Strawberry recipes spring forth

Strawberry fields may be forever but spring is a great time to turn to "Totally Strawberries Cookbook" (Celestial Arts, 1999) by Helene Siegel and Karen Gillingham. This compact, 96-page book packs a wallop with recipes for tarts, salsas, drinks and more. Nothing is easier than the Strawberry Milkshake: 2 1/2 scoops softened strawberry ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 2 large or 4 small strawberries, hulled and chopped. Combine ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth and frothy. Serve cold. Makes 1 cup.

Lots of ways to cut calories

With swimsuit season quickly approaching, check out the June issue of Family Circle magazine for 50 ways to cut 250 calories from your diet -- and lose half a pound a week. Suggestions include skipping fried onion rings and replacing them with a small order of French fries; having a scoop of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce instead of on a hard roll spread with mayo; and nibbling on 24 mini pretzels instead of a more fattening soft pretzel.

Wines that work with summer fare

As picnic season kicks into gear, the Wine Market Council suggests a guide to pairing wine with the foods of summer. Try these matchups: fried chicken with Beaujolais or pinot grigio, pasta salad with a sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, barbecued pork ribs with Riesling, and grilled steak with cabernet sauvignon.