Keep garden-fresh tomatoes close at hand this season. Grow one or more in containers on your patio, balcony, or front steps. Any tomato can be grown in a pot, but determinate varieties are smaller and more compact, so they are a bit easier to manage in a container. They produce fruit in a relatively short… Continue reading Growing Tomatoes in Pots
Author: Sondra Forsyth
Melasma Blotches: Common, Harmless, but Often Emotional
It’s common, it’s physically harmless, but the skin disorder known as melasma can pack an emotional wallop that raises a person’s self-consciousness and lowers self-esteem. Melasma promotes the appearance of unsightly, asymmetrical brown or blue-gray patches — most notably on the face, but on the neck and forearms as well, primarily in women and individuals… Continue reading Melasma Blotches: Common, Harmless, but Often Emotional
Considerations for Having a Preventive Mastectomy
While all women are at risk for breast cancer, particularly those over 50 years old, there are particular factors that considerably raise the risk for women at any age. Understanding and becoming aware of these factors allows those at high risk to explore their options for reducing their risk. The most common risk factor is… Continue reading Considerations for Having a Preventive Mastectomy
Sustainable Water Use in the Landscape
No matter where you live, the conservation and wise use of water in our gardens and landscapes is important. Sustainable water use helps grow beautiful gardens while conserving water and helping reduce water pollution and stormwater overflows. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to increase the soil’s ability to absorb and retain… Continue reading Sustainable Water Use in the Landscape
Understanding Microneedling
Not many people are a fan of needles, but microneedling – a minimally invasive procedure to improve a variety of skin problems – offers many benefits that far outweigh any barely noticeable discomfort. Dating back to ancient China, microneedling involves rolling tiny needles across the skin to stimulate the growth of collagen, a protein that… Continue reading Understanding Microneedling
Three Ways to Get Future Lifetime Income with Annuities
Looking to maximize retirement income? Fixed-rate, income and indexed annuities offer different ways to get there, either standalone or in sequence. An annuity is the only financial product that can guarantee lifetime income. If you want to secure future income with an annuity, you have three main choices. Each can be appropriate for nonqualified (taxable)… Continue reading Three Ways to Get Future Lifetime Income with Annuities
Composting Directly in the Garden
Don’t toss those imperfect lettuce leaves, onion tops and strawberry tops into the trash. Instead, convert them into compost right in the garden. Worm and pile composting are great ways to manage these scraps. But if these methods aren’t for you, try trench composting. This centuries old technique is low effort and effective. The process is basically invisible, eliminates the need to turn… Continue reading Composting Directly in the Garden
Treatment Options and Considerations for Tackling Teen Acne
There are many options today for treating teen acne and no one approach works for every patient. For the best results, dermatologist need to customize the approach to match each teenage patient. There are many considerations when determining an effective treatment plan including the teens’ lifestyle and willingness to comply with the recommended treatment. … Continue reading Treatment Options and Considerations for Tackling Teen Acne
Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome
Pain after any type of surgery is expected, but up to 30% of women undergoing mastectomy as part of breast cancer treatment will experience long-term pain and discomfort known as Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome, or PMPS. Fortunately, several effective treatment options are available for this vexing and distressing condition. Each year, more than 100,000 women… Continue reading Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome
Generic Drugs Undergo Rigorous FDA Review
Maybe you’ve had this experience: You go to fill a prescription, and the pharmacist mentions there is a generic available. You’ve noticed generic drugs often cost less and wonder: How can I be sure they are as safe and effective as brand name drugs? Applying the rigorous standards set out by law, the U.S. Food… Continue reading Generic Drugs Undergo Rigorous FDA Review
Managing Garden Pests with Pollinators in Mind
Every garden season is filled with beautiful and tasty surprises along with a few challenges. One challenge gardeners face each year is managing insect pests while keeping the pollinators safe. Fortunately, only a very small percent of insects in our landscapes are harmful. The rest help pollinate plants, feed upon or parasitize bad insects, or help… Continue reading Managing Garden Pests with Pollinators in Mind
The Ides of Monkeypox—What the Future Holds, How to Prevent It and What Causes It
By now, everyone has heard about monkeypox, which is now in numerous countries. It is an illness that may be the new pandemic. But is this really the beginning of a new pandemic, or are people still living in fear because of the real pandemic we are currently experiencing? There’s no reason for people to be… Continue reading The Ides of Monkeypox—What the Future Holds, How to Prevent It and What Causes It
Five Annuity Myths That Can Blind You to Good Options
Annuity myths are harmful because they lead people to dismiss annuities out of hand when they could be a perfect fit. Myth 1: annuities are all the same. They’re good only for retirees. Fact: different types of annuities are distinct and can help a range of people achieve their financial goals. Annuities fall into two… Continue reading Five Annuity Myths That Can Blind You to Good Options
Enjoy Your Garden After Dark with Landscape Lighting
Enjoy your garden and landscape once the sun sets with strategically placed and attractive landscape lighting. Select the best type of light that complements your garden design and best accomplishes the intended purpose. Solar powered lighting eliminates the need for outdoor outlets, extension cords or buried low voltage lines. The solar panels charge during sunny… Continue reading Enjoy Your Garden After Dark with Landscape Lighting
Oral Health in Older Adults
One of the most important factors in healthy aging is good oral health. Having healthy teeth and a good mouth allows you to eat, speak, and socialize without difficulty. Because of their age, older adults are more likely to develop dental diseases, and their health complications may make access to dental services more difficult. As… Continue reading Oral Health in Older Adults
Face Taping: What Are the Dangers of This Viral Tik Tok Trend?
The viral app Tik Tok has reached over 1 billion monthly users and has continued to grow over the years. (Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/27/tiktok-reaches-1-billion-monthly-users.html) With countless creators on the app sharing their beauty hacks, misinformation can spread easily. Tik Tok’s most recent trend, face taping, is one that some are saying should’ve stayed in the drafts. On TikTok, #facetaping has 4.4… Continue reading Face Taping: What Are the Dangers of This Viral Tik Tok Trend?
Enjoy Your Garden After Dark with Landscape Lighting
Enjoy your garden and landscape once the sun sets with strategically placed and attractive landscape lighting. Select the best type of light that complements your garden design and best accomplishes the intended purpose. Solar powered lighting eliminates the need for outdoor outlets, extension cords or buried low voltage lines. The solar panels charge during sunny… Continue reading Enjoy Your Garden After Dark with Landscape Lighting
Preparing Your Feet and Toes for the Beach
When temperatures start to climb, sandals and beach time can’t be far behind. But preparing your tootsies for the sand and surf should start well before it’s time to bare your feet and toes. Despite accounting for nearly one-quarter of our bones, 18% of joints and 6% of muscles, our feet are often forgotten and… Continue reading Preparing Your Feet and Toes for the Beach