Issue Date: February 10, 2008
4 romantic getaways
Whether it's Valentine's Day or just a romantic weekend, here are four unique getaways to consider:
Start with Delray Beach, Florida's self-styled "village by the sea," with well-preserved historical architecture, a booming restaurant scene and a 2-mile stretch of beach. Romantics will like Crane's BeachHouse, which has 27 rooms in island colors that evoke a whimsical Key West style. Rates start at $116 per night.
With its quirky cottages, twisted cypress trees and perfect half-moon beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea in California may be the most beautiful seaside village in the country. A good choice for couples is Carmel Country Inn, a few blocks from the ocean, where rooms come with fireplaces. Rates are from $165.
In the ski town of Jackson Hole, Wyo., the best deal for romance: the 22-room Alpine House, featuring down comforters, plush robes and luxurious linens. Morning brings fresh pancakes and chats with owners and former Olympians Hans and Nancy Johnstone. Rates start at $120.
The centuries-old Canadian city of Montreal is a stage set for romance. Cozy up at the Hotel Le Relais Lyonnais, a seven-room hotel in a restored 19th-century townhouse in the Latin Quarter. Rooms are from $125.
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Guilt-free trash in the eco-age
It's getting easier to find products of all kinds that will decompose without polluting the soil or adding to landfills. Here, a few that are worth noting:
1. Golf balls. So that you won't actually be littering when your ball goes into a lake or off a cliff, Eco Golf Balls (EcoGolfBalls.com) eventually break down into carbon dioxide and water.
2. Cups, napkins, cutlery and plates. All kinds of food containers and servers that are made from corn, sugar cane or recycled paper can be found at websites such as BiodegradableStore.com.
3. Garbage bags. BioBags (biobagusa.com) for the lawn (which decompose after 12 days) and the kitchen (best used for food waste and paper) are made from renewable resources.
4. Coffins. Yes, even at the end we can be good citizens. The Ecopod (ecopod.co.uk), for instance, is made out of 100% recycled paper and will break down slowly over time ... ahem ... as you do.
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Pomegranate power
Is there anything pomegranate juice can't fix? Recent research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice discourages "bad" cholesterol oxidation that rots arteries, improves blood flow for heart patients and slows cell proliferation in prostate cancer. Now, research also shows that the juice improved erections in 47% of the participants in a small study of men who suffer from mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Caution: Pomegranate juice may interact with certain prescription drugs, especially drugs meant to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Are your parents due more benefits?
About 20% of baby boomers are currently contributing money to their parents' care, reports the Pew Research Center. Good news: Your elderly parents may be entitled to a host of government and private benefits, like home health care, in addition to tax relief and lower energy bills. Many services are open to low- and middle-income families. To see what benefits your parents may be entitled to, check out both of these websites:
Benefitscheckup.org. This comprehensive site is easy to use. But to fill out the online work sheets (called "personalized reports"), know your parents' employment history, income and assets, names of medications and current expenses.
Govbenefits.gov. This website lets you search for eligibility for government services and provides contact information for programs.
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