<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0de0/1304505655099/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-cooking-with-friends-lasagna-20090211-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>I asked some of my closest friends why they don&#8217;t like cooking at home. &#8220;Time&#8221;, &#8220;food costs&#8221;, &#8220;clean up&#8221; and &#8220;boredom&#8221;

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0ddd/1304503834417/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-vibrant-salads-20090211-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>The fun thing about salads is that you can top them with a variety of things that can help you meet your daily allowance of &nbsp;vitamins, minerals and macronutrients. Leaf lettuce alone

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dd7/1304501602313/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-picante-chocolate-truffles-20090211-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="Picante Chocolate Truffles" /></span></span>On a recent Today Show appearance I gave you my Picante Chocolate Truffles, and since so many of you requesting the recipe, I&#8217;m going to prepar

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d1b/1308789826723/1000w/lifestyle-vid-stirfry-today-20090203.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Want to get back to basics with good food &mdash; at a great price? Nutritionist and healthy lifestyle expert Chef Lala shares a special stir-fry that serves a family of four for less than $20. Learn

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dd3/1304465475367/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-meal-replacement-smoothie-20081224-chefLaLa-press-vid.tn-honye-mustard-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Meals need to be full of nutrients and vitamins. If you are doing a meal replacement, make sure it&#8217;s a substantial o

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dd1/1304465032777/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-lite-ranch-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa-press-vid.tn-honye-mustard-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>The dressings that get the worst wrap of all are the creamy ones. Of course! They contain mayonnaise, butters, creams&hellip; Bu

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dcf/1304464551623/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-ENTRYTITLE-NAME-DATE-chefLaLa-press-vid.tn-honye-mustard-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>I love the combination of honey and mustard, so I&#8217;m going to put a honey and mustard dressing together.</div>

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dad/1304111162127/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-frozen-smoothie-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Smoothies with frozen fruit can be made anytime of the year, keeping the fruit at it&#8217;s peak! Substitute frozen yogurt for ice and milk.</div>

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0da5/1304107758907/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-cilantro-lime-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>When I think of the flavors of Mexico I think of lime&#8217;s flavor and, of course, the earthy herb flavor of cilantro that I just love. So why not combine it in a dressing?!</di

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dc9/1304507232085/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-california-roll-bruschetta-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Chips, dips and pretzels are great snacks, but with these simple tips you can &ldquo;wow&rdquo; your guests by serving a few simple baguette toppers. Let you palette take a cu

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><a href="/lifestyle/2008/12/24/passover-charoset.html"><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d8c/1304106638007/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-passover-charoset-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></a></span></span>Today&rsquo;s recipe is is the best chariest recipe I&rsquo;ve ever tried, and it&rsquo;s been passed down by family.</div>

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d8a/1304104069533/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-green-tea-smoothie-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Studies have shown that green tea helps to build your immune system with antioxidants, it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and it reduces cancer risks and Alzheimer&rsquo;s disea

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d88/1304104898092/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-fresh-fruit-smoothie-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Some restaurants claim to use real fruit and yogurt, but actually they&rsquo;re smoothies are made from concentrates, purees, artificial flavors, preservatives and not so wholesome

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d86/1304104601377/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-citrus-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Citrus contains so many vitamins and minerals. It&rsquo;s refreshing, it&rsquo;s delicious, and citrus helps your body absorb the iron in vegetables and foods. That makes it a great sala

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><a href="/lifestyle/2008/12/24/italian-bruschetta.html"><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d84/1304106307036/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-italian-bruschetta-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></a></span></span>Entertaining should be quick and easy. Italian style bruschettas are inexpensive, fun, delicious and healthy. Provecho!</di

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><a href="/lifestyle/2008/12/24/healthier-nachos.html"><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dbf/1304167509977/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-healthier-nachos-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></a></span></span>Nachos are so delicious&hellip; but man are they fattening! I&#8217;m going to make a healthy version that is made for sharing,

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><a href="/lifestyle/2008/12/24/gourmet-bruschetta.html"><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dbd/1304165313407/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-gourmet-bruschetta-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></a></span></span>Chips, dips and pretzels are great snacks, but with these simple tips you can &#8220;wow&#8221; your guests by serving a fe

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0db5/1304159596213/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-apple-crepes-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Today I&#8217;m going to be making one of my favorite dishes with apples: crepes.</div>

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dd9/1304502705273/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-raspberry-balsamic-dressing-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Salads are controversial because of the hidden fat that lurks in the dressing. Be sure to read the labels, watch your portion sizes and select dressings that will have tons o

<div src="v5"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5533ccebe4b0cb1542ab4ba3/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0d02/556dac20e4b0ad00878d0dd5/1304500705347/1000w/lifestyle-vid.tn-mexican-style-bruschetta-20081224-chefLaLa.jpg" alt="" /></span></span>Chips, dips and pretzels are great snacks, but with these simple tips you can &#8220;wow&#8221; your guests by serving a few simple baguette toppers. Let your palette take a cul