Browsing: Health & Wellness

A new exercise and nutrition initiative is challenging Mississippians to improve their health and fitness, one step at a time.

You might not think of apples as a native crop to Mississippi. Yet, our ancestors, living on homesteads from the Delta to the Gulf Coast, would have enjoyed apple varieties adapted to their specific climate. Your great-great-grandparents would never have seen or recognized today’s popular apples, such as Red Delicious or Granny Smith. Thanks to fruit explorers and orchardists, some of Mississippi’s heirloom apples are making a comeback. 

In Mississippi, summer doesn’t give up easily. The afternoons are still sweltering, but just this week I have started to notice a faint crispness in the morning air. Fall is on its way and that change of season felt especially sweet when a friend left me a basket of homegrown pears on my clinic doorstep. Their golden skins freckled and fragrant. After enjoying a few fresh, I turned the rest into smooth and spicy pear butter, filling the kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and simmering fruit.

Back to school means back to fast-paced schedules and dinner plans staying up in the air. Even though today’s busy lifestyle makes eating together a challenge, it’s worth the effort, even if it’s a few times a week. Studies show that eating with others offers numerous benefits, including nutritional, health, social, and mental advantages. When it’s families that gather around the table together to eat regularly, research supports that it can reduce the risk of depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, while increasing self-esteem and resilience in children.

Summer is officially here in Mississippi! That brings long, hot days and if you have kids, a lot more hungry mouths to feed all day long. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom to two teenage boys, but they are always hungry. That leaves me looking for ways to be creative with snack options that are yummy but that also meet some serious nutrient gaps that Americans often have. A balanced snack usually clocks in around 200-300 calories (or up to 500 calories depending on your overall health goals) and should contain some complex carbohydrates and either protein or healthy fats or both. 

Across the state, residents are commonly referred to physical therapists to regain function after injuries, surgeries, falls and chronic pain. But a national study warns that some patients may soon face longer wait times — or longer drives — to get the care they need. 

A new downtown health clinic is offering an alternative to traditional health care — one designed for those who often go without it. 

Hall Health, which opened May 8, provides primary care without requiring insurance. Patients pay a flat monthly fee and get unlimited visits, longer appointment times and direct access to their doctor — a model aimed at reducing costs and improving outcomes for uninsured and underserved residents. 

When the phone rings for Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources’ Mobile Response Team, Coordinator Martin Moore is ready to respond — one example of an expanding model of mental health care in the Magnolia State. 

The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) recently celebrated a significant milestone with the ribbon cutting of its newly constructed, state-of-the-art therapy playground, funded by a generous grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

Warmer temperatures mean more outdoor gatherings, parties, and picnics. It also means warmer kitchens, less long-slow cooked meals, and a desire for a crisp, cool salad. A hearty pasta salad is one of my favorite things to meet all those needs. When built correctly, a pasta salad is an excellent way to get more of things we need like micronutrients and fiber and less of things we don’t need like saturated fat. 

Aliyah’s journey into healthcare started when she was just a little girl, watching her grandmother make a positive difference in people’s lives as a nurse. At the time, she didn’t fully grasp the impact. But over the years, that quiet inspiration grew into something bigger—a calling she could no longer ignore. When it was all said and done, Aliyah decided to follow the legacy of her grandmother. 

Longer days, warmer weather, and pollen galore only mean one thing: spring has arrived! ‘Tis the season for a new crop of fresh produce and lighter clothes. Springtime’s colorful fruits and vegetables make it easy to paint your plate with good nutrition.

March marks the start of spring and National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In March, Registered Dietitians invite everyone to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Signs of spring are beginning to pop up all around us. The sun is staying out a little longer. The temperature is a little warmer. And the grass, shrubs, and trees are just a little bit greener. With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, you may be looking for ways to make your plate a little bit greener too. 

After Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-biggest food consumption day in the United States. According to a study from LetsGetChecked, the average American will consume about 11,000 calories on Super Bowl Sunday, more than five times the recommended daily calorie intake for the average person. Pizza, wings, chips, and beer can add up to a week’s worth of saturated fat in one evening! Remember, diets high in saturated fats are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Food is such an integral part of southern culture, and New Year’s Day is no different. One of my clearest…