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Apples are one of my favorite fruits. Who can resist sinking their teeth into a cool, crisp juicy apple. Apples are good for you too! They contain phyto-chemicals that play a role in decreasing heart disease, controlling diabetes, and reducing the risk of cancer. The majority of the apples’ disease fighting factors are in the skin. The apple is also low in sodium and high in potassium, and it tastes great! Apples are also low in fat and are cholesterol free.

Sometimes people are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and stroke due to risk factors they cannot control.  Such risk factors may include advanced age, family history or ethnicity.  There are risk factors you can control, however, to help improve both heart and brain health.

Because we spend a lot of time indoors during the winter, we can channel these increased hours spent nesting to allow for a thoughtful examination of our life and goals. Often, resolutions to change financial burdens or eating habits are made in the beginning of the year, but it’s also a great time to assess life goals and priorities, and how they relate to happiness. This year, following several trying economic years, offers an opportunity to reevaluate what you want out of life and how you can find happiness with what you have.

Many people start the New Year with a financial resolution: to reduce debt, save money, spend money more wisely, increase their retirement savings or something similar. But despite good intentions, New Year’s resolutions often get abandoned. To stay on track, consider the following tips, which are designed to help you achieve your financial goals.

Write down the goals and post them in a visible place to serve as a daily reminder. The fridge, bedroom mirror or your computer are good places to keep your goals in sight.