(Distributed 12/22/06) If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.

(Distributed 12/21/06) Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.

(Distributed 12/18/06) This holiday season let your children share in planning and preparing food for special occasions, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, who stresses that kids enjoy being "holiday helpers" as well as helping you all year long.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Gaining weight during the holidays is a fear most people face this time of year, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Every year thousands of Americans go into debt over the holidays because Santa and his elves went a little over budget. With holiday shopping, rising gas prices and hosting holiday parties, it is no wonder we have trouble staying out of debt.

(Distributed 12/11/06) The holidays can be a tough time to try to manage or lose weight, but you can keep it on track, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

(Distributed 12/08/06) During the holidays we often indulge in rich foods we might not normally eat at other times of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says there are ways to enjoy these bountiful foods during this season and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants in the United States. Colored leaves called bracts are the main attraction of poinsettias, and an ever increasing range of colors are available – from the traditional red, to white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled and speckled.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Many New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by the first of February. However, resolving to take control of your family finances can have a positive effect on your financial position in the coming months and on your long-term goals, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Overly enthusiastic holiday spending can push a family into financial difficulty. The challenge of managing holiday spending is to enjoy the spirit of the season without paying for it months or even years later, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/07/06) The hustle and bustle of the holidays may make even the most responsible of pet owners neglectful of certain dangers to cats and dogs among the food, events and decorations, says Dr. Christine Navarre, LSU AgCenter veterinarian.

(Distributed 12/07/06) Online shopping in the United States rises approximately 30 percent each holiday season, because it can save time, money and effort. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at a mall or shop, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/06/06) When families gather for the holidays, gifts are exchanged and relationships are renewed. Gifts don’t have to come in packages. They can be delivered through words and actions.

(Distribtued 12/06/06) "Mom, I want a …" is typically heard more often this time of year followed by the name of the latest toy advertised with lots of splash and dash on TV or in stores.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Holidays are among the special occasions to preserve the memories of people, scenes and events you won’t see the same way again. To help make the most of recording this season for future enjoyment, LSU AgCenter photographers Mark Claesgens and John Wozniak have pooled their recommendations.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

(Distributed 12/05/06) Cooks across Louisiana are now making their grocery lists and checking them twice in preparation for those holiday meals. An LSU AgCenter nutritionist says food safety should be high on the list while those preparations are being made.

(Distributed 12/01/06) The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause stress for people trying to please family and friends, even under the best circumstances, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Even more, holiday stress can be particularly difficult to manage when it occurs within "blended" families, or families in which one or both parents have children from former relationships, the LSU AgCenter expert says.

(Distributed 12/01/06) The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause stress for people trying to please family and friends, even under the best circumstances, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Even more, holiday stress can be particularly difficult to manage when it occurs within "blended" families, or families in which one or both parents have children from former relationships, the LSU AgCenter expert says.

(Distributed 12/05/06) Cooks across Louisiana are now making their grocery lists and checking them twice in preparation for those holiday meals. An LSU AgCenter nutritionist says food safety should be high on the list while those preparations are being made.

(Distributed 12/06/06) When families gather for the holidays, gifts are exchanged and relationships are renewed. Gifts don’t have to come in packages. They can be delivered through words and actions.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Holidays are among the special occasions to preserve the memories of people, scenes and events you won’t see the same way again. To help make the most of recording this season for future enjoyment, LSU AgCenter photographers Mark Claesgens and John Wozniak have pooled their recommendations.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

(Distributed 12/07/06) The hustle and bustle of the holidays may make even the most responsible of pet owners neglectful of certain dangers to cats and dogs among the food, events and decorations, says Dr. Christine Navarre, LSU AgCenter veterinarian.

(Distributed 12/07/06) Online shopping in the United States rises approximately 30 percent each holiday season, because it can save time, money and effort. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at a mall or shop, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) During the holidays we often indulge in rich foods we might not normally eat at other times of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says there are ways to enjoy these bountiful foods during this season and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Many New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by the first of February. However, resolving to take control of your family finances can have a positive effect on your financial position in the coming months and on your long-term goals, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants in the United States. Colored leaves called bracts are the main attraction of poinsettias, and an ever increasing range of colors are available – from the traditional red, to white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled and speckled.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Overly enthusiastic holiday spending can push a family into financial difficulty. The challenge of managing holiday spending is to enjoy the spirit of the season without paying for it months or even years later, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/11/06) The holidays can be a tough time to try to manage or lose weight, but you can keep it on track, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Every year thousands of Americans go into debt over the holidays because Santa and his elves went a little over budget. With holiday shopping, rising gas prices and hosting holiday parties, it is no wonder we have trouble staying out of debt.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Gaining weight during the holidays is a fear most people face this time of year, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.

(Distributed 12/18/06) This holiday season let your children share in planning and preparing food for special occasions, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, who stresses that kids enjoy being "holiday helpers" as well as helping you all year long.

(Distributed 12/21/06) Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.

(Distributed 12/22/06) If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.