Pears are plentiful

Buy a bagful this weekend to take to work on Monday for snacks or leave out in plain view at home. A medium pear (about 6 ounces) has about 100 calories, plus fiber and potassium. They're great fresh, diced and tossed in a salad, poached in wine, or baked to perfection.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Quit smoking

It's expensive. It stinks. It's bad for your health. It's bad for your loved ones. It's even bad for pets exposed to passive smoke. Quit or make a plan to quit smoking today during the 34th annual Great American Smokeout. Free help is available through the American Cancer Society.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Herbal remedy

Start an herb garden. Fresh herbs add flavor without fat and calories. Plus, gardening can be a fun, relaxing hobby, helping with stress management. Basil and rosemary are two easy plants to start with.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Don't forget to work out your brain

Find a new mind teaser and spend at least 15 minutes a day giving your brain a work out. It must be something new and challenging, not something you're already good at. This is National Memory Screening Day, part of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Schedule some fun

Make a date to go bowling. No, it's not aerobic, but it's more active than sitting on the sofa watching reruns. Besides, it's social and fun which helps fight depression, dementia and stress. If not bowling, walking or canoeing. The idea is to get up, get out and get connected.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Brain food

Eat fish, nuts and dark green vegetables this weekend to help keep your brain healthy. Halibut, trout and salmon; almonds, pecans and walnuts; kale, spinach and broccoli all appear to protect brain cells. Click here to find out more about brain health and preventing Alzheimer's Disease.

Heart-head connection

Whatever good things you do for your heart, you also do for your brain. Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes improves blood flow to the brain and may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Be active, don't smoke, eat a low fat diet, maintain a healthy body weight and get regular checkups.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Memory: lost and found

Everyone has lost their sun glasses or car keys; it's a concern if you can't retrace your steps to find them or start accusing others of stealing everytime items are misplaced. Forgetting momentarily and remembering later is normal; frequent confusion and forgetfullness with no recall of recent events, isn't. Your family doctor can do a simple, in-office memory screening if you have concerns.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer   

Memory on your mind?

If you or someone you know is having trouble remembering the steps in a routine process, such as following a recipe, doing laundry or paying bills bring it up with a physician. It may be an early sign of Alzheimer's Disease. Click here for more signs of a possible memory disorder.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

Wear purple in support of finding a cure for this mind robbing disease. Boost your brain power: learn something new (a computer skill, card game, how to knit); do something routine, differently (brush your teeth or practice writing with the other hand); memorize a passage from a book, the lyrics to a song. Click here to learn more from the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer