Day: December 7, 2012

– The peak water usage season, which usually begins in late July or early August, arrived early this year with record high temperatures and widespread drought. During the warmer months, the average American uses about four times as much water as they do the rest of the year. More time outdoors translates into more sweat and dirt, which leads to taking more frequent showers and washing additional loads of laundry. Meanwhile, outside, fighting heat and lack of rain requires heavy lawn and garden watering.

– Deer are beautiful, graceful animals, we cannot deny it. But when it comes to where deer decide to dine, most of us just don’t want them outside our windows foraging through our foliage. Their beauty and grace comes with the destruction – even devastation – of our well-cared-for and often expensive landscaped yards and gardens. If you think your yard is out of the woods since summer’s over, think again. Deer damage can actually get worse in fall and winter.

“Caregiver” is a title held by more than 65 million people in the United States, who are currently helping a loved one manage a chronic condition. A caregiver can be a significant help for those living with a chronic disease as part of a patient’s health care team, but there can also be many challenges, especially for those caring for patients with cancer. Not only do caregivers provide emotional strength and support, but often also help a patient with daily needs, such as filling prescriptions or scheduling doctors’ appointments.

It may be the season of joy, but for many Americans, the holidays can also be a time of great stress – particularly when it comes to gift-giving and shopping.

– As American as apple pie, jeans are a go-to wardrobe staple. So why is shopping for jeans such a difficult task? With so many fits, cuts, washes and more to choose from, it might seem like an endless journey to find that perfect pair you’ll wear over and over again. With this quick and handy guide you’ll have the low-down on denim so you can find options that look good and feel great.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 800,000 reservists and national guardsmen have been called to leave their civilian life to serve the military full-time, with more than 250,000 pressed into active duty more than once.

– As children continue to grow there are many new and exciting milestones they reach along the way. Just as every child is different, you will find the paths to milestone success will vary from child to child. One of the first major milestones a child hits is potty training. As this can be a frustrating process at times, here are some tips that may help make the process smooth, and perhaps even fun.

– Natural stone is one of the most sought-after upgrades in a home. Providing both versatility and timeless beauty, it’s no surprise that granite is the most popular natural stone option. Though very durable, the composition of stone can make it sensitive to damage through daily use. By understanding a few important do’s and don’ts, you can easily keep your home’s natural stone looking as good as the day it was installed.   

Every year, we face the same question after large holiday dinners: What to do with all the leftovers?

– Sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose – these symptoms don’t always indicate a cold. They also can be hallmarks of hay fever for one in five Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Thanksgiving and Christmas meals often incorporate a lot of traditional foods and flavors, which as a host, may become a bit boring. But when you have friends and family visiting for several days, there are plenty of opportunities to shine with new flavors and interesting meals.

–The Clean Water Act was established 40 years ago with the goal of protecting waterways and ensuring homes and offices receive clean drinking water.

– When thinking about childhood hunger, many people envision poverty-stricken regions on another continent, far from home. However, millions of children right here in the United States don’t know where their next meal will come from. It’s called “food insecurity,” and it’s a big problem in communities across the country.

– If you were to take a look at a typical neighborhood today, you would see patterns of familiar home designs such as split-level, ranch or colonial. Most of these American styles were built between 1955 and 1985, when there was a need for mass-produced housing. Due to this suburban sprawl, many homes lost the originality and architectural appeal of classic styles built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Do you enjoy a theater quality experience from the comfort of your own home? Does your kitchen resemble that of the finest restaurants? If you answered “yes” then you’re among the growing number of discerning consumers who consider themselves “prosumers.”

– Your backyard is a space where you enjoy quality time with your family – from running around with your kids in the fall leaves to playing catch with your furry friend in the snow. It’s a place to escape, but remember accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and just like you childproof your house, you need to ensure your backyard is safe as well.

– A spa appointment, a personal training session, your favorite drink from the coffeehouse and a movie night – most of us only dream of filling our days with these activities. But the reality of hectic schedules and budget restrictions often leaves little time for personal luxuries. The good news is that even the busiest of us can enjoy a taste of the good life every day with easy indulgences that are made better when enjoyed at home.

– Pop quiz: What is likely the largest, heaviest moving object in your home? Here are a few hints: it provides security and protects against the elements. If insulated and newer, it will help your home conserve energy. And it allows you and your family convenient access to and from your home.

– Does your child avoid eye contact, have little or no interest in making new friends or prefer solitary activities to social games? These may be signs that your child has an autism spectrum disorder.

– You’ve stocked up on school supplies and healthy after-school snacks, and you’re prepared to limit your child’s non-school screen time. Like many parents, you’re now wondering if there’s more you can do to help your kids succeed this year at school. There is, and it’s not too difficult with a little planning.

When you finally tackle that home improvement project you’ve been planning for a while, you’re probably eager to get the job done quickly, well and on-budget. Injuries can delay your project, and cost money for medical expenses or even time lost from your job. It’s important to take steps to prevent injury.

– Fitting breakfast into your kids’ morning routine can be a struggle, especially during the school week. Between nagging them to get out of bed and preparing their book bags for school, breakfast is often put at the bottom of the morning to-do list. In fact, up to 30 percent of middle and high school students skip breakfast, missing important nutrients that are unlikely to be made up later in the day.

Americans have come to expect specialized care from their physicians as growing numbers depend on the expertise of cardiologists, oncologists and endocrinologists. This evolution has also become just as important when it comes to pharmacists and the specific care they can give patients.

– When entertaining during the holiday season, time is of the essence. Between cleaning, shopping, decorating and mingling with friends and family, there’s hardly enough time to cook let alone prepare an elaborate seven course meal. However, the lack of time doesn’t mean your food or your guests have to suffer. By combining classic dishes with unique ingredients, you can enhance the flavor of your recipes without having to spend the entire evening in the kitchen.   

The holidays are a magical time to celebrate with family and friends. Whether it’s the first snowfall or a gift from a loved one, the season inspires us to celebrate and be merry. It’s also a time when holiday hosts and hostesses are eager for entertaining inspiration.

– The first days at home with a new baby are full of visits from family and friends, shared joy and special time alone bonding as a family. But soon you’ll need to leave the house for trips to the grocery store, doctor’s office or even road trips, which requires figuring out how to safely transport your child in the car.

Mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats are common complaints from women going through menopause. But there is another common menopause symptom that is affecting millions of women, yet only 25 percent of sufferers seek medical help.

As America’s 77 million-strong baby boomers reach retirement age, one thing is absolutely clear — they are not going to quietly retreat into their golden years. The most active generation in America’s history wants homes that will support their active lifestyles, and homes that will accommodate the challenges boomers will face, from bad knees, to working from home, to taking on grandchildren.

– For most of us, driving is a necessity, and so is doing it as cost-effectively as possible – even in retirement when most of us stay in our suburban homes. Saving money on automobile-related expenses like gas and insurance can help free up cash for other important things.