THE CHEF Let's face it. No one who works can cook gourmet meals every night. In today's fast-paced, multitasking environment, it's tempting to get takeout or just plunk something in the microwave. If you're in that kind of a rut, Food Network's Robin Miller is here to help make your culinary life a bit easier and healthier. "We all lead frantic lives," she writes in her new cookbook, "Quick Fix Meals" (Taunton Press and the ... [full story]

Many of us can recall that giddy feeling of new love and passion. But something happens between the time two people start dating and celebrating years together. Relationship experts says that "something" is usually familiarity settling in, along with financial pressures, busy schedules, family demands. Any of these things can fizzle the sizzle in a relationship.   HOME FIRES BURNING - Part of a strong healthy relationship, experts say, is a strong, healthy sexual relationship. CNS Photo ... [full story]

For 17 years, from 1933 to 1950, for 15 minutes every late weekday afternoon, a large proportion of young American boys could be found glued to their radios, listening to the latest exciting adventures of "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy." And many of them would promptly send away for the premiums offered on the show in return for a few cents and a Wheaties box top. Jack Armstrong was, in fact, a typical middle-class American ... [full story]

It turns out that just about everybody lies to the doctor. A new study from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine confirms how much we lie to doctors. It also tells how little doctors are fooled. They know patients lie routinely. Typical lies concern how much we eat each day and how often we exercise. Other times we lie about our symptoms to receive an earlier appointment with a doctor. We did a little research ourselves ... [full story]

Q: Could you tell me anything at all about the clock in this photo? It was given to my great-grandmother around 1910 and is in perfect condition, no chips or cracks. The overall measurements are approximately 14 inches by 11 inches. Marked on the back are a crown and a shield with the words "Royal Bonn - FM - Germany - La Roca." A: The Royal Bonn mark was used by Franz Anton Mehlem Earthenware ... [full story]

Q: We are worried because our veterinarian told us that our puppy needs to have surgery to repair a heart defect. Our veterinarian has referred us to a veterinary teaching hospital associated with a college of veterinary medicine where a veterinary cardiologist and a surgery specialist practice. Our veterinarian has tried to comfort us by saying that the surgery is routine and that the survival rate is high. Even though we have had our dog ... [full story]

Spring forward to the Bahamas for a relaxing five-day vacation at a reduced price. The Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour has a "Spring Fourth Night Free" package during this spring season. Guests traveling until April 30 have the opportunity to reserve three nights for the typical rate and receive the fourth night free. The Grand Bahama Island resort offers waterfront suites along a private beach. Guests can relax by the swimming pool, on ... [full story]

Teens say that parents most influence their decisions about sex.  However, parents of teens underestimate the influence they have in this area, according to a new nationally representative survey released today by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.  In fact, the proportion of teens who say their parents most influence their decisions about sex has increased since the last National Campaign survey in 2004. Results from the survey of over 1,000 adults and 1,000 ... [full story]

She stood holding a prayer book and reading aloud. She wore an emerald green dress and her hair, shiny auburn, rested on her shoulders and sleeves. From a side view, I could see freckles on her face. She was the quintessential, pretty Irish lass. And she was reading Hebrew from her prayer book. Elsa Humphreys had driven from Belfast to Dublin because "the synagogue in Belfast is too Orthodox," she told me. She preferred a ... [full story]

Q: We are wondering if we can have our dog tattooed with our telephone number so that if he gets away from us we can be easily contacted. Reading a tattoo might be easier and quicker than taking him to a shelter or veterinary office to have an implanted microchip read. He does not like to wear collars. A: Depending on the size and temperament of your dog, a tattoo can probably be quickly and ... [full story]

THE CHEF For young Swedish apprentice chef Staffan Terje, the decision was a no-brainer. During a cold, dark, Stockholm winter, his boss asked Terje if he wanted to help open a restaurant in Florida. Terje quickly bid his friends and family farewell, saying he would return in a year or two. That was nearly 20 years ago, and Terje has yet to return. After extensive work at some of America's finest restaurants including Scala's Bistro ... [full story]

Instead of waiting for a crisis, Terry Perondi came up with a plan for her parents while they were still in reasonably good health. Ten years ago, she suggested that the older couple sell their two-story home and buy a one-story closer to her. They liked the idea, realizing that by living within spitting distance of their daughter, they could remain independent longer, surrounded by their own things. About four years ago, Terry decided that ... [full story]

Once again this summer, Crystal Cruises mixes politics with pleasure. Husband and wife James Carville and Mary Matalin, returning lecturers for the cruise line, will present their opposing political views on the 2008 election onboard the Crystal Serenity as it plies the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas from Venice, Italy, to Rome. SET A COURSE FOR POLITICS - Crystal Cruises is offering more than just Old World cruising this summer. As part of its Crystal Visions ... [full story]