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Food Recipes
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Creating a dog-friendly meal experience
(BPT) - Mealtime is going...well, to the dogs - literally. Dumping kibble into a bowl and walking away has become less and less the norm. Feeding the family dog has evolved into new territory. For example, have you ever warmed your dog’s food in the microwave before serving it to him? You wouldn’t be alone if you have. ...
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No muss, no fuss - just the perfect meal every time
(BPT) - While holiday meals often take on a special significance because of the season, every meal is an opportunity to show those you care for what they mean to you. Instead of stressing about each meal throughout the holiday season (and all year long), why not create a few “go-to” meals that are not only special for t...
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A guest-friendly home is easier than you think
(BPT) - One of the many exciting and sometimes stressful parts of the holiday season is entertaining at home with friends and family. To prepare for their arrival you may be tempted to just clean the kitchen counters, toss a few extra towels in the guest bathroom and ignore the rest of the house. Instead, your visitors ...
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Master of the bar: Easy tips to create the ultimate bar at home
(BPT) - Between the endless string of events and the chill in the air this time of year, it doesn’t take much to convince your friends and family to have a night in. No matter if you’re planning the party of the year or just inviting a few friends over, a great home bar is essential to make it a night to remember. Havi...
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Food and drink recipes inspired by the hottest trends of the season will make your holiday gatherings sizzle
(BPT) - The holidays will be here before you know it, and if you’re not sure how you’re going to wow your friends and family this year, Betty Crocker offers up these ideas – inspired by the hottest food trends of the season.  “Our team of food lovers at the Betty Crocker Kitchens selected what we think will be the se...
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National Peanut Butter Lover's Month [Infographic]
November is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month. In addition to enjoying the creamy and crunchy treat, it’s also a good time to learn some interesting facts from the National Peanut Board about peanut butter.
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Sweeten your holiday desserts with gourmet candies
Sweeten your holiday desserts with gourmet candies Desserts often get center stage during the holiday season, so it’s a good time to make your dessert production big. Cheer up your holiday desserts with creative recipes using some of the treats found in Christmas gift baskets from Hickory Farms. You can easily mix and match specialty foods into tasty and unique desserts that you and your family will enjoy for all your holiday celebrations. Don’t let down your holiday guests after the ma...
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Delight friends with unique eats this holiday
(BPT) - The holidays are a magical time to celebrate with family and friends. Whether it’s the first snowfall or a gift from a loved one, the season inspires us to celebrate and be merry. It’s also a time when holiday hosts and hostesses are eager for entertaining inspiration. Entertaining isn’t effortless, but there a...
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How to make dining out during the holidays a healthy experience
(BPT) - The holiday season is here and if you’re like most Americans, restaurants will play a key role in your holiday plans and celebrations, as well as shopping and traveling experiences.  Each year, tens of millions of Americans visit restaurants for their holiday meals or use restaurants to supplement meals at home...
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Family bonding in the kitchen
As children become older and schedules get busier, finding time for quality bonding with your family becomes harder. This new year, make a resolution to reconnect with your family in the kitchen. Exploring the ins and outs of cooking and baking is a great way to get your whole family together while getting to know each other on a new level.
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The value of entertaining with turkey for the holidays [Infographic]
Every November, Americans gather with family and friends to give thanks and celebrate with a decadent spread featuring a delicious turkey as the iconic centerpiece. With food prices continuing to climb, Thanksgiving specials offer a once-a-year opportunity to find value in discounted whole turkeys. “One way to stretch your grocery budget during the holidays is to purchase an additional whole turkey around Thanksgiving,” says Chuck Meath, vice president of retail sales for Jennie-O Turkey St...
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Score big with these game day entertaining tips
With football and basketball season in full swing, it's the perfect time to invite family and friends over to root on the home team. Hosting a crowd-pleasing party can be simple with a little preparation. Score big with these simple game day entertaining tips.
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national news

Outgoing acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller is sworn-in during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Internal Revenue Service targeting conservative groups on Capitol Hill in WashingtonBy Andy Sullivan and Kim Dixon WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The outgoing head of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service angered Republican lawmakers on Friday by resisting their demands that he identify who at the tax-collection agency had inappropriately targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny. But during the first hearing into a growing IRS scandal that could preoccupy Washington for months, Republicans did learn that a top official in President Barack Obama's administration knew that the IRS was looking into targeting by the tax agency nearly a year ago. ...


Fri May 17 19:54:32 UTC 2013

Martos holds a marijuana leaf at the Canna Pi medical marijuana dispensary in SeattleBy Joanne von Alroth SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois Senate on Friday voted to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, which if signed into law would make it the second-most-populous state in the nation after California to allow the drug's use for medical purposes. The bill, approved by the Illinois House in April, now moves to Governor Pat Quinn's desk to await his signature. Quinn has indicated he is sympathetic to the bill, especially as it would benefit injured veterans. "We fully expect Gov. ...


Fri May 17 15:12:51 UTC 2013

Passengers wait to be picked-up after two commuter trains collided in BridgeportBy Michelle McLoughlin FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (Reuters) - A commuter train traveling eastbound from New York City derailed near the Connecticut suburb of Fairfield during the evening rush hour on Friday and collided with a westbound commuter train, injuring up to 60 people, three critically, officials said. The collision of the two Metro North trains forced Amtrak to shut down service indefinitely between New York and Boston, the national railroad said. Three people were critically injured and 60 people were transported to area hospitals, police said. ...


Fri May 17 22:10:23 UTC 2013
A series of 16 violent tornadoes ransacked north Texas this week, killing six people and flattening entire neighborhoods. Seven people who were reported missing early Friday morning have now been accounted for, but the storms aren't over yet. Severe thunderstorms are expected late Friday in Alabama and Mississippi, and the Plains and the Midwest face [...]
Fri May 17 19:53:22 UTC 2013