Beyond Trim

Many of us are feeling a pinch in our wallet, so I thought I would give you some food for thought about the cost of food and various ways to save money on your grocery bill.

A simple ear of corn is delicious on its own, but why not try it in other ways while it is fresh and in season? Here are two of my favorite fresh corn recipes.

Alzheimer’s is a disease which none of us wishes to contract. Age is the greatest risk factor and that’s something you can’t change, but there are modifiable risk factors over which you have some control or for which you could seek treatment.

There is nothing that tastes better on a hot summer day than a frozen dessert. Ice cream and fruity popsicles can really hit the spot, but commercially made treats contain unhealthy amounts of fat and/or sugar, plus other questionable ingredients. Luckily, you can enjoy healthier versions of cold frosty treats by making them yourselves. These recipes are easy enough to make with the kids and you can enjoy them all summer long.

One of the most powerful habits you can develop to ensure that you are eating better is to plan and prepare most of your meals in advance. Knowing what you are going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day relieves stress, keeps you from making bad last-minute decisions, and can save you time and money in the long run.

Every day on my way to work the announcer on my favorite radio station makes sure to mention that it is national something or other day. For example, last Sunday was National Paper Clip Day and this coming Friday is National Donut Day. I don’t care about celebrating paper clips or crullers, but I do see value in days, weeks, and months devoted to recognizing health conditions.

Have you ever driven through the countryside and caught a whiff of a freshly plowed field? Part of what we might be smelling is Mycobacterium vaccae, a type of bacteria found in soil. Recent scientific research is digging up interesting facts about exposure to this dirt-born microorganism.

The American Heart Association and other entities encourage everyone to “know their numbers”, and most of us know that this means things like blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. However, did you know that you should also know your waist size?

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States, and 90% of our heart disease risk stems from factors over which we have some control. This article helps clarify the role of a healthy diet in addressing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and while the incidence of colorectal cancer has declined somewhat, there is a disturbing increase in colorectal cancer cases in younger adults.