By Sharon Wagner If you’ve ever asked yourself “What are my chances of needing — and paying for — long-term care?” then this article is for you. Many seniors find Medicare invaluable when it comes to healthcare coverage, but they are often surprised to learn about critical healthcare needs it does not cover. Long-term care, […]
By Aparna Mele, MD There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Add brain health to them! One study conducted at the Mayo Clinic showed that people who regularly engaged in moderate exercise five or six times per week later in life reduced their risk of mild cognitive impairment by 32 percent compared with more […]
By Maria Alcoke It was recently Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and I wanted to remind all Moms out there that our mental health matters and that we are enough. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt “less than” as a mother: that there is never enough of me to go around, […]
By Matilda Davies Most healthy adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise of 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. Exercise fights stress, anxiety, and depression, can help you get better sleep, boost your heart health, improve brain function, build muscle strength and definition, maintain a healthy weight, and even reduce […]
By Kim Thomas, Us Health Corps Losing even just a bit of weight can be difficult, but overriding a lifetime of bad habits that have led to obesity is a big challenge. You will be bombarded with contradictory information on how to lose weight quickly and effortlessly, but these methods are short-lived and can actually […]
By Erica Wennell, My Gut Instinct Board Member We often hear that our children are our greatest asset, the door to the future. How can we help them build confidence in their financial future? One good answer is a credit union savings account. By encouraging regular savings at Sun Federal CU, you prepare your kids […]
By Laural Miller, My Gut Instinct Board member Stress wreaks havoc in us. This happens whether we physically feel stressed or not. When our body is triggered and the flight or fight mode is activated, no matter how big or small the stressor; our bodies can be set on fire. Now, not all stress is […]
By Paige A. Mitchell, Freelance Writer & Reviewer Mindfulness is all the rage right now, but what does it really mean? We’ve heard of eating mindfully, living mindfully and increasing our ability to be mindful by staying off our phones and maybe even doing some yoga. A good all-purpose definition is that mindfulness is the […]
Contributed by Michael Nash from My Fitness Boutique Our greatest intentions to go to the gym regularly can be obstructed by a lack of free time or the growing cost of gym memberships. If your gym plans hit a brick wall and remain unfulfilled, why not try these 30-minute high-intensity workouts at home? No need […]
By Aparna Mele Traveling, whether for business or pleasure, does not necessarily have to mean leave your fitness goals behind. It is true that when it comes to reaching your fitness goals, consistency is always crucial to success. Still, while travel workouts are obviously great if you can fit them in, don’t stress about taking […]
By Aparna Mele, MD March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in both men and women in the United States with an estimated 140,000 cases a year. Colorectal cancer is significantly higher among minorities, and African Americans have higher mortality rates and higher incidence rates of […]
By Laurie Larson We’ve all been sleeping all of our lives; that’s a no brainer. What you may find alarming to learn is that you may be doing it all wrong. There are obvious connections between our sleep and our health. When we lose out on sleep, our health begins to suffer. Chronically skipping out […]
By Laurel Miller, MGI Board Member and Professional Life Coach Duality. It is the art of seeing and being at two different spectrums at what feels like the same time. Moving into 2019, make your personal theme to both inhale AND exhale. Doing vs. Being I have learned over my personal journey the last few years […]
By Francine M. Scoboria, Communications Coordinator at Safe Berks For many of us, eating a healthy and nutritious diet and exercising several times a week is a difficult challenge. We are busy people – working, driving our children to band practice and basketball games, washing dishes, folding laundry, paying bills…the list of tasks goes on […]
By Cara Wojciechowski, MT-BC Music Therapist at Tower Health Reading Hospital Music is universally used as a means of coping, healing, communicating, and socializing. However, many people are unaware that music therapy is a clinical, evidence-based profession that targets clinical goals using various music interventions. I first learned about music therapy through a volunteer experience […]
Source: National Center for Environmental Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Make sustainable holiday choices when you are shopping, traveling, sending cards, decorating, and choosing gifts. When you save energy and resources, you protect the environment and safeguard health both now and for the future. Are you one of those organized people who are […]
By Yuriko Beaman, M.S. We have a large quantity of items in our homes, and it elevates our stress levels. A team of social scientists has demonstrated that clutter in homes increases women’s stress-hormone levels. In a 10 year study published in Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century, authors Jeanne E. Arnold, Anthony P. […]
By Kim Thomas of US Health Corps Digestive problems can wreak havoc on your quality of life. Gastrointestinal issues don’t only leave you uncomfortable, but they also make it difficult to maintain a normal life. After all, it’s hard to be present in a business meeting or social gathering when you’re constantly worried about finding […]
Written by: Andre Young Success, our dreams, and our desired lifestyle as People, Partners, Parents, and Professional… are all found in our language. You have the ability to speak your dreams into success if when you intentionally chose the proper language, influence the proper daily action, and maintain an EVOLVED mindset… but it all starts […]
By Aparna Mele Boot camp workouts come in all forms theses days, from bridal themed boot camps for toning people up for their nuptials, to military style varieties to increase fitness prowess. Some emphasize cardio and aerobic fitness, while others focus on strength training or weight loss. All, however, share certain features that include serial […]
By Crystal Kulpcavage of Seeking A Sense of Purpose “Mommmmmmm. I’m borrrrred.” Ugh. Nails on a chalkboard fade in comparison to the way that whine makes my skin crawl. I knew motherhood would present a lot of new challenges to me, but the expectation to be a constant entertainer was not one I saw coming. […]
By Kim Thomas of US Health Corps Are you looking for some simple ways to improve your overall health? Then you will be happy to know that staying healthy doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Some of the most effective strategies for strength and wellness start with a shift in your […]
By Sarah Luber, DO Tower Health Reading Hospital Many “diets” have been developed in attempts to help persons lose weight, reduce risk factors for chronic disease, and to improve overall health. Plans such as South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, and Paleo Diet are widely utilized and have shown short term successes, primarily in weight loss. […]
By Freya Oostingh Alzheimer’s and hope are two words you seldom see together. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death and the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.” It is estimated that by 2050, ONE HALF of adults over […]
By Megan Elbaum You reach into your bathroom cabinet and realize your favorite mascara and face wash are almost empty. You head to the local store and browse the aisles for your favorite products. Maybe you look for some items currently on sale. Did you ever stop to think to yourself, “What’s in these products?” […]
By Dr. Donna Kulp, Chiropractor and Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist with Diplomate Degree in Clinical Nutrition. There are two types of people when it comes to health and wellness. The first type believes he/she is generally a healthy individual. She chooses whole wheat bread over white bread, purchases organic vegetables when they are available; she […]
Did some financial planning and it looks like I can retire at 62 and live comfortably for eleven minutes. By David Rabenold, Regional Vice President of Primerica Financial 8 RULES OF FINANCIAL WISDOM Have a Current Written Financial Plan You can’t reach your destination if you don’t know what it is. A financial GPS […]
By Julia Nickey, Regional Director, Marketing & Communications Penn State Health St. Joseph Did you know there are four critical health numbers that measure your overall health? Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI are key indicators of your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Knowing these numbers – […]
By Aparna Mele Core-crunching tips from our favorite reptile! Perhaps it isn’t a coincidence that I am kicking off my summer with a trip to Florida when I chose to write this, but I was inspired to up my fitness game when I was observing the American crocodile stealth across the ground. When noting the […]
By Kim Thomas of US Health Corps For people with diabetes, keeping close tabs on blood sugar levels is essential, even when they’re feeling fine. But there is much more to managing the chronic condition than simply monitoring glucose levels and managing medications. Your diet, lifestyle, and even your support system can have a huge […]
You’ve seen her life-size figure running around Berks, but lately she’s been prepping for her anticipated travels around the country! Gutsy Girl has downsized to get portable-ready for traveling…quite literally. Meet Mini-Gutsy, our tabletop mini version of Gutsy Girl On The Go, created by the talented Ann Chase and Sharon McGinley of Googleworks Center For […]
If You Want to Change Your Life, Start with You By Kim Thomas There is nothing worse than looking at someone else’s life wishing you could be in their shoes. But here’s the thing: your shoes fit just fine; you just need to break them in. If you want to improve your life, you have […]
By Aparna Mele Part of a parent’s job is to teach our kids to be self-reliant and prepare them for the hard knocks and tough breaks in life. While we never want our children’s lives to be difficult, how can we set them up for success in the today’s competitively spirited world, if they don’t […]
By Aparna Mele Earth Day is a time to honor and respect our beautiful planet, bring global awareness to the environmental issues we are facing, and shed light on ways we can each help to protect the earth as citizens of this planet. With the perils now facing our Earth, it has now become critical […]
By Erica Wennell, Commercial Lender with Customers Bank and Board Member of My Gut Instinct Credit reports and credit scores can be an intimidating thing to face. Having worked in the banking industry for 12 years I’ve met with many people who were scared of their credit report. If you’re feeling anxious about your credit […]
By John Monteleone, Head Trainer at Wyomissing Fitness “I believe that children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.” That is the classic lyric from “The Greatest Love of All.” Yes, the children are our future! However, how can we expect to teach them with poor nutritional choices, increased […]
By Aparna Mele Not all training needs to happen in a gym. Many of us can get a phenomenal workout in the great outdoors. Life is full of stressors that chip away at us every day and that our bodies have to absorb: non-stop technology, the work-life imbalance, stressful social interactions and home situations. Even […]
By Ariana Fantasia-Davis Intern and Coach // Girls on the Run of Berks County The time between third and eighth grade is crucial to the development of young girls as it is the time they begin to encounter struggles that will test their self-confidence and challenge them to make decisions that will define the type […]
By Aparna Mele Pyeong Chang, Republic of Korea will host the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, Feb 9-25, 2018. The Olympics are a spectacular celebration of the world’s best athletes, all convened together to achieve the highest levels of athletic accomplishment and success in the world. The games, the scores, the advertising—they fill our TVs and […]
By: Maria Alcoke, Founder & Host of The Engine Mom Podcast, CF-L1 Trainer We make hundreds of decisions every day. From the moment we wake up, “Should I hit snooze or get up?”, “What should I wear today?”, “What am I having for breakfast?”, etc. We’re making even more decisions if we have children to […]
By Kathleen Jones, MSACN, CNS Nutritionist at The Vitamin Shoppe in Wyomissing The most wonderful time of year can leave a lot of us feeling defeated, and not ready to take on the New Year. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By following a few simple steps, you will be able to successfully […]
By Jeanine Dorman, Lactation Consultant with Berks County Breastfeeding Coalition One can’t talk about breastfeeding without talking about the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother as well as the baby. It is species specific and every mother’s milk is specifically designed for her baby. A mother’s milk changes throughout the day […]
by: Debbie Stiller, Director of Wellness and Aquatics / Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex A friend of mine just asked my opinion on wearable fitness trackers. She wonders if seeing that thing on her wrist will motivate her to move. She is wondering if it will make her more accountable … more able to stick […]
By: Rachel Romig In early 2017 the annual Women2Women Spring Expo here in Reading, PA showed the video of their interview with the family of Katherine Johnson, the mathematician behind NASA and of “Hidden Figures” fame. The focus was Katherine’s amazing accomplishments during a time that not only didn’t recognize women as higher figures in […]
by: Crystal Kulpcavage, MBA, CPC, ELI-MP, RM Although I was afraid to admit it to myself or anyone else, I was in a dark and heavy place. The stress had built up over the years, my mind owned me, and no matter what I tried, few aspects of my life were what I wanted them […]
By: Dr. Barton Smith, MD Preface: by Dr. Aparna Mele Why save farmland? Quite simply, without local farms, there is no local food. So by protecting the nation’s best farm and ranch land, we can improve the economic viability of agriculture, and by promoting community and small family farms, we can protect local food systems. […]
by: Rachael Romig My husband and I recently bought a house and while it was beautiful and in great condition there were things that we wanted to update and change to make it our own. Being a new homeowner I went in on my first day with my lists of things to do, things to […]
Freedom enables us to make choices. We often take this granted. Of course, freedom means many different things. Freedom means feeling less bogged down and less burdened. Having the time to focus on a new hobby, to focus on developing good health, and to focus on building relationships. Freedom means not being bound to current […]
by: Allison Witmer, B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University With warm weather finally upon us, we’re using any excuse we can to get outside, including while making dinner. Sure, your grill is great for classics like hamburgers and hot dogs, but it’s time to step it up! Try grilling these items for an […]
The workforce in the United States has tremendously shifted over the past fifty years. For most Americans, a typical workday does not involve manual labor. With the advance of technology, occupations have become more sedentary. Not including sleeping, the average American worker is seated for 10-13 hours per day. If you add in eight hours […]
May brings Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate our moms and mother figures, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. But more than this, the love and attention of a mother, father, or caregiver molds who we are. What is the role of a parent in the early development […]
by: Jordan Scroble, Grow Your Own Freedom As we develop a deeper connection with our food we begin to see more of its inherent value. Food is nourishment. It provides our body with the fundamental building blocks and nutrients that it needs to function. Of course, the wrong types of food can wreak havoc on […]
By Jordan Scroble of Grow Your Own Freedom As gardeners and everyday inhabitants of the Earth we create waste. Waste is something leftover after a project we worked on. Waste is something no longer of value to us or perhaps we never placed value on it to begin with. Waste might be garden debris, fallen […]
According to the U.S. Census in 2013, more than 35.5 million Americans listed their heritage as Irish. So, it is not surprising that for many Americans the month of March has become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day, and the chance to embrace Irish culture. Also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, St. Patrick’s Day […]
By Marc Cuzzuppe Co-founder and Managing Member of ALPHA AESTHETICS, LLC The concept of happiness is one of great debate. There is a commonly held belief that our experience is determined by our outside world. The flip side to this coin is the idea that money can’t buy happiness and that we create our own […]
A healthy diet is one of your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. Simple tips for a heart healthy diet can keep heart disease away! Stay away from the S’s! That means salt, sugar, starches, and saturated fats. Sodium functions in the body to retain fluid, and as a result, raises blood pressure, which increases […]
February is American Heart Month. Despite continued advances in medicine, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. One in every 3 deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equaling 2,200 deaths per day. Each February marks the campaign to increase awareness of heart disease and focus […]
Freedom enables us to make choices. We often take this granted. Of course, freedom means many different things. Freedom means feeling less bogged down and less burdened. Having the time to focus on a new hobby, to focus on developing good health, and to focus on building relationships. Freedom means not being bound to current […]
Heart disease is the number one killer in women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute! But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. Well-known symptoms of heart attack include chest pain and radiating discomfort into the left arm. […]
Feeding a family can be an expensive so it’s unfortunate when unused food goes to waste. More than 1/3 of food produced globally is wasted or spoiled. Americans throw away up to 40% of the food they buy, and organic matter in landfills provides 20% of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes considerably […]
Once cold weather hits, a bowl of cereal just doesn’t cut it. But deciding how to keep a comforting wintertime breakfast meal healthful can be a challenge. When it is freezing cold outside and the snow is falling, many of us crave bacon, eggs, pancakes, and cinnamon buns. Problem is, these foods can really kill […]
Think about how many hours per day you spend sitting. Now, think about how many hours per day you spend on your feet? In this article, I will mention some of the detriments of being sedentary, as well as several simple adjustments that you can do to ensure that your body is at its optimal, […]
By: Kevin Spyker Certified Healing Foods Specialist & Weston A. Price Foundation Chapter Leader Turns out Great-Grandma may have been right all along… Baking soda, vinegar, mason jars, salt, butter, tallow, bone broth, porridge, and yes… liver… The simple tools and ingredients of a bygone era are making a well-deserved comeback, and the deeper […]
When boutique fitness classes, gym memberships, and pricey trainers can break the bank, it may seem like fitness is totally unaffordable. But you can get a great workout at home by stocking up on these highly affordable basics! Jump Rope: A versatile tool that can build up your endurance and stamina and meets your cardiovascular […]
You’ve picked a new diet, found a new workout plan, made a list a habits to change, and told yourself, “I’m going to get back in to shape this time!” You stick to your strict regimen, and after a few days or a week, you fall off the wagon and go back to your old […]
The holiday season can make it hard to stick to your fitness schedule. Between the chillier temps, holiday pies, land cross-country travel, it can be pretty tough to stay active during the holiday season. Family obligations, work parties, and last-minute shopping means that hitting the gym often gets delayed or crossed off the schedule altogether. […]
A lot of people are “going green” with their menus, buying food that is sustainable, local or organic. Some of those eating greener decide to grow their own food and compost all of their waste, while others are using reusable bags at the grocery store. However you decide to make food decisions that are environmentally […]
During the holidays, we are forever surrounded by food and the ever-present temptations of rich meals and indulgent portions. With so much accessibility to eating, how do you prevent that unpleasant holiday weight gain? The answer is MINDFUL EATING. Mindful eating is defined as the practice of being mentally present and aware, while you consume […]
The medicinal ritual of sipping tinctures made from tea leaves began during the Hun dynasty, 206 years before the birth of Christ. All tea, including white, green, oolong, and black, comes from the family Camellia sinensis. However, the word “tea” has evolved into a loose term that encompasses not only, the sometimes oxidized, fermented or […]
There’s more to pumpkins than simply being Halloween jack-o’lanterns. They actually have many health benefits too! Pumpkins are rich in fiber, which keeps you feeling full longer. However, despite being filling, they are also low calorie, with less than 50 calories per serving of canned pumpkin, which by the way is also about 90% water! […]
When training, no athlete wants a cold to run him down and limit his exercise program. Enter the diet, which can boost immune function and lower the risk of illness. To maintain your immune system, follow an individualized eating plan that is well-balanced and meets your energy, carbohydrate, protein, and micronutrients needs. Determine your fueling […]
When Halloween comes and goes, what do you do with all those jack-o-lanterns and decorative pumpkins? The obvious choice is to use them in delicious recipes. However, carved pumpkins start to quickly spoil after sitting out for 24 hours, making them potentially unsafe to eat. However, there are so many other clever ways you […]
Do you typically just plant all of your veggies and herbs at one time in the Spring? If not, how many crops do you get out of the exact same garden bed space? Did you know that even in the Northeast United States you can get up to 5 harvests from the same space? By utilizing […]
Penn State Berks offers the Exercise Science baccalaureate degree in Kinesiology. Kinesiology is the study of movement and the Exercise Science option offers students courses covering exercise physiology, motor control, exercises and sport psychology, sport history, sport philosophy, and biomechanics. Why is Kinesiology so important? Movement is the key to a better quality of life. […]
A few months ago I was sitting at my desk at work and realized that I wasn’t happy. Sure, I was happy but I wasn’t fulfilled. I wasn’t challenged, I wasn’t excited to take part in extracurricular activities, I was just…meh. That was never me! I wasn’t sure when it happened, but I was bored! […]
We all know that when you support local farmer’s markets, you should have a much greater likelihood of knowing exactly where the food and other products you buy come from. If you have questions, your farmer will be there answer them. If you want to find out how they care for their chickens, someone should […]
We are always super excited to start gardening in the Spring but as the Summer days approach 100 degrees with high humidity the garden can tend to be neglected a bit. Here are a few helpful tips and reminders to keep your garden thriving during the peak of the gardening season and beyond. Beat the […]
Choosing healthier foods is easier than you think. By altering a few eating habits, you can make a big difference to you diet and is the most achievable way to lose weight. For our longevity and long term health, we are all encouraged to make healthier choices to help cut the excess saturated fat […]
Not only is breakfast the jump start everyone needs to energize their day, but breakfast is also linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance (as long as you choose a healthy breakfast of course). Breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast – that’s where its name […]
By Marc Cuzzupe, Co-Founder and Managing Member of Alpha Aesthetics Humans were not designed to live sedentary life styles. Nor are we destined to live in a state of depression and sadness. It is my belief that we were created to move, work, laugh, and love one another. To want what is best for ourselves […]
How blemished food can feed the planet… Nearly 800 million people worldwide suffer from hunger. SO why is it that 2.9 trillion pounds of food, about a third of the planet’s production, are discarded each year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations? That is enough to feel every one of […]
Are you thinking about starting your first vegetable garden but don’t really know where to begin? Have you been gardening for a few years and aren’t completely satisfied with the results? Are you just looking for a few tips to jump start your gardening mojo? I am going to share with you my 5 favorite […]
Want to grow your own food but don’t have any land to speak of? Here’s how to raise your veggies in pots that can sit pretty on a porch or even a fire escape. Wherever you garden, containers are a good choice for solving the conflict between intrusive weeds and roots and your vegetables. The […]
Most dieters agonize over what to eat for their dinner. Now, research has suggested that those who want to lose weight should think instead about the plates on which they serve their meals. Does the color of your plate affect how much you eat? A new study by Dr. Brian Wansink et al from Cornell […]
Why aren’t you growing the best food ever? Everybody’s doing it. Start a veggie garden to grow your best tomato ever! I don’t need to bore you with the nutrient profile differences between fresh produce picked at the peak of ripeness and eaten within 30 minutes and produce that has been sitting around for a […]
Random Acts of Kindness Week is upon us! Observed during the second full week of February, this week is dedicated to promoting the idea of committing one random act of kindness each day during the week. It’s certainly not time consuming or hard, and it can be as simple as smiling at a passerby, helping […]
3,2,1. Happy New Year! It’s customary to ask people during the first week of the New Year about their resolutions. What if just this once, we stuck to it? What if just this once, we chose something to motivate us when we waiver? What if just this once we committed and were able to look […]
In the colder months, salads are often pushed aside in favor of steaming soup. However, with a few modifications, salad can be expanded as a deliciously rich and savory meal for the winter, with bright fresh flavor combinations to celebrate the season! With the bitter cold of winter weather, choosing food with warming qualities as […]
The number of farmers’ markets nationally is growing, fueled by an increasing interest among consumers in buying local food and supporting more sustainable food sources. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there has been a 67% increase in the number of farmers’ markets since 2008, with more than 7,800 listed in the USDA’s National […]
The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends. But unfortunately, with all the holiday parties and family gatherings, it also becomes a time for over-eating and weight gain for many. “Weight gain over the holidays is a large part of the typical weight gain that adults have over the years,” notes […]
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