On Saturday, June 1, 2024, the American Hiking Society invites everyone to join in on the fun and fitness of National Trails Day by planning some outside adventure. Founded in 1976, the organization and its mission of empowering everyone to enjoy, share and preserve the hiking experience have never wavered. If you look up the word “hike,” its origin is a bit fuzzy, but all sources agree about the word’s meaning. To “hike” means to “walk vigorously;” some like to say “wander, saunter, meander or trek.” Of course, all of these forms of movement are in direct correlation to getting out into the g ..read more

Playing with puppy gets a whole new meaning when you are lucky enough to exercise outdoors. Warm weather offers plenty of opportunities for physical activity in the elements with our beloved fur babies, but the sun, warm temps and humidity can pose a pet problem if we don’t take heed the heat. Here are some tips to taking our pets outdoors for superb summer fun. First, pay attention to the weather. In the midst of summer, try to take pets outdoors in the early morning or evening. Most pups and princesses are meant for indoor love, but if you must leave your dog or cat outside for a brief perio ..read more

Most countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Mothers are showered with gifts to honor her and all she means to her family. Flowers, clothing, gifts of jewelry and gourmet treats are a few of the ideas that pay tribute to Mom on her day. This year’s list is full of ideas to make your shopping easier. Flowers are the number one gift for mothers on Mother’s Day. Besides the traditional floral bouquet from the florist, other floral gifts are easily obtainable. How about a Meyer lemon tree for the gardener? This is a special gift and the scent of lemons from t ..read more

For over a decade, I have been a contributing writer for HERLIFE Magazine, most of the time composing cover stories recognizing the accomplishments of many women. Their stories are empowering, interesting and far-reaching. Their recipes for achievement are enlightening and I’ve chosen some concepts to enhance my own life. These success tidbits were called into action in January 2019 when I decided to focus on living a healthier life. My overall wellness was fine for a 65-year-old female, but I needed something more on this journey, and that’s when my HERLIFE connections paid dividends. THE INI ..read more

My experience with helping people organize their cosmetics began at an early age and completely by accident. When I was in middle school, my cousins and I got bored while visiting our grandmother. All on our own, we went door to door in Grandma’s neighborhood with a cardboard box, telling the neighbors we were doing a “makeup drive” and asking them to donate cosmetics they no longer wanted. Then we sneaked back into Grandma’s house and used what we had collected to paint each other’s faces. Of course, when my parents found out what we had done, they were horrified. I’m not sure which was worse ..read more

Women are riding motorcycles more than ever. Women riders currently equal 20 percent of all riders nationally, is nearly double the female riders of ten years ago. Millennials make up 26 percent of women riders! In Gen X, 22 percent are female. What do women want in a bike? Most women like their creature comforts and are willing to spend more for them, citing such items as a comfortable seat, a low-to-the-ground cycle and lighter bikes than those more suitable to a taller, heftier man. Women riders value aesthetics, cost-efficiency, reliability and comfort. As the women’s share of the motorcyc ..read more

Maybe you’ve seen it on TV or in a viral Tik Tok. Your favorite NFL star takes a dip in a huge vat of ice water after a big game, or perhaps your coworker takes cold, short baths a few times a week. It’s called a cold plunge and its gained a big following. Cold plunging is sweeping tubs, buckets and showers all over the country and people are touting the results. Here’s the tea on this cold-water immersion kick and why people are diving into the trend. Acold plunge, known as cold therapy or cold-water immersion, is just what it sounds like, an ice bath, very cold bath or open water, around 50 ..read more

Kids and sports, sports and kids; in many homes, it’s the norm. While almost all kids can participate in sports or run and play with friends without the thought of any heart problems, a small percentage of young people may have a known or unknown heart condition. Because athletes are often regarded as very healthy, if a child experiences sudden cardiac arrest or even death, it can lead to fear and confusion about how safe it is to participate in sports. Estimates vary, but some reports suggest that about 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 young athletes die of sudden cardiac death each year. In compar ..read more

Heritage pork is a culinary delight. The term “heritage” means “practices or characteristics that are passed down through the years, from one generation to the next,” according to Oxford Languages. So, how does that relate to heritage pork mentioned on restaurant menus? In the United States, according to the Livestock Conservancy, only the Ossabaw Island and the Berkshire breeds are considered heritage swine breeds. In addition, crossbreeds bred from these two purebred lines may also be considered heritage swine. The Ossabaw Island pigs are descendants of the Spanish Iberico pigs imported by H ..read more

Spring is here, the time to put into action the plans you made during dreary winter months to beautify your garden and improve your landscape. Designing and creating a beautiful rain garden will accomplish both goals—and begin your spring fitness program to boot! In today’s urban and suburban neighborhoods, rainwater gushes off roofs, through downspouts, across sidewalks and pavement, frequently carrying with it fertilizers and pesticides from lawns. This water may be diverted into storm drains and into our streams, rivers or bays. A rain garden can create a natural filter that will protect th ..read more