A Healthier Community

The latest health news, trends and expert insights.

Mission Moment: How our funds support our community

The Monroe County Family Coalition is one of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients. Funds will be ...
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Super healthy snacking tips for Sunday’s big game

Four quarters of big-game football can be grueling, especially for those watching at a house party with a big-time buffet ...
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Mission Moment: Member story: How our localism makes a difference

As an active community member and local senior center volunteer, Richard doesn’t like to sit still. However, sciatic nerve pain ...
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Racing toward a challenge

With the Boilermaker 15K presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield just around the corner, we interviewed two first-time runners to get ...
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Extending skills beyond the classroom

After the final bell rings at 2:30 p.m., students and teachers at Nativity Preparatory Academy of Rochester regroup to continue ...
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Maternal Mental Health Awareness

We invite you to join Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in recognizing Maternal Mental Health Month. Mental and behavioral health issues affect ...
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Maternal Mental Health Month – “I didn’t know I was grieving after having my son”

May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the mental health of every mother during and ...
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Neighborhood Haven

The first day Julia Oakley moved into the building in Rochester, N.Y.’s Edgerton neighborhood that would soon be the home ...
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Happy National Doctors’ Day: A message from Dr. Lisa Harris

I am proud and honored to recognize our team of medical, dental, and behavioral health professionals at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield ...
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Collage photos of family

An unexpected special delivery for expectant parents

Expectant mom, Lana Polishchuk’s special delivery arrived four months before the birth of her baby boy. It came in a ...
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Breaking barriers  

“Living our mission and applying an I.D.E.A. (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) Mindset takes all of us,” says Sady Alvarado- ...
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Celebrating and Driving Positive Change for Disability Inclusion

For the second year in a row, our organization has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion! ...
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The Boilermaker Road Race: What keeps you running?

Whether it’s to carry on a family tradition, accomplish a personal goal, or to enjoy the amazing post-race party, every ...
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Perennial runner Bob Bluey gears up for the 45th Boilermaker

With thousands of running races held each year in the United States, Robert (Bob) Bluey has no trouble choosing his ...
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Stop High Food Prices from Inflating Your Waistline

Filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations can be challenging, particularly as we see prices rise at ...
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Boy giving a high five to doctor

A Day to Honor Doctors

On National Doctors’ Day and all year long, we are proud to celebrate the important work of physicians throughout our ...
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AEDs, CPR, and how you can save a life

By Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD You’ve seen signs posted in public places that an AED is on the premises. AED stands ...
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A caregiver holding someone's hands

Why I Will Be in Line for A Flu Shot This Year

For many years, Ann Himmler of Monroe County, was required to get a flu shot every year because she was ...
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Small Steps to Prevent Big Falls: Protecting Older Adults from Injury

I had a reunion of sorts with some old friends from high school. Once we adjusted to seeing each other ...
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5 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress

When I was in high school, there were several years where my mom devoted herself to taking care of my ...
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Teresa’s Grateful for Her Gift of Life

After Teresa Arnold’s 12-hour liver transplant surgery, her doctor told her husband, “It’s amazing she was still alive. Her liver ...
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Picture of woman in mask opening door

Helping Small Businesses in High-Need Neighborhoods Stay Healthy

Ify Azogi’s African and Caribbean Central Market has seen a decline in customers since the pandemic began. The owner of ...
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Picture of a pill bottle

Your Questions About Medication Adherence Answered

The following article was written by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield SafetyNet Medical Directors Sudha Bakshi, MD, and Saba Abaci, MD Often ...
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gingerbread house

Surviving The Annual Holiday Food Fest

Holidays and food go hand in hand, or more accurately, hand to mouth. This time of year can present a ...
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Picture of a scale

Maintain, Don’t Gain: Take Charge of Your Weight this Holiday Season

Did you know that the average American gains 1-2 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s? “While this may not sound ...
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Picture of Karen Goossen

Good Health Begins with Good Food

When the pandemic forced Karen Goossen to close the doors of her business this spring, she knew her income was ...
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Woman standing in a forest

Maintain Your Summer Weight into The Fall And Beyond

With lawns to cut, golf to play, decks to stain, and sweat to… be sweated, summertime is when many people ...
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Picture of a physical therapist

Expert Q&A: Physical Therapists – Who They Are and How They Help

In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, we sat down with Carly Costanza, physical therapist with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to ...
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Picture of woman holding her head in her hands

Domestic Violence: The Silent Epidemic

Lisa Haskins, of Monroe County, wished she spoken up sooner about how domestic violence impacted her family. She wished more ...
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October 16 is World Spine Day: Get Back on Track

When Denise Hull of Genesee County began working from home, she noticed quickly that her body felt different at the ...
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Make Your Health a Priority, Even in a Pandemic

Ever since I turned 40, each year in December I would go to have my annual mammogram. I usually scheduled ...
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Picture of a sunflower field

Trying New Things and Taking Wrong Turns

Our daily routines offer a lot of comfort and efficiency. But, as Bill Murray’s character demonstrates in the movie Groundhog ...
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Why every day is a good time to talk about breast cancer awareness

During the month of October, it’s difficult to ignore the stories, commercials, advertisements, pink T-shirts and other paraphernalia proclaiming Breast ...
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Alzheimers disease purple ribbon

Keeping Their Memories Alive: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Education and Advocacy

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are personal. They impact not just those afflicted, but all the family members and friends around ...
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Picture of a mom holding a baby up over her head

Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week: August 25-31

Making the decision to breastfeed can be a complicated and daunting process for many women. Health experts recommend that mothers ...
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Woman sitting on the step with her granddaughter

7 Ways To Stick To Your Hydration Goal

During the summer – and year-round – our bodies crave water. There’s no way to live without it.  In fact, ...
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Picture of a mom standing by her baby

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Lisa’s world was turned upside down a few months ago. As with many of us, the pandemic changed nearly everything ...
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Picture of a bike wheel

Pedaling Towards Better Physical and Mental Health

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” - John F. Kennedy A few months back, the snow started ...
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Picture of a woman getting her blood pressure taken

Schedule Health Care Screenings You May Have Postponed

As medical practices open for patient visits, it’s time to reconnect with your doctor to discuss care or screenings you ...
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Close up picture of salmon

Don’t Fear The Fat

We used to think that low-fat eating was where it was at for weight control and good health. But as ...
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Mother sitting with her two children in front of a computer

Don’t Let Distance Get In The Way of Connecting

You’ve likely heard this before: staying connected is important for our health.  But have you really thought about why and ...
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COVID-19 Crisis Reveals The Importance Of eMOLST

Most people who are near the end of life lack the ability to make their own decisions about the life-sustaining ...
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Picture of an unmade bed

When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Work: Tips for Calming a Busy Mind and Getting Sleep

It was while I was lying awake at 3:00 a.m. again that I realized something was not right.  I am ...
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Picture of a variety of fruits and vegetables

Helping Our Community – One Meal At A Time

Food banks across New York state are helping families put healthy meals on the table, obtain personal care items, baby ...
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Picture of two adults sitting at a table talking.

Advance care planning is more important than ever

The COVID-19 pandemic is shedding new light on the often-abstract concept of advance care planning. Advance care planning is where ...
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Sudden signs of stroke

Recognizing Signs of Stroke Can Speed Treatment and Limit Damage

Only one-third of adults in New York state say they can recognize the signs of a stroke, according to a ...
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Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone; it does not discriminate

News outlets across the country have reported a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic –when families are essentially ...
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photo of a woman checking her blood sugar

Taking Charge of Your Diabetes – Now More Important Than Ever

Bob Russell was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 25. Today, he is the Upstate New York Area Executive ...
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How A Call to the 24/7 Nurse Line May Have Saved a Life

In honor of National Nurses Week, we’re sharing stories that celebrate the compassion, empathy and kindness demonstrated by nurses and ...
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Picture of a person's shoe being tied on a rock.

2020 Plans and Resolutions Thwarted? Now what?

Many of us start the year by setting New Year’s resolutions or making plans for what we want to accomplish ...
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Photo of a nurse tying a face mask around her head.

Kathy Gorall: How Military and Nursing Training is Helping Patients

The same day she received her nursing degree from SUNY Brockport, Kathy Gorall RN, BSN, was commissioned as a 2nd ...
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Picture of a woman holding a handful of almonds.

Stocking Your Pantry with Healthy Foods That Last

Grocery shopping may be something you used to take for granted. But it’s a little more complicated these days. To ...
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Picture of a get well soon card in a hospital room.

Give Back by Giving Blood

“You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does ...
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Photo of a person sitting barefoot in a park reading

Spring is Here: Get Outside to Do Your Mind and Body Some Good

The New York State Department of Health suggests getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, garden, ride a bicycle or visit a ...
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Sepsis: A deadly condition that happens fast

Something in Jean Hopkins’ gut told her to take her daughter to urgent care. It was after school, and her ...
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Tim Truax

Why I Donated Stem Cells

About three years ago, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Network Analyst Tim Truax felt inundated by stories about children dealing with cancer ...
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Prediabetes: More Common Than You Might Think

Nearly 1 in 10 upstate New Yorkers has been told they have prediabetes. Pat Salzer, a Registered Dietitian and Workplace ...
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How to Skip Traffic and Get a Workout, All Before 8am

The average American commute is getting longer. Between construction, accidents and traffic, it seems there is always something stopping you from ...
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Ins and Outs of a Volunteer Vacation

Planning a summer vacation? Why not  take a trip that makes a difference and lets you explore the world? Consider ...
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How Knowing the Signs of Stroke Saved My Life

“You’re too young to have a stroke!” That’s what I’ve heard countless times since I had my first Transient Ischemic ...
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Out With Bones, In With Beets: Our Ever-Evolving Passover Celebration

I’ve always loved the traditions of Passover, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery ...
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Knocking on doors. Looking under bridges. How we find hard-to-reach members.

Dajia Richardson parked her truck outside a house in a suburb of Rochester, N.Y. She peered at the freshly-fallen snow ...
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Tips for Caregivers: 5 Ways to Help Your Loved One

Like in many families, my mom and my aunts spent several years caring for my grandparents. Each sister had a ...
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Thank you, Henrietta Lacks

Earlier in my public health career, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland. There I met a successful nurse practitioner with whom ...
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A Grandmother’s story: What you need to know about cystic fibrosis

On September 6, 2011, I was introduced to a beautiful new grandson named Owin. All outside appearances indicated that he ...
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Will you join me? New York City at 3 mph

Growing up on Long Island and then while attending college in New York City, I had the opportunity to enjoy ...
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11 Easy Snacks to Help You Sleep Better

Almost everyone loves to grab a snack before they go to sleep. But what you choose to eat could determine ...
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A Daughter’s Story: My Dad’s Life After A Heart Attack

When your 58-year-old dad drops to the floor and dies of a heart attack in a hospital emergency room, you ...
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The Meaning Behind the Teal Pumpkin: Help for Children with Allergies on Halloween

Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Halloween. I remember dressing up as a witch to go ...
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12 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

The first house in my neighborhood ablaze with holiday lights triggered a mini anxiety attack. Lights glowed in the windows ...
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Lori’s story: How I lost more than 250 pounds

Lori Dyer had struggled with her weight for as long as she could remember. She was 412 pounds and had tried every diet ...
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5 Tips for Cutting Soda from Your Diet

You drink over 38 gallons of soda each year. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), ...
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Myth-Busters: Common Misconceptions About Food Labels

Jamie Moore is the Director of Sourcing and Sustainability at Parkhurst Dining. Moore is passionate about teaching people about common misconceptions about the ...
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What You Need to Know About Appendicitis

Do you know what it feels like to have appendicitis? I didn't either. I was attending my first year of ...
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Heat Illness: What to Watch Out For

As the year gears up for August, I’m plagued by memories of sweltering heat, affecting my focus, motivation, and workout ...
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How to Help Those with Depression or Suicidal Thoughts

I was saddened to hear of the two recent celebrity suicides. I was sad for their families and also for ...
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Skin Cancer: What to Watch Out For – A Personal Reflection

Skin is something people take for granted, until the worst happens. It is the largest living organ of the human ...
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Men’s health: How pride and stubbornness almost ruined my well-being

Fall of 2017 had just begun. Changes were coming — I could feel it in the air. And I don’t ...
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Picture of a woman holding a handful of almonds.

Snack Your Way to Your Summer Weight

Healthy snacking might sound like an oxymoron. But there are a lot of benefits to snacking – especially if you ...
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What You Need to Know Before Buying Sunglasses for Your Kid

Sunglasses for kids come in all sorts of fun sizes, shapes and characters. What young kid wouldn’t want police dog ...
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Sage Advice: 7 Tips for Your Herb Garden (Recipes Included!)

I’d rather be cooking than gardening, but there’s something about growing and using my own herbs that’s satisfying to the ...
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Digestive Health – Your Gut is More Important Than You Think

On a recent webinar with Kelly Springer of Kelly’s Choice Nutritional Company, I learned about digestive health and why it’s ...
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What’s the difference between “organic” and “natural”?

If you’re confused about the difference between organic and natural, you’re not alone. While they might sound like the same ...
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Have a Medicare Plan? Take Steps to Protect Yourself Against Fraud

My mom laughed out loud when she got a call from her bank asking if she had purchased hand-crafted men’s ...
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5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

It started with a slight pain in my heel about a week before my wedding. My heel hurt when I ...
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Munch Madness Chompionship!

It's down to the final two contenders for the Munch Madness 2018 “Chompionship”.  This is going to be epic!  Will ...
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Munch Madness!

Beware the Ides of March! As game time approaches, take a peek at some of our most popular recipes. We've ...
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Spotlight on Kelly Springer, a Skaneateles business owner with a national reach

Kelly Springer is the founder and owner of Kelly’s Choice nutritional company, which focuses on sports nutrition, weight loss, workplace ...
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What I learned about getting shingles at 40

I had a rash that would not go away. It didn’t cover a large area, but it was irritating. Waiting ...
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7 Small Ways to Help Stop the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic touches our lives in many ways. Every day, 130 Americans die from opioid overdoses. But there are ...
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Think you have the flu? Here’s what to do

Every time someone near me sniffles, coughs or sneezes, I find myself in a slight panic – oh no, have ...
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From Addict To Leader: One Woman’s Path To Sobriety

Sarah Lee reflects on her sobriety whenever she walks by a corner room on the second floor of the Jennifer ...
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If You Struggle With New Year’s Resolutions …Try This Instead!

I pride myself on being an eternal optimist. I believe I can turn any situation sunny if I smile enough ...
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Cervical Cancer survivor Christine Baze wants everyone to get this vaccination. Here’s why.

Before you decide whether or not to have your pre-teen vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus), you may want to read ...
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Simple Stress-Busting Tips For The Holidays

Lisa Cooper did a small thing the other day that helped lessen her holiday stress. She got home before her ...
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6 Things to Do for Yourself this Holiday Season

Staying healthy (and sane) throughout the holiday season is more than just tackling a holiday weight-loss challenge or cutting back ...
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Spotlight on Alana Hughes and H2 Fitness

Alana Hughes wants to inspire you to feel your best and live a life you love through fitness. Alana turned ...
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Gluten-Free… Is it Really Healthier?

Gluten gets a bad rap these days. But is it deserved? What is Gluten? Gluten is a protein that is ...
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Do’s and Don’ts of Helping Someone Quit Smoking

Don’t smoke? You might think the Great American Smokeout and other quit smoking efforts don’t apply to you. But if ...
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Trick or Treat? Breaking the Holiday Weight Gain Cycle

I’m proud of my self-restraint. There’s a bag of Snickers buried deep in my pantry. It’s the third week of ...
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Breast Cancer Survivor Almost Skipped Annual Checkup

Pam Eadi was diagnosed with breast cancer about 20 years ago. Since then, she has been vigilant and always faithful ...
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If It’s Hard To Be Healthy, You’ll Love This Easy Meal

I recently dined on quite the spread: Homemade corn tortilla chips with southwestern black-eyed pea and corn salad. Oh, and ...
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Fitness After 40

I’ve had the following conversation, or one very similar to it, every August for the past few years upon my ...
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Mobile Dentist Office Comes to RIT

Michael Shea, a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, hadn’t seen the dentist in more than a year. But ...
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Black and white photos

A Walking Lesson in Women’s History… For Boys

"If we want to instill resiliency and develop children’s imaginations, we need to present children with stories about long odds, ...
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Is Diet Soda Healthier than Regular Soda?

I’ve been there. Worried about too many calories or too much sugar, I ordered a diet soda, feeling a little ...
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Arc of Onondaga: Life Comes Full Circle

It’s funny how life can come full circle. Matt Mersfelder of Syracuse has experienced it firsthand. His first “real” job ...
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Too Many Garden Tomatoes? Get Saucy!

I remember watching in horror as my grandmother ate freshly picked tomatoes as if they were apples, gripping them in ...
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9 Tips to Navigate the Farmer’s Market

“Bluerasps” are among my boys’ favorite summertime treats. My oldest invented this delicacy a few years ago at a local ...
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Something You Don’t Do for Your Health

A co-worker recently faced the reality that she had to floss. Cavities were likely on the horizon if she didn’t, ...
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Spotlight on Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez

She is an original member of Garth Fagan's "Bottom of the Bucket, But” Dance Company, the precursor to Garth Fagan ...
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Spotlight on Kecia McCullough

Kecia McCullough, a lifelong Rochesterian, is passionate about bringing people together. Kecia did just that in 2016 when she created ...
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Bipolar Diagnosis Frees Emily’s Fighting Spirit

EDITOR’S NOTE: With the stigma surrounding mental illness, many people are reluctant to seek treatment. After the birth of her ...
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3 Better Breakfasts to Try This Summer

Breakfast should never be boring. If you’re in a morning rut, try one of these better breakfast recipes to brighten ...
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10 Reasons to Join That Wellness Program

Nurcan Sarbudak and Margaret Michailidis are busy, working moms. It took them a while to find the time to focus ...
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Is Being Healthy as Simple as Standing Up?

We all do it. We know we do it. Yet we don’t know how to change it. We sit too ...
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Personal Spotlight on Tim Reed, the Man Behind the Boilermaker

Tim Reed is the president of the world renowned Utica Boilermaker Road Race, which will be celebrating its 40th running ...
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7 Tips for Choosing the Best Sunglasses

Certain slices of Americana are just ingrained into our culture. You know, things like mom, apple pie, pizza, and yes, ...
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A Big Brother Aims to Make the Rochester Tour de Cure the #1 Ride in the U.S.

Chris Gorecki is about to tackle his seventh straight Tour de Cure. He doesn’t participate in the diabetes fundraiser because ...
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How I Learned to Ballroom Dance (Etiquette Tips Included!)

A “Learn to Dance Ballroom, No Partner Required” headline caught my eye in a catalog I was flipping through 18 ...
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It’s Never Too Late to Become a Runner

George Jones sang about not needing a rocking chair when he grew old and that was the tune Laura Vallone ...
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Personal Spotlight on Randy Sabourin of Metro Fitness

Randy Sabourin is the man behind the free Wellness Wednesdays in downtown Syracuse, N.Y. As founder/owner of the Metro Fitness ...
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Healthy Quinoa Summer Salad

There are a lot of great things about the return of warm weather: more sunshine, more time outside, and of ...
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Power Poses: My Good Luck Charm

Stand tall with your hands on your hips! Or, flex your muscles! Do whatever pose makes you feel powerful for ...
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It’s Never Too Late For a New Beginning in Your Life

It was the end of August, late in the evening and raining cats and dogs when my bus pulled into ...
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8 Ways To Pack A Healthy Lunch You (And The Kids) Will Actually Eat

You want to pack a lunch that you and your kids will actually eat. It might seem tough. But with ...
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Telemedicine Saved My Sanity and My Vacation

Some things can’t be avoided—like colds that settle in right before a vacation. And flights that can’t be postponed because ...
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50 Small Changes for a Healthier Life

I’m obsessed with my popcorn popper. My hot-air wonder has been popping healthy treats since before I met my hubby ...
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Personal Spotlight on Nicole Kazimer of Hikyoga

Nicole Kazimer is the founder of Hikyoga, a hiking-infused yoga class in Rochester. Born and raised in Webster, NY, Nicole ...
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MyFitnessPal, My New Best Friend

MyFitnessPal is a food diary, calorie and nutrient tracker and exercise journal rolled into one easy-to-use app. I use the ...
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11 Facts About HPV and Cervical Cancer

Before you decide whether or not to have your pre-teen vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus), you may want to read about ...
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F is for Fridays, Food, and Family

After a long week at work, there’s nothing more comforting than coming home on a Friday night and having some ...
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Conceiving A Miracle: When Getting Pregnant Isn’t A Given

"What are you guys waiting for?" That’s the question friends and family would ask every year at my son’s birthday ...
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Sleep Cycle App Will Kick You Out of Bed, But Gently

The Sleep Cycle app is listed as “essential” in the app store, and for good reason! Sleep Cycle is an ...
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pregnant moms take note

Pregnant Moms Take Note: Sooner Isn’t Better

Reaching the 37th week of pregnancy with both of my boys felt like a big milestone. After heaving my bloated, ...
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12 Ways to Workout on the Cheap

I’ve done boot camp. I’ve joined a gym or two. I’m pretty committed when I join things—I like to get ...
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A dog may be the key to losing weight

Want to Lose Weight? Grab Your Dog’s Leash

Losing weight is…well, hard! Eat healthy, be more active…you know the drill. But getting started and sticking with it are ...
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How I Learned to Avoid Drive-Thrus and Eat Healthier on a Budget

When I moved off campus my junior year of college, I was excited to have an actual kitchen to cook ...
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Finding the Right Gym in 2017

7 Steps to Finding the Right Gym

If you’re like me, you ended the year celebrating the holiday season just a little too much and you’ve started ...
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When in Snow Country, Snowshoe

Some of my friends think I’m odd because I’m one of those people who genuinely look forward to winter. I ...
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Fighting Cancer: A Teenager’s Story of Courage

Being a teenager and going through high school can be difficult. There are classes to keep up with, sports commitments ...
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When Pigs Fly? Pet Therapy Animals no Longer Just Dogs

You’ve probably heard the expression, “When pigs fly.” Umm, now they can. And, miniature horses can too. So can monkeys, ...
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9 easy ways to add vegetables to your meals

9 Easy Ways to Add Vegetables to Your Meals

Vegetables suffer from a bad reputation. “Ugh,” you might think. “They taste terrible and they’re too hard to cook.” It’s ...
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tell me how you want to die

No Pie Until You Tell Me How You Want To Die

Our family’s unique Thanksgiving tradition has little to do with food or football. It has everything to do with our ...
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is my child a bully?

Is My Child a Bully? (7 Tips for Parents of Bullies)

Most parents take strong positions against bullying, until THEIR child is accused of being the bully. "Not my child!" they ...
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The Hidden Culprit That Might be Changing the Color of Your Toddler’s Poop

Many moms are obsessed with the color of their toddler’s poop. But, did you know that the color of your ...
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Is 6 hours of Sleep Like not Sleeping at all?

Lack of sleep isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a public health problem. If you have trouble falling asleep at night ...
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12 Family-Friendly Apple Farms in Upstate New York

My toddler began his first apple picking trip by collecting the rotten fruit off the grass, offering them to me ...
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I Never Saw a Tick on Me. But I Still Caught Lyme Disease.

I never saw it on me. After years of walking the dog, hiking and trail running, I was trained to ...
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Race Day Checklist – 9 Tips Before Hitting Your Next Starting Line: 5ks, Half-Marathons and Mud Runs

I trained hard for my first Tough Mudder, a mud run through an obstacle course that included barbed wire and ...
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Am I Selfish if I Don’t Get a Flu Shot? 3 Unexpected Reasons Why I’m Getting the Vaccination This Year

I don’t like needles, never have. But, every year I’ve gotten a flu shot, because I’ve been told that it’s ...
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