Cravings We all have been there! That late night trip to the ice cream store in your pajamas for a giant sundae, right? Not so quick! Sugar cravings can wreak havoc on the greatest of nutrition plans. If you're like most people in the U.S., you eat 19 teaspoons or more of added...

Thoughts of chocolates, flowers and romance are in the air as Valentine's Day approaches. February appropriately is also Heart Health Month which should help get us thinking about more long-term gifts for the special "Valentines" in our lives. Adopting a healthier eating pattern helps decrease the...

You know what they say… "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"…meaning a woman can make a man love her by cooking him good meals. Whether this is true or not, I believe that cooking a meal for someone is an act of love but what if you can't even boil a pot of water?! Although this can...

As the weather gets colder (well, in Illinois, it might go up and down even in fall and winter), the air is drier and our skin tends to feel it. This November for American Diabetes Month, let us befriend the challenges that come with living with diabetes, including skin care. Leading up to...

At one time, it was believed that people with arthritis should rest their joints but we now know that this is not the case. In fact, regular physical activity can actually help improve function, mobility and provide pain relief. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus can all...

It has been a fairly mild autumn season and winter is starting to arrive with the cold weather. And cold and flu season. Who has been sick so far? The flu and many colds are caused by viruses. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, since those kill bacterial infections. However, as miserable...

I believe that too much of anything- good or otherwise- can be harmful on our health but we really need to take a look at the types of oils we're consuming if we want to reduce our risk for chronic disease, obesity and other inflammatory conditions. Fat Watch I'm...

One of the most challenging things about eating out is the added salt (and thus added sodium). It sure makes our foods taste good, but eating less sodium has benefits to our health. As a refresher, table salt also goes by the name sodium chlori

**Follow these healthy skin tips to keep your skin soft and healthy all winter long** 1. Eat a healthy diet for radiant skin inside and out Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are beneficial Limit processed foods, refined grains (white flour,...

One of the most challenging things about eating out is the added salt (and thus added sodium). It sure makes our foods taste good, but eating less sodium has benefits to our health. As a refresher, table salt also goes by the name sodium chloride. So

Mindful Eating: A conscious approach to health is a past blog post I've written that delves into the 'who, what, when, where, why and how' of our food choices. To keep it s

In a double whammy, March plays host to National Nutrition Month as well as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. (Although what month doesn't have several health celebrations attached to it!) There are a variety of health conditions that affect the digestive system, including the lower intestines,...

April is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month. If you don't know what IBS is or what it's like, then consider yourself lucky. Between 25 and 45 million people in the United States (10 to 15% of the population) are affected. The...

Our University of Illinois Extension Family and Consumer Sciences team has written about mindful eating before: Mindful Eating: A Conscious Approach to Health and <

May is American Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the fifth main cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Would you recognize the symptoms of a stroke? Sudden difficulty moving your arms or legs, confusion, dizziness, headache, difficulty speaking, or...

If you are fortunate to be reading this blog, your eyes may be working well. For Healthy Vision Month, let's talk eye health and decode eye supplements. Nutrients in Eye Health All nutrients are important for health, and the eyes tend to accumulate carotenoids, like leutin,...

Much time and money is spent each year on the latest weight loss or fitness craze in pursuit of a path to the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, for most this ends in frustration and a lighter wallet. Rather than chasing an elusive perfect diet, nutritional supplement or fitness routine that sounds...

What does it mean to be physical active? Being physically active simply means that your body is moving and using energy. Of course, the degree of intensity and the duration of activity will play a role in the determination of the overall health benefits received from the activity...

One in eleven Americans has diabetes today. Men and women of all races, ages, shapes and sizes are battling this mostly invisible disease. Every twenty-three seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes. It is important to bring awareness to this chronic disease and dispel stereotypes,...

Did you know that throughout life you are continually losing and rebuilding bone tissue? In fact, children make new bone at a substantially greater rate, compared to adults. This is because during childhood and adolescence, much more bone is being built than lost, as their bones are growing in both...