Captain America, anyone? Or how about those Avengers? As the summer slowly winds down, we’ve seen our share of superheroes come along to save the day. They’re great, aren’t they? But if you look around, chances are you can find some real heroes. The best part is that many of them are right in your own neighborhood. So this Patriot Day, take a moment to honor them.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They may be the firefighter down the street or the policeman who keeps that street safe. They don’t even need to have a dangerous profession. How about the teacher who taught you how to express yourself through music or the tax preparer who just saved you a bundle during tax time or even the prep cook who took the time to explain which foods on the menu were safe for your particular food allergy?

What makes these people even more special is that they don’t need or want a ticker-tape parade down Main Street to honor their service. They’re proud to do what they do because it makes the world a better, brighter place. So take the time to recognize these people. Often a simple, sincere ‘thank you’ is all they require or desire. It lets them know that what they do matters, whether it’s large or small.

They say a journey begins with a single step, but what about 10,000 of them in one day? Sounds like a lot, but 10,000 could be the most important number in your journey to a healthy lifestyle. As strange as it may feel to find yourself pacing in your living room late at night to get in those last few steps, there are many great reasons for them.

Even though it may not feel like ‘real’ exercise, those 10,000 steps add up. Getting those steps in every day is the equivalent of getting five 30-minute workouts a week. It strengthens your heart and lowers your cholesterol. It lets you stay physically active. An interesting fact is that calories aren’t absorbed the same way in people who exercise. Studies have found that if you’re physically active, calories are more likely to be burned off or converted to muscle whereas if you’re spending time on the couch binge-watching, they’re likely to be converted to fat.

Getting those steps in is also easier on your joints than running, meaning you’re less likely to suffer an injury that throws your whole fitness routine off. And if that weren’t enough, 10,000 is pretty cheap, too. You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get your steps. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a positive attitude.

So whether you measure your steps using a pedometer or a fancy app on your phone, make the number 10,000 a part of your healthy lifestyle.

The question of whether your teen should go out and get a job is one that every family is going to bump into sooner or later. The answer to this question (as with so many other things) is that it depends.

It depends on your teen. Your teen’s first priority can and should be doing well in school. You know your teenager best. Some of them can handle the extra responsibility that comes with a job and some of them may not be quite ready for it.

It depends on the alternatives. Working a job can help teach a teenager responsibility and the value of money, as well as give them a taste of what the real world has to offer. But are there alternatives? What is your teenager trying to accomplish by working? Is he or she trying to add to a resume in hopes of getting into a better school? Or maybe save up for something? Depending on his or her goals, would an internship, even an unpaid one, or spending extra time with after-school activities offer a better option than working?

It depends on you. In many cases, your teenager’s work schedule is going to add some extra strain to your schedule. It may mean picking them up in the evening or dropping them off. It may mean checking in with them more often to make sure their homework is getting done and they’re keeping their grades up. In a sense, they’re not the only ones taking on some extra responsibility.

Your teenager can really benefit from working a job, but before you leap into the idea with both feet give some thought to what it really means, both for yourself and for your teen.

You know brown-bagging it is a great way to save money and eat healthy, but it can be tough to do when your classmates and coworkers are chowing down on the goodies from the cafeteria or living it up at the local restaurants. That tuna sandwich can look rather sad by comparison. The good news is that you don’t have to settle for tuna ‘blah’, and you don’t have to be an expert chef to quickly prepare a gourmet meal that will be the envy of the office.

It may be tuna, but it doesn’t have to be ‘blah.’ Spice up an old classic with these hot curried tuna sandwiches.

We might all scream for ice cream, but for many of us pizza comes in a close second. Take the taste of the pizza parlor to work or school with these pizza wrap sandwiches.

If you’re on a gluten-free diet, bread isn’t exactly your friend. And even if you and gluten are simpatico, do you really want the extra carbs hanging around? Get rid of the bread altogether with this pickle and Reuben delight.

When you think lunch, you normally think sandwich, and sandwich means meat, right? That’s great— unless you’re vegan. Don’t feel left out. Adapt with this tasty spinach and artichoke wrap.

Dessert shouldn’t be just for dinner. And what could be better than a cookie? The problem is that most cookies aren’t exactly the healthiest of choice. Not so with these babies, packed with heart-healthy oats and grains.

Who says brown-bagging has to be boring? Bon appétit!

The most annoying thing about money is that there never seems to be enough of it! That tends to be true even if we’re just getting started with our finances. The problem is hard enough to deal with as an adult, let alone when you don’t have that much life experience. With that in mind, here are a few resources to help your teen get off to a good financial start:

These days, financial literacy means knowing how banking systems actually work, how technology like debit cards and online investing figure into the equation as well as how to manage your credit rating. Investopedia has the information you need to understand it all, including how to handle life events young adults are likely to deal with such as college, moving out and financing their first car.

Since actions speak louder than words, how do you put that financial knowledge into practice in your daily life so you’re setting a good example for your kids? U.S. News and World Report has a great article on that very subject.

Do you ever look back and wish that your primary school or college had a course on financial literacy? If only, right? Well, Practical Money Skills has detailed lesson plans for your children, so you can teach them to hit a financial home run.

Like older folks, teenagers need to set priorities, make choices and manage their finances responsibly if they want to meet their goals successfully. Use these resources to put them on the right path.

If the sweat pouring off you or the clingy feeling of your clothes sticking to you didn’t already give it away, you may have noticed it’s a little on the warm side out there. And since there’s a good chance you’re going to be out of the house enjoying the great outdoors, here are a few ways to stay hydrated:

Be careful with alcohol. Yeah, sometimes nothing really satisfies like an ice cold beer, but alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning that it actually makes you more dehydrated rather than less. It can also interfere with your body's ability to regulate its own temperature.

Keep your electrolytes up. Along with all that sweat, your body is also leaking out electrolytes like potassium, sodium and calcium. You can replace fluid and sodium losses with watery foods that contain salt and potassium like soup and vegetable juices. Many sports drinks will also help you maintain your electrolyte balance, but beware of those that contain significant amounts of sugar or caffeine.

Check your urine. It might not be the most exciting thing to do when you’re out having a great time, but, like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, it can be an important indicator that something is wrong. If your urine is dark or cloudy, it’s often a sign you’re dehydrated. Also watch for other signs of dehydration such as dizziness, headache, nausea and cramps.

The best way to prevent dehydration is before it starts. If you know you’re going to be out in the heat, plan ahead by making sure you’re well hydrated and that you have plenty of fluids on hand to get you through the day.

Have a great and well-hydrated summer!