While it’s true that pollen and mold levels haven’t hit their peak yet—that doesn’t happen until the beginning of June for Michigan—you shouldn’t just sit back and wait for your spring allergies to hit. In fact, you can cut way down on your future misery if you take certain steps now. Think of this as your pre-allergy season checklist: See an…
Humans are meant to get about seven hours of sleep per night, meaning that we supposedly spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. It doesn’t often feel that way. Whether you have a hectic work schedule that keeps your head from hitting the pillow or you’re a parent who can’t seem to catch any shut-eye, sleep is skilled at evading…
Though stress never feels good, it can serve a useful purpose. Stress is a signal to the brain and body that can help us identify physiological and psychological issues. Chronic stress, however, 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…
In the U.S., only eight percent of children consume dark, leafy greens. Many children are tempted by sugary and carb-dense foods, rather than colorful produce that offers phytochemicals and antioxidants. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables are essential not only for developmental health, but to fight off disease and chronic conditions and help children establish lifelong, healthy habits. When looking…
Food labels are confusing. I hear it all the time. The key to nutrition label reading is to ensure you are aware of the serving size and servings per container. From there, once you know how much you plan to consume, you can read the label appropriately. Try reading this sample label for macaroni and cheese. Note: The serving size is 1 cup…
The average person sheds between 50 and 100 hairs a day — hardly noticeable on a scalp carrying 100,000 strands. To cancer patients, however, total hair loss (including the eyebrows and eyelashes) is quite common. Though the physical and emotional tolls of intensive chemotherapy and radiation can be utterly devastating, few people consider the impact hair loss has on women.…
Sitting in the front seat of the car is often viewed as a rite of passage. It feels like a very adult thing to do, and there’s so much freedom inherent in the seating position: you can see the entire road and you can reach the radio! What’s not to love? Well, for one, airbags. Now don’t get me…
We’d probably all like to think of ourselves as safe drivers, but the data tells a different story. Traffic deaths on U.S. roads are still incredibly high — and while more than one-third of the nation’s major roads are in mediocre or poor condition, there might be some other surprising reasons why so many fatalities occur on American streets. According…
We’ve been using the Chicco MyFit for a few months now, and since installed it quite a few in different vehicles, so I thought it’d be the perfect time to review. I want to note that this car seat was not provided to me by Chicco or Metro Detroit Mommy. I purchased it locally at Modern Natural Baby because my…
A friend of mine and fellow CPST was involved in a major crash a month ago. She was driving to the airport with two other adults in the car as well as her 9-year-old son when blizzard conditions caused a crash in front of them. What happened next was unavoidable; they swerved to safety and in doing so were caught…
Butternut squash and sweet potatoes aren’t the only produce that grow when temperatures drop, try these uncommon fruits and veggies during this chilly winter season to keep you warm and healthy. Artichokes: This savory vegetable can be found fresh twice a year, during the spring and winter seasons. Loaded with folate and fiber, artichokes are a great addition to a winter…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan If diets worked, why do so many people try a new one every year? A crash diet, or a restrictive meal plan focused on fast-turn weight loss, can be dangerous to a person’s physical and mental health. Regardless of short-term results, a deprivation-driven meal plan may lead to more serious, long-term health issues down the…
These recipes are a healthier take on Valentine’s Day treats and are easy to make at home. They’re especially great for kids’ classroom parties! Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan Black Bean Brownie Hearts with Powdered Sugar and Cherry Topping Ingredients 1 (15 oz.) can unsalted black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained 2 eggs 3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted 3/4 cup cocoa…
It’s been almost three months since you set your resolutions at the beginning of the year, but don’t lose heart if you haven’t accomplished everything you wanted to! You aren’t alone. U.S. News and World Report says by the second week of February, 80 percent of resolution makers have given up on their goals. Luckily, this time of year is…
You’ve done all the shopping, all the research into the safety of a seat and how to use it… and now comes the fun part: installation! Okay, so my definition of fun may vary from yours. But if it’s gotta be done, it might as well be fun, right? One of the first decisions that must be made is what to…
