In 2018, Carrie Ward and her family were still reeling from her husband’s health issues when the news got worse. She learned she had two different kinds of breast cancer and would require multiple surgeries and treatments. Then, after beating her cancer back, as 2021 ended, Ward learned it had returned. In both battles, her … Read More
Sunshine has multiple benefits. It’s warm. It’s pretty. And it delivers a good dose of the valuable vitamin D, which is important to our overall health. But, too much sun exposure also carries some serious risks, including skin damage (than can, among other things, lead to premature aging) and skin cancer, so safely getting enough … Read More
Droughts, inflation, global events: Many things affect food prices, and in the last year, they’ve been on the rise in several categories. No matter why they go up, and even if they go down, creating a grocery budget — and sticking to it — will help you lower your food expenditures. And a smart budget … Read More
The weather is warming, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping — Spring is on its way, energizing everything in its path. Put your energy boost into a thorough spring-cleaning, using these ideas to get you started. Green Cleaning The urge to rid your home of all dust, grime and germs might lead you to pull … Read More
I couldn’t help but create something lean, clean, delicious and green for the month of March. Spring is upon us, and St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so why not celebrate with the season’s most festive and delicious color? Here, a healthier, heartier spin on a delightful classic—the Green Goddess Salad. If only … Read More
Looking for ways to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the spring season that’ll be fun for the entire family? Check out some of our favorite fresh-air Alabama destinations and one spot that’s right next door. (pictured above: Lookout Mountain in DeSoto State Park. Photography provided by DCNR) Hidden Treat Buck’s Pocket State Park is … Read More
Would you like to feel more relaxed, energetic and less stressed? Then add this list of stress-busting foods to your diet. They’re good for you and taste great too! Avocados” Bananas usually get all the praise when we’re talking about potassium, but avocados are packed with potassium, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E too. All … Read More
I’ve read before that the key to a balanced diet is a piece of chocolate in both hands. Consider this: Numerous studies have found dark chocolate to be highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants with the potential to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, raise good HDL cholesterol, lower the risk of heart disease, enhance skin … Read More
After the excitement of the holidays dies down, and with less daylight and colder weather keeping us indoors more, February can get a little glum. In fact, science has proven that the lower exposure to light in wintertime can result in lower levels of serotonin, the mood-enhancing chemical that regulates hunger and the feeling of … Read More