Today's a day I will never forget, for today, friends, I learned that you can make yummy and moist chocolate cake in a coffee mug in the microwave. It's amazing, it's easy, it's genius. I can't EVEN believe that I've lived this long without this glorious knowledge. This might have transformed my college years. Oh well, better late than never I suppose.

All you need is 5 minutes, some basic pantry items, and a microwave -- the rest is quick and delicious history. Yummmm.

The weather is getting warmer, and when it comes to food, that means one thing: Picnics! And, let's face it, there are certain foods that a picnic is just not a picnic without. Would you do a pizza without cheese? Of course not. And no picnic is complete, at least in my world, without certain staples.

Add these items into a wicker basket, unfurl your red-and-white checkered tablecloth, pick a prime grassy spot, and gorge! Here are the 7 classic picnic ingredients and some good recipes for them.

Fleet Week begins today! This is the week when the U.S. Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard take a break from active duty, dock in New York City, and enjoy ceremonies and some R & R. In fact, there's a parade of ships floating up the Hudson as I write this. Throughout the weekend there will be exciting flight demonstrations and guided tours of ships.

It's a privilege to host our men and women in uniform this week. They deserve a fun week on the town after serving for weeks and months aboard those ships. (There are other, smaller Fleet Weeks in other U.S. cities.) The Navy is live-streaming events -- so no matter where you are you can join in, too. In honor of our troops, we put together a little slideshow. Hello, Sailors!

For a total chocolate freak, I'm actually slightly obsessed with a few desserts that have nothing to do with cocoa. Two biggies: Caramel (ideally the salted caramel variety -- which gives it a little kick!) and Rice Krispie Treats. There's definitely something to be said about the texture of sweets, and both ooey-gooey caramel and crispy, krackly RKTs have something goin' in that department.

So obviously, whoever came up with the idea of combining the two is a mad genius! Love that a recipe like this is also super kid-friendly in the kitchen -- oh, and fast, too!

Oh office lunch. Why aren't you more delicious? I try to bring my lunch to work every day. That's because buying lunch in Midtown Manhattan can run you around 10 dollars. I did the math on what that would cost me per month and then I had my memory erased because the number was so horrific. (No, not really, but it's way too much.)

So what to pack for lunch that's not boring? I'll often just pack leftovers from dinner, but on days when there are no leftovers, I draw a blank. And a blank mind first thing in the morning is not going to get you fed a lunchtime. That's why I came up with this handy list of packed lunch ideas.

As summer approaches, so typically do a number of gatherings between family and friends. Memorial Day kicks things off, and then there are a whole host of parties and plans to look forward to -- many of which require a food contribution from you.

One of my favorite dishes to bring is this hearty appetizer from Live Pretty -- Artichoke and Crab Dip. It's rich and satisfying, but it also gets a summery twist with a pretty and delicious topping of fresh tomatoes and basil. Served with tortilla chips, it's always a hit, and it might even be all you need for a main course some nights.

You've probably noticed -- there are literally thousands of cooking "shortcuts" living on those grocery store shelves. Everything from salad dressing to to stir-fry mixes are waiting to help you whip up dinner in a jiffy. But are they all worth it?

The May issue of Everyday Food has a list of time-savers that they think are -- or aren't -- worth it. They say skip the bottled lemon juice, pre-peeled garlic cloves, and shrink-wrapped stir-fry mixes. They're too expensive and lack flavor and freshness. But dried breadcrumb and chicken broth get the thumbs up. That got us thinking -- what other cooking shortcuts are worth it?

There are some foods that just scream summer, and popsicles are at the top of that list. Cool, fruity, sticky, and sweet, they convey the innocence of childhood on one hand, and all of the sexiness of hot summer nights on the other, depending on whose hands are holding which varieties.

While you could buy a boring old box at the store, making your own is so much more fun. From booze-infused versions for adults to healthy ones that get your kids to eat extra fruit in a fun way, there are plenty of varieties to keep your whole family cool all summer long. Here are eight incredible homemade popsicle recipes to try.