Winter is coming to an end soon. As spring approaches, celebrate the season with a Spring Fling to get everyone to shake their cabin fever and get excited for warmer days on the way.

Set the Scene
Enough of the gray, drab weather, everything for this party should be bright and sunny. Choose a sophisticated and fresh look with a spring color palette made of bright and light pinks, vibrant greens, brilliant whites and sunny yellows. Set your table with a white table linen, a colorful table runner and crisp napkins. Fill your home with fresh fragrant flowers in springtime colors—tulips, daffodils and irises all instantly invite spring into your home. Set trays of wheatgrass in boxwood on your windowsill or lining the way to your front door, and tuck in single stems of flowers such as gerbera daisies and tulips.

	March is National Pasta Month. Look no further than the pasta aisle of your local grocery store for a meal that’s easy to prepare, healthy and satisfying. A good source of B vitamins, iron and niacin—pasta noodles which are also fat- and cholesterol-free also have a low glycemic index for diabetics. If you’re sick of the same old recipes, here are some easy ways to make the most of your pasta: • Try tossing pasta with a simple sauce, such as oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes with fresh basil, or purée roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes for a new twist. • Keep plenty of fresh herbs, such as basil, rosemary and sage, as a quick and easy way to add a gourmet touch to your pasta. • Pair pasta with legumes such as beans and lentils or lowfat dairy products for healthy, protein-rich meals. • Add leftover pasta to your favorite soup for a refreshing spring dish. • Toss pasta with toasted pine nuts or chopped toasted walnuts for added texture. • Experiment with different shapes of pasta to keep mealtimes interesting for your children. Try pasta stars, letters, wheels or finger-friendly sized ziti, rotini or radiatore.