On September 11, 2001, the nation grieved together for lives lost and for lives forever changed. In the succeeding years, individuals and community organizations sought to overcome the hatred and horrors witnessed that Tuesday morning by uniting in service to remember the victims of September 11^th. Congress officially recognized the date as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009. Come together with friends and neighbors to make a positive impact in your community by participating in service and remembrance activities this year. 

If you want to find a place to volunteer, you can start your search at United We Serve. You can search for activities by specifying a cause or interest that you have, or you can search for volunteer opportunities by location. You can also register an event to publicize it to other potential volunteers.

You may have seen an opportunity to make a difference in your community. You can be the start of positive change by coordinating a special event for remembrance in your neighborhood. Bring your friends and family together for a simple dinner and meaningful discussion. You might initiate a drive to raise resources for a local food bank or a homeless shelter.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 shocked and enraged people around the world. It would be easy to become consumed by fear and anger in the aftermath. Americans should choose to reach out to one another and build solidarity in their towns and cities. Become a part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance to heal the wounds of tragedy and to find a way forward together.

It’s late afternoon. The kids come home from school. They’re hungry. They’re ready for video games and a TV marathon. How can a family stay on track with healthy choices?

Organic? Gluten free? Low carb? Choosing snack foods can be a tricky business with all the latest health tips and diet crazes. The easiest rule to follow: Eat the right amount. Even sweets and treats can be a part of a healthy diet when you pay attention to the serving size. Take care not to serve children adult size portions. Overfilling their plates, then expecting them to clean their plate is the perfect recipe for overeating.

You might know that the average can of soda contains ten to twelve teaspoons of sugar. Many people are surprised to know that many fruit juices contain nearly the same amount of sugar and calories as sodas, and fruit juices generally don’t have the same nutritional benefits as actually eating a piece of fruit. Extra sugar, therefore extra calories comes in some sneaky packages sometimes. Make water the go-to beverage in your house. A glass of chilled water refreshes better than soda pop, fruit juice, or sports drinks, and it’s the perfect partner to a light afternoon snack. 

Physical play helps children burn calories and develops their growing bodies. Encourage children in active play when they come home from school. Bike riding, running and walking, and organized athletics all get kids moving. Exercise curbs the appetite from too many before-dinner snacks. Studies show physical activity increases an individual’s ability to concentrate. If your normal order is homework before playtime, it might be time to switch things up.

Today children hear mixed messages every day about what to eat and how to exercise. Even parents get confused about how to address complicated issues of childhood obesity and eating disorders. Making healthy choices doesn’t have to be hard. Learning simple rules about nutrition and health creates an easy path for children and adults to follow.

Members of the Central Labor Union first staged a Labor Day celebration in New York City on September 5, 1882. By 1884, the holiday moved to its current spot on the first Monday of the month of September, and the idea started to spread like wildfire among American workers around the country. In 1894, the holiday got the official approval of Congress, and Labor Day has marked the end to summer ever since.

Celebrate Labor Day with a big bang. Many locales offer amazing fireworks displays to honor the holiday. Ask your friends and neighbors their take on the best spots for viewing the show. Once you’re in the know, you can pack up a picnic dinner with some cold beverages to go watch the night sky light up. Feeling a do-it-yourself spirit? Get familiar with fireworks safety precautions so that your backyard show doesn’t go up in smoke.And please be sure to check local laws in your area before purchasing or using fireworks.

You can also celebrate Labor Day with a big splash. In most areas of the country, September is still plenty hot to enjoy pool time and water games. Break out your patriotic decorations from Fourth of July, and invite everyone over for a backyard cookout. Spread the labor around by encouraging guests to bring a side dish, dessert, or drinks for the festivities. 

A full-time worker logs over two thousand hours a year at work. When Labor Day rolls around at the end of summer, take advantage of twenty-four hours to enjoy the fruits of your labor with family and friends. As we all know, Tuesday morning, it’s back to the grindstone!

Getting active is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. By starting young, you can build a fun and healthy habit for a lifetime. Teens and young adults can find ways to live healthy and happy through sports activities in high school and beyond.

Parents (and grandparents) -- please feel free to share this with the middle- and high- school students in your family and circle of friends. Playing athletics in a healthy and smart way will help them gain skills that last a lifetime.

Find a sport that’s the right fit. Between physical ability and personality, not every sport is for everyone. Take stock of your natural abilities, and decide what you hope to take away from your participation. Some individuals love the thrill of intense competition while other athletes enjoy the camaraderie of intramural sports. Team sports require cooperation, but individual sports recognize individual achievements. With dozens of activities to choose from, you’re bound to find something you enjoy.

Use the right equipment. Injuries do happen, even when you’re just practicing or playing for fun. Studies report that more than sixty percent of youth sports injuries occurred at practice, not in competition. Whether it’s a supportive pair of running shoes or a helmet and safety pads, play it safe by using the correct protective equipment.

Train smart. When training for a sport, optimize your conditioning instead of just maximizing your workouts. Overtraining can cause serious damage to muscles and joints. Athletes can avoid overuse injuries by using cross-training strategies to strengthen some muscles while resting others. When physical training is balanced with rest and recovery periods, skill and strength develop quickly.

Organized athletics offer great rewards to everyone involved. Playing sports boosts physical health. Joining a new activity opens the door to meeting friends and finding opportunities. The most important thing to remember is to be a good sport by being respectful and encouraging at all times. That goes for parents too!

It’s time to head back to school. Before you dig too deep into your wallet, read up on money saving strategies for school supplies and kids’ clothes.

Check out the weekly ads. Grocery markets, discount stores, and office supply shops all want some of your back to school dollars, and nobody says you have to do all of your shopping at just one store. Watch for school year must-haves to hit super low prices by scanning the weekly ads. Crayons, pencils, folders, and notebook paper can often be bought for just a few cents. Don’t take the kids unless you must. They might just “need” expensive items with fancy licensed designs. Instead, make a fun afternoon out of decorating plain folders and binders with crafty items from around the house.

To save even more, you may want to organize a buying group. Sometimes the best deals are available on bulk packages with too many units for just one family to use. When you get the annual list of required school supplies, team up with other moms in the same school to accomplish the buying. Divvy up the items, so that each participant focuses on finding an awesome sale price for just one or two items. 

Don’t forget thrift stores and consignment stores as a way to stock up on clothing at discounted prices. Gently used and sometimes new garments are donated to thrift shops, and you will feel like a hero when you score favorite brands for next to nothing. Check the contents of children’s closets before a trip to a consignment store. You can make a list of just what you need to buy, and you can sell outgrown clothing in good condition to the store for cash or store credit.

Forget about keeping up with the Joneses, and decide what’s right for your family in the new school year. Set a budget, make a plan, and stick to it. The extra cash in your pocket will come in handy because before you know it, it will be time for holiday shopping!

It’s hotter than hot out these days. If you even suggest going outside, you’re likely to be met with loud disapproval. But with everyone going stir crazy inside the house, how will you ever survive the dog days of summer without losing your cool?

To stay cool (and to keep hydrated), water is a critical ingredient to summer fun. Don’t feel that you have to haul everyone to the nearest pool or beach; there are many water games you can play in your own backyard. Stage a water war using squirt guns and kitchen sponges. Sponges are a great soft, reusable alternative to water balloons. If you live on a hill, use a slick plastic tarp and a garden hose to make a giant waterslide. The neighbors will be so jealous.

Can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen. In fact, just get out of the house. Why limit yourself to the resources of your own home when plenty of locations offer fun activities in glorious air conditioned comfort? If kids want to bounce off the walls, go to a place designed just for that. Indoor bounce house playgrounds have popped up in shopping malls everywhere, and many locations offer all-day passes for just a few dollars.

Hit the sweet spot with a fruity, frozen treat. With a food processor or a blender, you can try making “ice cream” from frozen banana slices. Slice bananas into thin pieces, and freeze in a single layer. Make multiple layers by spreading freezer paper in between. Allow the frozen banana slices to thaw slightly, so they soften enough for the processor or blender to handle. Blend the frozen banana slices until they achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Add a little peanut butter or chocolate for a sweet concoction that will make everyone go bananas!

Don’t let the dog days of summer get you down. It’s time to chill out, and enjoy the last lazy (and hot!) days of summer.