10 Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

sleep better

Ten tips to getting your recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

There are days we could all use tips to get a good night's sleep.  While I generally don't have a problem drifting off to sleep at night, I do tend to wake up frequently. This results in only about five or six hours of sleep a night.  I know that isn't enough.  Research shows that most people need at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can not only make you grumpy, it can have an impact on your physical and mental health as well. A number of health ... Continue Reading

Pasta all’Uovo With Mushrooms, Mascarpone and Parmesan

Pasta all'uovo with mushrooms, mascarpone and parmesan

Whip up dinner in less than 20 minutes with this Pasta all’Uovo recipe.

Summer is a truly hectic time of year for me.  I run several businesses online from home.  Unfortunately, I don't have the benefit of a true office.  My office is in our living room which is normally a very quiet place. When school is out for the summer months, it becomes a living room again.  That means my teenagers spend 95% of their time in it watching television or playing games on the Wii.  When that happens, my productivity level is cut in half. Not only do I have to try harder to ... Continue Reading

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Treat Dad To Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes For Father’s Day

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

A delicious breakfast recipe for Father’s Day.

Father's Day is right around the corner and I'm sure you're trying to find the perfect gift that Dad will appreciate. No, he doesn't need a tie or another Greatest Dad t-shirt.  You've heard the old saying: The way to any man's heart is through his stomach? Well, Dad's stomach will definitely appreciate these Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes when you make them for him on Father's Day.  This recipe makes exactly three Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes.  If  you want some for the whole family or if Dad ... Continue Reading

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Aid In Dying Passed In Vermont

Elderly Patient Sleeping in a Hospital Bed

Vermont is the fourth state to allow for “death with dignity.”

For the most part, Vermont is a rather peaceful state. I rarely see our state mentioned in the national news. Days tend to go by at a slower pace than in many other states I've visited.  There's little hustle and bustle, practically no traffic, and a lower crime rate than many people have to deal with. Sometimes, Vermont manages to make it to the front page of the national news sites. Tuesday was one of those days. Aid In Dying Passed In Vermont Vermont is the fourth state to pass death with ... Continue Reading

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Best Memorial Day Recipe – BLT Club Pasta Salad

Best Memorial Day recipe

A Memorial Day side-dish that can even be a main course!

Memorial Day is coming up soon. Are you hosting a party or heading out to a family event?  Memorial Day is a time for cookouts and barbecues with friends.   To some, Memorial Day is all about the meat on the grill.  For me, when I hear Memorial Day, I think of pasta salads. My best Memorial Day recipe is my BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato) Club Pasta Salad. This is a quick and easy recipe that will let you spend your Memorial Day relaxing with friends instead of slaving away in the ... Continue Reading

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Easy Chicken Quesadillas for Cinco de Mayo

Easy chicken quesadilla

A delicious way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.  If you are looking for a fun and easy dish to get your family in the mood for Cinco de Mayo, definitely try these Easy Chicken Quesadillas.  This recipe can be made in 30 minutes flat - perfect for the busy family. It's kid friendly, filling, and definitely delicious. A quesadilla is a savory Mexican turnover that is generally ... Continue Reading

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Summer Treat With a Twist – French Deviled Eggs

French Deviled Eggs

A delicious spin on traditional deviled eggs.

At our rural Vermont home we raise ducks and chickens.  When spring and summer hits, the birds start laying eggs again. We always end up having way too many eggs on hand, so when we're invited to cookouts or holiday events, I almost always choose to bring deviled eggs@ The traditional deviled egg recipe that I use calls for mayonnaise and yellow mustard. But I also like this French Deviled Egg recipe. It's a little bit different, using a combination of creme fraiche and Dijon mustard. ... Continue Reading

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Roasted Eggplant with Pasta and Feta Cheese: Delicious!

eggplant-pasta-feta

A delicious and refreshing eggplant recipe.

Eggplant is one of those vegetables that no one in my family likes but me.  That doesn't mean that I have to do without enjoying one of my favorite vegetables though.  Every now and then, I treat myself to a delicious lunch using a recipe that includes eggplant.  This time, I have combined eggplant with both pasta and feta cheese - two other favorites of mine.  If you are watching your carbs for health reasons, you can use a bit less pasta and a bit more vegetables in your serving.  I also ... Continue Reading

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Coffee: Healthy Indulgence or Necessary Evil?

Hands holding a coffee mug

Learn about the benefits of coffee in helping lessen your chance of diabetes and a stroke.

As a busy mom, there is one thing that I rely heavily on to get me through each day ... coffee. I know that in an ideal world, I would get eight hours of sleep every night and I would wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the world.  Unfortunately, I do not live in an ideal world and I don't get anywhere near as much sleep as I should each night.  I work from home and that means that you often find me at my desk at 5AM or 11PM. Coffee helps wake me in the morning when I first get up and it ... Continue Reading

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Caramelized Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Vinegar

Caramelized Brussels sprouts

A tasty take on the healthy vegetable.

Brussels sprouts can be an acquired taste for some.  But half the battle is knowing how to cook them properly. Some people just drop them in a pan of boiling water and boil them until there is very little of the delicious taste left to them.  Soggy, bland Brussels sprouts are not high on anyone's list of most popular foods. But they should be. Here are just a few reasons why: Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family just like broccoli, kale and cabbage and are ... Continue Reading

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