Holiday Gift Guide

For many, the holidays are one of the most exciting time of the year - and one of the most stressful! Who wants to spend time in a crowded and hot mall buying the same old boring gifts year after year? That's exactly why you need the Gift Giving Advisory Board's 3rd Annual Sponsored Holiday Gift Guide - presented to you below. From the comfort of your own home or office, you can choose unique gifts that your recipients will love - allowing you to spend time with your family doing all of the fun things that come with the holiday season. ...

Turning 50: 8 Pieces of Advice I Would Give My 20 Year Old Self

My husband surprised me with a 50th birthday party this summer. He invited all my friends throughout my many stages of life to come and share pictures of me when they knew-me-back-when. It was really fun to watch the slide show and reminisce about the good times with old friends.

Hostess Gift Guide (Because You Want to Be a Good Guest)

My mother always told me to NEVER arrive empty handed when invited to a party. A bottle of wine, a box of fine chocolates and flowers are the old standbys, but if you want clever and unexpected gift ideas to woo your host or hostess and guarantee a repeat invitation, you have come to the right place. The Gift Giving Advisory Board is pleased to present the ultimate Hostess Gift Guide that guarantees to keep your name at the top of everyone's party list.

My After Life Series - Sunshine and Cupcakes

I want to share this story because it is true and I think it is a beautiful story on many levels. It also helps to explain another reason why your small gifts or moments of kindness can be so meaningful.

Greek Green Pie Recipe

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor When Anne-Marie and I went to Rancho La Puerta to celebrate my 50th we had the opportunity to attend a cooking class at the Ranch's La Cocina que Canta (The Kitchen That Sings) with famed chef Greg Patent. This hands-on cooking class started in the plentiful gardens of the Ranch where all the vegetables for the recipes were gathered.

Diet Du Jour: Dukan

The Succulent Wife's note: We are always wary of the latest diet fad and never pay much attention, but friends and family members seem to be raving about this particular diet. Really. Firsthand accounts. So we decided to take a closer - and scientific - look by asking our very own Dr. T to weigh on the merit of Dukan's approach. Seems valid but, of course, decide for yourself.

My After Life Series - Hot Stuff

Ever wake up and think, gee, I'd like to walk over hot coals today, just to see if I can? There was a story in the news recently about a number of people going to the hospital with 3rd degree wounds and blisters on their feet because they were participating in some sort of inner strength and mind over matter seminar. These stories burn me up. Call me a hot head, but I just don't get it. Walking over coals, climbing deadly mountains or participating in grueling, body-punishing events do not demonstrate anything about you as a person. ...

Praline Souffle with Raspberry Sauce Recipe

By Greg Patent - Guest Contributor and Baking WizardHere's a perfect light and airy dessert for summer. Over forty years ago I fell in love with a recipe called Praline Soufflé Fifi, a creation of the late and great Michael Field. You beat egg whites with sugar to make a meringue and fold in a homemade powdered pecan praline. After baking the soufflé in a hot water bath and letting it cool, you upend it onto a platter and decorate it with raspberry sauce, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries. The recipe appeared in the November 28, 1971, issue of The New York Times Magazine. ...

Turning 50 - 6 Lessons I Learned

It has been six months since I started this series on turning 50 and, finally, the day arrived last Sunday, June 10th. It is official! I am half a century old. Woot!

Wello.Co - Personal Training a La 2012

By Anne-Marie Kovacs, Chief Wife I have a little "inside scoop" here… I learned about the terrific Wello.co service through my sister while it is still in beta mode. The sister in question, the über-talented Liza Kovacs, is a fitness trainer with the new company and, when she told me about Wello, I knew I had to find out more and try it out. So, with an advance introduction - thanks sis! - I got to try the service. FYI, Wello.co is due to launch to the public next week.

My Afterlife Series - Will You Dance at the Party?

I am running down the hall. In the living room there is a party going on and women are dancing to the music. I'm nervous. Very very nervous. One of the women calls to me. Suuuusaaaaan. Its yooooouuurr turrrrnnn! She has a feather boa in her hands and she wants me to shimmy my way into the center of the circle and hoochie koo around with the birthday gal. So instead, I am running down the hall and hiding in the kitchen. Nightmare? No. Totally true. ...

Father's Day Gift Guide

For a man, fatherhood can be one of the most blissful events in his life. That small bundle of joy that comes into his life not only brings with it great pleasures, but also adds a whole new dimension. While mothers are initially given all the special attention, the joy and the sacrifice of a father mostly goes unnoticed. So, to pay homage to all the men who are fathers or father figures, here is a Father's Day gift guide flush of great gift ideas. Thanks to our sponsors for featuring their unique finds and Happy Father's Day!

Spring Fling

Are you looking to buy yourself a little something now that the weather is getting warm? Look here for gift ideas for yourself, for your family or for weddings & other events. As always, our indie shops truly appreciate your patronage. ...

Cinco De Mayo – Smoked Chickpea Guacamole Recipe

Walnut Cranberry Pad Thai Recipe

Here's a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a cool spring evening. I opted for walnut butter instead of the usually peanut butter because it adds a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with sesame oil and dried cranberries. You can serve this dish warm or room temperature - either way it's sure to be a family favorite.

My Afterlife Series - Dissing Anxiety

I don't have much respect for anxiety. My own anxiety is ridiculously annoying. I was never an anxious person until that cancer diagnosis came from out of the blue. Now I worry about my health all the time. I have read that anxiety serves a purpose: to keep you aware of potential danger, but when you really think about it, anxiety just keeps you in a perpetual state of worry. That can't be healthy, it just can't. So I'm doing what I can to kick anxiety out of my head, out of my house, out of my life.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Ah, mothers… Whoever your mother figure might be, she certainly deserves to be celebrated. This is the woman that gave guidance, has always been there and that, today, loves you unconditionally. Mother's Day is a day to show appreciation to the woman who helped make us who we are today.

Pleased to Meet Myself

Raised to believe that a man needed to look after a woman and that, as her mother used to tell her, 'single women have no status', Philippa Sklaar felt that any man was better than no man. If a man looked after her, she owed him. So, for financial security and, admittedly, her relationship addiction, Philippa tolerated abuse, became whoever her husband wanted her to be and lost herself along the way. Her book, Pleased to Meet Myself is aimed at women who suffer from the belief that having anybody is better than nobody and who depend on a relationship to validate their worth.

My Afterlife Series - Thinking of You

An old friend of mine recently chopped her finger off.

Sitting Could Kill You

Do you remember that frighteningly titled infographic "Sitting Will Kill You"? That was almost a year ago and it scared the daylight out of me. I won't get into to the details (there's that fine infographic for that) but essentially, the news is that we have all become way too sedentary for our own good, so much so that not even the recommended 30 minutes of exercise per day can fix the damage…