It's over. No more holiday parties, gift giving, toasting or gorging on holiday fare. It's time to return to everyday living and everyday food -- stuff for the entire family, especially the kids.

Why is it that children like meals made with ground beef? Both of today's recipes are made with it. And here's the bonus: They're easy.

First up, Hamburger Heaven. "My kids love this," writes sender Tom Harper, a Pittsburgh native who now lives in Fairmont, W.Va. with his wife Susan and their two children -- Emily, 10 and James, 8.

Veronica Gibson of Pine sent the other recipe, 7-Layer Casserole, in answer to a request from Alberta Patterson of Spring Garden.

PG TESTED

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 5 slices American cheese (2 percent fat)
• 1 heaping cup of fine egg noodles
• 14 1/2 ounce can of stewed tomatoes

Place ground beef in a 10-inch skillet. Brown the beef then drain. Return ground beef to skillet spreading evenly. Place cheese evenly over the beef. Spread noodles over the cheese (it will look like you need more noodles but this will be plenty). Puree the stewed tomatoes and ¹/₂ can of water in a blender. Pour over noodles. Cover and cook on top of the stove over low to medium low heat for about 22 minutes or until the noodles are done. Let stand for 10 minutes and enjoy.

Serves 4 to 6.

PG TESTED

• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 1 cup corn, canned or frozen (we used frozen)
• 2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 strips bacon (we used turkey bacon)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rice and corn in a 2-quart baking dish. Pour one can of tomato sauce and 1/3 cup water over rice and corn. Add onion and green pepper, spreading evenly, followed by the ground beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour second can of tomato sauce plus 1/4 cup of water over ground beef. Place 4 strips of bacon over the casserole. Cover and bake for 1 hours. Uncover and bake about 30 minutes longer.

Serves 4 to 6.

Irma Zinski of Carnegie: "I am writing for my sister-in-law, who would like to enjoy a bit of her past. The recipe we are requesting is a coleslaw which was served at Kaufmann's Tick Tock Shop in the 1950s and '60s. The coleslaw contained no mayonnaise. Perhaps someone who worked there during that time would still have the recipe. My sister-in-law liked the coleslaw so much she would ask for a double order."

Diane Daniels of Dorseyville: "Are there any bakeries in the Pittsburgh area that provide baked goods to a diabetic clientele? My father lives in Shaler and he's diabetic."

Mary Lawrence of Murrysville: "I'm looking for a traditional wedding soup recipe."