Eat healthier, not cheaper

By just about any measure, global food prices rose significantly over the past two years. It's not your imagination. Eating right is costly. In fact, you may pay more than $30 more per day on food if you make healthy choices.

** Obama runs with Biden **

Barack Obama named Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate, balancing his ticket with a seasoned congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues.

Phelps is a Tiger

Olympic legend Michael Phelps will appear on boxes of the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes ... what happened to Wheaties and going to Disneyland?

Cashew Raisin Rice Pilaf

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice
• 2 cups frozen green peas
• 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento peppers, drained
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt margarine in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the long grain rice, onion, carrot and raisins for 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pan and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan bring 1 1/2 cups salted water to a boil. Add wild rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. When the rice/raisin mixture is finished simmering (rice is cooked), stir in cooked wild rice, peas, pimentos and cashews and heat through.

Source: AllRecipes.com

Do you buy or pay for ...?

Let's see what popular applications, devices, services, etc. you use.

HammeRuler ... Redesign almost ready!

The previous conversation asked for your help with the HammeRuler commercial ... well, there's a tie, so we need you to break it.

The HammeRuler is convenient. Our research shows that when you're hammering you are more likely to next use a ruler than any other tool. But so what? Well, that's the metric we've found ... it's called Short Measure Acceleration or SMA for short ... SMA says that you can complete your job faster, and get back to the music, the sports, the cooking you enjoy!

Tiramisu Layer Cake

INGREDIENTS:

• CAKE:
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white cake mix
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
• 1/4 cup coffee
• 1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur
• 
  
• FILLING:
• 1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur
• 
  
• FROSTING:
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur
• 
  
• GARNISH:
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) pans.
2. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide two thirds of batter between 2 pans. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur; set aside.
4. To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
5. To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
6. To assemble the cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Place cocoa in a sieve and lightly dust top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
7. To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.

Source: All Recipes

What's Happening - August?

We each get bombarded with over 5,000 marketing messages each day ... to which do we pay attention? Our interest in major events and news determines where marketers go to place their messages.

Breast Cancer Survey

Christina Applegate has been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer her rep confirmed Saturday. "Benefitting from early detection through a doctor ordered MRI, the cancer is not life threatening," the Emmy nominated Samantha Who? star's rep said in a statement. "Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery." Applegate's mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Italian Pasta Veggie Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 ounces fusilli pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 3/4 cup fat free Italian-style dressing

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and mushrooms. Pour enough dressing over to coat; toss and refrigerate until chilled.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Celiac Disease ... Did you know?

A lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible.