Getting past the party

Your diet doesn't have to go to pot just because you attend the office potluck.

Weight Watchers, which has held meetings in 10,000 companies in the United States, offers these guidelines for surviving the office party without gaining weight:

Don't blow it off. The biggest mistake is not to go to the party at all. Instead, remember you are there to socialize with co-workers.

Never go to a party hungry. Eat a healthful breakfast and filling snack before the event so you're less likely to overeat.

Alternate alcoholic drinks with seltzer and water to save yourself calories and a hangover.

Donate leftovers to a local soup kitchen instead of keeping the food at the office or taking it home.

For more information, visit www.weightwatchers.com.

On the flip side

You may have noticed some new soda bottles on the convenience-store shelves and wonder if the folks at 7UP had been drinking something stronger than their "Uncola."

No. The company has come up with a new beverage called dnL (which is 7-up upside down). The bright green soda, which includes a kick of caffeine and fruit flavors, is targeted toward teens and young adults.

The soda is available in 20-ounce bottles at convenience stores and mass merchandisers at prices comparable to other carbonated beverages, according to the folks at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. The drink will be sold in other sizes in the spring.

If you wonder about wine

Can't decide what wine to serve with the Christmas ham or the New Year's Day black-eyed peas?

Ask wineanswers.com. The Web site sponsored by the Wine Marketing Council can give you wine tips to go with nearly any food - even leftovers. Some examples: Try a red zinfandel with a turkey sandwich and a merlot with a grilled ham and Swiss.

To be rid of the red

If tomato stains on your plastic ware have you seeing red, try Rubbermaid's new Stain Shield containers.

The clear plastic containers resist tomato stains even during microwave reheating. The stackable containers have leak-proof seals and are safe for the microwave and dishwasher. Prices range from $2.69 to $8.69 And the containers are found in stores where other Rubbermaid products are sold.

To find out more, visit Rubbermaid.com.

Event

Taste champagnes of Piper Heideseck and wines of Antinori from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Wells Discount Liquors, 6310 York Road. Free. Call 410-323-0912.