Did you know that today, November 13th, is National Take a Hike Day? This celebration of hiking is an opportunity to get people up and get outside. There are hundreds of hiking trails open that are free of charge just waiting to be explored.   Hiking Benefits   Hiking is a fun way to get…

Did you know that one 12-ounce jar of peanut butter contains 540 peanuts? Did you also know that peanut butter’s modern history began in 1884 when a chemist wanted to create a soft food that would still provide nutrition to those who have trouble chewing?   Peanut butter is a classic and one of the…

Are you or someone you know affected by diabetes? Diabetes is of growing concern in this country, and across the world. It is currently affecting over 30 million Americans and that number continues to climb at an alarming rate. However, Diabetes is preventable with diet and exercise.   November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and…

Ficus carica, also known as the common fig, may not be so common to everyone. Figs are delectable little fruits that are not only delicious, but also offer a number of health benefits. National Fig Week is November 1st through 7th and is the perfect time to learn more about figs.   Shopping for Figs…

Did you know yesterday was National Oatmeal Day? Did you eat any oatmeal to celebrate? Don’t worry if you didn’t, there’s still time!   Not only is oatmeal delicious, it’s full of health benefits. Since only the outer hull is removed, the germ and bran remain intact, making it a whole grain product. It’s high…

When Halloween time approaches, we all instantly think of costumes, trick or treating, pumpkin carving, and, of course, candy and sweets. Besides the fun costumes, the main reason kids love Halloween is because of the massive amounts of candy they receive from trick or treating. Did you know that on average, kids eat about 50-100…

Is there anything better than a fresh, juicy apple? The kind that has a crisp crunch and leaves juice running down your arm. YUM.   Fall brings us cooler air, shorter days and the changing colors of the leaves, but it always gives us some of the freshest and most delicious apples you can find…

It’s that time of the year again! October means fall is officially here and it’s time for pumpkin flavored everything! It’s also time for jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating, but pumpkins can be so much more than simply decoration.   Pumpkins are a cultivar of squash and are planted in the summer to be available in the…

Did you know that last week, October 9th-13th, was National School Lunch Week? President John F. Kennedy created this week in 1962 in order to celebrate the school lunch program in America.   This year’s theme was “School Lunch: Recipes for Success”. The theme was centered around sharing tips on what makes your child’s school…

Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America. However, you may only think of cranberries around Thanksgiving.   If that’s the case, you are missing out! Cranberries are a nutrient-dense fruit that should be incorporated into your diet all year round. They can add color and texture to an already great meal, add…

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women? Statistics show 1 in 8 women (and 1 in 1,000 men) will get breast cancer at some point in their life. The good news is that survival rates for this disease are very good if it’s detected and treated early.  …

Today marks a very important day for the Global Health Initiative; it’s World Heart Day! World Heart Day was started in 2012 by the World Heart Federation to bring awareness to one of the most prevalent and concerning diseases in the world, cardiovascular disease (CVD).   CVD has become more prevalent in the United States…

You feel it with the crispness in the air, hear it with the rustle of dried leaves, and smell it with nutmeg and cinnamon – fall has arrived! The fall season signals the close of the heat of summer and allows the Earth to ready itself for winter. Fall is also a great time to…

Did you know that September is National Cholesterol Education Month? It’s the perfect time to schedule that physical and to make sure you get your cholesterol levels checked.   National Cholesterol Education Month is a great time to learn what cholesterol is and to understand the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol. While your body…

Many people have decided to forgo meat and live a vegetarian lifestyle. The reasons people choose to make this change vary from person to person but there are plenty of plant-based food options available for anyone considering vegetarianism.   October is National Vegetarian Awareness Month and the fall is the perfect time to try out…

This Wednesday, September 13th, is National Celiac Awareness Day and it is a very important day because of the prevalence of this disease in this country and around the world. You may be aware of the “gluten-free” diet, which has become popular in recent years for the belief it aids in weight loss and healthy…

Now that September is here and school is back in full swing, a good healthy breakfast is more important than ever. In fact, perhaps that’s why September is Better Breakfast Month! We’ve always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is because the word breakfast actually means “break-fast”. After…

Did you know that it takes 7 years after a macadamia tree is planted for it to produce fruit (the nut)? But, once they begin producing fruit, they remain productive for 100 years!!   You may know little about macadamia nuts, but they are actually one of the most sought-after nuts in the world. Along…

Did you know that 1 in 3 children are currently overweight or obese? That number continues to grow at an alarming rate! This is why today is a very important day. It marks the start of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.   Childhood obesity increases a child’s risk of developing preventable diseases as an adult,…

Lightweight, nutritious, energy boosting… trail mix is the ideal snack! This Thursday, August 31st is National Trail Mix Day, and it is one of my favorites!   Trail mix comes in a variety of ways, but the most common combination is a mixture of nuts, dried fruits, and sometimes chocolate. Traditionally, as the name implies,…