Winter’s icy grip is finally breaking, and spring is almost here! Spring means warmer weather, getting outside and of course— gardening! In our Spring Series on gardening, we’re going to take a look at how to make a garden work for you. “Gardening?” you may ask as you look around your condo or studio apartment. 

Absolutely. 

You can actually grow vegetables just about anywhere— a deck right outside your backdoor, a patio or even a balcony. If you don’t have actual ground available to you, no problem. You can still turn that sunny breakfast nook into something you can use. Container gardening is easy and simple, and you’d be surprised how much you can truly grow. 

It will require a little bit of planning. Vegetables, like any plant, need a healthy supply of light, fertilizer and water. When you have a small space, all three can present challenges. Here are some ways to overcome them.

You’ll also want to carefully plan what you want to grow. Sure, it might be nice to have towering rows of corn or sunflowers that reach for the sky, but it’s not always practical. Look for plants that are compact growers such as pole beans or peppers. Also, some plants do quite well when they have close neighbors. Others are like a crotchety old hermit and like their space.

A garden is a great way to make the most of spring, and it’s a hobby that everyone can enjoy. If you don’t have acres of wide-open fields a small garden might be just the thing to liven up your living space.

In 1913, the American public got its first look at Form 1040, the basic form we all use to file our individual federal income taxes. Over the years since then, the form hasn’t changed as much as you might think. One thing that has changed is how we file it. Back in the day you would go down to the local post office to get the appropriate forms before spending a happy evening with a calculator, a pen and a good supply of scratch paper. 

As you might expect everything is done electronically these days. The IRS strongly prefers it and many states require it. In fact, the post office no longer keeps paper 1040 booklets. 

Electronically filing your returns has many advantages. Not only do you save on postage, but you don’t have to worry about the return being lost in the mail. As well as being convenient, electronically returns are faster and more accurate. They’re also processed first. Every year the IRS handles millions of returns. Electronic returns are completed first since most of them are reviewed by computer. Paper returns? Well, they go right to the bottom of the stack, meaning your refund could be delayed for months. 

In short, electronic returns are faster, more accurate and more importantly: filing electronically means you get your refund back faster. Sure, some traditions are worth keeping, but it’s time to leave pen and paper filing in the 20^th century. 

Next week we celebrate President’s Day, originally created in 1885 in recognition of our 1st President, George Washington. The “Washington’s Birthday” name changed to “Presidents’ Day” in 1971 when it became one of the “Monday holidays” designed to give the nation’s workers more three-day weekends. 

Just for fun, here is some Presidential trivia:

• Harry S. Truman was the poorest President, worth less than $1 million dollars in 2010 dollars.
• John F. Kennedy was the richest by far, living off a personal $10 million trust fund, and worth well over $1 billion in 2010 dollars.
• Calvin Coolidge grew up in a Vermont farmhouse without electricity or telephone. In fact, that’s where he was when he found out he had succeeded to the Presidency, when Warren G. Harding died unexpectedly.
• Abraham Lincoln grew up very poor and was criticized for marrying into the wealthy Todd family prior to his Presidency.
• After Ulysses S. Grant lost his bid for a third term, nearly broke, he invested in a firm created by his successful son and a partner. The partner ultimately swindled all the investors, including Grant, leaving him destitute. 
• President Rutherford B. Hayes and his temperance-supporting wife “Lemonade Lucy” maintained an alcohol-free White House after a single reception where they served wine. His critics accused him of being a tightwad, so he used the money he saved (which came out of his personal funds) from not serving alcohol, on more lavish entertainments. 

Enjoy your holiday week!

Pink Hearts… red roses… the perfect day to show that special someone how much you really care. How did they come up with a day dedicated to love and romance anyway? 

The beginnings of St. Valentine's Day go back to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a companion for the year. The rest is, shall we say, history.  

Here are some other fun facts about Valentine’s Day:

• In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card.
• While 75% of chocolate purchases all year long are made by women, during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day, 75% of chocolate purchases are made by men.
• An average person spends two whole weeks of his or her life kissing.
• About 3% of pet owners give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
• Chocolate has been used as a gift since the days of the Aztecs, who believed it to be a source of spiritual wisdom and energy. It was used as a nuptial aid and served at wedding ceremonies.
• Amnat Puttigo from Pattaya, Thailand, won a "Ripley's Believe It or Not" by holding his wife in his arms for 10 hours, 49 minutes, and 15 seconds in a Valentine's Day Contest!

So, there you have it. Have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day.

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful…

Between the cold, the snow and motivating yourself to step out into the elements, working or exercising outside during the winter months can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you beat the cold:

• Dress in layersinstead of one thick coat. First, put on a thin layer of synthetic material, such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body.Next, add a layer of fleece or wool for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer.
• Before heading out, check the forecastfor the time you'll be outside. When you’re sweating, cold wind and dry air can quickly chill your body.
• Keep your head covered, as you lose nearly half your body heat that way.
• As the body experiences cold, it pulls blood from the extremities to protect more centralized organs, so make sure you have good quality glovesto protect your fingers from frostbite. 
• Covering your face with mask or scarfwhen the temperature is below freezing also helps warm the air a bit before it enters your lungs.
• Wear sturdy footwearwith good traction to prevent slips and falls on snow or ice.
• Wear light and/or reflective clothingsince nightfall comes early during the winter months. Add this extra layer of safety if you’ll be out after dark. 
• If you must shovel snow, check out these extra safety tips from travelers.com.

Exercising in the cold helps fight off the winter blues, and it burns more calories. With proper planning and the right gear, there’s no reason you can’t take full advantage of it.

Mary Poppins told us that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” That may be true, but by finding ways to cut sugar from your diet, you might be able to avoid the medicine altogether. Too much sugar intake can quickly put you at risk for serious health concerns like obesity and diabetes. High sugar foods and beverages wreak havoc with your energy levels and your moods. Learn how much sugar is the right amount for you.

Cut the carbs?

Sugar is a carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates, including sugar, are necessary for a balanced diet. Approximately half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, and the other half can be split between protein and fat. 

Recommendations for sugar intake are just 10% or less of your total calories. Since recommended calorie intake depends on gender and activity levels, this means most adults should aim for a range of 3 – 9 teaspoons, or between 12 to 36 grams. Kids should be eating 3 or fewer teaspoons, less than 12 grams.

Read the labels!                                                                      

Sneaky sugars add up fast in your daily diet. While some sugars occur naturally, other food items are loaded with extra sugar. Popular beverage items are a major culprit. Most people know that sodas are high in sugar, but the extra sugar in juice drinks, coffee beverages, and energy drinks might surprise you. Be cautious when selecting foods that are labeled low-fat or reduced fat. Some recipes substitute additional sugar when reducing fat content which means the final product isn’t actually healthier for you. Other sugar-rich foods that seem like healthy choices include breakfast cereals, granola bars, and flavored yogurts. Read the nutrition label carefully.

The average sugar intake in America is estimated to be about 15 to 20% of daily calories, as much as double the recommended level. It’s no surprise that health issues like diabetes and obesity are on the rise. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be a sugar-free diet. Learn to be smart about sugar your selections, then eating well won’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth.