Many Americans are choosing to take car trips this summer, and Michigan offers great opportunities for camping. Even if a trip isn’t in the stars, families can make their backyard a campground on June 26, Great American Backyard Campout Day, or any day for that matter. Either way, being prepared is the key to a successful adventure. Camping and days of exploring are exciting but…
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…
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…
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…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is a key part of overall well-being, affecting how people think, feel and act. A person’s mental health also impacts how they handle the everyday stress in their lives. Just like a person’s physical health, a child’s or adult’s mental health can change by the day. The COVID-19 pandemic has added an…
We all know the feeling of waking up after a night of not enough sleep – a groggy morning, followed by a long, long day. But not getting enough sleep doesn’t just affect your day to day life. Sleep has a much bigger impact on your overall health; and most of us aren’t getting enough. More than one-third of Americans regularly…
Spring is full of new beginnings and a great time to reconnect with outdoor activities. Whether gardening, biking, walking or hiking, there are many benefits from spending time outdoors. Here are some ways to make the most of spring activities this year, and how they boost physical and mental health. Gardening Spring is the perfect time to begin an herb…
Believe it or not, a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Spring cleaning has the potential to increase productivity, save time and improve physical and mental health. Whether it’s at work or home, the thought of tackling unorganized spaces can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there are a variety of simple strategies to achieve the satisfaction of a neater space while improving…
To Mary Amsbury, a physical education teacher with Comstock Public Schools, February means one thing: time to jump rope. Jumping rope is a staple of the Kids Heart Challenge, a nationwide effort by the American Heart Association to teach children about the importance of their heart health and to raise money for children with special hearts. The week-long event looks different at every…
