Life Credit Union

SCRUBBING FLOORS, POLISHING furniture, removing excess dust—you may have completed these chores like clockwork every spring since you were a kid. But your home isn't the only thing in need of a warm-weather refresher. Your mind and body can also benefi t. SUPERCHARGE HEALTHY HABITS Spring brings greater access to fresh produce and a wider variety of exercise options. Shake up your diet and exercise plan with one or more of these tips: > Develop a green thumb. Peas, which only require a pot of soil and a small trellis, are easy to grow. Other easy-to-grow vegetables include tomatoes and salad greens, including spinach. > Visit the farmers market. Though the variety of available produce largely depends on climate, peas, spinach, Swiss chard, strawberries, green beans, asparagus and apricots are among popular seasonal offerings. > Go on a culinary adventure. Each week, choose a new fruit or vegetable recipe to sample as a family. > Enjoy the great outdoors. Leave the gym behind and bike, hike or take a nature walk. Your mood naturally elevates when sunshine and warm temperatures make an appearance after a season of wintry weather. FREE YOUR HOME OF ALLERGENS If you don't have time for a top-to-bottom spring cleaning, focus on ridding your home—especially the bedrooms— of dust, pet dander and other allergens that often accumulate throughout the winter and can worsen spring allergy symptoms. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends vacuuming carpets once or twice weekly. Dust your furniture and other surfaces frequently, and wash your bedding in hot water weekly. MAKE A FRESH START THIS SPRING BY BANISHING BAD HABITS AND CLUTTER. Spring Cleaning for the MIND, BODY & HOME Toss It! During spring cleaning, look through your things for items that have overstayed their welcome. Use the following checklist to help determine what should go and when: • CANNED GOODS—Check for expiration dates and look at the can's condition. If a use-by date has passed or a can is damaged or rusty, toss it. • MAKEUP—Look for the period after opening date range (indicated by a jar symbol with an open lid) on the label to determine if it's time to toss cosmetics and lotions. Additionally, if the smell or texture changes, throw it out. • SUNSCREEN—Throw away sunscreen that has reached its expiration date or has been sitting on the shelf for three years or more. Sunscreen loses effectiveness over time, putting you at risk for sunburn.

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