(StatePoint) Now that warmer weather and summer are upon us, grilling season is here again and families are taking meals outside to enjoy the sunshine. While a traditional barbeque is always great, Americans are increasingly adding unique twists to their summer grilling routines.

Sergio Garcia could have stopped after he whined about fans of Tiger Woods making too much noise on the golf course. He should have stopped after saying Woods is not a nice person who has been lying to the media since the first time he stepped into an interview room.

LOS ANGELES — The courtship that has riveted the neuroscience world blossomed at a Saturday night dinner in a tony Brentwood, Calif., restaurant.

After working in the corporate world for 15 years, Chris Troy was burned out. The 70-hour work week he put in at the Gap in San Francisco left him with little time to spend with his young children.

(BPT) - The weather is warming up and summer is right around the corner. From holiday celebrations to road trips, family vacations to block parties, it’s the time of year for cookouts. Make all of your summer cuisine extraordinary no matter what the occasion with these five simple tips:

Whether it’s coming up with a new creation for a food truck, adding a Mexican flair or adding a twist to comfort foods, culinary talents abound in Lodi. Some area chefs are self-taught, while others have learned on the job.

Favorite dishes: Oh, man — that’s a hard one. I usually opt for Lodi’s fresh gems. Here are a few of my regulars: The edamame hummus with a plate of olives, feta and warm Naan bread from Crush Kitchen, 115 S. School St., No. 13 (holy cow — it’s painful when you have a craving on days when the restaurant is closed); the JJ Fiori Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto, romaine and red onions on fresh-baked herb focaccia with balsamic and olive oil) from Fiori’s Butcher Shoppe, 400 W. Lodi Ave., is like summer in my mouth; any salad from Bon Appetit, 1012 W. Lodi Ave., though my favorite is the Baja chicken salad; if I’m going out for dinner and want something more unique, I’ll step in to Alebrijes, 10 W. Oak St., to see what’s new.

It’s that time of year when friends and family gather together to celebrate the onset of summer with barbecue lunches and outdoor dinner parties. Central to these celebrations are the charcoal and gas grills you use to sizzle your family’s hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken and ribs.

The following is a list of this week’s lunch menus for area schools and LOEL Center. Milk is served with each school meal. The LOEL Center lunch menu is for congregate lunch at the LOEL Center only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 209-369-1591.

What happens when you cross a winemaker with a passion for his heritage and a chef who considers food an artful experience?

On May 2, the Real Men’s Club had its monthly luncheon at Greystone. Lunch was served promptly at noon and included New York steak with sautéed mushrooms, Chicken in a Barrel, Randy’s beans, salads, rolls, baked potato and Velvet Grill and Creamery ice cream. Of course, refreshments were available all day long, all for a $25 donation to the club. 

The following is a list of this week’s lunch menus for area schools and LOEL Center. Milk is served with each school meal. The LOEL Center lunch menu is for congregate lunch at the LOEL Center only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 209-369-1591.

Dear Barbara: I’m not bragging, but everyone says I’m great on the grill. The biggest problem for me is chicken! I just can’t seem to get it right. My sister gave me this awesome gourmet chipotle and mango barbecue sauce. I have tried three times to make barbecue chicken with it, and I burn it every time, and, it is raw down by the bone! I am so embarrassed that I won’t even try it anymore. As hard as it is to ask, can you HELP? — Tracy from Lodi

On May 11, 2013 at 5:00pm is the San Joaquin County Horseman's Association's Queen Speech and Coronation Banquet at 410 Civic Drive, Galt, CA 95632.

(NAPSI)As summer approaches, many of us are looking to find healthy ways to cut calories from our daily diet without sacrificing flavor. Asian-inspired salads are a great choice for lunch or dinner since they are highly flavorful, versatile and packed with nutrients. With all these attractive qualities, youll find yourself indulging in guilt-free freshness all summer long!

(BPT) - TV’s best-fed hedonist, Anthony Bourdain, is keeping busy these days with his hit travel series “Parts Unknown,” his publishing career and an upcoming appearance at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. Love him or hate him, Bourdain is the biggest, baddest food dude on the planet. The self-proclaimed “chef slacker” shares his advice for restaurateurs and new chefs, and talks about his desired last meal on Earth and love of old-school cocktails.

(BPT) - Simple, fresh and delicious – that’s summertime eating at its best. Less time in the kitchen means more time to enjoy the bright delicious flavors of just-picked berries, peaches, greens and other vegetables.

(NewsUSA) - This Father's Day, prepare some ideas for Dad that are creatively sweet.

The following is a list of this week’s lunch menus for area schools and LOEL Center. Milk is served with each school meal. The LOEL Center lunch menu is for congregate lunch at the LOEL Center only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 209-369-1591.

(BPT) - Patio season has arrived, and opportunities for outdoor social gatherings will abound in the coming months. Birthdays, graduations, showers, holidays and any other reasons to enjoy warm weather will call for unique outdoor party solutions that differ from indoor events. Here are a few ideas to make al fresco entertaining a snap.

(NAPSI)—A legacy of healthy eating can be one of the best gifts you give your family. Like traditions, healthy recipes can be passed down from generation to generation. Choose the right ones and you’ll provide great opportunities for your family to live longer, healthier lives.

(BPT) - Warmer temperatures often mean a busier social calendar. So whether you’re planning a meal to enjoy al fresco, or whipping up a sweet treat for a neighborhood block party, it’s a great time of year to experiment in the kitchen.

Last month, we learned how to reduce a large amount of the empty calories that we may be taking in through our beverage choices by opting for flavoring our own water. However, since water has zero antioxidants, is there something that we could add to water to provide nutrition, without any calories, while preserving water's vital role in keeping us hydrated?

(BPT) - The air turns mild and warm, people gladly shed winter coats, and the days grow longer – everything about spring is lighter and brighter. Since the warmer months bring about many occasions to enjoy the best of backyard cookouts and boardwalk fare, the season’s more indulgently delicious offerings may cause us to consider departing from our wellness goals.