Dinnertime just got a lot easier with these time-friendly tips. After all, this is meant to be time spent with your family – not your fridge.


Don’t make dinner tonightInstead, this weekend, make a double batch of freezer-friendly dishes like chicken parmesan with Precious^® Fresh Mozzarella or green bean and Precious^® Mozzarella casserole. Then on those late-night-at-the-office or too-many-errand days, simply pop one in the oven for a quick, delicious dinner that takes no time to prepare.


Personalize your pasta sauceJarred pasta sauce is perfect for quick pasta dinners. But who says you have to serve it as is? Add some flair – and nutrition – by adding delicious extras like: chopped broccoli, ground turkey burger, fresh basil, garlic, or a dollop of Precious^® Ricotta cheese.


Create your own supper clubGet the kids on the bus, call up your girlfriends, and get cooking. Each week, make a different meal (from Stuffed Shells with Precious^® Ricotta to Chicken Kiev), then pack it up for that night’s dinner. This once-a-week (or once-a-month) tradition keeps you in touch with friends, and gets dinner on the table with ease.


Soup made superbA quick way to make canned soup even more spectacular is to add cheese! Add a scoop of Precious^® Ricotta cheese to tomato soup or a few cubes of Precious^® Fresh Mozzarella to your minestrone soup.

Add cheese to a few of your favorite dishes, and presto, things just got a lot more delicious and nutritious.


Add some pizzazz to your pastaAdd Precious^® Mozzarella Cheese to your spaghetti, penne, or whatever pasta you’re serving tonight. It’s a great way to add delicious flavor without adding sodium. Besides fresher is better!
 

Add cheese, add nutritionAdding a little cheese to fresh salads, soups, rice dishes, and vegetable side dishes is a great way to get extra protein and calcium at every meal. Hint: Slice and dice a Precious^® Plus High in Calcium and Vitamin D Mozzarella cheese snack into your salad for added flavor and nutrition.


Fluffier, yummier pancakesAdding Precious^® Ricotta Cheese to pancake batter makes for lighter, fluffier flapjacks. Check out this and other recipes in our recipe section.


Mac ’n cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches – not just for kids anymoreAdding ingredients like Precious^® Chunk Mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and portabella mushrooms can turn the most humble of comfort foods into a culinary delight.


A new twist on an old favoriteThere’s no better combination than mozzarella, tomato, and basil. But here’s a fun twist: Put a cube of Precious^® Fresh Mozzarella or Precious^® Ciliengini Mozzarella balls onto a skewer and hold over a charcoal or gas grill until it melts. Then spread the melted cheese onto a baguette followed by tomato and basil. It’s a fun way to enjoy this delicious trio.

Now when the doorbell rings, you can answer with confidence. We’ll show you some quick, throw-together tips that will make you look like an always-prepared host.


Always have a block of cheese on handHaving several types of cheese and a good box of crackers at the ready is always a good idea. Set the cheese on a board, spread some crackers around, and you’ve got yourself a delicious cheese board to munch on.


Keep the conversation to one roomPreferably the tidiest. Whether it is the kitchen, the living room, or back patio, even the most cluttered home is more manageable in small doses. And, if necessary, nonchalantly neaten while you chat – put toys in the toy chest, clear the coffee table.

Throwing the perfect dinner party doesn’t have to be labor intensive. In fact, it can be downright impromptu.


Time managementIf you make some of your dishes the night before or day of, you’ll be able to spend more time with your guests instead of your oven.


Do a quick sweepChances are your guests won’t be giving your house the white-glove test, so save time by just doing some touch-ups to make your house look tidier: 

• Stash toys in places your guests won’t look: in the washing machine or dryer, under beds, in the trunk of your car.
• Glass cleaner is glorious: spot clean anything metal, glass, or shiny with this go-to cleaner.
• Put mail clutter in its place: junk mail in the garbage, bills on your bedroom dresser (so you can find them easily tomorrow), and catalogs in your magazine basket.

Make it a potluck dinnerUnless you can spend all day in the kitchen, make your next dinner party a potluck. You set the theme or cuisine of the meal, designate who’s going to make which course, then get divvying. When each couple brings a dish, dinner’s a breeze and everyone’s involved.


Pillow talkCreate an instant conversation spot for your next party by tossing some throw pillows on the floor. Lounging on the floor can be just as comfy, and it adds a fun, casual style to your party.


The un-silverwareTry bamboo flatware for your next casual get-together. Because they’re disposable, you can toss them in the trash instead of the dishwasher. And they’re environmentally friendly, so you can go green with ease.

A little walk here, a set of stairs there – you’ll be surprised where you’ll find little exercises that will make a big difference.


Go for an after-dinner walkStretch those legs, get the blood pumping, and work off some of the calories from dinner. A walk around the block will not only get you out in fresh air, it will prevent that post-dinner doze.


Respect each other’s exercise timesIt’s no secret: couples who exercise are happier and healthier. But finding the time can be tough. Here’s a solution: Each partner picks their dedicated exercise time – one in the morning, one in the evening. And when one’s exercising, the other one is taking care of the kids, dog, household.


Pack your lunch, and then walk to eat itBringing your lunch is a great way to save money during the workweek, but who says you have to sit at your desk to eat it? Put on some walking shoes and head to a park or street-side bench 10 minutes away from the office. The change of scenery – and the extra exercise – will make the afternoon that much nicer. (P.S.: Precious^® Plus High in Calcium and Vitamin D Mozzarella snack cheeses are perfect for lunches.)


Create your own rush hourNo time to exercise? Instead of sitting in heavy 5 o’clock traffic, go for a half-hour power walk or jog right from the office. By the time you’re done, rush hour will have diminished and you can head home with an adrenaline rush instead.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. Here are some quick tips that can keep you healthier, happier, and more satisfied.


Get in the hat habitFor instant sun protection, always carry a hat with you – your skin will thank you. With so many styles and colors, hats have become a fun, cool way to accessorize any outfit. Besides, they’re an easy way to combat a windy day or a bad hair day!


The calm, cool commuterUse your drive time to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. Turn on your classical music radio station, pop in a book on CD, or just roll down the window and catch some fresh air.

A few tricks, a few treats, and you've just made this candy-loving holiday healthy.


Have a pre-Halloween dinnerFill up your kids' bellies with a nutritious dinner before they hit the trick-or-treating circuit. A full tummy means fewer candy bars eaten along the way. And that means you'll have a chance to inspect their candy bag first. Another tip for keeping hunger pangs at bay while trick-or-treating: bring along Precious^® Plus High in Calcium and Vitamin D Mozzarella snack cheese.


Set a daily candy limitAvoid sugar highs by setting a limit on how many pieces of candy your kids can have per day — and stick to it. Your best bet? Set the limit a few days or weeks before the big candy day — that way your kids will know your expectations ahead of time.

It’s a day to give thanks, not to get stressed. Here are some ways to make the most of this very special day.


Have some Thanksgiving quiet timeBefore the hoards of guests show up at your house on Thanksgiving Day and after you’ve put the turkey in the oven, head outside for a power walk or a hike in the woods. While it will be exciting to have a house full of friends and family, the quiet time will give you a chance to reflect, relax, and listen to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet.


Try a new something newPut a new dish on the table this Thanksgiving that’s sure to get people talking and mouths watering. Butternut squash made with Precious^® Ricotta cheese is a delicious way to start a new Turkey Day tradition.


Only the turkey should be stuffedIt’s easy to overeat on Turkey Day – but it’s not worth the overindulgence guilt (or pounds) that comes afterward. To avoid eating more than you need, be sure to eat sensibly beforehand and drink plenty of water. That way you won’t be famished by the time dinner’s served. And remember, there are always leftovers to enjoy, too.