While helpful, many test prep resources can be dull, making it more difficult for students to stay focused. To help make effective test prep more engaging, Wiley Publishing, Inc. has created a unique and exciting way for students to build their vocabulary and raise scores using Stephenie Meyer's popular "Twilight" series.

The "Twilight" books have a very loyal following, particularly among teens. Many parents looking to harness that passion into constructive study time find that the "Defining Twilight" guides are a perfect fit.

The series first began in June 2009 with "Defining Twilight" and then expanded to include "Defining New Moon." The third and latest book in the series, "Defining Eclipse: Vocabulary Workbook for Unlocking the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT," will arrive in stores on May 24, just in time for the release of the movie "Eclipse."

Author and test prep expert, Brian Leaf says, "Every time I see a newly administered SAT test, I am amazed at how many of the vocabulary words appear in the 'Twilight' books - words like solicitous, macabre, inexorably, inure, baleful, ecstatic, blithe, placate, haggard, belligerent, stymie and nebulous. Students who learn all the vocabulary words in the "Defining Twilight" series will absolutely raise their test scores."

"Defining Eclipse" has 40 four-page chapters with well over 600 vocabulary words and synonyms. Just grab a copy of "Eclipse," refer to the page where each vocabulary word appears, read the word in context, and come up with a definition. Then check definitions against those provided in the workbook, make corrections, and complete the drills. Students will acquire vocabulary skills, learn synonyms, word parts, and memorization tools, and get drills and quizzes to integrate what they've learned.

To find out more about "Defining Eclipse" and other books in the series, visit cliffnotes.com.

I love soup. A lot. On a cold winter day, there's nothing like a bowl of hot, savory soup to satisfy my hunger and warm me through and through. And if the soup is easy to make, I'm even happier. Make a double batch and freeze individual servings so you can have some ready any time you need it.

And for more satisfying soup recipes, visit TheCookingMilk.com. Stay warm!

New England Clam Chowder
Makes 4 servings

4 slices bacon, chopped
1 pound (about 3 medium) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1/4 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 cans (12 fluid ounces each) Evaporated Milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cans (6.5 ounces each) chopped or minced clams, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

COOK bacon in medium saucepan until crisp; drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat. Return reserved bacon fat to saucepan. Add potatoes, carrot, onion and celery. Cook, stirring frequently for 6 to 7 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

COMBINE evaporated milk and flour in small bowl until blended; add to potato mixture. Stir in clams with juice, salt, bacon, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring frequently, for 15 to 20 minutes or until creamy and slightly thick.

Nutrition Information per serving: 270 calories; 110 calories from fat; 12g total fat; 7g saturated fat; 50mg cholesterol; 720mg sodium; 26g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 11g sugars; 14g protein; 15% Vitamin A; 20% Vitamin C; 30% Calcium

Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the NestlÈ Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com

You can watch the video here:

We also have some exclusive content from Vicki Whiting at KidScoop who has crafted a worksheet for kids dedicated to explaining what is going on Haiti and how they can help. It contains earthquake news, how kids can help, what makes an earthquake, information about Haiti.

Download Kids Help Haiti PDF

If you did not receive the email and would like to check out our new social network for moms, here's more information:

The New Network for Moms

MomTalk.com has just added an exciting new feature--our very own social network. You can create your own profile page, chat live with friends, announce events, start a discussion in the forum, create a group, customize your page--in general you can do as much or as little as you like. (Naturally, we hope you do a lot.)

Our community is brand new--ready to become a favorite destination. And of course a community grows more vibrant and fun as more members join. So, as longtime MomTalk.com visitors, we invite you to join the community at share.momtalk.com and enjoy. Here are just some of the things you can do in the new MomTalk.com Community:

Join or start a discussion in the new, improved forums
Chat live with friends online
Upload favorite photos to share
Start a group for your special interest or for local friends (and friends-to-be)
Find events in your area or add events to the calendar
Create your own blog
--and new features added all the time

A reminder-- as of February 1, 2010, all MomTalk.com forums will be in the new MomTalk Community and will be discontinued on the main MomTalk.com site. So, if you've enjoyed the forums in the past, now is the time to bring the new forums to life.

Amid parties and presents, decorating and travel, and the general holiday hubbub, finding time to exercise can be a real challenge. "Exercise requires discipline, and it can be difficult to hold strong with so many holiday celebrations and obligations," notes Jenny Breuer, director of the fitness and wellness programs at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. What's more, "the notion that the holidays are a time of rest, relaxation and celebration tends to give people an excuse to break from their normal routine," adds Breuer. 



To make matters worse, 'tis the season when you're likely to indulge in eggnog, latkes, Christmas cookies and a dozen other high-calorie goodies that you don't usually consume during the rest of the year.
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The EPA estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20 percent of heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and accessible basement rim joints.

Conduct an energy audit to identify spots where energy is lost through gaps and cracks. Start in your basement and move upwards. Look for both visible gaps and cold or hot spots.

HVAC Penetration
Your air-conditioning system set-up could be doing more than just heating and cooling your house. It could be an air-infiltration culprit. Check the HVAC ducts from your attic and basement into the living space. There may be gaps where the ducts go through the floor above into the ceiling below.

Plumbing
While plumbing pipes may be hidden behind or under the sink, it doesn't mean that the pipe penetrations aren't allowing unseen bugs and unwanted air into the house. Check for holes under the sink where the pipes enter from the floor or wall in all rooms that have running water (kitchen, bathroom, utility room, and laundry room).

Electrical Box
Stand in front of the electrical box of your house and look at where the main electrical exits the box and enters the living space (in the basement look upwards). If there is a hole, seal it.

Electrical Outlets
Use a screw driver to remove your outlet cover plates. Homes have holes cut in the walls for the outlets. Check for gaps between the wall and the metal box that houses the electrical socket.

Attic Hatch
Seal around the attic hatch frame to keep the unconditioned attic air from entering your living space.

The EPA recommends sealing these leaks with spray foam, caulk, or weather stripping. Insulating foam sealants, such as GREAT STUFF form an airtight, water-resistant seal. The foam is sandable, paintable, and can be trimmed with a utility knife afterwards and is easy to use for do-it-yourselfers of any skill level.

Other ways to save on energy
* Either installing a timed thermostat or by turning up or down the temperature before heading to work.
* Make sure the fireplace flu is closed and install glass fireplace doors to keep energy from escaping.
* Check to be sure no air vents are being blocked by furniture or drapery.
* Insulate any areas that are not heated and cooled (garage, attic, basement, or crawl space).

For more information on how you can save money by sealing gaps, visit www.dowgreatstuff.com.

Moms who work and live on Midwest dairy farms, like Barb Liebenstein of Dundas, Minn., are working with the Midwest Dairy Council to share tips for delicious, nutrient-rich, money-smart holiday meals. Here are a few menu and entertaining tips from America's dairy farm moms:

•          To save money, buy cheese in block form and slice or cube it yourself. Or use holiday cookie cutters to create festive shapes, and save the scraps for casseroles.


•          Expecting overnight company? Serve a berry breakfast smoothie instead of empty-calorie gourmet pastries to maximize nutrition without breaking the bank.


•          Plain, low-fat yogurt makes a great, calcium-rich base for holiday dips! Buy yogurt by the quart and save, then flavor with dry ranch seasoning or soup mixes and serve with veggies.


•          Remember to serve milk with every meal, not just holiday cookies. At about 25 cents a glass, it packs a lot of nutrients for the money.

As you begin preparing your holiday meal shopping lists, consider money-saving tips and holiday recipes from Midwest dairy farm moms.  And, for a limited time, visit Dairy Makes Sense to print money-saving store coupons for milk, cheese and yogurt.