Cancer Prevention

No matter how healthy we live, cancer can touch our lives. Two out of five Americans will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives. One of the best ways to improve our survival chances is to discover cancer as early as possible. We do this with preventive screening exams. What is a preventive screening exam? A preventive screening exam looks for a disease, or risk factors for a disease in a person who has no symptoms or history of disease. Preventive screenings allows doctors to diagnose disease early before symptoms appear, which can increase the likelihood that an effective treatment is available to cure the individual. What are the goals of a preventive screening exam? A screening exam should be easy to administer and interpret, while maximizing true results. Also, if a test is positive, the [...]

Snacking On-The-Go

  Snacking is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Controlling hunger, by eating reasonably throughout the day, allows us to protect ourselves from losing steam. Going too long between meals results in a dip in your blood sugar (glucose) which can often leave you feeling sluggish. Snacking strategically will provide your body with the energy it needs, increase your attention-span and even improve your mood! By incorporating healthy snacks into your day, you may find that you have more energy to exercise and do the things you enjoy most. What is a healthy snack? Snacks should be thought of as “mini-meals” consisting of nutrient-rich foods around 100-250 calories. A nutritious snack usually includes a carbohydrate, a protein and a fat component: Carbohydrates are your body’s main fuel source. When snacking, carbs provide your body with a quick source of [...]

Healthy Home Cafe

Enjoying coffee in your pajamas while you sit in the silence of your home. The coffee is decadent, and you ponder how you got such a great cup of coffee without leaving the house. You remember what you added to the large pour of coffee, and it dawns on you the number of calories! It is delicious because of the amount of sugar, cream and flavors that are masking the actual coffee flavor. Coffee can be a low-calorie healthy, yes healthy, beverage. The caffeine in coffee and tea can be beneficial to our health. Find out what makes coffee and tea a healthy option. Then elevate the health-effects of your hot beverage bar with these tips. Coffee We know that coffee increases alertness, but is it good for you? Or at the very least, is it harmless? Coffee does have [...]

One-Pot Cooking

After working all day, finding something to make for dinner can sometimes be a pain. Who wants to spend their evenings stuck in the kitchen prepping healthy ingredients? And after dinner comes the “best” part - cleaning up the dirty dishes! This scenario leads many to order local takeout or make their way to the fast food lane. Why Choose One-Pot Meals?  Instead of grabbing a bite to eat out, make a healthy meal at home with just one pot! While eating out is convenient and saves time on clean-up, studies show that those who consume more meals at home consume fewer calories, less fat, sugar, and sodium compared to those who eat out. Your next healthy meal is just one dish away! Convenience And Healthy Combined  One-pot meals are dishes that are easy to make and a breeze to [...]

Fall Family Fitness

  Is your autumn schedule changing as quickly as the leaves? Between back-to-school, sports schedules, and a never-ending to-do list, this time of year can get a little hectic. Motivation for regular exercise can fall to the bottom of our priority list in a hurry. However, continuing movement and activity during seasonal transition is necessary for maintaining a consistent habit. Include the whole family and keep your habit going all year long. Make a List Write down a list of activities that the entire family can participate in. Make sure your list consists of a variety of types, durations, and indoor/outdoor choices. Include quick options like jumping jacks during a commercial break and prolonged options like a day of hiking in a nearby park. When you get a few moments, refer to the list and pick something that fits into [...]

The Sunshine Vitamin – Vitamin D

  When it comes to meeting recommendations for vitamin consumption, Americans are often looking for a quick fix pill as opposed to meeting requirements through their diet. Vitamin D is one of the few nutrients that is easier to get your daily dose through something other than food. In fact, the best way to get Vitamin D is through direct sun exposure. Our bodies produce Vitamin D when our skin is in direct contact with ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. However, for the last decade, avoiding the sun has become all the rage. The threat of cancer, skin damage, wrinkles, and a host of other ailments has led Americans to reduce their sun exposure. Hats, long sleeve shirts, sunglasses, and lotion with an SPF of 45 have become the norm. [...]

Grab and Go Breakfast

  The most important meal of the day - breakfast! And now that kids are heading back to school, it is even more important to fuel their brains for the day. Studies show that kids and adults who eat breakfast are more alert, think clearer, and have improved moods. Eating breakfast decreases our risk for heart disease, improves digestion, and builds strong bones. What better way to set your family’s day for success than incorporating a nutritious breakfast? Don’t skip breakfast! Even though breakfast is the most important meal of the day, nearly half the population is still skipping a morning meal! Do you bypass breakfast to make your hectic mornings easier? Unfortunately, this tactic can backfire leading to unwanted weight gain and hunger throughout the day. Here are some fun and convenient ways to assure you and the kids [...]

Healthy Grilling 101

  Grilling becomes a convenient, delicious, and fun way to prepare food. While grilling can be a healthy method of cooking, the National Cancer Institute cautions that grilling certain meats, poultry and fish at high heat over open flames can cause carcinogens to form on the food. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables do not form carcinogens when they are charred. Here are a few tips to consider keeping the food you’re grilling healthy and safe for family and friends. Start with Seasoning - Marinades and dry rubs can add great flavor and reduce the formation of carcinogens on grilled meat, poultry, and fish. Make your own marinades and dry rubs. Store bought versions often contain added sugars and large amounts of sodium. Limiting your added sugar and sodium intake are key parts of a healthy diet according to [...]

Sleeping Disorders

Sleeping Disorders Doctors normally classify sleep-related problems into two broad categories: Insomnia — any problem related to falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early. When insomnia symptoms occur more than a few times a week, and impact a person’s daytime functions, the symptoms should be discussed with a doctor or other health care provider.  Insomnia can be a problem in itself (primary insomnia), or due to another condition (secondary insomnia).  Insomnia can be acute (lasting less than a month) or chronic (lasting more than a month).  Acute insomnia is often due to short-term stressors in our lives.  Chronic insomnia can be due to medical, physical, medications or psychological conditions and should be discussed with your doctor. Hypersomnia — a set of problems characterized by sleeping too much, especially during the day when trying to attend to work or [...]

Sleep Hygiene- Your Questions Answered

Had to finish the book, lost down the social media rabbit hole, or “I just can’t sleep”. Any of these sound familiar? People have so many things that occupy their time now, that sleep might be an afterthought for many.  But activity at the cost of sleep is a mistake.  Many people fail to realize that the 25-35% of each day we spend sleeping is productive, and crucial to living an energetic and successful life. Like our diet and exercise habits, it can be difficult to make sleep a priority. Sleep gives our body and mind the chance to repair, rebuild and recover from the events of our daily life. While you sleep, your body repairs itself from the stress of the day. A productive night’s sleep helps our body in several ways: Renews energy. Boosts the immune system and [...]