You've worked hard in the kitchen, so why skimp on the packaging? There are many easy and inexpensive ways to dress up those food gifts. Homemade food makes a wonderful gift this time of year, but so often carefully made delicious treats are piled unceremoniously onto paper plates, wrapped haphazardly in tinfoil or carelessly tossed into plastic bags.

Are soft drinks really bad for our health? Most definitely, yes. On average, there are 10 to 15 calories per ounce of non-diet soft drinks, so a 12-ounce can contains 120-180 calories. Drinking a can of this “liquid candy” a day adds an extra 120 calories to the day’s diet. Statistics show that an extra 100 calories a day leads to a weight gain of 10 pounds a year. Imagine what drinking a can ...

Spooky loot bag patterns, cutouts and stickers make Halloween candy even tastier.

The Fishing Report — Jan. 14, 2012

In case you got some iTunes gift cards for the holidays and you’re looking for some more apps to spend them on, here’s a couple ideas. This Core Dump is another mix: puzzle games, action games, board games, and one app that’s a mix of several genres at once! Blockwick – free (with in-app add-ons) [...]

One of the best things about a new year is that feeling of renewal that comes with it. You, like me, probably look ahead with anticipation and a fresh sense of motivation to achieve your goals.

By J.P. GREESON For The Associated Press Here is the weekly fishing report as compiled for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for Jan. 18 and also available on the Internet at http://www.txfishing.com:

The Fishing Report — Jan. 20, 2012

One of the snowiest Januaries on record. Repeated flooding and record cresting along the Passaic, Ramapo and Pompton rivers. The second hottest month on record - followed by the wettest month. The first hurricane to make landfall since 1903. A snowstorm in October. Thunder and lightning on Dec. 21. Extreme weather? New Jersey had it all in 2011.

The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included in this report. Faxes can be sent to 909-887-8180. Email messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim ...