April is National Donate Life Month. According to organdonor.gov, each organ and tissue donor can save or improve the lives of as many as 50 people. Find out how and why you should register to become an organ donor and change lives.

What is organ donation?
Organ donation is when healthy tissue and organs are removed from one person and transplanted into another. Some organs, such as kidneys or parts of the liver can be donated while the donor is alive. However, most organ donations occur after the donor is deceased.

Who can donate organs?
Almost anyone can be an organ donor. Certain cancers, infections and AIDS prohibit organ donation, but beyond that donors can be any age or background. You don’t need to be healthy or young to donate. Even children and infants can be donors with parental consent.

Why do people donate organs?
According … Read More »

When you’re pregnant, it’s more important than ever to keep physically fit. According to WomensHealth.gov, healthy pregnant women should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Exercise helps alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of early pregnancy, helps you sleep better, improves your mood and can help you recover more quickly after you have the baby. What are you waiting for? Try these tips to get moving.

Be Realistic
If you worked out regularly before pregnancy, you should be able to continue your workout routine during pregnancy. Just check with your doctor first. If you didn’t work out before, start easy and stick to activities that don’t wear you out or risk injury.

Be Safe
Avoid activities that have a high risk of injury or high impact. Activities like extreme sports, horseback riding and contact sports are not safe for … Read More »

Diet restrictions can seem intimidating when you’re trying to lower your cholesterol. Don’t despair! You can still eat plenty of things that taste great and satisfy your cravings. Use these suggestions to find the best foods and snacks to help lower cholesterol without skimping on flavor.

Snack on nuts
As long as you avoid salted nuts or nuts that have been coated in sugary substances, you’ll be doing your heart a favor. Try heart-healthy options like almonds, peanuts and walnuts. Add them to a leafy salad, eat them by the handful, or use them as a topping on your whole grain breakfast.

Enjoy fish
Fish can be prepared in heart-healthy ways, and it’s great for your body. Fish is low in saturated fat, so choosing fish twice a week can help lower your cholesterol. Avoid frying or breading fish. Try it steamed or broiled … Read More »

Aching for a good night’s sleep? You’re not alone. Even if you have a sleep disorder, there’s help. According to The National Institutes of Health, regular sleep habits can help you sleep better. Find out how to regulate and improve your sleep habits so you can get back to feeling alert and well-rested during the day.

Don’t toss and turn
If you find yourself in bed awake with your mind racing and your body unable to keep still, just get out of bed. Go curl up on your couch with a good book or a magazine. Put on some calming music or something that isn’t too exciting on TV. When you begin to feel drowsy, head back to bed. It might feel like getting out of bed is going to hinder you getting sleep, but in the long run … Read More »

March is National Nutrition Month, the yearly nutrition education campaign of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year's theme is "Get Your Plate in Shape." What you put on your plate is what you put into your body, and what you choose to put in your body can impact your health for the better or worse! In honor of National Nutrition Month, take the time to learn what makes a balanced meal, and add some color to your plate.

A Balanced (and Colorful!) Plate
When preparing a meal, half of your plate should be filled with fruits and veggies! Choose orange, red and darker green vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes and broccoli or spinach. Make sure you also have a lean protein like fish or chicken, and a serving of whole grains such as brown rice or … Read More »