Dear Just Be: I'm starting my own small business- any tips about the mileage I use on my car?

For anyone running their own small business it is important to track all expenses and this is true of mileage on your personal car as well. The IRS typically issues each year, an "optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving expenses."

The new lower rates for 2010 reflect lower transportation costs as compared to a year ago.

Beginning January 1, 2010 the standard mileage rates for cars, vans, pickups or panel trucks are as follows:

• 50 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 16.5 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service for charitable organizations

You can easily track the mileage you drive each day by using a "Vehicle Mileage" notebook, which can be found at most office supply stores.

Remember: Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

Dear Just Be: Do you have an easy, yet healthy recipe for dinner?

An easy, healthy and fun recipe that everyone in your family is sure to love: Healthy Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!

6 cups of water

9 or 10 ounce package frozen no-salt-added vegetables (Choose the vegetables that you or your family likes best - mixed veggies, peas, broccoli, green beans, etc.)

7 1/4 ounce package macaroni-and-cheese dinner mix

1/4 cup skim milk

1/4 cup nonfat or low-fat sour cream

1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)

1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add vegetables and macaroni, reserving the cheese-sauce mix. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 7 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet crisp and macaroni is tender. Drain.

Return macaroni mixture to saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir in milk, sour cream, and reserved cheese-sauce mix from package. Heat through, about 3 to 5 minutes. If desired stir in Italian seasoning and pepper. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese.

This recipe serves 4 (1 cup per serving) Each serving has:

281 kcal Calories
15 g Protein
43 g Carbohydrate
12mg Cholesterol
337mg Sodium
5 g Total fat
3 g Saturated
0 g Polyunsaturated
1 g Monounsaturated

Dear Just Be: I need a simple recipe for a New Years Day party.

A simple and hearty recipe is for black-eyed peas. It is believed that eating black-eyed peas on New Years Day will bring good luck all year long.

1 (16oz) package dried black- eyed peas
4 cups water
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 (1 pound) ham steak cut into 1/2 inch cubes or 1 ham hock
4 whole jalapeno peppers or 2 seeded, chopped jalapeno peppers (optional)

Bring first 6 ingredients and, if desired, jalapenos to a boil in a Dutch oven; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until the peas are tender. this can be made in your crock pot. Cook on low for 6 -8 hours or until peas are tender.

Yield: 8 servings