By Amy Demyan, Ph.D.

Modern Family –So infrequently are we presented with television programming that is entertaining with pro-social messages.  Most shows feed on the dark side, but this break out hit series defies the odds and gives us a wildly entertaining, yet warm and caring look inside the real American families, which isn’t ma, pop & their 2.5 kids passing the peas.  These portrayals will be sure to resonate with many who know that their family isn’t the norm yet they wouldn’t have it any other way.  Kudos to the best television show I’ve seen in ages! Beyond super cool!

Shadow Boxes to Display Your Things Museum Style – To class up the joint in a hot second frame your decorative 2 or 3-dimensional pieces in a stylish shadow box.  You can pick one up at Michael’s Craft stores, where their Sunday coupon may save you 40% or more, or find them at leading retailers like Target.  Shadow boxes come in lots of sizes; often they have a beautiful black backing that provides a great contrast to any art piece or heirloom.  And, as soon as they hit the wall they transform any room into a sophisticated museum showroom! Think decorative plates, gold coins & medals, antique flatware, flea market finds, not to mention your kids’ artwork.  Some shadow boxes even have a hinge on the front so you can change out the pieces as often as lil Jimmy brings home his art class creations.  You’ll never clutter your ‘fridge again!  Also, to punch it up a notch, try some overhead lighting to really illuminate things!

Fiber One Pancake Mix –Usually, I’m skeptical of just add water box mixes, noticing that they usually have a less flavorful taste and texture than their from-scratch counterparts. But in the past I have always kept a box on hand in case I wake up with an empty fridge but still want breakfast in my p.j.’s. Now that I’ve discovered the Fiber One Pancake mix, I can have it all.  This pancake mix not only offers ease of use with its just add water instructions, but it boasts 20% of our daily fiber intake and a few other nutritional goodies like calcium, and iron.  Surprisingly, the taste is even better than the from-scratch pancakes I’ve had in the past –with a light vanilla flavor and a fluffy texture, you’ll be more than satisfied.  To crank up the nutrition, add oats and fruit like bananas, or berries.  I always eat mine with a few vegetarian sausage links from Morning Star - add some all natural maple syrup and bon appétit! IMPORTANT PANCAKE TIP – Do not over stir your batter!  Whisk as briefly as possible or you’ll end up with flat and chewy flapjacks instead of the desired light & fluffy.  It’s okay to have a few lumps.  I like my pancakes thin, sort of like a crêpe, so I add more water. For best results, cook on a griddle, non-stick pan, or a seasoned cast iron skillet.

Classic Kodak Gallery Photo Collage Option – My sister makes scrapbooks, I diligently file photos into albums, but so rarely do we sit and pursue our pics.  Luckily, Kodak Gallery has the perfect solution to help us enjoy our memories more often – photo collages.  Want to be transported to your Hawaii honeymoon? –glance up at the framed collage on your wall to remember your surfing adventure.  You select the pictures you want (up to 100), like that one of the two of you enjoying a romantic ocean-side dinner --arrange the order, select the boarders, use any additional features, like the pop up function, and voila, you’ve got a 5” x 7”, 8” x 10” or 16” x  20” or even 20” x 30” collage that you can have framed, matted, or not.  I love that the 8”x10” is only $4.99 + shipping. How can you beat that price?  They are great to display in your house and are the perfect personalized gift. What a super cool thing!

Quinoa with Vegetable Mélange  - I just discovered this product within the last month while shopping at my neighborhood Trader Joe’s.  It was the sample of the day.  Usually I snag one from the counter but keep to my shopping list.  That all changed the day I sampled the quinoa with zucchini and sweet potatoes.  The quinoa grain offers a light nutty flavor and the veggies like sweet potato add depth and an unexpected spice island sweetness that was perfectly in balance with its savory features.  Find it in the freezer section for $3.99 a bag. For my version, I cooked up a Morning Star Brand vegetarian chicken griller to add some protein. This was a perfect dinner – it left me satisfied without feeling heavy or bloated, and I felt good knowing I was eating something good for me. It doesn’t hurt that it tastes great and cooks up quick & easy!

Stemless Wine & Champagne Glasses – I want to enjoy a glass of wine without worrying about knocking over the top-heavy traditional stemmed receptacle.  Wishing I would have thought of it first, I turned to the stemless versions, and I haven’t looked back.  These glasses come in many beautiful styles. My favorite is CB2‘s version of a stemless champagne flute but you can find stemless stemware just about anywhere wine glasses are sold.  For cats that walk on tabletops, kids that reach and grab, and clumsy party guests who talk with their hands, these glasses are a super cool thing.

Cristalino Brut – Now you need something to put in those new wine glasses– Cristalino, not to be confused with Crystal, is a sparkling wine from Spain that has been voted Value Brand of the Year for 3 consecutive years by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Trust me I have tried them all from, Dom to Veuve,  Moet to Mumm, to *gasp* Andre.  Cristalino is made in the metodo tradicional (traditional method) meaning it was fermented (second fermentation) in the bottle, not in a big vat. The taste is sharp and crisp with hints of citrus, and it offers a very clean aftertaste.  I love a glass with some smoked almonds and a dry cheese like a white farmhouse cheddar. And the price can’t be beat –about $8 a bottle at World Market (Cost Plus) and Whole Foods Stores. Seriously, there is no reason to spend more unless you’re lucky enough to have an excess of cash. Don’t be fooled by the amazingly reasonable price - this is one of the best bottles of bubbly out there.