For Christians, Lent begins today with Ash Wednesday.

For Roman Catholics specifically, the 40-day season brings seven weeks of meatless Fridays (today is also supposed to be meat-free).

The tradition of abstaining from flesh meat -- fish is acceptable -- began in the earliest days of the church as a way to honor Christ, who sacrificed his body at the crucifixion.

For many Catholic families, Fridays during Lent can pose a challenge at dinnertime.

To an outsider, the ice-cream trade seems simple: Create a range of tasty flavors, let customers sample them and serve scoops with a smile. Ice-cream maker and smallbusiness owner Jeni Britton has the basics mastered.

My entertaining has become more spur-of-the-moment. But no matter how cushy the chairs are at Starbuck's, they can't compete with my favorite chairs at home.

So I start the coffee and heat up the kettle -- it's time for a tea and coffee party.

The latest trend in cookbooks is chefs sharing their favorite recipes for home cooking. The problem is most of the recipes are possible for only the most experienced cooks.

Make this pizza in less time than it takes to have one delivered. Buy prepared pesto sauce and shredded mozzarella, a low-sodium tomato sauce, prepared pizza crusts and sliced mushrooms; this meal can be made in 10 minutes.