Planning to throw things on the grill for the Fourth of July? BBQ Hall of Famer Melissa Cookston’s star-spangled spread of recipes will make you the grill champion for America’s 243rd birthday this year! I usually head to a party at a friend's place, to the beach, enjoy an outdoor concert or picnic with friends or check out some of the amazing events in and around my city. But here are a few ideas for you from chef herself to consider should you slant more toward firing up that grill to host family and friends for the long summer weekend.

When thinking about new ways to freshen up your diet with plant protein, summer is the season to see soyfoods in a whole new light. Soyfoods such as edamame make it easier to create complete meals that fit in with busy lifestyles. For picnics and casual entertaining, simply add edamame (fresh green soybeans) to classic summer dishes like three bean salad and chilled pasta salads.

Travel insurance is an effective and cost-efficient way to cope with the risk of travel during hurricane season and to help guard against potential financial losses. Hurricane season begins June 1st across the USA so this information should come handy if you plan to travel around that time or to destinations that are on the watch. When it comes to severe weather, here are some examples of how insurance may enable receiving reimbursement of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs for travelers if they must cancel a trip due to severe weather-related issues that are covered under the trip cancellation benefit…

Here’s a great sturdy travel product with a tech twist that is perfectly timed for your summer travels and beyond. These wallets from KeySmart were clearly made after much R&D into the target market and products already available. I am unaware of anything similar out there right now at the competitive price points they have.

Not entirely a hiking or mountaineering enthusiast here by any means but I do enjoy a good scenic hike that is averagely challenging and enjoyable for its sights and sounds with a group of similarly inclined folk. I have never planned a travel itinerary based on a hike but some of these suggestions here are definitely worth the consideration. I have visited Italy and climbed up to the top of the dome in Florence for hawk-eye views of the city’s red brick rooftops, and seen the top of Kilimanjaro from an airplane but nothing can compare to some of these options below!