When an event or circumstance arises in your life that you think might require the expertise of an attorney, you may be at a loss as to where to start to find the right one. There are plenty of advertisements on television and online, but how do you know if you will get value for your money, if the attorney will be attentive to you and your needs, and whether the attorney will do a good job for you?

If you are returning to the dating world after a long time away, or if you have not had the dating life you hoped for, maybe it is time to try something different. Reflect on these dating roadblocks and see if you experience more success and happiness in your dating life by overcoming them.

How many times has this “Medical Advice” column reported a change in prevailing medical recommendations? Here we go again. Humpty Dumpty could certainly identify with the angst a humble egg currently has to deal with. Talk about self-esteem issues. For years, eggs have been slashed from “healthy” diets because they were considered too loaded with fat and, therefore, a leading contributor to heart disease. The general recommendation was no more than two eggs per week. Even yours truly ascribed to that theory and personally was responsible for instructing her patients in that direction.

January means resolutions. My guess is that at least one of your resolutions falls under the category of being happier in some area of your life. If so, you might want to take a look at Gretchen Rubin’s new book, “Happier at Home” (2012). Her previous book, “The Happiness Project,” was No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list for months. Although I hadn’t read that one, I bought her next book as the “perfect” gift for someone. Before I wrapped it I skimmed it a little further than in the bookstore. Soon I was reading each page and knew I had to have my own copy. This is a valuable and inspirational reference for any individual, family or home — the kind of book you might not read at one sitting or from beginning to end, but snippets on a daily or weekly basis. With a highlighter.

As we close out another year and look forward to a new and hopefully more prosperous one, it is a good time to take inventory on where we stand financially in order to better prepare for the year ahead.

If you are returning to the dating world after a long time away or if you have not had the dating life you hoped for, maybe it is time to try something different. Reflect on and apply these rules and goals for dating and see if you experience more success and happiness in your dating life. More details and specifics about how to apply these rules are in “The Dating Coach Workbook.”

Dear Mikey,

With flu season upon us, many people question whether or not they should get a flu shot. Instead of putting your health at great risk by getting a flu shot, a healthier option is to boost your immune system naturally and limit immune suppressors.

I want to talk about a sometimes uncomfortable topic for many of us but a very important subject; which is the passing of our pets. In the majority of cases we will out live our beloved four-legged companions, and unfortunately in most cases we are the ones to make the decision when that time is.

Two kids, two pets, two jobs, too much.

Who’s first? This is a question that may get ignored as we make quick decisions, especially this time of the year. We put on the automatic pilot that often chooses others before ourselves: “Yes, I’ll drop off the kids,” “I can loan you the money,” “I’ll cover your shift at work...” Does this sound familiar? These decisions can fall into a pattern that leaves you stressed, overwhelmed and/or resentful. If you are experiencing these feelings about agreeing or going along, it may be a warning you are not making the best decision at this time.

One of the biggest problems I see when I counsel couples, is the lack of respect they have for each other. We live in such a self-centered world that people seem to think that they are entitled to get their individual needs met.

Think clotheslines are a relic of a bygone era, a time when our grandmothers slaved over their dainties with stiff birch-wood pins?

To tip or not to tip?

Amidst ownership changes a local eye care practice continues to work like family, putting patient care first.

I always knew that at some point in my children’s lives, we would have to say goodbye to our family dog.