Alison Crane

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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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Cranberries Add a Little Zing to Health

Cranberries were first studied for their plant pigments, but now scientists are looking at their unique health benefits. By Alison Crane For me, it started with a healthier version of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie and the next thing I knew, I was adding them to salads and rice and bread and more. Until that fateful cookie, I had never been a fan of cranberries. Now, my whole family enjoys

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What Can Ten to Fifteen Minutes of Sun Do for You?

Since this vitamin plays such a vital role in our well-being, making sure our diet includes foods that contain vitamin D is essential. By Alison CraneVitamin D insufficiency affects almost 50% of the population worldwide. This fat-soluble vitamin is naturally present in some foods and is added to several other foods. Vitamin D is also known as the Sunshine vitamin because our bodies can naturally produce it when the sun’s

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Five Simple Steps to Improving Your Wellness

When it comes to your wellness, adding more fruits and veggies to your meals is a smart habit to begin. By Alison CraneHabits can make or break us when it comes to health. The month of August has a national focus on wellness. Wholesome habits go a long way towards improving our mental and physical wellness. Why not take a moment now instead of waiting for New Year’s to evaluate

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Sun, Skin & Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen to all parts of your skin that will be exposed to the sun 20-30 minutes before going out and every two hours after that. If you will be sweating or swimming you will want to find one that is waterproof. By Alison CraneRecently, my husband and I became the very happy owners of two kayaks. Our first excursion on the lake had us hooked and we plan to

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Take Advantage of Your Local Parks

Garland County is surrounded by beautiful parks, trails, lakes, and more, providing a variety of outdoor activities. By Alison CraneDid you know that living close to parks and other recreation facilities is related to higher physical activity levels for both adults and youth? During the pandemic, most adults have found exercising at their local parks, trails, and open spaces has been essential to maintaining physical and mental health. Parks provide

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Financial Education Emphasizes Planning for the Future

Being financially literate can take a great weight off a personand prevent health issues. By Alison Crane“As your body grows bigger, Your mind must flower, It’s great to learn, ‘Cause knowledge is power!” These opening lyrics from the old School House Rocks series have always stuck with me. I grew up with the concept that knowing how things worked would help me. When it comes to making financial decisions, the

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Frozen Foods Can Be a Reason to Celebrate

Frozen vegetables and fruits can be a convenient way to have quality nutrition options available all seasons of the year. By Alison CraneIn 1924, Clarence Birdseye invented the quick-freezing method and revolutionized the way we preserved foods. By the 1950s, frozen ready to eat meals had hit the U.S. market and the TV dinner was soon to become a way of life. As home freezers became more widespread and economical,

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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