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Family Living
Top 10 ways to clean like a pro for spring
Spring cleaning is a tradition worth keeping for many Americans: 62 percent of those recently polled by the Cleaning Institute say spring cleaning is an annual ritual in their home. Though it might not be the most exciting task, an annual deep clean means a great deal to the health of your home – and to those in it. Ta...
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When ordinary distraction is something more: diagnosing ADHD
(BPT) - What parent hasn’t had to call a child’s name more than once to get his attention? Or wondered how she can still be “bouncing off the walls” at the end of a long, tiring day. Moments of intense activity or occasional inattention are typical kid behavior, but for some children the problem is extreme and impairing...
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Getting organized: Learn your style and find solutions that work for you
(BPT) - Resolving to reduce clutter and get better organized seems to be a lingering item on many people’s “to-do” lists, yet for many of us, it can be difficult to get started. While organization is an essential tool for navigating our complex modern lives, many people struggle to find their personal style of organizat...
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Rise and shine: Tips for throwing the ultimate brunch
(BPT) - Nothing gets your day off to a better start than a tasty breakfast – but on most days, you’re too rushed and stressed to enjoy it. Thankfully, on weekends and holidays, it’s a whole different story. There’s time to relax, enjoy the company of family and friends and prepare and serve that best-loved of all leisur...
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Three tips to make your hospital stay safer
(BPT) - Each year, millions of Americans seek hospital care to treat a wide range of medical problems – from accidental injuries to chronic or life-threatening illnesses. While the majority of patients have positive outcomes, it is imperative to remember patient safety should be a top priority for everyone. In fact, th...
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Financial considerations beyond the 'fiscal cliff'
(BPT) - With the agreement reached at the eleventh hour of 2012 to avert components of the so-called “fiscal cliff,” nearly all taxpayers will be affected in some way. With that in mind, there are still many things you can do this year to prepare for potential additional tax changes and to take control of your financia...
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How to recharge your resolutions
(BPT) - Many find that the new year is a time to wipe the slate clean. In fact, 45 percent of Americans made New Year’s resolutions, according to the Journal of Clinical Psychology from the University of Scranton. But while it is easy to make resolutions, the hard part is actually following through with them. By the first few weeks of the new year, nearly two-thirds of Americans who made resolutions will have already broken them the journal also states. Avoid becoming a failed resolution st...
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Reinvent dinner in minutes with common pantry staples
(BPT) - Busy families face the dinnertime challenge every day. Not only do they need to find a nutritious meal the entire family will enjoy, but they need to do so in a limited amount of time. With a few tricks, it’s easy to get out of the dinner rut and score big with tasty, wholesome meals that use pantry staples in c...
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Chef-inspired tips for a cleaner, more efficient kitchen
(BPT) - If cleanliness is next to godliness – as the old adage goes – than a clean kitchen is simply a divine place to be. It’s the room in your home that gets the most intense use, so keeping your kitchen clean can be a challenge. You can make kitchen cleanup a bit easier if you take your cleanliness cues from professi...
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Consumers, be aware: Know the facts when it comes to oil changes
(BPT) - With more than 300 million vehicles on the road today, motor oil is the lifeblood of any engine and can help protect and prolong its life, whether you’re driving a compact car, pickup truck or SUV. However, not just any motor oil will ensure the healthy life of an engine and, unfortunately, discounted deals for ...
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Outdoor gear that performs year-round
(BPT) - Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activity-specific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house. “As it turns out, the durability and dependability of gear needed on remote hikes or climbs has m...
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By Chris Francescani (Reuters) - A massive storm front swept north through the central United States on Sunday, hammering the region with fist-sized hail, blinding rain and tornadoes, including a half-mile wide twister that struck near Oklahoma City. News reports said at least one person had died. By 9:30 p.m. Central Standard Time, more than two dozen tornadoes had been spotted in parts of Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and local news reports. ...
PHOENIX (Reuters) - Jodi Arias, facing the possible death penalty for the murder of an ex-boyfriend in Arizona, was due back in court on Monday for the final phase of a four-month-long trial. Arias, 32, was found guilty of murdering Travis Alexander, whose body was found slumped in the shower of his Phoenix-area home five years ago. He had been stabbed multiple times, had his throat slashed and been shot in the face. The same jury that convicted Arias of murder, found last week she had acted with extreme cruelty and ruled her eligible for the death penalty. ...
By Tom Polansek and Mark Weinraub SHERIDAN, Illinois (Reuters) - With the U.S. spring planting season off to a historically slow start, an increasing number of farmers are counting on powerful tools to catch up: Monster machines that sow 36 rows of corn at once and feature high-tech innovations like computer-guided directional equipment. The technological wizardry from companies like Deere & Co and AGCO Corp is pitted in a frantic race against time, with farmers scrambling to get seeds in the ground because a slow start depresses yields and reduces the size of their harvest. ...