The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states on their website that “Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health.” There is also increasing evidence that a healthy diet can improve brain performance and with midterms all around us, we need all the brain power we can get! With all of this in mind, it seems fitting that we join in on this month’s celebration of National Nutrition Month. This annual campaign by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages “everyone to focus on the importance of making informed food choices, and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.” So help yourself to some leafy greens, grab an apple, and checkout these nutrition-related titles listed on our WU Reads Reading Guide.
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” – François de La Rochefoucald
We all know that Valentine’s Day is in February but did you know that February is also Library Lovers’ Month? That’s right, the entire month is dedicated to celebrating the place that so many of us hold near and dear to our heart—the library. This magical place is devoted to reading, organizing, finding, studying, preserving, and adoring books. Libraries also offer a place to work on group projects, access computers, and enjoy special exhibits. They provide a quiet, safe space for reflection, comfortable seating for relaxing, and archives full of unique treasures. And, of course, libraries offer intelligent, dedicated staff, who provide a variety of services including valuable research help! Join us this month in celebrating all the great libraries out there—past, present and future!
As Agatha Christie so wisely said, “Tea! Bless ordinary everyday afternoon tea!” There really is something satisfying about a nice “cuppa” and since January is National Hot Tea Month, we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate this wonderful ancient beverage. According to the 
During this time of year when holidays abound, our thoughts often turn to “going home.” The concept of home is a powerful one but “home” means many different things to different people. For some, it is a cozy place where they feel the most comfortable just being who they are. In the winter, perhaps it is a house with a fire in the fireplace, a friendly lap kitty, a cup of hot cocoa, and a good book. Or maybe “home” has more to do with the people that live there—family or friends or both! In any event, “home” must resonate with a lot of us or there wouldn’t be all those pithy sayings about the notion of home such as:
In 1984, President Reagan established a week in November as National Adoption Week proclaiming “it is fitting that we give special recognition to those who are rebuilding families by promoting adoption.” President Clinton expanded the week to the entire month of November in 1996. The goal of National Adoption Month is “to increase national awareness and draw attention to and support for the thousands of children and youth in the U.S. foster care system who are waiting for permanent, loving families.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau estimates that over 100,000 children and youth are waiting to be adopted in the U.S. This year’s theme for National Adoption Month is “Youth Voices: Why Families Matter.” Families really do matter and having that sense of belonging and the knowledge that there are people looking out for you, supporting you, and loving you is important on so many levels. Families come in all shapes and sizes and one vital way of creating family is through adoption. For more information, visit the 
We all know how important fruits and vegetables are to a healthy diet. Federal guidelines recommend that adults get at least 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day but just 1 in 10 adults actually meets these recommendations, according to the Center for Disease Control. October is National Vegetarian Awareness Month and the perfect time to explore ways of incorporating more vegetables into your diet and to seek out tasty vegetarian recipes. The 
In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed Proclamation 6716 designating September to be Classical Music Month. The proclamation aptly declares that “classical music speaks both to the mind and to the heart, giving us something to think about as well as to experience.” When we consider the many talented composers, conductors, and musicians who have created and shared classical music with us through the ages, it seems appropriate that we take time to honor them one and all for their wonderful artistry. So tune in to your classical music radio station, attend a local symphony concert, or checkout one of the books from the 
There is a month for every occasion and July is no exception. Join us as we celebrate National Culinary Arts Month! This month recognizes the cooks, chefs, bakers, and food lovers who bring joy to our plates every day. Food is a significant part of every culture; it connects, sustains, delights, and inspires us. Many of us have favorite recipes from a cherished friend or family member no longer on this earth and every time we prepare that dish or bake those cookies, we are immediately swept up in treasured memories of that important loved one. National Culinary Arts Month is all about taking the time to think about the foods we put on our tables, considering the recipes that have been passed down through the generations, and celebrating the skill, dedication, and artistry required to be a great cook or chef. Be sure and check out the 
Did you know that over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean waters? And over half of the world’s population is estimated to live near coastal areas. Ties between humans and the global ocean are numerous and vast; they include economic, environmental, health, and spiritual links, just to name a few. The ocean is teeming with life and filled with extraordinary and mysterious creatures of all sorts that have fascinated humankind forever. It has been an inspiration to early explorers, scientists, artists, musicians, authors, and more for centuries. The ocean provokes an emotional response from most of us; the sight of the ocean stretching unendingly before us as we stand upon the shore boggles the mind, the feel of the waves on our bare feet tickles and delights us, and the sound of the ocean both comforts and energizes us. In celebration of the magic of the ocean, June has been proclaimed “National Ocean Month.” You can learn all about the ocean from the 