Fries With That?

My daughter in college requested I write a column on sweet potato fries. She tells me they are on every menu now and now more than a few of our favorite Diner spots claim it to be the new 'it' side dish.

I'm wondering what finally happened to teach our restaurants the realization that the sweet potato is considered a super food amongst women. And yes, guys like it too. But if you're looking to get women to eat at your place read what they are told: healthy is the way to go. Finally restaurants are taking this info and tweaking it to their advantage, hence the sweet potato fry.

Most nutritional magazines, web sites and diets recommend a small sweet potato (not loaded with butter and brown sugar) stating the fiber content is necessary in a balanced meal plan. Most women dive for this option so take note it's definitely a buzz word. And now that our fine dining establishments have learned the power behind dunking it into some hot fat it will be consumed more readily in an attempt to be "healthy" (however there is not a lot of difference between a sweet and regular potato fry).

Some other super foods are: broccoli, peanut butter, soy, blueberries and oatmeal. I'd dare someone to deep fry that stuff but we know it's not gonna happen.

She buzz words

• candy canes
• cards
• cedar
• celebrate
• pageant
• pine
• plum pudding

Right now she could be..

• Making meatballs
• Typing a legal document
• Ordering food
• Purchasing a Blackberry

She could be a ...

• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Sales Representative
• Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapy Assistant

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission re-quires all manufacturers to follow safety guidelines. She should read the label and make sure the toy is certified by

the CPSC. She can stay up to date on any possible recalls at www.cpsc.gov.

Internet sellers are not required to alert anyone to any potential toy hazard. She should Google the toy to see if there have been any problems before purchasing.

She cooks

Here is a list of handy websites that will help with her holiday cooking:

• www.Butterball.com (1-800-Butterball)
• www.bcturkey.com
• www.kraftfoods.com
• www.perdue.com
• www.reynoldskitchens.com
• www.foodtv.com
• www.marthastewart.com
• www.allrecipes.com

She quote

"I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time, the only time I know of in the calendar of the year, when men and women seem by ones consent to open their shut-up hearts freely."-

Charles Dickens

December is

• National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month: www.cdc.gov
• National Egg Nog Month: www.slashfood.com
• National Preparedness Month: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080826.html

She vent!

"I can't believe there is no work holiday party this year! How about a lunch or breakfast?"

She Gift

• www.Hometownfavorites.com: a nostalgic grocer with candies, sodas, cereal and more from your childhood.
• www.nuttyspeanutbutter.com: Rachael Ray put her stamp of approval on this delish
• spread; send some for the holidays.

She Safe

The National Fire Protection Association reports about 450 fires happen each year due to a Christmas tree and more than 2,000 fires occur from candles. This is for the month of December alone. www.nfpa.org

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com