Best BBQ Side Dishes for Summer 2026
A practical guide to the best summer barbecue side dishes, covering potato salads, coleslaw variations, pasta salads, elevated baked beans, corn preparations, and food safety tips for outdoor gatherings.
Senior Wellness Editor, Holistic Lifestyle Consultant & Health Journalist
Chloe Mercer
Health journalist and holistic wellness strategist dedicated to empowering readers through mindful living, evidence-based nutrition, and sustainable fitness. Specializing in actionable lifestyle guides, mental well-being practices, and longevity trends. I translate complex health science into practical daily routines for a balanced, vibrant, and healthy life.
Stories by Chloe Mercer
Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak DRC 2026: What's Driving It
A Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak declared a PHEIC by WHO in May 2026 has surpassed 900 suspected cases in eastern DRC, with no approved vaccine and containment blocked by war, displacement, and community mistrust.
Ebola 2026: US Travel Ban and Dulles Screening Explained
A Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak declared a PHEIC by the WHO has prompted the CDC to issue a 30-day entry ban and route all at-risk US-bound passengers through Washington Dulles for health screening.
Tap vs. Bottled Water: PFAS and Microplastics Risk
New research shows bottled water carries far more nanoplastics than treated tap water, while tap water faces PFAS contamination in nearly half of U.S. systems. What consumers can actually do.
How Much Exercise Does Your Heart Actually Need?
New observational research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine links 10 weekly hours of exercise to a 30%-plus drop in cardiovascular risk, well above the 150-minute WHO guideline.
10 U.S. Towns That Feel Like Europe
Discover ten U.S. towns that look and feel like Europe, from Solvang's Danish windmills and Leavenworth's Bavarian chalets to New Orleans' French Quarter and St. Augustine's Spanish colonial forts.
Omega-3 Supplements Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline
Researchers from Chongqing Medical University analyzed 5-year ADNI data and found omega-3 supplement use was linked to accelerated decline on the MMSE, ADAS-Cog13, and CDR-SB scales.
Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak 2026: DRC, Uganda, US Doctor
The 2026 DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. Case counts, cross-border spread, a U.S. evacuation, and the WHO's PHEIC declaration are explained here.
Watermelon Benefits: What the Research Actually Shows
New research links watermelon consumption to higher diet quality and maintained vascular function, with caveats on study size and juice versus whole fruit intake.