When it comes to Michigan produce, it can sometimes feel like cherries, apples and blueberries get all the glory. But those three are just the tip of the grown-in-Michigan iceberg. There are, in fact, loads of other less obvious fruits and vegetables to be found here—especially this time of year. Here are three in-season fruits to help expand your taste…
It’s 5:30 AM. Your alarm clock is sounding off relentlessly and you are one giant, toasty cinnamon bun in bed. The absolute last thing you want to do is get up and dive into a workout…but you should! Research and testimonials show that working out before breakfast sets the tone for the day and reinforces a healthy schedule over time. Most people think they can’t handle morning…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Despite their best effort to prepare for the back-to-school season, more than 50 percent of parents admit it doesn’t go as planned. Thankfully, small changes in daily routines can make great time-savers and allow the family to practice healthy habits without the…
More than 80 percent of college students reported feeling overwhelmed by their workload in 2016. Chronic stress can be a catalyst for depression, anxiety and mood disorders—serious problems that together are ranked number one among the top five national health conditions contributing to poor health in nearly every county of every state in the U.S. By prioritizing physical and mental health throughout the school…
School cafeterias give children the opportunity to become independent eaters at an early age. While it’s a great way to try new foods, it also means parents are unable to control what and how much a child consumes. Thankfully, USDA’s regulations assist children in making better decisions by requiring cafeterias to offer more fruit, vegetables and whole grains while limiting sodium,…
A yearly physical exam by your family physician or pediatrician is an important part of your child’s health care. As children get older, back to school check-ups are sometimes the only visit kids and teenagers have with their doctor every year. An annual check-up gives the physician a chance to give the child a thorough physical examination. It also presents…
August is Kids Eat Right Month, founded by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to emphasize ways to help kids eat right and be more active. It’s no surprise that attention is being placed on children’s eating habits after the news has been filled with headlines about the current childhood obesity trends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 17%…
Flowers are a go-to when it comes to giving gifts and decorating your home, but they can also dress up your favorite recipes. Whether used in a salad, decorative drink or main dish, there are many flowers you can incorporate into your diet. With spring on the way, here are some flowers that will add a pop of color and…
A healthy take on campfire s’mores, try this simple recipe for a sweet snack. If you’re at the end of your camping trip, you can still use slightly ripe bananas for this recipe. The riper the banana, the better. Bananas are particularly high in Vitamin B, potassium, manganese and Vitamin C, all necessary daily nutrients. If you are backpacking, bananas…
Minimalism is about living more with less. Incorporating that idea into a family dynamic can be difficult. How do you get kids – who always want the newest, best, and next – to scale down and simplify? Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, authors of the book Everything That Remains give the advice “spend half the money and twice the time with…
The problem of food waste in the United States is big. About 20 percent of what ends up in landfills is made up of food, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. On a personal level, that equates to about one pound of food wasted for every person in the country every single day. And, the healthier your diet, the more likely you are…
Looking for a patriotic dessert or side dish to bring to your next summer get-together? Look no further because we have five unique recipes that will wow your family and friends. Not only are these recipes kid-friendly and fun but many of them contain antioxidant-packed blueberries and calcium-filled cheese. Here are some of our favorite recipes to add some red,…
The Surgeon General has declared e-cigarette use among youth “an epidemic” after recent studies showed a drastic surge in use. Between 2017 and 2018, e-cigarette use increased 78% among high school students, from 11.7% in 2017 to 20.8% in 2018. In 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. youth – including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school…
By: Dr. T. Jann Caison-Sorey, associate medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan There are many health benefits associated with being outdoors and enjoying summertime activities. However, the season does pose its own set of risks for injury, so it’s essential that families are well-prepared. Taking preventive action can help ensure everyone enjoys a safe, happy and healthy summer.…
If you’ve made the switch from disposable water bottles to a reusable one, give yourself a pat on the back! U.S. landfills are overflowing with two million tons of discarded water bottles, so getting one you can refill again and again is a huge deal. But while reusable water bottles are handy and much better for the environment, they aren’t always…
