Cooler Weather Inhibits Immune System

For years, many people believed that cold and flu season happened during the cooler weather months because we spend more time inside together in poorly ventilated spaces.  However, recent research suggests that in fact, the cooler weather inhibits the immune system. One in five people carry the rhinovirus – the most frequent cause of the… Read more »

Whole Grain Lunches to Go

September is Whole Grains Month and what better way to celebrate than by packing healthy, whole grain foods in your family’s lunches?  But first, what exactly are whole grains? When growing in the field, all grains start out as whole grains. Each grain kernel contains three specific parts: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm…. Read more »

Boost Your Immunity with Probiotics

During cold and flu season it’s important to consume foods to boost your immunity.  Keeping your immune system healthy ensures that your body is able to fight viruses and other foreign invaders known to cause illness. Supplementing with vitamin C may work, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. In fact, the latest… Read more »

Energize with Healthy Snacks

Instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee or a handful of M&M’s, energize with these healthy snacks.   They’ll provide a quick pick-me-up, without the caffeine slump a few hours later. 1.  Apple or Banana with Peanut Butter – You don’t even need to keep a whole jar in your desk anymore.  There are single serving…

How to Battle the End of Summer Blues

Autumn is right around the corner. If you’re already dreading the end of summer, your stress and anxiety levels are probably ramping up. But getting back into the school-year mind frame doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your nerves. Here are six tips to help you start the fall season right and battle the end…

Symptoms of Chronic Stress

Stress is a natural reaction to life experiences. Everyone experiences stress from time to time. Anything from work and family responsibilities to serious life events such as a new health diagnosis, death of a loved one or job loss can trigger stress. For immediate, short-term situations, stress can be beneficial to your health by helping…

Reduce Stress with these Relaxation Strategies

When you’re under stress, you feel your body tighten.  You might not even notice that you’re tensing up at first.  Then, you begin to relax and feel soreness in your shoulders and back.  Before you let stress take over your body, try to be aware of how your body is responding.  Reduce stress with these…

Probiotics Can Improve Psoriasis

Recent research has pointed toward probiotics as a possible treatment for skin ailments including acne and psoriasis.  Psoriasis is a condition in which skin cells build up forming scales and itchy, dry patches. It is thought to be an autoimmune system disease that can be triggered by infections, stress and cold temperatures.  Given that 80…

What are the Best and Worst Foods for Psoriasis?

If you suffer from psoriasis, you know that it is an autoimmune disease caused by inflammation.  According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, many individuals benefit from following an anti-inflammatory diet to help reduce their symptoms. There are certain foods that are known to increase inflammation and others that have anti-inflammatory properties.  The best foods for…

Six Healthy Summer Snacks

Summer is here and in many parts of the country, it’s hot, hot, hot. Many of us head to the pool, the beach, or the lake to cool off.  It’s easy to grab pre-packaged snacks and fill up on chips, cookies, and carbohydrates, but that’s not going to keep you energized and will only lead…