Love bacon? Ham? Pork chops? Who doesn't, right? March 1st is National Pig Day. Created back in 1972, the reason for the season is to "recognize and be thankful for pigs as intelligent domestic animals." I was surprised to learn there is a national day for pigs, but I was even more shocked by some other porky facts:

• Pigs are very intelligent animals; they can be trained much more easily than dogs. In fact, a piglet can learn its name in just two weeks.
• Pigs have an excellent sense of smell. They can smell food up to five feet underground.
• Contrary to popular belief, pigs are cleaner than most animals. They do not excrete where they sleep unless they live in captivity.
• The idiom 'to sweat like a pig' is totally false. Pigs don't have sweat glands.
• Pigs roll in mud to cool their bodies, but prefer water to mud — they're excellent swimmers.
• Pork is the most consumed meat in the world.

So, now that you know, what will you do to celebrate National Pig Day? Wear a pink curly ribbon around your pig tails? Cook a fat roast? Have a Snort Off or a Pig Out? Join an online Pig Chat? Play a piggy game? Whatever you do, take a minute on Sunday to celebrate the princely pig in all its porky glory.

Your "Praise for Pigs" Gift Guru,
Linda

“Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” Or so the saying goes. But some are more convincingly Irish than others. Which is why I thought I’d help you become Irish for a day with a few little-known facts about St. Patrick’s Day.

• The first non-religious celebration of St. Patrick’s Day didn’t take place in Ireland, but in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737.
• Irish Coffee was actually invented in San Francisco, California.
• A four-leaf clover1 is supposed to bring good luck, but the world record number of leaflets found on a shamrock is 14.
• The ratio of pubs to people in Ireland is 1:350.
• The American Heart Association says a daily Guinness could be as effective as a daily aspirin in reducing the risk of heart attacks.

Green beer and corned beef aren’t the only ways you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Wear the green, learn a few Irish blessings and show off your new knowledge. And it wouldn’t hurt to learn the lyrics to “Danny Boy.”

Your “Sláinte!” Gift Guru,
Linda

Didn’t win the $564 million Powerball on Wednesday night? Me either. I played so I could dream about what I’d do with a half a billion dollars, but it looks like my dreams are on hold. Three people matched all five numbers and the powerball so the lucky winners will have to share the big jackpot. Before taxes, each will receive only $188 million. Only.

The lotto isn’t the only way to win. You could always head for the casino to try your hand at slots, or poker or roulette. Then there’s off-track betting. Or fantasy sports leagues. But I could never figure out the rules of most of those games. And forget about the betting rules. It’s all too complicated for me.

So I’ll stick to the lotto and my lucky number picker. It’s easy, doesn’t cost much to play and the dreaming is almost as fun as the winning. Almost.

Your “Luck Be A Lady” Gift Guru,
Linda

There’s no better month to think about your heart health — both romantically and mechanically — than February. After all, we’re already thinking about Valentine’s Day, so choosing February as American Heart Month makes lots of sense.

You might be surprised to learn that you can do some very simple things to watch out for your heart.

• Eat more veggies. Just one extra cup of vegetables per week is all you need to make your heart healthier.
• Just getting up and moving a little bit during the day — like taking a walk around the block — will strengthen your heart.
• Turn off the TV. Believe it or not, you’ll sleep better and drop some weight just by hitting the “off” button!

You don’t have to change your whole life, deprive yourself of your favorite foods or become an iron-man athlete to make your heart stronger. According to the American Heart Association, choosing just one of these three lifestyle mods can reduce your risk of heart disease. What better gift for you and your Valentine?

Your “Heart Happy, Heart Healthy” Gift Guru,
Linda