Health

Friends closer than sisters — and not

By: Helen Oxenberg

Dear Solutions: My sister’s friend died recently. My sister, who considered this person her best friend, can’t seem to get over it. She says she has no one to really talk to anymore. I thought we were always close, and I feel a little insulted. I told her she still has me to talk to, and she just said it’s not the same. I thought a sister is closer than a friend. I would like to... READ MORE

Thoughtful gift ideas for comfort, healing

By: Suzy Cohen

For those of us who still have our health and energy, it’s hard to imagine how others with a chronic illness may feel. If you know someone who is uncomfortable or struggling with pain or an unpleasant condition, keep in mind they might appreciate a thoughtful — and helpful — gift at any time of the year. In this column, I can help you figure out what they really want or need, or ... READ MORE

Help researchers understand Alzheimer’s

By: Barbara Ruben

Over the last 15 years, researchers have made strides in better understanding the development and detection of Alzheimer’s disease — if not in treatments for the disease itself. Some of these discoveries — such as that brain changes take place years before there are outward signs of Alzheimer’s, and that many genes may play a role in who gets the disease — have come about... READ MORE

Fight a denied Medicare Advantage claim

By: Eleanor Laise

If a Medicare Advantage plan denies you coverage for medically necessary care, don’t take it lying down. File an appeal, and your odds are good that the plan will overturn its decision. That’s the message for consumers in a recent government report examining service and payment denials in Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private insurers and often combine basic Medicare ... READ MORE

Use Indian flatbread for quick pizza crust

By: America’s Test Kitchen

Use Indian flatbread for quick pizza crust Naan is an Indian flatbread with a chewy texture and a puffed, slightly charred crust. Brushing a baking sheet with olive oil and then baking the naan on the lowest rack in a 400 F oven gives it a crispy texture — just like pizza crust. This recipe can be doubled. Pizza in a flash Servings: 1-2 Start to finish: 40 minutes (Active... READ MORE

The pressures beauty standards impose

By: Sandrzej

Many people are brainwashed into buying into our culture’s steady message about what is attractive. Teenagers like myself are certainly encouraged by society (and our peers) to look a certain way. Women, we’re basically told, should be equipped with shiny, long hair, dark eyelashes and a slim waist, while men should be tall, lean and muscular. These standards of “beauty” are... READ MORE