Dear Doctors: I’ve had gas and cramping ever since I started college. I really didn’t think anything of it until it got worse over the summer. I went to the doctor, and he says I probably have IBS. Will it ever go away? I’ve been told to change my diet and try to have less stress.
Dear Readers: Welcome to 2022! A new year has arrived, and we leave the last one behind. As always, this new year brings with it our hopes for a new beginning.
Q: Ed, I’m installing a soaking bath with a two-handle tub filler mounted on the tub deck. But, I just realized a two-handle filler with a spout will take up too much deck space for my layout. I like the three-component faucet look, what do I do now?
Dear Abby: Our daughter has been married for three years to a wonderful guy she dated for 10 years and loves dearly. Because she doesn’t like his last name, she chose to maintain her maiden name. He understood this soon after they started dating.
Long days, even longer to-do lists, and burning the candle at both ends means extra lower back stress. It’s the perfect time to take a break, a deep breath, and recharge for bigger and better things! The best way to do so is a total body stretch.
Dear Abby: A year ago, I was contacted by a half-sister I’ll call “Shyla,” who my mother placed for adoption at birth. My mother passed away five years ago. She was a horrible mother who physically, verbally and emotionally abused my brother and me. Giving Shyla up was the best thing she ever did. I have spent years in therapy to work through my painful childhood.
Dear Doctors: I’ve been hearing about something called “personalized nutrition.” They’re saying it can help with all sorts of stuff, like depression, losing weight and even migraines. Apparently it starts with a poop sample? What’s this all about?
By clearing up our homes, tidying up our workspaces and decluttering our lives (including our schedules and mental and emotional clutter) we can clear a path for happiness, calm and re-growth. When you get rid of those things and commitments in your life that are weighing you down, you open up the possibility for new and exciting things to enter. h Here are some tips to help shed those unwanted possessions and simplify your life. Try one over the next few days. Keep at it. Once the first few projects are completed, you’ll be inspired to continue through the list.
Yesterday, when I sat down at the computer to write my column, I looked around and saw pieces of Christmas everywhere. Shreds of wrapping paper, curling ribbon, priority boxes, laundry, and unopened mail are scattered across the room.
One positive side effect of the coronavirus pandemic was a spike in participation in active, outdoor and fitness activities. According to a 2021 study by the Outdoor Industry Association, “Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, more Americans have turned to the outdoors, some for the first time and others for the first time in many years.” h More than 60% of those who started or resumed walking, bicycling, fishing or running/jogging intend to continue even after restrictions lift. Walking and hiking saw the biggest spike, followed by running, cycling and camping, but participation in just about every outdoor activity – from skiing to kayaking – grew. Meanwhile, purchases of home fitness equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills saw 170% growth during the pandemic, according to a study by ResearchAndMarkets.com. h As the travel industry rebounds and Americans start vacationing again, there is increased interest in active trips. Companies specializing in active travel such as Butterfield & Robinson (butterfield.com), Backroads (backroads.com), DuVine (duvine.com) and G Adventures (gadventures.com) are reporting record bookings for 2022 and beyond.