Photo: House of Sims, Flickr

Not only is in-season produce fresher, better tasting and (in some cases) more nutritious, buying produce that's at the peak of its growing season is undeniably cheaper. And, in these tight economic times, every penny that can pinched should be.

Canning fresh produce is a great way to preserve lower-cost produce. But, if you're new to canning, it's important to keep safety measures in mind. Luckily, illnesses (such as botulism) from home-canned products are rare; not because it isn't possible for products to spoil, but because items that have gone to the dark side often show tell-tale signs. And, like anything else, when it comes to home-canned foods -- when in doubt, throw it out. A few tips for safe canning:

• Jars and lids should be cleaned thoroughly before use (boiling them or running them through the dishwasher is sufficient).
• Follow modern instructions. Yes, canning is a time-honored process, but that doesn't mean you should follow the method your great-great grandmother used. Use canning recipes and techniques from reliable sources.
  
• Test the seal. After boiling or baking your canned goods to seal the lid, check it out. Make sure you can securely lift the jar by the top and press down on the lid to make sure it's tightly sealed. If the seal hasn't adhered, most recipes are OK to reprocess immediately. If not, discard the contents of that jar or refrigerate it and enjoy it right away.

Salsas, chutneys, pickled vegetable mixes, fruits -- your options for canning are as limitless as the season's produce. Follow canning recipes closely, keep safety in mind and you'll enjoy your low-cost produce year-round.

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Sometimes, the best running partners come with four legs. Those of you who routinely run with man's best friend are already aware of this. However, did you know that there are races just for dogs and their owners?

Active.com has plenty of suggestions for races where you can strut with your mutt. All over the country, the Dog Run Dog 10K/5K gives dog owners a chance to cross the finish line with their favorite workout buddies, but there are loads of other opportunities all over the country. If you don't see anything near you on this list, check with your local track club, or with the nearest veterinary medicine school -- they might have more information.

Now, as exciting as this is, you have to remember that dogs are affected by the sun and summer temperatures just as much as you are, if not more (just imagine running a 5K wearing a fur coat!). Keep these safety tips in mind during your training and on race day so that you and Fido both make it safely to the finish:

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Daylight Savings Time is upon us (well, most of us -- if you live in Arizona or Indianapolis, or any other place that just doesn't acknowledge DST, I guess you aren't included). And while that means we have an extra hour of light at night, it also means that summer is approaching.

As the temperatures get warmer and warmer, many of us move our runs and walks later and later in the day to avoid the heat. However, if you're moving it too late, you could find yourself exercising in the dark.

And that's not entirely a bad thing -- if you have a clear, safe path, a nighttime outing could be a wonderful change of pace. However, it's important that you make sure you're being as safe as possible -- check out the gallery below for tips, or read up on all the advice that Active.com has to offer.

When looking in your fridge, do you ever wonder if certain items are still good?

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I love my English Bulldog. I really do. But a walk around the neighborhood is the most I can expect of him. And if I go too far, I run the risk of him plopping down on the sidewalk and refusing to go any further. But I know a lot of people have the opposite problem -- dogs with more energy than their owners know what to do with.

Taking your dog with you while you're biking is a great way to get some of that excess energy out of your dog, which leads to a happier (and hopefully less destructive) dog at home. Plus, you're getting some exercise and you're both having a great time. It's a win-win situation for you and man's best friend.

You have to keep safety in mind with biking with your dog. Just holding your dog's leash while biking isn't safe for either of you. Bike attachments like the WalkyDog let you keep both hands on the handlebars while keeping your dog at a safe distance from your bike.

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The old weight-loss-in-a-pill wish. I think most of us who have a few pounds to lose have wished it could be that easy from time to time. And when you watch the commercials on TV, they certainly make it seem like magic. Think about it -- one second an overweight person is pictured and the next second -- BAM! -- that very same person is thin and somehow tanner and more smiley. What a miracle, right? Not only do the pills help you lose weight, they must also make you tanner, happier and give you better hair. Who wouldn't want some of that magic?

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Weight loss requires work and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. And, while some weight loss pills undoubtedly do help, there are associated risks. Jacki recently told us about the risks with some of the more popular weight-loss medications, most of which are available by prescription only. But a lot of the lesser known medications can be risky, too.

The FDA listed 28 weight loss products that contain hidden -- and potentially harmful -- ingredients. No, thank you. Check out the gallery for more tried and true ways to shed pounds.

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Safety helmets have become standard gear for biking. So much so that people don't think twice about putting them on. But many still go zooming down the side of a slippery mountain without the protection of a helmet. It's ridiculous if you think about it. Even more ridiculous when you consider that there were more than 26,000 head injuries from winter sports in 2007, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Keep safe while sporting in the snow by following these tips:

• Wear a helmet approved for your specific sport.
• Protect your eyes with goggles.
• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Use additional safety gear when it is available (e.g. hockey pads).
  
• Don't drink before skiing or snowboarding, and don't participate when you're not feeling well.
  
• Avoid hazardous conditions such as ice-coated sledding hills.
• Use approved areas for ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling and sledding.

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Sit-ups may seem old school. But, when done correctly, they're effective and that's why they've stood the test of time. Late-night infomercials and different workout programs have tried to improve upon the basic sit-up for years. But you don't need any $19.99, plus shipping and handling, tool to get the job done.

Safe and effective sit ups are as simple as ABC ... and D. (Though that darn 'D' makes the whole shtick a lot less catchy.)

• A is for Alignment. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your feet flat on the floor and don't hook them under your couch or anything else. Position the small of your back flat on the floor. With your hands resting lightly on your temples (not behind your head -- pulling can injure you), lift your head, neck and shoulders off the ground.
  
• B is for Body control. When lifting up, make sure your abs are doing the work. Go slowly. Remember to breathe while doing the sit-up.
  
• C is for Consistency. Don't expect a few sit-ups once a month to do the trick. Try doing sit-ups every other day, and remember that quality is better than quantity -- 10-20 with proper form are better (and safer!) than many sloppy ones.
  
• D is for Develop all the abdominal muscles. Traditional sit-ups don't target the lower abdominal muscles and you don't want them to feel left out, do you? Try lying on your back with your knees bent, then bring one knee toward your chest and hold for a few seconds. Bring the other leg up and then slowly lower the first leg, then the second. Repeat on both sides.
  

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The snow is flying outside my window right now. It's beautiful, but I know I'm going to have quite a bit of shoveling to do soon. Though shoveling snow shouldn't replace your regular workout, it certainly does offer fitness benefits. Like any other physical activity, you need to be smart and careful when shoveling snow.

• Warm up for a few minutes before heading outside to shovel snow. Walk in place for five to 10 minutes in your living room or climb up and down the stairs a few times.
• Stretch after your warm-up. Be sure to do some flexibility exercises that safely stretch your back, such as lying on your back and bringing your knees up to your chest. Also do some arm and leg stretches.
  
• Dress in layers so you can peel off your outer layers if you start to get overheated.
• Use proper equipment. Some snow shovels are designed for pushing light snow and others are designed for scooping and lifting heavier snow. Make sure you've got the right tool for the job.
  
• Use your legs. If the snow is too heavy to just push to the side, use your legs. Throw the snow in a forward motion -- don't twist and throw it over your shoulder or to the side.

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The days are getting shorter -- just one of the depressing signs of winter's impending doom. Runners, lack of light is no reason to stay home, but stay safe while you pound the pavement.

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I just love Honey Crisp apples. Unfortunately, their deliciousness comes with a pretty big price tag. The other day I was checking out at the grocery store and I had a bag full of Honey Crisps. The cashier and I were lamenting over how costly they were. I mentioned that I had heard that apple growers in our state had planted some Honey Crisp trees, so hopefully the cost would go down when those trees were mature and bearing fruit. Then we looked at the label. Fortunately for the environment, but unfortunately for my wallet, the apples in question were from my state. And they were just as expensive as ever. Even though I was disappointed in the price, I was glad to see that my favorite fall treat is now locally grown.

Being able to see where food comes from is important for many reasons. Environmentally speaking, the fewer miles the food has to travel to arrive on your grocery store shelves, the better. Local food also helps to ensure freshness and it supports the local economy. Health-wise, knowing what country your food is from can help you avoid foods that are potentially exposed to unsanitary conditions and/or harmful chemicals.

The new law, which requires country of origin labeling as of September 30, is a bit confusing, however. Certain foods, such as roasted peanuts and bacon, don't have to be labeled. Any food that can be considered processed is exempt from the law.

[via FitSugar]

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My husband has an energy drink habit. It's something we disagree on. I think that it's better to boost your energy through a good night's sleep and maybe a morning coffee, that energy drinks have too much sugar and possibly too much caffeine. He likes the kick the drinks give him. He's even known to buy an off brand from the dollar store, which gives me even greater pause.

The energy drink market has exploded over the last few years, and have become highly popular, especially among young men. But I'm not the only one who's concerned. Forbes recently interviewed Roland Griffiths, a John Hopkins scientist who has studied the effects of caffeine. He, among others, is calling for labeling of the drinks by the FDA. Griffiths says that because some energy drinks have as little as 50 mg of caffeine, while others pack as much as 500 mg, drinking an energy drink is tantamount to "drinking a beverage and not knowing, not being able to taste, whether it's straight vodka you just drank or beer."

Though Griffiths has concerns about the overuse of energy drinks, all he and his peers are urging right now is labeling requirements so that consumers can be aware what they're drinking. Seems reasonable to me ... what do you think?

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I adopted my son a little over a year ago. When he first moved home, he was 10-years-old and had spent quite a few years bouncing between family to family in foster care. Subsequently, he didn't have a very good grasp on a lot of basic principles, such as manners and appropriate boundaries. He honestly didn't know why it would be OK to ask for a drink of water, but why it isn't polite just to start rifling through a neighbor's kitchen cabinets.

While we worked on manners and boundaries at home, I decided it was best to set an outdoor-only rule when playing with neighborhood friends. I figured there were a lot fewer manner-glitches he could run into while playing outdoors. Besides, it was summer. Why should he be inside when there are bikes to be ridden and games of tag to be played?

A few of the other parents talked to me about the rule. They understood that he was learning new rules and needed stricter boundaries, but they didn't want him to feel different from the other kids in the neighborhood. In the end, they all supported my decision. And by the time winter's cold arrived, my son had a much better grasp on manners and could play inside friend's houses without unintentionally being rude.

Recently, my son's two favorite activities have been going to the skate park and going to the BMX track. They're both favorite activities in my book as well. They're free, my son is being active and meeting friends, and I get time to walk around the parks or just relax and read a book.

I'm constantly surprised at how few children wear helmets or other safety gear. My son hates his wrist guards, but he doesn't complain otherwise. And, thankfully, none of the non-helmet wearing crowd has poked fun at my son. My son knows that he only has one choice in the matter -- wear the safety gear or don't skateboard/bike. It's just not a risk worth taking.

According to the CDC, about 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year in the US. There are some basic pieces of safety gear kids should wear when playing sports.

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So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity).

When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:

• When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
  
• Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
• Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
  
• Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).