Lilian Vaughan
I'm interested in preparing simple, environmentally friendly, home-cooked meals for my family, as well as growing some of our own fruits and vegetables. I try to make our backyard garden as environmentally friendly as possible; it is a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat. I live in Chicago's suburbs and work downtown.
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Displaying Results 1 - 121 (of 121) for Yahoo! Voices
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Choosing a Dwarf Cherry TreeNewer varieties and types of dwarf cherry trees allow homeowners to fit cherries into their home landscaping. -
Three Plants that Offer Winter InterestIncluding plants with interesting branches, bark, or seed heads will add beauty to your garden in wintertime.
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Five Things to Consider when Deciding Where to Plant a TreeThinking of adding a tree to your garden this year? Here are five things you should keep in mind when you are deciding where to put it.
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Chicago-Area Businesses, Elmhurst Schools Announce Closings EarlyMany downtown Chicago businesses and schools told students not to come to work or school tomorrow this afternoon, an unusual move in this weather-beaten city. But the drastic measures were for a good reason: This is one strong storm.
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Five Easy-To-Grow Heirloom Tomatoes for Home GardensThese five varieties of heirloom tomatoes are easy to grow and provide high yields of good-tasting fruit.
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Ashtanga Yoga in Chicago's River North NeighborhoodAt Yoga Now, expect to find people who take their yoga practice seriously. At this River North yoga studio, many classes offer students a vigorous workout based on the ashtanga style of yoga popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois and an eco-friendly studio.
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Guide to Growing Cup Plant (Silphium Perfoliatum)Like sunflowers? If so cup plant, a tall perennial with yellow daisy-like blooms may be for you. -
Creating a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife HabitatI turned my yard into a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, and you can too. Here's how to transform your yard into a wildlife-friendly garden.
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Seven Ways to Fit the CDC Exercise Guidelines into a Working Mom's ScheduleI'm busy with work and kids, but still manage to get in the amount of exercise the CDC recommends. Here's how I do it.
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5 Convenience Foods Nobody NeedsYes, you can buy some things pre-made at the grocery store to save time, but should you? Here's what some convenience products really cost you, when you calculate the hourly rate from the time saved versus money spent.
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Five Holiday Gift Plants that Will Last Well Past the New YearAre you thinking about giving your host or favorite gardener a plant this year? Skip the standard poinsettias and give something the recipient can enjoy for months, or years, afterwards.
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Ten Favorite Books to Read to KidsIf you are looking for some new reading material to share with your kids, check out these 10 books you--and your preschooler--will enjoy.
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Six Practical and Useful Gifts for GardenersWondering what to get the gardener on your holiday gift list this year? Looking for a birthday present for someone who gardens? Here are some practical and useful gift options that will please serious gardeners, including one you can make.
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Four Kinds of Tender Perennials to Overwinter IndoorsSome plants grown as annuals really aren't. By bringing my tender perennials and shrubs, herbs, and flowering baskets inside, I can enjoy them this winter.
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Blueberry CobblerI make this blueberry cobbler from fresh blueberries in the summer, and frozen blueberries in the winter. It's best to use berries frozen without syrup. Peaches, rasberries, or a mixture of fruits would also be tasty.
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Seven Places to Have Lunch Near Chicago's Michigan AvenueHungry visitors to Chicago's Michigan Avenue shopping area don't have to venture far for a tasty, and inexpensive lunch.
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Five Ways to Cook Vegetables on the Stove TopNot sure the best way to cook vegetables? Here's a primer on some common stovetop methods, and which vegetables to cook with these techniques. -
Illinois Candidate Lowe Chats with Voters at Rail StationWhen evangelical Christian Democrat Ben Lowe showed up at the Elmhurst commuter rail station, I took it as an opportunity to ask him some questions. Here's what he said.Also published on:
- Yahoo! US News
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Planting and Growing Garlic in My Illinois BackyardGarlic, commonly grown in warm-weather states like California, can be grown where winters are cold. Here's what I've learned about planting and growing garlic in my Illinois garden. -
How to Skip Raking Leaves This FallYes, we own a rake. But we don't use it very much. My husband saves time, and hours of backbreaking work by mowing the lawn with his mulching mower.
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Four Downtown Chicago Restaurants My Kids Really LikeWhen my kids are visiting me at the office, or we're just coming downtown, they choose to visit a few favorite restaurants. Here are the places they enjoy most.
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How to Bring Plants Indoors for the WinterMany plants enjoy summering outside, but they must come indoors when the overnight temperatures begin to drop. Here's what I do when I bring them inside.
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How to Freeze Zucchini and Use the Surplus All WinterPicking the last of the zucchini from your yard and have too much? Here's how I freeze it to save for later. -
Chicago Taxi Rides, Made SimpleVisiting Chicago or new to downtown? Here's what you need to know to ride a taxi with confidence. -
Poached Eggs Made SimplePoached eggs on toast make a good brunch or a light supper. Poaching eggs well requires some precision and care. Here's how I do it.
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How to Make, Can, and Freeze ApplesauceMaking applesauce is time-consuming, but it's worth your while if you're interested in eating locally or have a lot of apples. -
How to Cook Brown RiceNot sure how to cook brown rice without a rice cooker? It's easy, here's how.
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How to Peel and Core an AppleYou don't need any special tools to peel and core an apple. Here's how I do it with a paring knife and vegetable peeler.
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Making Meatloaf from Scratch, and Making it GreenerIt's not a quick dinner, but meatloaf is an easy family favorite. Here's how to make it, and how to make it more environmentally friendly.
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How I Canned Apples at HomeWith an apple tree in my back yard, Iget more apples than I can eat at once. By canning, I could save some of the surplus for later. -
Three Ways to Use Green TomatoesWhen the first frost comes, many gardeners still have green tomatoes left on the vines. Here's how to ripen and use those tomatoes up. -
Four Things to Do when First Frost ComesThat season-ending fall frost is inevitable. But here are four things you can do to make your garden last longer, weeks past the first frost, when the weather turns cool.
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How I Grew Enormous Zucchini from SeedIt's easy, fun, and inexpensive to start zucchini plants from seed and to grow baseball-bat sized fruits. In my garden, my children look forward to finding fruits up to 3 feet (1 meter) long.
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Chicago's Candidates Mingle With Metra CommutersWhen running for office, many local politicians shake hands at the train station. I've met quite a few at my train stops in Elmhurst and downtown Chicago.
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Downtown Chicago Farmer's MarketsIn downtown Chicago, numerous farmers markets are available for urbanites and office workers seeking fresh, local foods.
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How I Clean My Child's Fabric Lunch BoxThere care instructions say "surface wash only." But that won't get it clean. Here's what to try.
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L. L. Bean Lunch BoxThis durable and attractive lunch box will make it all the way through the school year, and possibly through a second year.
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Save Money and Make Your Child's School Lunch More GreenSure, you can buy fancy eco-friendly lunch ware. But you can make your kid's school lunch more environmentally friendly with some simple changes that will even save you money.
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Easy Roasted Brussels SpoutsRoasting brussels sprouts is easy and gives them a sweet, nutty flavor.
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Rookie Lessons Learned on Summering Orchids OutsideDon't do what I did. Avoid these rookie mistakes I made with my orchids.
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Enjoying Spring Bulbs Without Breaking the Bank or Your BackEvery spring, hundreds of flower bulbs bloom in my front yard. But I don't spend a lot of time (or money) planting them.
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How I Grew Concord Grapes in My Illinois BackyardA gift from my husband's coworker leads to years of Concord grapes and jelly. -
Chicago Museum Free DaysYes, you can see Chicago's biggest and most popular museums for free. You just have to know when to go.
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Gardener's Supply Plant Stand TrioA fairly sturdy, large, and clean-lined trio of plant stands, the Gardener's Supply Plant Stand Trio is expensive but sturdy enough for large plant collections.
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Using, Freezing, and Canning Farmer's Market BlueberriesAre you thinking about buying that giant box of blueberries at the farmer's market? Unsure how to use them up? Here's what to do.
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Three Cooking Apps on My IPhoneWhen I'm not sure what to make for dinner, I turn to Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything for iPhone, Big Oven, or AllRecipes.
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Growing Milkweed to Help Monarch ButterfliesAlso known as milkweed, butterfly weed (Aesclepias tuberosa) attracts butterflies to my garden and provides monarch butterflies with a plant essential for their reproduction.
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Growing Mexican Midget TomatoSome heirloom tomatoes are easier to grow in the home garden than others. Mexican Midget is an easy-to-grow tomato plant that produces lots of small fruits.
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Growing Turnips from Seed in My Back YardTurnips, as often now as in past centuries, are an interesting root crop and easy to grow from seed.
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Cooking Frozen Peas (and Other Vegetables) in the MicrowaveYes, you can cook frozen vegetables in the microwave. And no, you don't need any special bags or packaging. Here's how.
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Cutting Up a Whole ChickenInspired by an episode of Top Chef, I decided to give cutting up a chicken a go. Aided by instructions on my iPhone, I butchered a chicken and cooked it for dinner.
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Why You Should Spend Tuesday Lunch at Chicago's MCAOn Tuesdays, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art offers free admission, a cafe with food from Wolfgang Puck, a really cool gift shop, and a farmer's market in the summer.
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Schulenberg PrairieThe Morton Arboretum's Schulenberg Prairie offers a glimpse of what much of Illinois would have looked like before the land was plowed. -
My Favorite Vendors at the Daley Plaza Farmer's MarketMaking a lunch-hour stop on Thursdays at the Daley Plaza Farmer's Market? Here are my favorite vendors, and what I like to buy from them.
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Three Ways to "Green" Your LawnGardeners interesting in helping the environment are looking for ways to make their lawn more environmentally friendly. Here are three ways to do this, that will also save you time on lawn care. -
Growing Raspberries in Suburban ChicagoIf I can do it, you can too. Here's what you need to know about growing raspberries in your backyard.
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Oak Park Farmer's MarketHere's what you'll find if you pay a visit to this Saturday morning market.
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Dinners from Chicago's French MarketNot sure what to make for dinner, but taking the train home from work? Here are some ideas for dinner from ingredients you can buy at the French Market.
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Switching to Organic Lawn Care in ChicagoThinking about greening your lawn? Here's how and why I made the switch to organic lawn care service.
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BlancmangeBlancmange is a light, healthy, and low-calorie dessert my kids love. -
How to Avoid Buying Sick PlantsHeaded to the garden center? Here are some clues that things aren't right with that plant you're considering. -
Putting Up Tomatoes, the Easy WayHave extra tomatoes? Not feeling up to the job of canning? Try freezing tomatoes as an alternative.
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Review: Tomato Varieties at the Garden CenterThinking about which tomato to grow this year? Tempted at the store? Here's what you should know about several popular kinds.
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How I Grew Organic Apples in My BackyardApples in suburbia? How I grew them, and how you can too.
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Six Tips on Selecting and Locating a Bat HouseThinking of adding a bat house to your back yard? Here are six things you should consider in choosing the house and deciding where to put it.
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Why You Should Add a Bat House to Your BackyardWhen people garden to attract wildlife, bats aren't necessarily the first creatures that they hope to attract. Here's why you should reconsider your aversions to these flying mammals.
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Review: 'Jonafree' AppleBred to be disease resistant, the Jonafree apple tree in my backyard has produced lots of fruit and required little care.
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Review: 'Goldrush' AppleA disease-resistant apple, Goldrush provides lots of yellow and pink-tinged fruit in October.
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Simple Human 10.5-Gallon Semi-Round Step CanThis metal kitchen garbage can is durable, stylish, and sleek. But $100 is a lot of of money to pay for a garbage can.
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How to Grow Lettuce from SeedIt's easy to grow lettuce from seed, and much less expensive than buying prestarted lettuce plants at the nursery. Here's how to get your own crop started this spring.
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John Boos 24x18x1.5 Reversible Maple Cutting BoardThis maple cutting board requires some special care to maximize its useful life but provides a great cutting surface.
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What's in Your Equifax Credit Report?It's a good idea to pull your credit report once a year. But what will you find when you pull it?
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Buying Dresses for Tween or Teen Junior BridesmaidsHere's where to find formal wedding clothes for girls too big to be a flower girl, and too young to be a bridesmaid.
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Five Plants You Can Grow in Your CubicleCraving plants but lacking a window. You can grow these plants in your cubicle under fluorescent office lights.
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Asarum Canadense Canadian Wild GingerA shade-loving plant native to eastern North America, Canadian wild ginger is useful as a groundcover.
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Wild Quinine (Parthenium Integrifolium)This North American Native plant will thrive in sunny spots in your yard.
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Addams Family Musical: Parents' GuideYou'll laugh out loud at this "PG-13" production, but hire a sitter and leave younger children at home.
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Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea Tennesseensis)A short and hardy coneflower, this endangered native perennial has become more available as the craze for coneflowers spreads.
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Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Pallida)A native perennial, pale-purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) thrives in full sun or light shade.
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Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus Hystrix)An American native, bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) produces seed heads that look like bottle brushes on 4-6 ft tall plants.
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Product Review: GE Profile Electric Range Model PB920TPWWAs a replacement slide-in range, the 30" GE Profile electric range offers performance that is more than enough for most serious home cooks
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Invasive Plants North American Gardeners Should Avoid and Native Plant AlternativesIf you are concerned about the environment, avoid ordering and planting these invasive plants in your garden. They've been invading natural areas throughout the United States, choking out wildlife. Instead, look for natives with similar traits.
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Buying Garden Plants on the InternetSix things you need to know about buying plants online, from a mail-order veteran.
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Decluttering the Kids' RoomsYes, I know you're busy. But making time for this "fun" (or not) project will give you space and a nice tax deduction.
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Roosting Boxes Help Birds Keep Warm This WinterBy placing roosting boxes in your back yard, you can help small birds survive the cold winter months.
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Six Free (or Almost Free) Ways to Attract Backyard Birds to Your Yard in WinterMake your back yard wildlife friendly with these easy, inexpensive, or even free ways to supply food and shelter.
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How to Make Tasty Soups and Soup Stocks for (Almost) FreeYou can make delicious--and free--soups and stocks by saving things you might throw out otherwise.
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Seven Ways to Spend Less on GroceriesWith budgets tight, many families are looking to lower their grocery bills. Here are some ways to stretch your food budget.
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Monoclonal Antibodies for CancerMany of the newest biologic therapies in development for cancer are monoclonal antibodies. Here's what they are and how they work.
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Liven Up Your Lunch Box with Danish SandwichesDanish open-face sandwiches are an interesting, alternative lunchbox fare. Here's how to make, pack, and eat them.
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Five Ways to Build a Better Turkey SandwichThe turkey sandwich is a brown-bag standard and a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, but it's boring to bring the same turkey sandwich to work day after day. Here are five ways to make turkey sandwiches interesting.
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One Chicken, Three MealsMake the most of your food dollars and "eat green" by getting three meals out of one chicken.
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How to Cook a CaponAmericans can roast the capon, served in Europe at special-occasion meals, much as they would a turkey.
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How to Make Juicy Roast Chicken with Less WorkCreate juicy roast chicken with a crispy skin by filling the bird with moist ingredients and starting cooking at a high temperature. For variety, season the bird one of three ways.
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Grandma's BrisketBrisket is a a dish traditionally served at Hanukkah and is similar to a pot roast.
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Four Holiday Movies for CynicsMaybe you just aren't feeling the love this year, or maybe you never do. If that's the case, these films are for you.
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Healthy and Frugal Office SnacksBypass the office vending machines with these easy, inexpensive, and healthy alternatives.
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Christmas in ChicagoYour family will enjoy these 9 Christmas movies filmed or set in Chicago and its suburbs.
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Three Ways to Decorate Your Christmas Tree for LessIt's easier than you think to decorate your Christmas tree with ornaments without spending a lot of money. Here's how. -
Why You Should Visit Elmhurst, IllinoisElmhurst's downtown area boasts interesting museums, architecturally significant houses, shops, and restaurants.
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Who Owns the House in the August 2009 Issue of Martha Stewart Living?Ever wonder why your house doesn't look like the one in the pages of Martha Stewart living? It's because you don't own a multimillion dollar carrot empire.
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Shopping Independent Grocers in Eastern DuPage County, IllinoisAre you bored with Jewel, or just looking for a more interesting option? Make grocery shopping more of an adventure at these alternative markets.
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How Pharmaceutical Companies Test Drugs in Clinical TrialsClinical testing of potential new drugs is a long, tightly regulated process with many steps before drug approval.
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How to Make Macaroni and Cheese from Scratch in 20 MinutesWhy settle for the stuff that comes out of the box, when you can have homade macaroni and cheese in the time it takes to make the packaged kind?
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Sunflowers Provide High Drama at Low CostA budget-friendly annual easily grown from seed, sunflowers allow gardeners with less money in their wallets this year to have lots of big flowers.
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Where to Eat Like a ChicagoanThese long-time city favorites don't specialize in deep-dish pizza, but they do offer a generous helping of local flavor.
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Beyond Hostas: Shade Plants You May Not KnowWhen faced with a garden in a shady spot, many Chicago-area gardeners plant hostas and daylilies. If you're bored with these old standbys, there are many options that are just as easy to grow. -
Strawberry-Rhubarb MuffinsAdmittedly, rhubarb is not though of as a kid-friendly food. But my kids will eat anything if it's in a muffin.
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Where to Hold a Birthday Party in DuPage CountyDo you live in DuPage County, IL and need a place to hold your child's birthday party? This article describes some popular local options that you may not have considered. -
Home Made Greek HummusHome-made hummus is surprisingly easy, requiring just five minutes and a blender.
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How to Grow Asparagus in the MidwestWith a little cash, and some patience, homeowners can plant once and enjoy bountiful crops for 15 years.
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Don't Share Insulin Pens, FDA SaysAn FDA warning indicates sharing reusable injection devices creates a risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens.
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How to Grow Prairie Coneflowers from SeedGrowing native coneflowers from seeds is within reach of homeowners and gardeners but requires a specialized cold treatment called stratification. -
Reduce Garden Costs with Free MulchA thick layer of mulch is essential in a garden for water conservation and weed control, but gardeners need not spend big bucks to get it. -
Playground Opens in York Commons ParkA new playground at a park in south Elmhurst, IL, features play equipment that moves with the kids.
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Where to Find Local Real Estate Listings in Elmhurst, ILSchiller Real Estate, Remax, the Elmhurst Press, and the Elmhurst Independent offer real estate listings for local home buyers. -
Chicago on $3.45 A DayCaught without a wallet, one downtown Chicago office worker relies on the kindness of strangers, and has a pretty good day.
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Choosing Vegetables for a Children's GardenFor vegetable gardening with children, choose kid-friendly vegetables that are easy to grow from seed, such as tomatoes, beans, and peas.
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Family Dining in Downtown ChicagoYes, you can take the kids to the Rainforest Café or American Girl Place for lunch. But with so many other options, you may not want to. For visiting families, downtown Chicago offers many unexpected restaurant options. -
Starting Tomato Seeds IndoorsGrowing tomato seedlings indoors is easier than you think and doesn't require expensive supplies or equipment.
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Hiring Home Contractors in Chicago's Western SuburbsA Chicago-area family interviews local design-build firms before remodeling a 1950's-era house.