Create a cozy outdoor space this spring and summer with a backyard firepit

Photo: Jesse Bridgewater/Pixabay

Family Features - A firepit can serve as a warm and inviting backyard retreat, perfect for roasting marshmallows for s'mores or stargazing while wrapped in cozy blankets. Before you can share time around the firepit with loved ones, however, consider these tips to elevate your outdoor space.

Choosing the Right Design

When it comes to building a DIY firepit, the design you choose can significantly impact the aesthetics and functionality. From classic stone pits to modern metal designs, the options are nearly endless. Think about the size and shape as well. Circular designs are traditional and encourage conversation while square or rectangular pits offer a more contemporary look.

Gathering Materials and Tools

Essential materials include bricks, stones or metal parts for the structure, as well as gravel or sand for the base. Fireproof materials are a must to ensure safety and longevity. You'll also need tools such as a shovel for digging the base, a level to ensure even construction and adhesive or mortar for binding materials together. Depending on your design, you may require a metal fire ring, grill grate or mesh cover.

Keeping Safety in Mind

Safety should be your top priority when building and using a backyard firepit. Always place your firepit at least 10 feet away from any structures, trees or flammable materials.

Make sure the area is clear of dry leaves and other debris that could catch fire. Consider installing a spark screen to prevent embers from escaping and always keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.

Enhancing Ambiance with Seating and Lighting

Creating a cozy atmosphere around your firepit involves more than just the fire itself. Comfortable seating is essential for making your outdoor space inviting.

friends around firepit

Whether discussing the latest political news or planning a wedding, a backyard firepit is a great place to entertain family and friends.

Photo: Pexels/Kindel Media

Choose weather-resistant chairs, benches or DIY log stools arranged in a circle to foster conversation. Ambient lighting from string lights, lanterns or solar-powered path lights can elevate the mood and extend the usability of your firepit into the evening.

Consider adding citronella candles or torches to keep insects at bay while enhancing the ambiance.

Visit eLivingtoday.com to find more ideas to make your home even cozier.

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Recipes |
Make breakfast more manageable

Family Features - Mornings for many families involve hurried breakfasts and mad dashes out the door. These Egg Tot Muffins can help take that grab-and-go breakfast to the next level. High in protein and flavor, they are a good way to get rid of early morning brain fog. Plus, you can make them ahead of time so all you have to do is pop them in the microwave and enjoy on the go. Find more morning meal inspiration at Culinary.net.

Egg Tot Muffins

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 12

Butter
36 thawed tater tots
10 eggs
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease muffin tin with butter. Place three tots in each muffin hole and smash down.
In bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and bacon pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Fill each muffin hole completely with mixture.
Place cookie sheet under muffin tin to contain messes and bake 20-25 minutes.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

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Upgrade your laptop to a new cutting-edge model for more power and poductivity

Photo: PEXELS

Family Features - Freelancers, creatives and on-the-go leaders know they can only go as far as their tech takes them. Make sure you - or the loved ones in your life - can harness the power of productivity with the latest gadgets.

Whether you need to power more productive work hours or seek inspiration for "you" time, ignite performance with these laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Series. Multi-day battery life, unmatched performance and on-device AI capabilities allow you to power through tasks - business or personal - uninterrupted. Unlock exceptionally fast processing power and experience game-changing speed, power efficiency, enhanced security and simple device management.

Discover tech solutions for both professional and personal use at Qualcomm.com/Snapdragon.

Streamline Creativity with a Smart Sidekick

Unlock the freedom of creativity with AI-powered performance on the ultra-slim Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x powered by Snapdragon X Elite. Dazzling 3K PureSight OLED display with 1,000 nits peak brightness and Comfort Edge Design are engineered for on-the-move creators. Built for next-gen AI experiences, it's not just smart - it's your creative sidekick that knows what you need before you do, streamlining tasks with leading on-device intelligence action. Amazingly slim and unexpectedly tough, find out how AI can match your A-game.

Take AI to New Heights

Push your AI experience to the next level with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus powered by Snapdragon X Plus, built with a portable design backed by all-day battery life up to 15 hours. With groundbreaking on-device AI and powerful performance, it enables a faster and more efficient experience from virtually anywhere. It's easy on the eyes with Dell ComfortView Plus, a tall 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical space and less scrolling, a hardware low blue light solution and vibrant details from the QHD+ resolution, 400-nit brightness level and Dolby Vision.

Level Up On-the-Go Creativity

Designed for tech-savvy freelancers and on-the-go leaders, the HP OmniBook X powered by Snapdragon X Plus is built with a sleek design and the perfect synergy of AI-enhanced power and mobility. It's sleek and versatile with multi-day battery life, taking productivity and creativity up a notch through style, function and mobility. Lightning-fast responsiveness provides top performance without sacrificing portability for work and play as you can stream up to 12 hours of video calls or binge 22 hours of your favorite shows.

Speed Up Productivity

Bringing intelligent AI solutions to your fingertips with features that effortlessly streamline settings, optimize your video experience and elevate communication, the Acer Swift 14 AI powered by Snapdragon X Elite delivers exceptional responsiveness with multi-day battery life. Peak performance with lightning-fast data speeds and responsiveness allows you to work efficiently and enables multitasking with ease. Bring work to life with a color-rich OLED display in a premium ultra-thin chassis with Copilot+, which helps boost productivity and security with on-device AI solutions.

Learning from the voices of war: Honoring the 80th anniversary of the final major battle of WWII

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress Veterans History Project

American troops pull back with wounded during World War II's Ardennes Offensive in December 1944.

Family Features- The Ardennes Offensive, commonly known as the "Battle of the Bulge", stands as the single bloodiest battle fought by the United States during World War II. Waged in the bitter cold of mid-December 1944, it took the Allies a month to secure victory. The cost was staggering: nearly 20,000 Americans were killed in action, close to 50,000 wounded and another 20,000 captured.

In honor of the 80th anniversary of this pivotal battle, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project has launched an online exhibit to commemorate the milestone. While the battle itself is etched in the annals of history, the personal stories from those who endured it remain one of the most powerful testaments to its impact.

The online exhibit, "Serving Our Voices," features accounts from 12 Battle of the Bulge survivors, part of the thousands of narratives preserved by the project. These stories ensure future generations can gain deeper understanding of veterans' service and sacrifice.

One such story includes Eliot Annable, a 20-year-old radio operator serving with the Army's 106th Infantry Division. Just days after arriving at the western front, Annable found himself under German artillery barrages on. Dec. 16, 1944. He recalled the assault in his oral history, describing the intensity as "almost enough to knock you on the floor."

The following five days became the most harrowing days of Annable's military service. While on a communications mission, he became stranded behind enemy lines and spent nearly a week evading the enemy in the Ardennes Forest without food, shelter or appropriate winter clothing. After traveling more than 30 miles, he eventually safely rejoined the remnants of his unit.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress Veterans History Project

Back home, Annable's parents were gripped by uncertainty. On Dec. 31, 1944, his father wrote a letter expressing the family's anguish and love for their son, regardless of what happened. The moving letter, coupled with Annable's oral history, provides an intimate view into one soldier's Battle of the Bulge experience.

Another featured veteran in the exhibit, Guy Martin Stephens, also served with the 106th Infantry Division. Unlike Annable, Stephens was captured by the Germans during battle. In his oral history, he recounted the surreal feeling of combat, the relentless hunger he endured as a prisoner of war and the lingering effects of his time in captivity.

"It's hard," Stephens said. "It's something you can't ever ... your mind is just like a video, or camcorder, I guess. You put it in there. You get busy and get married. You get home, and you get an education, and get a job, and raise your family and everything like that. You can kind of gloss it over or try to push it back, but it's always there, you know?"

Veterans who served during the 20th or 21st centuries are invited to establish a collection, including interviews (video or audio), letters and original photographs, even if they did not see combat. Families can also submit collections posthumously to honor their loved ones. To explore more veterans' stories and learn how you can contribute to the program, visit loc.gov/vets.

How to discuss getting vaccinated with family and friends

Focus on the facts. For certain people, the risk of serious respiratory illness remains high. These include adults ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people, people with certain health conditions and those living in rural areas.

Family Features - During the fall and winter months, respiratory infections such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. People who are vaccinated lower their risk of getting seriously ill and needing medical care if they get infected.

About 70% of adults in the United States said they probably or definitely will get a flu shot, and more than 50% said they probably or definitely will get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. While many people are ready to get this season's vaccines, others might still have questions.

Photos courtesy USDHHS

"It is normal for people to have questions about vaccines," said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which oversees and reviews vaccine clinical trials. "It's important for everyone to know that all vaccines go through extensive testing before they are approved and that following approval, they are carefully monitored to identify any safety concerns so that they can be addressed quickly. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have taken part in respiratory vaccine trials. The results tell us that these vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe disease caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV."

Here are some ways to talk about the importance of this season's vaccines with a family member or friend who is unsure about getting vaccinated.

Hear them out. When talking about vaccination, it's important to make others feel heard. There are many reasons why people may have questions and concerns about vaccines or even the health care system in general. Listen to their thinking and try not to judge. They want to know their thoughts and feelings matter.

Focus on the facts. Instead of calling out vaccine myths, focus on vaccine truths. Concentrating on myths can cause them to become the topic of your conversation. Instead, speak about the benefits of vaccines. For instance, you can mention vaccines cut your risk of being hospitalized for flu or COVID-19 by about half.

Ask if they need help getting vaccinated. Sometimes, people just need some help to find, schedule and get a vaccination. You can help them find a vaccine location at Vaccines.gov. They may also need help finding child care or figuring out whether they can take time off from work. Offering a ride or accompanying them can also be helpful, especially if the closest vaccination site is far away. If English is not their primary language, offer to help them schedule the appointment and arrange for a medical translator if needed. When it's easier to get vaccinated, people are more likely to take this important step to help protect their health.

Having open, honest and supportive conversations about vaccines with family members and friends can make all the difference. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Vaccines Help People Risk Less Severe Illness and Do More of What They Enjoy

This season's vaccines are now available. Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 75 and older, or 60 and older with certain health conditions such as such as heart disease, lung disease, obesity or diabetes, should get an RSV vaccine if they have not been vaccinated for RSV before.

For certain people, the risk of serious respiratory illness remains high. These include adults ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people, people with certain health conditions and those living in rural areas. People in some racial and ethnic groups, including people who are Black or Hispanic, are also at higher risk. People who are not up to date on flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can reduce their risk by getting their 2024-25 vaccines as soon as they can.

Tips for cooler weather, avoiding seasonal colds and the flu

Photo:Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash

Family Features - Although cold weather isn't directly to blame when you get sick, it creates an environment that makes it easier for germs and illnesses to thrive. In fact, understanding how cooler temperatures affect your chances of getting sick may be your best approach for preventive care.

Despite the old adage that "you'll catch your death of cold," the cold itself doesn't cause illness. More accurately, the cold is more hospitable to viruses, making it easier for them to spread. While you can't control Mother Nature, you can take steps to protect your health when temperatures drop.

Protect Your Immune System

A weakened immune system makes it harder for your body to ward off intrusive germs. If you're otherwise healthy, protecting your immune system can be as simple as stepping up typical healthy habits, like eating plenty of nutrient-rich produce, getting enough sleep and exercising. Managing stress and limiting alcohol consumption are also helpful in managing your body's immune response.

If your immune system is compromised by an underlying condition, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about what you can do to add an extra layer of protection during the cooler months, including any vaccines that may help boost immunity.

Combat Congestion

Cool, dry conditions can wreak havoc on your nasal passages, drying them out and reducing the protective layer of mucus that helps fight infection. Sinus pressure and congestion are often some of the first warning signs you're coming down with something.

To treat your congestion symptoms, you can use a non-medicated option like Mucinex Sinus Saline Nasal Spray. This is the first-ever saline product with a nozzle that lets you switch between two spray pressures. The "gentle mist" helps clear everyday congestion and soothes the nose while the "power jet" helps clear tough nasal congestion often associated with colds. An added benefit is that the product can be used for children 2 years of age and older on the gentle mist setting and children 6 years of age and older on the power jet mode.

Spend Time Outdoors

People naturally spend more time indoors when temperatures drop, but there are some benefits to getting outdoors. One is the natural exposure to vitamin D. Sunlight is a natural source of this important vitamin, which plays a pivotal role in immunity. Sunlight also triggers the body to produce serotonin, which boosts your mood, and multiple studies show a strong correlation between mental and physical health.

Fresh air and exercise are also good for your overall health, and exposure to daylight can help keep your circadian rhythms regulated, which in turn promotes better sleep. What's more, acute exposure to cold can trigger your body to produce infection-fighting cells, so you're less prone to illness.

Practice Good Hygiene

It may seem overly simple, but the everyday act of washing your hands can play a big role in preventing illness, especially after you spend time in public places. While out and about, you likely come in contact with many surfaces others may have touched, including door handles, shopping carts, touch screens and menus.

Washing your hands frequently can help prevent you from transferring germs to your body when you touch your eyes, mouth or nose. Also make a habit of wiping down surfaces you touch frequently, such as your keyboard and phone, with disinfectant wipes.

Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body well-hydrated throughout the day can help ensure all your body's systems are functioning as they should. If you're dehydrated, your body can't use the nutrients you consume properly, which affects your immunity. In addition, drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins out of the body before they can cause an infection.

Find more practical tips and products to help manage your health during the colder months at Mucinex.com.

How to Relieve Nasal Congestion

Normally your sinuses are empty except for a thin layer of mucus. When you're exposed to irritating triggers, like bacteria, a cold or flu virus, allergies or environmental triggers like tobacco smoke and dry air, your body responds by mounting an immune response.

The delicate tissues lining your sinuses start to swell, and this, in turn, puts pressure on the underlying tissues in your face, causing painful sinus pressure.

You can relieve sinus pressure symptoms in several different ways, including:

Using a humidifier or vaporizer.
Taking a long, hot shower; it may have the same effect as using a humidifier if one is not available.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Using a warm compress on your face; resting a warm towel over your sinuses may provide relief.
Irrigating your sinuses. Using a neti pot; saline nasal spray, such as Mucinex Sinus Saline Nasal Spray; or syringe with salt water may help flush debris from your sinuses to relieve sinus congestion.
Sleeping with your head elevated.

If these steps don't work, the next approach is typically over-the-counter medicine. When trying to relieve sinus pressure and nasal congestion, look for a decongestant. A decongestant can help shrink mucus membranes that have swollen in your sinuses, allowing the trapped mucus to drain.

5 tips to simplify your workday this fall

Photo: Andreea Avramescu/Unsplash

Family Features - Optimizing your workday through careful preparation and effective time management can create a more harmonious balance between your professional and personal life. Finding ways to simplify the day, both at home and on the job, can help you make the most of every minute, so you feel less rushed and better prepared to manage whatever the day throws your way. Make your workdays more manageable with these tips and find more time-saving ideas at BensOriginal.com.

Wake Up on Time

Starting the day with a bang, setting an alarm and sticking to it can be the secret ingredient to a super productive day. Hitting snooze not only makes you groggy, but it cuts into valuable time you need to start your morning routine. Plan to get up late enough to feel rested but early enough to accomplish important tasks, such as breakfast, which gives your body and mind the energy they need for a busy day. Consistent bed and wakeup times can improve the quality of your sleep, giving you the extra boost you need.

Grocery Shop at the Start of the Week

Use your weekends wisely with a smart strategy and foresight to plan ahead so you can save time when workdays get away from you. Planning and prepping meals and keeping your pantry stocked with easy-prep items ensures you’re fueling your body, keeping burnout at bay. For example, Ben’s Original Ready Rice products can be your go-to lifesavers as a delightful lunch that’s ready to serve in 90 seconds. Even when time’s ticking away, you can still enjoy a satisfying dish and keep your energy soaring high.

Keep Your Calendar Organized

Juggling deadlines, meetings and ongoing tasks can be an organizational hassle, but effectively mastering your calendar can make all the difference. Make it a habit to answer meeting requests and ensure they get logged into your calendar promptly. Then, like a pro, schedule other commitments around the meetings, blocking off time as necessary to ensure you leave adequate time at your desk to get your work done. Use your calendar’s labeling and organization tools to help keep you on track. For example, you might color code priority items differently than tasks or meetings that could be moved if necessary.

shopping cart

Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash

Simplify Workday Lunches

Bringing your lunch to work can be an ultimate time-saving hack. Enjoying a tasty dish in the breakroom gives you a change of scenery and lets you reset your brain without losing travel time by heading to the nearest drive thru. An option like Ben’s Original Street Food delivers convenience and is a perfect solution for those days when you’re short on time but craving a tasty lunch. It delivers convenience wrapped in a flavor-packed dish, ready to tantalize your taste buds. Look for flavors like Jamaican Jerk-Style Red Beans and Rice with Chicken, Gumbo with Chicken and Andouille Sausage, Fried Rice with Vegetables or a Bean and Rice Burrito Bowl to transport your taste buds around the world, right from the comfort of your office.

Condense Meetings

Whether scheduled or impromptu, meetings can quickly feel like they’re consuming your entire day. If possible, set your calendar availability so you’re only able to take meetings in the late morning or early afternoon. This nifty trick ensures you have ample time to kickstart and wrap up your day with top-priority tasks. Host standing meetings so participants are focused on the topic at hand and less likely to engage in distracting chatter. Prepare agendas for meetings so you can stay on track and handle off-topic discussions outside of meeting times.

Good to know; Learn CPR as a life-saving skill

Family Features - While many Americans agree Conventional CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or Hands-Only CPR (HOCPR) significantly improve a person's chance of survival from cardiac arrest, less than half are confident they can perform either Conventional CPR or HOCPR in an emergency.

Photo by Raven Domingo/PEXELS

Black or Hispanic adults who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting are substantially less likely to receive lifesaving care from a bystander. In spite of these survey results, the American Heart Association is working to change this by empowering members of these communities to learn lifesaving CPR, and a growing segment of respondents are willing to act in an emergency.

The American Heart Association's 2023 survey also revealed that as a result of the organization's efforts to change attitudes about performing CPR, which can lead to lifesaving results, more than half of African Americans said they would be willing to perform CPR in an emergency compared to 37% two years ago. Additionally, Hispanic and Latino respondents are more confident in their abilities to perform CPR.

Committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers, the American Heart Association's multiyear initiative, Nation of Lifesavers, helps teens and adults learn how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED); share that knowledge with friends and family; and engage employers, policymakers, philanthropists and others to create support for a nation of lifesavers.

"Each of us has the power in our own hands to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest," said Anezi Uzendu, M.D., American Heart Association expert volunteer. "We simply need to know what to do and have the confidence to act."

The long-term goal: to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival, aiming to double the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims by 2030. It takes just 90 seconds to learn how to save a life using HOCPR, which can be equally as effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.

Nationally supported by the Elevance Health Foundation, the American Heart Association's HOCPR campaign is focused on chest compression-only CPR. If a teen or adult suddenly collapses due to a cardiac event, you can take two steps to save a life: immediately call emergency services and use these tips to begin performing HOCPR.

1. Position yourself directly over the victim.
2. Put the heel of one hand in the center of the chest and put your other hand on top of the first.
3. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute, which is about the same tempo as the song "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, and at a depth of approximately 2 inches.
4. Continue compressions and use an AED, if available, until emergency help arrives.

To learn more about how you could be the difference between life and death for someone experiencing a cardiac event, visit Heart.org/nation.

Daylight Savings Time is coming, start preparing your body for time change

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/PEXELS

Family Features - Millions of Americans will soon get extra sunlight in the evenings when daylight saving time (DST) - observed by every state except Arizona and Hawaii - begins on the second Sunday in March and clocks are set ahead by one hour at 2 a.m.

While the extra daylight is a welcome change for most, failing to prepare for DST can have consequences. In fact, research from the Sleep Foundation has found a lack of sleep caused by the time change can affect thinking, decision-making and productivity. The change can alter your circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that helps control sleep and other biological processes, which may cause mood fluctuations, and the transition has been associated with short-term risk of heart attack, stroke and traffic accidents.

However, making small adjustments ahead of DST can help reduce its impact on your sleep and minimize negative effects. Consider these tips to help navigate the time change.

Reset Your Internal Clock
As you get ready to "spring forward," gradually adjust your sleep schedule throughout the week leading up to the time change, which can help prevent unnecessary shock to your system. The American Academy of Sleep recommends going to bed 15-20 minutes earlier each day than normal, and other daily activities like mealtimes and exercise can also be moved up slightly to help acclimate to the change. Awakening earlier and getting extra light exposure in the morning can also help adjust your circadian rhythm.

Upgrade Your Sleep Environment
Creating a bedroom environment that is conducive to sleep can help ensure you get a good night's rest, which is especially important leading up to the time change when you effectively lose an hour of sleep. Start optimizing your sleep space comfort by choosing a supportive mattress and comfortable bedding then block out unwanted light with blackout curtains and dampen unwanted noises using a fan or soothing white noise machine.

To help regulate temperature, set the thermostat to 60-70 F - a cooler thermostat setting helps maintain a lower core temperature - then adjust if too hot or too cold by adding or removing blankets or changing your pajamas. Lavender essential oils, or another fragrance like peppermint or heliotropin, can also help improve relaxation and sleep quality.

Avoid Screens Before Bed
In the days leading up to DST, experts recommend turning off electronics, including televisions, computers, smartphones and tablets, at least 1 hour before bedtime as the blue light from screens can suppress production of melatonin, the substance that signals the body it's time for bed. If necessary, cut back on screentime in smaller increments leading up to the time change or swap evening screen usage for other activities like crossword puzzles, meditation or reading a book.

Phase Out Caffeine in the Evenings
While avoiding caffeine later in the day can help you fall asleep easier at night, experts suggest limiting and slowly reducing your caffeine intake in the days prior to DST. Choosing half-caffeinated coffee, mixing regular and decaf or cutting out 1-2 caffeinated drinks during the week can help sleep patterns ahead of the change. However, be wary that giving up caffeine "cold turkey" can sometimes lead to headaches.

Find more tips for healthy living all year at eLivingtoday.com.

The video sharing app seems to have something for everyone – from makeup trends and relationship advice to comedy sketches and life hacks. In fact, the company’s tagline in TV commercials is even, “TikTok taught me.” While recipes, fashion finds or cleaning hacks found on the app can certainly provide a smile, improve your life or save you time – sometimes the advice from TikTok influencers can fall flat, especially when that advice is medical in nature.