Contending with COVID-19

Meat isn't a necessity; just ask your vegetarian friends. And today, we've got lots of great options with a slew of innovative recipes you'll find online. Start in the grain aisle (quinoa, rice, barley), then move over to the vegetables with beans, cauliflower and greens. ...

“I think it’s been easy for some people to spend too much time online, researching about the coronavirus, and I think they’re looking for answers that aren’t there,” said Dr. Dan Allan from Cleveland Clinic. “And I think you have to limit that and it’s okay to be updated on the news and to keep educated, but I think, for some people, it bleeds into an obsession.”  ...

If your parents are getting on in years, you may be helping them with their finances and other matters, such as medical visits and shopping. You may live close by and be able to visit weekly or more often. Or you may live far away and were visiting every few months before the coronavirus struck. But a lot has changed. Try these strategies to keep up with what they need. ...

Trouble concentrating? Not sleeping well? Look, we're all restless and getting ground down by not having all that much fun stuff to do, or at least our version of what used to be fun. We're all in this together and, fortunately, there are plenty of healthy ways to cope. ...

Now here's a bit of good news for garden lovers that will make life seem closer to normal. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens has postponed its opening (that's the sad part) but the gardens are open for walkers and gawkers (that's the happy part). And as a bonus,  it'll cost you nothing to see all the spring tulips, flowering trees and other glorious, seasonal blooms. ...

It turns out that, for many of us, what we liked best about restaurant dining wasn't just the food but it was the experience of eating in the restaurant, sitting down with friends and family and being served a meal in a pleasant atmosphere. ...

Too many canceled events and not enough fun things to do. That's the story of Spring 2020. But you can do some virtual trip-taking through the Western Reserve Historical Society's website. Their series of illustrated stories offer a friendly ramble to places such as Squire's Castle, the Glenville Neighborhood and other interesting spots that you didn't have time to visit before but have plenty of time to check out now. ...

What's with all the early morning hours? Older adults and others at an increased risk from the coronavirus get special shopping times at many grocery stores and other essential places. The challenge? They're all early in the morning — really early. Go ahead and add Summit Metro Parks to the list of places offering special, early-morning times for at-risk folks. But even if you're more of a night owl than an early bird, starting your day in the woods or on a nature trail isn't a bad way to go. Give it a try and see what you've been missing. ...