LANDSCAPING IDEAS THATREQUIRE MINIMAL WATER BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT Living in a drought-ridden area doesn’t mean you can’t still have a beautiful landscape that provides privacy, shelter, curb appeal, and a beautiful place to unwind. Xeriscaping (creating gardens that thrives on minimal water) is the name of the game. It’s also wise to plant native plants that are well adapted to our growing conditions. Beyond that, consider these eight tips. LESS LAWN Lawns are water guzzle

ARTFUL VIBES, NATURAL ADVENTURE, LOCAL CHARM BY ANNETTE BROOKS On a quest to find a “hidden gem” for a weekend getaway, I queried a well-traveled friend who recommended Bentonville, Arkansas — home to Walmart’s global empire. Admittedly, Bentonville wasn’t on my vacation radar, but it should have been. Located in the Ozark region of Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville blends artistic expression, thrilling outdoor activities, and farm-totable culinary delights, making it an unforg

HERBS AND LEAFY GREENS SHINE IN THESE VIBRANT RECIPES BY JENNIFER BAJSEL SHRIMP PASTA WITH SPINACH ARTICHOKE PESTO SERVINGS: 5 | PREP: 2 HRS. 20 MIN. | COOK: 45 MIN. | TOTAL: 3 HRS. 5 MIN. INGREDIENTS: 16 oz. Rotini Pasta | 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided | 1 lb. 16/20 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined | 1 lemon, juiced | 14 oz. can artichoke hearts | Spinach Artichoke Pesto | Salt as needed Pesto: 10 oz. Spinach | ½ cup Walnuts | 1 cup extra virgin olive oil | 14 oz. ca

FUN & FUNCTION OF HEIRLOOM PLANTS BY MIMI GREENWOOD-KNIGHT Best-selling author Michael Pollan famously wrote, “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” If I may, I’d expand that thought to gardening: Why plant something your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as a plant? Many plants sold today are developed so home gardeners can’t reliably save seeds from one season to grow the same plants the next or enjoy swapping seeds with fellow gardeners

UNDERSTANDING HDL AND LDL AND WHY BOTH MATTER TO YOUR HEART You’ve likely heard cholesterol described as either “good” or “bad,” but the reality is a bit more nuanced. Cholesterol itself isn’t the enemy. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs to build cells, produce hormones, and support digestion. Th key lies in how cholesterol travels through your bloodstream and the balance between its two main carriers: HDL and LDL. According to the American Heart Association, c

GOOD FOR US. GOOD FOR OUR WORLD. GOOD FOR OUR STATE. BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT Love them or hate them, oysters are a staple of southern cooking. For some of us, the sight of a dozen raw oysters on a plate is nirvana. Others can enjoy them only if they’re baked, gilled, or smoked. For still others, just a glimpse of their slimy texture means game off. Whatever your preference, there’s no denying oysters are good for us and good for our world. FOR OUR WORLD Oysters are filter-fe

COMBINING PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS BY ANNETTE BROOKS The allure of combining plastic surgery procedures — such as a tummy tuck with liposuction, a breast lift and breast augmentation, or a facelift with a neck lift — has grown as patients seek comprehensive transformations in a single surgical session. This approach, often chosen for efficiency as well as for producing natural-looking results, offers significant benefits, but it also comes with risks tha

ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR BOARDING YOUR PET BY ANNETTE BROOKS Imagine sipping piña coladas on a sun-drenched beach, the kids building sandcastles, and your furry sidekick is back home, tail-wagging through a stress-free stay at a top-notch boarding facility. Sounds idyllic, right? But here’s the kicker: That seamless getaway doesn’t happen by magic. It starts with smart prep now, weeks or even months before your suitcase hits the door. With winter and spring getaways looming, why r