Do's and don'ts of cutting medical bills in a bad economy

FEDERAL POLICY

A coordinated attack on hunger, obesity

The worsening economy is boosting the tab for federal food-assistance programs, and with the rising costs h...

RESEARCH

Get an early start for an active lifestyle

NUTRITION QUIZ

Sweet on dessert? Take this quiz

WELLNESS

UM wants to make a 'New U'

The Medical Wellness Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine wants to remake you in the...

CONSERVATION

Ocean areas to be protected

President Bush is about to protect three large areas of ocean that cover 195,280 square miles.

HEALTHCARE

Growth rate of health spending slows in U.S.

A slower rate of spending for retail prescription drugs led a national trend for an easing of the spending-...

Kids pop: This year's trends for really young hipsters

Get a dog -- not just to keep up with the Obamas -- grab a guitar and break out the gourmet baby f...

PARENTING

Keep your baby smiling with early dental hygiene

New mom Christine Chansley had read all about baby bottle tooth decay. Nearly every baby book on the market...

The best kids' books of the year

Every day is a no-school day

Any given day, you might find Joseph, Sierra and Alyssa Bianco playing video games, watching movies or teas...

KIDDING AROUND

South Florida Holidays Rock gingerbread village

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is featuring its 12-story Mediterranean towers in this year's South F...

True spirit of Christmas shines as economy falters

Usually, Cristina Perez's students at St. Agatha Catholic School begin penning their wish lists as soon as ...

Decor diversity: Local mom brings new faces to kids' rooms

From diapers to bedtime routines, newborns are bundled with challenges. But South Florida mother Kisha Holt...

Cost cutting: Schools offer budget alternative to pricey hair services

Until recently, shelling out $100 or more at the hair salon seemed almost a necessity, especially in South ...

My hair is my thing

I don't get manicures, or facials, or massages. But management of my long, thick black mane is something I ...

STYLE CALENDAR

Here come the future brides

WHITE SALE Bridal Sample Sale: Save up to 50 percent off original retail prices on hundreds of gowns from d...

The good and the bad of celebs' 2008 fashion

FASHION SPOTLIGHT

Designers' ideas cast with stones

WOMEN'S WEAR

There's no escaping those skin-tight leggings

SPA SCENE

Lace Beauty Lab

The lowdown: South of Fifth Street is South Beach's relaxed residential oasis, where locals can escape the ...

Handful of strawberry growers keeps a South Florida tradition alive

The countertops are freshly painted red and the white shutters are propped up. Behind the counter, David Ma...

A FORK ON THE ROAD

LJ's barbecue and blues bring down-home vibe to Homestead

KATHY'S KITCHEN

2 slow-cooked suppers and a semi-sweet surprise

THE EDGY VEGGIE

No calories, no oddity, no kidding

COOK'S CORNER

Fruit dumplings spark 'larapin' memories

Q: My eyes were like radar drawn to your recipe for fruit-filled Slovak dumplings in our local paper. I had...

DINNER IN MINUTES

Pesto peps up budget-friendly bean soup

Thinking of trimming the budget and waistline after the holidays? This pesto and bean soup is quick, easy o...

TORTELLINI

Broth flavors pasta

I recently saw an ad announcing that Swanson's was adding a milder chicken stock to its line of ubiquitous ...

Wildflower auto tag sales pay for butterfly gardens, science projects

Bright red spikes of salvia flowers swayed in the winter breeze next to blue-flowering porterweed. Yellowto...

OMBUDSMAN OFFICE

Mediators foresee gloom, doom in condo industry

Affordable Victoria's Armoire has evolved over the years

Seventeen years ago, Eddie and Anna Fuentes opened Victoria's Armoire in the Coral Gables building that hou...

DR. DOLITTLER

Lump in Domino the cat triggers alarm

Q: Our dog, an old Doberman named Pansy, has lumps all over her body. The vet has checked every one of them...

FRUGAL DUCHESS

Music websites that go for a song

I've opened Pandora's box on my home computer and laptop. An extensive catalog of free music is available f...

CONDO LINE

Pickup trucks now allowed in condo parking lot

Q: Our condominium documents clearly state that no pickup trucks or motorcycles are allowed. Our board rece...

Clutter catharsis: Sort, purge, reinvent your space

2009 atlas of anniversaries

Look ahead in 2009 and you'll look to the past. Every year brings noteworthly anniversaries, but this year ...

GLOBAL TRAVEL

Spin around the world: a month-by-month planner for '09

FLORIDA

Key Largo is a quick drive and a world away from home

Get off the main road that cuts through Key Largo and you're suddenly in a Florida wonderland.

BRAZIL

Running into thin air high above Rio de Janeiro

As an intriguing amenity, many Rio hotels will pair guests with a qualified hang-gliding instructor.

Travel bargains are all around

Leave it to an economic slowdown to create bargains in travel -- so many of them that the mind reels. Here ...

DINING POSTCARDS : PARIS

Bike between Paris' eateries

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

Spirit is gone -- and so is my money

Q: A few months ago, just before my wedding, my fiance and his best man went to Las Vegas for his bachelor ...