(NAPSI)—Remember the Lorax, who spoke for the trees? Dr. Seuss’ tale laid important groundwork by encouraging the next generation to care about the environment. As Seuss wrote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Regardless of age or ability, students who care “a whole awful lot” can become some of bees’ best advocates.

With pollinators facing challenges including a lack of forage (food) that provides them with proper nutrition and habitat, we have a great opportunity to empower the next generation to “speak for the bees” and give them the tools to help. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of over-the-counter medicines. Some pain relievers and cold and flu medications may raise blood pressure. Always read medication labels and discuss alternative pain, fever or cold medicine with your doctor.

Stay in the know about your car’s health with Hum by Verizon. The Vehicle Diagnostics feature can help you stay ahead of potential issues for more safety on the road and money in your pocket.

If you develop the nasal congestion, aches and fever of the flu, get a doctor’s advice right away. Using a phone, mobile app or the Web, you can access board-certified doctors through a telehealth solution such as Teladoc. Learn more at www.Teladoc.com/flu.

The not-for-profit American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to disaster victims; supports military personnel and their families; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; and provides humanitarian aid. Learn more, including how to help, at www.redcross.org. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If yours is among the nearly seven in 10 U.S. households with pets, you may be glad to learn of a good way to keep them healthy. Hemp seed, krill and salmon oil are some of nature’s best sources of natural essential fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6 (EPA and DHA).

Why Pets Need Them

Essential fatty acids cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by other sources to help ensure optimal health and wellness for your pet from the inside out. In addition to fatty acids, hemp seed oil contains phytonutrients and antioxidants. Krill oil also contains phospholipids, astaxanthin and high amounts of natural antioxidants, all of which work with salmon oil to support overall health and wellness. In addition, the unique combination of the oils helps support healthy joint function and helps to maintain proper skin moisture and respiratory health for occasional or seasonal allergies. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Many retirees share a fear of gradually losing their ability to think as clearly as they used to or remember simple information such as other people’s names. And while everyone has the occasional “senior moment,” medical research indicates that aging by itself is generally not a cause of cognitive decline.

“Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits,” according to Harvard Medical School’s Healthbeat newsletter.

Here are four simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age:

1. Exercise: It’s important to stay physically active. Simple routines such as taking exercise classes at your health club or taking walks in your neighborhood every day can do wonders for your mental health. Just get moving. “The cognitive benefits of exercise have been understood for so long,” notes the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
2. Serve: Research published by the American Psychological Association found that volunteering in later life “is associated with significant psychosocial, physical, cognitive and functional benefits for healthy older adults.” Science is now confirming what many have learned by experience: People often feel better after they have served others and enjoyed the time spent helping someone else.
3. Learn: Experts think that ongoing education and learning new things may help keep you mentally sharp simply by getting you in the habit of staying mentally active. Take a class from a senior center or community college, make it a habit to visit the library and pick up a new book each week. “Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them,” according to Harvard Medical School.
4. Finances: A study published by The Journals of Gerontology found that “financial strain was a strong and robust predictor of worsening mental health” among older adults, including anxiety and depression symptoms. Another way to help keep yourself mentally healthy in retirement is to make sure you have ample cash on hand to help pay off unexpected health care bills or fund any renovations that might need to be made to your home. Many seniors are surprised to learn that one potential asset for generating immediate cash is a life insurance policy.

Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Here’s a new take on an old favorite. Loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals, it’s easy to make. Serve with an array of garnishes, allowing diners to customize their bowls.

California Sweet Potato Chili Serves 6

2 T oil

1 lb ground beef, turkey, chicken or pork

Salt and pepper

1 onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T chili powder Continue reading →

Ingredients

25 large strawberries

1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O

1 c. water, boiled

1 c. vodka

1 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips

2 tsp. coconut oil

Directions

Slice off the tops and tips of strawberries, removing the stem and leveling them so they can stand up on a flat surface. Using a small melon baller, gently scoop out inside of strawberry, creating a “shot glass.” Discard insides. Continue reading →

Ingredients

2 refrigerated pie crusts

Flour for rolling out dough

1/2 c. strawberry jam

Egg wash

1/4 c. Granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 pie crust. Using a paring knife, cut out long diamond shapes, about 4″ on each side. Transfer diamonds to baking sheet. Re-roll extra dough to make more diamonds. (You should have enough dough to make about 6.)

Fill the center of each diamond with a very thin layer of strawberry filling, then fold three of the corners into the center so that the dough looks like an open envelope. Use a small heart cookie cutter to stamp out remaining dough into hearts, and place in the center of each.

Brush envelopes with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until envelopes are golden, about 15 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Throughout the season, for many football fans, the real game is played on an entirely different field of play: the parking lot.

Tailgating in Wisconsin is taken as seriously as the game itself, often featuring an assortment of brats, hamburgers, pulled pork, chili, chips, cookies, cake, beer and whatever intricate recipe an ambitious parking lot cook can concoct. Likely absent are such foods as apples, carrots and milk that can help your oral health.

Here are some tips for prioritizing good oral health and food options at your next tailgate.

Don’t Punt on Appetizers

No tailgate is complete without a platter of appetizers, including chips, dips, chicken wings and cheese. Small changes to the menu can make for a big difference in oral health. Continue reading →