Alison Crane

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Planning Ahead Can Make the Inevitable Tax Season Less Stressful

January is the time to begin gathering all our paperwork and receipts in preparation for that inevitable event – filing our taxes.By Alison Crane Benjamin Franklin once said only two things were certain, death and taxes. Through the years his quote has proven to be pretty accurate.  For Americans, January is not just the beginning of a new year, it is the beginning of tax season. This month is the

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“Dine In” During the Holidays

Dining at home during the holidays can save money and may play a role in other areas of health.By Alison Crane Do you want to save money this holiday season? Most of us would answer yes! One easy way to do that is to commit to eating more meals at home. Not only can you save money by preparing meals for your family at home, but you may be helping

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Staying Fit During the Holidays

Focus on the joy of the season rather than allowing food and “to do” lists to dominate the season.By Alison Crane The holidays are a time to Eat and be Merry! With numerous parties and activities to attend, we often find ourselves overindulging and overeating. It seems from November through the first week in January all our good health decisions get left in the cold. Avoid those extra pounds over

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Learning to Adult Does Not Have to Be Hard

The “Grown Up U” podcasts are designed to help young adults have more successes than failures. By Alison CraneHow do you know when you are an adult? Often, it is gradually taking on the responsibilities and things adults do on a regular basis and then one day it hits you that you are an adult. A few years ago, millennials changed the noun, “adult” to a verb. To quote my

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Taking Time to Relax Is Not Just Being Lazy

Making time for relaxation can actually help you experience more energy. Other health benefits include better sleep and enhanced immunity. By Alison CraneWhat helps you relax? Reading a book? A bubble bath? A leisurely walk? For me, it is kayaking. I love the quiet of it. No loud motor or harsh sounds. Just the swish of the paddle dipping into the water and the sounds of nature around you. After

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The Grill Is Not Just for Meat

When grilling, if you do not have skewers, place the fruits or vegetables on oiled aluminum foil or directly on the grill if the pieces are large. By Alison Crane It’s summertime and if you have a garden, hopefully, you are starting to enjoy its abundance. If you don’t have time or space for growing much right now, then the local farmers market is a great way to get locally

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How Healthy is the Man in Your Life?

By Alison Crane Did you know men live sicker and die younger than women? In 1920, the life expectancy gender gap was only one year. By 2017, men were dying approximately five years sooner than women. June is Men’s Health Month and the week leading up to Father’s Day (June 19, 2022) is designated as Men’s Health Week. It is fitting to ask the question, “How healthy is the man

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No Age Limit for Laughter

Laughter provides natural healing and serves as preventive health care. So have a good laugh as often as possible!By Alison Crane Studies show that children laugh an average of 400 times a day. Play and laughter go hand in hand and there is no age limit for when we have to stop playing and laughing. Laughter in a home is as golden as sunshine. Research shows that adults need at

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Smart Snacking

A snack should be just enough to control your hunger without making you feel too full Smart snack choices can include fruit, protein, vegetables, nuts, or even beverages that are light on the sugar. By Alison Crane Snacking plays an important role in most people’s diets and can deliver a significant part of our calories each day. For young children, snacking is a vital part for providing the energy young

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Every Day is a Good Day for Soup

In the mood for some soup? February 4 is National Soup Day and would be a great time to make up a pot of a family favorite soup or try a new recipe. By Alison Crane I love to make and eat soup. Soup combines taste and nutrition all in one bowl. Soups are one of the most versatile dishes you can make. You can serve them hot or cold,

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How Protecting Data Privacy Can Help Your Mental Health

By Alison Crane ~Peace of mind is vital to good mental and physical health. ~Worrying about someone accessing your personal information can create stress. ~Dealing with loss of income, reputation, or anger after someone hacks your identity creates even more stress. ~Stress interferes with our peace of mind… Do you see where this is leading? One does not have to search hard to find something to worry about, and it

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Avoiding the Holiday Spread

Read on for some tips for eating during the holiday season, By Alison Crane One of the things I love doing during the holiday season is preparing those special dishes that my family looks forward to eating every year. Most of the time, I try to prepare healthy dishes that are low in fats and salt, etc. yet still taste great. In December, I admit that I indulge in preparing

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Bitty Martin’s New Novel Will Be Released in March 

(L to R) Johnette Connelly Taylor, niece of “Killer Wife” first victim, Joe Connelly; Evaline Rowland Connelly (no relation to Johnette), sister of the third victim, Don Rowland; and Bitty Martin, author.  Bitty Martin has completed her second Hot Springs true crime, Killer Wife: The True Story of Bonnie Connelly and the Men

SIGNS: MARCH 2026 – Eclipse & Equinox: The Turning Point of March 2026 

By Chana Prince Greetings Fellow Travelers,   March 2026 carries powerful turning-point energy. The Total Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 3 brings emotional insight and practical clarity. Virgo asks for refinement—health, habits, work, and daily devotion come into focus. What feels messy now is ready to be organized with

Master Gardener Plant Sale and Garden Show 

Thousands of plants will be for sale at the Garden Show.  Save the date – Garland County Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Plant Sale and Garden Show one day only on Saturday, April 25, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Garland County Fairgrounds. Entry is free

Master Gardeners: Springtime is just around the Corner… 

by Susan Koenig  Springs around the corner.Our excitement builds. Our need to dig in the dirt will soon be fulfilled. We’re planning our gardens and shopping seed catalogs. We’re preparing our pots and watching video blogs. We’re dreaming of the garden and buying seeds and plants, And figuring how to get rid of the squash bugs and ants! The sun’s rays