Wellness
Live happier, healthier, and tastier. Recipes, fitness, and lifestyle tips await.
Dad bod: Should you love it or lose it?
Are you rocking a dad bod? That’s a term affectionately coined in recent years to refer to guys with extra padding around the middle. If so, you’re not alone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 32 percent of American men age 20 to 34 are...
Buzz off Ticks and Mosquitos!
Summertime is quickly approaching and we all know what that means – warmer weather, longer days and of course, bug bites. While protecting yourself from insects like mosquitos, fleas and ticks are always important, this time of year is especially important. Why?...
How to exercise when you have arthritis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis affects over 50 million adults in the U.S., more than 1 in 4. It is one of the most common chronic conditions in the nation, and the number one cause of disability. If you are experiencing...
What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Health
With the release of the new Star Wars movie, our galaxy’s attention turns once again to heroes, villains and the battle against the evil Empire. The Star Wars movies teach us a lot about courage, friendship, family, even military tactics. But we can also...
It’s not selfish to take care of yourself
Ladies – here’s an important message for us: It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. In fact, it is an act of love. A healthier, stronger, happier you is better able to care for those depending on you. As author Parker Palmer notes, “Self-care is never a selfish...
Yes, I Have Anxiety but I am Okay
Anxiety, for me, usually starts with a familiar feeling of dread. Some people may notice that their heart begins to beat faster. And then you feel as if you can't breathe. I know these signs all too well. It's not always easy to "go to my happy place" but I have...
Planting seeds that will last a lifetime
Spring brings boundless opportunities to get outside. If you’re looking for a new hobby that the whole family can enjoy, consider planting a garden. Why gardening? Gardening is associated with positive health benefits such as stress relief and even...
How to take care of YOU when you’re the caregiver
Although being a caregiver can feel isolating, you are not alone. According to the nonprofit Caregiver Action Network (CAN), more than 90 million Americans care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or old age. The Impact on Caregiver...
“Can’t you just do it for me? Just quit, dad!”
Earth Day has always been about respecting our shared planet promoting conservation. Many Americans point to the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, as the turning point from the casual destruction of the environment toward a more responsible stewardship of our...
10 easy ways to get started with exercise this Spring
Spring is finally here! Everything seems to awaken and refresh in the spring. And it’s the perfect time to think about spring cleaning for our bodies, too. If you’ve been hibernating all winter, it’s time to get outside, stretch your legs and start to exercise again....
North Carolina Thrives on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The farm-to-fork movement has become trendy in many places around the country, but North Carolina was way ahead of the curve on this. A couple of hundred years ahead. Our state embraced the idea of eating fresh, local foods from its earliest days. It’s a part of our...
What is Hashimoto disease? How does it affect those diagnosed?
Over the past few weeks, Hashimoto disease has received an increased amount of online attention. With public figures and celebrities speaking out about their diagnosis, most recently Gigi Hadid, many people are asking – what exactly is this condition and how does it...
Don’t Waste a Cheat Day, Tips for Healthy Lunches
It has been said that lunch is the easiest meal of the day to blow your healthy habits. Sometimes we stop following our behaviors and other times we skip lunch altogether. Why does this matter? Think of lunch like recess – it gives your mind a break and helps you...
More Mediterranean In Your Diet for Better Senior Health
We are all seeking ways to prevent or slow the progression of diseases. We take our vitamins and get our annual physicals, but is it enough? Can A Mediterranean Diet Prevent Dementia? We may choose a diet to lose weight, but what about eating to...
Too Busy to Eat Healthy? Try Meal Prep Vivian Howard’s Way
Celebrity chef Vivian Howard is nationally known for elevating traditional Southern dishes and showcasing North Carolina’s food history. At her restaurant Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, Howard focuses on creative cooking inspired by the state’s ingredients and...
My ‘Deep Run’ Dinner Party
I live for a party. Always. So, when I got my copy of celebrity chef Vivian Howard’s Deep Run Roots cookbook, I knew I had to plan a dinner get-together. I’m admittedly a fangirl of Vivian’s. Through her PBS show, A Chef’s Life, she brings respect and attention to...
Celebrity Trainer Builds Muscle and Confidence in Kinston
Chappriel Pitt works as a personal trainer in Kinston, NC. He’s energetic, excited and inspirational – a powerful combination for someone whose career is helping others to be their best. He also trains celebrity chef Vivian Howard and her team, helping them fit...
Live Your Best Life Now with Michelle Rogers
Hi, I’m Michelle Rogers. I’m a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and senior fitness specialist. I’m also a healthy lifestyle blogger. But being a fitness professional is a more recent development in my life. I’m actually a weight loss success...
8 Nutrition Tips to Power a Healthy Lifestyle
We hear a lot about the power of a healthy lifestyle. It helps prevent chronic diseases, boosts your mood and even helps reduce stress. One of the key factors of a healthy lifestyle is good nutrition. In honor of National Nutrition Month, and to...
5 Nutrition Myths Busted
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to nutrition and health. New studies and tips are coming out all the time, authored by research professionals, fitness gurus and bloggers alike. Most of the time, these studies and tips contradict each other! This makes it...
Let the (Workout) Madness Begin with these 9 tips
March in North Carolina is a time when the weather may drop, but basketball season is reaching an all-time high. The Madness is upon us on Tobacco Road, and whether you’re a die-hard fan or a basketball bystander, it’s pretty much guaranteed you will find yourself in...
Roasted Broccoli Recipes Even a Toddler will Love
I love this recipe because it brings a whole new flavor to broccoli, and it’s also a hit with my toddler – he can’t get enough! If you’re not a big fan of broccoli, this recipe could easily convert you! Did you know that roasting broccoli will bring out a sweeter,...
A mashed sweet potato recipe to make your heart sing
I love experimental cooking. That’s why this recipe makes me so happy. It is nearly impossible to mess up. Plus, there are tons of variations you can use to make it your own. For me, adding in cayenne pepper helps find the contrast between the sweet and spicy...
Blockbuster movie ‘Black Panther’ and Mental Health Conversations Collide
The movie “Black Panther” continues to break records worldwide. Breaking records and creating conversations Director Ryan Coogler blends culturally-relevant messages and historically accurate costumes in every scene. He brings Wakanda, the African land known to...
Everybody Hurts: 8 Things You Might Not Know About Pain
In the old days, life often began with an introduction to an unpleasant sensation called pain. A doctor would grab a newborn baby and give the child’s rear end a slap. When the child squealed in response, everyone would hear proof that the lungs were working just...
Track Your Heart Health with These Tips
Have you read Dr. Wu's recent post dedicated to heart numbers? Your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI and waist circumference numbers are important to know if you want to live healthily and decrease your risk of heart disease. But, knowing these numbers is...
Know Your Numbers For A Healthy Heart
February is most commonly known for the Valentine’s Day, The Superbowl and The Daytona 500, February is also dedicated to heart health. A leading cause of death for men and women Thanks to organizations like the American Heart Association and days like ‘Go Red for...
Have Diabetes? These 6 Tips Can Help You Live Better
March 27 is Diabetes Alert Day. But did you know that approximately 750,000 adults (1 in 10 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...
Are you sick and tired, like me?
I’ve been sick a lot this winter. Minor stuff, but enough to be annoying and prevent me from being my best self. I may get a week or two of good health, but inevitably, I’ll start to feel a tickle in my throat or a pounding in my sinuses – tell-tale signs that I’m...
Make Running your New Year’s Resolution and Live Longer
I remember when I first thought of myself as a runner. I was in first grade and our teacher told us that we were going to run a mile, and whoever finished first would get a prize. I remember feeling like I was weightless as I ran around the field, and was probably a...
Eat this, Not that: Don’t Strikeout at the Stadium
No matter your sport, few things in life match the excitement of attending a game at your favorite stadium. There’s just something about the energy of a sold-out crowd, the sound of live announcers and of course, the smells from the concession stand. Stadiums...
Up Your Soup game with these 6 easy tips
I have a love affair with soup, hopefully, I'm not alone when I say "I love soup." We make soup in our household at least once a week. Grab your Instant Pot or slow cooker of choice in honor of National Soup Month, and let's cook and eat more soup! I have always...
A year of “you”: One busy mom’s journey to a healthier life
A new day, a new challenge. You plan, schedule, and prepare the best you can, but life often gets in the way. Your perfectly scheduled day has been crowded with unplanned circumstances, which you face with too little sleep and too much caffeine. ...
Need to Reboot and Recharge Your New Year’s Resolution? Here’s How
As 2018 approaches, you might be considering some New Year's resolutions. This year will be different, right? 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 about 9 percent of...
6 ways to get more sleep
Chances are, you have had a bad night’s sleep at least once in your life. I recently came to understand the definition of “sleep deprived” once I became a mom. I have had my fair share of sleepless nights and caffeine filled days while embracing...
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...
Flu 101: The Ins and Outs of this Familiar Virus
Chances are that you, or someone you know, has come down with the flu in the past few years. For the 2017-2018 flu season, we are seeing strains of Influenza A (H3N2). At least 42 North Carolinians have died this season due to flu-related infections/complications. The...
Healthy ways to embrace a holiday pumpkin spice explosion
Something about the crisp fall air and the shorter days with golden sunlight that flips a switch in our minds. Suddenly, it’s all about pumpkin. There's pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, it's a pumpkin explosion. Or maybe it’s not just pumpkin, maybe...
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...
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is 40 and Fabulous
Jennifer Pharr Davis insists that you don’t need much more than a pair of sturdy walking shoes to get started on your first hiking adventure. And she knows her stuff. Jennifer held the speed record for hiking the Appalachian Trail (2,181 miles in 46 days, 11 hours, 20...
4 tips to prevent a candy meltdown on Halloween
Get your workout in today Exercise gets our minds clear and we are more likely to crave healthy habits, including eating well. You don't have to have a gym membership, you can do exercises at home, while at work or take a nice walk around your neighborhood. If you...
Detecting Mental Illness: Do You Know the Signs?
At the beginning of October, we recognized World Mental Health Day, a day where people from around the world raise awareness and spread support for mental health. While it is great that we have a period of time dedicated to this cause, mental health needs more than...
Halloween Treats That Won’t Play Tricks On Your Health
OK, let’s all acknowledge right up front that the smartest decision for all of us would probably be to eat fresh fruits and vegetables on Halloween. But let’s also acknowledge that handing out apples and grapes would be like putting a sign in the yard reading: PLEASE...
Surviving and thriving with a breast cancer diagnosis
It only takes a few minutes of being around E.D. Reese (“Reese”) to know that she’s a nurse. You can just tell by the way she truly cares and wants to help every person she meets. And if you’re someone who’s been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, you better...
Do Millennials lead self-care and wellness conversations?
Self-care is a hard commitment to make. We get busy and neglect ourselves. Maybe it's the fast-paced work or a long commute that leaves little time for relaxation. Or maybe the kids come first. For the first time, September is being recognized as Self-Care...
No Gluten, No Problem – 4 Tips for Managing Celiac Disease
Millions of Americans have cut the gluten out of their diet with hopes of gaining energy, shedding a few pounds or feeling healthier. However, while going gluten-free is sometimes voluntary, the lifestyle change is often necessary with celiac disease. By definition,...
Eating whole grains can help prevent 5 health conditions
You’ve seen it on cereal boxes, bread sleeves and cracker packaging – “made with whole grains”. But what does that mean? Can whole grains really improve your health and prevent diseases? In a word, yes. Simply put, whole grains are “unprocessed” grains. Think of...
These simple steps can help you cope with Gestational Diabetes
When your doctor calls and leaves a message while you are pregnant you know something isn’t right. After completing my one-hour fasting glucose test (the diabetes test where you drink the sickeningly sweet drink and then get blood drawn an hour later) my doctor called...
6 things you can do to relax and recharge, today
Life is busy! There is no question that in today's fast-paced world, we work more and relax less. It's really easy to forget to apply the deep-breathing techniques our doctors tell us about at every check-up. The key is to find small relaxing rewards that fit your...
Want to train for fall race? Here are 5 races to consider
Fall is right around the corner and as kids are gearing up for school, it’s time to trade your flip flops for sneakers and train for a fall race! With the promise of cooler days just a few weeks away, I am starting to think about what races I will do this fall....
Urinary Incontinence: You Have Options
We’ve all seen the slightly awkward bladder control commercials on TV. But in reality, those ads are a pretty honest depiction of what it’s like to live with urinary incontinence. Losing control of a bodily function can feel isolating, but if you suffer from a bladder...
Our state’s glorious summer is almost over, seize the day with these local hikes
Celebrated 20th-century philosopher Ferris Bueller reminded us that life moves pretty fast. For most of us, it moves even faster during the summer. When winter comes, we will dream of donning our shorts and hiking boots for a trek on a mountain trail, of silently...
Get your kids outside – but protect their health
I hung a sign in my son’s room that says: “Go outside and play.” I laughed when I saw the sign at Morgan Imports in downtown Durham and knew I had to have it because I say that exact thing at least five times a day to my children. My kids, ages 2 and 7, are...
3 Millennial Health Trends Employers Need to Know
You may have read a lot about millennials, also called Generation Y, on our blog recently. Born between 1981 and 1997, millennials are a big group. As a generation, they face a different set of health care issues than the generations before them. And so will their...
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 kidney...
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...
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...
Over 50? Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer with These 5 Tips
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...
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 cooks in...
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 person is...
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 companionship....
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...