According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices are increasing at the fastest rate since 1990. And, according to Rutgers Food Policy Institute, food prices increased 4.5 percent from March 2007 to March 2008, the largest one-year jump in nearly 20 years. Butter prices are up 31 percent, cheddar cheese prices are up 65 percent and nonfat dry milk prices are up 117 percent from a year ago. Rising energy cost surely have most of us worried but when we’re faced with an extra $20, $40, $60 per week at the grocery store, we feel the pinch on a more personal level.
 

Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Bread: This is my 8-year-old's new favorite thing to bake. It's easy, fun, delicious, and freezes well so that you can pull it out for company, or to bring to a party.

School is coming and pretty soon you'll be packing school lunches. If you're looking for some unique ideas to fill your child up and give him the energy he needs to get through the school day, we've assembled a few for you. 

Nine-year-old Emily Braunstein of Needham wants to be a chef. But she's not the type of girl that follows a set recipe. She airs on the side of experimental. Some of her past creations have included hot dog omelets and French Toast that she now says "had way too much sugar." Today she's in the mood to create something on the healthier side.

Impress your mother (or mother-in-law) with an invitation to join you for this festive and elegant brunch. The following menu is best for a group of six to eight guests. If you’ve gathered a larger group, you’ll want to opt for an alternate entrée or head out to eat (you’ll need too many individual ramekins).

So much food is so good for kids, and delicious too. My sister-in-law has found a great way to feed her boys nutritiously and be honest with them. In that spirit, this month's recipe is my Mom's tried-and-true zucchini bread, the only way I willingly ate zucchini as a kid.

When you share it with your family tell them about the zucchini.

Childhood obesity is a challenging problem. As difficult as it is for a parent to acknowledge that their child is overweight, it is even more daunting for that parent to figure out how to even being to talk to the child about loosing weight. Many parents wonder if they should have the discussion at all. Let me tell you why you should.