What comes to mind when you think of February? For many, it’s Valentine’s Day, others may think of a dreaded month of winter weather. Some may know February as Black History Month. Still others, like me, may think of American Heart Month. While all of these are accurate, one is nearer and dearer to my […]

Inhale. It means to breathe in. Slow or controlled breathing is often used to reduce heart rate, calm emotions, and lower stress. This controlled breathing technique has been around thousands of years in yoga, meditation, and other health practices. I saw this advice recently reminding me to inhale during this holiday season, and I loved […]

While February is most associated with Valentine’s Day and Heart Month, it is also a time to remember “Donor Day”, a time to draw attention to things we can all do to literally save another person’s life.  Every day, thousands of Americans are suffering in need of blood, organs, eyes or other tissues, and most […]

Gardening can be more than just a hobby, it can have lasting benefits for your physical health, mental health, and can help fight against some chronic diseases and cancers. In a randomized, controlled study of community gardeners, those who gardened increased their physical activity by forty-two minutes per week and ate an average of 1.4 […]

In my family of four, it is often my thirteen-year-old daughter who requests a family game night. This is the same thirteen-year-old who truly does not want (or need) a cell phone because she doesn’t want to become addicted to a phone. I think she’s on to something here… She craves the interaction and time […]

November 14, 2023 by bethstefura The holiday marketing blitz is on!  Festive commercials, emails and text messages may put you in the holiday spirit but also affects your holiday budget.  The continuous exposure to festive commercials, fantastic bargains or limited-edition gifts encourages you to spend money. Marketing techniques trigger spending.  During the holidays, retailers will […]

National Family Week is an annual celebration observed during the week of Thanksgiving and is designed to encourage families to spend quality time together. It’s an opportunity to plan a variety of activities that encourage family outings and togetherness. Research suggests it is critical to spend quality time together as a family, especially at the […]

We have all been impacted one way or another by the Coronavirus pandemic. During a health crisis, taking preventative measures is important. The CDC has listed precautions people should be taking right now. These include washing your hands, staying away from people who may be sick, and protecting your nose and mouth with an appropriate […]

In Recognition of National Sewing Month – Your workspace can be a place for a vacation from the cares and worries of your life.  It may be a place to be comforted, warmed and soothed; a place to dream your own dreams; a place to create that gives you tangible form to those dreams.  It […]

It has been proven that we can, indeed, age gracefully. Let’s look at some of the personal characteristics of healthy people approaching 100 years of age. We all have one thing in common; we grow older every day. Although there is not one specific thing we can do to stop the process, it might be […]

In the last two months, many people across our state and nation experienced two awe inspiring events: the total solar eclipse and the Aura Borealis. While the total solar eclipse had been on everyone’s radar for months, if not years, the Northern Lights last weekend came as a pleasant surprise to most of us. As […]

I enjoy walking during my lunchtime. When I do, this break away from my desk refreshes me. It helps me re-focus as I breathe in the fresh air and take a few minutes to get out of the “work mode”. A few weeks ago, while crossing the railroad tracks behind my office, I noticed that […]

Do you want to reduce your food waste? Would you like to have shelf stable foods in case of emergency? Do you like to prepare healthy snacks? Do you enjoy camping, hiking, or hunting? If you answered yes to one or all these questions, freeze drying may be for you!   What is Freeze-Drying?  According to […]

Spring is right around the corner–the birds are singing, we see a bit more sunlight each day, and common blue violets are beginning to speckle Ohio grass! With the transitioning of the seasons, many of us are planning our spring activities: starting seeds for summer gardens, tidying and fertilizing flower beds, etc. Another activity on […]