Are you addicted to “NCIS”?  Laughing at “The Big Bang Theory”? Can’t turn away from “Chicago Fire”?

It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of great television. But if every night’s your favorite night to settle in for several hours of primetime viewing, you might want to consider a timeout.

You might want to think about how being glued to the tube may be affecting your health, your relationships, your life.

Ask yourself. If I watched less TV, would I:

• Exercise more?
• Sleep more?
• Eat less junk food?
• Talk to my spouse and kids more?
• See the world as a friendlier, less violent place?

Only you know the answers. But one thing’s for certain, turning off the TV once in awhile will open you up to a world of possibilities. In fact, you might find it fun to actually do some of the things you’ve seen on TV.

For example, experiment with new recipes seen on the Food Channel. Or better yet, take a cooking class. Or start a hobby like gardening – with occasional tips from the HGTV Channel, naturally.

Think about this. Anything you choose to do will probably burn more energy than sitting in front of the TV, even turning the pages of a book.

And the point isn’t to stop watching TV altogether.  In 2013, it’s an important window on the world.

Just be a little more selective in your choices. Get moving. And give yourself the chance for other experiences.

Your body, your family and your friends will thank you. And you just may find a new lease on life.

Have you ever wondered how some families seem more closely connected and resilient during hard times? Several studies have found that strong families across the world share much the same characteristics.

Strong families demonstrate these six key strengths:

1. Appreciation and affection for one another. People in strong families regularly let each other know how much they care for each other.

2. Commitment. Members of strong families invest time and energy in family activities and do not let work or other priorities take away too much time.

3. Positive communication. Strong families share communication in two important ways. They tend to be task-oriented, identifying problems and solving them together. Perhaps more importantly, they also spend time just talking to one another. These non-task oriented conversations can reveal important information about family members than often helps when difficulties occur.

4. Enjoyable time together. Genuinely enjoying shared activities is a common practice among strong families.

5. Spiritual well-being. People in strong families describe spiritual well-being as faith or a sense of optimism or oneness with the world. Some families talk about the family itself as their “center.” However spirituality is viewed, it seems to be a feeling or force that helps people transcend themselves and focus on what is sacred to them.

6. Effective in managing stress and crisis. Strong families seem to be less crisis-prone than other families. They show an ability to manage daily stressors and to prevent trouble before it happens. But when a crisis occurs, they work together to find a creative, effective solution.

All families can build upon these characteristics. Open communication, positive support, enjoying time together and solving problems together are keys to strengthening families.

To learn more:

- “How Strong Families Manage Stress and Crisis”

- “Family Strengths”

You spent 18 years preparing for this day. Your kid is heading off to college and the prospect is more than a little scary. But rest assured, your kid is scared, too. Here’s what you can do to help your new college student make the transition to an exciting new life without you.

• Smile. When you drop your child off at college, he needs to know he made the right decision and everything will be OK. A confident smile from you is essential. Save the tears for the drive home.
• Put down the phone. The urge to call every day might be overwhelming. But don’t give in. Your new college student is learning to be independent and the last thing he needs is Mommy or Daddy checking up on him.
• Resist the urge to get involved. This is your kid’s experience, not yours. Don’t pick his classes. Don’t decorate his dorm room. Don’t help with his homework. Don’t try to solve his problems. As much as you want to, just don’t.
• Trust your child’s instincts. He’ll eat when he’s hungry, sleep when he’s tired and get to class on time even if you’re not there to remind him.
• Stay calm. It’s inevitable that your college student will call home in a panic over a paper that’s due the next day, a difficult professor or a challenging roommate. Be the voice of reason; don’t let yourself get caught up in the drama.
• Don’t ask too many questions. Even though you want to know every detail of what’s happening at college, don’t barrage him with questions. The less you ask, the more he’ll volunteer.
• Keep your emotions in check. Sure, you’re going to miss your kid and it’s OK to tell him so. Just don’t dwell on it. And don’t, under any circumstances, ask if he’s lonely or homesick. That’s just asking for trouble.

If you live with a dog or cat, you already know how easily a furry friend becomes a member of the family. Now, studies show that people who own pets are happier, healthier, live longer and weigh less than people without pets.

Here’s how pets enhance our lives:

• They make us happy. They’re loyal companions who are always excited to see us. They listen non-judgmentally when we’ve had a bad day. They love us unconditionally. It doesn’t get much better than that.
• They keep us healthy. Studies show that interacting with a pet not only helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but also reduces stress hormones that cause anxiety and depression. But it’s not just four-legged furries that produce these results. Watching an aquarium of fish also can significantly relieve stress.
• They help us live longer. The responsibility of caring for a pet gives us a sense of purpose and increases our feelings of self-worth. Pets also have been shown to help us recover faster from illnesses and surgery and reduce our chance of developing heart disease.
• They help us keep us in shape. Pets give us a reason to be active. They get us up off the couch and outside walking, which can help us maintain a healthy weight. And studies show that kids who have pets in the household spend more time playing outside. Isn’t that every parents’ dream?

If you think owning a pet is for you, visit your local animal shelter. They can match you with the perfect pet for your lifestyle. Becoming a pet owner is an easy and rewarding way to maintain your physical health and mental well being. No doctor’s prescription required.

Autumn means apple festival time! Apples are grown in almost every state, so harvest season initiates some of our most enjoyable traditions that are as American as, well, apple pie. 

Many families look forward to picking apples at a local orchard. Some folks are inspired to churn homemade apple butter or try a new apple dessert recipe.  Then there’s the aroma of hot apple cider flavored with a cinnamon stick. Or a crisp red apple dipped in gooey caramel. Who can resist?

Here are facts about this favorite fruit along with tips for making the most of your personal apple harvest this year:

Apple Facts

• The science of apple growing is called pomology
• The average consumer eats about 49 pounds of apples a year
• A medium-sized apple has about 80 calories and five grams of fiber
• Twenty-five percent of an apple’s volume is air, which is why it floats
• It takes two pounds of apples to make one 9-inch pie
• The largest apple ever picked weighed three pounds

Apple Tips

• When picking apples, grasp the apple carefully in the palm of your hand and twist gently
• Keep apples in a cool place, such as the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They’ll keep even longer if you don’t wash them before storing
• Dip apples in boiling water to make peeling easier
• Prevent peeled or sliced applies from turning brown by placing them in cold water with a teaspoon of lemon juice or a pinch of salt
• Handle with care. The ethylene gas emitted by a bruised apple puts all the others at risk. The old saying about one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch is true

America is the land of plenty – especially when it comes to obesity in children. More than one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

It’s up to parents to teach children – from birth through adolescence – ways to choose a healthy lifestyle. Children watch and learn from their parents, so be aware of the verbal and non-verbal messages you send.

Snack Healthfully and Exercise
It’s hard for parents to say “no” to an evening of TV and fatty snacks if their children watch them do this. Look at your eating habits and adjust, if necessary. Model healthful snacking with fruits and other nutritious foods. Also, incorporate exercise into your daily routine and actively guide your children to do the same.

Marketing strategies now target our children as consumers. Think about all the messages bombarding children – TV, billboards, cereal boxes. This makes it hard to keep your children on a healthy life track. Parents need to actively guide children toward healthful foods and encourage active play. Be sure to educate kids about the variety of foods their bodies need to grow and be strong.

Remember to catch your children being good – anytime they make a healthy choice, recognize and reinforce that action.

Fast Food: Set Limits
Convenience is a part of modern life, so be sure to make healthy foods easily available so you and your children are more likely to choose them. Fast food restaurants are a fact of life, but you should set limits and choose healthful options.

Participation in sports helps children build confidence, self-esteem and discipline. Athletes, such as soccer star Hope Solo and swimming sensation Ryan Lochte, can be role models for proper diet and exercise. Plus, activity and physical exertion help children positively release feelings of frustration, anger and anxiety.

How do you survive when a family member or close friend dies? 

Although people approach loss differently, experts agree that “you can’t go around it” to cope; you must go through the grief process, one way or another.

One person who loses a spouse might deal with it alone, perhaps depending on spiritual resources. Another might attend grief support groups, read books about bereavement, and spend time journaling and talking with friends and family.

Although grief often makes it difficult to concentrate, it might be helpful to try to focus on activities such as work and physical exercise.

Where to Turn
You may feel like old friends don’t stay in touch like you would expect. It could be that they don’t have much experience with grief, and you may need to let them know how they can help. 

Though it’s natural to wonder why a loss happened and why things couldn’t be different, it’s generally not helpful to continually ask “what if?” That won’t change things and may cause more pain.

The many support resources available include books such as “Safe Passage: Words to Help the Grieving” by Molly Fumia. This series of contemplative readings describes the stages of grief, from near disbelief and denial to acceptance and growth.

Widownet.org offers information and self-help resources for and by widows and widowers, including a message board that serves as an online support group.

When a loved one dies, you somehow need to keep going and work through the grief process. Eventually, you’ll find healing and hope.

Graduation Party Planning Ideas 
May brings with it graduation season. Celebrate your graduate’s milestone with a party to remember. No matter how you mark the occasion, it’ll be the little touches that make a difference. And you don’t have to dip into the college fund to host it.  

Make it memorable by reflecting your graduate’s interests, personality and plans. The following are just a few ideas and resources to help you get started.  

What kind of party is it?
Ask your graduate questions to define the party:

• Big or small party or a family dinner? Break tradition and have friends for brunch or a day at the amusement park 
• At home or elsewhere?  Have a private party aboard a boat, in a skybox, atop a building or in a park pavilion
• Who should be invited? School friends, family friends or extended family or a combination of loved ones
• Do you want to combine your party with a friend’s gathering?

Party Themes
Tie your party together with a theme that fits your grad. Brainstorm ideas together, including her college and its location, college major, sports interests, travel plans, etc.

Invitations
Make a guest list and apply your theme to the invitations by ordering or making them yourself or using one of the free downloads.  

Decorations
Extend your theme to the overall décor. You can also:

• Mix the high school and college’s colors
• Place photos under glass on the gift table or hang them around the space
• Use blackboards as signs on the buffet table and entry table    

Food
If you’re hosting an open house, consider serving finger food. Set up a food bar of foods your grad likes:

• Cookies and milk
• Cake pops or candy personalized in school colors or with the grad’s interests
• Cupcakes with frosting-covered graham crackers as graduation caps  

Additional Resources

Themes

Invitations

Party Ideas

Food

Party Favors

Parents want their children to do well. In sports, this can be especially true. Attendance at your children’s sporting events can be helpful, but other times it may turn positive intentions into emotional abuse.  Many times this abuse causes children to request a parent not attend or even quit the activity altogether.

Parents should think about how their actions are seen by those in attendance, most notably their own children. How a parent acts during a sporting event will influence their child’s behavior. If you are a bad sport, your child is learning to be a bad sport.

Remember these tips from parenting.org as you enjoy your child’s participation in sports:

• Cheer for your team, not against the opponent
• Respect the officials
• Practice being positive, not critical

Remember, it’s only a game and take your child out for a treat win or lose. Your child will appreciate you for it.

A sizzling grill, pouring iced tea and booming fireworks are all sounds many of us will encounter during upcoming Fourth of July celebrations. Amid all the fun and festivities, don’t forget one important detail, food safety.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests these four steps to stay safe when grilling meat or poultry:

1. Clean: Make sure you clean all surfaces, utensils and hands with soap and water.
2. Separate: When grilling, use separate plates and utensils for raw meat and cooked meat and ready-to-eat foods (like raw vegetables) to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Cook: Cook foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer.
4. Chill: Chill raw and prepared foods promptly if not consuming after cooking. You shouldn’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours (or 1 hour if outdoor temperatures are above 90° F), so if you’re away from home, make sure you bring a cooler to store those leftovers.

If you have food safety-related questions, call the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Recorded messages are available 24 hours a day and the hotline is staffed with food safety experts, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. You also may visit foodsafety.gov.

No matter how you decide to celebrate, be sure to make it a fun and safe experience.

It seems like just last week kids everywhere were celebrating the start of the beloved summer. Now that the dog days are drawing to a close, it’s time to begin the transition to a new school year. Following are some tips to help your kids gear up during the last few weeks of summer break:

• Re-establish a bedtime and morning routine. Kids need plenty of sleep to be ready to learn. Gradually move up bed time by 15 minutes over a week or two before the first day to ease the transition. Likewise, start waking them earlier so that the first day isn’t an early morning shock.

• Talk to your children about the first day and what to expect. Address any fears or anxiety they may have. Be positive and remind them of their favorite things about school, like a friend or a certain playground activity. Reassure them that they are not the only ones who will have the first-day jitters.

• Include them in school shopping. Get them excited for the big day by allowing them to choose some of their school supplies or pick out a new outfit for the first day.

• Take a few minutes each day to reacquaint them with reading, spelling and math concepts they had been working on the previous year. While the first couple of weeks in class tend to be a review, the extra work will prevent them from being overwhelmed or lost right away.

• Attend your school’s open house. This is a great opportunity to reacquaint them with the building, see their new classroom and meet their new teacher.

Last, but not least, savor the final days of summer. Before you know it, winter break will be here!

Your summer road trip is a memory, pools are closing for the season and school supplies are on sale. It’s time to get the kids ready to go back to school.

Here are three resources from USA.gov to help make that transition a little easier:

• A Shot in the Arm – Many schools require immunizations are up-to-date before they can start school. Here are easy-to-read immunizations schedules that will help you determine what’s appropriate for your children’s age group. Consult this chart  to find out what your state requires.
• I’ll Buy Lunch – There is financial help available to help parents manage back-to-school costs. One of these is the National School Lunch program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
• Tax Takes a Holiday – Some states have a sales tax holiday each year. This may save you on clothing, shoes and other supplies. Here a list of states that participate and when the holiday occurs.

Want more ideas?  See “Back to School” on USA.gov.

A new football season begins this week, and many fans take advantage of the late summer weekends to partake in one of football’s greatest traditions, tailgating. With all of the brats, nachos, burgers and beverages consumed in the parking lot before and after the game, it is easy to forget about the effect tailgating can have on your waistline.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy tailgating and avoid the remorse.

Instead of Chicken Wings try Marinated Grilled Chicken
Marinate boneless, skinless chicken in advance and it will cook quickly when thrown on a hot grill. Use a meat thermometer to avoid over- or under-cooking; chicken breasts should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Instead of Bratwurst try Turkey Sliders
Ground turkey is lean meat that makes an excellent burger.

Instead of Take-out Pizza try Vegetable Pizza
A veggie pizza requires no cooking and holds up well when made in advance. Use any raw veggies you have on hand.

Instead of Nachos with Cheese try Baked Chips and Salsa
Easily replace fried corn chips and cheese with baked chips and a delicious fresh salsa.

Instead of Cocktail Wieners try Caprese Skewers
Skewers of tomato, mozzarella and basil drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette make for a stunning presentation while adding calcium and vitamin C. Use mozzarella sparingly to minimize fat content.

Instead of Potato Chips try Hummus and Whole-wheat Pitas
Hummus is a traditional middle-eastern dip made from chickpeas that contributes fiber, protein and healthy fats to the menu.

Instead of Beef Chili try Pumpkin Chili
The unexpected addition of pumpkin contributes rich flavor and aroma to a tailgating favorite. Use leaner beef or turkey or — omit meat altogether for a vegetarian option.

Instead of Beer try Light Beer
Light beer tallies about 108 calories per 12 ounces, while regular beer contains about 144 calories. Avoid low-carb options. They tend to contain the same amount of calories as regular beer. Remember, moderation is key.

Tips gathered from West Virginia University Extension Service Families and Health Programs.

In recent years, a new phenomenon in parenting has taken hold of many families: over-scheduled kids.

On top of kids’ normal school or daycare routines and responsibilities, many of today’s children also have practices and games, choir, tumbling, swimming lessons and much more. Their lives are filled with activities on top of hobbies with a side of sports. For many, these pursuits begin in the early preschool years.

As a result, a lot of kids go without one of the most valuable commodities in existence: free time. Many of today’s children do not have unstructured time, time to dream, time to discover – and to even be bored every now and then. For children, free, unstructured, unsupervised time is not wasted time nor is it a reflection of poor parenting.

The absence of distraction or activity helps children create their own worlds. With time, kids will turn to their imaginations; they’ll draw, write and play with dolls or building blocks. They’ll invent their own activities to do with friends: hide-and-seek; kick-the-can, etc. Childhood is a time when kids need to be free to pursue their natural curiosities and sense of wonder, as well as encouraged to become resourceful and resilient.

Feeling stress and strain at times is normal for everyone. It is important to be aware of it, understand it and have a plan for managing it before it becomes too overwhelming and difficult. Stress that is left unaddressed can have very negative cumulative effects and impact your relationships, your career and even your health.

How you manage your stress will be up to you. There is no one correct way to do this. What works for one person may not work very well for someone else. Your own experiences, beliefs, abilities and personal motivation will factor into what works best for you.

Here are some tips to use when needing to reduce your stress level QUICKLY:

1. Deep breathing – slowly breath in to the count of six (be sure you are filling up like a balloon and exhale to the count of six. Do this about five times.)
2. Relax your muscles – take note of what areas feel tense; take a few moments to purposefully release the tension and let it go.
3. Stretch – stand up, move around, reach, bend, and use rubber stretch bands if you have them.
4. Squeeze – have a squeeze ball or something you can squeeze and release.
5. Sit up straight – having good posture will help you breath better, feel more relaxed and even keep you more focused.
6. Drink – hydrate your body; drink water.
7. Be mindful – think only about what is in front of you at the moment; give your attention to the task at hand. The zillions of things you need to do later can wait; you can only do one thing at a time, so focus on that one thing now.
8. Smile! It can only make you feel good!
9. Laugh! It can make you feel even better!
10. Remember what makes you feel good. Keep pictures of your family, pets and those that make you feel happy close by; use other visual aids like posters, calendars and quotations that can quickly take you on a short “mind vacation” to help you feel relaxed and refreshed.

For more stress management basics, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-management/MY00435.

There’s a movement underway. People are cleaning out closets and drawers, garages and attics in an effort to live with less stuff.

Some people have taken the 100 Things Challenge and are attempting to pare down their belongings to a mere 100 items. Others have committed to 365 Days of Decluttering – a movement in which they donate, sell or toss one item each day for a year. There’s also a challenge called Get Rid of 100 Things this Weekend. Think that’s impossible? Start counting the old magazines on your coffee table or the dead batteries in your junk drawer and you’ll see that jettisoning 100 items isn’t that difficult after all.

So how do you go about cleaning out the clutter? Start by asking yourself these questions:

Do I need it?

To find out if you really need all the items in your drawers, cupboards and closets, start by putting the contents into a box. Then as you use an item, return it to its place. Anything still left in the box after a month goes.

Do I wear it?

Here’s a trick to determine what you really wear. Turn all your hangers backward. Then as you wear an item, turn the hanger the right way. Anything left on a backward hanger at the end of a year gets donated.

Do I love it?

If items cluttering your home don’t make you truly happy, get rid of them. Donating and re-gifting are two good options. Or host a “free garage sale” and invite family and friends to take what they want. Chances are if you don’t love it, someone else will.

Once you’ve got the clutter under control, you’ll want to keep it that way. So when you’re tempted to by new stuff, make it a practice to get rid of one item for each new one you bring home. Click here for other great decluttering tips.

A regular daily routine of moderate physical activity can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, strengthen your heart and reduce the likelihood of serious health problems down the road. The American Heart Association recommends just 30 minutes a day five times a week of moderate physical activity – even if you split it into two 15-minute increments a day. Walking is one of the easiest, most convenient forms of exercise because you go at your own pace and there’s no special equipment or gym required. A brisk-paced walk can help you and look and feel better, increase energy and pick up your spirits.

Don’t think you have time to spare? Here are some ways to “sneak” in a walk into your busy life:

Make it a family activity. Most of us like to carve out time in the day to catch up with a spouse or children. Have your daily chats during a walk around the neighborhood or a park. You can even quiz the kids on spelling or math facts during your walks.

Use your lunch break at work. Instead of going out to eat, brown bag it. Use the extra time for a quick walk outside or in the building. You may realize cash savings too!

Do it for a good cause. Fall is a popular time for charitable walks. Sign up for one and take pledges. You’ll get in your physical activity – and help a worthy organization as well.

Choose a farther parking spot. When running or errands or headed into the office, don’t fight for the closest parking stall. Park a little farther away and enjoy a little bit of exercise during your errands.

Get creative and incorporate a walk whenever you can during your day. You won’t regret it.

It’s the end of October and that means the first holiday of the season is upon us, Halloween. Everyone has his or her own traditions or celebrations, but there is one thing no one should overlook, safety.

Here are some “SAFE HALLOWEEN” tips to remember as you venture out for a night of festivities in your Halloween costume.
 
 
Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.

 
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

 
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

 
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

 
 
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.

 
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

 
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

 
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

 
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

 
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

 
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

 
Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

 
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
 
 
We hope these tips taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Halloween Health and Safety Tips” website, help you have a safe and happy Halloween. Enjoy!

As an adult, you know it’s greater to give than receive. Unfortunately, that is a difficult concept for children to grasp and teaching it to your kids can be even more difficult.

Here are 10 ways to teach kids about sharing:

1. If your supermarket has food drives, ask your children to pick out extra groceries to place in the bins for the needy
2. Donate a turkey to a homeless shelter
3. Visit a nursing home and sing carols
4. Ask your kids to help wrap presents for those outside the family, so they learn that you believe in helping others
5. Invite people who are away from their families to share your holiday meal and traditions
6. Encourage your children to call their grandparents or other relatives
7. Adopt someone into your family who doesn’t have a family
8. Make sure your children send out thank-you cards for gifts, parties or other small kindnesses
9. Before holiday dinners, express what you’re thankful for and encourage your children to do the same
10. Teach your kids the true meaning of all the holidays

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/dolgachov

This week (Dec. 8-14) is National Influenza Vaccination Week. It was was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination. An annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu as well as flu-related complications that could lead to severe illness, hospitalization and even death. Health experts across the country recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses; doctors’ visits, missed work due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Influenza is among the most common respiratory illnesses in the United States, infecting millions of people every flu season. Every year, flu spreads across the country, from person to person, among families and communities. Scientists and public health experts have come to recognize that while influenza is particularly dangerous for certain people, it can cause severe illness and even death for anyone, regardless of whether or not they are “high risk.” Even healthy children and young adults can get very sick from the flu.

“One of the greatest challenges we face from the flu is the uncertainty of the disease,” explains Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Flu viruses are constantly changing. Each flu season, different flu viruses can spread, and they can affect people differently based on their body’s ability to fight infection.” Since flu viruses are constantly changing and immunity can decline over time, annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection.

Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before. Vaccines are available in a variety of locations, for example, from your doctor or local health department, and at many pharmacies. Many employers, schools, and retail stores also offer flu vaccines. Use the vaccine finder at http://vaccine.healthmap.org/ to find a flu vaccination clinic near you. Call ahead to confirm availability for any specific vaccine options.