(Distributed May 2006) "Eating healthfully is one of the most important things women can do to achieve and maintain good health," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, in observance of National Women’s Health Week May14-20.

(Distributed May 2006) Louisiana officials soon will launch a quality rating system for child-care programs. Just as restaurants and hotels are rated, this system will grade child-care programs and help consumers choose programs based upon their quality.

(Distributed May 2006) Caring for children can be an exciting and rewarding field, but it’s also a huge responsibility, so an LSU AgCenter child-care associate says there are many factors to consider before starting a child-care business.

(Distributed May 2006) "Play ball," the umpire calls out, and the game begins. The grade-schoolers are in their defensive positions on the field, the pitcher prepares to make the first pitch and the batter is ready. The young player dreads the possibility of getting out and letting his team down, but he dreads more the cutting remarks he may face, including those of his parents and coach

(Distributed May 2006) Service-learning is a teaching strategy sweeping the nation that links community service to formal and informal education.

(Distributed May 2006) May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Yet, about one quarter of American adults report doing no significant physical activity.

(Distributed May 2006) May is a good time to enjoy mayhaw jelly, Louisiana’s state jelly. The mayhaw, Crataegus opaca, is a native fruit of Louisiana. It begins ripening in late April and finishes about the first week in June. Fruit color is usually bright red, although it can deviate toward pink or yellow.

(Distributed May 2006) Increased emphasis on safer sports turf has evolved greatly over the past years. About 20 years ago, two-thirds of reported sports injuries occurred on practice fields. Those fields were less maintained than game fields.

(Distributed May 2006) Nearly all Americans consume much more salt than they need, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Increased salt (sodium chloride) intake is linked with higher blood pressure. Decreased salt consumption reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

(Distributed May 2006) A sticky dripping substance falling from pecan trees in spring and summer can be annoying. The dripping material is called honeydew.