Daily step counting

How many daily steps do we really need for optimum health? Ten thousand steps seems to be the gold standard in most of what we read to keep diabetes and high blood pressure (as well as several other conditions) at bay. And how do we keep track of all our steps?

Before you decide on a target number of steps per day, call your medical provider and ask how many you should be doing. You might learn that with an otherwise active, healthy life, several thousand steps per day might be enough, rather than the whole 10,000.

How to count those steps is the tricky part. I have several of those little clip-on step counters, and unfortunately, they all come up with different results. I have no way of knowing which are accurate.

There is a popular tracker called Fitbit, a fancy step counter that looks like a watch. Each model has pros and cons, per

• File this one under safety AND energy smarts: Clean the dryer vent after every load. Clean the dryer vent screen monthly with a gentle soap and water bath. Rinse well and dry thoroughly before inserting back into your dryer.

• “I used to struggle with plastic wrap every time I tried to use it. But now, it’s a breeze since I learned to do these two things: One, keep plastic wrap in the freezer. It unrolls evenly, not one side or the other. Two, use a serrated knife to cut it instead of relying on the metal strip down the side of the box. You lay it out on the counter, and just run the knife down the edge you want to cut. Works like magic, and it’s no longer frustrating.” -- G.S. in Georgia

• Store an apple or two with your potatoes to keep them from sprouting. Be sure to check them often.

• Cut cotton pads in half to double your supply. They are thousands of online reviews. Some do more than just count steps; they also keep tabs on your location with GPS, your pace and how far you’ve walked, your sleep profile, your heart rate and your stress level. They can be pricey, especially if you want to unlock all the features and sign up for Fitbit Premium to see all your data on the dashboard.

Your best bet is to Google “best step counters for seniors” and wade through a few dozen choices. You’ll find Apple Watch, 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer, Garmin Vivofit 4 activity tracker and so many more. If you have a subscription to Consumer Reports, check their reviews on activity trackers for seniors.

Before you opt for an expensive tracker, visit a store where they are sold and try them out. A watch font might be too tiny to read, or a clip-on might not stay clipped on.

Bonus: Several Medicare Advantage plans provide either free or reduced-cost Fitbit devices. typically big enough for two uses, and you can always use two halves if you need a whole.

• “Make a cream lipstick last longer and stay cleaner by using a makeup brush to apply. Your skin picks up more of the lipstick than necessary, one reason why we blot our lips afterward. But the brush uses only what you need. And there’s less bacteria transfer.” -- Y.R. in Massachusetts

• Studies have shown that you spend more and make worse decisions when grocery shopping at peak hours. To be a saver on the family food bill, pick a time to shop when you’re not rushed; have a list; know the sales ahead of time; and eat before you go.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

Q: Is that Demi Moore I see in the new “Feud” series? Is this her first acting role since she deserted Hollywood a few years ago? -- K.H.

A: When Demi Moore (“Indecent Proposal”) and her husband at the time, actor Bruce Willis (“Die Hard”), started their family in the late 1980s, they would eventually escape Los Angeles for the peaceful mountain town of Hailey, Idaho. They had three daughters, but ended up splitting a decade later. Moore stayed in Idaho and took a break from acting, especially after starring in back-to-back box-office disappointments -- “Striptease” and “G.I. Jane.”

When Moore tried to ease back into acting, the roles were few and far between. In an interview with Red magazine back in 2007, Moore said that “there aren’t that many good roles for women over 40. A lot of them don’t have much substance, other than being someone’s mother or wife.”

But if you look at Moore’s list of credits, there really isn’t that much of a gap between projects. She has had numerous roles over the past two decades; it’s just that they’re not very highprofile.

Her autobiography, “Inside Out,” was published in 2019. During the pandemic, she quarantined in Idaho with her girls and Willis. It was eventually revealed that Willis was suffering from a neurological disorder. He and Moore remain close, along with Willis’ current wife, Emma.

Now Moore is part of a terrific ensemble group of women over 40 in the new FX series “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” based on a true story set in the 1960s. Moore plays one of the socialites that author Truman Capote (“In Cold Blood”) betrayed in a tell-all book. Molly Ringwald (“Sixteen Candles”), Naomi Watts and Calista Flockhart co-star, with Tom Hollander playing Capote.

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Q: Where have I seen football commentator Kyle Brandt before? I read that he was on the MTV reality show “The Real World,” but I didn’t watch that. He looks familiar to me. -- Z.I.

A: Kyle Brandt, one of the hosts of “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network, was part of “The Real World: Chicago” on MTV in 2001. My guess is that you recognize him from his brief acting career where he played Philip Kiriakis on “Days of Our Lives” from 2003-06.

He’s definitely found what he’s good at, which is talking about football. His high-energy, hilarious segment called “Angry Runs,” in particular, will definitely jolt you awake on “Good Morning Football” weekday mornings.

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Q: Is “Bridgerton” returning to Netflix anytime soon? I’ve read all the books, so I know there is more story to tell. -- B.P.

A: Yes, “Bridgerton” will be back on Netflix on May 16 with part 1 of the third season. The second part of the season will premiere on June 13.

New cast members include Daniel Francis (“Once Upon a Time”) and Sam Phillips (“The Crown”). Phoebe Dynevor, who starred as Daphne in the first two seasons, will be sitting this one out, but hopes that her character will return in the future.

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.