food tips

Although some people prefer plastic cutting boards because they can be put in the dishwasher, I've always loved large wooden chopping blocks. Perhaps it's because I have fond memories of my father chopping on his custom-made wood cutting board, but there's something that's rustic and cool about old-school boards. Since I'm the proud owner of a giant (and incredibly heavy) new wooden cutting board, I figure it's high time I learned the proper technique for cleaning it. To find out the dos and don'ts of wooden cutting board care, keep on reading.

Many new and popular restaurants do not accept reservations. While I understand an establishment's motivations for not taking reservations (it's more convenient, cost efficient, and eliminates the issue of no-shows), it can be incredibly frustrating as a diner to want to eat at a trendy establishment that is known for its long wait. As an avid girl-about-town, I've devised the perfect plan for minimizing the wait. Here's what you do:

• Research the eatery before you arrive. Some places don't take reservations, but they will let you call in advance and add your name to the list. If that's the case, call up to two hours before you want to eat and politely give the hostess your name.
• Go earlier or later. Show up at the restaurant about 15 minutes after it's opened; chances are they won't be full yet, and you'll be able to enjoy a meal without having to wait. The opposite option is to get there on the later side: after 9 p.m. You'll miss the dinner rush and hopefully be greeted with a shorter line.
• Be prepared to wait. Don't eat at a hot spot when you have a limited amount of time to dine. Got to be someplace after the meal (the theater, a party, a sporting event, etc.)? Then, select an eatery that can get you in and out quickly, not one that has a long wait.

To see the rest of my tips, keep reading.

Earlier this week I purchased two small baskets of beautifully ripe strawberries. However, within 48 hours, the strawberries had gone bad (as you can see from the photo!) and some were covered in mold. It made me wonder: what's the best way to store strawberries?

Well, first things first, don't wash the berries until you're ready to eat them. Excess moisture could cause them to spoil quicker. Start by removing the berries from the store-bought package. Discard any that are starting to look bad.

If you've got a large fridge with plenty of space, store them in a single layer on a paper towel lined cookie sheet or plate making sure that none of the berries touch. Don't have a lot of room in the fridge? Place them in a glass container with a lid. If you're lucky, they will stay fresh for up to a week!

What's your tried-and-tested technique for storing fresh strawberries?

Not sure what to do with leftover fries, OnSugar blogger Lauren G used garlic to jazz them up.

I had some leftover fries and wanted to jazz them up a little. Garlic fries are super easy and not to mention delicious! I just sauteed some minced garlic and tossed it with my fries after warming them up in the toaster oven, but here's a recipe to make them from scratch.

Learn how to make your own oven-baked garlic fries when you get the recipe.

Yesterday Julia and I got into a lively discussion about storing recipes. We both enjoy browsing recipes, and I sent her a few casserole suggestions for an upcoming potluck she's attending. She keeps and organizes recipes in Google drafts, but I have a different method. If I see a recipe I want to make, I print it out and put it in my "to-make" folder. Then when it comes time to cook, I browse the folder and select a recipe from there. How about you? What's your method for organizing recipes?

Source: Flickr User shimelle

Sometimes the holiday season can feel like gluttony on a stick. If you're worried about bottomless cocktails, cookie platters, and never ending buffets, celebrity trainer Patrick Murphy (in the past, Patrick has worked with Eva Longoria and Olivia Wilde) shared a few tips with us that will keep your waistline in check all through the holidays.

• Buffet style? Hit the line last! Patrick says that people who hit the buffet first, overload their plates with food to avoid getting back in line. The "fresh out of the oven" presentation also influences them to take larger helpings. Since picked over food psychologically makes you choose smaller amounts, being one of the last in line is a good way to practice portion control.
• Eat proteins first. When approaching a holiday table filled with glorious carbs, Patrick suggests putting more protein on your plate and eating that first. Proteins slow the absorption of carbs, which can help prevent a spike in blood sugar.

See more tips when you read more

Harley Pasternak says that if you follow his 5 Factor diet, you will see results. First, eat five times a day: two meals and three snacks. Next, everything you eat should have five components: lean protein, low glycemic carbs, healthy fats, fiber, and a sugar-free beverage. And to keep it real, there's a cheat day once a week.

The in-demand trainer recently came out with a new book — the 5 Factor World Diet — that draws on lessons learned from constant travel. Harley selected 10 countries with the lowest obesity rates and highest life expectancies and studied what they eat, how they eat, and how they burn it off. Although busy bopping between clients, Harley took some time out of his day to talk all things food: what you should be eating, why fresh food isn't always better, and yes, even he has a cheat food.

To see the interview, read more