January 2011 by Laredo Family Time Magazine

January 2011

Volume 2

Issue 1

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Contents

Departments 6

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note

Home & Garden

14 Green Living 18

Kids & Teens

Finances

Food & Entertainment

Health & Beauty

En EspaĂąol

Articles

Design Solutions

Growing Citrus Indoors

Recycling for Everyone

Kids: Online Safety

Debt-Free in the New Year

New Year, New You

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Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note Dear Friends and Readers,

Happy New Year!

We welcome the year with amazing enthusiasm and abundant energy...2011 will surely turn out to be a year of accomplishments.

Our magazine has undergone a subtle change with specific departments which will bring you information for different aspects of your life. As the months progress, we will be expanding our distribution points, our local coverage and our presence in the community.

We would like to thank our contributing writers for an outstanding job and look forward to their columns in the coming months. Onward to 2011...may this year be filled with health, happiness and many opportunities.

All the best,

Claudia Perez Rivas Editor-in-Chief & Publisher editor@laredofamilytimemagazine.com

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Publisher

Rimar Publishing Group

Editor-in-Chief

Claudia Perez Rivas

Marketing & Public Relations

Juan J. Martinez Jr.

Photographer

Guillermo A. Sosa

Calendar Editor

calendar@laredofamilytimemagazine.com

Sales

Juan J. Martinez Jr. Adriana Jimenez Stephanie Hernandez sales@laredofamilytimemagazine.com

Columnists

Patricia Driscoll Gretchen Otto Pimentel Dr. Cristina Cantu, ND

Submissions & Letters

Laredo Family Time Magazine considers all submissions for publication. Please send us an e-mail with your ideas first. Articles may be edited for length and clarity. Include your contact information. For writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guidelines or to submit your ideas e-mail to: editor@laredofamilytimemagazine.com To Advertise Call 956.285.8274 for advertising rates, information and closing dates. Email us at sales@laredofamilytimemagazine.com laredofamilytimemagazine.com Find even more community and sports news as well as links and resources online. Copyright ÂŠ2011 by Rimar Publishing Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Laredo Family Time Magazine is not responsible for advertising claims. The opinions and views expressed in the articles contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of Laredo Family Time Magazine. Feedback Your feedback is important to us. Email editor@laredofamilytimemagazine.com

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Home & Garden

As the colors, smells and textures begin to turn from one season to the next, many women begin to think about freshening up the inside of their homes. One easy way to update any home is to add a fresh scent that matches the room's décor. Get inspired by the variety of vibrant colors and aromas that each season brings and create an at-home scent experience with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. Matching fragrance to the look and style of the room, whether with colorful new throw pillows or a faux flower arrangement, makes updating a room easy and cost-effective. Interior designer, home trend expert and frequent guest on HGTV Erinn Valencich knows exactly how to make small changes that can have a big impact. "Scent is a fantastic way to make any room feel welcoming and complete without making any major renovations, which can be expensive and permanent," says Valencich. "Families today are searching for easy solutions to revamp their living spaces without breaking the bank, and my customers often don't realize that décor and scent are closely connected. Discovering a signature fragrance will tremendously add to a room's design by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere," she notes. In order to offer budget-friendly tips that families can use to update their living spaces, Valencich has partnered with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. Together, they hope these tips will enhance families' at-home scent experience and show how affordable and easy it can be to update any room by stimulating the senses through color, texture and scent: 1. Think outside the box. Look at items purely based on color and see a room in a whole new light. Valencich says painting an accent wall is one of the easiest ways to get a fresh pop of color into a room. To make the room cohesive, pick three accessories in that same color and position them around the room in a triangle pattern. This could be a few new throw pillows on the sofa and a vase on the mantle with a few chic blooms. Coffee table books with jackets in the accent color work great as styling accessories, as well. 2. Bring the outdoors inside. Greenery is often overlooked in a home but really gives a room life. If a live tree is too much of a commitment, incorporate an artificial tree, plant or arrangement. Use a stylish pot and cover it with moss to create an inexpensive accessory. 3. Create visual and tactile variety. Achieve a warm and inviting atmosphere using soft lighting with lamps and dimmers. Also use a variety of textures in the room. If there's a lot of wood in a room already, opt for a side table made from glass and metal materials, and choose upholstered dining chairs instead of using additional wood. 4. Don't forget the finishing touch. If a room looks beautiful but lacks an inviting scent, the effect may fall flat. To bring a room together, don't forget to add fragrance as the finishing touch to home décor with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. The newly designed neutral vase blends into any room, and the motion activated sensor provides a signature fragrance to complement the room's design and ambiance. For more quick and easy tips, visit www.GladeScentandStyle.com. Courtesy of Family Features

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Gardening with Charlie By Charlie Nardozzi

Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized garden writer, book author, speaker and radio and television personality, has appeared on HGTV, PBS and Discovery Channel television networks. He teaches and inspires home gardeners to grow the best vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees and shrubs in their yards.

sy of Courte

Getty

Image

While it might be cold and blustery outside, there are a number of edible plants you can grow indoors. Some of my favorites are herbs. Growing herbs indoors successfully is all about selecting the right varieties and having the right conditions to grow them. Here are some tips for growing herbs inside in winter.

Bringing Herbs Indoors Window boxes filled with rosemary and parsley can be moved inside before freezing weather.

Some of my favorites to grow this way are parsley, rosemary, and chives. There are a few things to keep in mind:

â&#x20AC;˘Don't worry about a few dropped leaves. Light levels in a house, even in a sunny window, are much lower than outside. Older, larger leaves will drop off and smaller, low-light-efficient leaves should form in their place.

â&#x20AC;˘Cut back on watering and fertilizing mature plants. They don't need as much moisture or nutrients inside as they do outdoors.

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Indoor herbs can be decorative as well as functional. Why not train a rosemary plant on a topiary frame for a whimsical look?

Starting New Herbs Although a sunny window looks bright in winter, the available light can be only 1/10th of what's needed for plants to grow properly. That's why it's best to grow herbs under grow lights. Select full-spectrum lights and leave them on for 12 to 14 hours a day. Keep the tops of the herbs close to the bulbs and the plants should thrive.

Grow seedlings in 3- to 4-inch-diameter pots and use only sterilized potting soil mixes that are light and airy. Many culinary herbs require well -draining soils, so the lighter the soil the better.

Supplement the potting soil with a liquid fertilizer when watering. Use a half-strength formulation to encourage new growth. Water plants less often but more thoroughly, and only when the soil is actually dry to the touch. Add water until it drains from the bottom of the pot. Keep the air temperature on the cool side (60째 to 65째 F) for the best growth.

Varieties to Try These herb varieties have compact growing habits and pack a flavorful punch.

English mint (Mentha spicata) - Perhaps the best-behaved spearmint variety.

Spicy Globe basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum) - Dense, compact form of basil, 8- to 10-inches tall. The leaves are smaller than regular basil, but taste and smell great.

Blue Boy rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - More compact and diminutive than standard rosemary, reaching a height of just 24 inches. Flowers freely and has excellent flavor.

Dwarf Garden sage (Salvia officinalis 'Compacta') - Smaller leaves and more compact than regular sage, growing only 10 inches high.

For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org.

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By Kathy Bond-Borie

Walk into a greenhouse in winter and your nose will likely pick up a sweet scent, and if you follow your nose you're likely to come upon a plant with miniature orange or yellow fruit and delicate white flowers - a citrus tree. With edible fruit and fragrant flowers for months on end, an indoor potted citrus tree is a delight. Here are some tips for keeping one healthy and productive.

If you hope to harvest fruit, choose a naturally acidic citrus, not a sweet orange or grapefruit. Examples of acidic varieties include 'Improved Meyer' and 'Ponderosa' lemons, calamondins, and kumquats. These are most likely to produce fruit indoors in winter. Other citrus varieties will grow and flower but they are less likely to produce fruit.

Our homes in winter are darker and warmer, and have much drier air than outdoors. So anything you can do to provide additional light and extra humidity is beneficial. Keep your citrus near a sunny window and use a room humidifier, if possible. Cool, bright rooms, such as a partially heated sunroom, are best.

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Choose a pot about the size of a 15-gallon nursery container. The ubiquitous half whiskey barrel is a good size, and plastic and faux clay pots in the 30 - to 36-inch-diameter range work well, too. Whatever you choose, make sure it has good drainage; drill extra holes if you're in doubt. To prevent soil from washing out, cover drain holes with small sections of window screen, but don't cover the holes with stones. Use a premixed sterile potting soil designed for container plants.

Keep the soil moist by soaking the rootball thoroughly until water drains out the bottom into the saucer beneath. Water again when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. In some situations, water will drain out the bottom of the pot without soaking the rootball. This happens when the rootball dries and shrinks slightly, pulling away from the edges of the container. The water moves down the gap without rewetting the roots. To help rewet the dried rootball, place three or four drops of a mild dish soap on it. The soap will help the water soak in so the rootball can expand to fill the container again.

Citrus need regular fertilization to promote flowering and fruiting. You can use a controlled-release fertilizer or a soluble liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers generally provide more exacting control but also require more frequent applications, every other week or so. In either case, follow the directions on the label.

More than most plants, citrus are prone to deficiencies of the micronutrients iron, manganese, and zinc. Inadequate amounts of any one of them will cause leaves to yellow while veins remain green. Look for them in the chelated form, which makes the micronutrients more accessible to citrus roots. The best time is in early spring just as new leaves are beginning to emerge.

For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org.

A former floral designer and interior plantscaper, Kathy Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as a garden writer/editor, including her current role as Horticultural Editor for the National Gardening Association. She loves designing with plants, and spends more time playing in the garden - planting and trying new combinations - than sitting and appreciating it.

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Green Living

Thinking about making a New Year's resolution to continue to live a greener lifestyle? In addition to using energy-efficient appliances, carrying reusable shopping totes or recycling, consider reducing your dependency on one of the most precious resources - water.

Try adopting new bathroom habits and updating your fixtures with products that will help you conserve water without sacrificing your experience. Saving water may turn out to be easier than it sounds, especially with a few simple tips.

A recent eNation survey showed 83.7% of people take showers for the primary purpose of relaxing and meditating. Thirty-four percent of the survey respondents said the "shower is my time for just focusing on me." It represents a way to not only get clean, but to also escape from the stress of the day.

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However, those showers, relaxing and otherwise, account for approximately 17% of residential indoor water use in the United States, adding up to more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water each year nationwide, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It's not likely you will want give up regular showers - for hygienic and emotional reasons. That's why the shower is a space manufacturers have been studying for years. They're working to create products that will continue to provide a satisfying shower experience while simultaneously saving water.

"Our team is continuously researching new products and technologies to balance the competing needs of conserving water while giving the user a great shower experience," says Bob Rodenbeck, director of research and development at Delta Faucet Company. "Simply restricting the flow of water doesn't work. Bathers will either stay in the shower longer or find a way to remove the restrictor cap. The right solution has to help bathers save water without taking away from the luxurious and enjoyable experience of the shower."

Here are three easy tips to help you save water in the shower:

* Learn to multitask: Let's face it, sometimes we're just standing in the shower killing time. Whether we're waiting for our conditioner to set in or slowly waking up under the warm water, we could be doing more. Next time you find yourself standing idle under the stream, reach for your toothbrush and toothpaste or mouthwash and freshen up your pearly whites. Men, hang a mirror in the shower and shave your face without accidentally nicking yourself. At the very least, hang your shirt or work outfit in the bathroom and let the steam from your hot shower release the wrinkles. That won't help you cut back on water usage, per se, but it'll save you time primping and the energy used to power your iron.

* Install a WaterSense-labeled showerhead: Chances are, if your showerhead is more than a year or two old, it is probably not the most efficient model. More than eight out of 10 adults haven't changed their showerhead in the past three years, according to the eNation survey. The EPA created the WaterSense Program to help homeowners conserve water. In 2010, it introduced specifications that require a showerhead to flow at a rate of 2 gallons per minute (gpm) or less in order to be qualified as a WaterSense-labeled product. Delta Faucet has a large collection of showerheads that meet the program's strict performance and quality criteria, including seven that feature H2Okinetic Technology. The innovative technology improves water efficiency by 40%, flowing at 1.5 gpm while providing the feel of an enhanced flow of 2.5 gpm.

Be resourceful: You want a hot shower, but sometimes you end up running the water for a few minutes to wait for the cold water to pass. To avoid letting that water go to waste, put a bucket or watering can under the showerhead to catch the cold water that would otherwise go down the drain. It can be reused at a later time for watering plants around the house or outside on the porch. Courtesy ARA

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No matter the

season, families can reduce, reuse and recycle with a little planning and organization. With a wealth of information available at your fingertips, it's easy to develop a plan that fits your family.

The key to thinking earth-friendly 365 days a year is to get the entire family involved so everyone feels like they're a part of the solution. Initiatives like the Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling program help to teach kids about recycling and have fun doing it. Here are some easy ways for the entire family to focus on earth-friendly learning and activities all year long:

Design a recycling bin One of the most important steps in sticking with a recycling program for the family is getting children involved in a hands-on way. An easy and fun way to do this is to have kids design a collection bin for all your recyclable items, such as newspapers, cans and glue bottles. Giving them the freedom to design the bin however they want is a great way to emphasize the fun benefits of recycling at an early age.

Use a recycling chart A great way to get the family thinking about recycling all year is through a monthly recycling chart. Develop a simple chart or thermometer graph and hang it in an easily accessible place. Each week, the kids can chart how many items the family recycled. It's a great way to sharpen math skills while taking care of the environment. For an added twist, set recycling-focused goals for the family each month and when those goals are achieved, reward everyone with a movie or some ice cream.

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Start a repair day Implement a monthly repair day in which the entire family works together to repair household items that might need a little TLC. By working together on a consistent basis to repair what you already have, you can teach children the value of repairing and reusing. With a little teamwork, a couple drops of glue and some elbow grease, your house will be in tip-top shape each month.

By implementing a couple of these ideas you can help the entire family focus on the benefits of earth-friendly living all year long. For more environmentally-focused tips and recycling program ideas, visit www.elmersgluecrew.com. Courtesy of ARA

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Kids & Teens

Parents' concerns about Internet safety used to be confined to the computer. Today, kids have more access to the Internet through smart phones and gaming devices so the potential for cyberbullying is greater than ever.

Cyberbullying is when one minor uses technology as a weapon to target another young person. According to StopCyberbullying.org, elementary and middle schools report cyberbullying as the most frequent problem they face. Twenty percent of kids in the fourth through sixth grade have reported one type of cyberbullying when playing games, including: Photo courtesy of Getty Images

o Password theft o Accessing and stealing virtual items o Mean messages

What Parents Can Do Parental involvement is key to preventing cyberbullying and keeping kids safe online. Marsali Hancock, president and CEO of the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (www.ikeepsafe.org), recommends the following tips for parents to keep their children safe online:

* Keep current with technology. You don't have to be an expert, but a little understanding goes a long way towards keeping your child safe online. Get basic technical training and learn about new products as they're released. * Keep communicating with your child about what he/she is experiencing on the Internet and with technology in general. Know their lingo, and ask when you don't understand something. Work to keep communication lines open. * Keep checking your child's Internet activity. Know where they go online. Let them know that you'll keep checking because you want them to understand that the Internet is a public forum and never truly private. * Keep participating with your child's online activities. They are the experts, so you can ask them to help you. Not only will your knowledge of the digital world be strengthened - so will your relationship with your children.

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What Kids Can Do

* Protect your name, identity and reputation by being careful not to share your name, contact information, or pictures. * Realize that what is put in the digital world can stay there forever. Only post pictures that you would want your parents, peers and school to see. * Create secure passwords. Passwords should be easy to remember, hard to guess. If you have to write it down, it's too hard to remember. If it's a pet's name, your middle name, your favorite sports team, etc., it's too easy to guess. Remember, a combination of numbers and letters is always best. * Don't share your passwords. Don't allow kids to give out their password to others. Eighty-five percent of elementary school students and 70% of teens polled said they shared their password with at least one friend. That's one friend too many. Friends can be cyberbullies too, signing onto your account, impersonating you and possibly embarrassing you. They can also change your password, locking you out of your account.

A Place Where Families Can Play Together Online. For a fun and safe place for kids, parents and even grandparents to play together online, visit buildabearville.com. Build-ABear Workshop is committed to working together with kids, parents, educators, industry experts, policymakers, and law enforcement officials to make the Internet a safer place for kids though education and awareness.

Courtesy of Family Features

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Reading is the foundation for a child's education. Without strong reading skills, it's harder for any child to succeed. Research has shown that reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a major milestone on a child's path to graduation. This is the time when children make the critical transition from learning to read to reading to learn.1 Parents and caring adults are essential when it comes to strengthening a child's reading skills and nurturing a love of reading outside of the classroom.

One of the easiest and most effective ways parents and caring adults can promote literacy is to read with children regularly. Words are everywhere - in newspapers, street signs, buildings and music, so it's easier than you think to make reading fun and a part of your everyday lifestyle.

In fact, as a part of the all-new Target Read With MeSM initiative, which aims to help more U.S. children read proficiently by the end of third grade, Target and the Search Institute have teamed up to provide you some easy tips to engage children in reading throughout your busy day.

Bring Out the Books. Why keep kids' books tucked away in their rooms? Make them visible and easily accessible, so there's always encouragement to read. Reserve a low shelf in the pantry, or make a basket full of books your kitchen table centerpiece. Each time you read aloud together, you nourish your kids' growing minds. Studies have shown that preschoolers who have frequent read-aloud time with their parents have stronger language skills later in life - including higher reading, spelling and IQ scores at age 13.

Hit the Library. Show your kids that reading is a priority in your family by including the library on your list of errands. Keep a book bag in the car so it's easy to carry new books and return the old. Kids will love the chance to make their own decisions by choosing books that interest them. Studies show that when kids have fun reading books that match their reading levels and interests, they become better readers. They'll be excited to tell you who invented bubble gum or how fast the fastest car goes. 20

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Family Reading Night. Instead of family movie night, make family activities more engaging and educational by reading to your child. Allow your child to pick a favorite book that you can read together and engage your little one by describing all of the pictures that are on each page. By reading together, you and your child will learn and discover new books and subjects. Making reading time a regular family activity communicates the importance and the fun - of reading.

For more fun tips on making reading with a child a part of your every day life, log on to www.target.com/reading. The website highlights additional helpful reading tips, fun reading activities, and more. On the site, you can also take part in the Target Read With Me pledge - which invites parents and caring adults to commit to a regular reading schedule with a child. For every pledge made, Target will donate a book to children in need. To learn more, log on to www.target.com/reading. 1 Citation: Annie E. Casey Foundation, "EARLY WARNING! Why Reading By The End of Third Grade Matters," page 9 - 2010. Courtesy of Family Features

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Finances

January 1 arrives every year with the hope and promise of losing pounds, improving relationships and paying off those bills from the holiday spending season. Unfortunately, at some point most every American has made a New Year's resolution only to have that new gym membership go unused, the scale ignored and credit card debt continue to pile up. But according to New York Times best-selling author and personal finance coach David Bach, getting out of debt this year can actually be fairly simple. "Getting out of debt is a pretty straightforward process," says Bach, whose latest book, Debt Free for Life: The Finish Rich Plan for Financial Freedom, outlines a plan for getting out of debt. "The issue people have is getting started - the average American family is carrying roughly $49,000 worth of consumer and mortgage debt and that can be daunting." To overcome the fear of getting started Bach recommends changing your frame of mind when it comes to paying off debt - don't focus on what you're giving up, but rather think about what debt is holding you back from - family vacations, buying a new home, or even starting your own business. Focusing on what living debt-free will enable to you to do helps keep you focused and motivated. Bach recommends by starting the process with an honest self-assessment, asking questions like "Why are you in debt?" "How much debt do you have?" and most importantly "Why do you want to be debt-free for life?" "Being honest about your debt, for a lot of people, means overcoming a major obstacle-getting started," he says. "The sooner you get honest with yourself about your debt, the better positioned you'll be to start taking real action to get out of debt." After you've answered those questions, the next step is to stop spending on non-essentials. Bach's "latte factor" is an example of how eliminating a store-bought cup of coffee can quickly add up and be applied to paying off your debt. Beyond cutting spending, Bach suggests taking a methodical approach to eliminating debt by charting your debts and determining your "done on last payment" date, or DOLP, for each account. Factoring in the interest rate and pay off amount you can easily determine which debts to pay off first in order to maximize your savings on interest. "If you're still overwhelmed by charting out a debt repayment plan then try an automated system," says Bach. "I personally like Debt Wise from credit reporting agency Equifax - they use the information they already have from your credit card companies and other lenders to automatically prioritize your debts into a personalized plan that will help you save money in interest and get out of debt faster. The tool even updates you as you make progress on your plan." For more information about Debt Wise, go to www.debtwise.com. Courtesy of ARA

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Food & Entertainment

The weeknight dinner meal can be a challenge...it must taste good, appeal to the family and be easy to prepare. Economical would also be a plus. Sound like a tall order? Not when Salsa Verde Bean Enchiladas are on the menu. Just five ingredients...tortillas, prepared salsa verde, shredded Mexican cheese blend, cumin and canned Southwestern Bean Salad...are all that's needed for an easy Tex-Mex entrée. The zesty bean salad, straight from the can, has just the right blend of chili powder and spices to provide a hint of heat to the black beans, kidney beans, corn and bell peppers. To make the filling, simply purée one can of the salad, and stir in a second can along with a dash of cumin. Spread onto corn or flour tortillas, roll up, and place in a baking dish. Pour on the salsa, sprinkle with the pre-shredded cheese blend and bake. How easy is that? Add precooked chopped chicken or cooked ground beef or turkey to the bean filling if you like. Mixed greens and orange segments tossed with a vinaigrette would make a great accompaniment, or assorted favorite fruits would be tasty, too. Southwestern Bean Salad is great to have in the pantry. It's equally delicious at room temperature or chilled. For a quick accompaniment, serve with grilled meats and poultry, burgers or sandwiches. Use it to top a mixed green salad, or add cooked pasta such as rotini or penne for a quick main dish pasta salad. Or, puree and serve as a zesty bean dip with tortillas. For other great recipes made with READ salads, visit www.readsalads.com. SALSA VERDE BEAN ENCHILADAS Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 40 minutes Standing Time: 10 minutes

wedges. 1. Drain 1 can of salad; discard liquid. Place in food processor. Process until pureed but still slightly chunky. 2. In large bowl, stir together pureed salad, second can of salad with liquid, and ground cumin. Spoon mixture evenly down center of tortillas. Roll up and place seam-side down in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. 3. Pour salsa verde evenly over enchiladas. Top with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake at 350°F 30 minutes. Remove foil; continue baking 10 to 15 minutes until beginning to brown around edges. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving with optional toppings, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

cans (15 ounces each) READ Southwestern Bean Salad

teaspoon ground cumin

soft corn or flour tortillas (6 to 8 inch diameter)

cups prepared salsa verde

53 g carbohydrate; 16 g fat; 1438 mg sodium; 27 mg cholesterol; 9 g dietary fiber;

1-1/2

cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

15 mg iron; 0.06 mg thiamin; 1224 IU vitamin A; 3 mg vitamin C.

Optional Toppings:

Nutrition information per serving (1/6 of recipe): 418 calories; 15 g protein;

Courtesy Family Features

Sour cream, chopped avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, lime 24

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Cooking on a budget doesn't have to mean eating food you don't like. With the right approach, it is possible to put great meals on the family dinner table without busting the budget. After you've scoured the weekly grocery ads for sales and coupons, try some of these money-saving strategies and recipes: * Tossing out leftovers is like tossing out money. Turn last night's pasta into today's pasta salad; or combine leftover potatoes, chicken and vegetables for a simple and savory pot pie. There are plenty of creative ways you can reinvent leftovers and save money, while providing your family with a tasty meal that will bring everyone together at the dinner table. * Add flavor and protein with budget-saving ground meat. Ground sausage, chicken, turkey or beef are great to buy in bulk. You can divide your purchase up into one pound portions and freeze them so you can use them as you please. * Scour your cookbooks and online resources, like www.bobevans.com/ recipes, for budget-friendly meals. The company's website has a section called "20 Recipes Under 2 Bucks," where you'll find hearty and satisfying recipes that will fit any budget. For money-saving coupons, visit www.bobevans.com/bemail and sign up for BEmail. Sausage Cheeseburger Pizza A quick appetizer than can be made into a meal, this unique recipe combines the flavors of pizza and cheeseburgers!

Reuben Casserole The classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich - corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese - baked in a casserole.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Makes 6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

24-ounce package Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes

Cook time: 12 minutes

eggs

Makes 10 servings

1/4

cup milk

pound Bob Evans Original Recipe Sausage Roll

1/3

pound thickly sliced corned beef cut into 1/2 inch pieces

12-inch prepared pizza shell

14-ounce can sauerkraut, drained

1/2

cup yellow mustard

tablespoon spicy brown mustard

cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided

1/2

cup chopped onions

dill pickle slices

3/4

cup (3 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400째F. In large bowl, stir together potatoes, eggs and milk until well combined. Stir in corned beef, sauerkraut and mustard. Set aside 2 tablespoons cheese.

Preheat oven to 425째F. Crumble and cook sausage in medium skillet until browned; drain well on paper towels. Place pizza dough on lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread mustard over dough; top with mozzarella cheese, sausage and onions. Place pickle slices evenly on top; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 12 minutes or until crust is cooked through and cheese is bubbly. Cut into thin wedges or squares and serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers. 25

Stir in remaining cheese into potato mixture. Pour into a greased 8 x 8inch oval baking pan. Top with 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is golden. Courtesy of Family Features

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Health & Beauty

The new year is a great time to make some resolutions to keep your skin, hair and nails healthy. Your dermatologist can help you with these resolutions. Dermatologists are medical doctors who have extensive training, experience and passion for keeping skin, hair, and nails healthy throughout a person's lifetime. Here are 10 tips to keep you healthy looking from head to toe. Protect yourself from the sun. Help prevent signs of aging, such as age spots and fine lines, as well as significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing (a long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses) and seeking shade when appropriate. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 and broad-spectrum protection (protects against ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays). Do not use tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product (such as a lotion, foam or spray), but continue to use sunscreen with it. Perform a skin self-exam. Examining your skin for suspicious moles and other lesions could save your life. Use the American Academy of Dermatology's body mole map, located at www.melanomamonday.org, to record your moles and learn how to perform a proper skin exam. If you find a suspicious lesion, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Don't skip the hair conditioner. Dermatologists recommend using a conditioner after every shampoo. While a conditioner cannot repair hair, it can increase shine, decrease static electricity, improve strength, and offer some protection from harmful UV rays. Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other healthy foods can lead to healthier skin. Be sure to include some lean protein in your diet. Our skin is made of protein, so some protein is necessary for healthy skin. If your skin feels dry, moisturize. After bathing is the best time to moisturize so that you can trap water in the skin. If your skin still feels dry with regular moisturizing after bathing, apply moisturizer a few times throughout the day. Stop smoking. People who smoke expose their skin to toxins that accelerate the aging of their skin. And, the repeat puckering to inhale can cause deep lines around the lips. Frequent squinting to avoid getting smoke in one's eyes can cause noticeable crow's feet. Manage stress. To keep your skin looking its best, it is important to effectively manage stress. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your skin, hair and nails. It can worsen many skin conditions, including psoriasis, acne and rosacea, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails, and lead to hair loss. Don't bite your fingernails. You can transfer infectious organisms between your fingers and mouth. Also, nail biting can damage the skin around your fingers, allowing infections to enter. If you have acne, do not pick, pop or squeeze the blemishes. People mistakenly believe that picking and popping pimples will get rid of them quickly. The truth is doing any of these can irritate the skin, make acne worse, and increase the risk of scarring. For more healthy skin, hair and nail tips, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's website at www.aad.org. 26

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Only about a third of American women are meeting their fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And that means they are likely missing out on potentially important breast and ovarian health benefits. Along with vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruits and vegetables contain a type of phytonutrient called carotenoids, which research suggests help support women's health including breast and ovarian health. Based on a new report called America's Phytonutrient Report: Women's Health by Color, older women have total carotenoid intakes 20 percent greater than younger women after accounting for differences in caloric intake. Similar to the original America's Phytonutrient Report: Quantifying the Gap which found that on average eight out of 10 American adults are falling short on phytonutrient consumption, the new report revealed a troubling shortfall, this time among women and carotenoids. America's Phytonutrient Reports are released by The Nutrilite Health Institute, a worldwide collaboration of experts who are dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health - through research, education, and practical, personalized solutions. Nutrilite is the world's leading brand of vitamin, mineral, and dietary supplements, based on 2008 sales. Carotenoids are compounds that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors, which research suggests may offer breast, ovarian and other health benefits for women. Using NHANES energy-adjusted data to compare the diets of women 45 years and older with those younger, the report finds that many women of all ages lack carotenoid-rich foods in their diet, but the relative magnitude of the "carotenoid gap" is greater among women less than 45 years old as compared to older women. "This points to a troubling phenomenon where younger women may be missing some of the benefits of consuming more carotenoid rich fruits and vegetables, and yet calorie for calorie, older women are eating more of these important nutrients," said Keith Randolph, Ph.D., Technology Strategist for Nutrilite. Powering Up Produce Choosing to increase the amount of the fruit and vegetables richest in carotenoids is important for long-term preventative health among women. While foods like spinach, tomatoes and carrots are certainly part of a healthy diet, there are opportunities for women to choose a wider variety of produce. "It's concerning that so many American women lack a variety of carotenoid-rich foods in their regular diets," says Amy Hendel, Nutrilite's Phytonutrient Coach. "By selecting the most carotenoid-rich produce choices, women can purposefully increase their carotenoid and phytonutrient intakes which can impact health significantly as they age." Hendel, a registered physician assistant and health/wellness expert, offers these easy substitutions to "power up" your plate and add new flavors to your meal plan: Green: A serving of cooked kale provides triple the amount of lutein/zeaxanthin as a serving of raw spinach. Red: A serving of guava delivers more than one and a half times the lycopene in a raw tomato. Yellow/Orange: * A serving of sweet potatoes has nearly double the beta-carotene as a serving of carrots. * A serving of carrots delivers four times the amount of alpha-carotene as a serving of winter squash. * A serving of fresh papaya has roughly 10 times the beta-cryptoxanthin found in an orange. Hendel adds, a good goal for most individuals is to consume 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, with an emphasis on quality, not just quantity. If this proves challenging, consider a natural, plant-based dietary supplement which includes phytonutrients such as carotenoids. For more information about Nutrilite Nutritional Supplements and to get more practical tips, visit www.nutrilite.com/color. 28

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Water is an essential element for the human body, and we need it to stay hydrated and healthy. But where should we get our water - from the tap or a bottle? Many people drink both, depending on taste and accessibility. To help you make an informed decision, here is some new information about the different refreshment choices you can make. Environmental Impact Perhaps the biggest debate is around the environmental impact of bottled water. A first-of-its-kind life cycle study recently commissioned by NestlĂŠ Waters North America examines the environmental impact of tap water, filtered tap water, bottled water and other packaged beverages. Here are a few findings: -Water - in all its forms - is the best beverage option for the environment. -Among packaged beverages evaluated in the study, bottled water has the lightest environmental impact. So, people can lighten their own environmental impact simply by drinking bottled water instead of packaged soda or sports drinks. -Just by recycling the water bottle, the environmental impact is reduced by 25%. Bottled water companies are working to reduce their environmental impact. For example, over the past 15 years NestlĂŠ Waters North America has reduced the amount of plastic in its bottles by 60 percent, making its Eco-Shape(r) bottle among the lightest half-liter bottles across the packaged beverage industry. How can you be sure your water is safe? -Learn the facts. Tap and bottled water are regulated by the government with public health and safety in mind. By law, FDA standards for bottled water must be as stringent as EPA standards for public water supplies. And in some cases, FDA bottled water standards are more stringent than the EPA's, such as for coliform bacteria, fluoride and lead. -Read your municipal water quality report. Municipal water suppliers are required to produce quality reports each year. Contact your local water supplier to find out how to access these reports. Or, visit www.epa.gov/safewater. -Find out the source and contents of your bottled water. Some bottled water brands provide information on how to access source and quality information, so you know exactly where your water comes from and what's in it. Courtesy of Family Features

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En Español

Ajustarse con más eficiencia a un presupuesto es una resolución común de Año Nuevo, pero una de las más difíciles de cumplir. Pero la salud financiera en el 2011 es más importante que nunca para numerosas familias estadounidenses que siguen lidiando con los efectos negativos de la crisis económica. El Año Nuevo es la ocasión perfecta para fijarse un nuevo punto de partida en las finanzas. Las cuentas que llegan después de la temporada festiva y la planificación para la declaración de impuestos pueden inspirarle a lograr un mejor control financiero. Los planificadores de finanzas coinciden en que si tomamos algunas medidas básicas-como establecer prioridades y hacer un balance de gastos e ingresos-podremos tener mejores oportunidades de cumplir con esta importante resolución. Cada vez más personas están conscientes de que una fuente de "efectivo adicional" que ignoramos con frecuencia es el dinero suelto. La alcancía promedio puede pesar entre 1 y 40 libras, en dependencia de la combinación de monedas. Cambie sus monedas sueltas y verá cómo una "promesa para bajar de peso"aligerando el de su alcancía-es fácil de cumplir. A continuación, algunos consejos básicos para lograr la estabilidad financiera en el 2011: Establecer prioridades * Defina sus prioridades financieras para el próximo año. ¿Desea reducir o eliminar su deuda de tarjetas de crédito? ¿Incrementar sus ahorros para la jubilación? ¿O crear un fondo para la educación universitaria de sus hijos? * Reconozca la diferencia entre necesidades y deseos. La mayoría de las personas tiene más caprichos de los que se pueden financiar. Planifique el pago de sus necesidades en primer lugar. Evalúe cuánto cuesta el financiamiento mensual de las necesidades básicas de su familia, como los gastos de vivienda, alimentación, utilidades, seguro médico, etc. Hacer un balance * Reúna sus cuentas mensuales y haga una lista de lo que paga en cada una. * Recopile recibos durante algunos meses. Cada vez que haga algún gasto-ya sea por hacer las compras en el mercado, ir al cine, ir a un restaurante o comprar un paquete de goma de mascar-guarde el recibo. Uselos para crear una lista a fin de mes para determinar el curso que toma su dinero de bolsillo. * De forma similar, evalúe todas sus fuentes disponibles de ingreso, como su salario, el de su cónyuge, las regalías, etc. ¿Sabía que el hogar estadounidense promedio cuenta aproximadamente con $90 en dinero suelto disperso por toda la vivienda? Este es dinero hallado que puede incorporar a sus ahorros, utilizarlo para pagar las cuentas de la temporada festiva, o en compras inmediatas. Recopile el dinero suelto y llévelo a cualquier Centro Coinstar, ubicado en establecimientos minoristas de todo el país. Allí podrá contar las monedas sin costo alguno cuando invierta el valor del dinero suelto en tarjetas o certificados de regalo de cadenas nacionales como Amazon.com, Lowe's, iTunes, Starbucks y más. Visite el sitio Web www.coinstar.com para buscar el establecimiento más cercano. Crear un presupuesto Una vez que determine cuánto dinero sale y entra cada mes, cree un presupuesto en base a sus prioridades y experiencias anteriores. Sea realista con respecto a lo que es necesario y lo que no. Por ejemplo, si comer en restaurantes es un considerable gasto mensual, puede reducirlo, pero tal vez no debería eliminarlo totalmente del presupuesto. 30

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