Here’s how to start your backyard vegetable garden
If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what’s local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don’t travel as far. It doesn’t get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden. At this time of year, many backyards across […]
How to make the most of your workouts after menopause
When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that’s crucial for women in midlife. “Now I would say I’m stronger overall than I ever have been at any age,” said Baldassaro, 52, of Alexandria, Virginia. “My fitness level […]
How to volunteer with young children: Tips and ideas for families
NEW YORK (AP) — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned three she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote […]
How to start reading books again as an adult
NEW YORK (AP) — People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it’s never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again. Curling up with a good book can reduce stress, increase creativity and boost empathy. A recent analysis of U.S. government data found that the percentage of Americans […]
How to remember your health questions during a doctor’s visit
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor’s office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines — or forget to mention a concern. Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation. […]
How Nordic countries embrace the long dark winter and beat the blues
The Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter. Despite little to no daylight — plus months of frigid temperatures — people who live in northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have learned how to cope mentally and physically with the annual onset of the winter blues, which can begin as early […]
How to connect with old friends and why it matters
NEW YORK (AP) — When Jennifer Lea Austin met Molly in second grade, they quickly became best friends. They giggled through classes until the teacher separated them, inspiring them to come up with their own language. They shared sleepovers and went on each other’s family vacations. But they gradually drifted apart after Austin’s family moved […]
How to store food safely and reduce waste this holiday season
After carefully choosing the freshest produce at the market, people face even more choices with vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy products at home that can help prolong freshness, minimize waste and prevent foodborne illnesses. There are several methods to store and preserve food, such as canning and pickling produce, freezing leftover ingredients, and storing food […]
How to help young kids cope with separation anxiety in going to school
On her first full day of preschool, Alexander Lane’s 3-year-old daughter stayed in the car for an hour at drop-off because she didn’t want to go inside. On the second day, she entered class in tears. But by the third day, she eagerly ran into the classroom. Starting preschool or kindergarten is a milestone, but […]
Adults with ADHD find ways to stay focused at work
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a possible ADHD evaluation when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They’re describing me. “Lots of risk-taking, lots of very impulsive behavior growing up,” Didier said. […]