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(ARA) - There's a reason that the old adage "if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen" is so popular - cooking is a great metaphor for life. And, when it comes to teaching kids both practical and philosophical life skills, the kitchen is a wonderful classroom.

Experts agree that getting children involved with cooking has many benefits - from getting them to try new foods and learning about nutrition, to providing bonding time with other family members. In addition to giving kids a sense of accomplishment, children who cook learn a useful life skill - how to prepare meals for themselves, family members and friends, and perhaps members of their very own household later in life.

WebMD notes that many children begin to express an interest in food preparation as early as the age of 2 or 3 years, and it is possible to get them started at that age at the right pace and with close supervision. No matter what age you begin introducing your child to culinary skills, keep in mind it's best to start simple and with foods that are already familiar to them.

Sandwiches are a good first-timer dish that kids can learn to create in the kitchen because they'll likely grasp the basics quickly - two slices of bread or a bun and some nourishing ingredients in between. Sandwiches in particular offer kids the opportunity to get creative. Parents should encourage them to explore new types of breads and buns, including whole- or multi-grain varieties. They should also introduce youngsters to unique types of fillings, and encourage them to discover new ways to prepare foods they already enjoy.

Since burgers are so popular with both adults and kids alike, introducing younger cooks to different types of innovative or "gourmet" burgers, like those that include chicken, salmon or vegetarian proteins, creative toppings and inventive ways to prepare them, can also spark kids' creative juices. For 10-year-old Emma Potts of Bonney Lake, Wash., creating a new burger was not only a fun way to spend time with her mother; it was a great way to help other children as well.

Emma won the 2009 Kids' Cook-Off, sponsored by Red Robin, a restaurant chain that serves gourmet burgers. Her Spicy Honey Glazed Bacon Burger took top honors and will be served in Red Robin restaurants from Aug. 3 to Sept. 12. A portion of the proceeds from her burger's sales will support child safety initiatives from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

This year, kids are encouraged to again get creative in the kitchen with their family. The fifth annual Kids' Cook-Off is accepting entries from Tuesday, Aug. 3 to Sunday, Sept. 12. Children ages 6 to 12 can submit their gourmet burger recipe and a statement about why their gourmet burger deserves to be served at Red Robin and how they came up with it online at www.redrobin.com, or by mail at Red Robin Kids' Cook-Off Contest, P.O. Box 133, Trenton, IL 62293. Fifty recipes will be included in a cookbook, and the grand prize-winning burger will be sold at Red Robin restaurants in 2011 to benefit NCMEC. For additional details on the prizes and competition, visit www.redrobin.com.

"We always encouraged Emma to participate in making family meals from an early age," says Emma's mother, Donna Beck. "It's helped her develop confidence in the kitchen and a better understanding of how to eat well. Winning the Red Robin competition really gave her a sense of accomplishment - and she felt great that something she created will help other children."

To inspire budding cooks to get creative in the kitchen, parents can help their children prepare Emma's winning gourmet burger recipe at home while also thinking about their own burger creation:

Spicy Honey Glazed Bacon Burger

Ingredients:

Sesame seed bun
Juicy beef patty
Green leaf lettuce
2 slices Havarti cheese
2 slices ripe red tomato
3 strips Applewood smoked bacon
Red Robin seasoning (available for purchase at all Red Robin restaurants)
4 ounces honey
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 ounces mayonnaise

Directions:

Prepare a honey glaze by mixing together the honey and cayenne pepper. Separate the mixture in half into two bowls. Glaze burgers with one half. Mix the mayonnaise into the remaining half and set aside.

Cook the burger to taste. Toast the bun until golden brown. Spread a thin layer of the honey cayenne mayonnaise mixture on the top and bottom of the bun. Sprinkle Red Robin seasoning on the cooked burger patty and drizzle some honey glaze on top. Cover the patty with Havarti cheese and melt it on top.

On the bottom bun, layer the lettuce, seasoned beef patty, tomato and bacon. Cover with the top bun and serve with fries.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Weddings are one of life's most celebrated occasions. For brides- and grooms-to-be and their families, an incredible amount of creativity and planning is poured into this all-important day: from the wedding gown to the ceremony, from the invitations and flowers to the wedding cake itself. One of the most-remembered details is what guests are served, so the wedding menu should reflect the couple-to-be's unique style and personality.

Aida Mollenkamp, host of the popular Food Network show "Ask Aida" says, "The food you serve should be like your dress - reflect you and fit you like a glove - so, if you prefer a cupcake tower to a cake, go for it!"

Tips for a memorable wedding menu

* Find your inspiration. Couples should think back on their relationship, and choose a meaningful place or a time that will inspire their food and wine choices.

* Indulge. This is a celebration so forget about calories and choose the food and wine that truly reflects the couple.

* But don't lose yourself. Remember, the wedding day is supposed to reflect who the bride and groom are. If they aren't fans of foie gras and caviar, now is not the time to serve it.

* Personalize. Consider displaying menus at each place setting that describe the couple's food and wine pairings - and include anecdotes for why they were chosen.

* Last all night. It's a marathon to make it from the ceremony to the reception for the bride and groom and their guests. Make sure the food is substantial enough to keep everyone filled, yet light enough that they don't slip into a groggy fog.

* Ah, dessert. It might be your guests' favorite course, and for a wedding, it can truly be a showpiece. Let the dessert reflect the couple's sweet tooth, and remember Riesling is a lovely accompaniment to most wedding desserts.

David Mirassou, sixth-generation of America's oldest winemaking family agrees. "Riesling is a delicious wine pairing option for wedding desserts. It may also help a couple's budget too, because it can be paired with both the first and main courses, as well as dessert."

For more wedding inspiration, as well as video tips, Aida's recipes and David's food and wine pairings, visit Mirassou.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Warm sun-drenched days and cool starry evenings can inspire the host or hostess in us all. It's the perfect time of year for easy outdoor entertaining - to reconnect with family and friends at a backyard barbecue, neighborhood block party or rooftop soiree. It's also a time to show off your unique style and personality without the pressure of planning an elaborate sit-down dinner.

"While outdoor entertaining is definitely more casual, it doesn't have to be boring," says Ann Gearty, senior brand manager at Rust-Oleum. "With a little imagination and a few simple touches, it's easy to transform an ordinary barbecue or casual evening with friends into an event your guests will remember."

Decide on a theme - The easiest way to select a theme is to look at your guest list and your outdoor space and let them be your guide. For example, if you're planning a family party in the backyard, spice up the ordinary with a colorful tailgating theme. Planning a neighborhood gathering? Make it a back-to-school celebration that will put smiles on kids' faces (and parents' too) with a few simple props. Or, transform a casual rooftop party into a magical evening by taking a cue from Shakespeare's "Mid-Summer Night's Dream."

Set the stage - Once you've selected a theme, it's time to set the stage. Support your favorite football team by spray painting an old patio set, planters and other outdoor accessories in your team's colors. High-energy colors like Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Real Orange, Paprika, Deep Blue or Sun Yellow are just a few colors that may help you support your favorite team. Even old galvanized buckets can be transformed into brightly colored beverage coolers with a little spray paint. Add a festive table cloth, colorful paper plates and napkins, a "make it yourself" burger or chili station - and a custom colored bean bag toss game board - for a festive family gathering.

Transform an ordinary piece of plywood into a reusable "inspiration board" that's the perfect focal point for a back-to-school celebration. Paint the plywood with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint. It's available in traditional black as well as a tint base so you can choose from a variety of colors such as Banner Blue or Raspberry. Then invite the neighborhood parents to write inspirations like "Do Your Best", "Aim for the A" or "Practice Makes Perfect". Add kids, cupcakes, juice boxes, a few backyard games and inexpensive party favors -- empty juice cans transformed into pencil holders. Spray paint the cans with their favorite school colors, and personalize them with American Accents Decorative Paint Pens. They'll enjoy them throughout the school year.

Twinkling white lights on rooftop railings and large outdoor plants can set the stage for an elegant rooftop soiree for business colleagues. Spray paint flea market or garage sale finds like old bistro tables, wicker chairs, candlesticks and planters with Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic All-Surface Paint to give them the high-end look of Metallic Satin Nickel, Aged Copper or Oil-Rubbed Bronze. Universal can be used on any surface at any angle (even upside down), so you can paint wood, wicker, glass, metal - even plastic or vinyl - so let your imagination run wild. Chill the wine and welcome your guests for a magical evening outdoors.

Looking for more inspiration? Visit www.paintideas.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. The cornerstones of managing heart disease are healthy lifestyle behaviors: a heart-healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation and stress management. However, with so much information available, it's often confusing where to begin.

"Luckily, there are a number of easy food choices and lifestyle changes that can have a big impact on lowering cholesterol and promoting overall heart health," says Jenifer Bowman, a registered cardiac dietitian in Colorado. "The most common question that my patients ask me is 'What foods will help me lower my cholesterol?' The good news: now there are even healthy snacks that can help lower cholesterol, and they are delicious, too!"

Critical to understanding heart health is the impact of cholesterol on the heart. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is carried through the bloodstream by protein carriers, or lipoproteins. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "healthy" cholesterol, is stable and takes Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "lousy" cholesterol, out of the flow of blood and back to the liver. It is important to keep LDL levels low in the blood, as too much LDL can cause plaque to form in the arteries, which in turn threatens heart health.

Borderline to high cholesterol levels are a leading risk factor for coronary heart disease. At least 50 percent of the American adult population, or almost 107 million people, are affected by high cholesterol, making it a top health concern in the United States. While genetics play an important role in a person's propensity for high cholesterol, there are many environmental factors that also impact these levels.

Bowman offers the following tips for lowering cholesterol and promoting heart health:

Begin with a heart healthy diet.
Certain foods can help to lower overall and LDL, or "bad," cholesterol. Eating these will also reduce risk for heart disease. Look for foods high in EPA and DHA omega-3 fats - including fish like salmon tuna, cod and halibut. Omega-3 fats from fish provide heart healthy benefits by improving the consistency of blood, lowering triglycerides, improving blood pressure and promoting a healthy heart rhythm. Also, the heart-healthy fat found in fish does not encourage plaque development in arteries.

Monounsaturated fat, found in foods like almonds and most nuts, olive oil, canola oil, avocados, olives and peanut butter, is another fat that does not encourage plaque development and can assist with lowering LDL and raising the beneficial HDL-cholesterol.

High-fiber foods can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Great fiber-rich foods include oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Americans should become familiar with plant sterols: plant-based compounds that can help lower LDL. Plant sterols occur naturally in fruit, vegetables and whole-grain products, but usually at levels too low to effectively combat LDL. However, recent scientific studies have shown that plant sterols can be added to other foods at levels that can result in lower blood cholesterol and reduced risk for coronary heart disease. Plant sterols are now being added to a number of delicious food products, even snack foods such as Corazonas tortilla and potato chips and oatmeal squares.

Regular exercise
One of the most important benefits of physical activity is that it stimulates the liver to make more HDL-cholesterol, which can lead to a lower LDL-cholesterol. Exercise improves energy levels and boosts metabolism, which can lead to weight loss, assist with stress management and improve overall cardiovascular function.

Cigarette smoke avoidance
Both smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke increase cardiovascular disease risk. According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking alone increases risk of heart disease. On top of that, other side effects of smoking can also increase heart disease risk, such as increased blood pressure and decreased exercise tolerance.

Stress management
Stress can make arteries constrict and clot blood faster, which may increase risk of heart attack. Stress will also cause the liver to make more cholesterol. Also, people who experience stress are more likely to smoke, overeat and drink too much.

"Maintaining a healthy heart is easier than ever before as more is known about routine habits and specific nutrients that impact blood cholesterol," says Bowman. "Incorporating some simple lifestyle changes, starting with diet, will significantly lower your risk for heart disease and improve your overall health."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Summer is here, and that means barbecues, get-togethers and outdoor parties with friends and family. With so many tempting treats, it can be hard to snack smartly, but some easy substitutions here and there can keep the whole family on track all summer long.

"The secret to healthy eating is to eat real foods, and ditch anything artificial," says Ashley Koff, registered dietician and founder of Ashley Koff Approved (AKA). Ashley founded AKA as an easy resource of foods that help empower everyone to make healthier choices. All AKA foods have been reviewed by Ashley and approved as a healthy and quality food choice.

Ashley says you can enjoy your favorite foods; just watch those portion sizes. Don't give up that daily latte, but order a small instead of a large. And yes, you can have the quintessential summer snack - potato chips - but look for a bag of baked chips made from real, whole slices of potatoes (not potato bits molded back into the shape of a chip), like Kettle Brand Baked Potato Chips(R). They're delicious, crunchy and lower in fat so you don't feel like you're missing out.

If you're faced with a buffet table of delicious food at a family get-together, look for real, recognizable foods and load up your plate with fruits and vegetables. Ashley recommends to "always choose high-quality ingredients - for example, swap soda for water or coconut water and cream-based dips for guacamole."

When trying to incorporate food changes, get the family involved. If the whole family is on board, it will be much easier to stay on track and achieve healthy living goals. Here are some summer snacks that are Ashley Koff Approved (and yes, they taste good):

1. Real potato chips: Choose organic or baked (with the skins still on) and re-pack into portion-controlled containers, or look for 100 calorie packs, perfect for on-the-go munching. For a nutritionally balanced snack, pack string cheese and salsa along with your chips for some extra protein and veggies.

2. Peanut butter and fruit: Take an organic, whole grain waffle and spread on nut butter (almond, peanut, hazelnut or even sunflower seeds if you're skipping nuts) and top with fresh, sliced strawberries.

3. Quick sundae: Use plain, organic yogurt and add toppings like organic berries, granola or whole grain cereal for flavor and crunch as well as additional nutrients.

4. Dip it: Dips are a perfect way to upgrade nutrition and even squeeze in some veggies. Skip the cheese or ranch dressing and use Greek yogurt for a protein punch. Salsa is a fresh, flavorful addition to any summer spread. Instead of eating a chip with every bite of salsa, crumble a few organic corn tortilla chips into a salad to make a satisfyingly crunchy taco salad with zesty salsa, beans, avocado and chicken.

No matter what happens this summer - barbecues, family get-togethers or pool-side parties - keep these tips in mind to snack smartly all season long.

For more information visit www.ashleykoffapproved.com and www.kettlefoods.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent