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…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Although many people aspire to exercise more in the new year, nearly 80 percent of adults fail to meet the recommendation for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. In order to achieve any fitness goal, it’s important to take a step back and determine what’s possible based on health history, lifestyle, interests and abilities. Consider this step-by-step guide to kick…
Michigan winters mean snow, ice, freezing temperatures and darker days. Even though staying active during these conditions may not seem ideal, there are many health benefits, both physical and mental, to working out during the winter months. Of course, adding snow and ice to a workout routine presents additional challenges and health risks. Before you step outside, keep these health and safety…
Warm up this winter and celebrate National Soup Month with our healthier version of lasagna. This soup recipe will still satisfy your pasta cravings and leave you feeling full without over-indulging in carbs or heavy amounts of cheese. Bonus: your slow cooker will do all of the work for you so you can have a hassle-free meal ready for…
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…
When driving in the car with small children, most parents and caregivers will naturally do everything they can to ensure the children in their care are safe. Fortunately, today’s vehicles are equipped with advanced safety technology. And with a PwC forecast showing about 107 million vehicles will be manufactured globally in 2020, car safety technology will continue to improve. But while cars…
Yoga benefits everyone. Centuries ago, men in India were only doing yoga. It has slowly become available to everyone and once it hit developing countries in Europe and North America, it became everyone’s way of finding peace and maintaining health. Even more recently, children have started to become involved in yoga. It can calm the mind and teach kids to…
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…
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…
A recent survey found that 82 percent of adults in the U.S. find holiday spending stressful. Holiday parties, gift-giving, and the urge to vacation all add up to a less-than-happy bank account. Financial stress can take the joy out of the holiday season, but there are some small steps you can take to limit spending during this time of year. Here are…
