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…
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…
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…
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris, less than five millimeters in length. Unfortunately, our reliance on plastic in all forms, including microplastics, makes it “the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes”, again from NOAA. Despite their small size, the effects from microplastics loom large as…
According to a study by Pew Research Center, 57% of American fathers believe fatherhood is central to their identity. Fatherhood poses unique challenges for men. From raising children to keeping themselves healthy, parenting is unlike any other experience. Andy Hetzel, VP of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan sat down with other fathers to discuss the joys and struggles…
Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.9 million children under age 18. This equates to one in 13 children suffering from food allergies. Offices, classrooms and even restaurants often have signs that warn of food allergies. These signs, which were once isolated, are now commonplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the prevalence…
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…
From work to household chores and children, it can be difficult for moms to find time throughout the day to focus on their health goals. For many, the easiest time of the day to try and fit in exercise is when the children are sleeping either early in the morning or at night. However, with days already filled with…
When combined, the average salary of each job a working mom typically does at home would equate to an income of more than $65,000 a year. For a stay-at-home mom, that salary would look more like $119,000. In fact, recent studies show women in America are nearly twice as stressed as men and mothers in general are more stressed and…
About a month of summer has passed and it’s getting to the dreaded “I’m bored” statement from kids. With long, empty days to fill their time with different activities, it becomes more and more difficult for parents to keep their children busy. A great way to keep kids busy is by enrolling them in summer activities like sports camps or music lessons. Some structure, even in the…
