Blogs

To Your Health
Fish on ice
Read article: Consider adding fish to your diet
Consider adding fish to your diet
Fish is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can promote health. Fish contain choline, which has been found...
Store front with sign reading "Thrift Store"
Read article: Shop wisely when thrifting for cooking tools and appliances
Shop wisely when thrifting for cooking tools and appliances
What's safe to bring into my home? I think about this topic often when I shop in thrift stores. I like...
fruit in water
Read article: Tips for staying hydrated during the heatwave
Tips for staying hydrated during the heatwave
Staying hydrated is a concern all year round, but especially in the summer when it is hot outside....
White women in crop top shirt
Read article: 8 ways to help your gut - that aren't food
8 ways to help your gut - that aren't food
From occasional constipation or diarrhea to chronic digestive conditions, like Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD...
hand weights next to healthy foods and tennis shoes
Read article: 5 ways to reduce your risk of stroke
5 ways to reduce your risk of stroke
In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, we reviewed the signs and symptoms of strokes in our last blog from April 26 (...
Image of people with arthritis. Person with arthritis in knee, fingers, lower back, upper back and shoulders, ankle, hip, wrist and knee
Read article: Follow these tips: Reduce the risk of arthritis
Follow these tips: Reduce the risk of arthritis
Arthritis is a condition in which one or more of your joints become inflamed, often leading to stiffness, soreness, swelling, and in some cases, pain...
learn the signs of stroke. Act FAST and call 9-1-1
Read article: Act F.A.S.T. in response to stroke
Act F.A.S.T. in response to stroke
Did you know that May is National Stroke Awareness Month? While we may not think about strokes often, they are one of the leading causes of death and...
Gray background with two pink hearts side by side
Read article: Celebrate love and prevent heart disease
Celebrate love and prevent heart disease
February is not only the shortest month of the year but is also considered the month of love by many. Whether you express that love by fostering...
Live Well. Eat Well.
Acorn Squash Are Not for Just Squirrels: With Tips on Eating, Shopping, and Storage
Read article: Acorn (squash) are not just for squirrels
Acorn (squash) are not just for squirrels
There are more varieties you can grow and buy, but the main winter squashes I...
Tooth surrounded by food
Read article: Are there foods that are good for teeth?
Are there foods that are good for teeth?
“All that candy will make your teeth fall out” is a common expression typically heard around sugar-filled holidays. The brain needs sugar to...
Eggs in wood and wire box
Read article: Make use of your extra farm eggs
Make use of your extra farm eggs
"I have more eggs in the summer than I know what to do with," said a community member calling into my office. If you have...
a line up of dairy free milk options and milk splatter over top
Read article: Exploring dairy and dairy-free alternatives: A guide to your options
Exploring dairy and dairy-free alternatives: A guide to your options
June is Dairy Month, a perfect time to explore the wide variety of dairy and dairy-free options available. Whether you enjoy traditional dairy...
Red and golden beets with stems and leaves
Read article: Eating beets from root to stalk
Eating beets from root to stalk
How foods are prepared and the part of the food you eat makes a difference in enjoyment. Beets are an excellent example, since we can eat from root...
Slow cooker with kidney beans
Read article: Kidney Beans and Slow Cookers
Kidney Beans and Slow Cookers
Slow cookers, commonly known by one of the brand names Crock-pot®, are a popular kitchen appliance used to make a variety of soups, stews, desserts,...
Cutting board with different types of sliced citrus
Read article: Eat all the varieties of winter citrus
Eat all the varieties of winter citrus
I so enjoy the big variety of citrus that comes to stores in winter. Stocked with more than oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, I'm seeing...
a table displaying ingredients for baking
Read article: Embracing the art of baking: Celebrating National Baking Month
Embracing the art of baking: Celebrating National Baking Month
As January unfolds, it's not just the winter chill that warms our homes; it's the delightful aroma of freshly baked treats that fills the air....
Community Health
healthy dish of vegetables
Read article: Three natural ways to boost immunity
Three natural ways to boost immunity
September is traditionally the month when we begin to think about all things related to fall: kids returning to school, sweater weather, pumpkin...
metal bins with art supplies
Read article: Stress the arts to promote health
Stress the arts to promote health
The arts play an important part in our lives and health. Creative expression and art appreciation connect us to the world and help us learn, teach,...
Multiple ambulances
Read article: Xylazine: Approved for Animals, not Humans
Xylazine: Approved for Animals, not Humans
Substances, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl are all ones that the public may know can be bought and consumed illicitly....
plate with a colorful vegetable salad
Read article: Spring Forward with a Plant-Based Diet!
Spring Forward with a Plant-Based Diet!
As New Year’s resolutions start to fade and the approach of summer suddenly comes into view, it is easy to get discouraged with trying to eat...
Woman holding a heart made of white light
Read article: Embrace the end of the year compassionately
Embrace the end of the year compassionately
As we approach mid-December, you may feel the hustle and bustle of the season weighing you down. For some, it may be the stress of extra social...
Orange and yellow candy corn swirled cakes
Read article: Celebrate a healthy Halloween with these 5 tips
Celebrate a healthy Halloween with these 5 tips
October is the official start of the holiday season. Many children love dressing up and trick-or-treating for Halloween, but Halloween can also be a...
three friends sitting together, supporting each other
Read article: Let’s work together to end the overdose crisis!
Let’s work together to end the overdose crisis!
International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31, and this year’s theme is “Recognizing those people who...
pile of donuts
Read article: Reset your palate to lower your added sugar intake
Reset your palate to lower your added sugar intake
One simple (yet not so simple) thing we can do to improve our health is to lower our added sugar consumption! Many of us consume more added sugars...
Refill Your Cup with Self-Care
Read article: Finding freedom in the every day
Finding freedom in the every day
There are as many different types of freedom as there are ways to experience freedom. Many can relate to the feeling of freedom a day off work brings...
Read article: Seeing beyond duality
Seeing beyond duality
How often do you find yourself caught up in “either/or” thinking? You might notice yourself thinking everything in life is either a success or...
Read article: Five ways to speak your truth
Five ways to speak your truth
Truth be told, how often do you honestly respond to the question “How are you?” For many of us, the response “fine” or “good” might simply come out...
Read article: Four ways to treat yourself compassionately
Four ways to treat yourself compassionately
It is not uncommon to treat your friends and loved ones gentler than you treat yourself. In fact, research demonstrates 84% of people are kinder to...
Read article: Light your fire of transformation
Light your fire of transformation
As we experience warmer temperatures, the sounds of birds singing, and the first spring blooms, we may also feel the desire for our own inner and/or...
Read article: Nourishing yourself
Nourishing yourself
The oxford dictionary defines nourishment as “the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.” Have you given much...
Read article: Finding your base of support
Finding your base of support
When it comes to support, everyone experiences it in different ways. You may feel professionally supported by your supervisor or colleagues,...
Read article: Taking care of your energy body
Taking care of your energy body
On a daily basis, you are probably pretty aware of your levels of energy. We often comment on having a lot of energy, or feeling like we could use...
Health Insights Illinois
An older couple walking outside on a snowy sidewalk. One of them is using a walking cane.
Read article: Conquer the cold: Improve your health by staying active this winter
Conquer the cold: Improve your health by staying active this winter
December is here and it has brought shorter days and colder temperatures. Have you noticed any changes to your exercise routine or the amount of time...
988 crisis line
Read article: Understanding seasonal affective disorder: A closer look at disparities
Understanding seasonal affective disorder: A closer look at disparities
As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, many people experience a dip in their mood. For some, this isn't just a passing phase but a...
A parent hold their child's hands holding a yellow ribbon to represent childhood obesity awareness.
Read article: Beyond the scale: Childhood obesity and its link to cancer
Beyond the scale: Childhood obesity and its link to cancer
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In the United States, about 1 in every 5 children have obesity. This rate increases with age...
Ten steps to successful breastfeeding
Read article: Breastfeeding: A lifeline for underserved communities, but not without its struggles
Breastfeeding: A lifeline for underserved communities, but not without its struggles
We all know breastfeeding is best for babies. It's like a superpower shield, boosting their immune systems and protecting them from illnesses. For...
Woman placing sunscreen on child
Read article: Enjoy sunlight safely
Enjoy sunlight safely
Summer is the best time to enjoy sunlight through outdoor activities. Enjoying a swim at the beach, going on a hike, and outdoor sports are a few fun...
Read article: Strong body, strong mind: Can exercise reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease?
Strong body, strong mind: Can exercise reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease?
You know exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, and bones, but recently experts are finding increasing evidence showing that exercise is...
Picture with programs in Mental Health offered by IHD
Read article: May Is Mental health awareness month, and IHD recognizes the importance from its programmatic core.
May Is Mental health awareness month, and IHD recognizes the importance from its programmatic core.
As a society, we are starting to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Events in recent years have led stakeholders...
Family
Read article: Measles awareness: Protecting you and your community
Measles awareness: Protecting you and your community
What is measles?  Measles is a severe respiratory infection that causes rashes and fever. It is very contagious. Measles can be dangerous,...