(BPT) - Have you heard about meal planning and thought it sounded like a great idea, but think it's just too complicated for you to tackle? The truth is it's easier than you think if you know a few tips and tricks from the experts.

(BPT) - As days grow longer and new blooms appear, it can only mean one thing: Spring is here and with it comes the task of spring cleaning. For people with allergies, spring cleaning does more than spruce up a home. When done correctly, it removes dust, mold, dander and other allergy trigge…

(BPT) - Year after year, the most popular home improvement project for American families remains the same: remodeling the kitchen. Today, kitchen makeovers are more ambitious than ever, with homeowners willing to spend larger budgets to upgrade both the aesthetics and the functionality of wh…

(BPT) - By Lata Reddy

(BPT) - As Americans think about eating for a healthy heart, many feel they’re forced to choose between a healthy diet and their love of beef. But, contrary to some misinformation on this topic, you can have both. The Mediterranean diet was just ranked the #1 Overall Diet in 2020 and the #2 …

(BPT) - With nationwide student loan debt over $1 trillion and many college graduates with four-year degrees struggling to find employment to make ends meet, younger generations are starting to consider the benefits of a career in the trades.

(BPT) - If you're a senior with diabetes, you're not alone. The statistics are eye opening — more than 25% of Americans age 65 and older have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. What's more, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports diabetes as the seventh …

(BPT) - What skills do veterans bring with them from their military service? Leadership, planning and problem-solving are just a few of the important abilities that military experience provides — and those skills are vital for successful entrepreneurship. That means many veterans are drawn t…

(BPT) - "One of my favorite things to do is get together with friends for a cozy Sunday brunch," says mother, actress and chef Haylie Duff. "It’s the best way to spend some quality time together before jumping into the busy week ahead. Plus, kicking off the morning with a nutritious meal is …

(BPT) - Whether you’re planning on having a solo night in, hanging out with your girlfriends or have a date planned with your sweetheart, weekends are a great opportunity for some extra-special self care.

(BPT) - Whether hosting family and friends for your first or fifteenth time, you want your home to be ready to impress. Here are five simple ways to make sure your home is refreshed and ready for any entertaining occasion.

(BPT) - When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is affected by the experience, especially the child’s siblings. Young children experience their brother or sister’s cancer while they are still learning to make sense of the world. Often this leaves them feeling scared, angry, …

(BPT) - Wine connoisseurs know something even more important than facts about vintages and varietals: It makes a big difference how your wine is served. From the correct temperature to the glass you drink from, how any wine is presented can change the entire experience.

(BPT) - If emergency officials in your community issued a mandatory evacuation order to get out of the path of a wildfire, hurricane or other natural disaster, would you know what to take with you, the evacuation route you would take and where you would go until it was safe to return home?

(BPT) - When you’re in your 20s, you feel the best is yet to come. I was focused on graduating from college and landing my first full-time job, and I didn’t think I’d be sidelined with an injury and a diagnosis of depression.

(BPT) - Whether you’re focused on fitness goals, a plant-based diet or simply cooking more, you can lean on beans to help achieve your goals and provide the foundation for a flavorful meal.

(BPT) - Are you following a gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegetarian, Whole 30 or other special diet? The problem with sticking to a diet is that it can feel restricting, because you're only allowed to eat certain foods, and that can get boring fast.

(BPT) - Olympic athletes are some of the strongest people in the world — both physically and mentally. Under constant pressure to perform as they represent their respective countries, they have what it takes to succeed and accomplish what they set out to do.

(BPT) - Even if you try to keep to a healthy diet and work out regularly, chances are there are times of day when your energy fades, or entire days when you just don’t feel like you’re on the right track. Between the constant demands on your time from work and family, it can be tough to stay…

(BPT) - Many veterans seeking to transition from military service to civilian life face barriers to employment, often because their military experience doesn’t translate well to a traditional resume. It is difficult for employers to draw parallels between roles and responsibilities in the mi…

(BPT) - As temperatures drop and we crank up the heat or turn to alternative power sources, the risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning significantly increases. Often dubbed “the silent killer,” CO is an invisible and odorless gas that is impossible to detect without a CO alarm.

(BPT) - Alice Vaught skipped her flu shot one season. That was the year she got the flu.

(BPT) - The pressure is on — with the big day approaching, you may feel like you're not ready. Thanks to the latest technology, deciding on the perfect gift and making sure it gets to your special someone is easier than ever.

(BPT) - The ability to see the people, places and things in front of you is one of life’s most precious gifts. Imagine a life without the ability to see these things clearly — what steps would you then take to protect your vision? Life with Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, can poten…

(BPT) - Feeling disconnected from members of your own family lately? You’re not alone — a 2018 study by 72 Point for Visit Anaheim found that 60% of parents with kids between 4 and 18 described their daily lives as “hectic.” The survey also found that today’s families only spend about 37 min…

(BPT) - Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness is something millions of Americans do every day. Whether it is a parent, spouse, extended family member or friend, the stress of caring for another adult can take a toll.

(BPT) - 2020 outdoor living trends are all about enjoying your backyard alfresco — but with the comfort and ease you expect from your indoor spaces. Today's outdoor spaces are transforming into an extension of the home. The current outdoor design also takes into account the look and feel of …

(BPT) - Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body. It provides your body with the necessary oxygen and nutrients vital for daily survival. If you want to improve your overall health and protect your heart, simple changes in your lifestyle and diet can make a big impact.

(BPT) - Adding or remodeling a bathroom is a popular home improvement project in 2020. Whether it's a simple powder room, a useful three-quarter or a grand master bath, it's worthwhile to research the top trends so you can create a space that is functional while also increasing your home's o…

(BPT) - Every day nearly 200 people die from an overdose of drugs or from alcohol poisoning, with opioids responsible for the majority. Recognizing the signs and knowing how to respond to medical emergencies, including carrying and administering naloxone in cases of opioid overdose, can save…

(BPT) - Crazy about the movies? Love inviting friends over to watch the awards shows every year? Or maybe thinking about throwing an awards-watching party for the first time? Thrill your friends with a party worthy of the stars, with a focus on fun.

(BPT) - A new year always brings predictions about what trends will rise to popularity, and when it comes to food, there are plenty of trends already underway that will no doubt continue to surge over the next several months. The good news is both your taste buds and your health will likely …

(BPT) - We’re often told when we can’t make a decision, we should trust our gut. And there’s a healthy reason to do so.

(BPT) - Enrollment in youth hockey is at an all-time high in communities across the country. According to USA Hockey, a record 567,908 players registered to play in the 2018-2019 season, with 356,760 of those players ages 16 and younger.

(BPT) - With a new decade upon us, it is natural to look to the past on lessons learned. When looking at cybercrime, criminals have advanced their techniques over the past 10 years and have become adept at stealing personal information and scamming innocent people. While we can’t control wha…

(BPT) - Face it, winter is brutal for your skin and hair. Between the harsh, cold wind outside and the dry, overheated air inside, it’s hard to look your best all winter long. On top of that, everyone tends to overindulge in unhealthy food and drinks during the winter months. Fortunately, th…

(BPT) - If you own a pet, you're in good company. In fact, 67% of U.S. households own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association. Pets provide unconditional love and countless memories, and in return they look to their humans to care…

(BPT) - It's the same issue every year: Jan. 1 arrives and you need to meet an annual deductible again before your health care coverage takes full effect. For people with high-deductible plans, this can be a big expense at the start of the year.

(BPT) - As we say goodbye to the holidays and hello to a new decade, it comes as no surprise that money is the No. 1 driver of stress for many of us in the Midwest. That’s according to the inaugural Midwest Money Mindset Survey conducted by Huntington.

(BPT) - Many previously taboo subjects — like menopause — are more openly talked about today. But instead of discussing the real experience of menopause, it's often used as a punchline — like jokes about hot flashes. Myths about this stage of a woman’s life abound, making it hard to sort fac…

(BPT) - At some point you may consider hiring a home care provider for assistance. The first place people usually look is on the Internet, and ultimately on Craigslist, where there are people looking for home care jobs. Hiring a stranger for this kind of important service isn’t easy. You nee…

(BPT) - Dogs are the best. The best welcome home greeters. The best snuggle buddies. And, the best road trip companions. But, just like humans, dogs have ruff days and health problems from aging and their active lives. They don’t always know how to tell us where they hurt or why they are act…