Written by Maureen Murphy Although it’s the season for holiday parties and special meals it’s also the season when many people find themselves gaining an extra 5-7 lbs. from overindulging in sweets, dips, and more. With a few simple tips and modifications your guests will still enjoy the party and their hips will thank you come January!   Simple tips & cooking modifications:

• Serve veggies, pretzels, or baked pita chips for dipping instead of potato chips
• Serve shrimp cocktail and a veggie tray for lighter snacks
• Use low fat or nonfat dairy products to replace higher fat counterparts
• Serve whole grains – breads, rolls, pasta, etc.
• Flavor roasts and vegetables with fresh herbs and a little grated Parmesan cheese instead of butter and/or salt
• Roast meats and poultry on a rack in a roasting pan
• Skip the gravy entirely or at least skim fat off (every tablespoon of fat discarded amounts to 120 calories and 13 grams of fat)
• Use fat free milk or reduced sodium chicken broth when making mashed potatoes, and add garlic and herbs to enhance the flavor
• Season vegetables with herbs, spices, balsamic vinegar and/or lemon juice instead of butter or heavy sauces
• Reduce sugar called for in a recipe by a third
• Substitute an equal amount of applesauce or prune puree for at least half the oil, margarine, or butter in baked good recipes
• Substitute a graham cracker crumb pie crust for the traditional pastry crust, and use half the butter or margarine called for in the crumb crust recipe, adding a little liquid to moisten if too dry
• Have water or diet soda available for guests to choose instead of higher calorie and sugar beverages like alcohol, soda or juice
• Skip dessert and serve fresh fruit for a light end to the meal

  Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs AXE FACE CARE AXE is expanding its grooming portfolio with the launch of AXE Face, a brand new range of products designed to help guys score with their faces. When it comes to guys and girls, it’s all about first impressions – and a guy’s face is his calling card.  The new AXE Face line will help keep guys looking good all day long. 

• AXE Face Wash makes skin look and feel irresistibly smooth. 
• AXE Shave Gel helps provide a comfortable shave with a quick-foaming gel that spreads on easily to prepare guys’ faces for shaving.
• AXE Face Hydrator & Post Shave Gel gives guys the dual power of a refreshing daily moisturizer and post-shave gel, offered in a non-greasy shield cream formula and an ultra-light chilled gel formula to keep guys’ skin hydrated and smooth for hours.

Look for AXE Face Care items in the Skin Care aisle. FARM FRESH BREADED MUSHROOMS Farm Rich Breaded Mushrooms are the perfect addition to your party.  These crispy seasoned to perfection mushrooms are an easy appetizer to serve to your family or guests. Farm Rich Breaded Mushrooms are always made with whole white button mushrooms.  Whether you fry or bake them in the oven, it’s the perfect way to get a restaurant quality appetizer at home. These pair well with a side of marinara sauce or ranch dressing.  Time to get dipping! If you are planning appetizers for a party or you are just looking for a tasty wholesome snack for the family, try Farm Rich Breaded Mushrooms – the latest addition to the Farm Rich family of Appetizers found in the Frozen Food aisle!