You may not know this, but your bones play an important role in your overall health. They not only give the body a frame that lets you move, bones store minerals that are vital to the function of other life-sustaining systems.

According to the Office of the Surgeon General, an estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis or “thinning of the bones,” while another 34 million are at risk. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that approximately one in two women, and up to one in four men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime.

This weekend, elevate dinner at home by recreating a tasty takeout dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. Rather than reaching for the phone, roll up your sleeves and prepare an easy beef dish with exotic spices and a fun dipping sauce.

Chinese Beef Pot Stickers blend the classic flavors of ginger and soy sauce with savory, affordable lean ground beef – and with an umami-rich dipping sauce, your family and friends will be craving seconds.

When it comes to studying, a lot of students could use a little extra help in mastering a subject. A new series of nine books from expert authors can help students focus on the skills they need for some tricky classes. The “Essentials For Dummies” series (Wiley) are concise, easy-to-understand review guides that cover entire courses by concentrating on the most important concepts. With clear explanations, these books are helpful resources for those needing help with physics, chemistry, algebra, statistics, calculus, Spanish, grammar, and more.

Finding school lunch ideas that stay fresh can be challenging. But with a few simple solutions, you can provide your kids delicious and tasty sandwiches.

Kids love to snack. But left to their own devices, most kids don’t always make the healthiest snack choices. A new study of long-term eating patterns in children, from researchers at the University of North Carolina, shows that kids today are getting nearly one-third of their daily calories from unhealthy snacks such as chips, crackers and candy.

Nutritious and delicious snacks are as close as your produce aisle. Watermelon is practically a multivitamin unto itself — and its natural sweetness is something kids love. A 2-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamins A, B6 and C.

“As the mother of picky eaters, I am always trying to find ways to sneak nutritious foods into my daughters’ meals, especially during the school year when schedules can get packed and I don’t have a lot of time to prepare dinner,” said “Sneaky Chef” cookbook author Missy Chase Lapine.

“Traditional cocktails are coming off the rocks and onto the grill. Expect to see flavorful spirits in place of vinegars or other liquids and new combinations like martini marinated mahi mahi,” said Kevan Vetter, Executive Chef at McCormick.

The last thing you need when you’re traveling is to get sick while on the road. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up a bug along with your souvenirs.

There’s nothing like the sweet tartness of lemonade to help you cool down on a hot summer day. This summer I’m trying some new ways to enjoy the refreshing taste of lemonade – I hope you like them, too!

As summertime workouts heat up, proper post-exercise cool-downs become even more important. Whether you are a weekend warrior playing in local summer leagues or a serious runner getting ready for fall marathon season, warmer weather activities increase sweat, break down muscles and deplete the body of electrolytes and other essential nutrients.

When a trip to the ice cream parlor isn’t in the cards, bring the ice cream parlor home with DIY sundaes! Making the perfect sundae might look like a hefty task, yet with a little creativity this all-American dessert is one of the easiest to make.

These all-American cupcakes are festively adorned in red, white and blue from top to bottom, beginning with star-studded Old Glory baking cups all the way up to the waving flag. They promise to be patriotically pleasing for all – kids and adults alike.

Friends and family across the country gather for backyard bonanzas to celebrate summer and traditional American holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. While hamburgers and hot dogs have been staples of barbeque menus for years, modern party throwers are always looking for new tips and recipes to satisfy guests at celebratory cookouts.

It’s true — the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens.

Bananas aren’t just for breakfast or lunch anymore. By grilling this popular fruit, you can add a whole new flavor dimension to a dinnertime recipe and turn a basic dessert into something wow.

With summer in full swing, outdoor chefs are fine-tuning their grilling game and looking for creative twists on backyard food favorites. But most cooks often overlook a classic pantry staple that’s a great secret ingredient and unlikely ally when entertaining outdoors: 100% pure honey.

Tea can always be enjoyed as a simple, soothing cup of comfort. But with so many flavors and varieties available, tea lovers are discovering entirely new ways to enjoy their favorite brew. Tea-drinking trends find people infusing their tea with fruit and other flavors, and experimenting with tea in recipes.

The celebration experts from Wilton suggest setting the stage for this rite of passage with highlights of the graduate’s educational journey. A display of awards, achievements or recognitions, photos, and other mementos makes perfect party decor.

Whether it’s a quick meal fired up for the family, or a big backyard cookout for the whole neighborhood, grilling gives you the flexibility to prepare delicious food that feeds a crowd without spending a fortune. Try these cash-saving tips.

So dad and kids, that means it’s time to gear up for Mother’s Day. It doesn’t have to be grandiose – even the simplest celebration will be appreciated. Mom always looks forward to the handmade gifts kids make at school for the special day, or maybe breakfast in bed. But this year, do something unique.