Matti Daniels

Resilience is something that everyone can have. When someone is resilient, it does not mean that a person does not have difficulty or that he or she does not feel stress. It means that the person is able to adjust. Here are some ways you can work toward being resilient. Talk to your family and friends. It is important to have a good network of family and friends. When going through a hard or stressful time, being able to talk and share with another person can be helpful. Take care of yourself. Many times during a stressful situation, you may not be as motivated to pay attention to your own needs and feelings....

Once tax season is over, you may be wondering what to do with your tax documents, everything that you used to prepare your tax return as well as copies of your tax return. The following tips will help you plan what to save and how long to save the documents: • As a rule of thumb, keep your tax documents for a minimum of 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date that you paid the tax, whichever is later. • If you know that you have under-reported your income by 25 percent or more, the IRS can audit for up to 6 years...

Over the past decade, online sales have surged to an all-time high. American families frequently make online purchases for items including common household products, clothing, and electronics. If you are one of the millions of Americans who shop online, you need to ensure that you are protecting yourself against fraud. Unfortunately, there are criminals who will try to steal your personal information and money. Below are some ways to avoid online fraud: • Be on guard. Criminals will send you requests for your private information, usually through a legitimate looking email. These emails will ask for information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers and even your Social Security number....

Most of us are looking for ways to make fewer calories deliver more nutrition, and you should look for recipes that help you trim energy intake. Sometimes, you may need to use a little of the real thing to get the flavor you crave. Here are some tips for cooking to add flavor without too much fat or added sugar: • For some foods, like cheese or salad dressings, try reduced-fat instead of fat-free products. You may want to try using a ratio of two-thirds reduced-fat product to one-third real thing. • Try using one-third less sugar in your recipes or using a sugar substitute like stevia. • Make your sweet treats...

Many parents in today’s world feel like they barely have enough time to take care of everyone else. There never seems to be any time left to care for themselves. Parents may even feel guilty about taking care of themselves. It is critical to remember that taking care of yourself is part of taking good care of your kids. Here are some tips to try to build in self-care as a parent: • Change your priority list. Where do the things that are just for you fall on your to-do-list? Most likely they are at the bottom. Self-care is not something that should go at the bottom with any time that...

It seems like we see the typical donuts and pastries at every work meeting we attend. This can be trouble for individuals trying to maintain a healthy diet, considering a single donut or pastry could contain 300 calories or more. Next time, try serving some healthier food options. Below are some suggestions for healthier snacks for any time of day. · Pass the water. Be sure to have cups on hand for a water fountain or bottled water as a beverage option. Bypass the sugar-sweetened beverages including soda and fruit juices. · Washed, fresh fruit such as apples, bananas and grapes require very little preparation. Fruit trays with sliced fruit and...

The World Health Organization defines good health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Having good health takes place on many levels. Holistic health is a concept that addresses all aspects of good health as an integrated whole. A holistic lifestyle aims to achieve balance of mind, body and spirit to improve quality of life. In the quest for optimal health, holistic health also takes into account accepting one’s personal responsibility for good health, health education, preventive care, nutrition, exercise and mental relaxation. Holistic health believes that a person has multiple parts and if one part is not working...

As winter gets into full swing, remember fire and carbon monoxide poisoning are real concerns that come with staying warm. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2009 and 2013, U.S. fire departments responded each year to an average of 56,000 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. Space heaters are the most common type of heating equipment involved in home fires, accounting for 40 percent of all fires, and more importantly, 84 percent of non-firefighter deaths. In addition, carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious risk. From 2009 to 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 49 people died each year from heating-equipment-related carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide is...

There are many over-the-counter products that help with coughs that typically occur during this time of year.  It is not uncommon to hear the suggestion of drinking warm tea or warm water with lemon and honey when a person has a sore throat.  A study has found that the honey may act as cough relief as well.  For children in the study, 2 teaspoons of honey seemed to help reduce night coughing. The use of honey was compared to a common cough medicine ingredient.  Because honey is so easily available it may be a good alternative for some people. Pleased remember however, that honey should never be given to a...

Have you ever thought that you do not like to exercise?   Does just the word “exercise” make you unhappy?   Staying active does not have to be a choice you dread every day. There are many benefits to being active on a regular basis. These include: Helps your body keep a healthy weight Lowers the risk of heart disease Lowers the risk of some cancers, specifically breast cancer and colon cancer Lowers stress levels and improves mental health Lowers the risk of diabetes Are you persuaded that you should be physically active?   Perhaps you think that you should be active, but think it is just not a lot of fun.  Here are a few ideas that you...