The holiday season is synonymous with family, fun, and of course, food. Between opulent dinners, professional gatherings and holiday parties it can feel difficult to achieve a healthy balance. But dietary concerns shouldn’t dampen your holiday spirit. It’s possible to indulge in celebratory offerings without the added guilt. Here are some tips: Be Rational Be realistic about your food choices…
Today, more than 12 million U.S. children are obese. Nationally, one out of every six kids is considered overweight or obese, while nearly one in three Michigan children face the same dilemma. These kids face an increased risk of having chronic health conditions and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and more. The typical American diet has shifted to favor convenience foods…
Enjoying food-centered holidays can be challenging for people with diabetes. They might find themselves torn between wanting to enjoy traditional carbohydrate-heavy recipes and trying to eat healthy to keep their blood sugar at a safe level. Stress from this internal tug-of-war can push blood sugar levels even higher. The good news is, there is a solution. People with diabetes…
If you’re like most people, the stretch of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is a free-for-all where you can guiltlessly indulge. But you don’t have to sabotage your waistline for the sake of delicious holiday food. In fact, with some creative cooking and substitutions, you and your guests won’t be able to tell that you’re filling your plates…
What does it mean to be masculine or manly? For many, it means conforming to stereotypes related to providing, protecting, procreating and not showing your feelings. But being strong all the time often comes with stuffing down anxiety, sadness, weakness and vulnerability. Research shows these habits can lead to negative health outcomes ranging from digestive problems to heart concerns when emotions spill out in the form…
We all know the signs too well: the runny nose, deep cough and warm forehead. Keeping your little one healthy can be one of the toughest aspects of having a toddler—especially if they go to preschool. Small children have an increased risk of coming down with a cold or catching other illnesses because their immune systems aren’t fully matured yet. When…
It would take a 185-pound person an entire workday of non-stop cross country running to burn off the higher end of the 3500-7000 calories from Halloween candy consumed by the average US child. Holidays aren’t exactly known for being healthy, but this year there are more health considerations to keep in mind beyond the usual sugar rush. To prevent the…
It’s fall and you know what that means…pumpkin-flavored everything! If you’re not a pumpkin fan, there’s a plentiful variety of fall produce that is also in season. Based on traditional Michigan crop harvest calendars, here are some of the best fruits and veggies to select in the fall: Apples – with varieties like Macintosh and Honeycrisp available as early as September, apples are great…
As technology continues to advance, it has become more and more difficult for parents to unplug their children from the electronic world. With distractions like cell phones, laptops, television and video games, it is easy for kids to lose themselves in the lure of today’s gadgets. Is there any hope for parents trying to tear kids away from their screens?…
Did you know that in the first few weeks of life, a newborn baby can eat as often as every 45 minutes? Talk about fast food! If you have a nursing mom in your life, you can help her adjust to her new normal with a few helpful tools for her breastfeeding journey. Breast Shields: may help reduce the pain associated…
As kids start a new year of learning, it might be a good time to check on their vision. Whether they’ll be in a classroom or learning virtually this year, your child may not always tell you they have a hard time seeing things. Since it’s best to catch any problems early, be on the lookout for any of these…
You may have had them baked or steamed, but have you had Brussels sprouts grilled? If not, you need to try them. Put the Brussels sprouts on a wooden skewer and grill them over the campfire for a healthy vegetable side. Before grilling, be sure to soak the skewers in water to reduce the risk of a fire. Brussels sprouts…
The Northern Lights have always been a mystical, magical wonder of the world. They appear, then disappear. You might see them, you might not. There is something about chasing down the enigmatic Northern Lights that makes the phenomenon so intriguing. According to Canada’s Northern Lights Centre, the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis in the northern hemisphere or “dawn…
One of the best things to do during a Michigan summer is to head out to your favorite lake and relax on the shore, ride around in a boat or cool off with a swim. So which watering hole should you head to? Don’t just consider the more famous ones like Torch Lake, Lake Fenton and Lake Michigan (the third-largest…
Research shows that without any educational activities over the summer, most kids will lose about two months of math skills. And kids in lower-income families will also lose an average of two months of reading and language skills. Repeating those “summer slides” year after year can really add up, making it tough to keep up with classmates. What’s a parent to…
