Wellness
Live happier, healthier, and tastier. Recipes, fitness, and lifestyle tips await.
5 Ergonomic Tips for Productivity if You Have a Desk Job
It is not uncommon in today’s working world to spend more than 8-9 hours a day sitting in your cubicle or at any desk, for that matter, typing away on a computer or laptop. Your primary focus is most likely the work that needs to get done that day. But what if...
Ever Heard North Carolina Called the “Stone Belt?” Here’s Why
“You stones, you worse than senseless things!” – Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 1 William Shakespeare wasn’t referring to kidney stones when he wrote that line, but he sure captured my feelings on the matter. It is said that the only thing more painful than a...
5 Ways to Decrease Your Risk of Skin Cancer
With summer around the corner, many of us are already thinking of all the fun outdoor adventures we will enjoy. Whether it’s relaxing at the beach or hiking in the mountains, these adventures have a silent danger in common—the sun. The sun, and even artificial...
How Hot Yoga Cooled My Chronic Back Pain
I was having lunch with a friend the other day, and when I mentioned writing this post about hot yoga, he said, “Oh I could never do yoga. I’m not flexible.” I laughed because that’s sort of the point. You do yoga in order to become more flexible (among some other...
Bouncing Back from My Vacation Weight Gain
Hey guys. It’s been about three months since I decided to get serious with losing weight, and I have less than two months (and eight pounds) to go until my 40th birthday. I’m getting close to reaching my goal of losing 20 pounds. You can read my previous post as a...
Children’s Health in North Carolina: We Can Do Better
As adults, we like to think that whatever successes we’ve achieved are the result of our own hard work and determination. Our culture is rooted in the belief that we all start out with an equal chance at the American dream. If we work hard enough, we can earn the...
5 Ways to Track Your Health at Home
It’s a fact—maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is one of the best ways to stay well. Being overweight or obese can put your body at risk for long-term, chronic conditions. But because each of us is different, our definition of what ‘healthy’ means...
6 Things You Can do Tonight to Get a Better Night’s Sleep
Maybe you hit the snooze button this morning, only to find yourself scrambling to get out of the house on time. Or maybe you spent a few too many hours last night answering emails, scrolling through social media feeds or binge watching your favorite TV show – and...
Which Industry Ranks Highest for Work-Related Asthma?
We’re all aware about the health problems health care professionals face on the job. The problems we often think about are the result of stress or long hours on their feet. But it’s worse. New research says health care experts deal with a more serious problem –...
Being a Competitive Corporate Athlete Begins with Energy Management
So what does this whole idea of energy management mean? Our energy (our battery) is our most important resource. You would think such a vital resource would be used wisely, but we often waste or deplete our energy by focusing it on the wrong things. It is not uncommon...
How Your Mental Health Affects Your Physical Health
The link between mental health and physical health is often misunderstood. They’re often thought of as separate entities, but the two go hand in hand. In fact, the World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being....
3 Reasons Millennials Shy Away From Primary Care Physicians
When it comes to staying healthy, those of us dubbed millennials are doing things a bit differently. Unlike our parents and grandparents, who visit their primary care doctors regularly, millennials don’t usually include regular doctor visits on personal health...
Status Update: The Health Implications of Social Media
If you got here via social media, I apologize for the irony. There’s no arguing that social media is a great way to share articles and ideas. But does the endless thumb-scrolling have any negative side effects? As the New Year rolled in, I couldn’t help but notice a...
Need to Reboot and Recharge Your New Year’s Resolution? Here’s How
With 2017 well underway, you might be asking yourself an intimidating question: How am I progressing on my New Year’s resolutions? If you’re feeling like you’ve lost focus, you’re not alone. Getting stuck in a resolution rut is common. In fact, data shows that only...
Starting with Baby Steps to Lose the “Baby Weight”
When women complain about not losing weight soon enough after they’ve had a baby, people smile and sympathize. They say, “Well it took nine months to gain the weight, so you won’t lose it overnight!” But fast forward two – or more – years after giving birth. A...
Almost 300 Pounds Lost – And 130,000 Followers Gained
Eight years ago, Candice Williams, one of our customer service reps, stepped on a scale for a health screening at work. Candice looked down and saw the word “Error” where numbers should have displayed. She had exceeded weight limit of the scale. It was that moment –...
5 New Ways to Say “I Love You” to Your Partner Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is upon us so people are taking the opportunity to show someone they love what he or she really means to them. For some, that means giving flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, diamonds, extravagant dinners and more. But there are other...
3 Ways to Break Free from Stress at Work and at Home
Why do some people thrive on chaos and uncertainty, while others are driven to anxiety and depression? The world is a stressful place. No more so than in times of social, political, and economic change. In such an environment, resilience can make the difference...
How Much Added Sugar is Too Much?
You’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But do you know what kinds of foods may actually send you to the doctor? Fats? Carbs? Recent data shows that sugar is actually the real troublemaker for your health. Turns out, most Americans are consuming far...
8 Ideas to Improve your Health if You Sit at a Desk
Five days a week, many people head for work in the morning focused on the deadlines, projects and meetings waiting for them at the office. Armed with the best intentions of healthy homemade lunches, plans to walk during breaks or promises to pass on a co-worker’s...
Why Are 160,000 Kids in North Carolina Without Child Care?
I was sixteen weeks pregnant with my oldest daughter, Eliza, when I started touring child care centers. I was just out of my first trimester and wouldn’t need care until the end of my maternity leave in nine months. I figured I was way ahead of the game. However, much...
4 Things Your Company Can’t Ignore about Paid Parental Leave
When I think back to the days of bringing home my infants, I remember the challenges a new bundle of joy brought with it. Taking leave from work, recovering, sleepless nights, and wondering how I would make it all work. When I had my children (now in their mid-20’s),...
Nearly 1 in 3 Kids in NC Suffer from this Epidemic: Let’s Do Something About It
The Obesity Epidemic Obesity in children is a major health problem in North Carolina. Here, nearly one in three children is overweight or obese. But childhood obesity isn’t a problem only for our state. Close to 13 million youth are obese in the United States. These...
Easy recipes that leave the ER out of your holiday plans
Why save your tastiest dishes for the holidays only to burn yourself taking them out of the oven? The most wonderful time of the year can also be one of the most dangerous. We climb ladders to decorate. We let irritable loved ones boost our stress levels. And we...
Over 50? Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer with These 5 Tips
If you are a caregiver, and/or have parents over 50, please encourage them to follow the five steps below. Colon cancer is probably not your first choice for dinner table conversation. Yet you should be talking about it, especially if you’re over 50 years old,...
Wearables and Health Care Costs: Are they related?
In 2014, BCBSNC gave 3,500 free or discounted Fitbits to its employees who wanted to take part in its company wellness programs. While participants didn’t see changes in their body mass indexes (BMI) overall, they did see results in monthly healthcare cost savings....
Smiling Like a Jack o’Lantern – It’s Not Just the Candy
It’s Halloween, which means families will be fretting about sugar, snacking and teeth-brushing. As the mom of a toddler who puts any lawyer to shame, our house will see our fair share of high-level negotiation on these topics too. As I think about my kids’ teeth, one...
Arthritis is a Pain, But It Doesn’t Have to Limit Your Activity
North Carolinians are spoiled for choice when it comes to options for staying active outdoors. With the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, the beaches to the east and the beautiful parks and greenways in between, everyone can find a special spot in our state....
Why I’m Getting a Breast Cancer Screening at Only Thirty
I thought it was going to be a routine physical where I get the normal thumbs up from by OBGYN. I’m only 30. I’m a marathon runner. “Wellness” is literally part of my job title. But as my doctor sat down to review my medical history and current stats, she asked if I...
How I Overcome Depression Through Art
I overcome depression through art. Seven years ago, my girlfriend of eight years confessed she had been cheating on me with my best friend. I was battling severe depression and dealing with massive doubts about my self-worth. The stress kept building. I was left with...
15 Runs to Help You Train for Your First 10K this Fall
Are you looking for a new challenge now that you’ve completed your first 5k? A 10k run is the perfect middle step between a 5k and a half marathon. This year Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is hosting its first Desk to 10k program for team members. It’s a...
4 Immunization Myths Busted
The recent measles outbreak in North Carolina has reminded us all of how important vaccinations are when it comes to disease prevention. Highly contagious, measles is an airborne disease that can be spread through coughing or sneezing.
7 Tips to Avoid Gaining Weight in the Office
Everyone’s familiar with – and fears – the “Freshman 15,” the predictable 15-pound weight gain from overindulging just a little too much that first year of college. But did you know there’s a risk of history repeating itself with the “Office 15” as college graduates enter the working world?
Do the Benefits of Football Outweigh the Risks?
It’s mid-August, and parents of middle schoolers and high schoolers across the country may be having the same conversation – do we let our kid try out for a contact sport? Parents have to weigh the risk of injury against the benefits of exercise and being part of a team, particularly in that American staple of fall sports, football.
Five Reasons I’m Okay With My Child Playing Pokemon Go!
I’m not one to jump on the latest craze. And so for the past month I’ve been rolling my eyes anytime someone talks about the game, Pokémon Go. And by “someone” I mean my 6-year-old son. He borrows my iPhone to play the game, which is like asking me to loan out my left...
How to Get Fit Like NASCAR Champ Jimmie Johnson
The idea of NASCAR racing is to put drivers in cars that are, for all intents, identical; the drivers are meant to determine the outcome, not the cars. The physical strength, endurance and concentration required to drive 200 miles an hour for four hours — often...
Cooking in the Moment — And in Reverse
Ask a novice how to prepare a fancy dinner for a couple hundred people, and you’d probably get a logical response: Decide on the menu well in advance, then go out and find the ingredients for those dishes. But chef Andrea Reusing does just the opposite. She...
Children today are facing a nature deficit
A boy on his first fishing adventure notices how the wind makes unique patterns on the water; a girl on a hike is fascinated by plants she never knew existed; a father helps his son focus the binoculars on a red-shouldered hawk soaring overhead. Exercising the mind...
6 effective tips to help you quit smoking
Smoking is a hard habit to kick. Beyond the addictive properties of nicotine, overtime smoking becomes ingrained into your lifestyle, habits and even how you identify yourself. And despite the facts about the negative impacts tobacco can have on your health, for some,...
I survived running of the bulls
If you have always wanted to run with the bulls in Pamplona, but don’t have a trip to Spain planned anytime soon, consider the Bull City Running’s annual Running of the Bulls 8K. This past weekend, 1,411 participants laced up to run a hot 4.97 miles through the...
I Told My Boss About My Depression – And I’m Glad I Did
It was scary, but I knew I had to do it. I’ve been living with depression my whole life, but it has only been in the last five years that I decided to be open about it. Talking about depression with someone new still makes me nervous — especially when that...
Mia Hamm’s Tips for Parents of Kids in Sports
Mia Hamm has won two Olympic gold medals, two World Cups, four NCAA championships and a place in the Hall of Fame as a soccer star. But her greatest reward comes from being a proud mother of twin girls and a son. Recently, Hamm sat down with us to share insights on...
Wag More: The Top 5 Health Benefits of Owning a Dog
With three kids and work responsibility, it’s easy for me to put my health on the back burner. I take dietary shortcuts with fast food and I always have a ready excuse not to exercise. Fortunately, as a dog owner, I enjoy the health benefits of canine...
The One Guide You Need to Run an 8K in 8 Weeks
8K in 8 Weeks So, you’ve mastered the 5K and have thought about a 10K – but what about the often missed 8K? As a long-time runner, I have found this to be my favorite road race distance. It’s just challenging enough to warrant a training plan, but not so long that my...
Mia Hamm: Head Coach for Life, Forever Fearless
When I hung up the phone after talking with Mia Hamm, I put on my helmet and sprinted out to the huddle, ready to help my teammates move the ball 90 yards for the game-winning touchdown. At least, that’s how I felt. I had the feeling that I had just been coached – not...
Could There Be Zika in North Carolina?
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about Zika, a virus spread to people through mosquito bites. The virus can cause a rare defect in babies called microcephaly and has become a worldwide health emergency. Naturally, with all the coverage, we’ve heard employees,...
10 Perfect Winter Adventures in the NC Piedmont and Mountains
North Carolina is rich with adventure opportunities, even in the dead of winter. Dozens of parks and some of the best views Mother Nature has to offer means that braving a little chill is certainly worth it. Here are ten winter adventures in the Piedmont and the...
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
This is one of my favorite soups. The savory beans contrasting against the sweet potatoes is such a wonderful contrast on the palate. As a piece of advice when making this black bean and sweet potato soup: I like to mix all of my seasonings, minus the salt, together...
Have Diabetes? These 6 Tips Can Help You Live Better
November is American Diabetes Month. But did you know that approximately 788,000 adults in North Carolina have diabetes? Even worse, the occurrence of diabetes in The Tar Heel State is far greater than the national average – and is expected to increase in years to...
The Time to Quit Smoking is Today: Join the Great American Smokeout
Maybe it’s you, or a family member, or a loved one who’s trying to quit. You’ve always said you could go the distance; that you could stop lifting that pack at any time. We believe in you. And now is a great time to do it. Today is the American Cancer Society’s...
Take a Walk Through the Wilds of Durham in Duke Forest
After several consecutive rainy weekends, my wife and I were eager to get outside for some Sunday morning walking. Armed with our Fitbits and a camera, we set out for our favorite of the many walking trails through Duke Forest in Durham. The parking lot for this trail...
The Frightening Reasons You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Your Flu Shot
It’s that time of year again, the time when the air gets chilly, leaves start to fall, and you should get your flu shot to protect yourself, your family and your coworkers. Last year, thousands were hospitalized and more than 100 North Carolinians died from...
10 Smart Ways to Help You Hike Safely
The Blue Ridge Parkway trail accesses are packed. Pilot Mountain State Park’s website advises that it can take a half hour to score a parking spot on weekends. The knob for which Hanging Rock State Park gets its name resembles an anthill as hikers scramble for views....
Top 10 Myths About Childhood Vaccines (And Yes, We Still Need Them)
According to the CDC, vaccinations have prevented over 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths among children in the last 20 years. In spite of that astounding statistic, a recent study from the University of Michigan found that 93% of pediatricians had at...
How to Help Get Control of Asthma So It No Longer Controls You
It’s hard to find the right words to describe an asthma attack. But I’ll try. It’s the gasping pain of trying to breathe while your lungs betray you. And sometimes it feels like it’s never going to end. If you’ve ever suffered from asthma, you know that horrifying...
5 Exciting NC Outdoor Adventures You Can Still Have This Summer
It happens every year about this time: the summer is slipping away and you’ve yet to do any of the big NC outdoor adventures on your list. A summer with no Instagram posts for your friends to envy? Perish the thought. Even if you look at summer as ending when school...
When Antibiotics Stop Working, How Can We Fight Infections?
We’re fighting a losing battle. Every time we find a new way to fight the terrifying bacteria that cause diseases, they develop a resistance to the treatment. Those treatments come in the form of Antibiotics and Antimicrobials, and can be lifesaving drugs for millions...
North Carolina Health Link Weekly- July 20th, 2015
This week we’ve got a wide range of topics! Check out articles spanning from fitness trackers and health monitors, to ACA updates and challenges! Got a link to share? Tweet us at @bcbsnc with #NCHealthLinkWeekly, and we could feature your story in an upcoming...
How Our BlueMedicare Customers Get Cheap Gym Memberships
No matter your age, you need choices for staying active. That’s why we’re working with BlueMedicare customers to get low cost gym memberships. Why gym memberships? Because no matter how beautiful a morning walk is, it just doesn’t compare to the weight selection, aqua...
These 10 Foods Could Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
You already know that your diet has a huge impact on your health, affecting everything from cholesterol to your weight, but did you know it might also impact your mind? A recent study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia,...
From the Mountains to the Sea: This Weekend, Exercise Your Right To Move Freely
As we celebrate our nation’s independence this weekend, celebrate your right to choose from a wide range of active options, from a leisurely walk to mountain 5Ks to adventure with a beat. You can find more details on the suggestions below by visiting GetGoingNC....
North Carolina Health Link Weekly – June 29th, 2015
This week we’ve got quite a collection of topics, ranging from what people are saying about the ACA subsidies, to the 1999 US Women’s World Cup stars making a visit to the Triangle. Got a link to share? Tweet us @bcbsnc with #NCHealthLinkWeekly, and we could feature...
Is NC at Risk? Salmonella Outbreaks in Nine States, Including Virginia
We’ve been lucky so far. Despite an outbreak affecting nine states across the country, North Carolina hasn’t seen any cases of salmonella outbreaks this year. But with incidents as close as Virginia, it’s as important as ever to be aware of the infection and how to...
Five Ways to Keep Your Family Fit this Summer
Oh, summertime. The kids are out of school, and you’re already running out of ideas to keep them active. Playing video games and eating frozen treats are at the top of their to-do lists. But you know it’s important that they stay active during the summer months, so...
North Carolina Health Link Weekly – June 15th, 2015
The health care industry is one that begs discussion — it’s personal, it’s social, and it impacts us all. Every week we come across hundreds of articles, tweets, updates, and briefs. We thought you’d like to read some of what we’re seeing right now, and start a...
Get Fit on the Blue Loop in Raleigh, NC
“Let’s go see half of a giant.” “Half of a giant what?” “Just trust me.” That was Saturday morning at my house. My wife and I woke up, looked out at the gorgeous sunshine and decided we should enjoy some outdoor time. We grabbed a camera and set out for the Blue Loop...
Slather It On: How I Made Peace with Sunscreen to Reduce My Skin Cancer Risk
Ever since I can remember, I have been slathered with sunscreen. And, of course, as a child I hated it. It was slippery, sometimes smelly, and always a hassle. Seemed like a waste of time. Now, I still don’t love it, but I understand better why it is so incredibly...
From the Mountains to the Sea: North Carolina Weekend Adventures, June 4 – 7th, 2015
Saturday is National Trails Day: Get out and celebrate your favorite North Carolina trail! Every Thursday, we team with our friends at GetGoingNC.com to offer suggestions on how you can have an active weekend. We offer ideas for the coast, the Piedmont and the...
North Carolina Health Link Weekly – June 1st, 2015
The health care industry is one that begs discussion — it’s personal, it’s social, and it impacts us all. Every week we come across hundreds of articles, tweets, updates, and briefs. We thought you’d like to read some of what we’re seeing right now, and start a...
From the Mountains to the Sea: North Carolina Weekend Escapes, May 28, 2015
Every Thursday, we team with our friends at GetGoingNC.com to offer suggestions on how you can have an active weekend. We offer ideas for the coast, the Piedmont and the mountains that cover a range of activities: from running and hiking to paddling, biking and more....
North Carolina Health Link Weekly – May 18, 2015
The health care industry is one that begs discussion — it’s personal, it’s social, and it impacts all of us. Every week we come across hundreds of articles, tweets, updates, and briefs. We thought you’d like to read some of what we’re seeing right now, and start a...
Keep this Half Marathon Checklist Handy for Your Next Race
Preparing for a half-marathon is no small task, as Allison shared. It takes a whole lot of mental and physical preparation, weeks ahead of actual race day. But no matter how far you’re running, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need...
5 Picture Perfect Kayak and Canoeing Destinations in North Carolina
Take a Paddle Few of us like a workout that feels like a workout. Go back to when you were a kid: did you wake up Saturday morning and say, “I think I’ll go to the gym for two hours, do some cardio, pump some iron?” No. You bolted out the front door and did your...
Running All The Miles: 6 Essential Tips to Train for a Half Marathon
I’ll admit that running a half marathon wasn’t at the top of my bucket list. Sure, I’ve run 5K, and even a 10-miler, but I never thought I’d make it farther than that. Then my aunt gave me some great advice: run just a little farther than you think you can. That made...
The New Noodle: Beet Pasta with Goat Cheese, Toasted Walnuts and Chicken
The beet goes on, as they say. But have you ever considered beets beyond pickled or sliced or boiled? This recipe uses a spiral slicer, and while I start many of my demonstrations with telling my attendants I am not a gadget guy, this is a bit of an exception. Yes, I...
Five Tips For Choosing A New Primary Care Physician
The prospect of choosing a new primary care physician can be difficult, to say nothing of daunting. Your primary care physician isn’t just another doctor, they’re someone you work with on your health goals and challenges. Thankfully the Blue Cross and Blue...
Easy Udon Noodle Soup: A Flavorful, Healthy Japanese Favorite
Udon noodle soup comes from Japan, and is a great way to showcase fresh vegetables and bold flavors together. You can mix and match your ingredients any way you like. This easy udon noodle soup will be sure to please even pickier eaters — they can customize the...
Building a Healthy Pantry: How to Make Perfect Vegetable Stock
Stocks are one of the main building blocks of good cooking. They provide depth to almost everything we use them in without much in the way of added salts or fat. If you don’t have the time to make your own stocks there are obviously many store-bought versions...
Down Home Vegan Collard Greens with a Smoky Twist
I created this recipe while I was the head chef at one of Charlotte’s first vegetarian restaurants, The Peaceful Dragon. We were also 90% vegan. When we started getting close to the holidays I was trying to come up with vegan versions of holiday favorites. I saw a lot...
Grilled Pork Tacos with Black Beans and Salsa Fresca
Tacos are a great way to bring a family together around a table. You essentially make a lot of little great ingredients and then to put them all together in one great grilled pork taco. As the tacos are built to order family members can build them any way they want....
How Collard Chips and Radish Candy Are Teaching Kids to Eat Right
by Rachel Head, a FoodCorps member in Warren County, NC From Potato Chips to Collard Chips Recently, I planned a taste test of baked collard green chips with a group of first graders. I opened the lesson by asking if the kids liked potato chips. As you can imagine,...
How to Achieve Financial Fitness: Fret Less & Save More
More and more employers are realizing the serious impact financial stress has on their employees – specifically the risk it poses to their employees’ health. We know financial stress is a factor that impacts our employees’ overall health, so we’ve partnered with...
5 Ways to Love Your Heart All Year: Heart Health in Focus
It’s time to start thinking seriously about heart health. We mean it — enough of the heart-shaped boxes and cute cards you see during holidays like Valentine’s Day. We want you to love your heart. We shared ways you can have a heart-friendly Valentine’s...
Give Your Heart Some Extra Love this Valentine’s Day
February is Heart Health Month, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, hearts are on the mind. But we’re not just talking about roses and candlelit dinners. We mean taking care of your ticker the inside, and thinking about what it means to give your heart a...
Shake Up Your Breakfast Routine with Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros, or “rancher’s eggs”, is one of the most popular dishes in the country for brunch and for good reason: it’s a great protein power-packed way to start a day. While there are as many versions of Huevos Rancheros as there are...
Measles Outbreak: Could North Carolina Be Next?
Even though measles was considered gone in the United States by around 2000, an outbreak in January that started at Disneyland spread to 14 states (but not North Carolina). So far 102 people have gotten measles. While we don’t know for sure, experts think an...
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Health Care
Grades aren’t generally considered to be matters of life and death, but there is at least one report card that can have grave implications for millions of us. Since 1998, Prevention Partners, a Chapel Hill-based nonprofit devoted to addressing the leading causes of...
Pasta e Fagioli: A Hearty Soup, a Healthy Recipe
This is one of my favorite winter dishes and incredibly easy to make. Many people get put off by the addition of anchovy paste to this soup, but this is definitely something you don’t want to leave out. The anchovy paste is not included for fish flavor, but as a...
Don’t Let This Flu Myth Scare You From Your Yearly Vaccine
A Mother’s Advice I get my flu shot every year. I’ve done this for as long as I can remember, since my mother first insisted I needed one despite my protests that I hated needles. Now, decades later, I still get one, but now I go willingly. Mostly because I...
Beat the Cold with Roasted Winter Vegetable Pasta
With farmer’s markets full of winter roots and squash, it’s time to think outside the box as we wait for the springtime bounty. Try this recipe for Roasted Winter Vegetable Pasta to mix things up a bit. The recipe as written below will serve about 6...
Banh Mi – A Healthy Taste of Vietnam from Chef Geoff Bragg
If you found your way to the 7th Street Public Market in Charlotte mid-January, you probably noticed the amazing smells emanating from the cooking demonstrations going on. Chef Geoff Bragg was behind those delicious — and healthy — culinary flourishes....
Eat These 6 Foods to Help Fight Colds
You can’t always avoid the dreaded head cold, but there are ways you can help boost your immune system to keep your body strong and prepared to fight! But don’t fall for over the counter promises. Believe it or not, just eating healthy and smart can go a long...
Be Grateful All Year: Good For the Heart, Good for Your Health
The holidays are a time of giving and thankfulness, something we keep in mind from November through the New Year. But what happens when season ends? Well, keep thinking gratefully! As it turns out, science has proven that thankfulness is good for you no matter what...
4 Terrible New Year’s Resolutions and How You Can Fix Them
After the gluttony of the holidays, it’s no surprise that we all rush to make resolutions for better living. We’re so stuffed with food and stress (remember that cardinal rule of no politics at the table? Seems like Uncle Van forgot again this year) that we’re at risk...
Men’s Health Focus: Polyps Invaded Bill’s Colon, but Early Detection Saved His Life
Movember might be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop talking about men’s health issues. If you didn’t catch our first post about Matt DiPierro’s inspiring story about his brother’s fight against testicular cancer, you need to...
Movember Men’s Health Focus: Never Ignore the Signs of Testicular Cancer
It’s been a bit hairy around BCBSNC this November, and that means one thing: Movember. Our men are sporting upper lip fuzz in support of Movember, the global men’s health charity that encourages men to grow a mustache for 30 days in November. Why? Statistics show...
11 Ways to Make it a Healthy Holiday Season
The holidays are almost here. And while it’s often a time to relax with family and friends, it can also usher in a season of temptation, where we let our healthful habits slip out of control. Before you know it, you’re not just a few pounds heavier, you’re...
How to Care For Someone With the Flu
According to the CDC, flu season is officially here. While the best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot, the vaccine can take up to two weeks to start working. So what should you do if a friend or family member is sick and you’re their primary caregiver? To...
Depression Hides Behind Many Faces: Knowing Where to Turn
Have you ever woken up sad? Not for any particular reason, really. But no matter what you do, it’s just there? Your sadness colors your entire day. You keep wondering, “Why do I feel so sad? Nothing particularly bad has happened. What’s wrong with me?” Now imagine...
5 Healthy Halloween Hacks Your Kids Will Never Suspect
The scariest thing about Halloween isn’t just the costumes or the walking around in the dark. For many families it marks the beginning of unhealthy holiday eating for everyone involved (don’t pretend you haven’t piliaged your kids’ candy stashes). But it doesn’t have...