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Spring is here! Apricots, Haas avocado, bananas, beets, grapefruit, green beans, honeydew melon, mango and pineapple are all in season. Check out some of our favorite tips and recipes for April produce.

The Benefits of the Banana
Bananas are fat-free, but contain 2-3 times more carbohydrates that other fruit. Although they may not be the best choice for folks on low carb diets, they are a great choice for active kids and adults. A banana has less water, fifty percent more food energy, four times the protein, half the fat, twice the carbohydrates, almost three times the phosphorus, nearly five times the Vitamin A and iron, at least twice the other vitamins and minerals as an apple.

A visit to rural Ireland is filled with spectacular views of lush, green hillsides and fields. Ireland's green countryside is perfect for raising cattle and sheep, and dairy farming. The country's mild climate provides a long growing season for a variety of vegetables and fruits. Irish cooks take advantage of the local harvest by choosing to cook with high quality, local and fresh ingredients.

??Irish cooks keep it simple in the kitchen. Dishes are prepared using basic ingredients and easy to follow recipes.

Celebrate "National Soup Month" and keep your family cozy and warm by making a soup bar for a family fun dinner!

Prepare a simple soup recipe, like Black Bean Soup or the Thai Coconut Soup (recipes below) and spoon it into bowls or cups.  Line up a series of topping choices and let the kids (and adults) sprinkle their own additives on the soup to make it their own.

Soups are a fun and easy way to warm you up when it's cold outside, and these two recipes are sure to satisfy. Try them tonight!

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the rededication of the Holy Temple after it was reclaimed from the Syrian-Greeks more than 21 centuries ago. Fried foods are traditional fare during Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of the Hanukkah oil that lasted eight days when it should have only lasted one.

Here are some ideas and recipes on how to include your little ones in the flavors of Hanukkah.

Homemade foods have always been healthier than processed, prepared, or restaurant meals, which are generally much higher in fat, salt and calories than home cooked foods. Eating too much of these unhealthy foods can pack on the Holiday pounds and slow your kids down at school.

But let’s face it, the days leading up to the holidays are hectic. Getting a home-cooked dinner on the table during the holidays may seem to be an impossible feat, but here are few tips to ease the burden:

Is it your turn to host Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year? Lucky You! I wish I could give you an "easy" button for your holiday meals, but the best I can do is to share some terrific tips that will help you get through the holidays smoothly!

Develop The Menu
The best way to get started with planning a big meal is to develop a menu. For inspiration, flip through magazines, cookbooks and ask friends for recipe ideas. Unless you’re a pro in the kitchen, don’t pick a bunch of new dishes with long lists of ingredients. It’s best to keep it simple.

Spring is here and the steady stream of fresh produce arriving into your local market is about to begin. Some of the first vegetables of spring include artichokes. Artichokes are very healthy, plus peeling off petals while dipping them and scraping them against your teeth make artichokes fun to eat for the whole family.

Artichokes are an excellent source of potassium and magnesium—they are also a good source of folic acid. Here are a few pointers on picking, storing and preparing the freshest and the best tasting artichokes of the season.