With the increase in obesity in the U.S., making smart beverage choices is vital. Health experts recommend making milk and water your beverages of choice and limiting the amount of beverages with added sugars that you drink. Here are some tips for making smart beverage choices: Carry a bottle of water and keep it filled throughout the day. Add slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or watermelon to make your water more flavorful. When you opt for a sugar-sweetened beverage, go for the small size. (Photo courtesy of Greg Riegler Photography)

If you don't have a lot of space for gardening, try growing vegetables in containers. Old barrels, bushel baskets and 3- or 5-gallon buckets work well. Just make sure the containers have drainage holes so water doesn't pool in the bottom and damage the roots. Also make sure you use potting soil, not soil from your yard. You can start your own seeds or buy plants. Remember, plants in containers need to be watered and fertilized more often than those planted in the ground. One major advantage of container gardening is that you can move the container to a spot with more sun or shade when necessary. (NDSU photo)

Keep sun protection in mind when you're outdoors. A few serious sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen and clothing are among the best ways to protect yourself from the sun's rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both types of ultraviolet rays and has a sun protection factor of at least 30. Reapply it every two hours. Also, cover up with clothing, and wear a hat and sunglasses. (Photo from NDSU Extension Service)

It is a new year and spring is here, so it’s time to get flooded landscapes back into shape. Bare spots in the lawn can be reseeded or resodded when the ground is dry enough to work. Thin lawns will benefit from fertilization, especially if you did not fertilize last fall. Trees and shrubs can be planted in early spring as soon as the ground is dry. The lack of snow this winter will allow people to establish these plants earlier than in most years. However, it’s too early to plant vegetable seeds in the garden because most of the state is susceptible to frost damage at least until mid to late May.

The forecast calls for higher temperatures coming our way, so thoughts are turning to what to plant in the landscape this year.

Annuals and perennials are an excellent source of color and accent to North Dakota landscapes. They come in different colors and sizes and varieties can be chosen for shady, sunny, dry or wet locations.

For good advice on what to plant, read “Annual and Perennial Flower Selections for North Dakota” by Ron Smith and Barb Laschkewitsch.

Join an outdoor journey filled with adventure, education and fun by attending the Western North Dakota 4-H Camp this summer. Any youth ages 5 to 18 can attend a variety of camps to have fun while developing lifelong skills, trying new activities, learning the importance of a healthy lifestyle and discovering what they can accomplish. Check out the possibilities today!

When buying an appliance or electronic device, remember that it has two costs: the cost of buying it and the cost of running it. New heating systems must disclose how much energy they deliver from their fuel source. The EnergyGuide label provides the average amount of energy that home appliances will use in a year and the average cost for that energy. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to find the most energy-efficient home electronics.

Don't build your business on a house of cards. Anyone wanting to start a business can find lots of advice, but some claims are too good to be true. You need to sort out the myths from the realities before deciding whether starting a business is the right decision for you. (Photo courtesy o5com) 

Before you receive your tax refund this year, make a plan for how you will spend it. Without a plan, you may spend it on the first important thing that comes to mind, then realize something else was more important. Here are some recommendations for using your tax refund wisely: Pay off bills and save enough to cover a couple of months of expenses in case you have an emergency. Then save for long-term goals, such as a home, retirement or dream vacation. Finally, consider buying that new TV, refrigerator or sofa. (Photo courtesy of Tim Faracy of Bklyn)

Mold growth and damage from window condensation could be worse in homes this winter because of moisture that still remains in buildings and moisture vapor transfer into basements. The best remedy for home moisture problems is to maintain the home's relative at 30 to 40 percent. Ways to limit window condensation include adding storm windows or covering windows with plastic. Exchanging inside air with outside air is another way to reduce moisture problems.