Turtles can have a lengthy lifespan, meaning they are long-term pets. You need to be prepared to care for your turtle well past babyhood. Remember, food types and amounts change with age. Turtles are not considered adults until they are at least 7 years old. However, after three years their appetite should taper off naturally. When you notice your turtle eating less, it may be a sign that it is ready to transition to a new diet. Talk to your vet first, however, when you begin changing feeding frequency. You want to rule out any health problems and also get professional advice about food types and portions. Adult turtles only need to be fed every other day, and some breeds only need food every third day. Adult turtles may have different dietary needs depending on breed. Determine whether you need to transition to a meat or plant based diet as your turtle ages. Changes in eating habits can signify health problems. If your turtle stops eating, keep an eye out for other common turtle problems. Watch for shell problems. A turtle's shell is an indicator of health and wellness. Changes to the shell can indicate poor nutrition, especially, though not exclusively, too little calcium in its diet. If you notice deformities, such as cone-shaped lumps or a flaky, rotting shell your turtle might not be getting the appropriate nutrition. Talk to your vet immediately. Be on the watch for parasites. While rare, turtle food and pellets can be contaminated with certain parasites. Change in a turtle's appetite, energy, and weight might indicate a parasite. Respiratory infections can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency. A runny nose or drooping eyelids can indicate a deficiency. Serious infections are marked by mouth-breathing, mucus in the mouth, or wheezing. Your turtle could live for a very long time if cared for properly. Begin considering long-term health at an early age. Many health issues can be caused by an improper diet, so you should make decisions about feeding your turtle with an eye on its long-term well-being. Buy pellets from reputable companies and avoid off-brand, cheap pellets. Look into pellet reviews online and discuss with your vet to keep up-to-date on any recalls on turtle food. Make sure any produce you feed your turtle is fresh. Also, wash it before feeding your turtle. Remember, any pesticides or bacteria harmful to humans can also be harmful to your turtle. Prepare any produce that you feed your turtle as you would prepare it for yourself. Because vitamin deficiencies are responsible for many turtle health problems, talk to your veterinarian about health supplements to ensure that your turtle is getting the nutrients it needs. Calcium is a particularly important nutrient for turtles. Calcium supplements for turtles can be purchased at a pet store. Dust calcium over the food up two or three times per week.
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One-sentence summary -- Transition to new food types and portions. Monitor your turtle's health. Make food decisions for long-term health. Look into supplements.

Most viral and bacterial infections are spread by touching someone who is infected and introducing the germs directly into your mouth, nose or eyes. Infectious microorganisms can live for hours in body secretions such as saliva and mucus. Therefore, be cautious about touching people who are obviously ill during common cold season (sneezing, coughing, runny nose) and make sure to wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of a sinus infection. To wash your hands properly, first wet them with water, then apply soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash between your fingers, under your nails, and both the front and back of your hands. Then rinse and dry your hands on a clean towel. Avoid touching your face when you're out in public, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth. Always wash your hands before eating, especially if you eat with your hands (such as pizza or hot dogs). Don't go overboard on the hand sanitizer, because it can promote the growth of antibacterial-immune microorganisms. In order to function normally and be able to keep microorganisms at bay, the mucous membranes of your sinuses, nose and throat need to be moist. When they get too dry, they are much more susceptible to irritation, inflammation and infection. Therefore, keep yourself well hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of purified water per day it'll keep your mucous membranes moist and keep you hydrated. Avoid colas and energy drinks they can promote dehydration because caffeine is a diuretic (triggers more urination). Limit coffee and black tea intake. During the winter months, your sinus membranes can become very dry due to the extreme aridity of your home. Adding moisture to the air via a humidifier may help prevent sinusitis. Make sure the air is a cold, not warm warm humidified air can cause bacterial growth in the humidifier, making you feel worse. Another risk factor for coming down with a sinus infection is having allergies. Allergic reactions to pollen or other irritants can cause a stuffy and runny nose, which is not sinusitis, but it can trap viruses or bacteria in your nasal passages and increase the risk of infection. Thus, if you have allergies or hay fever, avoid exposing yourself to the triggers or keep them under control with medications typically over-the-counter antihistamines / decongestants. Be careful not to over-use antihistamines for your allergies because they can cause your mucus membranes to get too dry. Check with a physician before starting or stopping medication. An allergic reaction and a sinus infection can cause similar symptoms (stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, sneezing), but sinusitis is invariably more painful, causes a mild fever and leads to greenish or gray mucus discharge from the nose. In addition to allergens, there are many chemical irritants that can trigger irritation and inflammation in your nasal passages, which makes them more susceptible to getting infected. As such, try to avoid common chemical irritants such as cigarette/cigar smoke, dust, bleach, most cleaning agents, environmental pollutants and asbestos particles. Wearing a mask when you know you will be exposed to these irritants may help, as it can be difficult to avoid them completely. Cigarette smokers develop more respiratory infections (upper in the sinuses and lower in the lungs) than non-smokers. Secondhand smoke, in particular, is a significant risk factor for sinus and lung infections in children. Never smoke around children, who are unable to understand the risks. Pet fur and dander can aggravate allergies. Remember to dust and vacuum your home regularly, so your nasal passages don't get irritated. Another major risk factor for sinus infections in young children (infants) is bottle feeding, especially while they lay on their backs. The milk or formula can easily get into the nose, nasal passages and sinuses, which not only increases the risk of choking, but it also provides nourishment to bacteria. Any bacterial in the infants' sinuses feed on the milk sugar and rapidly flourish, leading to an infection. Always feed your baby/infant/child while he is sitting upright in order to prevent food from going places it shouldn't. Although 90% of sinus infections in adults are caused by viruses (often the common cold), only about 60% are viral in infants and children. The other 40% are bacterial, which readily take advantage of feeding mishaps.
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One-sentence summary -- Wash your hands frequently. Keep well hydrated. Keep your allergies under control. Avoid exposure to irritants. Don't give your child a bottle while lying down.

Peel and mince finely. Use a fine grater or a food processor to mince the ginger. Alternatively, use an ice cube tray. Keep the layer as even as possible. Repeat until all of the minced ginger has been used up. Place the sheet or tray inside the freezer. Let freeze. Lift off the frozen portions of the minced ginger. Transfer each portion to either a resealable bag or an airtight container. If using a bag, try to expel as much air as possible before resealing. Use as needed. This ginger will keep for up to six months.
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One-sentence summary --
Select a suitable piece of ginger. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or foil. Spread a teaspoon or tablespoon amount at a time of the minced ginger across a part of the parchment paper or foil. Place a sheet of plastic wrap gently over the top of the spread ginger. Remove from the freezer. Place back in the freezer.