(ARA) – While the days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches may be a distant childhood memory, the “brown bag” lunch is once again becoming a popular fixture on the office desk.  With recent economic factors influencing food purchases, America is looking to the brown bag to save a few bucks. According to a new study from the market research firm NPD Group, weekday packed lunches among adults reached a new high in 2007, and this trend is expected to continue.
But “bagging it” doesn’t have to mean a boring turkey …

Rice Helps the Heart, and the Wallet
(ARA) – With the rising cost of groceries, families are trying to make their hard-earned dollars go farther. Buying staples — as opposed to manufactured mixes — and using them in several different recipes is one way to reduce costs and yet provide a healthy meal for the entire family.
Of all the products on supermarket shelves, one of the most versatile is rice, a complex carbohydrate that is free of sodium, cholesterol and trans fat. It is also gluten-free, non-allergenic and easy to digest. …

(ARA) – Food can make you healthier — if you make good choices. It can seem hard to make healthy food choices, particularly if you are on a budget and short on time. But there are some simple steps you can take to help you and your family eat healthier.

Build a Healthier Plate
Use a grocery list when shopping for food to help you choose more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Buy leaner meats (such as chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of pork or beef such as sirloin or chuck …

Serving Size: 2 meat cakes
Yield: 6 servings
Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, or turkey, 7% fat (93% lean)
2 bunches spinach – washed and cut into pieces (may substitute a 1-pound bag of frozen chopped spinach,