Like their human counterparts, dogs that participate in sports and other physical activities need to be in shape to succeed. Help yours build strength and stamina (and avoid injury) with these starter conditioning tips.

Just because most of us are not Olympic-caliber anythings at the moment (and let's be honest, probably never will be), it doesn't mean that we can't work to improve basic fitness. Make like a gymnast and strengthen your ability to balance -- you'll be thankful you did in that unexpected moment when you really need it.

Don't just scan anything and everything that looks pretty or kinda fun. Know what should actually be added to your wedding registry to help prepare for married life -- all those formal china plates might not look so pointless the first time you're asked to host the family Thanksgiving feast.

There's been a renewed sense of urgency felt in talks of reforming American gun laws to help prevent tragedies like the most recent one in Colorado from happening again. So how exactly does a new law take shape? Consider this a quick refresher from high school civics class.

For one month every year, Muslims across the globe focus on self-control by abstaining from food or drink during the daylight hours. One of the five pillars of Islamic worship, Ramadan is a period of self-reflection, prayer and spending time with family and friends.

Pie is hard to resist in the first place, made even more so when a fresh fruit filling enters the picture. Take advantage of the deliciousness of summer blueberries and use them everywhere you can -- muffins, smoothies, cereal toppings, fruit salads, and of course, homemade blueberry pie.

Swimming. Biking. Running. You may already love these exercises separately, or you may swear allegiance to just one for getting your sweat fix. But if you're really looking for something to kick your butt and challenge your limits, why not combine them into one ultimate training goal: completing your first triathlon.

Everyone has an off day at work sometimes -- one where you just can't wait to tune out, leave the office behind, and unwind on the couch at home. But what's a person to do if they're totally stressed out and their home is their office?

Before heading out onto the actual course for the first time, it'd be helpful to know some of the rules of golf. While none will help to prevent you from routinely hitting the ball into a pond, you will at least be able to more properly keep score. And hey, you've gotta start somewhere, right?

Just the thought of D.I.Y. food preservation can leave many people feeling overwhelmed and convinced of their own imminent failure. Yet, techniques like canning, freezing, and pickling are actually a lot more doable (and a lot less daunting) than you might think, especially when following a few basic guidelines.

When you know basically everything about someone else, it means you know the good, the bad, and the ridiculously annoying. Keep your relationship from becoming just another cautionary tale by deciding which things are worth bringing up and which are better off letting slide.

When it comes to summertime indulgences, nothing takes your mind off the heat quite like a delicious frozen treat. But there's more to life than just ice cream and frozen yogurt -- add variety to your warm weather desserting by inserting some other icy delights into your repertoire.

Party time means time for fun, food and friends, but planning one shouldn't involve spending, spending and more spending. With a do-it-yourself mindset, you can throw a shindig that guests will remember solely for the great time they had -- no one will even miss the chocolate fountain.