With temperatures beginning to creep into the triple digits in many places, a great way to beat the heat is with frozen or cold snacks and drinks. Here are three of my grandma's favorite easy recipes that won't heat up the kitchen and the whole family will enjoy--

Nacho Dip:

16 oz softened cream cheese
16 oz. sour cream
2 pkgs taco seasoning
shredded lettuce
shredded cheese
prepared salsa
nacho chips

Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in taco seasoning and mix well. Spoon onto a large plate, and then top with lettuce, salsa, and cheese. Arrange nacho chips around the outside of plate.

Dreamsicle Smoothie:

12 ounces frozen orange juice from concentrate
8 ounces vanilla ice cream
8 ounces vanilla nonfat yogurt
4 ounces milk
4 ounces ice

Place all items in a blender and blend for about 3 minutes, or until smooth.

Frozen Lemonade Pie:

1/4 cup water
1/3 cup lemonade flavor drink mix
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed
1 ready-to-use graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz.)

Add water to drink mix in large bowl; stir until mix is dissolved. Stir in milk. Add whipped topping; stir gently until blended. Spoon into crust. Freeze about 6 hours or until firm.

Enjoy your summer, and keep cool!

When you're trying to make lifestyle changes to lose weight or to become more heart healthy, you may come across the phrase “lean protein.”

Protein is considered one of the building blocks for the body—most every system relies on it. Many protein-rich foods, however, are also high in fat, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Lean protein is the best of both worlds: the protein you need, without a lot of the fat you don’t.

Here are some easy ways to add lean protein to your diet:

• Eggs  Low in calories and high in nutrients, the versatile egg can be a simple way to add protein, whether eating it boiled, scrambled, in an omelet, or added to baked goods or meatloaf.
• Fish  Fish is usually a good source of protein, because even if there is fat, those omega-3 fatty acids are good for you. Just skip the deep-fried fish, as well as any high-fat sauces.
• Dairy  Low- or non-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt are good choices. Whey protein shakes are another source, too.
• Vegetables  Not all protein comes from animal sources. Beans, peas, quinoa, and lentils are also good lean protein sources, particularly for those who follow a vegetarian diet.

There are plenty of choices out there, many of them not only healthy but tasty as well. There’s no reason why you can’t ‘go lean’ today.

If you’re hunched over your desk all day and aren't taking regular breaks to move around, you're probably suffering from one or more of the following:

• stiff neck
• achy back
• numb butt
• shoulder pain

A little exercise can do wonders for these ailments. Even if you can’t work out while you work, schedule small stretching breaks throughout the day to loosen up those tight muscles.

Here are six stretches you can try today. Hold each stretch for about 15 seconds. Try doing them at least once an hour (think “shoulder, shoulder, neck, neck, back, back”).

Shoulder stretches:

• Lace your fingers behind your back, gently straighten elbows while reaching up and back.
• Grab under your right upper arm and pull the arm across your chest at shoulder level. Repeat for other shoulder.

Neck stretches:

• Lace your fingers behind your head and gently pull your chin towards your chest.
• Do slow exaggerated nods—looking up and down—several times, followed by shaking your head from left to right several times.

Back stretches:

• Sit up tall in your chair, lace fingers together and stretch your arms overhead, palms toward the ceiling. Lift your chin up, and then tilt your head back, inhale, exhale, release. Repeat.
• Place your hands on the edge of your desk and slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you're looking at the floor. Slowly pull yourself back in. Repeat a few times.

Just because you’re stuck at a desk all day doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in a little exercise. Your body will thank you for it later. 

If you just feel like there never seems to be enough money to do anything extra, it could be time to take a look at your how you're handling your finances. 

Sometimes even small changes can make a big difference.

1. Time is money.Start a side business or work on your qualifications so you can get a promotion at your job.
2. Find ways to cut spending.It really doesn't have to be more elaborate than stopping at a dollar store for basic items instead of that deluxe specialty store.
3. Say “no” to impulse buying.And not just in a brick and mortar store either. Unsubscribe from those email sale reminders, too.
4. Look around the house. If cooling costs are making you hot under the collar, check your home's insulation or to have the air conditioning system serviced.
5. Clean out that wallet. Keep track of your spending for a month and try to set up a realistic budget.
6. What else is in that wallet?If you're walking around with all your valuable information in your wallet, you're apt to lose a lot if it’s stolen.
7. Pay attention to when you spend.For example, if you go a bit overboard when you go out to lunch, make those cash only events.
8. Splurge! There's no reason you can't indulge yourself now and again, but try smaller treats, more often.
9. Join a credit union.They tend to have lower fees and higher savings rates than regular banks.
10. Remember the first rule about credit cards:Never spend more than you have.

You don't need to be a financial genius to improve things. Just keep an eye on the situation and do what you can.

When planning your 4th of July weekend this year, consider taking your family on a picnic!

How do you find the perfect spot though? State parks are an excellent solution. To locate a state park near you (or near your vacation destination), the Internet is a good place to start. Just enter “state parks” and your state name in a search engine.

For a more general site chock full of fun picnic information as well as a state-by-state guide, you can try Alan’s Kitchen. Visitor centers and interstate rest areas/welcome centers have a wealth of information as well.

Check the park's calendar of events for fireworks or any other activities on your chosen date. Be sure to find out what amenities are at the park, as well as any regulations that may apply to you. Are there grills, or will you need to bring one?  Are open flames not allowed?

Picnics are a fine opportunity for the family to play games, and you won't have to bring a lot of equipment to enjoy yourselves. A tug-of-war game only needs a rope. Bring along a few scarves for a 3-legged race. Charades are a fun activity for younger children and adults alike. A game of catch, Frisbee, or a water balloon toss can be a way to sneak in some exercise while creating some lasting family memories.

Bring a cell phone and emergency numbers. Print a copy of the park's map and bring along, just in case. While you’re planning, don't forget insect repellant and sunscreen! And always be sure to supervise children around water.

Have a great 4th!

At one time or another, you may have found yourself alone in a doctor's examination room and noticed the doctor has left your chart on the desk. You take a small peek, and then are stunned to see that you have been described as ‘obese.’

Obese!?!?

What the doctor was basing this observation upon was actually your Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Health professionals use your BMI as an indicator for the amount of fat on your body.  The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

The following chart shows what the ranges are for an adult:

     BMI                            Weight Status      

Below 18.5                      Underweight

18.5 – 24.9                Normal or Healthy Weight

25.0 – 29.9                        Overweight

30.0 and Above                 Obese

Your BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. As an example,  a 6'2” tall male who weighs 257 pounds  has a BMI  of 32.9 (obese).

Now, this formula isn't infallible. That's the height and weight of Arnold Schwarzenegger during his Conan the Barbarian days. Since muscle weighs more than fat, it's possible to be in good condition and have a BMI number showing you are overweight, or to have a good BMI number and still have a high percentage of body fat.

Just remember that when you're contemplating a weight loss regimen, the best thing to do is consult your doctor about the proper diet and exercise program you need for your overall health.