Remembering to freeze foods before they go bad and learning to make big batches of your favorite freezer-friendly dishes to put up and enjoy later can help you slash your grocery budget and make meal time less stressful. The best place to start any good freezer plan is by learning a little about food safety. … Read More
We asked Chad Emerson, the executive director of Downtown Huntsville, what got the Rocket City’s downtown revitalization ramped up and how he and others are helping it grow leaps and bounds by building on its past and furthering its hope for the future. What initiated your interest in downtown revitalization? Chad: Downtown Huntsville has an amazing … Read More
You get what you pay for, right? Maybe. Sometimes, picking the pricier version is the smart spending choice. Other times, the bargain brand is just as effective. Check out our list of items that are worth the money, and those that you can skimp on or skip altogether to save some serious dough. SAVE Paper … Read More
Only a few miles from Montgomery, Barber Berry Farm in Millbrook is an 8-acre U-pick operation offering pesticide-free blackberries (thornless!), blueberries (multiple varieties) and muscadines (not ready ’til August). The farm grows hydroponic veggies too (tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and more), but the berries are the real stars here and now is their time to shine. … Read More
Ever been confused by skin care acronyms like UVA, UVB or SPF? Ever wonder which skin care product is actually screening, blocking and/or resisting? You’re not the only one! In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration mandated that sunscreen manufacturers must change the labeling on their products to prohibit the use of certain marketing terms … Read More
Spinach: We won’t debate how much wisdom may or may not be gleaned from cartoons, but this much is clear: Popeye had at least one thing right. Sure, he might have relied too heavily on his physical strength to solve problems, and he had questionable relationship skills evidenced by his inability to ever get very far … Read More
Getting your hands on some butter is as easy popping in the grocery store. (And you are using butter, right? No more margarine!) But why buy what you can make? Homemade butter is creamier than the store-bought stuff and boasts a richer, more complex flavor; it’s not as difficult to make as you might think; … Read More
The Christmas tree is one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday, the glowing centerpiece of our seasonal decorations and celebrations. Yet, almost as soon as the big day is over — sometimes as soon as 24 hours after — we strip them bare and put them out with the trash. Once honored, by … Read More
They are the signature fruit of the season, and since they’re both delicious and highly nutritious, you should definitely make ruby red cranberries a highlight of your holiday meals. But please forget the can-shaped gelatinous goo. Fresh or flash-frozen cranberries are easy to find this time of year, and consuming them this way, you’ll reap … Read More
Expecting a house-full of friends and family this holiday season? If so, it could be a major source of stress. The preparations, the expectations, possible family drama and the clean up: They can all lead to an overload that will suck the merry and bright right out of this time of year. Try these tips … Read More