You may not realize that rather than celebrate Columbus Day each year, California and South Dakota have the public holiday Native Americans Day instead. The holiday's purpose is to explore, support and share in the traditions and cultural background of Native Americans. In California it is observed the fourth Friday of September (9/23 this year), and on the second Monday in October (10/10) in South Dakota. Indigenous People's Day is similarly observed instead of Columbus Day in Berkeley, CA, as well as in Minnesota and Washington State.

One way you can observe Native Americans Day this year is by trying out some of the ways the tribes traditionally promoted good health.

Play some games!Both indigenous men and women played a wide variety of active sports, often with the goal of ensuring a good harvest or healing the sick. Although many tribes claim to be the inventors of lacrosse, it was definitely a game that was played in the hopes that their tribe would prosper. Here are some games you and your family might try. 

Dance, baby!  Whether it was for healing or prayer, initiation or storytelling, there are, and were, many reasons for the indigenous peoples to dance. Join them! For inspiration, watch some Native American dances on YouTube.

Eat Well.  The introduction of European foods changed the indigenous peoples' diet—mostly for the worse. Many Native Americans have Type 2 diabetes. Try a recipe or two with the traditional, healthier ingredients.

Observe Native Americans Day like a healthy American!

Are you one of those “leaf freaks”— those devoted admirers of autumn and its vivid hues of gold, orange, red, bronze, and purple? Are you ready to make the pilgrimage into the countryside and see the lovely palette nature has to offer?

When planning your fall foliage tour, the first thing to do find out when and where the colors are changing. This map gives The Weather Channel's best guesses, but generally the leaves begin changing color in mid-September in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and gradually move southward through the warmer climates through the end of October. Color usually peaks around Columbus weekend, depending on the temperature and rainfall.

Here are some areas you might want to explore in New England this fall:

• Take in the clean, crisp air and be inspired as Thoreau was at Walden Pond. Nature lovers and history buffs alike can find plenty of activities nearby while admiring the view.
• Speaking of authors, Stephen King fans can visit “mecca” while admiring the lovely shades of fall in Bangor, Maine. The state has a helpful website to help plan your foliage adventures.
• “Magical” and “wonderful” were among the adjectives reviewers on Trip Advisor used to describe Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, New Hampshire. Home to many varieties of plants, this area is also a favorite with birdwatchers. The nearby Polar Caves are a popular destination as well.
• A car isn’t the only way to enjoy great color. Why not see nature's annual display from a steam train or a riverboat?

No matter your individual tastes, there is a foliage route for you!

Patriot Day, also known as The National Day of Service, is a day for honoring those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, by doing at least one good deed. Even if you’re new to the area, or community service has never really been “your thing”, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Look on websites like eventful.com and eventbrite.com (search for “volunteer”) for places and events in your area that appeal to you. Contact the venues and inquire if there is anything that you can do to help out.

Think about your normal activities and interests and see if they don't naturally suggest a way you can help someone out.

• Good at woodworking? Build flower boxes or bird houses for the local park, homeless shelter, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
• Social media is your expertise? Think of all the collection drives you could do for your area by reaching out to the people in your network—food, blankets, coats, shoes, baby clothing, sporting equipment, school supplies, books, board games, old phones, unused cosmetics, pet food and more.
• Do you have a special skill? Offer to demonstrate at a local women's shelter, at a PTA meeting, a fundraising event, the library, the museum, or a nursing home.

Young people can find volunteer campaigns to “make the world suck less” at DoSomething.org. There are also opportunities for scholarships.

Spend a little while today finding some way to help others in need, and do it! It's a great way to remember the fallen, and it's a wonderful gift.

Labor Day weekend doesn't seem complete without getting out the grill, does it? Having friends and family over for a barbecue is what the holiday is all about—as well as some good eating!

Safety first, though! Many injuries occur during grilling season, so take care that you are following the instructions provided with your grill and using a little common sense:

• Only use your grill outdoors—not in the house, camper, or tent.
• Use long-handled tools and potholders.
• Trim the fat from meats to prevent flare-ups.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid after coals have been ignited.
• Have a box of baking soda handy in case of fire, and a fire extinguisher or hose.

Now, on to the recipes!

You may have your tried-and-true recipes that you're known for, but if you're ready to take it up a notch and experiment with some truly decadent dishes, the BBQ Pit Boys have you covered. They'll show you how to select the right cuts of meat for the smoker or grill, along with tips and tricks on cooking some great recipes. Watch their Peanut Butter & Jelly Ribs recipe video and see if your mouth doesn't start watering!

What about beer and chicken? Find out here. There's a lot of controversy about whether the beer (or other liquid) in the can actually provides any flavor or moisture to the chicken, but cooking a chicken vertically means you have more room on your grill for other goodies.  What’s not to like?

Happy grilling!

Women in the United States were given the right to vote on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed. August 26th is designated as Women's Equality Day, set aside to commemorate that occasion.

Let's celebrate Women's Equality Day with some fascinating facts!

• Wyoming was the first state to give women the right to vote AND the first state to elect a female governor.
• Here are some things invented by women: the circular saw, the dishwasher, Kevlar, the windshield wiper, the engine muffler, the electric hot water heater, wireless transmission technology, and the chocolate chip cookie.
• The two highest IQ's ever recorded belonged to women.
• 855 enlisted African-American women and officers made up the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII. The women were charged with delivering mail to approximately seven million American troops stationed in Europe.
• In a touch of irony, high heel shoes were first worn by men in the 1600s. Women wore them to appear more masculine.
• Julia DeForest Tuttle, known as the “mother of Miami,” has the distinction of being the only woman to have founded a major American city.
• When Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady, she would only allow female reporters at her press conferences. Her decision meant newspapers would have to hire women journalists if they wanted the story.

If you're interested in learning more about the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, watch Hilary Swank as suffragist leader Alice Paul in Iron-Jawed Angels (2004).

It won't be too long before the school bus is honking its horn in front of the house again—are you and your kids ready?

Now's the time to start gradually easing the family back into the school year schedule.

Late sleepers should get used to waking up earlier, and having regular meal times again can be very helpful for younger children. If earlier bedtimes are a hassle, use some psychology—often children don't want to go to bed for fear of missing out on some fun. So plan some not-so-fun activities like watching a dry documentary or cleaning the refrigerator.

Involve your children in the back-to-school shopping.

Block out some time to go through the drawers and closets and decide which clothes have to go, which clothes can be handed down to a younger child, and what clothing needs to be purchased. Discussing the budget before hitting the stores should make things easier.

School supply lists should be available on school websites or in local stores.

Be sure to consult your children about purchases—some of them can be very particular. Does your child prefer a separate eraser, for example? Will any old yellow #2 pencil do, or do they prefer a certain brand or a mechanical pencil? And don't forget about any personal hygiene products (tissues, etc.) that would make your child feel more comfortable away from home.

A little preparation before the first day of school arrives will guarantee that you'll make the grade!