January 17, 2025

Keeping bones stronger as you age may mean hitting the pavement harder. In a study, older adults who got more high-impact physical activity each day had less decline in bone mineral density. You can do this with running, brisk walking, climbing stairs or even an exercise like raising up on your tiptoes and then dropping down onto your heels. Source Link 

Hit the “cancel” button on streaming services you don’t use to cut those monthly subscription costs. Drop the sports add-ons when your team’s season is over and take a hard look at what you watch or don’t watch regularly. Drop services that aren’t part of your viewing on a weekly basis and re-subscribe later to see a new show. Source Link 

This kind of audit could save you money. A professional energy audit of your home looks at doors, windows, insulation and more to determine where you can seal leaks and stop wasting those heating and cooling dollars. And Uncle Sam is offering federal tax credits that could mean thousands of dollars back when you complete energy-efficient improvements. Source Link

January 16, 2025

Brown-bagging your mid-day meal doesn’t have to be boring if you can think outside the lunchbox. Try adding one new vegetable or fruit each week and pack more than lunch with healthy snacks to make it through the day. And watch out for too much sugar at lunchtime because it can fuel a mid-afternoon energy crash. Source Link 

A few simple steps can make that guest room in your home more inviting for visitors. Dimmable lighting lets your guest set the scene to their liking and blackout drapes offer a perfect atmosphere for sleep. And stock that ensuite or nearby bathroom with fluffy towels, a cozy bathrobe and fresh greenery to give it a spa feel. Source Link_

It’s something your mother probably did, but these days there’s little need to separate laundry before washing. Synthetic fibers and colorfast dyes in most of today’s clothes stand up better in a cold water wash that’s recommended for most items. The exception is athletic gear that’s moisture-wicking or breathable and needs to be washed separately. Source Link_

January 15, 2025

Diet sodas may not be a healthy alternative because they’ve been associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart disease and heart attack. If you like the sparkle of soda, try plain seltzer with a squeeze of citrus fruit, grated ginger, chopped mint or a teaspoon of vanilla. Or replace soda with milk for more protein and calcium. Source Link 

You probably have some things in the fridge that don’t need to stay there. Barbecue or hot sauce loses some kick in the cold, so pull it out to warm up before use. Jams and jellies can crystallize in the fridge and keep pickles on the pantry shelf because they’re already preserved. And warm-weather fruits like oranges or bananas taste best when stored on the counter. Source Link_

Traveling with kids requires some savvy packing to keep them happy. Bring along comfort items like a favorite stuffed animal or familiar books for bedtime reading. For older kids, pack a book for them to read before any screen time. And on car trips, have a travel bingo game ready for fun involvement with what’s going by as you drive. Source Link_

January 14, 2025

Just a few minutes of vigorous activity every day could help control blood pressure. Researchers found benefits from as little as five minutes of exercise that gets your heart pumping and meaningful results at 10 or 20 minutes. Cycling, running or stair climbing are among the things you can do to improve blood pressure. Source Link_

Here are some ways to make winter more manageable. Switch to daylight color bulbs in rooms you use first thing in the morning to mimic the benefits of natural light. Pick up slow hobbies like reading, doing puzzles, crafting or knitting. You can also bring outdoor plants inside or add a pop of blue or green to a room for a warm weather feel. Source Link_

A will isn’t just for distributing physical assets because your digital life also needs to be dealt with after you’re gone. Create a list of all social media, email, cloud photo storage and other online accounts you use and include usernames and passwords. A password manager is an easy way to do this and you can give the manager’s master password to your digital executor. Source Link

January 13, 2025

A good workout may be the cure for the “winter blues.” You can counteract the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder with exercise, and it doesn't have to be running or lifting weights. Things like yoga, tai chi and even meditation can help, but you need to commit to doing this every day. Source Link

More people say they’re lonely, but what can you do about it if that’s you? First, acknowledge that what you’re feeling is loneliness, and take steps like writing down happy memories, walking in nature, phoning a friend you haven't seen for a while, or listening to happy music or watching something funny. You can also focus outside of yourself by volunteering to help others. Source Link

Fighting identity theft means moving fast if you are targeted. Get free credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and look for suspicious activity. If there are accounts in your name that you haven’t opened, put a 90-day fraud alert on your credit report to flag lenders to contact you before opening an account and report this to your bank and creditors. Source Link

January 10, 2025

 Remember the acronym “FORD” when you’re stuck without a topic to make small talk. F is for Family and you can ask about relatives. O is for Occupation – dig deeper into their job. R is for Recreation and can cover favorite hobbies, activities or books, movies or TV. And D is for Dreams – ask about what they dream of doing some day. Source Link 

A “fake” credit card number could be a tool to avoid a real online hack where you foot the bill. Many banks and credit card companies offer virtual cards that use a different number but link to your account. You can use a virtual card to make purchases online and if the number is stolen, you simply deactivate it. Source Link 

It’s time to forget the old advice to, “feed a cold and starve a fever,” because treating both requires adequate nutrition. Fever is the body’s natural defense to fight infection and all immune responses like this require the energy you get from eating. Comfort foods like chicken noodle soup can provide nutrition and keep you hydrated. Source Link

January 9, 2025

This five-second rule might uncover a balance problem for older adults. If you can’t stand on one foot for at least five seconds, you’re at higher risk for falls. The longer the better and getting up to 30 seconds is great. You can build balance by alternating standing on each foot for as long as you can while brushing your teeth. Source Link_

Thrifty shoppers know the early bird gets the deals in a second-hand store and that means shopping early in the day and early in the week. Many thrift stores restock the floor after getting more donations during the weekend, so plan your shopping trip for a Monday or Tuesday to get the first pick of new items for sale. Source Link_

Make laundry day easier on you and your clothes with a shortcut that’s built into many washers. The “express cycle” has a shorter wash time and a high-speed spin cycle for quicker drying. And that shorter wash cycle can lengthen the life of clothes because it means less time that items are rubbing together in the washer. Source Link 

January 8, 2025

 Ultra processed foods may be linked to a number of health problems but finding swaps can be easy. Try making overnight oats instead of eating boxed cereal for breakfast or consider a fresh meal service to replace a few takeout stops each week. The goal is to get up to 80 percent of your diet from whole foods. Source Link_

What are some alternatives to staring at a screen for kids cooped up inside because of winter? Play an exciting board game or organize an indoor treasure hunt. Try real-life high-energy activities such as dancing, exercise or an indoor obstacle course or challenge them to learn a new skill. Source Link_

Deep breathing may ease anxiety and it’s easier to do when you remember two shapes. Box breathing has you breathe in, hold, breathe out and hold again for four seconds in each step.. Triangle breathing does the same in three steps and visualizing a box or a triangle as you breathe can help set a good rhythm. Source Link

January 7, 2025

If you’re adding a child to the family phone plan, think inexpensive and take control. Offer them a hand-me-down iPhone or a low-cost Android device. Establish ground rules like you get all passwords and can check their phone at any time. And set up parental controls on the phone for kid-safe searches and to limit what apps they can download. Source Link 

You can have more success with your workouts with these trainer tips. Don’t race through a workout because that bad form can lead to injuries and shorten your routine instead of skipping it if you’re tired or rushed for time. And dress the part in exercise wear that makes you look good and feel comfortable. Source Link 

When should a senior citizen hang up the car keys for good is a question that can be answered with the help of a primary care physician who understands their health conditions, capacities, and challenges. Vision, thinking skills and physical function all play a part and families should start the discussion early before a driving mishap forces the issue. Source Link

January 6, 2025

Getting enough vitamin D every day can be a challenge when winter weather blocks the most natural source of it. Instead of depending on exposure to sunshine, try eating more foods high in Vitamin D, like fatty fish, egg yolks and foods that add vitamin D. If you use a supplement, choose Vitamin D3 that’s absorbed more easily by your body. Source Link

When you ask, “How was your day?” your child may only say, “Fine” or “Okay”, so try these other questions. For young children, ask about stories they read in class or something they learned today. Tweens and teens might respond to, “What’s the most unexpected thing that happened?” and most kids can probably tell you what was their favorite part of the day. Source Link

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruits and vegetables all make meal preparations easy. And fruits, vegetables and whole grains provide you with nutrients and dietary fiber that can help lower your risk of developing cancer. To eat more of these, start by filling at least half of your dinner plate with fruits or vegetables. Source Link

January 3, 2025

Billions of spam texts are sent every month and here’s how you can handle yours. Sign-up for your carrier’s spam-blocking protection and see if your provider lets you forward spam texts to “7726” to auto-block them. And never reply to a spam text asking them to stop because this verifies they have a working number and you’ll get even more spam. Source Link 

Before you exercise, just say “no” to some common fitness myths. Instead of stretching, do warm-ups first to get the blood flowing. More reps with a lighter weight can be just as effective as a heavier lift to build muscle, and skip that ice bath after every workout because it could counteract the body’s natural process of repairing muscle. Source Link 

Is it smart to turn clothes inside-out before washing? Some say it protects the fabric outside to make it last longer and gets to body odors on the inside. The downside is that it’s less effective on external dirt and grime and may damage delicates. You can save a step using this method by turning your clothes inside-out as you take them off. Source Link

 

January 2, 2025

Your cell phone could be carrying more germs than a toilet seat but there are ways to clean it up. Keeping your phone out of the bathroom will help along with an occasional cleaning with a microfiber cloth or a solution of water and rubbing alcohol. And wash your hands frequently because that’s how most germs make it to your phone. Source Link 

It’s easier than you think to pack a healthy lunch for your kids. Concentrate on basics like whole-grain bread, lean meats and lettuce and tomato for sandwiches. Add raw vegetables and a low fat-low sugar dipping sauce and favorite fruits for snacks. If kids buy lunch at school, remind them that hot dogs or mac and cheese should just be occasional foods. Source Link 

Some of your home improvement tools might work well in the kitchen. A straight ruler can cut dough for a lattice crust and self-adjusting pliers make a great nutcracker. Painters tape is a durable label for freezer leftovers and comes off clean months later. And office binder clips can hold open a cookbook while you’re working from a recipe. Source Link