April is a month of many things – including International Black Women’s History Month. In honor of this important month, we are paying tribute to admired chef and cookbook author Edna Lewis – a woman with a remarkable life story who has been referred to as the South’s answer to Julia Child and widely regarded as the person who put Southern cooking on the map in the 20th century.

Known as the “Grande Dame of Southern Cooking” and for teaching the American public to appreciate Southern meals in a new way, Edna Lewis was among the first African American women from the South to pen a cookbook that did not hide the author’s true name, gender or race, according to the National Women’s History Museum. She spent more than 75 years in the culinary world, where she was hailed as an esteemed chef in many popular restaurants. In addition, she published three highly acclaimed cookbooks and won multiple James Beard awards. The granddaughter of an emancipated slave, Edna rose to prominence cooking for celebrities, including Marlon Brando, Marlene Dietrich, Tennessee Williams, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Salvador Dali, Eleanor Roosevelt and Truman Capote. She has also been immortalized by the United States Postal Service on a Forever stamp.

Finally, a miracle has occurred. We’ve found a potato that is both nutritious, delicious and easy-to-prepare—the little Creamer potato! And, no one grows them like The Little Potato Company. They’re bringing this petite, yet powerful, potato to tables across the country and declaring it’s plentiful benefits.

Not your average small potato, Creamers have the unique combination of being naturally buttery tasting, loaded with nutrition, easy to prepare, and having many diverse, colorful and fun varietals. Coveted around the world by leading chefs and foodies, Creamers are a premium Little potato varietal that is typically thin skinned, rich in flavor and highly nutritious. Naturally fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants at only 20 calories each, Creamers can truly be a perfect part of your family’s healthy, balanced diet. And, they come with no cleaning or peeling required!

Ah, finally the much-awaited arrival of spring is here! With longer days, warmer nights and the promise of summer just a short time away, spring brings a bounty of fresh seasonal produce perfect for delicious, flavorful spring dishes. Whether you’re getting ready to celebrate one of spring’s many holidays or events with a big dinner party for family and friends, or just looking to welcome in the warmer weather with some cozy al fresco dining in your own backyard, there are numerous ways to take advantage of the freshness of spring, the season filled with new possibilities.

Juicy, succulent, flavorful and... heart-healthy? Yes, you read that right! There's a clean, lean protein that is flavor-foward, versatile and your new superfood—salmon. And, innovators at Bluehouse Salmon are bringing you fresh, delicious salmon raised right here in the USA.

Their mission is "to raise salmon happy, healthy—and in a way that’s truly sustainable." And to do so, they invented the fish farm of the future. With technology originally created in Denmark, the Bluehouse team innovated and refined on-shore technology that produces delicious salmon sustainably.

Love and food have always been closely linked, and for many people, there is nothing more romantic than delicious food. Often considered a symbol of love, food is a big part of our everyday lives and our romantic relationships. Perhaps nowhere is the link between food and love seen more than during February and the love-filled holiday of Valentine’s Day—known for its signature heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, decadent desserts, and, of course, special dinners to mark the special occasion.

Whether you are cooking a romantic candlelight dinner for two for your sweetheart, or spending a cozy evening in the kitchen cooking together, or simply want to prepare and enjoy a special meal for yourself, there are so many ways to bring the love to your Valentine’s Day meal. And with Italy bursting with love, romance and exquisite cuisine, an Italian-inspired dinner is the perfect choice for what is sure to be a perfect night. Italian food is famous for its flavorful dishes, fresh ingredients and cooking techniques developed across the Italian Peninsula and is considered to be one of the most romantic cuisines in the world.

Winter is in full force and while Mother Nature will throw us a few warm days, there are sure to be chilly days that call for a warm blanket, a big comfy chair, and a bowl of steaming, savory soup.

With that in mind, we are bringing Progresso's passion for soup to our readers. Progresso's inventive recipe team has created hundreds of soup creations from tried-and-true chicken and noodle to extraordinary sweet potato, coconut and gingerroot. At Progresso they humbly believe in better ingredients, creating their soups with 100 percent antibiotic and hormone-free chicken and no artificial colors or flavors. They've also created soups for every preference, including gluten-free, vegetarian, organic, low-sodium and light.

Including freshly picked, local produce in your favorite dishes is easy during the spring and summer months. But it’s actually just as easy to enjoy the delicious tastes, and health benefits, of some of the most flavorful fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter months, as well. The key? Knowing what’s in season, what to buy (and when)—and how to best use the many winter vegetables out there just ripe for the picking.

The holiday season is inspiring! As you count down the Saturdays before Christmas (which always seem to shock you) a change comes over you. Nostalgia from years past creeps in, causing a sudden yearning to spend much needed time with family and friends, a glitter bomb goes off in your home—on purpose— and best of all, the urge to BAKE is ignited!

Whether your sweet tooth has you scouring Pinterest for the best Christmas cookies, or you’re looking for sweet and savory appetizers and holiday drinks, there’s one brand that has you covered—Domino® Sugar. Their products are at the heart of beloved recipes that have been passed down through many generations. A mainstay in pantries across the country, Domino® Sugar has been dedicated to sweetening the lives of countless bakers (and their families) for more than a century.

The holidays are the perfect time to discover the joy of being in the moment with family and friends—and to also spend time taking care of and nurturing yourself. Most of us get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and are faced with the pressures of jam-packed schedules and last-minute holiday shopping and errands. When your mind and body are in overdrive, it’s easy to miss the magic of the holidays. It’s the magic of the little moments that make the season (and every day) so special. Be mindful about being in the moment and take in the special experiences, connections, sights, sounds, tastes and smells that happen only during this most wonderful time of the year. Take a moment to notice how truly magnificent your Christmas tree is, how spectacular your holiday table looks, how delicious your famous chocolate chip cookies are and just how excited your children or grandchildren are to put a few out for Santa. Finally, make time, take time and savor that time with talks, laughs, hugs and lots of I love yous with your favorite people, which is really what the holidays are all about.

As the holidays draw near, stained and well-loved cookbooks get pulled out for tried and true family recipes. And if you're like me, when I pack my bags to head home for Thanksgiving, my McCormick spices are sure to be in them.

McCormick's familiar red label and quality herbs and spices have been thrilling people’s taste buds all over the world for nearly 125 years, with no end in sight. McCormick boasts about their quest for flavor and passion for creating endless excitement as they meet the demand for “food personality” by delivering the deepest and broadest range of flavors and ingredients. Their vision for fascinating food inspires people to try bold flavor ideas, collaborate and brainstorm—all while having fun doing it. "Great-tasting meals start with pure flavor, and flavor is the heart of everything we do here." It’s amazing what spices can do. They can make a dish zesty, or sweet, or spicy, or herby—but always delicious.

Family. Friends. Football. And, of course, food—lots and lots of it! There are a number of reasons why so many people claim Thanksgiving as their favorite holiday—and most of those reasons center on the traditions of spending time with loved ones in living rooms, kitchens and, gathered around the dining room table. Thanksgiving’s emphasis on spending time with family and friends, without presents and the associated stress of holiday shopping, makes this holiday one to enjoy just being together. Equally as important, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some fabulous food, from traditional family favorites to some new “twists” on Thanksgiving classics that are as delicious as they are healthy.

It's time to fall in love with pumpkin all over again. Fall is all about cooler weather, a crackling fire, holiday parties, football and pumpkin everything. One name synonymous with holiday baking tradition is Libby's® Pumpkin, an American classic for more than 75 years. And, it's not just for the holidays; cooks and chefs are discovering pumpkin is a moist, creamy and nutritious addition to recipes year-round.

The power of pumpkin is showcased in just one delicious serving of Libby's® 100% Pure Pumpkin, which offers a rich source of nutrients, all while being low in calories and fat, and naturally sodium-free. From breakfast to dinner, sweet to savory, pumpkin-filled recipes are versatile and nutritiously beneficial. In fact, pumpkin is used as a healthier alternative ingredient for many recipes. The swaps are easy: One egg can be swapped for 1/4 cup of Libby's® Pumpkin, 1 tablespoon of oil or butter can be swapped with 1 tablespoon of Libby's® Pumpkin—how easy!

This year, surprise your family and friends with delicious twists on America's favorite pumpkin classics, or with new exciting recipes that will have pumpkin lovers begging for more.
For more benefits of pumpkin and tons of great recipes, log on to www.verybestbaking.com.

Everything’s better when there’s music involved, and that includes food. Just like music can set the mood in your everyday life, it can also set the mood in the kitchen. The mood-boosting benefits of listening to your favorite tunes as you chop, braise, roast, sauté, stir-fry, or grill can often be just as important as the ingredients you put into your meal. Music not only helps to make cooking more fun, but it also helps to inspire your creativity in the kitchen when it comes to healthy cooking.

ROCKTOBER is the perfect time to pump up the volume, pump up the energy and pump up the flavors when it comes to cooking healthy dishes. Whether it’s streaming your favorite Spotify or Pandora playlist, popping in your favorite old CDs, or simply turning on a kitchen radio, let the energy of the music fill your kitchen. Rock out, and dance as you cook! The power of your favorite songs can transport you to anywhere you want to go, boosting both your mood and creativity. Plus, dancing in the kitchen is a great way to clear your mind, soothe your soul and burn some calories.

Sultry summer nights are coming to an end, and there’s a whisper of fall in the air. Sounds of game days, cookouts and front yard football are just around the corner. And, when it comes to fantastic fare, grilling great Robyn Lindars has you covered.

Known as “Grill Girl,” Robyn has been serving up grilling adventures since 2008. “I’m happiest when I am testing out new recipes, particularly anything cooked over live fire—grilling, smoking, campfire cooking. As a girl who likes to eat, I try to keep my recipes healthy and full of flavor,” said Robyn. She’s the main ingredient behind www.grillgirl.com, her blog-turned-career, as she continues to light a fire under flavorful fare. A city girl turned rancher, Robyn and her family live on a ranch in Fort Meyers, FL. It’s the perfect place to house her 12 grills and smokers—yep, you read that right TWELVE!

Even if your summer fiesta is nowhere near the water, you can find cooling refreshment in these cocktails and more from Deep Eddy Vodka! Craving the lime and salt of a margarita, but fresh out of tequila? No problem! Watermelon Margarita to the rescue! Looking for an easy-drinking, not-too-sweet refresher: meet The Chilton. It is bright and refreshing, exactly what you need to cool down on a hot day. There’s no sugar in the Chilton recipe, so it drinks very dry. But the salted rim gives the effect of a salted lemonade with each thirsty sip. If you’re heading out to the beach, or camping, and don’t want to pack your shaker, Deep Eddy’s got you covered there, too. Just toss some cans of their new ready-to-drink sodas in the cooler, and you’re all set!