Overview

Though the latest holiday season is now behind us, in many places the chilly weather lingers. As January gives way to February, blustery winds and low temperatures become more tedious than charming. On top of fighting the chill, many of us find ourselves battling the flu or common cold, both of which spread quickly during the winter months. While there’s no surefire way to guarantee perfect health during the coldest months of the year, these simple steps will offer you the best chance at wellness in the weeks to come. Maintaining or Returning to Healthy Habits After puttin... more ...

Relationships are rarely easy! When it comes to love, many of us feel as though we’re stumbling around in the dark, blindly seeking caring and committed partners. Finding someone, however, is only half of the challenge! Maintaining a healthy relationship can be an even more difficult task. Many of romance’s riddles have yet to be cracked. These fascinating TED Talks, hosted by a variety of researchers and creative professionals, explore romantic love in greater depth. Open your mind to new ideas by watching these engaging chats on love and romance!  Mandy Len Catron ... more ...

Getting back to a healthy diet after the holidays can be tricky! With leftover cookies sitting on the counter and half a bottle of eggnog still in the fridge, it can be tempting to drag out the holiday dining for a few days or weeks longer than planned. Though indulging during the holidays is perfectly normal, studies show that the pounds most adults put on between November and January never come off. Instead of letting those extra slices of pie hang around your hips, get back on track with your health in the new year! Follow these simple tips to get back to your pre-holiday baseline... more ...

Though fiction novels can make us laugh and bring us to tears, perhaps no literary genre is as powerful as the autobiography. Narrating the stories of their own lives, autobiographical writers have the opportunity to depict the human experience in its most authentic form. Are you in the mood to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes? Pick up one of these timeless autobiographies to begin an unforgettable literary journey. 1.) Night - Elie Wiesel Perhaps no piece of writing so plainly captures the horrors of the Holocaust as well as Elie Wiesel’s autobiography Night. Shi... more ...

In the winter months, it can be tempting to simply sit around at home, curled up under the blankets while watching TV. Though enjoying a few cozy days around the fire is a seasonal must, the colder months remain a great time to stay engaged, going on dates and having fun with others. Are you planning on dating during the colder weeks to come? Whether you prefer low-key home entertainment or active outdoor recreation, these date ideas are sure to inspire you!  1.) Take a stroll down memory lane! Winter is the perfect season for reminiscing. Grab your date and settle down for... more ...

Having flipped our calendars over to their final pages, it’s official: the holiday season has commenced! Though many of us try to limit our consumption of belly-busting seasonal entrées and desserts during the holidays, most of us enjoy savoring wintery flavors throughout the month. Preparing a few flavorful holiday drinks is one fun and speedy way to satisfy your cravings without wasting hours in the kitchen. From boozy brunch cocktails to creamy after-dinner drinks, these wintertime beverages are guaranteed to please!  Arctic Apple Pie Milkshake Who says milk... more ...

With families sending out picture-perfect Christmas cards and couples snuggling close to avoid the winter winds, the togetherness of the holiday season sometimes serves to make singles feel lonely. Pestering questions from nosy friends and relatives make matters all the more frustrating for those of us who aren’t currently in committed relationships. Are you feeling blue about being single this December? If so, you might just need to change your perspective! Being single and free definitely has its perks. Here are just a few reasons to embrace being unattached this holiday season.&n... more ...

Visiting a German Christmas market is an unforgettable experience. Those who have the opportunity to travel to Deutschland during the holiday season can visit one of the hundreds of markets located around the country. In cities like Nuremberg, locals and international guests alike peruse stands selling snacks and handcrafted goods. Visitors are often found sipping on spiced mulled wine and munching on juicy sausages and sweet, gingerbread-like Lebkuchen. Is your budget too tight or schedule too packed to visit Germany this winter? Don’t despair! The ever-growing popularity of German... more ...

With Black Friday and the subsequent holiday shopping season just around the corner, the time for generating holiday gift ideas is already upon us. Though some people are easy to shop for, most of us find it difficult to track down the “perfect present” for everyone on our list. Does your gift-giving mind go blank when you think of your sister, neighbor, boss, or son? If so, these simple tips just might spark some new ideas!  Do Your Research In the past, many of us purchased gifts based on the off-hand remarks we remembered others making. Today, due in large pa... more ...

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, November is the perfect month to turn inwards and reflect upon the many blessings we have in our lives. Studies have shown that those who take the time to be thankful sleep better, have stronger immune systems, and feel more energized on a daily basis. Don’t limit your expressions of thanks to just the holiday season, though! Follow these simple suggestions to begin integrating gratitude and generosity into your daily life.  Be present, loving and respectful in your daily interactions with others.  Gratitude doesn&rsqu... more ...