Explore the Latest in A Healthier Michigan

Food and Recipes

Grilling vs Baking: Which is Healthier? 

Grilling is a summer pastime in Michigan, and baking is known to be a healthy way to prepare foods. We all know the grilled food is healthier than fried food, but how does the grilling method stack up against baked food?

Midsection of family outdoors on garden barbecue, grilling.
Health and Wellness

What is Beef Tallow?

Beef tallow has been all over social media this year, with many users raving about its effectiveness as a cooking oil and a skin moisturizer. Is this just another viral wellness myth or is there some truth to these claims?

Health and Wellness

Autism and Food Aversions: Tips for Parents with Picky Eaters

Autism Acceptance Month in April can be a time to learn more about the connection between selective eating and autism. Here are eight tips parents can try to help their kids become less selective.

Health and Wellness

Should You Be Concerned About Cortisol?

Trends and posts on social media blame cortisol for a host of problems, including fatigue and puffy faces, and promote diets and wellness drinks to lower your levels. But is this necessary and healthy? Let’s take a look at what cortisol is, when it is unhealthy and what you should focus on when it comes to health and stress.

Health and Wellness

Navigating Tough Teenage Conversations About Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug that can have dangerous health consequences for everyone, especially on teens whose brains are not fully developed. One of the best ways to combat underage drinking is a strong parent-child relationship.

Health and Wellness

Driving Distractions You Should Curb

Whether a person takes their eyes off the road, removes their hands from the steering wheel or doesn’t pay attention, distracted driving is a danger to everyone on the road. 

Mind

Here is What I Did When Life Felt Pointless

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how she managed her feelings when life felt pointless—and how she got help.

Monica Drake
Fitness

Why Is the First Five Minutes of a Workout So Hard? 

There’s a science behind what the first five minutes of exercise does to your body. Don’t let it deter you from a great workout.

Young woman plays on her smartphone on a yoga mat indoors
Food and Recipes

Is Your Morning Coffee Good for Your Health?

Your cup coffee has many different benefits, according to a new study. Here’s a look at the health benefits of morning coffee.

Recipes

Hop Into Easter with These Healthy, Brunch Dishes without Eggs

Eggs are a staple food for decorating and eating during the Easter holiday. But this year, consumers may take a different approach to set their holiday table. If you’re looking for light and delicious recipes to serve this Easter, we’ve got you covered with three fresh ideas.

Recipes

Herbaceous Crudité Cups

Crudité cups are an easy appetizer that everyone can enjoy at the table or when socializing. These individual cuts of blanched and fresh vegetables, paired with an herb-based dipping sauce, are light and refreshing.

Recipes

Strawberries and Cream Whole Wheat Waffle Platter

Waffles are a classic celebratory breakfast. Their health value can be elevated by skipping the syrup, making them whole grain, topping them with fresh strawberries and a light creamy topping.

Podcast

Does Nutrient Timing Matter?

Most of the time when it comes to diet and exercise, it seems that it’s not just what we eat, but when we eat that can influence our body’s ability to process and use nutrients efficiently. Can how the timing of meals affect metabolism, energy levels, and long-term health outcomes?

Health and Wellness

How Much Do You Need to Exercise to Offset Sitting?

Are you seated a lot for work, or do you watch a lot of TV and play video games in your free time? Exercise can help reverse the harmful effects of prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle.

Home and Family

How Soon Should Kids Be Sent Back to School After an Illness?

Children should stay home from school when they are sick to avoid spreading infectious diseases. But once a child goes through the symptoms, when should they return to school? Let’s look at the guidelines for when children should stay home and when it’s safe to get back into the classroom.

Michigan Outdoors

Michigan Bucket List: Isle Royale National Park

Are you looking for an off-the-grid adventure? Isle Royale National Park is an archipelago in Lake Superior with more than 400 islands. Whether you're hiking through forests, paddling past rocky cliffs or enjoying the great outdoors, a trip to this national park is truly a Michigan bucket list item.

Food and Recipes

What’s the Healthiest Type of Grill?

Charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers have all seen an uptick in use over the past five years. The question is, what is the healthiest grill to use?

Young People Having Fun At Barbecue Party.
Health and Wellness

Is Walking Enough Exercise for Seniors?

Walking is extremely beneficial, but it may be enough exercise if you are an adult age 65 or older. Moderate to vigorous exercise is important to maintain a level of health and fitness.

Food

How to Cook Buckwheat

Buckwheat is neither wheat nor grain, but a seed known for its nutty, toasty flavor and soft texture. Despite its name, it’s naturally gluten-free and a popular addition to a variety of side and main dishes.

Health and Wellness

What is Functional Water?

You may have seen functional water in health stores and grocery chains, boasting claims of antioxidant powers, extra hydrogen, alkaline qualities, protein and more. But what exactly is functional water and why is it gaining popularity?

Health and Wellness

Is Laughter the Best Medicine?  

Research has found laughter to be beneficial to our health in both the short-term and the long-term. From releasing endorphins to increasing your body's concentration of oxygen, laughter does plenty good for the body and mind.

A Black couple sits at a table outside laughing together at a phone they are holding.
Food

How to Cook Brown Rice Pudding

Cooking rice pudding is as easy as boiling rice and putting all the ingredients into a saucepan and simmering until the rice is very tender and the mixture thickens up. You can serve rice pudding warm or chilled and enhance its flavor by including a variety of spices or topping it with fresh fruit.

Food and Recipes

Why You Should Wait a Few Hours Before That Morning Cup of Coffee

Coffee might be the first thing you reach for when you wake up. However, it might be better to wait a while. Let’s look at the reasons why and when it may be better to enjoy your morning cup.

Health and Wellness

What is Pebbling?

Pebbling is the practice of sending these memes, or “pebbles,” as an appreciation practice for couples, friends and family. The term comes from the behavior of Gentoo penguins, who present rocks to other penguins they are bonding with to use in nesting.

Food and Recipes

What’s the Difference Between Vegans and Vegetarians?

There are differences and nuances to both diets. Here are the main points in separating veganism from vegetarianism, including nutritional obstacles people who adopt these diets may encounter.

A person prepares to eat a mixed veggie bowl.
Health and Wellness

Does Okra Water Have Health Benefits?

Okra water is a drink made by soaking okra pods in water for up to 24 hours. The drink is trending for its thought to offer health benefits like reducing blood sugar levels, supporting weight loss and improving digestion. While some research supports the health benefits of the okra plant, research specifically on okra water is lacking.

Health and Wellness

How I Coped With Grief After My Pet’s Death

Most pet owners will have to face the reality of saying goodbye to them in their lifetime. Here is how I coped with the grief after losing my beloved cat, Katniss.

Podcast

Why You Should Focus on Nutrient Density

Counting calories has long been the go-to strategy for managing weight, but not all calories are created equal. So how do we shift from calorie-counting to focusing on nutrient density for a healthier, more balanced approach to eating?

Food and Recipes

Chocolate-drizzled Coconut Date Cookies

These three-ingredient cookies’ natural sweetness comes from fiber-rich dates. They are a more wholesome, nutrient-dense alternative to the door-to-door sold cookies.

Food

How to Cook Yellow Rice

Yellow rice is a versatile, popular dish in Indian, Latin American and Mediterranean recipes containing meat, seafood or vegetables. While you can buy yellow rice, it’s easy to make at home with fresh ingredients for added flavor.

Health and Wellness

How to Practice Gratitude and 5 Ways to Practice

Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Gratitude is a transformative process that when practiced consistently, may improve various aspects of your life.

Food and Recipes

Foods to Avoid During Your Period 

You may feel like diving into a gallon of chocolate ice cream, but there are certain foods you should avoid during your period.

Shot of a woman looking at something on her laptop while eating chocolate from a jar

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