Nuts are a holiday staple. No, I’m not referring to “Clark”, “Cousin Eddie” or “Aunt Grace”; but those flavorful, nutrient-dense, crunchy, versatile, snacks that adorn most holiday tables. Nuts are high in protein and fiber, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free, unless salted. Nuts in general are high in fat. However, these are mono- and poly-unsaturated fats; which […]
Poverty is one of the largest health risk factors we face as a nation. From health outcomes to mental health diagnosis, poverty serves as a major limitation to personal and community health. For many of us, the COVID-19 Pandemic illustrated the effects of poverty on working class access to affordable healthcare. As of 2022, the […]
Monday, March 20th marked the first official day of Spring. Now is the perfect time to get outside and commit to increasing your daily dose of Vitamin N(Nature). Why should you go outside? The health and wellness benefits of being outdoors are numerous. If you want to dive deep into these benefits, read Florence William’s […]
Gardening can be more than just a hobby, it can have lasting benefits for your physical health, mental health, and can help fight against some chronic diseases and cancers. In a randomized, controlled study of community gardeners, those who gardened increased their physical activity by forty-two minutes per week and ate an average of 1.4 […]
According to a 2018 Nielsen report, 39% of Americans are shifting toward eating more plant-based foods – for various reasons and to varying degrees. Some potential draws of a plant-based diet include health benefits, food safety, cost savings, ethics, and sustainability. As depicted in the graphic below from Illinois Extension, plant-based eating can range from […]
It’s that time of year again for holiday office luncheons, parties, and family gatherings filled with festivities and food everywhere. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the holiday season is filled with treats that tempt even the most disciplined of individuals. But is holiday weight gain inevitable? Not if you follow some simple steps to help […]
July 7, 2020 by jenkins188 I have been de-cluttering my home for the past three months. Rather, I have been trying to de-clutter! At the same time, I have had to manage my finances in “new” ways to meet the continuously emerging needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. I took a trip down memory lane as I […]
After watching Oprah Winfrey’s report on 60 Minutes about Treating Childhood Trauma, I began seeking out more learning opportunities on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a Trauma Informed Care Approach. I wanted to share with you what I have learned. Trauma is defined as a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as […]
Food Riddle: When is a generic food not a generic? Answer: When it tastes as good as the real thing! Generic food brands, introduced in 1977, have changed dramatically over the last 37 years. Initially sold in plain white packaging with black lettering, they were considered inferior to name brand products. The “generics” were even […]
September 14, 2018 by lisabarlage We have all heard the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. When I was younger, I did not eat breakfast before going off to school. Like all families, we were busy in the mornings and my mom did not make it a priority for us to […]
Friendship is one of the most elevating aspects of life. Besides fun and connection, friendship can provide important emotional and physical support. Friendship also plays a central role in our overall well-being. Recent studies suggest, “People who value social relationships are likelier to be happy than those who value achievements in other life domains, such […]
As health restrictions are lifting from the pandemic, I have been able to interact with more people in person. When others ask how I’m doing, I say “fine” … but what I really want to say is “meh.” I’m doing okay… not depressed… but not great either. I find that I really have to psyche […]
