Debunking home ownership myths for millennials »

(BPT) - We've all been told, that owning a home is part of the American dream. It's the biggest and most rewarding investment many people will make in their lives. Instead of paying rent every month and having nothing to show for it, paying a…

5 safety essentials for working outside »

(BPT) - Remember when you were a kid and biked around the neighborhood without a helmet? Or how excited you were to sit in the front seat when your mom or dad picked you up from kindergarten?

These days, it can be shocking to think about…

My Experience with Dog Flu: A Dog’s Point of View »

(BPT) - Recently, I got really sick. I had just spent a fun-filled week with all my friends at doggie daycare while my family was on vacation. Shortly after they brought me home, I started coughing a lot. It was really hard to breathe and…

5 ways to re-engage high school dropouts »

(BPT) - For Christine Wilkins, now 16, freshman year of high school was an ordeal. The same students who bullied her in middle school were at her new high school. Just approaching the school entry filled her with angst. One day, instead of going in,…

Housework may be a key to improving your relationship »

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Classics reinvented with tech: How technology has updated arts and crafts »

(BPT) - Modern technology has revolutionized many aspects of our day-to-day lives. While it is hard for some to imagine a day without social media, smartphones and Wi-Fi, these were not available a mere 20 years ago. Technology has revolutionized the way we order food,…

3 things you’ll need to throw the ultimate tailgating party »

(BPT) - Football season is finally upon us and fans everywhere are getting revved up to cheer on their favorite team. Whether you watch the big game from the comfort of your home or head down to the stadium, it's the perfect time to throw…

5 ways to explore the ‘final frontier’ on Florida’s Space Coast »

(BPT) - When it comes to outer space, there is much to wonder over and dream about. Where else are there such colossal challenges paired with the infinite possibilities of discovery? For stargazers, dreamers and those who believe anything is possible, Florida has the perfect…

Teaching your child to be a responsible digital citizen »

(BPT) - Parents have always had a lot to worry about when it comes to their children. It's simply part of the job. Many of the issues parents face today are the same ones they've dealt with in the past, including safety, diet and how…

A mother’s loss sheds light on need for better asthma control »

(BPT) - For people living with asthma, managing the condition becomes part of their daily life. But some may not know that, in spite of their best efforts, their asthma may still be uncontrolled.

Benjamin Buckley was one of those people. Ben, as he was known,…

3 activities to help you move safely after knee surgery »

(BPT) - Most patients undergoing knee surgery want to know when they'll be able to return to a pain-free, active lifestyle and do the things they once enjoyed before knee pain took over. For 58-year-old Kathleen Cohan, this meant a desire to return to mountain…

5 ways to save money on back-to-school shopping »

(BPT) - The new school year is quickly approaching, and shoppers are expected to spend $83.6 billion dollars on clothing, supplies and other school items according to a survey from the National Retail Federation. The study also found that the average family surveyed plans to…

Integrated care team gives hope back to dialysis patient »

(BPT) - Six years ago, Francis Hogan was doing what he loved most: playing golf. After his usual game, his ankle was swollen and painful. When he visited the doctor, he discovered the swelling wasn't because of an injury. Something was seriously wrong.

Hogan's kidneys were…

5 fabulous deck fix-ups »

(BPT) - Are you tired of having a deck you're no longer proud to show off? You're not alone. According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscape Trends Study, one of the top reasons motivating homeowners to tackle outdoor projects like deck upgrades is their open-air…

Are you safe from BPA? The answer may surprise you »

(BPT) - Based on how much you've heard about bisphenol A (BPA) in recent news articles, it would be perfectly understandable if you concluded that BPA is public enemy No. 1. It's apparently everywhere at unsafe levels, and there is…

4 back-to-school basics for a successful school year »

(BPT) - With the summer months starting to cool, one thing is certain - it's time to store the beach toys for next summer and dust off the backpacks and notebooks for the upcoming school year. Whether back-to-school season means returning to the routine of…

Practical meets pretty: Fresh herbs at your fingertips, even in autumn »

(BPT) - The end of summer doesn't have to mean the end of your gardening enjoyment, even if you don't have the time or climate for a full plot of food plants. Herbs are perfect fall crops; they are prolific growers, can satisfy your desire…

Age ferociously with this eating game plan »

(BPT) - A healthy diet and lifestyle are our best weapons against age-related diseases, and for staying healthy and active throughout life.

Becci Twombley is sports dietitian for USC Athletics and Angels Baseball, overseeing the nutrition of 650 collegiate athletes and the 200 MLB and minor…

A celebrity chef’s secrets to building a better sandwich »

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Frustrated while flying? Here are 5 smart ways to keep your cool »

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5 simple ways to stay connected as a family on a budget »

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5 must-have gadgets for heading back to school »

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How to Tackle a Dust-Free Renovation »

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Pets help seniors stay healthier and happier, wherever they live, studies show »

(BPT) - French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Collette once said, 'Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.' Pets provide meaningful social support for owners, and they can be especially beneficial for seniors. Ample research shows pet ownership delivers physical and mental health benefits for seniors,…

5 tips to solve separation anxiety in your pet »

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Enjoy the latest trend in swimming pools »

(BPT) - It was supposed to be a community swimming pool, but many people stayed away because they couldn't tolerate the biting, nose-curdling odor of chlorine. Others experienced breathing and skin problems.

So the Evergreen Commons senior center in Holland, Michigan, converted its 65,000-gallon chlorine pool…

Shared housework may be the true language of love, survey says »

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Is your family expanding? Protect what matters most with these nursery safety checks »

(BPT) - You may have chosen the perfect color palette and all of your nursery furniture, but have you thought about some key safety checks?

'The arrival of a baby means you have to take a look at your home in a whole new light,' said…

5 ways to stop mosquitoes from bugging you this season »

(BPT) - Ask people what they love about the warm weather months and you'll get a variety of answers. They love the sun, the warmth, camping, picnicking, boating and just being outside with family and friends. However, if you ask them what they like least…

Help support education and inspire positive classroom experiences nationwide during the back-to-school season [Video] »

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5 baby formula myths debunked »

(BPT) - The MythBusters on TV's Discovery channel tackled hundreds - if not thousands - of myths in their 19 seasons on the air, but many questions still surround one topic never covered: infant feeding. Baby feeding has many pervasive myths, especially about infant formula.…

5 tips to make the most of your outdoor space »

(BPT) - A beautiful, sunny day is one of the best parts of the season and when you have one, you simply have to be outside. When you step outdoors, where do you go? To the park? The lake? A friend's home?

How often do you…

Top tips for making back to school a success »

(BPT) - Summer days are getting shorter. Summer fun is winding down for the season. Bedtimes are starting earlier. And parents seem to be oddly excited.

Back to school is right around the corner.

For most kids, the thought of going back to school can be a…

Diabetes impacts younger people more often: Are you at risk? »

(BPT) - Every 17 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes. What's even more surprising is diabetes is growing fastest among younger people, outpacing the rate of heart disease, substance abuse and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A new study by the Blue Cross…

Forward-thinking yard projects to tackle as the weather cools off this fall »

(BPT) - The temperature may not have dropped just yet, but make no mistake, fall is coming. Soon enough, baseball will give way to football, green leaves will turn yellow and red and your lawn care routine will take on a whole new set of…

5 smart technology upgrades to make the bathroom the brainiest room in the house »

(BPT) - Smart technology has found a place in virtually every room in the home, even the one where we take care of our most low-tech needs. In fact, thanks to innovations like sensor-operated, self-cleaning toilets, moisture-sensing ventilation fans and digital shower controls, it's possible…

Focus on a single element to get the feel of a remodel for less investment »

(BPT) - Dreaming of a renovation but lacking the time and resources for a full upgrade? You might be able to refresh your space by focusing your efforts on individual elements that have the most impact.

This growing interior design trend uses a thoughtful approach to…

Fighting head lice can start with a conversation with your doctor »

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New ways to comparison shop for health care »

(BPT) - As our nation seeks solutions to help improve the health care system, there is at least one goal we can all agree on: the importance of making health care quality and cost information more accessible to all Americans.

This is an…

Credit union or bank: What’s right for you? »

(BPT) - The banking and credit union worlds are as much the same as they are different. Both are eager to earn your business and to provide you with loans, mortgages, savings and checking accounts. With that said, there are some significant differences between the…