Visiting friends or family is a wonderful way to strengthen relationships, but even the closest bonds can be strained if you overlook houseguest etiquette.

Whether you're staying for a night or a week, these five tips will help you be the kind of guest who’s warmly welcomed back anytime.

1.Communicate Clearly And Confirm Details: Before you arrive, make sure your hosts know exactly when you’ll be coming and going, how long you plan to stay, and whether you have any special needs or plans. Avoid springing last-minute changes on them because it helps your hosts plan, and it reduces any potential stress.

2.Bring A Thoughtful Gift: A small gesture goes a long way. Show your appreciation for their hospitality by bringing a little something, perhaps a bottle of wine, fresh flowers, artisanal baked goods, or a unique item from your hometown. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; it’s the thought that counts.

3.Be Tidy And Respectful Of Their Space: Treat your hosts’ home with extra care. Organize your belongings, make your bed each morning, and offer to help with household chores, such as setting the table or washing dishes. A good rule of thumb: Leave things better than you found them.

4.Follow Their Routine And House Rules: Every household has its own rhythm and rules. Be attentive to your hosts’ daily schedule, quiet hours, and customs, such as removing shoes indoors or feeding pets at certain times. When in doubt, simply ask. Being mindful of their way of life shows respect.

5.Express Gratitude (during and after your stay): Say “thank you” often while you’re there, and follow up with a heartfelt note, text, or phone call when you arrive home. Express to them how much you enjoyed your visit and how grateful you are for their hospitality.

Being a gracious houseguest isn’t complicated; it’s about thoughtfulness, respect, and appreciation. Get these basics right, and you stand a better chance of being invited back with open arms.

Most of us have heard the magic number: Ten thousand steps a day for better health. But is that amount necessary?

A new European study suggests otherwise. If you’re like many Americans and average about 3,500 steps daily, then adding only 500 more can make a difference. Hitting 4,000 steps a day might help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Health.com.

This study is a part of growing research showing that small, consistent changes can lead to big health gains. If you want to lose weight, move more easily, or improve your overall health, then start small: Take a few extra steps, swap in one healthy meal or cut back on snacks.

Little habits can lead to life-changing results.

With their cheerful domes of color, mums are fall’s way of keeping gardens and porches lively as summer fades. Whether brightening up outdoor spaces or bringing a touch of autumn indoors, these blooms are an easy and affordable way to enjoy flowers longer.

Florist Mums 

Common in grocery stores and floral shops, these annuals are bred for compact, bushy growth and vibrant colors. Perfect for pots and porches, they’re best when bought with plenty of unopened buds for a longer bloom. Remember that they’re not winter hardy, so enjoy them while they last.

Garden Mums

Hardy garden mums, on the other hand, can return year after year in certain areas. They grow quickly, prefer being planted in the ground, and have a looser shape with more greenery.

Quick Care Tips

• Provide them with six hours of sunlight daily and moist, well-drained soil.
• Water them deeply, especially during warm weather.
• Perennial mums benefit from spring fertilizer and a midsummer phosphorus boost.
• Pinch off faded florist mum blooms to extend their display.

With the right choice and care, mums will keep your autumn spaces glowing beautifully.

As the weather cools and the cold creeps in, vitamin A becomes your immune system’s best friend. It plays a key role in supporting healthy skin, sharp vision (especially in low light), and your body’s natural defenses. And the best part? Fall produce makes it easy to load up naturally.

You’ll find beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, in vibrant orange fall veggies, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and butternut squash. Your body converts beta-carotene into active vitamin A, especially when it’s paired with some healthy fat, such as olive oil or an avocado.

So, when you’re roasting squash or making that cozy carrot soup, know that you’re eating for wellness in addition to comfort.

Here is a no-refined-sugar twist on your favorite fall dessert—with a sneaky protein boost in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (clean, unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana
• 1 tbsp melted coconut oil or grass-fed butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Core and thinly slice apples, no need to peel them unless preferred.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, protein powder, melted oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Toss apples in this mixture until evenly coated.
• Spread the mixture into a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil, stir, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, until the apples are soft and golden.

Cottage Cheese Vanilla “Ice Cream” Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener (to taste)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor until they are completely smooth and creamy.

Transfer the mixture to a container and freeze for 1–2 hours. For soft-serve texture, stir once halfway through freezing.

If it’s frozen solid, then let it sit at room temperature for five minutes before scooping it.

In a quiet village, a gardener planted a special kind of bamboo. He watered it daily, tended the soil, and waited. Weeks passed, then months and then a whole year, but there was no sign of growth. Neighbors laughed and shook their heads. Still, the gardener cared for it patiently.

For five long years, nothing sprouted above the ground. But during the sixth year, a tiny green shoot appeared, and then, astonishingly, the bamboo grew more than eighty feet in only six weeks.

What had been happening all that time? Beneath the surface, the bamboo was growing an intricate network of roots strong enough to support its future height. Without that foundation, the towering stalks could never have stood tall against the wind. Its quiet preparation was essential, though no one could see it.

We’re not so different. Times in our life occur when our efforts seem invisible, and progress feels painfully slow. But often, we’re laying down roots that build resilience, skills, and strength for the rapid growth ahead.

This month, as nature shows us how patience brings harvest, remember: Your unseen efforts might be preparing you for a season of incredible growth. Continue tending your dreams.This is the place to fill with text...

In the near future, no human—no matter how brilliant—will likely be the top expert in any field. Artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining what it means to be accomplished, and our children and grandchildren will grow up in a world where intelligence is no longer a uniquely human advantage. 

Writing in The Free Press, economist Tyler Cowen and Avital Balwit of Anthropic describe a looming identity crisis sparked by AI’s ascent. As machines outperform us in knowledge, strategy, and creation, the question becomes: How do we stay relevant?

Their answer: Double down on the things only humans can do.

Here’s how we adapt:

Get Your Hands Dirty. Carpenters, electricians, and tradespeople remain irreplaceable for now. Blue-collar work might evolve into a new status symbol of skill and independence.

Inspiration Will Still Matter. Coaches, speakers, and leaders who move people emotionally will continue to be essential. The ability to stir hearts isn’t something AI can fake.

Charisma Is Currency. People who can genuinely connect will stand out. In a world where machines are smart, being human will be rare.

Human-Only Spaces. Hobbies, art, relationships, and family—areas in which presence and emotion matter—will grow more valuable.

As AI surpasses human expertise, our relevance will depend on embracing uniquely human traits—like emotional connection, hands-on skills, and personal charisma—that machines can’t replicate.