Life Style & Travel

UNITED STATES—By now most people have already acquired their Christmas trees. Some are live trees in containers. Some are artificial. Most are cut firs, pines, or alternatively, spruces, cedars, cypresses or even junipers. For at least the next two weeks, these trees dutifully maintain their healthy green vigor to brighten our homes with Christmas cheer.Cut trees should have no...

UNITED STATES—I remember as a kid, I didn’t always have cereal or bacon for breakfast; sometimes I was treated to the wonders of a grapefruit. I know what you’re thinking, “Did you eat it plain?” No. The fruit was cut in half and the segments were pulled out and sprinkled with a bit of sugar.  Why is it that...

UNITED STATES—There is a veggie, like most vegetables all kids fear, but this one has a tendency to even frighten adults.  Do you know what it is?  It’s Brussels sprouts!  That’s right. That green, round ball that resembles the cabbage, is nothing more than a small ball of cabbage.  If you’re a fan of cabbage, you’ll like Brussels sprouts,...

UNITED STATES—Take a deep breath and remember what it’s all about. Internalize these three pillars for lightening up and you will not only survive, you will thrive during the holidays: I. fruits and veggies II. sticking to mealtimes III. morning stretches Make fruits and vegetables the center of the daily eating experience. Develop a dyed-in-wool preference for the things that grow from the...

UNITED STATES—Potted plants can be a problem any time of the year. Some want more water than get. Most get too much water or do not drain adequately. Large plants get constricted roots if pots are too small. The roots of some plants get cooked in exposed pots that collect too much heat from sunlight. Besides, too many pots...

UNITED STATES—De-cluttering isn’t just about getting rid of “stuff,” it’s about freeing yourself from stress—clutter translates to stress. All that stuff around keeps us on edge, and when you remove it, what a change it makes! By focusing on the outside you can accelerate and generate the results you want. A perfect example is Mr. Salamon, a poet fromPittsburgh, looking...

UNITED STATES—With Thanksgiving upon us, I couldn’t help myself, but discuss two staples fruits and veggies at the big feast: pumpkin and cranberries.  Let’s start our focus on the good ole’ pumpkin. So many of us like to think that pumpkins are notorious for Halloween, but they are favorites in November and December as well.  So many of us...

UNITED STATES—Many plants are deciduous in autumn and winter, which means that they defoliate or die back, and then refoliate or regenerate in spring. Many others are evergreen, which simply means that they are always foliated through all seasons. What many people do not realize is that evergreen plants replace their foliage just like deciduous plants do. They just...

  HOLLYWOOD—Roger, the manager of the Sunset 5, used to quote Jean Paul Sartre: Hell is other people. Listen, if you have been lightening up 30 pounds in 30 days, or even just doing half the things prescribed, you have had to deal with annoying people asking annoying questions. Not only that, but they bring their own dietary penchants to...

UNITED STATES—There are many varieties of potatoes out there, but if there is one potato that will catch your attention because of its color, than the Yukon Gold takes the cake.  However, there is much more to this potato than its color that makes it such a delicious treat. The veggie didn’t really hit the market until the 1980s....