Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important and plays a role in different aspects of our health. It is used in our bodies to keep bones strong, support mental health and improve sleep, among other functions. Our bodies make vitamin D through sun exposure, which is why...

A considerable number of women aren’t eating enough. From my experience, most women I encounter base their nutritional choices on the concept of calories in versus calories out. While this idea influences weight management, fewer calories don’t always translate to improved health or weight loss. When we restrict ourselves to minimal daily calorie intake, we...

Paper or plastic? Neither, please. I prefer a file system. For me and other organized individuals, it’s time to get excited about tax season. Before you curse me for my giddy approach to close out another year, imagine how much of your time, effort, money and sanity could be saved if documents were organized as...

After a year of hardship — shootings, war and uncertainty regarding artificial intelligence — the Pantone Color Institute has announced that Peach Fuzz, a warm and fuzzy hue between pink and orange, is the Color of the Year for 2024. Looking back at 2023, you can’t help but wonder if one of Pantone’s most popular...

As we step into the new year, our commitment to wellness has never been stronger. In this fast-paced world, we’re all searching for ways to prioritize our health and create sanctuaries of peace within our homes. One transformative step towards a healthier lifestyle is the removal of toxic fragrances from our households. Instead of candles...

Upcoming events Upcoming events 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 17: “Finding Where I Belong: Equity, Inclusion and Me,” Gisella Aitken-Shadle, The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St., Suite 100. 9:30 a.m. Feb. 3: Snowshoeing, Fillmore Recreation Area, 21655 U.S. 151, Cascade, Iowa. 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 21: “Take Care of Your Network, and Your Network Will Take Care of...

Good foot and ankle health is critical for good overall health, so no matter what your wellness goals are for 2024, be sure to start from the ground up. “Feet and ankle issues can be signs of overarching health problems like diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, so paying attention to them is vital for early...

If you’re like many people, you might view the change in seasons as a sign that you can give up your skin protection routine. Experts say that everyone, regardless of gender or lifestyle, should be careful not to neglect their skin health in winter. “Don’t let your guard down in winter. Not only are you...

Learn more Learn more For more information, visit OutsidetheLinZ.com or Outside the LinZ on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. On Jan. 1, 2017, Jessica Abresch found her life coming to a crossroads. Her mother had just passed away. The following year, her father was diagnosed with cancer, eventually succumbing to his illness. “People don’t understand how...

The New Year is the perfect time to hit the reset button on your health and wellness. Not sure where to start? Doctors say you can make the biggest impact with small, incremental tweaks to your routine. “It is quite common after the holidays to think about all you’ve eaten or your reduced physical activity...

New year, new me again. New flourishment. New growth. New resolutions again. New promises. New tropes. More abundance. More money. New habits. New hopes. Bigger ambitions. Bigger dreams. Smaller fears. Bigger scopes. A better vision. A better life. Always humble, never boast. Grateful for all that I have and for the ones I love the...

As we bid farewell to another year, many of us are beginning to set new intentions and embrace the promise of a fresh start. New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition, but they often fade away as the year progresses. So this new year, I invite you to switch up the usual “workout x amount...

My mandarin orange tree and spider plants enjoyed a longer vacation than I did, having spent the entire summer outdoors on the back deck. But the party ended late last month when frost threatened. So I gave them a thorough hose drenching — leaves and all — to remove any would-be hitchhikers and poured a...

Irish novelist Cecelia Ahern said, “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.” And she’s right. Scientists say people often crave certain foods because those meals remind them of childhood memories or foods they remember being given when they were sick (chicken noodle soup is almost certainly a universally loved comfort food). Winter brings a lot...

The year always seems to go by so fast. It’s December again already. The holiday season is my favorite time of the year. Between me and you, I’m a Halloween girl first, but Christmas right after that. I spent Thanksgiving with family and had a great time with great food. It was exactly what I...

A recent LendingTree survey found nearly half of the 2,000 consumers surveyed are dreading the holidays due to the financial costs. This type of sentiment increases among women, especially as moms are more likely to buy gifts for the family than dads. But there are ways to reduce the financial stress of the holidays, save...

Homemade gifts are the best. However, I did not always appreciate this present. My mom has a talent for crocheting, and I didn’t respect her talent until I was older and understood the value of money and the love that shows in the effort of a homemade gift. My friend, Marilyn, taught me this lesson...

And just like that, we’ve approached the close of another year. Welcome to December, the month when we attempt to accomplish everything we’ve put off for the last 334 days. That said, the next 744 hours of 2023 represents our attempt to wrap-up a million things and see as many people as humanly possible. Make...

If you’ve ever made cut-out cookies, you can make a gingerbread house from scratch. Did your cottage from a kit collapse like a house of cards? Homemade royal icing is easy to make and a better cookie caulk than the stuff that comes pre-packaged. And nothing smells better at Christmastime than gingerbread in the oven....

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year. Between cooking, cleaning and keeping guests entertained, it also can be demanding on your time and energy. In fact, during the holiday season, adults are five times more likely to say the level of stress in their life increases rather than decreases, according...

In the rural Peosta, Iowa, home of Stephanie Failmezger this time of year, you’re not likely to find garland draped from archways, elves on shelves or stockings hung by the chimney with care. Instead, she reserves most of her merry energy for one thing: Her Christmas tree. “It’s just always something I’ve done,” Failmezger said....

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the tri-state area as myriad nonprofits, community organizations and musical groups begin to prepare for the holiday season. From concerts to community dinners and a scuba-diving Santa, there’s a wide variety of merry and bright celebrations set to take place through the end of the year....

One of the hardest, most fraught parts of the holidays is that age-old tradition of gift giving. Few things stress in quite the same way as nervously shuffling through a store on Dec. 23 looking for a present that’s not going to look like you bought it nervously on Dec. 23. That’s why Her Hacks...

As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, our skin faces new challenges during the winter months. The combination of harsh weather, indoor heating and less sunlight can leave our skin feeling dry, dull and prone to various challenges, such as acne, sun damage and dark pigmentation. There is a powerful trio that can...

The past few months have been unusually busy for my husband, John, and me. We have decluttered our house, sold it, packed everything we own and moved to a different state. As we weed through all the boxes, it’s easy for us to get overwhelmed. Have you ever felt this way? Do you ever struggle...

With the holiday season approaching, I wanted to write about family and traditions. I wanted to share stories about holiday meals and how to shop for the perfect gifts. I mean, let’s be real: Do you know them well enough to get them a gift that they actually would like? Does the gift have personal...

It often is said that the kitchen is the “heart” of the home, where a family often gathers as well as entertains its guests. An extension of this often is one’s dining space. These two areas of the home lend themselves to specific needs relating to gathering, aesthetics and functionality. When it comes to dining...

When it comes to organizing our possessions throughout the year, as well as during the holiday season, the easiest piece of advice I can offer is to have less stuff. The holidays are right around the corner, and I urge others to focus on our people, not our stuff. The past several years have been...

When I was a college student, I was living in a fifth-floor walk-up apartment in downtown Iowa City. The apartment was on the top floor of a converted seminary/converted office building and, consequently, had a tiny kitchen — maybe 6-feet long by 3-feet wide, but my very first. And it was here that I began...

W hen it comes to fall fruit, it’s hard to beat the versatility of the humble apple. Gala and the ubiquitous Red Delicious tend to be the most popular for eating out of hand, but sweet-tart cultivars such as Honeycrisp and the bright green, citrusy-tart Granny Smith also are great for a quick after-school or...

In a world where women play diverse and crucial roles, their health and well-being should be a top priority. Nutrition, as a foundational aspect of overall health, is particularly significant for women. A well-balanced diet can help women navigate the unique challenges they face, from hormonal fluctuations to various life stages. The use of nutrition...

if you go if you go Event: Her Night Out Time/date: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Site: Grand River Center, Port of Dubuque. Cost: $40 for general admission, $75 for charcuterie contestants, $450 for corporate sponsors and Girlfriend Tables. Tickets are available at pro.pickurtix.com/e/her-night-out/tickets. If there was a silver lining to be found amidst the...

Comedian Steve Martin once said, “Those French — it’s like they have a word for everything!” Charcuterie is one of those words. The art of pairing meats and cheeses with all kinds of delectable accompaniments is derived from the French words “chair” (flesh) and “cuit” (cooked). In 15th century France, the word was used to...

For me, holiday parties always impart a warm, cozy feeling of getting together with friends, family and neighbors. But hosting such a party can be stressful, expensive and time-consuming, which defeats the whole warm and cozy philosophy. My solution is a holiday open house. The idea behind this easy-to-pull-off gathering is that there is no...

March 29, 2018, marked a pivotal turning point in the life of Callie Mescher FitzGerald. It was the day her longtime partner, Tom Howe, took his life, leaving behind Mescher FitzGerald and their daughter, Ruby, who was only a few months old. The Cascade, Iowa, native was living in Denver at the time, having studied...

My husband and I exchange looks as soon as we see a pregnant person show up on the television screen because he knows I’m about to say things like, “What?” “Really?!” and “Why?” I understand that writers are trying to make their shows exciting, but the images shown often cannot be further from the reality...

Having to make dinner night after night can be a drag any time of year, but it can feel even more like a chore in the fall if you have kids in school. After the (relatively) relaxed days of summer, it can take a while to get back into the rhythm, routine and energy of...

Mae Hingtgen has lived a life defined by health and wellness. “I’ve been a social worker my whole life,” said Hingtgen, 53. “I think, for me, what it comes down to is the idea of advocacy and the belief that we all have a fundamental right to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter...

Football isn’t the only thing people go nuts over this time of year. It also marks pumpkin-spice season, with the warming (and controversial) seasonal fall flavor finding its way into everything from your Starbucks latte and Southern Tier Brewing Co.’s Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale to cookies, popcorn, spreads, breads, creamer, yogurt, gelato, cereal and toaster...

It often is said that the kitchen is the “heart” of the home, where a family often gathers as well as entertains its guests. An extension of this often is one’s dining space. These two areas of the home lend themselves to specific needs relating to gathering, aesthetics and functionality. When it comes to dining...

A. Alanda Gregory has never been one to sit on the sidelines, nor rest on her laurels. In addition to being named as the Her magazine and BizTimes.biz Woman of Innovation, in the past year, the 54-year-old mother of five also was honored with the prestigious Iowa Governor’s Arts Award, recognizing her as an emerging...

The idea of stepping into another woman’s shoes is easier said than done. For example, I’m a single, self-employed woman, sharing a home with a self-sufficient parent. My personal life and experience is unique, just like yours. As women, we shouldn’t compare our lifestyle to others, but instead, offer empathy and compassion. Where we started,...

As the air turns crisp and the leaves hint at a transformation into a riot of fiery hues, I welcome fall with open arms. It’s a time for cozy gatherings, warm cider by the fire and the artful transformation of our living spaces. I’ve found that one of the most captivating ways to usher in...

Leslie Shalabi believes in the power of good food. More than that, she believes in the power of community and how breaking bread can spark conversation, ideas and connectivity. “We all eat,” Shalabi said. “And food has a way of bringing people together.” As the owner and co-founder behind Convivium Urban Farmstead in Dubuque —...

On any given night, Brenda Henry-Schreiber can be found with her feet strategically planted and gaze steady as she prepares to throw the dart in her hand. “I’ve been shooting for 32 years,” said the Asbury resident. “There are a number of good shooters in Dubuque who come home from dart tournaments with first-place trophies,...

Welcome to the last quarter of 2023. To finish the year strong, will you take a 60-day challenge with me? What is the 60-day challenge? It is an intentional list of what you want to accomplish in the last 60 days of the year — during a time of year, naturally busy with holiday events...

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” — Maya Angelou I have enjoyed writing since I was young. It was a fun hobby I found back in my elementary school English classes. But it wasn’t until high school that I knew...

learn more learn more To get involved, see upcoming events or make a donation, visit PinkLadiesofDubuque.com or Pink Ladies of Dubuque on Facebook. On any given night, Brenda Henry-Schreiber can be found with her feet strategically planted and gaze steady as she prepares to throw the dart in her hand. “I’ve been shooting for 32...

At the beginning of the year, I decided to do a writing activity recommended by Steve Harvey. I wrote a list of goals I wanted to reach in 2023. I also reminded myself and others to be gracious to yourself when it comes to setting goals. Here we are, three quarters into the year, and...

Did you know that by turning your pillowcase inside out and sticking your arms in the corners of the cloth, you can put the case on your pillow in one sweeping motion? Or, by flipping your clothes inside-out before washing them helps maintain their color. There seems to be a lot of power in the...

Temperatures are cooling and leaves will soon begin to turn. Fall is on its way. While apple picking, pumpkin patches and haunted houses are staples of the season, consider adding one more activity to your autumn schedule: Gardening. It’s not just for springtime. Gardening in the fall can set you up for success in future...

September is my favorite month of the year for many reasons. As autumn weather breezes in, I fall into a new organizing outlook. Let me count the ways organization enhances beauty and function within our home. 1. A well-maintained space tends to make us smile; the most beautiful and authentic way to acknowledge and display;...

Elevated heights, neutral hues and eye-catching embellishments are making appearances in footwear, accessories and ready-to-wear items this season. As a result, fashion lovers will have the freedom to update their wardrobe by selecting a few key pieces without feeling the need to overhaul their entire closets. Nichole Duck, senior women’s buyer for shoe retailer Rack...

Fall decor has arrived, and with it comes the most gorgeous gourds. Pumpkins and gourds are one of the most widely recognized symbols of fall in North America and have been featured in outdoor and indoor decor for centuries. A symbol of a bountiful harvest, these versatile beauties can add a seasonal touch to any...

Autumn snacks can cater to more than just the kids. A few simple, sophisticated tweaks to classic treats — popcorn and peanut butter cookies — creates snacks everyone will enjoy. Peanut butter cookies are tasty, but can be one-dimensional and too sweet. Looking for a bit of balance, we were inspired by the wildly popular...

As women, we often find ourselves tempted to keep up with the latest trends in fashion, beauty and self-expression. While these aspects of our lives can be enjoyable and empowering, it’s crucial to recognize the growing importance of another trend that directly impacts our overall well-being: healthy hormones. Achieving hormonal balance can lead to effortless...

The Grateful Gourmet The Grateful Gourmet Location: 204 N. Main St., Galena, Ill. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Contact: 815-777-1922, info@gratefulgourmet.com Online: GratefulGourmetGalena.com W hen Kimberly Thompson greets customers as they enter her shop, she’s often met with the question, “Is this just all you do?” Emphatically she answers, “Yes!” “Besides...

Baking season is around the corner. While I have never considered myself an expert baker, I always have appreciated the art of baking and continue to learn and improve my skills. After years of trial and error and gathering tips from my customers, I have come garnered five top tips to better baking: 1. Always...

Five-spice powder gives a pungent, aromatic flavor to stir-fried vegetables. The powder is a mixture of five ground spices usually consisting of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns. It adds the exciting flavors of Chinese cuisine to this simple vegetarian dinner. The secret to wok cooking at home is to make sure...

Autumn’s arrival means leaves change color, days grow shorter and artwork headlines tri-state area festivals and fairs. “Dubuque and the tri-state area, including Jo Daviess County and southwest Wisconsin, is such an amazing destination because we have so many activities to see and do,” said Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque. “Fall is...

At the beginning of the year, I decided to do a writing activity recommended by Steve Harvey. I wrote a list of goals I wanted to reach in 2023. I also reminded myself and others to be gracious to yourself when it comes to setting goals. Here we are, three quarters into the year, and...

Summer’s winding down, and we’re starting to think about what the upcoming school year will look like. One thing that moms start to consider is how to set their families up for success when schedules get busier and sports begin, creating an increased demand for nutrients to best support their children’s bodies and minds, but...

While the flu normally doesn’t blanket the country until late January or February, back-to-school season typically makes us begin to think about what we can do for prevention and treatment for our families. Do you know the difference between the flu and the common cold? They are caused by different viruses but can have some...

I love writing more when I’m vulnerable with those I’m sharing my thoughts with. I think it makes my writing better when it’s filled with genuine emotion and makes for a better read when those emotions are relatable. As I’m writing this article this month, I am not feeling my best, mentally. I feel stressed...

Whether it’s shuttling the little ones to their after school activities or helping older students cram for their exams, families get super busy, quickly when kids return to school in fall. But that doesn’t mean you can’t regularly sit down together for weeknight dinners. “Parent-chefs can effortlessly turn up the flavor by relying on single-use...

Back to school is a time of new beginnings for kids. Between classroom learning, extracurricular activities, sports and socializing, fun and filling snacks can help kids have a moment away from school-year pressures while also encouraging all that excitement and learning. In fact, nearly 3 in 4 Americans snack at least once per day, according...

According to the American Heart Association, 200 years ago, people consumed 22 teaspoons of sugar per year. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Americans consume 22-30 teaspoons per day. That is going from five pounds of sugar consumed in a year to an average of 152 pounds per year. Sugar is a popular...

The start of a new school year carries with it so much potential, particularly when students — and their parents — stay organized. Amid the back-to-school chaos, use these tips and gear recommendations to help keep everyone on track, whether they are at school, at home or on-the-go: Notes and big ideas Color-coded notebooks and...

Setting your high schooler up for a successful school year all starts with having the right educational tools and personal supplies. Here are the must-have items to add to your cart this back-to-school shopping season: A tablet or eReaderIf you remember your high school years as being defined by lugging heavy textbooks around campus all...

The time for prepping kids to head back to the classroom is in full swing. In addition to checking off back-to-school supply lists, parents can expect to begin refreshing kids’ wardrobes, including new footwear. Searching for reliable and stylish pairs of shoes is essential for students to start the school year off right. However, the...

Educators and developmental experts discovered that elementary level knowledge should include knowing how to count to 10, dressing one’s self and writing one’s name (www.scholastic.com). Some of these skills are taught in a school setting, and some are learned at home. What about the life skills that are not taught in school? When should parents...

Champagne on Main Champagne on Main Location: 116 S. Main St., Galena, Ill. Contact: 815-777-6007, info@champagneonmain.com. Online: champagneonmaingalena.com, Champagne on Main Galena on Facebook, @champagneonmaingalena on Instagram. Natalie and Maria LoBianco have long been drawn to imparting knowledge to others, whether it has been in a classroom or in a theater, on stage or behind...

With August in full swing, and the upcoming new school year on the horizon, many parents are starting to think about preparing their children for their return to class. But that preparation goes beyond simply checking off the old school supply list. Local school officials claimed there are many steps a parent can take to...

I love writing more when I’m vulnerable with those I’m sharing my thoughts with. I think it makes my writing better when it’s filled with genuine emotion and makes for a better read when those emotions are relatable. As I’m writing this article this month, I am not feeling my best, mentally. I feel stressed...

When my youngest child started school, I found myself in a new stage of life. I had been a stay-at-home mom and wasn’t sure how to re-enter the workforce. I decided to start by volunteering at my children’s school, and I became hooked. I quickly went from volunteering to working as a paraprofessional, and I...

The days of fun in the sun, poolside hangs and backyard barbecues are here, and they are fabulous. However, one question I often get is how to prioritize health while attending the summer fun and eating at the barbeque. The last choice we want to have to make is between missing out on all the...

Have you ever stood in front of the herb and spice section at the grocery store, feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to begin? Are salt and pepper the only spices you add as you’re cooking? If so, you are missing out on a world of flavor and health benefits. Let’s begin by understanding, “what is...

Celery often is relegated to veggie trays where its built-in scoop makes it ideal for dipping. It’s also used to add extra crunch to holiday stuffing, or tuna or chicken salad. But celery offers far more. Low in calories, rich in nutrients Celery is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie food. Two stalks of celery contain only 15...

Following a vegan diet doesn’t just reduce one’s impact on the environment, but it’s associated with a range of health benefits, making it no surprise that a plant-based food movement is on the rise. “With more than 100,000 internet searches per month for ‘vegan recipes’ and ‘vegetarian recipes,’ it’s clear there is high demand for...

Often, the best dishes are the simplest. If you use the best quality, freshest ingredients and treat them lightly, you will be rewarded. This is demonstrated perfectly by this recipe for grilled tomatoes on the vine, served with fresh mozzarella. The best way to prepare this classic combination is to take a bunch of cherry...

One of the biggest ways to gain equity in your home is a kitchen remodel. Gutting the entire kitchen and getting brand new cabinets and countertops, though, is expensive. For more homeowners, that’s a remodel you save up for years for. You might not want to deal with the challenge of living through an entire...

I was home in Chicago for my birthday and was treated to brunch. I got dressed up to go to this amazing place I had never been before. I ate amazing food and had bottomless mimosas. It was great. A lot of people know the city for its deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hotdogs, but...

I love this time of year when there’s a plentiful display of colorful berries. I decided to create a summer salad dinner, adding them to cooked turkey strips. Here are a few tips on selecting and using berries. Strawberries don’t ripen off the vine. Look for bright red ones when buying them. The sweetest raspberries...

I recently had an epiphany about, of all things, chicken potpie. A few weeks ago, my partner and I set out for a walk into Griffith Park from our apartment. In the mood for adventuring, we started taking every turn we hadn’t before and soon enough we found ourselves on the back of a hill,...

Grilling can and should be a year-round endeavor. But summer seems to be when we up the ante, becoming self-proclaimed barbecue masters seemingly overnight. We get saucy with new marinades and rubs, boost burgers by experimenting with different meats and accompaniments, and work in our farmers market finds, putting everything from berries and stone fruits...

Champagne on Main Champagne on Main Location: 116 S. Main St., Galena, Ill. Contact: 815-777-6007, info@champagneonmain.com. Online: champagneonmaingalena.com, Champagne on Main Galena on Facebook, @champagneonmaingalena on Instagram. GALENA, Ill. — Sisters Laura and Lisa Kempner know a good glass of Champagne when they taste it — almost as well as they know a good idea...

With breweries and brewpubs becoming evening and weekend hangouts for many, it’s hard to deny that the culture of craft beer has had an impact on the tri-state area. Tastings, festivals and farm-to-table dinners often are centered around craft beer, and many small community breweries have become the bastions of armchair philosophers, conversationalists, board game...

When it comes to sweet treats, few things can compare to the indulgence of a crepe. These thin, delicate pancakes are made from a batter of flour, eggs, milk and butter, then cooked on a hot griddle until they become thin and crispy. They can be filled with a variety of sweet spreads, fruits and...

Summer is the ideal time to expand our daily meal variety, allowing us to incorporate seasonal foods and beverages. Fresh, local produce is readily available, providing regular opportunities to support family owned vendors. While meal-planning for summer dining and outdoor gatherings, I encourage your shopping routine to include local options, such as farmers markets, where...

Planning your next getaway but don’t want the post travel sluggishness and inflammation? Traveling comes with a lot of wonderful things — adventure, relaxation, leisure time and bonding with family and friends. But often, we come back from our time away struggling to feel good and get back into the swing of things. Try these...

My plans for the summer? As a 24-year-old graduate student, with a graduate assistant position and a summer graduate class, is this what adulting is? No summer vacation? No time off? Just school and work, and more work. I am a graduate assistant with the office of Residence Life at the University of Dubuque. The...

Before you know it, summer will be in full swing. And many parents will be looking for activities to keep kids’ brains and bodies active once the school year wraps up. Here are a few ideas to help parents know what they can check out locally: For budding creatives Dubuque Museum of Art Youth can...

Nothing beats a road trip to celebrate summer vacation. Early in life, I learned the importance of a check list, household maintenance and planning for excitement away from home. At 15, a friend and I traveled to Florida, without our parents, to invade my uncle’s house. It was then that I was introduced to a...

Rose Richmond-Love had been living with multiple sclerosis for nearly two decades before her balance began to wane, causing a fall and an injury. “I severed my ACL and tore my meniscus,” said the Dubuquer. “Ever since then, I’ve had a hard time.” Then, two months ago, she picked up a pamphlet about aquatic therapy....

In his new book, “A New Kind of Diversity,” Tim Elmore shares that we have concrete for brains. When we are younger, our brains are more like wet cement — moldable and pliable. After age 25, they become less flexible and set in their ways, like concrete. My 18-month-old niece, Olivia, is proving this as...

The weather is getting warmer, and I am already planning meals that incorporate the produce that this time of year has to offer. One of my favorite vegetables to cook into sweet sauces, desserts, or just eat raw with a sprinkling of salt, is rhubarb. While visiting any old farmstead, you are almost certain to...

As temperatures rise and the days get longer, it’s time for grilling and get-togethers. Make sure your summer soirees are extra special by stocking up on top kitchen essentials. Gear for grill masters To be a great grill master, you need the best gear. Build up your BBQ basics with a new Prep & Serve...

“Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen” is a figure of speech most commonly associated with the old fashioned idea that women should mother many children during their reproductive years and not work outside the home. In my kitchen shop, I have heard this phrase countless times as customers try on aprons. After doing some research,...

Getting ready to go on a vacation or traveling for work can be exciting and and at the same time, depleting. It’s a common occurrence to feel like a day of travel to your destination takes so much physical and mental energy that you might need a day or so to recover. If you’re not...

The warm weather months serve as an important reminder that the choices you make can help you keep your skin healthy and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Experts say that your routine can and should go beyond simply wearing sunscreen. “Taking care of your skin is absolutely essential no matter your age, skin...