May's to-do list

6. Celebrate Mom
This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 13. Show Mom just how much you care by making her feel special all day long. Whether you shower her with gifts she'll love or take her out to a fabulous restaurant for dinner, try to make this Mother's Day one she'll remember.

7. Pay extra attention to bills
Every month, the bills land in our mailboxes and we pay them by rote, sometimes without so much as glancing at the payment breakdown. This month, spend a few hours looking at your cellphone, cable and Internet plans and decide whether they're the most cost-effective options for you. With a little bit of research, you may find that there are plan options better suited to your needs and you could save yourself some money.

8. Go seasonal
The winter months make finding really fresh produce difficult. Take advantage of the fact that many fruits and vegetables are becoming widely available as we head into summer. Asparagus and rhubarb, for example, are in peak season in May. Check out our recipe section for ideas on incorporating these seasonal veggies into mealtime.

9. Visit an allergist
May 1 to 7 is Allergy Awareness Week. For so many Canadians, seasonal allergies have become the norm and we find ourselves suffering in silence, popping antihistamines and yearning for the first frost to kill the allergens in the air. Don't let allergies ruin your summer! This is a good time to make an appointment with an allergist. A specialist will be able to pinpoint the source of your troubles and provide a solution that'll ease your discomfort and help you to enjoy the long, languid days of summer without those itchy, watery eyes.

10. Get a haircut
Something as simple as a haircut can go a long way toward making you feel refreshed. Trim off those dead ends and maybe even liven up your colour. Or if you're feeling particularly daring, go for an entirely new look. Have you always wanted bangs? Or have you dreamed of chopping your locks off for a pixie look? Go ahead. You only live once and...it's only hair!

Whether you attempt all of the suggestions on this list, or only manage a few, make the month of May one of renewal by taking care of details that tend to fall by the wayside. You may have your own list of things to do this month -- but whatever you do, do it with gusto.

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