All-Star Appetizer Ideas For Your Big Game Party

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All-Star Appetizer Ideas For Your Big Game Party (NAPSA)—To score points with sports fans, it’s important to know the essentials of a great game-day party: a good rivalry, a high-definition television, ample seating and, of course, lots of tasty snacks. The next time the gang comes over to watch the game, however, you may want to skip the chipsand-salsa routine and liven up your spread by adding some creative twists to your game-day snacks. For example, experts at New York Style, the original makers of Bagel Crisps, offer plenty of recipe ideas and entertaining tips that are bound to impress your guests at your next get-together. Start by planning out snack platter ideas so the snacks are put together before guests arrive and the game starts. That way, you can enjoy the party and minimize time spent in the kitchen. Some ideas for a super snack lineup include: • Trade up frozen pizza for freshly made pizza bites. To prepare the bites, layer pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni or salami and shredded mozzarella over a tray of Bagel Crisps. Pop them in the oven at 425 F until the cheese is melted and then add a small basil leaf garnish. • Liven up your hummus platter with some extras. Spread two containers of plain hummus on a serving plate and top with threequarters of a cup of chopped Kalamata olives and two tablespoons of Greek vinaigrette. Sprinkle the top of the hummus with chopped parsley and serve your dressed-up hummus platter with Bagel Crisps and pita chips. by Barbara Dehn, R.N., MS, NP (NAPSA)—Moms returning to work after having a baby face a myriad of decisions on raising their child. Experts say when it comes to nutritional needs, moms can feel good about the feeding choices available today. Q: Between returning to work and a decreased milk supply, I’m not always able to breast-feed my baby. Will he be OK? Taking a break from the usual snacks can be a great way to add a little adventure to your next “big game” party. • Offer up a build-your-own sandwich bite tray. Prepare a tray of bite-sized deli meats, cheeses and garnishes that your guests can use to build sandwich bites atop a Bagel Crisp. • Make the easiest bruschetta ever. Take your favorite jarred bruschetta and pair it with New York Style Panetini, a traditional Italian toast that is seasoned for you and ready to go straight from the bag. • Don’t forget something for the sweet tooth. Mix up some mascarpone cheese and mini chocolate chips and serve with cinnamon raisin Bagel Crisps or cinnamon sugar pita chips. As a finishing touch, make sure to have lots of chilled beverages on hand near your snacks so your guests will be able to quench their thirst without missing a play. Whether your team wins or loses, your guests are sure to go home happy when you serve up an all-star lineup of snacks. For more recipe ideas and party tips, visit www.newyorkstyle.com. Working moms find baby formula a nutritious alternative. A: Not every woman is able to breast-feed her baby exclusively for the six to 12 months that is recommended. There are many reasons why a mom may decide that it’s best to use infant formula for some or all of her baby’s feedings, including returning to work, having a premature baby who is unable to latch on or decreased milk supply, to name just a few. All formulas have the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development. Talk to your pediatrician about what’s best for your baby and trust yourself. To see stories from other working moms and share your own experiences, visit www.momsfeeding freedom.com. • Ms. Dehn is the author of “Your Personal Guide To Breastfeeding.” Achieving A Resolution Of Financial Health (NAPSA)—According to a survey conducted by Franklin Covey at the end of 2007, the top New Year’s resolution for 2008 was to “get out of debt or save money.” And given the nation’s economic crunch in 2008, it’s expected that financial goals will be a high priority in 2009. The survey also found that 35 percent of Americans break their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January. So what can you do to stay on track to get your finances in order (or, at least, in better shape)? Financial expert Liz Pulliam Weston, author of “Easy Money: How To Simplify Your Finances and Get What You Want Out of Life,” offers these tips for saving money and sticking to your New Year’s resolution. • Use cash as much as possible. Using cash really helps people stay on the straight and narrow. Set aside cash each month to cover variable expenses (such as food, gas and entertainment). When the money is gone, it’s gone. No going back to the ATM for more. • Open a high-yield savings account. You’ll want to keep your money working hard for you, and that means getting a higher rate than you’ll find at the typical brick-andmortar bank. Look for a high-rate, FDIC-insured savings account with no account minimums and no monthly fees, such as FNBO Direct (www.FNBODirect.com/savings). • Shop smart. Don’t make any online purchases or big offline purchases without first checking to see if an online coupon is available. This Pay yourself first in 2009 and reach your savings goals. can be as simple as a Google search using the word “coupon” and the name of the store. Typically, online coupon searches are worth the effort. Another place to find valuable savings tips is at www.pyfchal lenge.com. The PYF Challenge follows five people as they compete to save the most money. Along the way, challengers have shared their unique savings strategies, such as: • When taking a trip, consider flights with one or more stops. It’s less convenient than a direct flight, but normally will save you a considerable amount of money. • Look for ways to make some extra cash. Participate in focus groups, freelance, etc., and put that cash toward expenses outside your monthly budget (e.g., gifts, donations). • Save money on groceries by taking a list to the grocery store and abiding by a “do not stray from the list” policy. It’s amazing how much unneeded stuff you buy otherwise.