The summer season evokes visions of beach vacations, honey-gold tans, and breezy clothes that expose plenty of sun-kissed skin. It can be difficult, in spite of all the information available about the dangers of spending too much time in the sun, to deny the allure of the sun-worshipping lifestyle, especially in a culture that equates a tan with healthiness and attractiveness. But you don’t have to stay indoors with the shades drawn during daylight hours to protect yourself from sun damage. Having the best of both worlds involves planning, keeping a small arsenal of products handy, and preparing for emergencies. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate One of the reasons the sun is so harmful for your skin

Henry Lamar Gudger house at 89 Montford. Queen Anne style. Photo courtesy NC Room, Pack Memorial Library History abounds in Asheville, from the historic Biltmore Village—that a recent tourist thought was downtown Asheville, hmmm?—to the many Asheville neighborhoods that are listed in the National Register of Historic Districts or have been designated as a Local Historic District. Asheville’s historic area, known as Montford, is one of these and is designated as both. Montford is typically alive with activity. Take a stroll down Montford Avenue and on a sunny day, you’ll see residents walking or cycling through the neighborhood or stopping at a Montford restaurant or enjoying time in Montfor

Outdoors is the place to be in Western North Carolina in any season, but particularly during the summer months when nature calls us into its domain. Walking the many hiking trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and taking in the wild places, lush with the greens of summer and the colors of the rich native flowers blooming in rare abandon, can be transformative. There is a calmness that befalls you when the machinery of the world is silenced and all around are the natural sounds of water falling, birds calling, insects singing and wind rustling the leaves and grasses. Time spent in nature, among the canopy of trees, has the power to restore and rejuvenate, while opening our senses and reconnect

Feeling tired and fatigued all the time can be caused by a variety of factors, including lack of sleep, poor nutrition, stress, and physical illness. Whatever the cause of your fatigue, there are some simple things you can do to help alleviate the constant tiredness. Here are 7 tips to fight fatigue. Eat little and often Eating regular small meals and snacks helps to stabilise your blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day. Aim to eat a healthy meal or snack every three to four hours. Choose healthy options and stick to small portions, especially if you are trying to lose weight or improve an existing health condition. Fruit, salad, nuts, yogurt, wholegrain cereal, oily fish, and lean

Treat yourself to a deliciously cool summer float. The mouth-watering cold drinks below are simple to make and only require a few ingredients found in any grocery store. Surprise your kids or your friends with one of these fabulous summer drinks. The ingredients for each float below are suggested for one serving size, feel free to double or triple the amounts as needed. Chocolate Cherry Cola Cream Shake Combine 2 large scoops of chocolate ice cream and 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Scoop the chocolate cream into a glass. Pour 1 cup cherry cola over the chocolate cream. Strawberries -n- Cream Fizz Spoon 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a la

As the hot, humid days of summer approach, it is important to remember that our pets need our protection to stay healthy in the heat. Dogs can suffer from too much heat and sun just as humans do without the right protection. Dogs can get sunburned, overheated, and dehydrated if left in the heat unprotected too long. Prolonged heat exposure can even lead to heatstroke. Here are some simple steps you can take to help your pet stay happy and healthy during the hot summer months. At the Lake or Beach Swimming is always a great way to cool down on hot summer days and for most dogs a day at the lake or beach is just the answer to keeping cool. Some dogs are not able to swim or are afraid of the w