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Artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes, are chemicals added to some foods and beverages to make them taste sweet.
I don’t usually pay attention to world waffle day or national cookie day, but when it involves our health, I tend to hop on these awareness campaigns. Men’s Health Month is an annual observance focused on raising awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and tr…
September, which is World Alzheimer’s Month, is an excellent reminder to keep your mind and body healthy through the years. Experts say that doing so can reduce your risk for cognitive decline. Try taking on these new hobbies to keep your mind sharp as you age:
Green tea has been popular for years for its health benefits, but gaining in popularity is matcha, or green tea powder. It comes from the same plant, but is grown a bit differently. During the last 20-30 days of growing, farmers cover the plants to avoid direct sunlight. This increases their…
Once everyone in the family arrives home from work and school, there just might be a mad dash to the kitchen for a satisfying snack.
Your body’s immune system protects against illness and infection, fighting off threats before you even know there’s a problem. Even though your immune system usually does its job automatically, you can give it a boost with habits that promote wellness and support immunity.
Did you know that there are certain herbs and spices that can be used to support your health? Herbalism has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from wounds to respiratory infections. Often, the line between food and herb is blurred: food can be used in herbalism, and herbs c…
Making the most of family meals means dishing up favorites that call loved ones together while also providing wholesome, nutritional flavor.
For several weeks now people have been posting photos of mysterious bug bites online, wondering what the source of the bites is.
Chronic, systemic inflammation is the type of inflammation that lingers on in the body and damages our cells and our tissues. It can play a huge role in numerous health conditions from cardiovascular disease to diabetes, cancers, and even memory problems. Luckily, there are things you can do…
If your casual baking hobby has turned into an obsession, you’re in good company. Baking swept the nation as a way to pass the time in 2020, with an overwhelming 84% of respondents identifying as bakers in an end-of-year Packaged Facts survey of Americans.
Waking up, no matter how late, can be such a drag. You’re moving slow and cuddled up warm under the blankets. However, your stomach is growling which means eventually you are going to have to arise.
Among the many monthly expenses that are simply unavoidable, buying groceries is one of the few that’s squarely in your own control. While it’s a necessity you can’t eliminate from your budget completely, there are some simple ways to save a few bucks during future grocery runs.
Sweet treats are a favorite food, especially when they have a unique or unusual twist that makes them stand out from the crowd. When a dessert isn’t the classic chocolate or vanilla flavor, it can pique eaters’ interest. Cupcakes, macaroons and even pies have some intense flavors, however, i…
A hallmark of processed food is the type of oil used in cooking. But we also need to be aware of what oils we are using to cook with and what the restaurants we frequent are using.
As kids and parents return to busy schedules full of sports, homework and weeknight activities, building a plan for nutritious and easy meals can be challenging. Piecing together a menu that fuels active minds without spending hours in the kitchen is a common goal for many families.
Do you have a gratitude practice? Do you know how to have presence by living in the moment?
In the summer, I’m not a big fan of turning on the oven, so I make a lot of meals on the grill or use no-cook recipes, like these salads. Don’t suffer through a boring bowl of greens. Make it fun with a theme and a nutritious and delicious dressing. These are great on-the-go meals as well. P…
Something about summer brings out cravings for grilled perfection. Whether it’s the unmistakable flavor of a slow smoked side of ribs or a flame-kissed tenderloin, you can’t go wrong when you pull out the grill.
As many people start getting back into normal routines, they’re returning to familiar on-the-go lifestyles by heading back to work, traveling to new destinations and enjoying time with loved ones.
I’ve always wondered who originally thought it would be a good idea to plug our sweat glands and prevent perspiration or the excretion of toxins from our lymph. Perspiration is one of our main forms of detoxification. And while it’s not always pleasant and can also be embarrassing to have “s…
During the warmer months, there’s often a great deal of shuffling and movement, including common allergy triggers like trees, pollen, mold spores, dust and dander along with pesky sinus pressure. While more commonly associated with other seasons, summer allergies can be one big pain - literally.
Proper thyroid hormones are very important for overall health. The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It helps regulate many body functions by constantly releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. It has a major role in metabolism…
Busy mornings, afternoons and evenings are the norm for many families with days full of work, school, extracurricular activities, social commitments and more. Finding time to pause and share a meal is often a priority that may remain difficult to achieve.
July is National Blueberry Month, and an excellent time of year to enjoy this delicious berry. Packed with nutrients and containing one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food, blueberries make a great snack on their own. However, here are three ways to creatively enjoy them this July.
If you have a dairy allergy like me or you’re avoiding dairy for a health reason, we often go for alternative milks like almond, cashew or coconut milk. Store bought milks are often found with gums, fillers and emulsifiers to keep the milk from separating. Some brands even have carrageenan w…
Summer is the time to relax, refresh and indulge in sweet and heavenly treats. While you’re lounging poolside and watching the kids play, enjoy a cool, creamy and absolutely divine dessert that’s perfect on a hot day.
With health and wellness top of mind for many Americans, fitness has become a top priority. Whether you’re extremely active or just starting on a wellness journey, incorporating wholesome, nutritious foods into your diet plan can help give your body the fuel it needs to thrive.
Our gut is home to more than 100 trillion bacteria – our gut microbiome. Seventy percent of our immune system is located in our gut and 70-95 percent of our brain neurotransmitters are made and located in the gut. Brain neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA – our calming neuro…
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Fairfax County Health Department members took on the role of contact tracer. That meant looking for any signs of COVID and providing those infected with the proper resources.
The country may be turning a corner on the pandemic, but the fallout could take some time to work through. Americans have health concerns beyond COVID-19 that have compounded in the past year: postponed care for wellness issues, changed sleep patterns, undesired weight changes and increased …
A lazy Sunday afternoon cuddled up with family, playing in the rain with your kids and tasting a perfect, sweet treat on a summer day can be some of the simplest yet best parts of life.
When making lifestyle changes to our diet in order to improve our health, we sometimes forget our surroundings and how xenoestrogens can affect our health in a negative way as well.
Watermelons serve two purposes on a hot July day -- they’re a sweet finish to a meal, and a source of nutritious hydration. Watermelon also is low in fat and cholesterol-free. It has a vast nutritional profile including high levels of the antioxidant lycopene, an excellent source of the impo…
The sound of the sizzle, the smell of foods cooking outdoors, the undeniable taste - it’s time to get back to the barbecue. For many people, a grill becomes a second kitchen. For others, it’s their primary way of cooking all year long.
We have all made a trip to the drug store for medication at some point in our life. Yet, we see so many options that our minds are perplexed on what to choose to relieve our symptoms.
Fermentation has been used to preserve food for thousands of years. Food fermentation is the process whereby bacteria, yeasts, mold, or fungi break down carbohydrates, such as starch and sugar, into acids, gas, or alcohol.
A new study stemming from China and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that home confinement during the pandemic has created a significant increase in myopia – also called nearsightedness – for children aged 6 to 8 years, with the prevalence of myopia i…
I love a fresh, cold soup in the summer. Gazpacho is one of those soups that people love or they hate. If you’re a cold soup fan, this soup is for you! It tastes best when you can get fresh summer tomatoes and cucumbers from your garden or the local farmer’s market. Make a big batch to share…
Today, consumers are beginning to use one more guideline to determine how to spend their food dollars: sustainability. The public is increasingly curious about where and how their food is produced and what impact it has on the environment - and for good reason. The world’s population is rapi…
The sound of the sizzle, the smell of foods cooking outdoors, the undeniable taste - it’s time to get back to the barbecue. For many people, a grill becomes a second kitchen. For others, it’s their primary way of cooking all year long.
Prescription medications have many benefits, including managing pain, regulating chronic conditions, preventing disease and more. Despite numerous positives, medications can be dangerous to others in your household, especially kids.
One very common nutrition myth is that eggs are bad for you or they contain too much cholesterol. A recent review of the scientific literature published in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care clearly indicates that egg consumption has no discernible impact on blood chole…
Fairfax County Public Schools has announced that it will be providing free Covid-19 vaccination clinics at a variety of high schools across the county for students ages 12 and up. These vaccine clinics will be the second round of clinics provided by the county for students, after an overwhel…
Summer weekends are almost here and these dishes will get you out of the kitchen and don’t use a hot oven. These recipes were specially curated for busy families who want healthy options at their summer BBQ’s. The recipes are gluten-free, can be easily adapted for dairy-free and won’t spike …
Brunch is the perfect pairing of morning delights and mid-day favorites. Whether celebrating holidays, anniversaries, friendships or simply a sunny Sunday, brunch is guaranteed to satisfy and bring smiles.
Weight loss is a complicated and tricky feat to accomplish. Sometimes it comes off fairly easily and sometimes not at all. Our weight should not be the first marker we use to rate our health, but maintaining a healthy body weight can have many long-term benefits on our overall health, includ…
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