I'm sorry I am late with my report on my weekend in New Orleans -- I've been digesting. I also hope it won't be doubly disappointing that I did zero shopping. Zero. So you must be thinking what did I do if I wasn't shopping, house hunting, or going on Craiglist crusades? Well, I was eating and eating and eating, and then repeating until fully, completely stuffed for 3 days. Sounds gluttonous and delicious? It absolutely was. Tight fitting pants? Left at home. 1 week, 6 workouts, 3 trips to the steam room, and countless liters of water later I'm de-bloated enough to recount my restaurant itinerary for you (while wearing my rings again). The highlights are:

Last weekend we threw my dad a party for his 63rd birthday. Nothing fancy just a cookout with friends and family. We served your typical BBQ fare, but one thing I hated was see how much we threw away. Paper plates, plastic cups, napkins, and utensils. Even though you could recycle the plastic, people just tossed it because it made for easy clean up. I've learned while it may be easy to change your habits, it is really difficult to change those of others.

I wish I had seen this complete picnic set from Branch Home earlier. This is a complete biodegradable party kit for 50 people (which means it will be enough for a big party or get you through the rest of the summer impromptu cookouts with ease. The kit contains: plates, bowls, and trays made from bagasse (a fiber from sugar cane), utensils made from potato starch, cups (see below), recycled-paper napkins, and a few compostable waste bags for easy cleanup. Everything in this set is biodegradable.

I've used these plates and utensil before and they are great and extremely durable. You can get the entire kit for about $50 -- so that is about a dollar a guest. Not only will you be thanked for hosting the party but you'll appear extra chic to have thought of Mama Earth too.

Yesterday on the way to work I heard part of an interview on NPR's Fresh Air with Michael Pollan, who recently wrote the cover story for The New York Times Magazine called Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch (click here to listen to the interview). Pollan's article looks at the evolution of TV cooking shows and how they reflect and/or impact our cooking habits. Starting with Julia Child's "The French Chef," which premiered in the 1960s, up to today's "Top Chef" and "Iron Chef America" competitive-style cooking programs.

One of his main points in this article is that America is watching more cooking on television than doing actual cooking. The average American, Pollan says, spends 27 minutes a day on food preperation and that is less time than it takes to watch Paula Dean, Rachael Ray, or Bobby Flay cook anything on TV.

Coincidenctly yesterday I also received the latest Williams-Sonoma catalog.

Every trip to New York I usually pack full with tons of walking through great neighborhoods, shopping, a museum exhibit or two, and frequent visits with friends -- and all of these usually fall in between my scheduled meals to check out what's new on the dining scene. With so many fantastic places to eat and drink a few days indulging in the city is never enough (note: my AMEX may disagree).

So I was so pleased to stumble upon a few photo slide shows on The New York Times' website Dining and Wine section that take us inside 3 of Manhattan's best: Savoy, Rye, and Bar Artisanal (all for free!). Like so many others, each establishment has it's own unique concept and exquisite interiors to match.

Savoy is in SoHo on Prince street.

How much does a typical trip to the grocery store cost you?

Our friends at All You are challenging you to spend only $25 per family member per week (that's $100 a week for a family of 4) at the grocery. If you do this for a month you could win $1,000 grocery card and a year's supply of Knorr side dishes-- FREE. Love it!

To sign up and get the basic rules click here. The contest officially starts July 13, but sign up now to get a reminder email and start your money-saving strategies today.

Need some cost-saving shopping strategies or what to share your own? Check out their Grocery Challenge blog and leave a comment.

May the best coupon-clipper win!

(Image via Highlands Market Place)

Maybe it is a child's birthday party, an office celebration, or just tonight's dessert -- not much can top serving cake and ice cream as far as pleasing a crowd. But inevitably, the service of the treat is less than delicious. You know the line of people with plate in hand waiting for their slice of cake or scoop if mint chip soon accumulates. Meanwhile, you have ice cream all over your hands and are debating a trip to the ER for a potential wrist stress fracture from the still frozen-hard dessert.

I recently spent a few days in San Francisco for work, but did manage to squeak in a visit to San Fran's Ferry Building. Located along the Embarcadero and the end of market Street, the Ferry Building is a must see on your San Francisco trip.

Going green doesn't mean moving your family to a co-housing compound on the West Coast, and it isn't allabout saving the planet, either. It's about making decisions for your household that are better for your family and easier on Mother Earth. Here are five simple ways you can start to go a little greener today (and maybe save a little cash, too!).

In many parts of the country, the time to plant a summer vegetable garden is now. If an extensive garden seems like a daunting task, start with a few vegetables or herbs in containers. This is actually an easy way to make sure everything you plant gets the optimum light and water requirements (many vegetables need at least 6 hours of full sun every day). To get started, check out Sunset magazine's best crops for container gardens. Then, go totally organic by making your own compost and feeding it to your veggies. You'll save money at the grocery store, and feel better knowing exactly what goes on to the dinner table. (Photo by Thomas Story for Sunset)

If you're worried about the pesticides on the produce you're not growing, but can't afford to go all organic, spend the extra money when it really counts. According to data from the FDA and USDA, there are 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of pesticides when grown conventionally. They are: apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, and strawberries.

When it comes to the way you decorate your home, just say no to harmful toxins. Surprisingly, they can be found in everything from the rug on the floor to the paint on the wall. Of course, redecorating is costly and time-consuming, so if starting over isn't an option (and it probably isn't), commit to making better choices in the future: Choose paints with low or no volatile compounds(VOCs), find out what that gorgeous rug is made out of, and consider bedding made of sustainable resources. (Photo by Roger Davies for Coastal Living)

While we're on the subject of toxins, why don't you rethink your cleaning scheme. There are plenty of options out there, and now that big-box stores and well-loved brands (such as Clorox) have caught on, there is really no excuse for not giving them a try. I've even spotted the more "high-end" brands like Mrs. Meyers(an office favorite around here) at discount stores like TJ Maxx. (Photo courtesy of Southern Accents)

Take it one step further by making your own cleaning products out of basic household items like vinegar and baking soda. Hey, it worked for your grandmother!

These five tips are just scratching the surface of the options you have in making more responsible, sustainable choices for your house and your family. Don't be intimidated -- start with small choices and go from there. For more of our favorite tips, visit our Healthy Home channel.

Happy Earth Day!

This frothy concoction of Richard Keith Langham's for a Palm Beach living room always strikes me as a fruity martini--a fresh take on an old-school standby. Palm Beach is a town with its own particular style, and it allows for all sorts of frivolity you don't normally associate with places such as, say, Middleburg, Virginia. No antique horse prints or heavy wood furniture allowed--instead it's all shimmery finishes, even on the pale blue ceiling, and clear, happy colors--coral, grass green and sky blue. For the equivalent libation, click through. 

Set the tone for a simple dinner party to welcome spring with pretty invitations. The letter pressed flourish is a luxurious touch, and a hand-written note of welcome will make your guests feel special. The chartreuse envelope is a hint at the spring-themed party to come.

Flourish Letterpress Flat Card
$10.50 (set of 8)
Available at Paper-Source

Set the table to welcome spring with pretty white dishes printed with a delicate maidenhair fern. Just a set of salad plates will dress up the dinner plates already in your collection. Simple linens in bright, spring green are pretty and cheerful.

Martha Stewart Collection "Maidenhair Fern" Salad Plate
$7.99 each (on sale)
Available at Macy's

Let your centerpiece do double-duty. This 4-step arrangement can be broken up at the end of the night and sent home with each of the guests. See the step-by-step guide here.

Serve a simple, delicious meal with can-do instructions from our sister site, MyRecipes.

Happy Party Planning!