You washed the dishes, the counters, and the floor. How about a fresh start with your food, too?

Research shows that a clean, organized kitchen helps you eat healthier overall. Here are a few tips to get started.

Refrigerator and freezer: Remove all items one section at a time. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and sticky jars with hot, soapy water. Toss foods that are past their prime.

Labels can be confusing about food freshness -- and safety. The University of Minnesota Extension gives these guidelines:

Winter feels . . . sleepy. But some seasonal quirks make it hard to sleep well: Less daylight, more carbs, furnace heat, couch time. And sleep deprivation is sneaky: It can lead to memory impairment, poor job performance, even car accidents.

For healthy, restful sleep in winter:

FEBRUARY 2023 – It’s a good time of year to make sure you’re up to date on your health screenings.

Many conditions don’t have symptoms in early stages – like high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers. Early screening helps prevent health problems later.

Recommended screenings for women:

FEBRUARY 2023 – It’s a good time of year to make sure you’re up to date on your health screenings.

Many conditions don’t have symptoms in early stages – like high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers. Early screening helps prevent health problems later.

Recommended screenings for men:

How many teens vape in Minnesota? One in four 11th graders. (One in ten 8th graders.) That’s five times more than smoke tobacco.

Some teens vape when they feel stressed. Spoiler alert: Vaping make stress worse. (Nicotine revs up your nervous system.)

Good news! There are better ways to manage stress. The National Cancer Institute offers these ideas. Some may work better than others, so find the ones that work for you.

Icy out? Walk like a penguin. It can keep you from falling and getting hurt.

• Walk flat footed (not heel-to-toe).
• Bend your knees a bit.
• Point your feet out slightly.
• Keep your center of gravity over your feet.
• Take short steps.
• Shuffle side to side instead of back to front . . . it keeps your center of gravity steady.
• Extend your arms for balance. 
• If you fall backwards, try to tuck your chin so your head won’t hit the ground.

One more tip: think Spring.

Having a new baby in the family is hard work.

Often, the work isn’t equal.

That can cause problems between parents – and that’s hard on the health (and spirit) of both parents.

Preparing during pregnancy pulls partners together: You get the app to see what fruit your growing fetus most resembles, you read pregnancy books or blogs, you decorate the nursery together.

Average normal body temperatures in older adults are slightly lower than in younger adults. So when an older adult is sick, their fever temperatures may also be lower.

These temperatures in older adults may be signs of an infection, such as COVID-19 or the flu:

Here are some fun activities to get everyone moving after that big holiday meal. 

• Play a game of charades. Try reverse charades to get more people moving.
• When’s the last time you danced in the kitchen or living room? Turn up the music and get dancing. 
• Travel to different areas of the house and do an activity.
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt – look for an animal, three different kinds of trees, blue door, fire hydrant, nest, pine cone, leaf

Winter can feel cold and isolating. It’s important to keep your spirits up and stay connected with family and friends. Here are ten ways to stay connected. 

• Gather virtually – Schedule regular video calls with family or friends. Eat dinner together, play a game or just talk. It helps to see people. Can't video chat? Schedule regular calls with friends or family.
• Go on a walk with someone. Bundle up if it’s cold or meet at the mall or check with your local schools to see if they allow indoor walking.