By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan More than 102 million American adults have unhealthy cholesterol levels. Because there are no symptoms, many individuals with high cholesterol remain unaware that they carry a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.…
By: Dr. S. George Kipa, MD, deputy chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Recent studies indicate that nearly half of the 500,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member visits to the emergency room (ER) in 2015 were inappropriate or potentially avoidable. The average cost of a non-emergency ER room visit is $750, but can cost…
If you live in Michigan, your feelings about January probably depend on whether you love or hate the snow. Snow bunny or hermit, there’s plenty of ways for you to embrace this month and start the year off on a positive note. If you’re making resolutions, make sure they’re achievable. Finding an adventurous indoor exercise could help winter not feel quite…
Let’s admit it, not everyone has the extra $20 a month or more to spend on a gym membership. But don’t let the cost hold you back from exercising — there are plenty of ways to stay fit outside the gym. Here is just a tiny sample of all the activities you can try: Ride your bike: Take a scenic route and…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker The average American anticipates spending more than $900 during the holiday season. Despite efforts to set a budget, 58 percent of families go beyond their means and a quarter are willing to withdraw money from retirement funds, emergency…
Holiday parties are filled with family, friends and usually a range of desserts from cakes and cookies to ice cream and candy. This holiday season, try a healthy dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. For example, the no-bake dark chocolate mint snowball treats are easy to prepare with the soothing taste of mint that will have you in…
The average American anticipates spending more than $1000 during the holiday season. In fact, 58 percent of families go beyond their means and a quarter are willing to withdraw money from retirement funds, emergency savings or loans in order to fulfill holiday wish lists. When mapping out your holiday spending, consider the following healthy gifts that are thoughtful, practical and won’t break the…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Throughout the winter months, it’s normal to feel a change in physical and mental well-being—In fact, reports show that Americans practice less healthy habits during the cold season. Though a variety of environmental factors affect this, there are behaviors and routines…
Diabetes is no longer just a problem for adults. In fact, the disease is being diagnosed in children with even greater frequency today than ever before, and is now considered to be one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents. So how did this happen, and why? The answer is more complicated than people may expect. Nationally, about…
How often do you reflect on and give thanks for everything that is good in your life? Turns out, taking the time to practice gratitude not only feels great, it’s actually beneficial to your overall health. Research shows people who have a grateful outlook experience a wide range of health benefits, including better physical and mental health, improved sleep and…
We’re all so used to having traditional leftovers around Thanksgiving that it can be hard to think of creative ways to repurpose things like turkey and stuffing. This year instead of the turkey sandwich, try this recipe for a protein-filled, flavorful breakfast option. This recipe is easy to pop in the oven and prepare a batch to last for the…
We all do it. You come home with a load of groceries and cram it all in the refrigerator, pushing older items to the back. Two weeks later, after some of the clutter has been eaten away, you find spoiled produce, meat that’s past its prime or other items that you can no longer use. Not only does keeping a…
May 13, or Mother’s Day, is an opportunity for us to honor our mothers for all they’ve done, and it’s also the perfect time to just celebrate life with your family. A big shout out to all of the hard-working, patient, forgiving and understanding mommies out there. I’d like to share with you some healthy ways you can celebrate Mother’s Day this…
There never seems to be enough hours in the day for a busy mom. In fact, 56 percent of women find it difficult to balance work and home life. Though it’s easy to let self-care come second to family, work and household obligations, putting it off can do more harm than good. The likelihood of illness, chronic stress, exhaustion and…
