There’s a computer technician working on your favorite machine in the gym, and your trusty biometrics app once again needs to be reinstalled. If your workout routine has gotten a little too technological lately, why not take a step back in time?

Hiking is one of the oldest forms of exercise, and with crisp air and glorious fall colors, autumn is the perfect time. With that in mind, here are some safety tips to make sure your fall hikes stay injury-free:

• The days are shorter now, and darkness comes early. Be sure to plan your hikes accordingly and bring a flashlight.
• Watch weather reports. The fall months can often be unpredictable, and you never know if a warm sunny morning will turn cold and rainy, or even bring snow.
• Dress appropriately. Layers are the key to staying comfortable.
• Make sure your hiking boots have been broken in properly before tackling long hikes. There's no sense in having painful blisters ruin your good time.
• Autumn is also hunting season. Wear something bright and stay away from earth-toned colors as well as brown or black. Also make some noise so that hunters will hear you—whistle, sing, or carry on a conversation.
• Watch out for leaves on the trail. Newly fallen leaves can camouflage the terrain, making navigation difficult. Wet leaves can cause slippery conditions.
• Be careful walking near water, particularly on slippery wet rocks. You may not realize how tired you are until you try to swim to safety, so drowning is a real issue.
• Although the days are cooler, you can still get sunburned. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

A few precautions can make all the difference in your autumn hike—stay safe!

If you're looking for some fall fun, an apple-picking adventure may be just the ticket. But before you head out with your friends or family, it’s time to brush up on some apple trivia!

• An experienced apple picker picks at least six tons per day.
• Apples are 75% water—which makes them a great thirst quencher!
• The tradition of apple bobbing comes from the ancient Celts. During one of their annual celebrations, the first person to bite into an apple floating in the water would be the next to marry.
• Tossing an apple to a girl in ancient Greece was a marriage proposal. Catching it was an acceptance.
• If you ate a different variety of apple each day, it would take you more than 20 years! There are over 7,500 different varieties in the world.
• Apples are part of the rose family, just like plums and pears.
• Apples float because 25% of their volume is air.
• In recipes that call for white wine, you can substitute apple juice.

And speaking of recipes, try one of these!

• Are you a bigger fan of the crust than the fruit? Try these Apple Crumble Bars.
• Doesn't the idea of an Apple Slab Pie sound irresistible? This recipe from Pillsbury has received great reviews.
• And apples aren't just for dessert—why not whip up some Apple and Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? 
• Need it gluten free? Try this beautiful Gluten Free Apple Tart.

As the old saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants and dietary fiber. So enjoy one of these tasty fruits today and just send the doc a postcard instead.

Do you have any Columbus Day weekend traditions? Yes, we said Columbus Day. This three-day weekend isn't like Memorial Day or Labor Day, with those family cookouts, but it IS the first holiday weekend after school starts, and it DOES take place during October. 

So why not take advantage?! Here are some events taking place that weekend that may inspire you for your own mini vacation.

Amusement Park Mayhem. Many amusement parks start their Halloween events in early October. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® will transform Six Flags into a “scream park” starting October 1st. Discount tickets will be available, so check sites like Skipadoo or purchase early on the Six Flags website. 

A Taste of Germany. Search online for “Oktoberfest October 8 2016” and you’ll find celebrations all over the country. The Nashville festivities look very promising, with events for the whole family, including a dog parade and dachshund races.

Splash in the Ocean. The beaches are less crowded during October, and the weather is still nice enough to play in the sand. Check out beach getaways on Groupon.

Fly High. Hot air balloon festivals take place around the country on Columbus Day weekend; New Mexico, South Carolina, and Illinois to name a few. Whether you find a local event or travel across the country, you'll feel like a kid again watching the balloons.

Ride the Rails. Why not take a trip through time? There are fall foliage excursions available in many states including New York, Michigan, and New Hampshire.

However you decide to spend Columbus Day weekend, remember to take lots of photos, enjoy yourself and each other!

The first Monday in October is Child Health Day. Below are some issues that adults rate as the biggest health concerns for children, along with some resources addressing them.

Childhood obesity. Here are key steps parents can take to promote healthier eating and an active lifestyle at home.

Bullying. Read about the effects of bullying, how to assess bullying in your child's school and find steps to promote awareness in your community.

Internet safety. Learn how to monitor your child's computer usage with these tips.

Drug abuse. Are you up to date on the current slang terms for drugs? Read about other warning signs of drug use and more on the National Institute on Drug Abuse site.

Child abuse and neglect. Find some expert tips on protecting your children.

Sexting. It might be time to have THE TALK with your kids—and it's probably not one your parents ever had with you. Learn what you should discuss with this tip sheet. 

School violence. Preventing any kind of harm to our children is every parent's concern. Check out some ways you can help.

While it's a relief that diseases like polio and tuberculosis no longer top the list of parents' concerns for their children's health, modern medicine can only do so much. The first step for a healthy child is great parenting. 

Hope you’re up for the challenge!

You may not realize that rather than celebrate Columbus Day each year, California and South Dakota have the public holiday Native Americans Day instead. The holiday's purpose is to explore, support and share in the traditions and cultural background of Native Americans. In California it is observed the fourth Friday of September (9/23 this year), and on the second Monday in October (10/10) in South Dakota. Indigenous People's Day is similarly observed instead of Columbus Day in Berkeley, CA, as well as in Minnesota and Washington State.

One way you can observe Native Americans Day this year is by trying out some of the ways the tribes traditionally promoted good health.

Play some games!Both indigenous men and women played a wide variety of active sports, often with the goal of ensuring a good harvest or healing the sick. Although many tribes claim to be the inventors of lacrosse, it was definitely a game that was played in the hopes that their tribe would prosper. Here are some games you and your family might try. 

Dance, baby!  Whether it was for healing or prayer, initiation or storytelling, there are, and were, many reasons for the indigenous peoples to dance. Join them! For inspiration, watch some Native American dances on YouTube.

Eat Well.  The introduction of European foods changed the indigenous peoples' diet—mostly for the worse. Many Native Americans have Type 2 diabetes. Try a recipe or two with the traditional, healthier ingredients.

Observe Native Americans Day like a healthy American!

Are you one of those “leaf freaks”— those devoted admirers of autumn and its vivid hues of gold, orange, red, bronze, and purple? Are you ready to make the pilgrimage into the countryside and see the lovely palette nature has to offer?

When planning your fall foliage tour, the first thing to do find out when and where the colors are changing. This map gives The Weather Channel's best guesses, but generally the leaves begin changing color in mid-September in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and gradually move southward through the warmer climates through the end of October. Color usually peaks around Columbus weekend, depending on the temperature and rainfall.

Here are some areas you might want to explore in New England this fall:

• Take in the clean, crisp air and be inspired as Thoreau was at Walden Pond. Nature lovers and history buffs alike can find plenty of activities nearby while admiring the view.
• Speaking of authors, Stephen King fans can visit “mecca” while admiring the lovely shades of fall in Bangor, Maine. The state has a helpful website to help plan your foliage adventures.
• “Magical” and “wonderful” were among the adjectives reviewers on Trip Advisor used to describe Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, New Hampshire. Home to many varieties of plants, this area is also a favorite with birdwatchers. The nearby Polar Caves are a popular destination as well.
• A car isn’t the only way to enjoy great color. Why not see nature's annual display from a steam train or a riverboat?

No matter your individual tastes, there is a foliage route for you!