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If You Don’t Know Now You KnowHow To Make Your Valentine’s Day Roses Last Longerpossible.• Use lukewarm water to fill the vase. Water that is too hot or too cold may shock the blooms and shorten their life span. Fill the vase to three-quarters full.• Use the flower food that comes with the roses. It is a good mix of nutrients to help prolong the life of the roses. A teaspoon of sugar dissolved in water also can be used in a pinch if the roses didn’t come with flower food.• Change the water every few days, especially if it is cloudy. This is a good time to re-snip the stems and add more flower food to the lukewarm water.• Keep any cut flowers away from direct sunlight, drafts and radiators or heating vents.With proper care, cut roses may be able to last seven to 10 days , says Southern Living magazine.By Nadianna E’lsi-Skye PinkertonH appy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a great Christmas celebrating Jesus’ birth. My 10-year-old twin brother, Nicholas, is aiming to help even more veterans and their families in 2025 through his nonprofit, Warriors Remembrance Foundation. He’s started some amazing programs like Coin- A-Veteran, TXFlags4Veterans, the Veterans of Texas Legacy Project, and the Hill County Remembrance Lodge. His goal is to honor veterans and their families, both in life and death, making sure their sacrifices are neverforgotten.To help, I’m writing articles every monthabout veteran death and burial benefits. This month, I want to talk about grave markers for Texas Army and Air National Guard members. A lot of families mistakenly try to get a marker through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but often their request is denied because they don’t meet the requirements for active duty or retirement time. This can be frustrating, and many quit pursuing it and opt for a personal marker or none at all.Valentine’s Day spending shows little sign of waning. Floral arrangements are among theBy StaffTexas Guard members are actually eligible for a free marker through the state, not the VA. The state program mirrors the federal program so filling out application is a sinch. You can learn more by scanning the QR code below!most popular purchases on this special day. According to Rio Roses, customers spent $2.3 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day in 2022. Valentine’s Day tends to be the busiest day for florists as plenty of people want to surprise sweethearts with bouquets and other floral arrangements. Red roses account for 70 percent of all Valentine’s Day flower purchases.Early in 2023, Finance Buzz researched the average cost of a dozen roses in each state so shoppers could expect what they would pay to gift their loved ones, and the average price for a dozen roses in the United States was $80.16 at that time. Pennsylvania had the most affordable roses and Hawaii the most expensive. Roses can be costly, and recipients may want to do their bests to ensure the flowers last as long as possible.• Unwrap the bouquet from any plastic as soon as possible to let the flowers breathe. Also, recut the stems with sharp scissors at a 45-degree angle.• Remove any leaves from the stems that would end up sitting in the water when the roses are placed in a vase.• Wash the vessel to rid it of dirt, dust and any grime to give the roses the best startAre You Battling Hidden Inflammation? Discover How to Fight BackIBy Caitlin Ogletree MS, RDn simple terms, inflammation is your body’s natural response toinjury, infection, or irritation- a defense mechanism that helps protect and heal by increasing blood flow and sending immune cells to the affected area. When inflammation goes unchecked, for long periods of time, it can wreak havoc on your health and cause serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and various autoimmune diseases.Symptoms such as chronicbloating, gas, joint pain, brainfog, fatigue could indicate you are suffering from some type of inflammation. The good news is that with some simple diet and lifestyle changes, you can significantly decrease systemic inflammation.1. Focus on whole, unprocessed, nutrient rich foods- consuming fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and fiber help to combat inflammation. Omega 3 rich foods like salmon and flaxseed provide healthy fats and help to lower inflammation levels. Incorporating spices and aromatics like turmeric, garlic and onion are also beneficial. Decreasing refined sugar is crucial as it is proinflammatory- read labels of breads, crackers, condiments etc- youLooking For An Affordable Way To Direct Mail?The Cost of Postage has gone up! We offer the best way to target your back yard!Our “Good News”publications goes to:• Helotes• Stone Oak• Bulverde & Spring BranchWhat you get!• Advertising to over 48,000 homes and businesses.• A customize ad at no additional cost.• Packages available with your business feature article & video!We Got You... Call NOW to get your space!(210) 548-6448www.highlightspub.commay be surprised to see how much sugar is hiding in your diet.2. Manage Stress- meditation, outdoor walks, yoga classes, journaling, reading- all of these are ways you can manage your stress levels which will help keep inflammation in check.3. Take care of your gut health- include probiotic rich foods to nourish your gut microbiome- foods like coconut yogurt, water kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi are all great options!February 2025www.bsbhighlights.com9