Boomers: Are you living with a silent killer inside you? »

(BPT) - Eating well, exercise, sleep - these are all things we can control when it comes to our health. But unfortunately, some health-related things are out of sight, and therefore, often out of mind. Hidden health issues can escalate for years before becoming potentially…

The new world of business computers »

(BPT) - Choice is great, right? It sure is, except when the options leave your head spinning. Businesses have a lot to consider when purchasing computers these days with touch screen laptops, Chromebooks, Windows 8 vs. Windows 7, and choosing between desktop computers, laptops and…

Eight tips to get your lawn mower ready for spring »

(BPT) - With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to tune up your lawn mower for the season ahead. A yearly tune-up is important to ensure all parts of your mower are functioning properly and safely. Use these eight tips to…

Sowing the seeds of spring: How to start your garden indoors »

(BPT) - While cooler temperatures slowly fade, gardeners across the country eagerly await the arrival of spring - and the chance to get outdoors and grow something. If gardening is your passion, you don't have to wait until the weather is perfect to get started.…

Stay active as you age »

(BPT) - Getting older can be a challenge. Staying on top of your health and fitness goals often becomes more difficult as you try to find enough time in the day to balance the schedules of work and life, and taking care of others. Improper…

Achieving personal harmony and balance during Colon Cancer Awareness Month »

(BPT) - What if after surviving your first cancer diagnosis at the age of 51, you were re-diagnosed just 18 months later? Metastatic colorectal cancer patient Dave Johnson experienced that first-hand, and was initially reluctant and scared to tell his family, friends and co-workers.

However, he…

Five things you should know about spring allergies »

(BPT) - April's showers bring May flowers but they also bring on sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes for some of the 50 million Americans with allergies. The spring allergy season begins in some regions of the country as early as February and can last…

IRS audits: 8 triggers to avoid and tips to help you survive »

(BPT) - Ever wonder how the Internal Revenue Service selects which taxpayers to audit? Well, it isn't always a matter of chance. There are certain factors that can make your tax return stand out from the rest.

'The IRS pays more attention to some returns than…

Solve everyday setbacks with five simple ‘life hacks’… and possibly get rich doing so »

(BPT) - Fifty-six percent of adults who completed home improvements in the past year spent $1,000 or more, according to The Scarborough Report. Next time you're faced with a home improvement project, instead of wasting money throwing away fixable objects or hiring professionals for quick…

Add your health to your spring cleaning to-do list »

(BPT) - Spring is a season for dusting, washing and polishing the home, cleaning up the yard of any winter debris and even cleaning the storage on the computer or laptop. Spring also should be a time to clean up your health - adding small…

Discover the little-known investment strategy that your advisor isn’t telling you about »

(BPT) - Did you know self-directed IRAs allow Americans to invest in assets other than stocks and bonds, while enjoying the tax-free or tax-deferred status of their retirement account? Very few Americans realize that they have the option to self-direct their IRAs, or other retirement…

Empty nesters want low-maintenance yards that focus on fun and functionality, not fuss »

(BPT) - One of the first questions new empty nesters face is: what do we do with the nest? Some are eager to downsize and sell. Others like where they live and choose to stay put.

No matter the decision, the property, new or old, is…

Mentors wanted: How to guide more young women to success in STEM »

(BPT) - Careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are growing and quickly. By 2023, STEM will generate a projected 2.6 million new jobs, creating a high demand for qualified employees with STEM backgrounds in the coming years, according to Georgetown Public Policy Institute's…

Clutter-clearing home cleaning tips turn chaos into harmony »

(BPT) - The stack of shoes that pile up by the front door, the linen closet that you're afraid to open, the junk drawer that may well hide the mysteries of the universe - we all have one or two spots in our home that…

Boomers: 5 daily tactics to defy aging in 10 minutes or less »

(BPT) - Determined, vivacious, passionate - a lot of words describe America's estimated 78 million baby boomers. This spirited group is redefining their golden years, staying active by working, traveling and enjoying the great outdoors. They know that in order to live life to the…

Opening the door to space and privacy is easy »

(BPT) - Homeowners, builders and remodelers are always looking for innovative and new ways to enhance existing spaces during home makeovers and room renovations.

To meet that demand, Johnson Hardware recently introduced the Series 200WM wall mount door hardware, an exclusively designed system for mounting sliding…

Now’s the time to spring into DIY action with home improvement projects »

(BPT) - It's time to start dreaming of a spring home makeover. Sources of design inspiration, like Pinterest, are plentiful and can help make your home decor and renovation projects easy and fun. In fact, now is the season to gather ideas and get started.

Warm…

Six ways to kick your lawn’s grass this season »

(BPT) - For most all of us, springtime can't come soon enough. Following a brutal winter with severe temps and record snowfall nationwide, people are more anxious than ever to enjoy the first days of spring outdoors.

To help get your lawn ready for use and…

Spotlighting a rare and often silent form of kidney cancer »

(BPT) - What may seem like vague symptoms - side pain, fatigue, fever and blood in the urine - can turn into an alarming diagnosis for the estimated 65,000 people each year who learn they have kidney cancer. Twice as common in men as it…

Spring into health with these tasty snack recipes »

(BPT) - Healthy food that also tastes good is always in vogue and now it's getting a spring makeover.

The theme of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) National Nutrition Month (R) this March is 'Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.' As spring approaches and…

Learn how speaking to your doctor may have a positive effect on your rheumatoid arthritis »

(BPT) - For the 1.3 million people across the United States who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain is often a part of life. RA patients can experience pain and stiffness on a daily basis. The disease affects nearly three times as many women as men.

If…

Medical Reserve: Expand your healing heart and your professional potential »

(BPT) - For many, medicine isn't just a job, it's a mission. As a health care professional, you know how rewarding caring for others can be. In the world of Navy Health Care, you can continue your everyday practice - even as you move beyond…

Selecting a cellphone and plan that fits your lifestyle »

(BPT) - Whether taking the plunge and joining the smartphone crowd or simply replacing a tired old cellphone, buying a new device takes careful deliberation. From selecting carriers and avoiding contracts to deciding on a type of phone and a specific model, numerous decisions must…

Embrace spring early with fresh DIY home and landscaping projects »

(BPT) - People across the country are feeling the winter blues after an unusually cold and snowy winter. But with warmer weather arriving soon, you can create a feeling of spring indoors and out with some simple do-it-yourself projects.

Roll up your sleeves and embrace the…

Shape up for surgery: Tips to improve your health, safety and outcome »

(BPT) - More than 50 million surgeries occur every year and patient safety is always the top priority for surgeons or physician anesthesiologists involved in medical care. If you're scheduled for surgery and have weeks or even months to prepare, important actions to improve your…

Is it really possible for kids to like whole grains? »

(BPT) - We know. Whole grains are good for us, offering fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. But can they really be tasty enough for our kids to enjoy? And how do we add them to more of our meals?

The answers may be as close as…

Five insider tips to save money when buying a car »

(BPT) - As the weather warms, car buying season gets into full swing. Even though interest rates are still at or near record lows, there are additional ways smart buyers are saving even more cash on their next vehicle and staying within their budgets.

'Purchasing power…

High fashion shines a spotlight on colon cancer »

(BPT) - Blue is the new black. It is also the national color for colorectal cancer education. Who better to talk about the cancer than Carmen Marc Valvo. He is one of the nation's top designers. And he also has had the disease.

'I was lucky…

Cold and flu season news: Avoid sickness by using a four-step process to eliminate germs »

(BPT) - All across the country this winter Americans have braced themselves for one polar vortex after another and many regions are experiencing their coldest temperatures in more than 20 years. This undesirable weather is driving adults and children alike indoors, where viruses and germs…

Spruce up your home for spring »

(BPT) - Spring is a time of rebirth. A time when everyone shakes off the last chills of a long winter and sets goals to improve themselves. Maybe you plan to set a goal to lose weight, now that you can exercise outside, learn a…

7 easy tips to help you get on deck with the right composite decking »

Interest in alternative decking materials has skyrocketed in recent years, with composite decking becoming one of the fastest growing segments in the decking market. For homeowners looking to outfit their deck with the durable, long-lasting…

Rare Disease Day 2014: Recognizing rare diseases and empowering patients to become self-advocates »

(BPT) - For the past six years, international Rare Disease Day has served as a day on which hundreds of patient advocacy organizations, patients and their loved ones across the globe join together to highlight the importance of continued focus and research on uncommon and…

Trim adds decorative new dimensions throughout home interiors »

(BPT) - When people think of home trim, they often picture the beauty it brings to exteriors - but the right trim products can add arrestingly elegant and bold decorative elements throughout home interiors, too.

High-quality cellular PVC trim from Kleer Lumber, a division of The…

Five tips to make the benefits of working from home work for you »

If you've ever gotten up in the morning and dreaded the idea of going out in the cold or sitting in rush hour traffic, you've probably dreamed of working from home. And years ago, that was all it was, a dream.

Times have changed, and for…

Five surprisingly simple ways to turn your current deck into a dream outdoor oasis »

(BPT) - It's easy to dream of perfectly pristine outdoor spaces when looking at the decks in magazines and online, but too often what we want and what we have don't align. If your deck suffers from weathered wood, loose railings or dated balusters, you're…

Don’t forget about insurance when discussing finances with children »

(BPT) - When it comes to financial literacy, parents know it's important to give kids the knowledge and skills they need to manage money. In fact, 81 percent say it's their responsibility as parents to teach children about money and saving, according to a 2012…

School lunches are gold mines for recycling, reusing and replenishing »

(BPT) - From an early age, children can roll up their sleeves and get involved in helping reduce the amount of trash they produce by participating in recycling programs. Across the country, children will celebrate Earth Day April 22 with science fairs and environmental educational…

Commercial refrigeration: Sizzling insight on the coolest part of your food service business »

There are a number of ingredients that go into creating a successful food service business, but arguably one of the most important is the refrigeration system. Not all refrigerators and coolers are created equal, and what works for one business may not be best for…

For small lawns, choose smart tools that get the job done quickly and store away neatly »

(BPT) - Small lawns have many of the same needs and issues as larger lawns, but they don't always require the same bulky tools to get the job done. A smart arsenal for small lawn care includes some sturdy hand tools and a few small,…

Must-have luxury upgrades for your over-the-top deck »

(BPT) - Some home improvements are simply worth a larger investment to achieve outstanding results. The extra investment ensures optimum returns in value, beauty and livability. Indoors, kitchens and baths rate that extra attention. Outdoors, decks are the pinnacle of great home improvements.

Kitchen or bath…