Problem: Article: Take some first steps towards becoming a backyard blue birder. Learn the basics from preparation to the best places to find the birds you're after.
Summary: If you don't live in an area with woodpeckers, you may consider a common bird. During those cold winter months, you may consider helping out a few chilly songbirds. If you feel like channeling your crafty handyman side, consider building your very own sparrow nest box, or birdbath. Feeling like a planning a birding trip?

Problem: Article: There's nothing more annoying than a dog who jumps and barks while you're trying to prepare his meal. Instead, use the "wait" command he learned in doorway training to have him wait outside the threshold of the room where he's fed. When you're ready, have your dog work for his food by commanding the dog "sit" and "stay" while you place the food on the ground. Stand up and wait a few breaths before giving your release word. You can use "free" or you can create a new command for feeding time like "get your food" or "yummy." Try to choose something you wouldn't accidentally say to other people, such as "time to eat," or, "let's eat," as this might falsely cue your dog that it's time for his dinner. Eventually, he will sit on his own as soon as he sees his feeding bowl. At meal time, start feeding your dog out of your hand. Then use your hands to put the rest of the food in the bowl. This will put your scent on your dog's bowl and also normalize having your hands around their bowl and food. This should help fix or prevent any food aggression tendencies. " Teaching your dog to move his nose away from food and other items can be beneficial in a number of situations, including when food is accidentally dropped on the floor during family dinner or when your dog seems interested in picking up something potentially harmful during a walk. To teach this command, do the following: Stage one: Hold a treat in your closed hand. The dog will probably lick, sniff, and paw at your hand in an attempt to get to the treat. Eventually, when the dog moves his nose away, praise him and give him the treat. Stage two: Add in the words "leave it." Say these words when your dog decides to move his nose away. Stage three: Hold one treat in your palm in front of the dog and one behind you in the other hand. Instruct your dog to "leave it." If the dog gets too close to the treat, make a fist to hide the treat and say "no" or "uh-oh" to show the dog that he won't be rewarded or noncompliance. When he obeys the "leave it" command, give him the treat that's behind your back. Stage four: Place the treat on the floor. Move the treat from your palm to the floor. Continue to reward your dog with the treat you have behind your back. Stage five: Put your dog's leash on and walk past the treat on the floor. Command him to "leave it" without jerking the leash. If he eats the treat, go back to an earlier stage. Stage six: Start using the "leave it" command outside of your home.
Summary: Have him wait patiently while you prepare his meal. Hand feed your dog. Teach your dog to "leave it.

Problem: Article: Never skip your pre-dawn meal, also called suhur. If you do, you'll be setting yourself up for a binge after your fast ends for that day. Instead, choose complex carbs like whole grains or oatmeals, along with lean proteins like egg whites, labneh, and cheese. Hold the salt, though, because you don't want to increase your thirst going into your fast. Eat rolled oats, topped with fruit and low-fat milk and paired with an egg. Try scrambled eggs topped with a light cheese, along with apple slices and a piece of whole-grain toast. Since you've been fasting all day, you will be very hungry after sundown. Your body will want food, and the iftar meal that breaks the fast could easily derail your efforts. If your tradition allows, prepare a healthy snack in advance so that you won't be tempted to grab something that has a ton of calories. Choose something easy and flavorful, such as a piece of fruit, vegetables paired with hummus, apple slices dipped in peanut butter, or a small salad. If you must wait and join in at a family or community it far, bring a healthy option to the meal that you can start with. After your first few bites, it will be easier to resist overeating. Drink your first 2 glasses at itfar, or starting with your small snack. Then drink 4 glasses between itfar and suhur. Finally, drink 2 more glasses of water with your suhur. While it might seem difficult to drink water overnight, it will help you stay hydrated and healthy during your daily fast. Try to spread out your 4 glasses in between itfar and suhur so that you aren't drinking more than 1 glass in the same hour. Desserts and sugary drinks can add up to a lot of calories, which can erase all of your hard work. Replace as many as you can with healthy sugars like fruit or natural sweeteners from honey and molasses. These changes can help keep you on track, avoid blood sugar fluctuations, and limit calorie intake. Ramadan is a great time to break your sugar habit. If you stop eating it, you'll stop craving it. While fruit is a healthy option, try to avoid fruit juices, which can pack a higher sugar punch.
Summary:
Base your suhur meal around complex carbs and lean protein. Plan to eat a healthy snack right after sundown if your tradition allows. Drink 8 glasses of water between sundown and dawn. Avoid processed sugar.