Mixing up the breakfast routine with a favorite smoothie can be a truly satisfying and nourishing way to begin the day. But like anything, ruts can happen easily and the time may come when you find yourself reaching for the same bag of frozen berries and soy milk. Day after day after day. Here are a few ways to break through the boredom and amp up your smoothies with flavor (and nutrition). 

Q: Everyone loves creamy mac and cheese, but I'm the opposite — I love boxed mac and cheese because I can have a "dry" mac and cheese that still tastes cheesy. Is there anyway to replicate that "dry but cheesy" pasta with real foods?

Sent by Celeste

I find shopping at a farmers market relaxing: the colors, the smells, the tables spilling over with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. It is a feast for the senses. Shopping at the grocery store, on the other hand, is usually anything but relaxing. Is there a way to shop only at the farmers market and skip the weekly trip to the supermarket? Sure! Here are my strategies for making it happen.

OK.  So we've made our peace with our cookbook addiction.  Now, how are we going organize all those precious volumes in a way that is attractive, useful, and practical?  Read on for a few hints.

Knife skills are totally essential in the kitchen; knowing how to properly handle a chef's knife is important for safety, speed, and efficiency while cooking. But, aside from extensive practice, good knife skills come down to just a few simple elements. Here's a home-grown video from Emma, showing you just how to wield that knife! 

Q: I bought a rather expensive hunk of cotija cheese for our Cinco de Mayo tacos. What else can I do with it besides add to salads?

Sent by Diane

If you don't have a garden, or curbside compost, you might think composting isn't for you. But guess what — you can still join the compost party, even if you're an apartment dweller or suffer from a black thumb. Read on for ways to turn your kitchen scraps into soil and make sure it's put to good use...

Wine Pairing is a more of a wine term or a concept than a wine word. It is also a term that can be controversial, ambiguous and even cause anxiety. I am not one for imposing rigid rules when it comes to wine pairing, so what I offer are tips and guidelines rather than hard and fast rules.

How would you like to come home tonight to the aroma of roasting potatoes and know that all you have to do is pull out a foil package and add the butter? Oh, yes, this kind of instant dinner gratification is totally possible. All you have to do is grab some potatoes and take your slow cooker down from the shelf.

Hello. My name is Dana and I am addicted to cookbooks. I'm only half joking here. The truth is that I have a huge cookbook collection, and try as I might, it doesn't look like I'm going to stop adding to it any time soon. What I have managed to do is learn to control it some. Read on for a few helpful hints for managing a cookbook obsession.