6 ounces of dark chocolate, melted
½ cup of shredded coconut, toasted
½ cup of macadamia nuts, chopped

1. Stick popsicle sticks into the flat ends of the cut bananas and freeze for at least 1 hour.
2. Dip the bananas in melted chocolate and sprinkle with coconut and macadamia nuts.
3. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze until ready to serve.

Tip: You can choose any type of sprinkles you want. The coconut and macadamia nuts keep with the tropical theme of the main course. Just remember to stick with healthy ingredients, such as almonds or dried cherries.

Winter may still be beating on your door, but spring is only a few ingredients away.

The movie, Night at the Museum, introduced millions of kids to the imaginative effects of walking through a museum. In this case, the museum isn't one of those Smithsonian deals in Washington, but the very same museum hosted Ben Stiller battling Genghis Khan and playing fetch with dinosaurs. Truly, it can be said that no visit to New York City with kids is complete without stopping by the American Museum of Natural History.

This iconic piece of American was founded in 1869, and one of those founders was none other than the man who would give birth to President Theodore Roosevelt. You can see why he was the only president who came to life in the movie. The museum always has a revolving list of new exhibits. You never know what you may find when you walk into that tremendous lobby, but it is the permanent exhibits that really draw the attention of kids. Any kid who has watched Night at the Museum will definitely want to get a glimpse of the big dinosaur that can fetch as good as any golden retriever.

In fact, much of the fun of visiting the American Museum of Natural History nowadays, for both kids and their parents, is finding the exhibits that came to life in the movie. For the most part, it's all there. The little dioramas featuring the movie's tiny characters are available for up close viewing. The monkey and Mr. Khan also await your fascinated viewing. In essence, the American Museum of Natural History in the Big Apple becomes two tourist destinations in one. The museum offers an opportunity to learn about everything from dinosaur fossils to the Star of India, the world's largest blue sapphire. At the same time, the museum allows kids to relive the events of the movie: pretending to be chased by dinosaurs and Mongol hordes. Maybe a day at the museum is no Night at the Museum, but there must be something to a place that has been around for almost 150 years.

You've chosen the perfect baby names. Your husband agrees with you on the ideal color for the baby's room, and your best friend gave you a baby shower that celebrities would envy. (Those designer baby clothes are so cute that you daydream about handing them down to your own pregnant daughter someday in the distant, distant future.)

Looking for the perfect (or even tolerable!) *maternity attire*? We've got you covered with our maternity clothing B.A.B.Y. tips:

B is for basics. Take the time to try on the loveliest lingerie, from sky blue bras to pale pink panties. For example, take a look at the Bao Bei Maternity Racer Back Sports Bra, which is perfect for that prenatal yoga class you signed up for.

A is for attitude. You say you wish that you dared to wear a tank top? Then go for it! Remember, you're a mother-to-be, and you deserve whatever you want, from a dill pickle next to your hot fudge sundae to a maternity tank top sparkling with glitter.

B is for blue, pink or fire engine red. Just because it's in the maternity department does NOT mean it has to be a pale color. Remember that attitude!

Y is for YES. You know that feeling when you've found something to wear that you love? Well, you can find those I-love-it clothing choices when you're pregnant, too. Just take your time, have a nice lunch before you shop and go with a friend. Or let your fingers do the shopping online. For a sample of the luscious lovelies you can find at online stores, check out this adorable fake fur cape by Maternal America.

With television, video games and other forms of technology around every corner, it's easy for families to get caught up in their own worlds. Even parents and children sitting in the same room can be separated by iPhones, iPods, text messages, laptops and computer games. If technology has taken hold of your life, consider tuning out for a weekend and getting back to nature.

Before you start packing the things you will need, start with the things that you won't need. Leave the portable DVD player, cell phones, iPods, PSP and Nintendo DS. If you own a portable GPS, you may want to consider bringing it along for geo caching or for the car ride. But the technology stops there -- leave the laptops at home.

Locate a campground with toilets and showers, and you'll alleviate most of your teenagers' concerns. When researching the campsite, confirm if they have grills or fire pits available for cooking. Once you've found the campground and gotten the family on board, you can start planning for your family camping trip.

If you've never been camping before, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how easy the experience can be. One of the most important things is to bring a tent big enough for the family. Include sleeping bags, extra blankets and pillows, one or two changes of clothes per person, hiking boots, extra socks and food. Use backpacks, rather than suitcases, to haul your belongings.

Don't forget the food! Be sure to bring things that don't need to be refrigerated and can either be eaten cold or warmed over a fire. Include a pot and saucepan for soups or anything else you may need to heat. If you are going on a short trip, a cooler with ice might be helpful, especially for drinks.

A family camping trip is a great way to leave the technology behind and get back to basics.

A perfect outdoor winter venue for a party is an ice-skating rink! It is usually quite inexpensive to have a group skate, and facilities typically offer a party room to host the lunch/cake/presents. For kids age 6 and up, this is a very good idea. Planning this theme can take as little as 30 minutes as well. So, if you don’t have a lot of time and want to hold your party outside of your home, this may be a great idea for you.

If so, here are a few suggestions and points to keep in mind as you plan:

• Call the facility 4-6 weeks in advance in order to secure the party room.
• You may want to inquire if there is a skating instructor available to help the beginners learn to skate, and to teach a few moves to those kids who already know how to skate.
• Ask the facility if you are able to bring in themed party decorations for the party room. The colors, blue, silver, and white would be good choices for this theme, though any color scheme will work here. Balloons, streamers, and party ware are all easy decorations to bring the party room to life.
• In your party invitations, make sure to provide the details of the facility. Also, guests’ parents will assume that the host will be paying for the kids to skate. It is a good idea to make it clear on the invitation that the kids’ skating tickets will be taken care of.
• You will need to decide if you will also pay for skate rentals. If so, ask the parents to provide their kids’ shoe sizes to you when they RSVP. You can rent the skates upon your arrival and have them waiting for the kids when they arrive.
• If you want guests to pay for their own skate rental, note this plainly in the invitation. The invitation can be in the shape of a skate with all of the details included on it.
• The main activity of the party will be skating! So, there is very little need for you to plan additional activities or games. Let the kids get their skates on and enjoy the rink.
• When the kids arrive, provide them with nametags or something they can pin on themselves so you can easily identify which kids in the facility are attending your party. This can also be a party keepsake.
• When the kids become tired, have them take a break. Often, skating facilities provide pizza or some other party food that kids enjoy. If you’d like food, be sure to make this arrangement with the facility beforehand.
• If lunch will not be provided, handing out a bag filled with little treats, such as a bag of chips, piece of fruit, granola bar, popcorn ball, etc., may also be a good idea.
• For a party goody:Provide a little bag of skating stuff: a pair of gloves, hot cocoa mix, lip gloss (for chapped lips!), skating stickers, skating keychain, etc.
• Another idea is to send home decorated skate cookies placed into cellophane bag and tied with a ribbon.
• Make sure to take a snapshot of the kids on ice to include in your thank you notes.

Beans are a good source of fiber, protein and iron. They're low in fat and are an all around healthy food. The only problem is getting children to eat them. How do you convince children to eat this healthy food? The same way you get them to eat other healthy foods. If you add beans to kid-friendly recipes, you'll have no trouble at all.

Chicken and Black Bean Salad
Serves 4

8 cups of romaine lettuce
2 cups of shredded chicken
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa
3 green onions, chopped
4 ounces of Mexican blend cheese
½ cup fat-free sour cream

1. Layer the salad in the order the ingredients are listed.
2. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Tip: If your children love spicy food, you could substitute chili beans in place of the black beans and add jalapeno slices.

Spicy and Cheesy Bean Taquitos
Serves 4

8 small tortillas
1 can of fat-free refried beans
1 cup of Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
½ cup taco sauce

1. Spread the tortillas with the refried beans and top with cheese.
2. Roll the tortillas into tight cylinders.
3. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet, seam side down.
4. Spray the tops of the taquitos with additional cooking spray.
5. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Drizzle with taco sauce and serve.

Bean Burgers
Serve 4

2 cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup bacon bits
¼ cup sweet onion, chopped fine
Additional whole wheat flour
Olive oil

1. Place the beans in a food processor and pulse until a paste forms.
2. Add flour a tablespoon at a time until the paste thickens and can be shaped.
3. Fold in the bacon bits and onion.
4. Shape the mixture into patties and coat with additional flour.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Saute the patties until golden brown.
7. Serve with your favorite hamburger buns and toppings.

Happy Eating!

Quiz: What kind of structure is Hoover Dam? If you said dam, pretend you hear the sound of a buzzer going off. You are wrong. Technically speaking, Hoover Dam is not a dam, it's a retaining wall. To get even more specific, Hoover Dam is a retaining wall that is used to block the Colorado River about 30 miles away from Las Vegas. Las Vegas is the site where you and the spouse and other adults can try to break the bank by counting cards while playing 21. During the day, however, you really need to travel that 30 miles and take in what has often been designated one of the modern wonders of the world. If you have kids, this side trip away from the glittery and glam of Vegas makes even more sense.

No child getting his or her first look at the amazing, if misnamed, Hoover Dam is likely to yawn. Amazement may either be preceded or succeeded by fear when they realize they are actually going to take a tour along the top of this magnificent monstrosity. Once you get there, you will find two types of tours, the Power Plant tour and the whole Hoover Dam tour. The Power Plant tour is available to kids as young as four years old, while the so-called Hoover Dam tour excludes children under eight years old. If possible, try your best to convince the good folks who run things at Hoover Dam that you five year old is an eight year old that is simply short for his age because there is no doubt that even younger kids will be fascinated by the inner workings of Hoover Dam.

Many adults have been pleasantly surprised to learn that a trip to Hoover Dam leaves them with a feeling of breathless wonder that they cannot even get inside one of the more spectacular casinos. And the best thing is that a tour of Hoover Dam won't cost you nearly as dearly as that trip to the 21 table is likely to cost.

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day as a holiday, but I do enjoy all the sweets that go along with it. Indeed, I often use Valentine's Day as an excuse to make all sorts of decadent delights. And, usually, it is possible for my son (and sometimes my husband) to help out.

Cherry Cake
This is actually a fun breakfast for Valentine's Day -- something special your family can do every year.

For the cake:
3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast (active)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
21-ounce can of cherry pie filling

For the glaze:
1/2 cup confectioner's (powdered) sugar
2 - 4 teaspoons of milk

Before you begin, make sure have the ingredients on hand. Also, make sure that everyone is in clothing suitable for baking. We like to do our Valentine's Day morning baking in pajamas. This way we can just put them in the wash when we're done.

Mix 1/2 cups of the flour with the sugar, salt and yeast. Heat 1/2 cup of the milk along with the butter and the water. Add to the flour combination and then add the eggs. Use a mixer to beat at a low speed, getting all of the ingredients moist. Then beat for three minutes at medium speed, stirring in the rest of the flour gradually, forming a batter. Cover and let rise until the size doubles (about 45 to 60 minutes).

Grease a 13 x 9 pan. Save out 1/4 of the batter and pour the rest into the pan, spooning the cherry filling on top. Add the rest of the batter over the cherry filling. Let rise for another 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and the milk until the glaze is at a desired consistency. When the cake is done, drizzle the glaze on top. You can use apple or blueberry pie filling in this recipe, too.

Though pregnancy is an exciting and happy time in a woman's life, it still has its own fair share of ups and downs. From swollen feet to an ever expanding belly (and likely the rest of your body, too), getting comfortable may be one of the most difficult parts of your pregnancy.

Thankfully, clothing designers have realized that maternity clothing can be stylish, fashionable and improve your comfort level during pregnancy. By filling your wardrobe with a few maternity clothing basics, you'll help make your entire pregnancy a bit easier. By starting with your undergarments, you can assure that you get the support and comfort that you need where it counts the most -- close to your skin.

Start with the basics when selecting your pregnancy wardrobe. Purchase maternity underpants and bras, like the Nummies and Belabumbum lines. Nummies bras are also designed to serve as nursing bras, so it won't go to waste after delivery. If you need to purchase larger bras and underpants early in your pregnancy, consider leaving a bit of room to grow. You'll appreciate it when your third trimester is in full swing. Belabumbum also makes maternity swimwear -- a must if you'll be out in the sun during your pregnancy.

Add a belly wrap to your maternity wardrobe, too. Not only are these fashionable, but belly wraps, like those designed by bao bei, also offer increased belly support. For moms-to-be toward the end of their pregnancy or for women suffering from back pain during pregnancy, belly wraps can prove to be an invaluable addition to your wardrobe. Plus, they prevent unwanted belly exposure when your shirt shifts out of place.

Once you've got the basics of a maternity wardrobe in your closet, you'll be ready to make the move and expand your collection to pants, shirts, dresses and comfortable shoes suited for pregnancy. Dressing right can help make pregnancy comfortable and easy from the start.

There are a number of fun family activities associated with holidays. One of the holidays that can be especially for kids (and parents) is Valentine's Day. It's a great time to teach your children about giving heartfelt messages -- no expensive gifts required. One of my favorite Valentine's Day crafts is the melted crayon heart. The heart can be given as a gift, or it can be taped to paper or cardstock to make a homemade Valentine card.

Making a Valentine's Day Crayon Heart
First of all, you will need the following items to make the melted crayon heart:

• Pieces from crayons (old and broken crayons are great for this), with the paper wrappers removed.
• Muffin tin with heart shapes (you can find these at most baking stores -- especially in February).

If you plan to mount the crayon heart in order to make a Valentine card, you will need these additional items:

• Heavy construction paper or card stock.
• Mounting foam available at most craft stores or art supply shops (double sided -- regular tape will not be strong enough).
• Scissors
• Markers

The first thing to do is heat the oven to 250 degrees. While the oven is warming up, send your kids in search of crayon pieces. Put the crayon pieces in the heart shaped muffin tin molds. It takes between 10 and 15 minutes for the pieces to melt into fun, swirled hearts. A cookie sheet placed under the muffin tin can catch overflow.

Let the crayon hearts cool. While this is happening, I like to increase the temperature in the oven and make sugar cookies with my son. When we're ready to bake the cookies, the melted hearts have usually cooled so that we can take them out of the molds.

If you plan to make cards with the melted crayon hearts, take the heavy paper and cut out large shapes (circles, squares -- or even larger hearts). Use the mounting foam to stick the crayon hearts to the heavy paper and use the markers to write a message and decorate to your heart's desire.

The decision to cut out or cut back on television and video games for young children might not be an easy one for your family to make. When screen time plays a big role in your family time, eliminating it can leave both children and their parents wondering what to do to fill the void. Making TV time and video game time family fun time, however, benefits your children and your family in more ways than you may realize.

Family fun time doesn't have to be a chore. Instead, make family fun time the time for your family to engage in something you enjoy. Select a game or a puzzle that everyone can enjoy. Play the family favorite Monopoly with a twist; Zappos Monopoly includes favorite Zappos brands that teenagers will recognize and adults will appreciate. Or if you have a house filled with little ones, consider purchasing a Melissa and Doug alphabet puzzle. Not only will you be spending time interacting with your children, but there's an educational component as well. Family fun time with puzzles and games is a great alternative to screen time.

If a family fun afternoon or evening with games and puzzles isn't your style, consider getting everyone in your house motivated and going outdoors. Enjoy the fresh air, go for a walk, take the little kids to the playground or consider a bike ride or a low-impact hike. Be sure to purchase comfortable and well fitting shoes for your children before you head out; consider New Balance Kids as one option to get you started with the youngest of children.

Whatever you do, you won't regret turning off the box and doing something with your children. Whether you decide to get outside and go for a walk or grab a board game and see who's got what it takes, spending time interacting with your children without television and video games can benefit everyone.

Kids head to school on Valentine’s Day truly excited! Usually they have created a special Valentine’s Day box to capture Valentines from all of their classmates!

When I attended primary school, there was a rule that everyone had to give all of their classmates a Valentine to avoid hurt feelings. Yet, one year, I did not get a Valentine from somebody in my class and I was devastated. I remember making a big deal out of the situation and I think it even got my classmate in trouble. (OK, I admit I was pretty sensitive!)

To avoid hurt feelings and this classroom quandary, take the following steps:
• Definitely make a valentine box to hold all of those cards. This will be a fun craft project, and the kids will have a central place to capture all of those valentines.

• Ask your classroom teacher for a complete list of students so that you know the names of the kids in the class and can use this as a resource when filling out valentines with your kids at home.

One Tip: You don’t necessarily need to address the Valentines to particular names. If it is easier, count out enough cards for the number of kids in your child’s class, add one or two more just in case, and have your child sign his or her name on the cards. Your child can then drop them into the boxes without worrying about their classmates’ names. This works especially well with very young children.

One of the fun things you can do as a family is to build a snow castle together. It doesn't have to be very big (indeed, it can be on the scale of a sand castle), but the idea is to get everyone involved in a fun family winter activity. Here are some things to keep in mind as you build a snow castle as a family:

Testing the Snow
The first thing you want to do is to make sure that the snow is appropriate for building. You want to make sure that the snow adheres to itself. Try making a snow ball. It should easily hold together. If the snow is too powdery, the snowball won't hold shape.

Making a Snow Castle Plan
Whether you are making a snow castle or a snow fort, it is important to have a plan ahead of time. Make a drawing or map out in the snow what you will do. Have an idea of how large you want your snow castle, as well as the different shapes you will need -- and how many you will need. When building a snow castle, you will have to make the snow into rough brick shapes.

Building the Snow Castle
Assign different tasks, depending on the ages and abilities of the family members. Build your snow castle in stages to make sure it is done in an orderly fashion. If you are making a small snow castle, use the same buckets that your children have for playing the sand.

While building your snow castle, make sure everyone has the proper winter wear. Snow boots, warm gloves, hats and scarves are essential. When the snow castle is completed, you can have snowball fights, besieging the castle or simple go inside for fun. It can also be a fun idea to come inside the house and look online at some of the famous snow structures that have been built. Some of them are quite elaborate.

And, of course, you should warm up with hot chocolate.

Today reading is the most important academic skill that your multiples can develop. Reading is required to do nearly everything in life from finding employment to finding your way through traffic. While reading skills are taught in school, you can enhance your multiples' ability to read by making reading a family value.

Family Reading Activities
Family reading activities are a great way to get your multiples excited about reading, as well as to reinforce the notion that your family values reading. Both of these things will help your multiples to develop a passion for the written language. Family reading activities include things like reading stories together and playing games that require reading. As your multiples learn how to read, you can take turns reading and listening.

Word/Picture Pairing
If you want to jump start your multiples' reading education, consider posting word cards under objects in your home. This is a common exercise for people trying to learn a second language, however, it works just as well when learning your first. You may want to start with basic items that your multiples use everyday like the refrigerator, doors, walls, chairs, booster seats, pictures, bookshelves and potty chairs. You can also focus your labeling activities on specific types of items such as clothing, rooms, animals, people and food.

Real World Reading Experiences
Another great activity that requires no preparation work is to simply read the signs that are already posted in the real world. You can take your multiples for a walk and read the signs that you come across such as "Stop," "Don't Walk," "Walk" and various street names. As your multiples learn to read, you can start to read more complex signs, such as those posted at historical points, landmarks and even in elevators.

Family Spelling Bees
Since spelling is a part of reading, it is important that you work spelling into your reading activities. For example, you can hold family spelling bees using your multiples' vocabulary words from school or you can make up your own list based on the words that you have been working on together. These spelling bees will help develop both spelling and reading skills as you take turns giving words to spell and spelling words.

You've probably heard the rumors; people whispering about beef being unhealthy. Is it true? It depends. If you like Ribeye or New York strip steaks, you do need to cut back. On the other hand, if you enjoy the lean, beefy flavor of 93-percent lean ground beef, you're in luck. Not only is this option low in fat and calories, but it can be used in so many different recipes. All of which your family will simply love.

Italian Style Salisbury Steaks
Serves 4

1 pound of 93-percent lean ground beef
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 egg whites, beaten
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
4 cups of pasta sauce

1. Combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg whites, onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large bowl.
2. Pat the ground beef out into 4 patties and cook in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Once the patties are cooked through, top with pasta sauce and heat through.
4. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Tip: The onion and bell pepper are added to keep the meat moist. You can add any vegetables you like, which means this is a great way to sneak nutritious vegetables into your meal.

Philly Cheese Burgers
Serves 4

1 pound of 93-percent ground beef
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
2 large onions, sliced
8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
Olive oil
4 slices of provolone cheese
4 whole wheat hamburger bu

1. Shape the ground beef into patties and season with pepper and salt.
2. Cook the patties in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. In the meantime, pour enough olive oil into the bottom of a medium skillet. Add the onions and mushrooms and sauté until cooked through.
4. Place a quarter of the onion and mushroom mixture on each patty, add a slice of cheese, cover and cook until the cheese melts.
5. Serve on whole wheat hamburger buns with baked French fries.

It's the 'magic formula' that savvy parents have learned to live by; buying just enough clothing to get you through the season and making sure it will keep your baby comfortable and happy during the days ahead. Here are some tips for selecting the right outfits for your newborn:

Choose the Right Fabrics
A baby's skin is super sensitive, so you'll need to make sure they're not experiencing any allergic reactions to new fabrics and that the cotton or polyester blends you pick allow your baby's skin to breathe. Keep an eye out for any rashes or breakouts and read the material labels closely to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Stock up on Day and Night Outfits
You can dress up baby in lighter clothes by day, but you'll need to layer things up or buy thicker clothing for bedtime. Temperatures can fluctuate considerably during any season, and your baby will be the first one to feel it; make sure they're plenty warm and comfortable with the right type of clothing throughout the day and don't be afraid to undertake an outfit change a few times per day if needed.

Buy Packs of Multiples
If you can find multi-packs of onesies, socks and other ensembles, you can easily save some money on baby outfits. Many brands now offer multiple packs for basics, so you can shave off a few dollars from the clothing budget without compromising quality fabrics and designs for your little one.

Go for the Poppers
Popper buttons on onesies, jackets and dresses are much easier to manage than traditional buttons. When the daily schedule demands several diaper changes, popper buttons allow you to get baby in and out of their outfit in a snap. Look for small details like these to save you time and energy during those busy days ahead!

Aim for the Six-Piece Closet
Newborns will grow out of every piece of clothing within a few months; you'll need to shop only for three months at a time, and if you're on a very tight budget, aim for just six pieces of clothing per season.

One of the most unique activities that you can participate in is snowshoeing. This is a fun winter family activity that can be accomplished by parents and children of a variety of ages. Indeed, snowshoeing is something that younger children can do. It has been said that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. It is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to fun outdoor winter activities. Additionally, snowshoeing can be a great forerunner to skiing. If you want to introduce your kids to skiing down the road, snowshoeing is a good start. You can even use poles to make it easier to get through the snow.

Snowshoeing can also be incorporated into sledding. Bring your sleds and use the snowshoes to help you climb the hill more easily. Then enjoy riding the sled downhill. In fact, bringing a sled is a good idea, since the kids might get tired after an hour or so. (And an hour is about right for young kids and outdoor winter activities.)

Also, it is worth noting (during these times of economic turmoil) that snowshoeing is also a relatively inexpensive. You can get pairs of snowshoes for between $100 and $300. Renting snowshoes is also inexpensive. Perhaps you should try snowshoeing as a family, and if you enjoy it, consider buying the shoes for outings down the road. Snowshoeing is often less expensive than skiing -- especially for larger families. And, of course, skiing can be difficult for the very young.

Another nice thing about snowshoeing, especially if you own your own shoes, is that you can go out near your home after a fresh snowfall. When you get snowed in, strap on the snowshoes and watch how your neighborhood becomes a different and adventure-filled place to explore. Plus, you'll be nearby so that you can go in and enjoy some hot chocolate or make some cookies when your adventure ends.

We all have those days when we simply don't feel like cooking. You may have a cold, the weather may be dreary, or you may just be tired. This is when fast food signs seem to glimmer on the way home. You're so tempted to hit the drive thru, but you know it's not healthy. How can you prepare a healthy meal for your family without spending hours in the kitchen? Don't worry. There are recipes that can be prepared quickly so that you can get the rest you need.

Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Pizza
Serves 4 to 6

4 cups of roasted chicken, any flavor from supermarket
1 whole wheat pizza crust
½ cup of low-fat Alfredo sauce
1 ½ cups 2-percent shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, julienned
4 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces of black olives, pitted and sliced
2 large Roma tomatoes, chopped

1. Remove the skin from the chicken breast and chop into bite sized pieces.
2. Top the pizza crust with the Alfredo sauce, cheese, chicken and vegetables.
3. Bake according to the directions on the pizza crust.
4. Serve with a side salad.

Tips: To cut even more time, hit the salad bar while picking up the roast chicken. You'll find all the vegetables you need and then all you need to do is chop some chicken, assemble the pizza and bake.

Creamy Orange Shakes
Serves 4

2 to 3 cups of orange juice, depending on the thickness you like
2 cups of orange sherbet
2 cups of fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt

1. Pour the ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
2. Blend until smooth and serve in a frosty glass.

If you're worn out and don't feel like cooking, these recipes are just what you need. All you really need to do is assemble these recipes and let the appliances do all the work. All it takes is a quick trip to the grocery store and you'll be able avoid that dreaded drive-thru food.

If you aren’t a big fan of giving your children candy for Valentine’s, or your kids’ school has a policy against bringing candy to celebrate the day, here are some fun alternatives to the traditional Valentine chocolate:

• Movie gift certificates
• Heart notepads, pencils, and erasers
• Strawberry lip gloss
• Bubble bath
• Heart bracelets and necklaces
• Stuffed animals
• Red yo-yos
• Heart photo frames
• Red bouncy balls
• Red jump ropes
• Silver lockets
• Hair ribbons
• Favorite DVDs
• Heart stickers and/or rubber stamps with red ink
• Red crayons, markers, and glitter glue with an activity book
• Ice cream cone gift certificates

The list of ideas can go on and on. Anything pink or red will do, especially if it’s in the shape of a heart. These are excellent gifts to give to your children besides a box of chocolate this holiday!

Winter is the perfect time to prepare a large pot of chili. Unfortunately, this means your family may get tired of chili over the course of two or three days. It doesn't have to be this way. There are several ways to turn chili into a brand new meal or snack. Your family won't complain about leftovers, you won't have to cook a complex meal, and the meals will be healthy. What more could you ask for, besides recipes?

Chili Cheese Bake
Serves 4

3 large whole wheat tortillas
4 cups of chili
1 cup of 2-percent shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of salsa
½ cup fat-free sour cream
Green onions, sliced

1. Line square pan with a whole wheat tortilla.
2. Top the tortilla with 2 cups of chili, 1/3 cup of salsa and 1/3 cup of cheese.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. For the last layers, add the last tortilla, salsa and cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
6. Serve with sour cream and green onions.

Super Simple Chili Mac
Serves 4

4 cups of cooked macaroni
4 cups of chili, heated
½ cup of 2-percent shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup green onions, sliced
½ cup fat-free sour cream
Hot sauce or salsa, to taste

1. Top the macaroni with the chili and other toppings.
2. Serve with oyster crackers or saltines.

Quick Nachos
Serves 4

1 bag of baked tortilla chips
1 cup of 2-percent shredded cheddar cheese
4 cups of chili
1 cup of salsa
½ cup black or green olive slices
½ cup fat-free sour cream
½ cup of green onions, sliced
¼ cup jalapeno slices

1. Spread the tortilla chips out on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350 degrees until the cheese melts.
2. Top with chili, salsa, olives, sour cream, green onions and jalapenos.
3. Serve immediately.

Chili doesn't have to be served up the same way each night. It doesn't even have to be another meal. The quick nachos make an excellent snack, especially for the big game.