MOORE, Okla. — A hot pink magnet. A Def Leppard concert T-shirt. Scatched-up TV remotes. Her grandmother’s gold watch.

The senses are a driving force for many, and none are more demanding than the sense of taste. It is the driving force that compels the young and young-at-heart to seek out new and exciting ways to satisfy their culinary desires. And Lodi and its neighboring areas are willing to oblige.

(BPT) - Warm weather is here, bringing barbecues, picnics and more time spent outdoors. Everyone should be able to enjoy these popular pastimes, including the up to six million Americans at risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. For these people, a bee sting, shrimp on the barbecue or a latex balloon may lead to a life-threatening emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place to help avoid allergens and be prepared if accidental contact occurs.

(StatePoint) With so many options competing for the attention of diners, local restaurants are increasingly having success offering daily deals.

(NAPSI)If youre among the nearly 75 percent of menopausal women who suffer from hot flashes,¹ it can be tough to enjoy the sunny weather worrying about a sudden hot flash in summertime. And since hot weather tends to be a common hot flash trigger,² these sudden feelings of warmth can be exacerbated. But, with just a little planning and preparation you can get on the right track to an enjoyable summer.

(BPT) - While children long for the lazy carefree days of summer, many adults view the season as a reason to be active and get healthy. Whether it's to look good for an upcoming beach vacation or simply to have the energy to enjoy the season to the fullest, setting health goals is a great first step.

(BPT) - As people show more skin with the summer season, it is important to get into a skincare routine that fits your lifestyle. Extended time in the sun can result in unwanted wrinkles, blemishes and sagging skin, not to mention more serious consequences – melanomas, scarring and skin cancer.

(BPT) - TV’s best-fed hedonist, Anthony Bourdain, is keeping busy these days with his hit travel series “Parts Unknown,” his publishing career and an upcoming appearance at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. Love him or hate him, Bourdain is the biggest, baddest food dude on the planet. The self-proclaimed “chef slacker” shares his advice for restaurateurs and new chefs, and talks about his desired last meal on Earth and love of old-school cocktails.

(BPT) - Warm weather offers many sweet delights, from trips to the beach and more free time, to seasonal foods and soirees with family and friends. Unfortunately, many of the foods we commonly associate with spring and summer are high in added sugars. Hidden sugar in summer foods can make it a challenge to regulate calories and stay on track with your health goals.

Dear Barbara: My whole life I have heard people say, “Don’t whip the cream for too long or it will turn into butter!” Would it really turn into butter or would it just be a really stiff whipped cream with a slightly greasy taste? That I have done, but I wouldn’t call it butter. — Hannah from Elk Grove

One year from now, the Lodi community will be enjoying new meeting spaces, more room to spread out with laptops and tablets, and a coat of fresh paint at the Lodi Public Library on Locust Street.

1. Chamber of Commerce’s Lodi Street Faire

(NAPSI)The warmer months mean social gatherings, travel and an active outdoor lifestyle. Ensure that you take the appropriate steps to stay safe and healthy this summer so you can have fun with confidence.

Last month, we learned how to reduce a large amount of the empty calories that we may be taking in through our beverage choices by opting for flavoring our own water. However, since water has zero antioxidants, is there something that we could add to water to provide nutrition, without any calories, while preserving water's vital role in keeping us hydrated?

(BPT) - Parents often use the adage “You are what you eat!” to encourage children to make healthy food choices, but the saying is equally true for mature adults. Providing your body with a variety of nutrients lets you feel your best, and may even prevent disease and help you live longer.

(BPT) - Sunshine and fresh air make us fall in love with summer every year. It’s a time to explore the outdoors and enjoy fashions like tank tops, flip-flops and sun dresses. How can you get beautiful summer-ready skin while keeping it protected from the sun’s hot rays?

When local barbecue guru Dave Royce goes out for barbecue, there’s one thing he looks for. It’s not on the menu or on the table. It’s usually out back, where the magic happens.

Dear Barbara: What would be a good food match for a really outstanding, velvety Zinfandel? — Sophie from Lockeford

Dear Pharmacist: I’m concerned about my bone density because I was told I have osteopenia. Are all calcium supplements the same? Do you have other recommendations? — A.F., New York

(BPT) - What affects an estimated 16 million Americans, more commonly occurs in women and tends to appear after age 30? If you didn’t guess “rosacea,” you’re not alone – 78% of Americans don’t know what this condition is despite the fact that it’s very common. Rosacea appears on the skin as redness, unpredictable blushing, pimples, bumps and can even affect the eyes, causing itchiness and irritation. Unlike the more commonly known skin issue – acne, rosacea isn’t caused by bacteria: inflammation is the culprit, and it can be exacerbated by internal factors such as stress, anger, embarrassment or by external triggers, including spicy foods, alcohol and hot beverages.

(BPT) - The sun is shining longer every day, telling you that it’s time to get ready for vacations, activities with family and friends and of course, swimsuit season. To help you prepare, there are some simple fitness tips you can follow to look and feel good this summer season.

The Re-Open Galt School Libraries Committee is holding an ice cream fundraiser today, to get one step closer to the $5,000 needed to keep the libraries in the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District open through the end of the school year.

Huffing and puffing, I rocked back  and forth until I could coax my aching knees to help lift me off the couch. I ambled toward the bathroom of my Fresno apartment, dropping off another empty beer bottle in the kitchen along the way.

(BPT) - Storms have been packing big punches in recent years. While the debate about the cause might rage on, so do the natural elements that wreak havoc on private homes and public infrastructure. As has been seen in recent years, the aging of the American power grid has resulted in extended power outages – and that increasingly seems that this will be the new norm. However, going without power for long periods of time is non-negotiable for many Americans.

It helps to be a “one and only.” Talking about the Grand Tasting at the 16th annual Rhone Rangers Celebration that took place March 23 in San Francisco.