Philly school lunches: Goodbye fries, hello fennel

It sounds more like a restaurant order than a school lunch menu: baked ziti with a side of roasted fennel salad and, for dessert, cinnamon apple rice pudding.

Simple Solutions for a Better Lunch

A little planning and few quick and easy ideas like these can make packing lunches a whole lot simpler for you to provide everyone a lunch that's better tasting and better for them.

American Legion hosts Friday fish fry dinners through Easter

NEW CHICAGO | American Legion Post 454, 3139 Michigan Ave., will hold a fish fry from 3 to 8 p.m. starting Friday.

Pences' inauguration food drive brings in 1,475 pounds

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence has called his administration's work "a season of service" and Hoosiers responded during Pence inaugural events by donating 1,475 pounds of nonperishable food items.

Like Her, Like Me: Modeling healthy behaviors

Simply watching mom engage in healthy habits, like staying active or enjoying a nutritious breakfast at home, can set the stage for a lifetime of smart choices.

St. Bridget Church hosts soup and salad luncheon Dec. 7

HOBART | St. Bridget Catholic Church will host its semiannual Soup and Salad Luncheon and Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Parish Center, 568 E. Second St.

St. Bridget will host soup and salad lunch, bazaar Dec. 7

HOBART | St. Bridget Catholic Church will host its semi-annual Soup and Salad Luncheon and Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 in the Parish Center, 568 E. Second St.

Hobart youngsters enjoy free food fare courtesy of School City of Hobart

HOBART | Bobby Goodpaster, 9, eagerly munched on his peanut butter and jelly sandwich while his mother, Becky Goodpaster, chatted.

Lunch fees for Portage Twp. schools could rise by nickel

PORTAGE | The cost of a school lunch likely will increase by a nickel for the 2012-13 school year.

Portion control and planning can keep away those holiday pounds

With the abundance of rich, fatty foods available during the fall and winter months, it's important to have a strategy for continuing one's healthy eating plan, health experts say.

Open house set for remodeled senior center

CEDAR LAKE | Holy Name Parish, South Lake County Community Services and Northwest Indiana Community Action Agency will have an open house at noon Wednesday at the new Cedar Lake Senior Center.

St. Thomas Council to host fish fries through April 15

HOBART | St. Thomas Council 1347 Knights of Columbus will serve Lenten fish fry dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through April 15, in the St. Bridget Parish Center at Second and Main streets in Hobart.

Leaders deliver meals

Merrillville Schools Superintendent Tony Lux, left, and Merrillville Rotary President Brian Popp joined other community leaders Wednesday in delivering meals to Meals on Wheels clients such as Gregory Bolden.

Leaders deliver meals

Merrillville Rotary President Brian Popp, exits a vehicle as he helps Meals on Wheels volunteer Barbara Martin deliver meals Wednesday. Popp joined other community leaders in delivering meals to Meals on Wheels clients to generate awareness of senior hunger.

Santa cause

Dante Parton, who is almost 1 year old, walks with mother Victoria Odom, of Valparaiso, as they gather food and clothing Saturday at the Duneland Family YMCA during the Merry Meals event.

Santa cause

Victoria Odem, left, of Valparaiso, loads a bag with baby clothing and other items Saturday at the Duneland Family YMCA while volunteer Christy Berry, of Porter, helps during the Merry Meals event.

Chef gives suggestions for seasonal parties

The holidays are quickly approaching. If you're looking ahead to the meal for the festive season, it's definitely time to start planning your party.

OFFBEAT: Seattle Sutton winner in reader contest skinny and smiling

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Seattle Sutton's carefully planned and packaged success

Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating 25-year-old food operation gives new meaning to 'fast food'

What dish is on your list?

While I'm on the topic, here's another way to curb your spending habits while grocery shopping. Write down what you're going to eat for the rest of the week. This only really works if you have a consistent schedule. But even if your schedule isn't consistent, you would be surprised how easy …