Just in time for gift-giving season, Kim Carlson, eco-expert and founder of EarthSmart Consumer Certified, is ushering the holidays with the 12 ways of gifting. This is the perfect time of year to get in the green spirit. Many Americans are still on tight budgets with savings on their minds. Before disposing of commonly tossed […]

 The holidays, for many, is a time of celebration, tradition and reunion, when food and gifts are shared to express care and appreciation for each other. For others, however, the holidays are neither joyous nor comfortable. With so many neighbors struggling, perhaps this is the year to consider alternatives to traditional gift giving. To find […]

 Who could imagine that within a five minute drive from the heart of Lewiston-Auburn there’s a row of greenhouses with over 11,000 poinsettia plants set to bloom by Thanksgiving? To brothers Elmer and Buster Whiting, owners of Farmer Whiting on Summer Street, this comes as no surprise. For years, they’ve planted cuttings of poinsettias in […]

 Long lines. Low prices. Crazed crowds. That’s right: Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. Tomorrow! Local retailers such as Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Best Buy, and the Auburn Mall open earlier than usual (anywhere from midnight to 7 a.m.) so that bargain-hunters can shop for popular items at great prices. For many locals, shopping […]

 The day after Thanksgiving, known to most as Black Friday, is always the most anticipated and chaotic shopping day of the year. Stores slash prices on select merchandise, and customers line up for hours to get their hands on must-haves and perfect holiday gifts at great prices. While shoppers spend weeks ahead of time browsing […]

During this season of festive treats, why not take a holiday from the typical buttered-down desserts? Now you can whip up sweet favorites for your family and guests that are full of rich flavor with less saturated fat. One way to reduce your saturated fat intake and make your holiday baking better is by using […]

Winter might mean snow and ice, but all it takes is a trip to the grocery store to find the fruits of summer. For an elegant treat that will remind your guests of warmer days, try this recipe from the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission: Raspberry/Blackberry Trifle Serves 16 Raspberry Layer 1 1/2 cups whole […]

Easy tips, tricks and recipes can help stretch your wine budget through the holidays Impressing your guests while putting the main focus on your time together  With the holidays approaching, hosts and hostesses across the country are looking for fun and affordable ways to entertain with friends and family. While everyone is looking to cut […]

 There are plenty of fun recipes that can get children in the kitchen and involved with holiday cooking. For instance, “corny-copias” are made from ice cream cones filled with corn-bread mix, baked and then topped with dried fruits. They bake standing up in a Bundt pan filled with dry rice or beans to keep them […]

 Adding an authentic Mexican twist to the traditional holiday menu and drink list can add some spice to this year’s festivities. Party experts suggest serving up dishes and cocktails that add distinctive flair and flavor to your get-togethers. “In Mexico, the holidays, or las fiestas, are times of celebration, spirit and sharing, marked by bold […]