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.

Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone, including older adults. No matter your health and physical abilities, you can gain a lot by staying active. In fact, in most cases you have more to lose by not being active.

Here are just a few of the benefits. Exercise and physical activity:

• Can help maintain and improve your physical strength and fitness.
• Can help improve your ability to do the everyday things you want to do.
• Can help improve your balance.
• Can help manage and improve diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
• Can help reduce feelings of depression and may improve mood and overall well-being.
• May improve your ability to shift quickly between tasks, plan an activity, and ignore irrelevant information.

The key word in all these benefits is YOU — how fit and active you are now and how much effort you put into being active. To gain the most benefits, enjoy your exercise program, stay safe while you exercise, and be sure to eat a healthy diet, too!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day occurs on January 17, 2022. Since 1994, this federal holiday has been celebrated as a day of service, a fitting tribute to the civil rights leader. Dr. King promoted nonviolence as a powerful tool in accomplishing social change. Consider ways that you can promote the goal of peace and equal rights today.

Speak up. 

The call for change begins with a single voice. If you have an issue that is important to you, tell people about it. Educate a friend. Organize a petition. Write to your congressional representatives. If it matters, get the word out.

Meet the needs of your community.

A struggling school could use volunteer tutors. Food banks need volunteers to sort and package donations. Participate in cleaning up a local park or other recreational area. Your efforts to improve quality of life for the community can enable others to succeed.

Gather together to remember.

It’s nice to have the day off from work or school, but it’s also important to remember why. A life was cut tragically short while working to secure and protect civil rights for everyone. Check out the Day of Servicewebsite and find a place you can serve. Join together and discuss the issues in your community and find ways to make a positive change.

Dr. King remarked, “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what’s important.” Take time to enrich the quality of your own life and others’ lives on January 17 by taking part in the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service.

With the start of the New Year, are you making some resolutions about your finances? Here are a few tips that might help you reach some goals for 2022:

Plan ahead for the coming year.   

Is your car going to need some major repairs, or will you need to purchase a new one? Don't put off thinking about large expenses till the last minute. Make some decisions now and look for alternatives too. Perhaps the gym membership isn't affordable this year, but a thrift store bicycle might well be the answer.  

Change the way you think.  

Before you make a purchase, figure out how many hours of work are required to pay for it. Are you still willing to splurge?  

There are studies that show that people are willing to pay 30% more for an item when paying with a credit card. Having to fork over that hard-earned cash might deter you from spending so much of it!

Splurge sensibly.  

There's nothing wrong with having a few financial vices because they can keep the others in check. Food, clothing, and entertainment are often our weaknesses. Pick the one you can't live without—will it be the exotic coffees, or the designer shoes?  

A few changes can make a big difference in your financial state, so spend wisely in the New Year.