Living Naturally
Ready to de-stress? Release tension with this deep breathing technique. It really works! As with fitness, deep breathing exercises can actually promote health and relaxation. Learn more—plus, find two simple breathing exercises. See how it works.From the moment we take that first breath, we keep breathing until we stop for good. Breathing happens automatically, and most of us…
Bad breath? Stinky feet? Sweaty armpits? Learn about natural ways to tame body odors and get ride of bad smells once and for all! Scientists have determined that each of us has a unique “odor-print,” as distinctive as our fingerprints!Nope, this odor-print isn’t altered by your recent garlic-laden meal or by perfumes, aftershaves, or deodorants. Different amounts of 120 chemical…
The family dogs and cats seem to enjoy the outdoors as much as we do. But the warm months bring special challenges to pet owners—fleas, ticks, skunk encounters, and more! Here are some common summer pest problems—from ticks to fleas—and solutions.Dogs roll in smelly things. If they aren’t fenced in, cats that go outside sometimes bring in small animals they’ve killed or just want to…
Most Americans equate “health” with professional health care, especially now, but I’d go so far as to say that self-care and family-based caregiving are the foundations of both good health and happiness. There are self-care practices learned from living (and backed by scientific research). None of them takes much in the way of cash.The hard truth—at least in my experience—is that…
Oh, my aching back! If you’re like 80% of American adults, you’ve probably suffered—or maybe currently suffer—from lower back pain that keeps you out of work, affects your ability to do many daily chores, and/or interferes with your sleep. Here are some self-care tips.For some of us, a stabbing pain seems to have come out of nowhere as we bend over to pick something up from the floor or…
By now, most American households have hunkered down. What do we cook during this uncertain period when it may be hard to find the supplies we need? Here are 10 inexpensive, easy-to-prepare recipes from a few readily available ingredients—plus a few helpful tips.So, what to cook? 10 Simple RecipesMy siblings and I grew up with frugal parents who’d lived through both the Great Depression…
Whenever I get a whiff of a vapor rub somewhere, it takes me back to my childhood bed, sick with a bad cold or flu, tucked into cotton sheets, a thick coating of vapor rub over my chest and neck, periodic sips of warm lemon-water with honey to calm the cough, and plenty of TLC. What was the power of the vapor rub?My mom would bring a big pot of water to a simmer, drop a big blob of…
Not only are hot peppers delicious in cooking, but also they have healing powers—triggering a natural high and providing pain relief. Learn more about hot peppers for health and happiness!
Last summer, we harvested a bumper crop of Anaheim-type chile peppers, many of which I roasted, peeled, and froze. Mmm-mmm! Nothing provides winter comfort and joy better than a bowl of spicy…
You already know you need to replace your toothbrush, smoke-detector batteries, kitchen sponges, sunscreen, and other common items on a regular schedule. I started thinking about all these disinfectants, sanitizers, masks, and gloves we’ve been using this past year. Let’s review when to replace those products, especially as these kind of products do lose potency over time.All…
CBD (cannabidiol) has surged in popularity, becoming the fastest-growing supplement in U.S. history, according to the Mayo Clinic. But what exactly is CBD? Is it safe and effective? Let’s explore the facts.What Is CBD?CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound in the Cannabis plant. [See how to grow cannabis in the home garden.] Cannabis contains over 80…
A midlife reincarnation through exercise changed everything for me. And here’s some good news: A new study shows that even people who don’t start working out until middle-age enjoy a longer life, similar to those who start younger!
My “getting fit” story starts about 6 weeks after my 40th birthday and hasn’t ended decades later.
We had a freak April storm that…
Feeling sick to your stomach? Overindulgence in holiday goodies might not be the culprit. ‘Tis the season for stomach bugs. And, by the way, there’s no such thing as stomach flu.No Such Thing as Stomach FluFirst, let’s get this out of the way: Although it’s commonly called “stomach flu,” stomach bugs are NOT the real flu (influenza). Both strike more often in…