Have you ever thought about getting personal cooking instruction right in your own home? And having friends join you? Home cooking parties are great fun and are totally customized to your wishes. I’ve found that when we can get together about 10 people, we are able to work in small groups to create 4-5 main dishes in a few hours. At the end of all our hard work, we sit down and enjoy our feast together. Rather...

Learn to cook holiday appetizers that everyone can eat — even those with food allergies. Check out Bonnie’s guest appearance on “View from the Bay”!

Think you can’t make your favorite traditional Thanksgiving goodies now that you you’re lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy? Think again! You can still prepare delicious mashed potatoes, gravy and even pumpkin pie with some non-dairy substitutes that your guests will really enjoy. And, they’ll never suspect you didn’t use the “real” thing. Here are some simple substitutes and recipes to get you started: Milk...

This can often be alleviated by including enough fiber in your diet. The goal is to get about 25 grams of fiber daily (for women) or 35 grams of fiber daily (for men). Take it slow when adding fiber and let your body get used to the new foods. Some high fiber foods that may help you are whole grains, figs, apples, green leafy veggies and flax seed. Also helpful: Aim for at least 64 ounces of water daily Some yoga poses...