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Crowdfunding’s Latest Effort: Preventing Youth Sports Injuries ( NewsUSA ) – Want to really do something to keep kids from being hurt playing sports? Athletic TIPS (Towards Injury Prevention in Sports) has teamed up with GlobalGiving — the largest global crowdfunding site for nonprofits — to help advance one of its key goals: hosting community workshops across the country to better educate young athletes, their parents and advisors on ways to foster “a safer experience” for everyone playing sports at the kindergarten through college levels. The workshops focus on: * Concussions * Nutrition * Dehydration and heat-related conditions * Musculosketal injuries Sports-related injuries have been recognized as “a silent epidemic” among the nation’s youth — accounting for nearly 8,000 emergency room visits daily. The recent launch of the not-for-profit Athletic TIPS program — supported by everyone from health care professionals to athletic directors to retired New York Giants le

Hope for Sufferers of Myofascial Pain? ( NewsUSA ) – For individuals with knee pain due to injury, surgery or simply old age, going up and down stairs at home can be an additional burden. Common knee conditions or medical issues affecting the knees that may make stair climbing more difficult include the following: * Arthritis activity. Arthritic hips and/or knees can limit flexibility and make stair climbing difficult. * Patellar problems. The patellar tendon is responsible for straightening the knee. If this tendon is injured or damaged, the resulting inflammation makes stair climbing painful. * Kneecap tracking. The kneecap is designed to fit smoothly into the thigh bone, but if it slides out of place, it can cause severe knee pain, especially when taking stairs. * Cartilage concerns. Knee pain and swelling occur if the cartilage in the knee area is damaged because of a twisting motion. * Hip hindrance. Weakened hip muscles make lifting the knees (and climbing stairs) ch

Anti-Cancer Compound Could Give Cancer Patients New Hope ( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored News – You know how comforting it is to see a degree framed on the wall when you visit some professional’s office? Well, next time you consult a doctor of chiropractic, get ready to feel very, very comforted. That’s because his or her degree attests to the rigorous training — a minimum of seven years of higher education, including clinical patient management — that doctors of chiropractic must complete. Not everyone, though, apparently realizes what that means in terms of better health outcomes for patients. “Doctors of chiropractic are not only trained in problems dealing with the spine, but are formally educated in clinical examination and diagnosis — with a focus on conservative health care interventions for the well-being of the whole person,” explains Sherry McAllister, DC, executive vice president of the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. Among the required coursework: *

Are You at Risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? ( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored News – Could you be at risk for COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? As the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., it’s quite possible that you are. COPD is estimated to affect 24 million people nationwide, but half remain undiagnosed and unaware of the symptoms, risk factors and treatment options. COPD is a lung disease that restricts air flow and affects a person’s ability to breathe. While the biggest risk factor for COPD is long-term cigarette smoking, other risk factors include frequent respiratory infections and exposure to second hand smoke, dust or chemicals. Most people begin to feel COPD symptoms between 50 and 70 years of age, including: * Frequent cough * Cough with mucus (phlegm) * Inability to engage in normal physical activity due to shortness of breath * Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds * Frequent colds and nose and throat infections “COPD occurs in both

Lighting Tips to Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space ( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored News – Summer is in full swing, but it’s not too late to plan a relaxing staycation or backyard social gathering while the evenings are warm and clear. To make the most of your family and friends’ time, look around your outdoor space to see if the existing lighting works properly and enhances the ambiance. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), a few updates to your outside lighting can make your outdoor time more enjoyable. And the best part:It does not have to be complicated or costly to transform your existing patio, deck or pool area into a lovely retreat. “Creating a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Rick Wiedemer of Hinkley Lighting. “A few well-placed, low-voltage path or accent lights can make a huge impact on a well-manicured landscape.” No lawn is too small. “Even modest homes or those with limited yards or gardens can benefit,” he says. A few outdoor lighti

Millennials and Health Care ( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored News – Growing up in the digital age, most millennials (adults ages 18 to 36) have grown dependent on using technology to educate themselves about everything from current fashion trends to the latest rankings for their favorite football team. However, one important aspect of life that can’t be as easily explained by a smartphone is health care. Since having comprehensive benefits is a major workplace perk, it’s important that millennials understand key insurance terms so they can make the best health care decisions. Learn more at aflac.com. See full-sized image here. Tweet

5 Steps to Selecting the Right Medicare Plan ( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored News – For people with Medicare, it’s time to select a 2017 Medicare plan. The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. It’s the time to research your options and select the plan that best fits your health needs and budget. Here are five simple steps to help you make the best decision: 1. Review your current Medicare health plan. Analyze how much you’ve spent on health care during the past year, including hospital expenses, prescriptions and doctor bills. This helps you benchmark your 2017 health-care expenses and determine if your current Medicare plan still meets your needs. 2. Select the type of Medicare plan that best fits your needs. Options include: * Original Medicare, which provides basic coverage for medical expenses without coverage for most prescriptions, and includes cost-sharing in the form of deductibles and coinsurance. This is Medicar

Liquid Assets: Water Testing for Household Well Owners A Snap Testing one’s drinking water can be intimidating to a household well owner, but it can be easy if you know a few basic steps, says the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). If you are concerned about your well water, these three steps can help get owners the appropriate tests for contaminants that might present a health risk — or create taste, odor, or appearance problems: 1. Determine what you should test for in your water. 2. Obtain a reliable water test. 3. Get an interpretation of your test results so you can take any appropriate action. An excellent place to start learning more about these three steps is the NGWA website, www.WellOwner.org . What to test NGWA recommends that well owners test annually for bacteria, nitrate, and anything of local concern: for instance, naturally occurring hazards, such as arsenic, or man-made, such as chemical or heavy metals from industrial or waste sites. Most county health

Frustrated Seniors Are Often Served Meals They Dislike Or Can’t Tolerate ( ZD360 ) – Anyone who has aging parents knows how frustrating it can be to get them to eat — never mind eat well.Experts say that the reason for this "fickleness," is lack of control over their food choices as they begin to lose their independence. In addition, as we age, our stomachs often become more sensitive to different types of food, such as onions, peppers, tomato sauce, dairy, and hot spices.For these reasons, many seniors end up feeling hungry or deprived because they are stuck eating meals without choosing foods they crave.Most seniors would much prefer to pick their own meals rather than having them dictated to or chosen for them. They want the flexibility to pick their entree of choice with the starch and vegetables they prefer, instead of being forced to eat items they dislike. Also, for good reason, they want the flexibility to eliminate items from their meals that they cannot tolerate o

Summer Snack Hacks: Three Creative Tips for Simple Summer Snacking ( NewsUSA ) – School’s out for the summer, which means family fun time and hungry kids home all day. From camp lunches to days by the pool — and all of those lazy days in between — kids have one thing on their minds: snacks. To assemble the perfect snack and keep kids satisfied and smiling throughout the warmer months, follow this simple guide. * Involve Kids in the Kitchen: All those years of cooking for the kids will soon come to an end when you enlist them as mini-master sous chefs. Whether your kids are two or 10, they’ll love learning and creating their own concoctions. Fruit skewers made from fresh fruit and toothpicks or straws make for the perfect teaching opportunity. Have your kids rinse strawberries, grapes and any other desired fruit, and slide them onto a colorful straw. For a frozen treat to beat the summer heat, pop them in the freezer for a few minutes before watching your kids enjoy their own creati

Football Frenzy: Quick Tips to Spice Up Football Season ( NewsUSA ) – It’s the time of year to unpack the crockpots, pull out your team colors, and break out that Sunday football attire because football season is back!As autumn approaches and school is back in session, many families start to gear up for those weekends of tailgating. If you’re looking for some creative ways to wow your tailgate attendees or throw an awesome football party, follow these tips that are sure to be a hit. * Celebrate National Tailgating Day: The first Saturday of September is recognized as National Tailgating Day. From team colors to face paint and a spread of the best finger foods, watching your favorite team dominate and showing team spirit has never been easier. Consider adding a lean protein to any dish to keep those tailgaters energized all day. By using a crock pot for turkey chili or buffalo chicken dip, transporting food is mess- and hassle-free.* Sunday Football Snacks: NFL football season is aroun

Volunteer Fire Departments Work to Reach Next Generation ( NewsUSA ) – Volunteers make up more than two-thirds of the nation’s fire service and protect their communities from a wide range of emergencies. Yet many fire departments are having difficulty meeting the staffing needs that an all-hazards department requires.Call volumes have skyrocketed in recent years, tripling over the last three decades. At the same time, many fire service veterans are reaching retirement age, while there are fewer new recruits coming into the ranks.Department leaders are looking to recruit the next generation to fill the gap and step up to serve their community in a unique and rewarding way.A survey conducted by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the national nonprofit association representing the volunteer fire and emergency services, found that 44 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 have an interest in volunteering as an emergency responder. A barrier to people taking action on thi

Rooting for Potatoes: The Spud Makes A Comeback ( NewsUSA ) – Forget low-carb diets and Atkins; those sweet, succulent spuds are once again finding their place among meat and vegetables at the dinner table.To celebrate its return to center stage, Kita Roberta of Girl Carnivore is recognizing the health benefits of a plant-based diet, while still including your favorite proteins.To that end, Girl Carnivore has created a recipe that is packed with carrots, beets, kale and Idaho potatoes. Add the sweetness of maple aioli and you’ve got yourself a good-for-you meal. Roasted Roots and Chicken Power Bowl with Maple Aioli * 4 Russet Idaho potatoes, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes* 3 carrots* 1 turnip, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into wedges* 1 red onion, cut into wedges* 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and chopped* 2 beets, rinsed, peeled, cut in half and then cut into wedges* 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided* Salt and pepper* 3 sprigs fresh thyme, removed from stem* 3 cups Swiss c

New Collar Jobs Redefining Labor Day ( NewsUSA ) – An estimated 34 million Americans provide unpaid care to adults age 50 or older every year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, and that number is rapidly growing. More than half of those caregivers feel they have to make compromises at work to care for their aging parents, according to a new survey from Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network.With the rise in our aging population, more and more adult children are assuming the role of caregiver while also maintaining a full- or part-time job. This pressure to balance work and caregiving responsibilities has left 61 percent of working caregivers feeling as if they must choose between being a good employee and being a good daughter or son. To make matters worse, only 29 percent of these caregivers are satisfied with their employer’s family leave policy.As this issue grows to impact a larger percentage of the workforce, it will be es

Christmas Comes Early with Family Holiday Movies on UPtv ( NewsUSA ) – When Jess Michaels isn’t obsessively checking her steps on FitBit or watching daytime Court TV, she’s a best-selling author who writes historical romances with heroines who speak their mind.Her first foray into publishing began, as many picture the life of an author, with a traditional publishing deal. But after releasing a few books, Michaels decided to turn down an additional deal and try self-publishing."I’d begun developing an audience for my books and wanted to try something different. Authors I respected had success and greater control over their work with self-publishing, so I was eager to try it for myself," says Michaels.She mastered it quickly and decided to go "strictly indie" in 2015, using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) service to publish in both eBook and print. Since her decision to self-publish, she has been on the USA bestseller list ten times. Her husband quit his job

Digital Cash Can Aid Marital Money Management ( NewsUSA ) – You may be happy with your honey, but the happiest of couples can argue over money.Financial issues are one of the most cited causes of conflicts in a marriage, and financial problems, including debt and disagreement about money management, are among the top issues in divorce as well.Merging your life, including your financial life, with someone else’s can be challenging, but setting up a solid financial plan early in marriage can help preserve harmony and nip money conflicts in the bud. Data from Ameriprise Financial show that at least one-third of couples disagree about money at least once a month on topics including savings and discretionary spending.Fortunately, today’s technology offers new options to help couples navigate shared and individual finances. More American couples now maintain separate bank accounts instead of, or in addition to, joint accounts, and the latest banking apps offer flexibility, security, and eas

Steal the Show at Your Next Holiday Party ( NewsUSA ) – For those who like to wear their holiday spirit front and center, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But it’s also the season of charity, so why not feel good by making a fashion statement that’s socially conscious as well?No doubt, there are many sources that sponsor holiday clothing collections, but savvy shoppers can support a variety of causes in a quest to win the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, or make a splashy holiday statement.Some strategies to get a smile, while staying warm and comfortable this season and donating to a worthwhile charity, include:* Sweaters: The Ugly Christmas Sweater has become a must-wear for any holiday party. Those who embrace the sweater party spirit can do something extra this season by browsing ugly holiday sweaters at iEDM.com Whether you don one nostalgically or ironically, it’s wearable joy and a great way to spark up a conversation. With themes ranging from Grumpy Cat to PacMan, Grinc

Why Your New Year’s Resolution Should Be to Eat More Fiber ( NewsUSA ) – The start of a new year is a great time to check in with yourself and think about how you want to improve for the year ahead. But unfortunately, many New Year’s resolutions aren’t realistic and wind up lasting just two to three weeks. Here’s a resolution that’s easy to stick to and can also make a big difference in your overall health and wellness: eat more fiber.Fiber can play an important role in reaching your health and wellness goals in 2019. It’s probably best known for its ability to help keep your digestive system moving, but there are other benefits as well – like helping to promote a feeling of fullness.Even with fiber’s well-known health benefits, nine out of 10 Americans aren’t getting enough in their daily diet, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016. Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN thinks she knows why."Fiber can be confusing," Harris-Pincus expla

Plant-Based Twists to Classic Summer Dishes ( NewsUSA ) – With people more focused on wellness and nutrition these days, interest in a plant-based diet is hotter than ever. One easy way to get in on the trend: Pair summer produce with simple ingredients like pecans for a dish the whole family will enjoy.Pecans are a versatile ingredient and are naturally sweet with a rich and crunchy texture. As each one-ounce serving of the nuts offers three grams of fiber and protein, essential vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy benefits, pecans also happen to be one of the tastiest ways to elevate the nutrition of any recipe.In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts – including pecans – as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. A one-ounce serving of pecans has 18g unsaturated fat and only 2g saturated fat.Add a sweet and nutritious cr

Shen Yun Dancers Make Magic This Spring ( NewsUSA ) – Shen Yun, or the "beauty of divine beings dancing," has been enchanting audiences worldwide since 2006.Ancient artistic techniques merge with present-day skill, talent, and energy as the Shen Yun Performing Arts company continues its tradition of unique, renowned performances this spring with a whole new selection of songs, dances, and musical scores celebrating 5,000 years of ancient Chinese culture.Extolled by audiences as "the experience of a lifetime," a Shen Yun performance showcases the values, virtues, spirituality, and creativity that once flourished in the Middle Kingdom (aka China), which the ancients preferred to call Shen Zhou, "the Land of the Divine."The performers combine long-ago legends and traditional music and dance with modern-day heroic tales, high-tech backdrops, elaborate costumes, and a live orchestra for a stirring, cross-cultural experience designed to inspire hope and joy. In

Move Over Meat – Vegetables are taking center stage on your plate ( NewsUSA ) – Historically, American dinner plates have featured meat as its mainstay/star, with vegetables as tepid, secondary supporting players. Now, the balance of power on the plate is shifting as fresh, homegrown vegetables take center stage.Recent "food trend" studies show that more people are making vegetables the main course of their meals. Although the interest in healthy eating extends to all age groups, millennials seem to be driving this healthful food trend. Data from the NPD Group suggests that people younger than 40 are eating 52 percent more fresh vegetables compared with young adults 10 years ago, and that preference is likely to continue as they age.In support of this trend, professional chefs, bloggers, restaurants and home cooks are embracing the flavors of a vast variety of vegetables, from common to exotic. Episodes of the popular "Iron Chef" television show feature vegetable-c

Fall in love with cool-weather gardening for a healthy, hefty homegrown harvest ( NewsUSA ) – Shorter days and cooler temperatures mean gardeners everywhere can flex their green thumb that much longer to squeeze every last moment out of the growing season.Cooler temperatures make it a delight to spend time outside in the garden. You’ll spend less time caring for crops because of the favorable cool weather growing conditions. Plants will grow rapidly at first and gradually slow as the days become shorter and colder. Destructive insects won’t be as numerous, and weeds germinate less frequently and grow slower than they do during the warmer weather. Compared to hot and dry summers, fall usually brings an increase in precipitation, reducing another time-consuming chore -watering.Veteran or novice gardener, if you’re not ready to give up your garden, here’s how to get growing:Use transplants: For the timeliest results, buy quality transplants that are already started, so the germination pr

5 Low-Carb Swaps for A Guilt-Free Holiday Season ( NewsUSA ) – With the holidays just around the corner, you might be worrying about how to get through all the parties and cookie exchanges without derailing your healthy lifestyle. It can be a struggle to avoid temptation, particularly when you’re busy, stressed, sleep-deprived, or all three. At times, you might consider giving up and just diving into the dessert tray. But with a bit of motivation and creativity, you can whip together some festive treats that are both delicious and carb-conscious.Courtney McCormick, Dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers five low-carb swaps to keep you healthy and happy through the holidays: 1. Try veggies when you’re craving a crunch. We’re all guilty of lingering too long at the chips and salsa bowl at a holiday party. If you’re craving something crunchy such as a pretzel or chips, try carb-conscious snacks with a crunch – brussel sprouts chips, kale chips, veggies such as cucumber, zucchini, and carrots