Choosing foods that support optimal health is important, but so is the cookware we us to prepare it. There are many cookware options, and our kitchens are likely stocked with an assortment of materials of varying age and condition, from stainless steel and ceramic, to non-stick and glass. Some materials … Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lone star tick has been moving out of the south for the last 20 to 30 years. It has steadily moved up the east coast and west into central parts of the country. In fact, although the black-legged deer … Read More
First aid is medical care that is done right away at the site of the injury or illness. It may be done as a short-term treatment until emergency care arrives or it may be the only treatment you need. Examples of conditions you can treat with first aid include cuts … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Sulfites are commonly blamed as the culprit behind wine-drinking headaches. While that hasn’t been confirmed, sulfites can be the cause of some other serious problems. These food additives have long been used to preserve freshness and are ingredients in many foods, beverages, cosmetics, and medications. They also occur naturally in … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Food allergies are quite prevalent and affect more than 32 million people in the U.S. As a result, it’s now common practice to take precautions with common food allergens, such as wheat, peanuts, or tree nuts, to avoid a potential allergic reaction. But what about less familiar food allergens, like … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
If you haven’t heard of lupin, the up-and-coming legume soon to reach superfood status, it’s time you were in the loop. Hardly a new player in the food arena, lupin beans, commonly called lupini beans, have nourished ancient Egyptians, Incans, and Romans and they continue to be popular in modern … Read More
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. The Latin name is Curcuma longa. Turmeric has been used for centuries in both Chinese and Indian medicine to treat diseases of inflammation like arthritis, allergy, respiratory, and digestive disorders. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that may give it anti-inflammatory … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
What was once a simple decision between whole, low-fat, or skim milk, the list of choices now has a variety so vast, it’s dizzying. Whether made from nuts, seeds, legumes, or grains, plant-based milk has skyrocketed in popularity. Cow’s milk still tops retail sales, but nondairy “milk” brought in nearly … Read More
Sudden deafness, also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a medical emergency. If you get diagnosed and treated right away, you have about an 85 percent chance of recovering your hearing. If you don’t, your chance of recovering drops to 50 percent. SSHL usually requires a referral to an … Read More
Remember when parents used to warn kids that sitting too close to the TV could make you go blind? Today most people spend more time in front of a digital screen than a TV, an average of about seven hours per day. Whether it is a TV, computer, or smartphone, … Read More
