I’ve never been known for my stellar budgeting skills (my husband can confirm this). But during a time when watching our dollars spent feels more critical than ever, I’m slowly learning to be more mindful of how much I’m spending and where. One area that continues to be a work in progress is my food and grocery budget. To help…
If you’ve dropped by this blog before, you may have noticed that I love animals. I’ve featured dogs, more dogs and even goats. 2020 has given me a deeper appreciation for my pets and all of the comfort they bring, even in the toughest of times. Research finds that four-legged friends can lower levels of cortisol (the “stress hormone”) as…
I cooked my very first turkey last week. After watching videos, chatting with my grandma on her self-proclaimed “turkey tip hotline,” and carefully following all of the steps, my first bird was a success! The meat was perfectly cooked, we had leftovers for days and I only set off the smoke alarm once (note to self: an extra pan to…
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to moderate a webinar all about the immune system with TOPS Medical Editor Dr. Vidya Kidambi. She tackled the topic of supplements and gave a refreshing reality check on whether or not these pills actually do what they claim to do. Without giving too much away, I encourage all members to cozy up…
It can seem difficult to find moments of joy lately, but it’s these moments that keep us going. Something I’ve found happiness in over the past few months is hearing how our members are adapting and continuing to focus on their health. In my last blog, I had the pleasure of sharing how member Jo’Ann Godshall is staying active. This…
I’m so excited to have a very special guest for this week’s blog. Jo’Ann Godshall is an avid hiker and a TOPS Advocate for South Central Pennsylvania. I had the opportunity to ask Jo’Ann how she’s managed to stay active and overcome setbacks over the past few months of what has been an extremely-challenging year. Q: How has your fitness…
Pumpkin spice tends to get most of the attention this time of year, and it never ceases to amaze me what food (or food-like product) becomes pumpkin-fied each year. But there are many other fall treats worth adding to your autumn arsenal. Here’s a roundup of my latest fall fruit and veggie tips to try for yourself or tweak with…
With so many things beyond our control and an endless news cycle that takes an emotional toll, it’s important now more than ever to find comfort in familiar favorites. Whether it’s a brisk walk through the leaves with a friend or the warm aroma of a pumpkin-spiced treat, fall brings us simple reminders to stop, breathe and savor. Take a…
This week, I’m excited to have TOPS Marketing Manager, Kimberly Greene, as my special guest blogger. Warm weather days here in Wisconsin are limited—Wisconsinites know that we need to get outside and maximize the sunshine. So why not get creative with how we’re (safely) spending our time, especially when so many things have been postponed or canceled this year? I’ve…