Do you know what a whole grain is? According to the Whole Grains Council, for a grain or food to be considered a whole grain, the entire grain seed must be included in the product. http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/

The next time you or your loved ones come down with a cold or other ailment, consider rushing to your pantry instead of the nearest drug store. The following six commonly used household ingredients are great for treating minor illnesses and saving you a few dollars in the process. As always, use your judgment when deciding whether or not to seek professional medical help.

The annual transition from summer vacation back to school is a difficult time for most children, but it can be an equally stressful period for parents. If you’re like most, you may be worried about how your kids will transition to a new grade. Read on for some practical things you can do to prepare your child for the school year—and set your mind at ease.

Don’t you feel great after taking time to stretch? If you sit at a desk for most of your day, it’s going to be very important for you to stand up and stretch throughout the day! Also, doing specific stretches for your head, neck & shoulders will be helpful in the tension you may feel in this area. Here are some tips:

I love little tips & tricks that can make life easier. In today’s blog, I wanted to share some tips I recently learned that I think are pretty nifty for your good health.

Short on time for working out?

Are you a coffee drinker? I am sure you have read or heard about the good & bad when it comes to coffee and caffeine. Here are 7 pros & cons of drinking coffee. Do you enjoy a cup or two in the mornings? Or, are you drinking a pot of coffee throughout the day? In my opinion, you can drink coffee – and enjoy it. Just stick to less than 3 cups a day and try drinking it only in the morning hours, so it doesn’t interrupt your sleep at night. Be careful of add-on flavors (sugar high!) and other high calorie or high fat creamers. I like the taste of coffee but I drink mine really weak. I know, this is not for everyone (my husband likes a dark, rich coffee) but I add half hot water to my mug and fill the rest with coffee. So, I have the taste of coffee without all the caffeine or acid. Give it a try! Or, you can switch to green tea or black tea if you are limiting caffeine (both have caffeine but less than a regular cup of coffee).

Do you ever feel like your energy is being zapped from you? You start yawning at 3:00pm? You are tired at 7:30pm? Here are some of my favorite simple & quick tips for more energy. When you’re yawning or getting sleepy, you may simply need more OXYGEN to your brain! Or you may need to have a healthy snack to raise your blood sugar. Follow some of these tips for an instant energy boost:

It’s 4^th of July week and I know many of us have picnics and parties at home or a park. You can enjoy the holiday but stay safe with these helpful tips! I’ll be parade-watching, BBQing and playing some corn hole and kickball. Hope you all have a fun & healthy 4^th of July!