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The holistic approach to weight loss

A method that gives hope Although most of us are aware that being overweight contributes to chronic diseases, we may also discover that diets do not work. Dieting can even exacerbate weight issues by slowing thyroid and metabolic function, leading to weight gain, or may make us prone to nutritional deficiencies that cause other unwanted…
Fighting fair

Arguments can help resolve conflict It’s only natural for couples to occasionally butt heads when facing issues involving finances, home care, chores, children, and the in-laws. What matters is how you approach fighting. If you approach the argument logically, most likely your partner will too, says Riann Smith, former deputy editor of TheNest.com. She recommends…
Walk the talk of your workout resolution

Walking and Talking Can Encourage Exercise Routine Instead of sitting down to coffee and donuts, or tea and banana bread, imagine chatting with your friends as you take a brisk walk in your local park. If you can walk and talk, gulping breaths of air between your words, you’re probably getting healthy aerobic exercise with…

Editor’s Dose: Tips for minimizing back-to-school stress

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, then come early July you were already thinking about preparations for the new school year. Parents and children in the community this year are getting ready extra early because Polk County public schools moved up their calendar by one week — day one of school is August 15.
Making the choice to breastfeed

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This is a wonderful time of year to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and discuss the health benefits breastfeeding provides. Although every woman has their own…
Editor’s Dose: Keeping kids’ bodies and minds active this summer

WHEN I FIRST had the twins, my mom would say, “Have a schedule for them, or they’ll have a schedule for you.” Basically, she was cautioning that I’d better keep those little minds and bodies active, or chaos would inevitably ensue. Being a mother of eight children, I think she was speaking from personal experience.…