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Please tell us about Time Savor Gourmet and how you got started.

Time Savor Gourmet is a business dedicated to helping busy people make healthy, delicious meals under the constraints of today's busy lifestyle. I started the business accidentally out of necessity for my own family.

While you developed your business, you lost a lot of weight. How did you do this?

I discovered that if you replace some of the ingredients in recipes that can cause you to be overweight (sugar, salt, fat, etc.) with great-tasting alternatives, the weight comes off much more easily because your mouth and your mind are satisfied.

What did you learn from the classes you took at The Culinary Institute of America?

Two VERY important things:
1) No matter what your ability in the kitchen, by being prepared you can do anything in the kitchen.
2) You really CAN fool your taste buds.

What tips do you have for saving time in the kitchen?

I actually created the Time Savor Gourmet "Twelve Simple Secrets to Making Dinner Fast" (and enjoying it). I've included that for you below.

What are the trends in cooking today?

In my world, people want fast, easy, healthy and REAL. Yes, there are a number of personalities out there showing us how to make food fast, but many of the recipes are unrealistic and/or rely heavily on prepared foods in the mix. I try to keep it fresh, natural and very real. Keeping it simple, it's a philosophy that is as important in a busy persons' kitchen as it is in their life!

What do you like about pressure cooking?

What don't I like about pressure-cooking? It's an amazing way to cook so many foods quickly and easily, and with the safety features that are now standard in the Kuhn Rikon cookers, I'm not afraid to walk away from the stove. I still can't believe I can cook whole grains, beans and rice as quickly as I do. It's made instant rice a thing of the past in my household and opened up whole new doors to great grains like quinoa and spelt.

What are your favorite things to make in the pressure cooker?

I love to do chicken cacciatore, beef burgundy and whole grains.

What tips do you have for someone who's using a pressure cooker for the first time?

Follow the directions that come with your pressure cooker. Try a few different recipes before you begin to experiment so that you can learn the ins and outs of your particular pressure cooker. Once you have the basics down pat, the world is your oyster!

We hear a lot in the news about childhood obesity. What can we do to help our children develop healthy eating habits?

I could write pages on this, and have. However, to sum it up, the best thing we can do is lead by example. Eat right, exercise, open yourself and your children to a wide variety of foods and experiment. In the end, children learn what they live.

1. Set the Mood You've got to be in the kitchen, so make it enjoyable! Music, flowers, candles....
2. Have a Well Stocked Dry Pantry With the basics on hand, you can throw it together in NO time. Check our website for a complete listing.
3. Know how to Use Seasonings & Condiments Keep it tasty - not bland! This is where TSG can be VERY helpful.
4. Have a Well Stocked Freezer Again, basics are the key to success. Check our website for a complete listing. (Coming Soon!)
5. Have a Knowledge of Basic Cooking Techniques Do you know the fastest, one dish method for a meal? Check out our website for the latest cooking tips!
6. Use the Right Tools If you've ever tried to use a butter knife as a screwdriver, this one's for you.
7. Recipes, Recipes, Recipes Whether in your head or in a book, if you have a guide, the world is your oyster. We've got lots!
8. Be (somewhat) Prepared A little forethought goes a long way, (but it's not always realistic.) Learn how to "think ahead."
9. Mise en Place Fancy French for "have it organized & know where everything is."
10. Make it in Multiples Make two, freeze one for later. It's foolproof.
11. Enlist the Army You're not alone - you should have some help! Kids, husbands, household pets...you name it!
12. Reward Yourself You did it - now it's time for the prize. Can we say manicure? Bubble Bath? Chocolate???