Alison Crane

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Find a Reason to Celebrate, Even If It’s Onions 

Onions are actually in the top five most-eaten vegetables. The average American consumes about 21 pounds every year.  By Alison CraneDo you need a reason to celebrate? Here it is… June 22, 2024, is National Onion Ring Day! Who doesn’t love a batter-dipped and deep-fried food item that comes in a fun shape? Onion rings are popular in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and even some areas in Asia.

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Worry Is Not Problem-Solving 

Where worry limits, problem-solving is not restricted to one answer or action but can involve multiple solutions and outcomes.  By Alison CraneSomeone once told me that her job was to worry and that she had to worry in order to be a good parent. I respectfully disagreed and have thought about her statement ever since. There have been times that were harder than others not to worry but generally, I

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Historical Society Requests Total Eclipse Photos and Stories 

Kyle Clem and Liz Robbins of the Historical Society.  The Garland County Historical Society announces a call for Total Solar Eclipse photo taken by both residents and visitors. “There will be plenty of photos of the actual eclipse, but what we want are shots of people watching it at parties and events throughout the County, along with traffic jams, lines at the gas pumps, and other unusual eclipse happenings,” said

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Experiencing the Moment 

Planning ahead is instrumental in creating a positive experience during the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse.  By Alison Crane“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.” Tennessee Williams  Have you ever noticed how two people experiencing the same event will describe it differently? How the event is perceived can be caused by a variety of factors,

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Cooking Gluten-free for Your Friends and Family

Keeping up with food restrictions can be a daunting task for any chef. By Alison CraneGluten is a mixture of proteins that occur naturally in wheat, barley, rye, and crossbreeds of these grains. Typically, they are found in breads, pastas, cereals, cakes, and many other foods. In 2013 and 2020, the FDA finalized rules defining “gluten-free” for food labeling to help consumers be confident that items labeled “gluten-free) meet a

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Choose “Nutrient-Dense” Foods Instead of “Empty Calories”

Add a nutrient-dense food to your favorite meal of the day and continue adding new foods to your meals one food at a time. By Alison CraneGo to any grocery store and you will be bombarded with thousands of choices. Those choices are then influenced by cost, taste, time, skill, etc. Every minute you push a shopping cart down the aisles, you end up making hundreds of choices. “Yes, this

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Being Social When You Don’t Want to Be

One suggestion to improve your social connections is to write down your social goals, such as “I will call a friend once a week” By Alison CraneBeing socially disconnected has a mortality impact that is similar to the impact of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Not feeling connected to others can raise the risk of heart disease, anxiety, stroke, dementia, depression, and premature death, according to findings by

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One Easy Step to Improving Your Health

Beans and grains are great sources of fiber. Consuming more fiber on a daily basis is proven to help with weight loss, heart disease, and some types of cancer.  By Alison CraneMaintaining good health requires effort and consistency and sometimes can feel like an uphill battle. But if you think about it as making one good choice at a time, it is not such an overwhelming task. One simple way

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Seed to Snack Simplicity

Popcorn provides over nine essential vitamins, including vitamins B6, A, E and K. A serving of popcorn contributes about 8% of the daily value of iron.  By Alison CraneWhat food is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, naturally low in fat and calories, budget-friendly, and fun to eat? If you guessed popcorn, you are correct!  While those facts alone are probably enough to convince most people that popcorn is a great snack option,

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Maximizing Your Workout and Your Results

Eating the right foods at the right time can maximize not only your workout but also your results. By Alison CraneMost people are aware of how important it is to stay hydrated during a workout. Some people are even aware that workouts longer than an hour need an extra boost, like a sports drink, to replace electrolytes lost through sweating. A few people even know that hydrating the body 2-3

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Is It Time to Minimalize?

Is it time to sort all those junk piles into donate, sell, gift, or discard? Read on for some tips to make it easier. By Alison CraneNow that my husband and I are empty nesters, we have been making some changes to our home and trying to simplify our lives. We no longer need containers with costume pieces that might be needed at a moment’s notice for school programs or

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Are Pet Owners Healthier?

Having a pet can aid in decreasing blood pressure and also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels leading to healthier hearts. By Alison CraneAn estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet. Most people consider their pets to be furry family members. As someone who has grown up with a variety of pets and as a parent, I can vouch for the richness that pets bring to our lives.  According to

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About the Cover . . .  “ARKANSAS DIAMONDS” Photographer – Jeremy Rodgers 

Thriving Under Pressure:  Arkansas Diamonds Manager Lauren Hatten Discusses the Team’s Success and Goals  By Lana Pierce Fans (and future fans) of the Arkansas Diamonds: Tune in! Arkansas’s best indoor arena football team, established in Hot Springs as the “Wiseguys” before expanding this year, the Arkansas Diamonds are bringing back the hard-hitting entertainment. The sport’s

Yoga: Benefits of Mermaid Pose 

Can you tell where this mural is located? The First person to snap a selfie in front of the same mural and text it to 501-651-0545 will receive a free drop-in class! Photo by Missy Conry & Melissa Stevens  By Missy Conry & Melissa Stevens Yoga offers countless opportunities to build strength, improve flexibility, and create

Happy 150th Birthday, Hot Springs!  

Each person attending the birthday gala will receive this special commemorative coin.  Hot Springs’ 150th birthday gala will be held August 11 in Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Funds generated by the celebration will be given to the Garland County Historical Society.  “Although our city’s history goes back hundreds of years

Melissa Carper Will Open Inaugural Birding Festival of the South 

Singer Melissa Carper. — Courtesy Visit Hot Springs  Melissa Carper, the nationally acclaimed country singer with deep ties to Arkansas and a profound commitment to nature, will open the inaugural Birding Festival of the South Presented by Oaklawn Hot Springs, with a concert October 8 on Bridge Street in downtown Hot