• As we all know, food prices are going up. In response, the Oregonian's FoodDay editors challenged four families to reduce the amount of money they spend on groceries for one month without squeezing the joy out of eating.
• The budgeting families offered tips like buying whole chickens instead of just pricey breast meat, reducing meat consumption, eating beans and lentils and getting more organized.
  
• Even more recommendations on how to recycle your seemingly useless leftovers into useful and nourishing meals.
  
• Longing for bright and crisp flavors after a winter of soups and stews? Check out this noodle salad made with buckwheat noodles and lots of fresh veggies.
  
• Need a quick dinner for your family? Try this puttanesca sauce. The best part about it is that you've probably already got most the ingredients in your pantry.
  
• Want to get more protein into your vegetarian diet? How about Twice-Baked Potatoes with Edamame!
• Preparing for the beginning of Passover this weekend? Why not add some new, global flavors to your traditional Seder meal?

There are not many people who don’t have a budget when they travel, whether they want to save on travel itself, activities or accommodations. Most often it is the food budget that gets cut, since people tend to assume that they can simply eat cheap fast food rather than dining in “real” restaurants. And this, in large part, is very true. After all, you get a lot of food for a little money at fast food restaurants and you are not required to tip the servers. In addition, you get in and out very quickly, which gives you more time to pursue other activities. But fast food isn’t the only way that you can save money on vacation, and it certainly isn’t the best tasting.

If you are traveling by car, the best way to save some money is by bringing some of your own food. Save space for a small cooler somewhere in the car. You can stock it with water or soft drinks, which you might otherwise purchase at a convenience store or rest stop. You can cover the cost of a few lunches by packing a loaf of bread and jars of peanut butter and jelly, all of which will keep for several days, at least. Making your own lunch will give you extra flexibility with your dinner budget, too.