Most of us experience some joint stiffness during seasonal changes. However, degenerative diseases such as arthritis can prevent us from enjoying our favorite activities. Staying fit, drinking plenty of water and eating smart are among the ways we can keep our joints mobile.

Health experts recommend we do at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. Let Walk North Dakota help you reach that goal. The next Walk North Dakota challenge starts Sept. 12.

More than 6,300 youth are enrolled in 4-H in North Dakota. 4-H offers programs in a wide variety of subjects, including livestock judging, crops, clothing and textiles, aerospace, shooting sports, geospatial science, energy, robotics and technology. To sign up for 2010-11, contact your county Extension office. 

Our body may break down bone faster than it can make bone as we age, which can lead to problems such as osteoporosis. Eating nutrient-rich foods and doing weight-bearing physical activity will help keep our bones in good shape.

You can use the Earth to heat and cool your home. Ground-source heating systems pull heat from underground, concentrate it in a heat pump and distribute the heat throughout the house. In the summer, the system pulls heat from the house.

Is your garden producing more fruits or vegetables than you can use now? Then preserve some to eat later. But don't let your experience become a health hazard because you didn't use a research-tested recipe or follow proper canning procedures. For more information on preserving food safely at home, see our food preservation publications.

Seventeen western North Dakotans who attended a Rural Leadership North Dakota short course in Watford City are working on projects to benefit their communities, including a community garden, wellness center, social networking opportunities and affordable housing. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/RLNDshortcourse.