We’ve all been told that the safest and healthiest way to lose weight is by watching what we eat and exercising on a regular basis. So, when you head to the grocery store, list in hand, are you confident that what you are buying isn’t counterproductive to your weight loss efforts?

If you child comes home from school and says he or she is “starving,” that may be close to the truth. Some schools with large populations and small lunchrooms serve lunch as early as 10:30 a.m., and the junk food lunch may be a slice of frozen pizza and a tiny bag of limp Tator Tots. It is hard for kids who are growing and learning to concentrate and succeed without adequate nutritional fuel.

The word GORP may be familiar to some. The letters stand for good old raisins and peanuts, and that is the base for a trail mix. But, of course, a combination of just raisins and peanuts would get pretty boring, so trail mixes have gotten more creative over the years.

Travelers, for various reasons, prefer to carry their own snacks on flights. Shorter flights may not offer any beverages or snacks. Or, jet setters may have special dietary needs, be on diets, or have health concerns related to food and drinks.

Rules and regulations make packing food for flying more difficult these days, but travelers can still make choices when it comes to what to eat when on a flight. It is, however, a good plan to check various airline sites online beforehand and double check, since rules change over time and some edible items are iffy.

Let’s face it. The price of a ball-game ticket for a family (even for one person!) can be a bit out of the park. So when it comes to snacking during the innings, saving a few dollars can come in handy. While we definitely support the delicious treats a ballpark can offer, some easy, cheap and quick snacks packed in to a backpack might be a homerun with the family. Here are some of our favorite suggestions.

With just a little time and planning, you can save money and eat healthier on road trips. Then, you have more money to spend on fun when you get to your destination.

The can of soda that runs a dollar or more when you grab one at the gas station on the fly runs under 40 cents per can in this area if you buy in bulk and pack your own. Yes. You need a cooler and ice packs for soft drinks and other beverages, but the savings over just a single year are substantial.

Every summer fiesta needs a delicious guacamole. While store bought will suffice, a fresh and homemade avocado concoction will make more of an impact and is easy to make. With the proper tools, ingredients and our sure-to-zing-the-taste bud-recipe, this tasty Mexican treat will leave your diners green in envy.

Kids (and adults) will have no problems getting five servings a fruit per day with these easy and yummy fruit dip recipes.

We love fresh fruit around my house and especially enjoy having fruit with fruit dip. Fruit dip is super easy to make, and there are so many options.

Here are just a few of our favorite family fruit dips.

Tired of constantly raiding the pantry because your meal didn’t keep you full?  The following is a list of super-foods that may keep you surprisingly full!

So you’ve invited the guys over to watch the World Cup and have decided to actually put some effort in to the event. You know that tossing chips in a bowl and declaring B.Y.O.B isn’t exactly a party, but you’re also no Martha Stewart.

Never fear, a party theme is here. Why not theme your game-watching shindig with a variety of country-inspired beers and snacks? Here are some of tasty worldly suggestions (with an easy to make, Americanized twist).