Building a healthy plate is easy when you make half your plate fruits and vegetables. According to www.eatright.org, it's also a great way to add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber. All this is packed in fruits and vegetables that are low in calories and fat. Make 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables your daily goal.

Try the following tips to enjoy more fruits and vegetables every day.Variety abounds when using vegetables as pizza toppings. Try broccoli, spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini.  Mix up a breakfast smoothie made with low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana.

For people who love their plants, gardening is one of the highlights of summer. But it may be more problematic than usual this year for gardeners with allergies: Experts are predicting that 2012 is going to be worse than previous allergy seasons because extreme weather, mild winter and record rainfalls in some parts of the United States have caused levels of pollen to spike.  But allergies should not keep you from gardening, which is an outdoor activity that many people love doing during this time of the year. The key is knowing what trees to leave alone, flowers to grow, and tasks to avoid. 

If you are in need for "how to" information, weather in the house, office, garden...check the eHow Web Site for answers:

The wealth of benefits that cucumbers may provide to youir lifestyle and health:

• Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

• Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

GLAAD announced on April 10, 2012 that after a series of meetings, the Miss Universe Organization has changed its policy allowing transgender women to compete in its competition.

Canadian Jenna Talackova

GLAAD first contacted the Miss Universe Organization on Saturday, March 24, 2012 after news broke that Jenna Talackova was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada competition. GLAAD called on the Miss Universe Organization to review Jenna's case, as well as open the competition to transgender women. After unsuccessful attempts to reach Jenna Talackova personally, the Miss Universe Organization and its owner Donald J. Trump moved forward and announced last week it would allow Jenna to compete.