Nowadays it seems that Hollywood is obsessed with pregnancy. Everywhere you turn there is a new, “baby bump watch,” aimed at stalking a recently pregnant celebrity and capturing pictures of her belly. This glamorization of pregnancy is great at celebrating motherhood, but may confuse many youngsters.

By glamorizing pregnancy, the media runs the risk of not exposing the realities of parenthood. Many impressionable young teenagers may pick up a magazine and look through the pictures of expectant mothers that don’t seem to have a care in the world. Because celebrities influence the opinions of teenagers, this could cause an increase in teen pregnancy, as young girls are disillusioned by the realities of what it takes to be a parent. The paparazzis’ obsession with pregnancy also violates the privacy of the expectant mothers who may just be shopping or spending time with friends and family. It’s wonderful to celebrate motherhood, and to acknowledge how beautiful a pregnant woman can be. However, Hollywood is slowly getting out of control and becoming obsessed with celebrities who are pregnant.

Gas prices are incredibly high, and some Americans are paying almost five dollars for one gallon of gas. While this is a heavy blow to the American wallet, and something that doesn’t look like it will improve soon, the news gets worse. Not only are gas prices expecting to keep rising, but the cost of fuel is affecting other prices as well.

Groceries have increased in price, mostly due to the high cost of shipping many products to grocery store chains. Some of the most affected products include chocolate, coffee, and produce. These products are expected to increase in price along with the rising cost of gas. Other things that are affected by the price of gas include travel expenses. Plane tickets, hotels, and amusement park admittance will likely be increased, as companies have to make up for rising costs, and also make up for the lack of patronage going along with the high cost of fuel. If you’re concerned about the price of gas, and how it will affect the products you buy, consider purchasing these products in bulk now, or conserving these products (as well as gas) in order to compensate for the increase in cost.

Health and diet go hand in hand. You cannot be successful at losing weight, getting rid of chronic illness, or alleviating any other medical issues you may have if you do not eat well. Eating a balanced diet is the single most important thing you can do for your health.

Eating a healthy diet means limiting the amount of simple carbohydrates you consume, like white bread. It’s important to eat whole grains whenever possible, and to get plenty of fruits and vegetables. While some fat is needed for a healthy diet, it’s necessary to limit the amount of saturated and trans fats you consume, as well as cutting down the white sugar you eat on a regular basis. Getting lean proteins, and cutting out all sugary drinks are also helpful things you can do for your health. Understanding that diet is the most important thing that affects your health will put you on the right track to making healthy eating decisions. It’s perfectly normal and acceptable to indulge once in a while, but understand that diet will make the difference in a healthy mind and body and a plagued mind and body.

Owning a car is a large responsibility. Aside from paying your car payment, keeping it insured, and making sure your car is inspected and able to pass emissions tests, it’s important to perform regular car maintenance. This upkeep will keep your car in top shape for many years.

Oil changes are vital for the life of your car. Change your oil every 3,000 miles, or every four months you drive it. If you hire a repair shop to change your oil, ask them to check all the fluids in your car as well. This will make sure your car isn’t in danger of overheating, and has all the fluids it needs to perform well for you. Always get the highest grade gas recommended by the automobile manufacturer to maintain your engine and help your car perform excellently. Keeping your car clean on the outside, as well as the inside will also help it last a long time. Wintertime can do a lot of damage to the outside of your car, especially if the roads have been salted. Wash and wax your care regularly to prevent any type of erosion to the body of your car. Maintaining your vehicle is part of the responsibility of being a car owner, so help your car last as long as you need it to.

Tax time is often stressful for many people, because they have to fill out their forms, and get all their financial information together. However, one of the greatest things about tax season is the coveted refund check we get in the mail each year. What will you do with your tax refund next year?

Many people choose to save their tax refund, and put it towards their “emergency” or, “someday” fund. This is a great way to start or continue a savings because it’s extra money that you may not have been expecting or prepared for. Other people choose to use their tax refund for a trip, or a large purchase they’ve been eyeing for months. It’s springtime, so many may splurge on some lawn equipment, or on a grill for the warm season. The important thing to remember is that it’s never wise to spend your tax refund before you get it. Tax refund checks can often get held up in the mail, or may be a different amount than you originally expected. If you’re planning on spending your tax refund check, be sure the check is in the bank!

One of the best things about spring and summer is the opening of local farmer’s markets in our area. Now we can take advantage of all of nature’s bounty while saving money and supporting local farmers.

Farmer’s markets have the freshest product and local goods available, because everything is sold in season. None of the produce is forced ripened or preserved with a wax coating. Supporting local farmers can help lower the prices of many products in your local grocery store, as grocery chains try to compete with the demand. Produce and other goods found in farmer’s markets are often priced a lot cheaper than in your local stores, making eating healthy and naturally affordable for your family. If you have any questions about types of produce, and how to prepare them you can ask the farmer directly, enhancing the entire experience. This spring and summer, visit your local farmer’s market and experience wholesome produce at great prices. Feed your family the utmost in local and natural produce. You never know what you may discover at your local farmer’s market.

Gardening is a great way to go green, and to provide your family with the utmost in nutrition and healthy, delicious food. Gardening is also an opportunity to reuse many old items you have lying around your home or garage in order to properly grow different types of vegetables.

For example, old fencing can be staked and used as a way of holding up pole beans, peas, and tomatoes. Bamboo chutes, or old tiki torches can be cut and used as markers for garden rows, or as stakes in your garden. Screens that are no longer used can be recycled and laid down over your mulch to prevent cats and other unwanted animals from going to the bathroom in your garden. Mulch is a great opportunity to do something helpful for the environment as well. For example, old hay and straw, and even old rubber hoses and tires can be chopped up and used as an excellent form of mulch. Get creative in your garden, and clear away some of the junk lying in your basement or garage this gardening season. Reuse many old items in your garden to have a fruitful growing season.

If you live in an urban area, it may be tempting to completely forego recycling, because you may not think there are the means to recycle in your area. While recycling in urban areas may be tricky, it’s important to seek out alternatives to simply throwing out all your trash.

If you live in an apartment building, ask your superintendant about recycling measures throughout the building. Many buildings require newspapers and glass bottles be separated from your regular food trash. If your building does not partake in recycling, ask local waste management companies if they participate in recycling. If so, see how much it would cost to bring this to your building. If they do not recycle at that company, do research and discover other waste management companies that do participate in recycling. It’s so necessary to reuse as much of our waste as possible, so be diligent and relentless in your efforts to recycle, no matter where you live. It could be the start of a wonderful recycling effort throughout your building, and your neighborhood.

Have you heard the news about light bulbs? Congress has recently banned regular light bulbs from being sold in stores. Instead, retailers are required to provide CFL light bulbs for consumers from now on.

Congress intends on phasing out all outdated forms of light bulbs in order to use less energy across the United States. As we now know, CFL light bulbs burn brighter and longer, and also save more energy than regular light bulbs. Right now, consumers have the option regarding which type of light bulbs to purchase. However, by the year 2012, Congress expects all retailers to stop selling regular light bulbs. Many consumers are worried because CFL light bulbs are more expensive. However, because these light bulbs save money, consumers will actually being saving money on their utility bills. Additionally, these light bulbs last longer than traditional light bulbs, so consumers will be replacing their light bulbs less frequently, diminishing the need to purchase more. Stay tuned for more information on this influential piece of legislation as the United States moves towards greater energy efficiency.

As people, we are always working towards independence. Whether it be from our parents, our jobs, or our families in general we are always striving to draw that line in the sand and claim ourselves. When you grow your own food, and raise your own livestock you can claim independence from large grocery chains that provide unhealthy food.

When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you are claiming your independence from produce that is forced to ripen, and that has been grown with harmful pesticides, and covered with wax and preservatives. Growing your own food allows you to control the quality of the vegetables you eat. When you raise your own livestock, and have your own chickens that produce eggs, you are claiming independence from meat and eggs that have been pumped full of preservatives, and hormones. Moving towards our consumptive independence is a step in the right direction as we begin to demand higher quality nutrition for our families. Claim your independence one step at a time, and start producing your own nutritious food.