Represented by the sea goat, Capricorn is the tenth Zodiac sign. But don’t be fooled its symbol, Capricorn is one of three earth signs.
Those born under Capricorn are known for their big-picture perspective and level head. They are practical, realistic and disciplined.
Aliza Kelly, celebrity astrologer and author, shares more on the sign’s key traits, plus its approach to relationships, career and more.
When is Capricorn season? Capricorn season runs from Dec. 22 to Jan. 19.
Personality traits of Capricorn
Capricorns are known to be ambitious, determined and hard-working, Kelly explains.
“They’re always thinking about the macro,” Kelly shares. “They are looking at life through this sort of 30,000-foot-up point of view.”
Those born under this sign are constantly striving to achieve more and to do better. They seek to accomplish all their hopes and dreams, determined to achieve success in all their endeavors. This comes thanks to a Capricorn’s innate dynamic nature.
Capricorn relationships & compatibility
If there’s one thing a Capricorn isn’t, it’s disingenuous.
“You’re only hanging out with a Capricorn if they genuinely like you,” Kelly jokes. “Capricorns do not like to waste their time.”
This sign takes their relationships incredibly seriously, she elaborates. Capricorns value quality time, caring deeply about building and maintaining strong bonds.
That sense of commitment is pivotal to a Capricorn, Kelly adds, but it must be reciprocated. “They want to know that the person is as invested as they are in whatever the dynamics are,” she says. “If not, then Capricorns are also exceptional at boundaries, and they are not afraid to wall someone off.”
Capricorns are compatible with the other earth signs: Taurus and Virgo. But they also pair well with water signs: Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio.
Capricorn strengths
Capricorns are entrepreneurial, and their dreams are made plausible by a sense of commitment and hard work, Kelly says. They are responsible and incredibly focused.
Since Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet associated with responsibilities, boundaries and restrictions, those born under the sign are realists. Their perception is that the world is a very difficult and challenging place, Kelly expands.
Capricorns are also rigorous when setting intentions, she adds, calling them “extremely ambitious and inspired individuals.” They are motivated to find ways to make the most of life, overcoming hardships along the way.
Capricorn weaknesses
According to Kelly, a Capricorn’s weak point can include:
Pessimism Tendency to be a workaholic Materialism Coldness Insensitivity Rigidness
Since Capricorns are inclined to view the world as a difficult place, they can be pessimistic at times.
They are also given to seriousness which can manifest as both a strength and a weakness. Their ability to set such strong boundaries can also make them appear cold at times.
Mosquitoes are the uninvited guests that show up to every backyard gathering, ready to turn you into their next meal. Instead of dousing yourself in chemical sprays, why not let nature do the work? These mosquito-repelling plants look great, smell amazing, and keep the biting pests at bay. Let’s make your yard a no-fly zone.
1. Lavender: A Fragrant Mosquito Repellent
Lavender doesn’t just smell incredible; it also keeps mosquitoes away. The plant’s natural oils are unpleasant to these pesky insects, making it a great addition to patios, walkways, or garden beds.
Bonus: It attracts bees and butterflies while giving your yard a fresh, relaxing aroma. Mosquitoes hate it, but your nose will love it.
2. Citronella Grass: Nature’s Bug Spray
Citronella is the main ingredient in most mosquito repellents, so why not grow the real deal? This tall, lush grass releases a strong citrus scent that mosquitoes can’t stand. It thrives in warm climates and does best in pots or garden borders. For extra protection, crush the leaves to release even more mosquito-fighting power.
3. Marigolds: A Bright and Bug-Free Garden
These cheerful flowers do more than add color to your garden. Marigolds contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide that repels mosquitoes, aphids, and other pests. I planted marigolds near my vegetable garden last year, and for once, I wasn’t eaten alive while picking tomatoes. Talk about a win-win.
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Homemade Keto Chicken Meal Prep with Veggies in a Container
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released this week, reinforce a familiar message: we should eat more whole foods and protein.
Building meals around whole, nutrient-dense foods remains the cornerstone of a healthy diet.
Updated every five years, these federal guidelines shape nutrition education and public health messaging nationwide. The guidelines are issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Basically, the recommendations reflect the most current, evidence-based nutrition science for the general, healthy population. While written primarily for health professionals, the guidance also helps translate nutrition science into everyday practice.
The newest edition retains many long-standing principles from previous guidelines. In addition, also introduces several updates that are drawing attention from nutrition professionals.
What stayed the same
At their core, the 2025-2030 guidelines continue to emphasize eating patterns that support long-term health.
Whole, nutrient-dense foods:
The guidelines emphasize vegetables (3 servings per day, for someone consuming 2,000 calories daily), fruits (2 servings per day for a 2,000-calorie diet), whole grains and other minimally processed foods that provide essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Highly processed foods in moderation:
Limiting foods such as chips, cookies, candies and sugar-sweetened beverages is recommended. These items are typically high in added sugars, saturated fat and sodium, which are associated with increased risk for diet-related chronic diseases.
Saturated fat limits:
The recommendation to limit saturated fat intake to less than 10% of total daily calories remains unchanged. For someone consuming 2,000 calories per day, this equates to about 22 grams of saturated fat.
What’s new
While the overall foundation remains familiar, the updated guidelines introduce several changes that may require additional context for consumers.
Fat and protein sources:
The guidelines place greater emphasis on red meat, full-fat dairy products, butter and beef tallow. Regularly choosing these foods as primary sources of fat or protein may make it more difficult to stay within the recommendation to limit saturated fat intake to less than 10% of daily calories, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and other diet-related chronic diseases.
Nonnutritive sweeteners:
Guidance on nonnutritive sweeteners has been updated. Current evidence indicates sweeteners such as sucralose are safe within established limits and may help some individuals manage calorie or carbohydrate intake.
What it means for consumers
Despite the updates, the guidelines’ emphasis on whole foods and limiting highly processed items remains the foundation of national nutrition guidance.
“The updated guidelines continue to emphasize whole, nutrient-dense foods as the foundation of a healthy eating pattern,” said Hannah Wilson, an assistant professor in Clemson University’s Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences and a registered dietitian. “As consumers navigate updates to the guidelines, focusing on balance and overall dietary patterns remains key.”
Individuals with questions about how the recommendations apply to their own health goals are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals, such as healthcare providers or Extension nutrition educators.
Transform your garden into a butterfly haven with Aster, Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Bush, Coneflower, Lavender, Milkweed, Salvia, and Zinnia. These vibrant plants, from the multi-hued Aster to the essential Milkweed, attract butterflies and enhance your outdoor space. Plant in mass groupings for optimal results and create a welcoming environment for these delicate creatures to flourish. The strategic combination of these plants ensures a visual masterpiece that will captivate both you and the butterflies in your garden.
1. Aster (Symphotrichum)
To attract butterflies to your garden, consider planting Aster, also known as Symphotrichum, a perennial plant known for its colorful blooms. This hardy plant, suitable for zones 3-10, blooms from late spring to fall, providing a vital nectar source for butterflies. Aster’s vibrant flowers, available in a variety of hues, make it a versatile choice for butterfly gardens. For optimal butterfly attraction, try planting Aster in mass groupings.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Consider adding Bee Balm, also known as Monarda, to your butterfly garden to attract these delightful pollinators with its vibrant blooms and nectar-rich flowers. This colorful perennial plant, a member of the mint family, is native to North America and thrives in zones 4-9. Bee Balm’s flowers, available in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, not only add beauty to your garden but also provide essential nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.
4. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
With its fragrant flowers that attract a wide variety of butterflies, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) is a popular choice for butterfly gardens. This shrub, suitable for zones 5 to 9, showcases vibrant colors like blue, pink, purple, white, and yellow, creating a visually stunning garden. Its long-lasting blooming period from summer to early fall ensures a continuous nectar source for butterflies. The tubular-shaped clusters of flowers not only add beauty to your garden but also serve as ideal feeding stations for butterflies. By planting Butterfly Bush, you are providing a welcoming habitat for these delicate creatures to thrive. Ensure proper care and maintenance, such as regular pruning and adequate watering, to maximize the attractiveness of this nectar-rich plant. Transform your outdoor space into a butterfly haven with the enchanting Butterfly Bush, where fluttering wings and vibrant blooms harmonize in a mesmerizing dance of nature.
That’s three of ten flowers. To view all ten, copy and paste the website below.
The Trump administration announced new 2026 dietary guidelines on Wednesday. It included an inverted food pyramid that places red meat and whole-fat dairy at the top alongside fruits and vegetables.
“We are ending the war on saturated fats,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a press conference. “My message is clear. Eat real food.”
Some Controversy
The new guidelines encourage research-backed practices. Specifically eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as reducing intake of highly processed foods. But it offers different guidance than what health experts say about eating large amounts of red meat, whole milk and cheese.
The new dietary guidelines call for prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while avoiding highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
A high intake of red meats and processed meats has been associated with a higher risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and premature death. So states Dr. Frank B. Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in a Harvard Health Publishing article in 2020.
In addition, having too much saturated fat in your diet can lead to spikes in your cholesterol levels and increase your chances of heart disease and stroke. And according to the American Heart Association, full-fat dairy tends to be high in saturated fat.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is updated every five years. It is then used to formulate guidance for school lunch requirements, hospitals.
The American Heart Association welcomed the new dietary guidelines and commended the inclusion of several important science-based recommendations. Additionally, commending the emphasis on increasing intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains while limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats and sugary drinks.
These elements align closely with the longstanding dietary guidance of the American Heart Association and other public health authorities.
Hate crowds? Love alone time? Shudder violently at the mere thought of ‘networking?’ You, too, can succeed at a writing conference! Here’s how.
Writing conference tips for students and accomplished writers can be more important than knowing what hotel to book. Consider Oregon author and essayist Tom Titus.
Titus knows that getting out into the world and interacting with people is beneficial to his writing career. But as an introvert, he finds it’s the last thing he wants to do.
“It requires a lot of energy to be an introvert in an extroverted world,” Titus explains, describing the daunting crush of 15,000 people in hallways and in workshops during the AWP Conference in Portland last spring.
But what if the over-stimulation of a writing conference makes you want to – as Titus quips – “hide under your hotel room bed curled into a fetal position and sucking your thumb?” He and other authors have developed techniques to help even the most introverted author navigate chaotic professional gatherings with success. Some deflect their anxiety by finding a conference buddy or volunteering at the event. Others painstakingly pre-plan their schedule, building in numerous breaks for alone time.
#1: Practice Talking to Strangers
The first and perhaps most important of the writing conference tips involves rehearsal.
Chicago writer and accessibility specialist Courtney Craven attends numerous gaming events, but they but found themselves overwhelmed at their first writing conference. “The imposter feeling that I think a lot of introverts deal with was a big issue for me,” they say. “Put me at a gaming conference, and I can go on for days, and all signs of introversion vanish. But in writing, there’s still that big ‘you don’t belong!’ wall I see because I’m still a student, I’m not published, and it’s hard for me to envision myself as belonging among people who have been successful as writers.”
Writing Conference Tips for Students & Introverts #2: Listen to Your Body
New Jersey author Steph Auteri describes herself as a “socially anxious introvert who likes to go to one writing conference a year.”
She had a wonderful time at her first conference, sponsored by the American Society of Journalists and Authors and held in New York City, in part because she’d been invited to speak as a panelist. Having a specific job to do – whether it’s appearing on a panel or working a table or volunteering in a workshop – is a lifesaver for many introverted writers.
When it comes to effective writing conference tips for students and introverts, Auteri found that when she attended the same event the next year as a participant without a specific task and surrounded by throngs of people, she had a very different experience.
“I felt myself wandering the halls with this bone-deep exhaustion and overwhelm, and I was thinking, ‘You paid all this money to be here; you can’t just leave this conference,’” she explains. But in the end, she left early and took the bus back home to New Jersey.
It’s important to have an exit strategy for meals, workshops, panels, or any other event that feels energy-draining rather than essential.
Conference meals can be particularly grueling for introverts, she notes. Often, writers find themselves sharing a table with 11 other people in a banquet hall setting two and three times a day. “If, at that point, I’m just staring at my food, I don’t initiate conversation,” she says. “I just let myself eat and be separate in the midst of the chaos without feeling like a total weirdo.”
She also reminds herself that she can simply leave the meal. “I tell myself, ‘You can go hide somewhere, and get back to the conference when you have the energy,’” she says.
Titus tells writers it’s important to have an exit strategy for meals, workshops, panels, or any other event that feels energy-draining rather than essential. He chooses a seat that allows him to leave a location without climbing over people and reminds himself that people aren’t judging him for walking out. “Part of that is learning that if you think people are thinking about you, it’s probably not true. They don’t really care about you; they’re not thinking about you at all,” he says.
Titus has learned to work with the tension of being an introvert at a writing conference. He understands that the anxiety fueling that tension also provides a certain amount of energy that he can use to turn on what he calls his “extrovert façade.” At AWP last spring, he found himself able to tap into that energy despite the crowds and make authentic connections with the people around him.
More Writing Conference Tips
“The best way for me to network at conferences is to be a speaker. Speaking is such an abstract experience that it’s devoid of much of the anxiety-producing social baggage of meeting people and having to engage one-on-one. I
“Meetup groups [found on meetup.com] are usually smaller in size and less stressful for introverts. I go to the local writers Meetup group near me on a regular basis. This has enabled me to make friends with whom I can then attend the larger writer conferences.
“Introverts are general avoiders of small talk and, as a result, [we] want to get to the juicy topics as quickly as possible. We crave genuine and authentic connection with people, so the quick and surface-level nature of conversations at conferences can be overwhelming. To avoid this, connecting with peers you’re interested in meeting ahead of time via social media or email could be a good solution.
“No matter which you are (extrovert or introvert), start looking for those ‘angels’ who have something to teach you, without thinking about what they can do for you. That makes them the focus, and who doesn’t want to talk about themselves? This takes the pressure off the introvert, who now becomes the ‘interviewer.’”
For someone who’s never grown houseplants before, the idea of caring for a bunch of living organisms with a wide range of food, water, and sunlight needs can be daunting.
Fortunately, the plant world is full of easy-going plants that are perfect for beginners, the type of plants that can stand up to being overwatered once or twice or completely neglected for a week or two. From dramatic trailing pothos vines to flowering African violets, and everything in between, these 20 houseplants are perfect for anyone who’s looking to cultivate a green space indoors.
Note: some of these plants may be toxic to animals, especially cats and dogs. Before buying a plant, please make sure that it is safe for your pets.
Ponytail Palm
This miniature tree adds tons of visual interest to any space that it’s in, thanks to a frazzle of thin foliage and its cute bulbous trunk. Technically, it’s an agave, which means that it will need plenty of sunlight and soil that is allowed to fully dry out between waterings.
Dieffenbachia
Colloquially called “dumb cane,” dieffenbachias love to be left alone — mostly. Once planted in soil with plenty of aeration, the plants like to stay damp (read: not soaking wet) and do best when they can soak up filtered, indirect light. Note: this plant gets its nickname thanks to a numbing effect caused by the leaves when eaten, so make sure that it’s out of the reach of curious kids or pets.
Aglaonema
Often called “Chinese evergreen,” aglaonema is available in a wide variety of colors and leaf patterns. It’s easy to care for, only requiring weekly watering and a good supply of indirect light, and will bring lush, dramatic foliage to any space.
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Fresh herbs enhance the flavor of almost any dish, but purchasing herbs from the grocery store can be quite expensive. Dried herbs, on the other hand, don’t offer the same punch of flavor. Starting an indoor herb garden is a great way to grow fresh produce when you don’t have outdoor space to garden or want to extend the growing season into the winter months. However, will your indoor herb garden actually thrive?
Indoor Herb Garden Care
With the right container and a little TLC, many herbs grow quite well indoors. As with any indoor plant, it is important to provide the right growing conditions. “Learn the plant’s light and humidity requirements, but also learn how to harvest the foliage,” says Peggy Ricco, chair of the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America. “The biggest challenge is light; the light indoors is significantly less than outdoors. You may be able to grow shade tolerant herbs, such as mint and chives, by a window, but you will need supplemental lighting for the sun lovers, such as basil, dill, savory, oregano, sage, or thyme.”
Not all herbs have the same growing requirements. Some require more moisture, others less. Some thrive in cooler temperatures, but most like it warm. For optimal growth, match herbs to the conditions in your home and provide them with individualized containers and care.
Light
Most herbs need at least six hours of sunlight a day. A south-facing window or other sunny location is ideal for most plants. When supplemental lighting is needed, “I recommend a light stand that is ornamental as well as functional—a piece of furniture that can be in the kitchen or living room to show off the herbs,” says Ricco. She specifically recommends the Oslo Grow Lights line from Gardener’s Supply Company. “[They’re] sleek, modern pieces of furniture for any plant, with LED lights that attach via magnets,” she says.
Water
Herbs have varying water needs. Woody herbs, such as oregano, sage, rosemary, and thyme, like soils on the drier side, while basil, cilantro, mint, and parsley need more moisture. “Most people tend to overwater their plants, especially if they are indoors and you see them every day,” says Cox. Water herbs when the soil surface feels dry, and do not let plants or pots sit in standing water. “Having a tray full of pebbles to catch excess water will help,” says Cox. “This will also give your plants a bit more humidity, which they will enjoy as the water evaporates.”
Fertilizer
Fertilize herbs once per week during the summer months with a general purpose water-soluble fertilizer diluted to 1/4 the rate listed on the packaging. Herbs grow less actively in winter and do not require fertilizer. In general, go easy on the fertilizer, as over-feeding herbs can cause plants to lose flavor. It is best to water plants well before fertilizing.
Harvesting
Clipping herbs to use for cooking helps keep plants productive. Most herbs can be harvested once they have established and are at least six inches tall. “For some herbs, you can just snip a few leaves at a time,” says Ricco. “Some can tolerate a buzz cut and come back, while others need a deep cut into the plant to encourage bushiness.” To keep plants healthy and productive, never remove more than one-third of the plant at any one time.
What Herbs to Grow Indoors
Many of the most commonly used herbs in the kitchen are easily grown indoors including basil, chives, dill, parsley, and cilantro. Other great annuals for indoor gardening include sweet marjoram and chervil. You can also grow a wide variety of perennial herbs indoors including sweet bay trees, rosemary, and thyme.
When selecting which herbs to grow, consider the meals you like to cook, and which herbs best compliment those foods. “It is also important to think about how you want to use your herbal plants,” says Cox. “Are you growing them to add to your indoor plant collection? As a handy culinary ingredient, or in creating your own body care or craft products?” These questions will help guide plant selection.
Also don’t forget to evaluate the conditions in your home. If you keep your home on the cooler side, you might consider cold-tolerant herbs such as chervil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme. While most herbs need bright light to produce well, chervil, chives, parsley, and plants in the mint family, including lemon balm, tolerate lower light levels.
How to Start an Indoor Herb Garden
“To grow herbs indoors, I recommend either purchasing the plant—especially the annuals such as basil or dill—or taking cuttings from existing plants, usually perennials in your garden, like thyme, oregano, sage,” says Ricco. Your local garden center or even the grocery store will typically carry a selection of the most popular herbs. Pot these up into containers and you are ready to grow.
You can also start many herbs from seed, particularly annual herbs, such as basil, parsley, cilantro, chervil, and dill. However, herbs grown from seed take longer to reach a stage where you can begin harvesting. Some seeds take a long time to germinate including parsley, lavender, thyme, and rosemary. This creates a lot of opportunity for disease. Herb seedlings also require careful moisture control and supplemental lighting to provide 12 to 14 hours of bright light daily. If you are up for the challenge, basil, chives, and dill are among the easiest herbs to start from seed.
If you have an outdoor garden, many herbs can be started from divisions or cuttings from established plants. You can also ask a friend for cuttings from their garden. Plants that root readily for cuttings include basil, lemon balm, mint, rosemary, sage, and sweet bay. Dividing a clump of chives is a great way to get an indoor pot started. Lemon balm, mint, oregano, sweet marjoram, and thyme can also be divided and brought indoors. When bringing plants and cuttings in from the garden, be sure to isolate them from other houseplants for a few weeks until you are sure they are not harboring any pests.
Choosing Containers and Potting Soil
“The same types of containers that work for your plants outside also work well inside,” says Cox. “Make sure they have plenty of drainage.” A 6- or 12-inch container is plenty large for most herbs. You can size up containers for perennial herbs as they grow larger. You’ll know its time to repot plants when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Start with a clean, sterilized container to avoid introducing pests and fill with a well-draining potting medium to about one-half inch below the top edge to allow room for watering. Because individual herbs have unique requirements, it is best to plant herbs in their own container or only group herbs with similar needs.
Many commercial potting mixes are available for growing herbs. Herbs require a well-draining potting medium to promote healthy root development. You should also look for a potting medium with a high water-holding capacity. These characteristics may seem contradictory, but it’s important for the soil to hold adequate moisture for plants without drying out too quickly, while also allowing excess water to freely drain from the medium. For Mediterranean and woody herbs that prefer drier or sandier soils, you can mix equal parts of potting mix and sand or pea gravel to lighten the medium or use a cactus potting mix.
More Tips for Success
“Herbs like to be enjoyed and used, so don’t be afraid to snip and use your plants,” Cox says. “This will keep them looking and feeling their best. I also like to turn my plants every few weeks, as they tend to grow towards the light.” If you are growing herbs for culinary use, snip any flowers that form. When herbs begin to bloom, the foliage of many species changes flavor, often tasting bitter.
Indoor herbs also have use beyond the kitchen. “For example, rosemary does really well indoors and it’s scent helps with memory,” Cox says. “A pot of rosemary on a desktop may help you recall a name or number when working from home.”
Various trellising, staking and caging techniques can be used with vine-type fruits and vegetables to enhance yield, minimize disease, and ease harvesting. Find techniques for your garden here.
A higher intake of preservatives widely used in processed foods and beverages was associated with a modestly increased risk of cancer, according to results from the French NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort.
Among more than 105,000 participants, higher intake of several preservatives, including potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, acetic acid, and sodium erythorbate, was associated with an increased risk of overall, breast, and prostate cancers, reported Mathilde Touvier, MSc, MPH, PhD, of Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and Université Paris Cité, and colleagues.
“These findings may have important public health implications given the ubiquitous use of these additives in a wide range of foods and beverages,” they wrote in The BMJ.
“If confirmed, these new data call for the re-evaluation of regulations governing the food industry’s use of these additives, to improve consumer protection,” they noted. “In the meantime, the findings support recommendations for consumers to favor freshly made, minimally processed foods.”
Key takeaways
Key Findings: Higher intake of preservatives like potassium sorbate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, acetic acid, and sodium erythorbate is associated with an increased risk of overall, breast, and prostate cancers.
Health Recommendations: Favor freshly made, minimally processed foods and monitor additive consumption while regulatory agencies may re-evaluate limits and labeling requirements.
Study Details: Based on 105,260 participants in the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009–2023), with dietary intake tracked via repeated 24-hour records and cancer incidence monitored over ~7.6 years.
