Lifestyle & Trends - Family Living

Designs for a new decade

During unsettling economic times, people tend to get "back to basics" by cocooning more with their families, avoiding high-ticket expenditures and looking for ways to repurpose and re-use existing items. Next year's home decorating trends clearly reflect this comfort-focused and cost-conscious mentality by emphasizing soothing color palettes, natural materials, environmentally friendly products, and "old made new again" furnishings, wall murals and textiles. Read More

Seek the best returns for your hard-earned savings

Savers will have to be a little more creative to earn a respectable return. In light of this, it is helpful to explore some strategies to help make your cash work harder. Read More

10 reasons to fall in love with potatoes

Want to do something good for your heart? Find new ways to increase your intake of potassium. This nutrient may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and promote heart health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Read More

Help available for people living with diabetes

It's a long drive out to the rural diabetes clinic where she makes her educational presentations, but Janie Burmester knows that the work she's doing can have a huge impact on people's lives. Burmester is one of about 15,000 Certified Diabetes Educators in the United States. CDEs are health professionals, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, who teach self-management techniques to patients diagnosed with diabetes. Read More

Gout: 'Disease of Kings' or more 'common' than you think?

If you've ever heard the word "gout," it was probably in association with King Henry VIII or Benjamin Franklin, right? That's because throughout history it's been described as a condition of the wealthy, or "disease of kings." But this is just one of many widespread misconceptions about gout. So what is gout, after all? Read More

Emerging disease expert advises vigilance, not panic

Vigilance, not panic, is what is needed to manage an emerging disease threat like H1N1, according to Dr. Corrie Brown, University of Georgia, Athens. Dr. Brown has been working with some of the leading experts in the world to learn the real story behind emerging diseases like H1N1. Read More

Keep an eye on 'silent killers' in the golden years

Getting older is not easy, especially when it comes to making sure your body is healthy. Doctors probably have you watching your weight, your cholesterol and other health vitals in every effort to make sure you have a happy and full life. But there are conditions that many times do not get mentioned during visits to the doctor because they often don't exhibit any symptoms until it's too late. One such "silent killer" is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (also known as "AAA"). Read More

Reaching beyond toothpaste: New survey, product reveal hope for oral health

Americans feel toothpaste could do more to remove bacteria, according to a recent survey. Similarly, only 52 percent feel that their current oral health care routine is very effective at removing bacteria. Read More

Simple steps to reduce pet dander and dust mite allergens in the home and classroom

Now that school is in full swing, children are spending less time on the playground and more time indoors with each other. With the constant interaction of classroom projects, gym class and story time, one important concern that is often overlooked is indoor allergens from pet dander and dust mites. Read More

Smell your way to an energetic or calming ambiance

With household chores, family gatherings, school events and work activities, life can get a little hectic this time of year. So, when you actually have time at home, you either want to unwind and relax or use the free moments to bolster more energy and finish the day's to-dos. Read More

AP ENTERTAINMENT