The months from December through March are the best for viewing — if you know where to look Winter is here, and if you’re like me, you prefer to stay inside by the fireplace rather than freezing outdoors. But take a few moments and step outside into the crisp, clear…

These easy-to-grow houseplants provide so many health benefits — For many, dreaming about White Christmas has turned into a longing for spring’s warmth and the vibrant green of nature. Bring the outdoors in with these hardy plants and start reaping the benefits. Benefits of houseplants: Lower stress levels and improved mood — there’s a reason people seek the outdoors to experience the…

From super soldiers to the darling of the mod subculture: examining the many facets of amphetamine — Humble roots Amphetamines conjure up many images: diet pills, all-night party (or study) sessions, and exploding backwoods labs. Today, amphetamine and methamphetamine are only legally available as Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions. But at one time, these drugs were widely used. The ephedra plant is known worldwide by many names. The English…

Stave off wintertime cabin fever with these fun board games There’s a reason board games have remained popular over the years. Easy to learn and quick to set up, board games are guaranteed to either elicit smiles and peals of laughter or accusations of cheating and board-flipping tantrums. Interactive in…

Please share these hidden gem recipes with the world — They say you don’t really know a place until you leave it. It wasn’t until I moved out of St. Louis, Missouri in my thirties that I came to realize what great food the city had to offer. Now I’m not talking about that great hamburger joint on the corner…

This overlooked activity can blast fat, tone up that mid-section, and put a smile on your face — Bored with lifting weights? Tired of running on the treadmill to nowhere? Just because we’re adults doesn’t mean our workouts should be uninspiring. Think back to what activities you enjoyed as a kid. Jump roping, hopscotch, running races — they all got the heart pumping by blending coordination with whole-body…

Imagine the traffic situation if your city hosted the World’s Fair and the Summer Olympics concurrently — There’s a great scene in the 1944 movie, Meet Me in St. Louis. The main character, played by the iconic Judy Garland, stands on an ornate bridge gazing around at the lights of the World’s Fair. She turns to her family and gushes about the spectacular scenery, “I can’t believe…

Pour out a glass of sparkling knowledge Though sparkling wines remain most popular during the holidays, sales are increasing year-round. A number of factors are responsible for this — lower price points, decreased consumer intimidation with the products, and of course, clever marketing. But what exactly is sparkling wine and…

Skip the grocery store, make these essentials from scratch, and amaze your guests with your skills (recipes included). — Grocery stores are convenient; sometimes the frantic pace of life calls for picking up a tub of frosting and a boxed cake mix. These cheap, pre-made products litter the store shelves to the point where most of us don’t think twice about using them. But what do we sacrifice by…