Live Well. Eat Well. 2016

Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Arthritis

Much controversy exists about whether the foods you eat or do not eat affect symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. No evidence has shown particular foods will stop rheumatoid arthritis from getting worse. However, some studies have shown short term improvement in symptoms with certain foods. These...
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Sweet Potatoes are a Superfood

Yesterday we learned that sweet potatoes are considered a superfood. And although there is no true definition of a superfood, we know superfoods are foods that are packed full of key nutrients and phytochemicals. What are Phytochemicals? Phytochemicals are naturally occurring...
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Making Homemade Baby Food

According to Mintel, a global research firm, sales of baby food significantly dropped between 2007 and 2011, and it's expected to continue to decline. The slump in sales have been attributed to more mothers making their own baby food, allowing moms to know what it's made out of and giving them a...
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How Important is the 2 Hour Rule?

Ever made a succulent pork roast, had a wonderful meal with family or friends, then sat down for a favorite television show and realized three hours later that the leftover cooked roast is still sitting on the kitchen counter? Food left in temperatures between 40° and 140°F, the danger zone, for...
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October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month

Coming off the "Family Mealtime Challenge" in my unit last week (Dewitt, Macon, and Piatt counties), I am pumped to keep it going into October. October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, and another time to encourage families to eat together. I think anymore I rarely have to convince families that...
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Food: Source of Conflict or Love in Relationships?

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...
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Winter Skincare for Diabetes

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...
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Exercising With Arthritis

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...
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Decoding Cold and Flu Supplements

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...
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Omega Fats and Their Impact on Disease

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...
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Keep your Skin Radiant this Winter

**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,...
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Go Low (Sodium) - Part 2: Mealtime Steps

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
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