(NAPSI)—To help you save time and trouble and turn out a beautiful bird (or two), “Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking” author and television host Nathalie Dupree offers these clever turkey time tricks.

“I rarely cook a turkey larger than 14 pounds, and find it easier to roast two smaller ones than one larger one. A large turkey takes longer to cook, and is more difficult to handle and store. Two small turkeys allows one of them to be roasted and carved ahead of time, and the other to be the ‘showpiece’ on the table,” she explains.

“Rather than stuff the turkey,” she adds, “I flavor it with an onion, carrot and a few herbs. Herbs enhance the flavor of the turkey, when tucked inside the cavity. If a rack is not available, the onions and carrots can form a resting place for the turkey. I add stock to keep the bottom from burning and to ensure a scrumptious gravy. This creates a bit of steam, so take care when opening and closing the oven.” Continue reading →

Sciatica

Back pain sufferers have often been told that they have spinal arthritis, disc degeneration and spinal stenosis.  They also may have buttock, thigh or leg pain which is termed sciatica.  The afore-mentioned words describe the opening between the spinal bones being closed by spur formation and decreased disc height.  The hole between the bones is large enough when the disc is plump and healthy but decreases with loss of discs and the growth of bony spurs.  This causes low back and often leg pain.

Frequently, these pain sufferers are told that there is nothing short of injections and surgery that can help.  This is not true.  Spinal adjustments, combined with mechanical traction, are very effective in relieving the pain of neuropathy caused by herniated discs.  Lumbar disc herniation can cause back pain and/or leg pain, tingling, numbness, and burning.  Combining computerized decompression/traction with spinal adjustments and exercise will bring about the longest lasting results.  This computerized traction is superior to sustained traction of inversion tables because the computerized traction is on and off — it waxes and wanes in tension — thereby overcoming the body’s natural tendency to resist the pull with muscle tension.  Continue reading →

(NAPS)—If you or someone you care about is an older adult, you should know about the Eldercare Locator. The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living is a nationwide service that connects older adults and their caregivers with information on aging services.

Callers to the Eldercare Locator receive information about federal, state and local services such as transportation, in-home supportive services, and health and wellness programs. Information Specialists are there to help guide callers to the correct resources.

You can call the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET to speak with a knowledgeable Information Specialist, or you can visit the website, www.eldercare.gov to find local resources on a broad range of topics.

Older people can get help and advice on a number of topics from one special source.

(NAPS)—Bees are synonymous with pollination—and for good reason. Their size, shape and physical characteristics—fuzzy bodies that so effectively collect and transport pollen—make them efficient foragers. Additionally, they are conditioned to collect ample pollen to take back to their brood, a behavior that has helped reinforce their reputation as “busy bees.”

It’s important to recognize, however, that other insects and animals contribute to pollination, the important process of collecting and distributing pollen to help plants reproduce and bear food. Research conducted in recent years suggests that the combined activity of non-bee pollinators—such as flies, bats and butterflies—can be just as valuable to pollination as bees. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—A new way to honor America’s veterans and military families can be at your fingertips. That’s because Fujitsu General America launched a Facebook campaign to help military families.

How It Works

A leading provider of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial use will donate $1 to Operation Homefront for every “like” it receives on its Fujitsu General USA Heating & Cooling Facebook page.

How It Helps

Operation Homefront is a national 501©(3) nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families so they can thrive-not simply struggle to get by-in the communities they’ve worked so hard to protect. For over 15 years, the organization has provided programs that offer: Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Just as you need clean air to breathe, so does your car. The vehicle’s air filters are what make that possible.

To help them keep doing that and ensure vehicle longevity and interior comfort, car owners should have the engine and cabin air filters inspected and changed regularly.

How They Work

The vehicle’s engine air filter traps dirt particles that can cause damage to engine cylinders, cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings and bearings, leading to the engine losing power. The air filter also plays a critical role in keeping pollutants from contaminating the airflow sensor on fuel-injected cars. A normal-wear item that requires regular checks and replacement, air filters should be inspected at each oil change and replaced annually or when showing other signs of contamination. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Before diving into yard care, make sure your lawn and gardening tools are up to the task with proper maintenance. The tips below could save you money and time by extending the life of your tools.

Hand Tool Maintenance

To protect your investment in quality hand and gardening tools, clean them after each use, removing any dirt and debris. Then, wash and dry them, and lightly rub rusted areas with fine sandpaper.

Pruning shears should be placed in a bucket with water and scrubbed with a wire brush until the metal is clean after each use. Coat the blades and moving parts with a water displacement lubricant with a controllable spray pattern, such as the non-aerosol WD-40_® Multi-Use Product Trigger Pro_®. Its narrow spray pattern will give you more control, eliminating overspray for less mess, while preventing rust from building up and helping shears open and close smoothly. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—We all love art—music, painting, literature, theater, dance. All these things bring us joy and enrich our lives. But art also plays a very important role in healing. Art therapy is becoming an increasingly effective way to treat trauma, especially among our country’s wounded warriors. Music, writing and visual art therapy programs at military care facilities are proving beneficial in producing calming effects for those suffering from brain injuries, post-traumatic stress syndrome and other conditions.

According to the Defense Department, nearly 350,000 U.S. military personnel have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries since 2001. Though modern military equipment and body armor have reduced mortality rates, roadside bombs and other explosive devices have inflicted injuries that have our service members struggling to function once they get home.

Studies have shown that creating art can decrease stress hormones, which can relax and lessen anxiety. Service members often deal with a complex set of feelings and emotions because of what they have experienced in combat, and that makes it difficult to relate to friends and family members. The invisible wounds can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and identity crises that might cause them to retreat and engage in isolating behaviors. Creating art to express feelings and help them externalize what they might have repressed for a long time can help service members resume a normal existence. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—While many people are familiar with the phrase “strength is in numbers,” not everyone realizes the important role community and social interactions play in achieving exercise goals and balanced nutrition.

“Group exercise and nutrition planning offer a variety of benefits you might miss out on if you choose to go it alone,” explained Dr. John Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., Chief Health and Nutrition Officer, Herbalife, “A consistent schedule, exposure to a social and fun environment, and accountability for participation are just some of the benefits.”

A support system and social activity group can be good for you in several ways:

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can help you stay on track.

You can have people encourage you if you start to self-sabotage your nutrition plan or diet. Continue reading →