Essentials for stress-free cooking; five-minute abdominal exercises; short-cuts to house cleaning; the therapeutic relationship between animals and humans.

MEALS MADE EASY: Stock the pantry with essentials to make cooking a stress-free event. KNOW HOW: Fitness instructor Jennifer Read Segerson demonstrates abdominal exercises to help viewers get into shape in just five minutes a day. HOME SOLUTIONS: Follow this simple schedule from lifestyle expert Tara Aronson and never spend an entire day cleaning. PERSONAL PROFILE: Learn about the therapeutic relationship between animals and humans in this profile of Rachel McPherson, who started a foundation that connects the sick and elderly with a four-footed friend. Plus : simple centerpieces; viewers confess the craziest thing they've done for love.