Health

Seasonal Soups

In my family you either love or you tolerate soup season. My chicken noodle soup is my 5-year-old daughter’s favorite meal year-round, but my husband cannot stand too many days in a row that we have soup for dinner. I love that my three daughters enjoy soups because they are one of the easiest ways […]

In the Right Direction

Running is like a lot of sports and activities — it’s a great way to improve health, fitness and performance, but if performed too much or without care, it can also be risky. For both newcomers and seasoned runners, prioritizing health and reducing injury is the best way to ensure a fun and…

Fun in the Sun

Spring is here, which means warmer weather and a lot more opportunity for outdoor activity.  This is a great time of year to increase your physical activity while enjoying your favorite hobbies and sports. Most of us are aware that..

A Love for Local Greens

Spring is in the air, and seasonal produce is bountiful! I’m from Northern California, where farmers markets have been popular since I was young, and I was very pleased when I moved to Columbia by how many

Winter is Coming

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR INDOOR WORKOUT. For outdoor exercisers, the concern isn’t White Walkers. Instead, hikers, bikers, runners and the like need to watch out for freezing temps and slick surfaces. If you’re one of the many folks who has spent the last several months staying fit outside, you may be […]

Natural Immunity

Whether you’re concerned about catching the flu, a common cold, or the more-feared COVID-19 this fall and winter, there are preventative measures you can take to promote a healthy immune system.

Beyond Basic

At this time of the year, you’re more likely to feel motivated to exercise, and it’s not just in your head. Katy Milkman, host of the “Choiceology” podcast, often tells stories about her research on what’s been coined “The Fresh Start Effect.” Compared to normal, you’re more likely to feel most motivated after a birthday, […]

Smoke Screen

Gov. Mike Parson’s Youth Vaping Awareness Campaign has left Missourians with a lot of questions surrounding youth vaping. The main one: Is it really as prevalent as it seems? One in three teenagers is using at least one tobacco product, according to a National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) conducted in December by the Centers for […]

Diet 101

Losing weight doesn’t always mean eating healthy. A diet of carrots probably would lead to weight loss for a certain amount of time, but such a diet ultimately would result in nutrient deficiency and an unhealthy lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet that emphasizes […]

20 Ways To Get Fit in Columbia

Fitness has arguably never been more fun — or more innovative. We practice yoga with goats. We SoulCycle to beats by Beyoncé. We instruct Siri to start, pause and end our workouts. Hotshot companies such as Peloton and Mirror are revolutionizing our exercise equipment (and, for better or worse, going viral), inviting virtual personal trainers […]

Got Milk?

It’s officially hot cocoa season! It used to be that the biggest decision you had to make when it came to hot cocoa was toppings — marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream or chocolate syrup. But now there is one more decision you have to make: What kind of milk should you use? Walk down any […]

Healthy Holiday

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays we celebrate that revolves solely around food. For the Pilgrims, it was a much-needed feast, but for most Americans, it’s extra calories that we don’t necessarily need. For people trying to watch their weight, or those with dietary restrictions, Thanksgiving can be a source of disappointment. Fortunately, there […]

Fitness Fads

The word “workout” makes me feel many emotions. I know it’s something I need to do to stay healthy, but it’s not something I usually enjoy. So, I’ll typically find a workout to get myself motivated and will be consistent for about two months; then I’ll find an excuse to miss one workout, which then […]

Yoga for All

The ancient practice of yoga is a powerful tool for holistic stress management, often practiced with the intention to integrate the mind, body and soul. Though it sounds effortless, often it can be a major challenge to take even just five minutes to pause, be still and pay attention to your body. Taking a pose […]

Banning Boring Lunches

With summer coming to an end, it’s time to put away the bathing suits and prepare for a change in season — and for the kids to go back to school. Aside from thinking about new computers, clothes and school supplies, it’s important to focus on developing nutritious eating habits for the entire family. Paying […]

Beat the Summer Heat

Heat and sugary treats seem synonymous with the summer months, but the truth is that with obesity, cancers and Type 2 diabetes on the rise, it’s time for a healthy lifestyle for most of us. That being said, there’s no reason to fret when it comes to sweet treats to beat this year’s summer heat. […]

Just Relax

Lets face it, between juggling a professional career, kids, social life and personal needs, it comes as no surprise that many individuals suffer from unmanaged stress, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and frequently feel like underachievers. Studies have shown that stress can not only affect one’s mood but can also lead to weight […]

Benefits of Mindfulness/Meditation to Reduce Insomnia

There is no dearth of information when it comes to the clinical significance of adding meditation or mindfulness to your routine if you deal with insomnia or trouble falling asleep. A study from UCLA’s School of Medicine reported that those who practiced mindfulness meditation reported less fatigue, insomnia and depression than their counterparts. It may […]

Hunger Games

The idea of “eating your feelings” is not a new concept, yet time and again we do exactly that. We eat our feelings before we find that magic diet, and we eat our feelings when that magic diet fails us, as many diets do. One of the primary reasons why diets fail is because they […]

No-Bake Cashew & Pistachio Bars

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019. Cashews and pistachios are known for their good-fat, nutrient-rich, high-protein qualities. These no-bake delights address cravings without inducing the guilt of some other treats. This recipe is vegan, paleo, keto and gluten-free. 1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios 1 cup unsalted raw cashews ½ cup unsalted pumpkin […]