Each week, members of the Lifestyles staff share something we like. Maybe you'll like it, too.

Sylvia Anderson, food/home and garden reporter: After watching my daughter suffer for more than a week with the flu, I highly recommend washing your hands whenever possible. Doctors also suggest wearing a mask around infected people, but since you don't always know who is and it's not convenient or attractive, washing your hands seems like the best option. In addition, I am keeping a roll of paper towels and can of Lysol in the bathroom to make sure the germs don't get a second chance.

Tamara Clymer, Lifestyles reporter: Is it just me, or are school lunch prices just insane? I'm sure they're worth it and all, but I for one don't have the $40 it takes to provide my kids a hot school lunch every week. So this year I'm sending the kids packing. A few days a week we pull out their insulated lunch boxes and the newest thing I've found in kids' lunch paraphernalia - the Munchkin Fun Ice re-usable ice packs. They're filled with a non-toxic gel that freezes overnight, so I just pop one in their lunchbox before they leave for the day and it keeps their lunch cooler, longer. And the kids love it because they some cool designs - we have sports ones for the guys and frogs and butterflies for the girls. Now if I could just get someone else to make those lunches.

Shea Conner, entertainment reporter: If you've never eaten at Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue in Kansas City, then you are missing out on the best barbecue you'll have in your entire life. Don't believe me? Well, Zagat does. The survey named Jack Stack the best barbecue restaurant in the country. You'd think such a prestigious eatery would be extremely pricey, but Jack Stack's entrees start at about $9. My personal favorite is the Kansas City Combo with pork ribs, burnt ends, fries and coleslaw for $14.95. It might be the best meal I've ever had.

Jess DeHaven, Lifestyles editor: It's the month of Halloween, and you might be in the mood for a little creepy reading. Two books that are perfect for this time of year are "The Historian," a creepy vampire tale by Elizabeth Kostova, and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" a version of the Jane Austen classic that incorporates undead mayhem. Some of you literary purists may be shaking your heads at that last one, but I'm an Austen freak and "Zombies" is a fun way to revisit an old friend.

Blake Hannon, entertainment reporter: If you are just looking for a Web site to kill some time, HBO has a great one. Go to www.hboimagine.com. You get to see dozens of short films shot from multiple angles. You can watch each film from the angle you choose, but you'll want to watch them all, since each shot reveals aspects of the plot that the others don't. It's a surprisingly engaging method of storytelling, so set an alarm so you don't waste away half your day in front of the computer.

Erin Wisdom, health/religion reporter: For anyone who's a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, I recommend Pony Espresso's chocolate monkey smoothie. It also contains milk and a banana (the ingredient behind the "monkey" portion of the name, I assume). I tell myself it's probably rich in protein and calcium, which is reason enough to have it for lunch every once in a while.