Why Drink Water First Thing in the Morning? Water is an essential nutrient, which means your body can’t make enough of it on its own to meet its basic needs. You have to obtain it through external sources (i.e. hydrating food and drinks) in order to stay healthy. “About 60 percent of the human body is composed of water, varying slightly based on age, gender, and hydration levels,” says Casey Kelley, M....

Dress Up Supermarket Flowers Plant African violets in a wide, shallow ceramic pot. Cover with sheet moss (sold at most nurseries) to add a cozy feel and to help hold in moisture. Care: Direct morning light. Protect from the bright afternoon sun. To water, lift the moss so you can soak the soil. Keep the soil moist all the time; try not to get the leaves wet. Stage a Still Life With Succulents Like intricate little sculptures, mini cacti and succulents make an intriguing assemblage....

“It’s important for those nearing and planning for retirement to consider what kind of retirement they want,” says Osmar Garcia, Northwestern Mutual financial advisor and co-founder and CEO of Garcia Wealth Management in Conway, Arkansas. “Do you want to travel often? Be close to family? Sit on a beach? Retire by age 65?” Garcia asks. Additionally, other decisions can affect your health care, long-term care, and more. Here are the most important financial decisions for retiring couples to make—together—before ending their careers....

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Before we talk about the running playlist, let me tell you a story. Almost fifteen years ago, my brother got engaged to my sister-in-law while we were all on a family cruise. After seeing myself in pictures from that cruise, I said that I was going to run five times a week from the day after the cruise to the day my brother got married. And my soon to be sister-in-law laughed and said there was no way I could do it....

Back pain occurring anywhere between the bottom of your rib cage and base of your neck is considered middle back pain. Numerous causes of this type of pain can be at play. Chief among them are postural issues and weakened abdominals. “Rounding your shoulders, having a forward head posture, and carrying excessive weight around your stomach can all lead to an increased curve of your mid-back,” Knauf says. That increased curve can increase the amount of pressure on your spine, leading your back, even the middle part, to wind up stiffening....

We’re warned pretty often about the perils of consuming too much sugar, but seem to hear less about how to keep salt cravings and consumption in check. What’s fueling your salty food pangs, are they hurting your health, and what can you do about it? We spoke to three registered dietitians, Elysia Cartlidge, MAN, RD, Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CD, CDCES, and Jamie Lee McIntyre, MS, RDN CD-N, to get to the bottom of your hankering for salt and how to help moderate your sodium intake....

1. Introduce Some Greenery Choose a variety that lasts for a while and will add a fresh scent, such as minty eucalyptus. 2. Hang a Chic Shower Curtain Swapping out the shower curtain is the easiest and cheapest way to refresh a bathroom. Visually, it takes up a surprising amount of space in the room, so changing this one element can dramatically alter the entire look of the room. Choose a minimal and fresh design to fit the spa theme....

Here’s the thing—I (incorrectly) assumed that the worst part about getting your ears pierced would be the moment of piercing, which actually wasn’t so bad. The real headache (or earache) came after. While I was beyond excited to finally wear the massive inventory of earrings I was hoarding, my accessories game was sidetracked when I realized that my skin was reacting negatively to nearly all of them. PSA: A lot of affordable jewelry pieces use nickel as the base metal—and with time, friction, and moisture, the skin often begins to feel sensitive....

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Eighty-eight percent of the Americans who read e-books continue to read printed ones as well. And while we’re all for the convenience of digital downloads and a lighter load, we can’t bring ourselves to part with the joy of a good, old-fashioned book. When we talk about healthy habits, we might as well add reading books to the list. Here are eight smart reasons to read a real book....

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One of the biggest benefits of setting up a smart thermostat, however, is energy reduction. Many smart thermostats operate on their own by adapting to your schedule and routines and adjusting the temperature accordingly. That means your home won’t be cooling or heating (and racking up a high energy bill) when it’s not being used. What to Look for in a Smart Thermostat Before buying a smart thermostat, you should double-check that it is compatible with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system....

But as with any dangerous health epidemic, it’s easy to fall prey to overly grandiose (albeit seemingly reassuring) health advice, or worse, snake oil-like supplements that wrongfully promise you protection. That’s why we asked six health experts to debunk the most popular myths about immune-boosting dietary habits, so we can focus our eating-for-immunity efforts on ways that are actually effective instead. RELATED: 3 Delicious Ways to Eat More Immunity-Boosting Vitamin C RELATED: The 30 Healthiest Foods to Eat Every Day...

In case you need a refresher on what comprises the kid-friendly take on the beverage, it’s typically made with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and a splash of grenadine, which gives it both its sweet taste and youthful pink hue. The maraschino cherry garnish is the child-approved final touch that makes Shirley Temples irresistible to kids who are desperate to emulate adults. Though the origin of the alcohol-free beverage, named after the cute-as-a-button child star, is unclear, the pink drink was (and continues to be) typically served to children dining with adults in lieu of a real cocktail....

Once you’re no longer living paycheck to paycheck and have money tucked away to cover a medical emergency, a job loss, or a vacation, you’ve reached a state of financial stability—but that doesn’t mean you can just stop thinking about where your money is going. Turns out, it is possible to keep too much money in the bank, and tucking all of your savings there can actually hurt your long-term financial goals....

All of Bearaby’s products are designed using scientific research and produced with sustainable and ethically-sourced materials, and the Pupper Pod is no exception. The bed’s filled with Bearaby’s Melofoam, which is made with all-natural, biodegradable rubber that comes from rubber tree sap. This material molds to your dog’s shape to create a cradling effect that helps reduce anxiety for a better sleep. To buy: From $199, bearaby.com Not only will your dog love the Pupper Pod, but you will, too—it looks stylish enough to blend in with almost any decor....