Most parents have seen television commercials that seem to poke fun at the fact that children don’t want to eat their vegetables. Picky eaters push peas around their plates – but don’t try them. Cooked spinach brings a grimace. Roasted beets are strange enough to make them raise their little eyebrows. These attitudes may seem funny, but when some parents…
Do you have a Michigan Library card? If so, then you can access hundreds of Michigan’s state parks, National Parks, historic sites, recreation areas and campgrounds for either free or discounted admission. Through the Michigan Activity Pass Program you can access over 100 State Parks, 138 Campgrounds and many more activities.  Just print a free one-day pass, which can be…
Aging is often a bitter-sweet process for people. It’s a privilege to grow old, but society often portrays aging as an undesirable (but inevitable) part of life. Aging doesn’t have to be viewed like that, though. We can change the way we think and truly help the ones we love age with grace. It’s estimated that 20% of the U.S.…
After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, more Americans are looking to travel in 2021. In a recent poll, more than two-thirds of respondents indicated they did not yet feel comfortable traveling by plane, making road trips an increasingly popular option. With summer almost here and kids approaching the end of the school year, it’s the perfect time to explore this…
While mental health issues like depression and anxiety affect both men and women, studies have shown men are less likely to seek help or receive treatment. Research on this disparity often leads to the societal stigma of mental health. For example, a 2018 study from the World Health Organization found that the cultural stigma of mental illness affects men more…
Summer in Michigan provides an abundance of colorful produce to choose from and tons of farmers markets to find your favorites. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of to a well-balanced, nutrient dense diet. They are nature’s fast food and provide many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber for overall good health. The goal is at least five-a-day for better health, choosing…
This year has held quite a few “healthy eating” trends; plant-based eating, meal planning, intuitive eating, calorie counting, the list goes on. The thing is, “healthy” is a completely subjective word: it will look different for everyone. Some may feel successful with a fridge full of low-calorie, high protein meals for the week. Others will bring an apple as a…
June 5th is National Trails Day. Why not celebrate this year with a hike with your family through one of the amazing family-friendly trails in Michigan. Maybe you are working toward you goal of 1000 Hours Outside this year, or just want to spend some quality time with your family. No matter the reason, hiking is a great way to…
There’s nothing like taking a summer neighborhood walk surrounded by the scents of barbecue and grilling. The leading reason grills are popular as a cooking technique is for the flavor and caramelization. There’s a reason complex flavors develop and that grilled foods are texturally pleasing. Marinades start the breakdown of food by including an acidic or enzymatic component, allowing for…
Trees leafing out and early flowers pushing their showy blooms out of the ground are true signs of spring in Michigan, and that’s all the invitation we need to gather our children or grandchildren and head outside to embrace some warmer weather.  Getting some fresh air is great. But with a little planning, you can turn your family time into…
