(BPT) - Whether it's your first child or you've been around the baby block a few times before, having an infant in your life is an unforgettable experience. While there are countless joys you'll cherish forever, there are also a few challenges you'll likely face along the way.

(BPT) - Fires can occur when you least expect it, leaving little time to plan your escape, so the time to prepare for an emergency isn’t when your alarm sounds. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only 32% of American households have actually developed and practiced…

(BPT) - Enrollment in youth hockey is at an all-time high in communities across the country. According to USA Hockey, a record 567,908 players registered to play in the 2018-2019 season, with 356,760 of those players ages 16 and younger.

(BPT) - With a new decade upon us, it is natural to look to the past on lessons learned. When looking at cybercrime, criminals have advanced their techniques over the past 10 years and have become adept at stealing personal information and scamming innocent people. While we can’t control wha…

(BPT) - Face it, winter is brutal for your skin and hair. Between the harsh, cold wind outside and the dry, overheated air inside, it’s hard to look your best all winter long. On top of that, everyone tends to overindulge in unhealthy food and drinks during the winter months. Fortunately, th…

(BPT) - This year you might have goals like ramping up your workout routine, increasing your self-care regimen or finding time to de-stress.

(BPT) - The winter months are often considered some of the busiest for animal shelters. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters every year. Adding a shelter pet to your family can be fulfilling, but what if you’re not ready or able to adopt?

(BPT) - If you own a pet, you're in good company. In fact, 67% of U.S. households own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association. Pets provide unconditional love and countless memories, and in return they look to their humans to care…

(BPT) - It's the same issue every year: Jan. 1 arrives and you need to meet an annual deductible again before your health care coverage takes full effect. For people with high-deductible plans, this can be a big expense at the start of the year.

(BPT) - As we say goodbye to the holidays and hello to a new decade, it comes as no surprise that money is the No. 1 driver of stress for many of us in the Midwest. That’s according to the inaugural Midwest Money Mindset Survey conducted by Huntington.

(BPT) - Many previously taboo subjects — like menopause — are more openly talked about today. But instead of discussing the real experience of menopause, it's often used as a punchline — like jokes about hot flashes. Myths about this stage of a woman’s life abound, making it hard to sort fac…

(BPT) - At some point you may consider hiring a home care provider for assistance. The first place people usually look is on the Internet, and ultimately on Craigslist, where there are people looking for home care jobs. Hiring a stranger for this kind of important service isn’t easy. You nee…

(BPT) - Dogs are the best. The best welcome home greeters. The best snuggle buddies. And, the best road trip companions. But, just like humans, dogs have ruff days and health problems from aging and their active lives. They don’t always know how to tell us where they hurt or why they are act…

(BPT) - As the calendar flips to a new year, many Americans try to tackle a tough task: building a healthier lifestyle. According to Statista, the sense of being unhealthy is especially strong among Millennials, with nearly 80% of adults under the age of 36 reporting that they “could be healthier.”

(BPT) - During the blustery cold days and cozy nights at home this winter, there’s no better time to rediscover the simple pleasures and quiet joys of indoor activities that help you relax and reconnect with family. Over the holidays, through winter break and beyond, families everywhere are …

(BPT) - An employer-sponsored Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a convenient option for saving on health care. You put pre-tax dollars into the account to spend throughout the year on health care related expenses. The downside? Most of your FSA funds expire at the end of the year.

(BPT) - Weight-loss tips, fad diets and more — these days, they’re everywhere you look. And most of it is false information. In fact, the average American wrongly assumes a daily workout must be 95 minutes or more to be impactful, according to a new study conducted by Planet Fitness.

(BPT) - During the holiday season, many look forward to festivities and spending time with family, but for some, this time of year can be overwhelming and stressful. People living with mental health challenges may have an especially difficult time during this season as it can cause feelings …

(BPT) - When setting New Year’s intentions, it’s easy to get caught up in career or physical health achievements. You strategize to work extra hours or get to the gym a certain number of days per week, but that’s not always the right mindset for success.

(BPT) - An estimated 130 million Americans make resolutions for 2020 — with more than half of them focused on health. However, most resolutions are broken by February.

(BPT) - When the calendar flips to a new year, many people are inspired to make resolutions, promising productivity, healthy lifestyles, self-care and more. But all New Year’s goals require making time for what you set out to do — and a little planning goes a long way.

(BPT) - The arrival of the winter months brings an abundance of food, festive drinks and busy days celebrating with loved ones. While indulging in winter festivities, it’s important to stay on top of your healthy habits.

(BPT) - It’s the holiday season — and bakers everywhere are kicking into high gear, filling kitchens with stacks of cookies, cupcakes, pies and candies. Holiday baking should be a joyful experience, sweet, easy and filled with fun memories. Whether you’re baking for a few or a flock, here ar…

(BPT) - Chilly weather: Check. Cozy gatherings with friends: Check. Same old wine: Not so fast. Before you reach for your go-to red this winter, consider Chile’s answer to the season’s most toast-worthy pours: crimson-hued Carmenere (car-men-air).

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(BPT) - Sitting is nearly impossible to avoid. Whether during your daily commute, working hard at your desk or watching your favorite TV show on the couch, sitting can provide relief and give you the opportunity to relax.

(BPT) - With the holidays just around the corner, party planning is in full swing. Whether it be a traditional family gathering or friendly white elephant, consider these tips and tricks to stay organized throughout the holiday hustle to ensure festivities go off without a hitch.

(BPT) - Hosting guests, baking treats, kids on school break and managing a packed social calendar — the holidays can be a stressful, busy time. And with so much to do, household chores can fall by the wayside, leaving your home messy and disorganized.

(BPT) - The demand for highly skilled employees continues to rise across various industries, spurring many of today's top companies to seek creative new ways to encourage and develop the best talent. One obstacle to that mission is the rising cost of higher education. To combat that, some bu…

(BPT) - It can be a struggle to prepare a nutritious meal the whole family will enjoy. Finding time to spend around the table during back-to-school season can be particularly challenging, but not impossible.

(BPT) - GSK spokesperson Patsy Schanbaum’s daughter, Jamie, was a college freshman when she contracted meningococcal disease, also known as meningitis.

(BPT) - The long-overdue self-care movement acknowledges what you’ve known for years: Taking time for yourself gets you in a better state of mind to handle your crazy life and tackle your long to-do list.

(BPT) - Schizophrenia is a complex and chronic brain disorder that can interrupt every aspect of an adult’s life. For adults living with serious mental illness, like Jason, the journey to finding the right treatment plan, including medication and supportive therapies, can take years. During …

(BPT) - If emergency officials in your community issued a mandatory evacuation order to get out of the path of a wildfire, hurricane or other natural disaster, would you know what to take with you, the evacuation route you would take and where you would go until it was safe to return home?

(BPT) - Hosting dinner for a special occasion can be stressful. Whether you’re gathering with family for the holidays or making something new for friends, you want to deliver an entertaining evening and impress your guests with a pristine meal that everyone enjoys. A delicious beef cut is th…

(BPT) - Now is the time of year when people typically take inventory of their lives and set new goals. Relationships, finances, careers and health are all important aspects that impact overall well-being. For this New Year, consider making your health a top priority.

(BPT) - "One of my favorite things to do is get together with friends for a cozy Sunday brunch," says mother, actress and chef Haylie Duff. "It’s the best way to spend some quality time together before jumping into the busy week ahead. Plus, kicking off the morning with a nutritious meal is …

(BPT) - When the holidays roll around, it can be easy to over-schedule, over-complicate and over-stress — especially when it’s your turn to be the party host. But if you look back on your favorite holiday memories, you probably don’t remember the centerpiece, the table settings or the menu. …

(BPT) - Wine connoisseurs know something even more important than facts about vintages and varietals: It makes a big difference how your wine is served. From the correct temperature to the glass you drink from, how any wine is presented can change the entire experience.

(BPT) - For many people, dropping temperatures mean it's time to bundle up and head outdoors for their favorite winter activities. Whether you're a sports enthusiast hitting the ski slope, a casual skater heading to the local rink or a parent ready to tackle the nearby sledding hill with you…

(BPT) - Having a friend or loved one with a chronic and progressive condition teaches you many things: patience, understanding and adapting to lifestyle changes after diagnosis. But for Mary, supporting her friend, Barbara, living with a serious lung condition called nontuberculous mycobacte…

(BPT) - With the early arrival of winter, the grip of cold temperatures and snowfall that landed along with it, now is a good time to start thinking about keeping your home warm and cozy all season long.