Steel yourself

Steel yourself
Calphalon's Contemporary Stainless knives are stainless steel from the tip of the blade to the top of the handle; they have a good heft, feel great in your hand and perform very well. What's more, the handles are labeled at the top (8" chef, for example) so there's no guesswork when you reach for one from the wooden block. Open-stock knives are $20-$70 each at Linen N Things; sets sold with wooden blocks are also sold at the store and online at cooking.com -- or call (800) 663-8810.
Think healthy
For those working to maintain healthy eating habits, free-flowing drinks and hors d'oeuvres aren't the best recipe for success.
The weight-loss experts at WeightWatchers.com offer these tips for staying on track:
UPlan and eat carefully during the day so you can enjoy yourself at the party.
UEat in advance. Never drink on an empty stomach -- it can increase the impact of alcohol and lower your blood sugar, making you crave more food.
UThink before you drink. Alcohol is filled with sugar and empty calories. Avoid sweet or creamy drinks. Instead, mix with seltzer and a fruit garnish. Combine diet soda with vodka or rum. Drink water with your cocktail and slip slowly.
For more tips, visit WeightWatchers.com.
Salad tips
If you'd like to put a little kick in your salad, try serving the salad with a pair of wooden legs. Salad Legs are the creation of Californian artisan Don Morey. The leg-shaped servers, crafted from maple wood, are available for $33 (including postage and taxes) by calling toll-free (866) 655-8776 or visiting www.goodlifeartisans.com.