Shanthi Appelo

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.
Diet and Nutrition

Celebrate Dog Appreciation Month with Activity and Homemade Treats

Did you know that more than one-third of families in the U.S. have a dog, and most people consider their dogs as family members? As our furry friends are part of our family, it's essential to take care of their health. Making your own healthy dog treats can be easy and requires only a few simple ingredients.

Diet and Nutrition

No-bake Pumpkin Bites

These no-bake bites are made from healthy and delicious ingredients for your furry friend. The recipe comes together in just 5 minutes and is ready to serve within an hour.

Diet and Nutrition

Blueberry Pup-accino

Dogs go crazy over this recipe and it requires no visit to the drive-through. Simply add a few staple household ingredients to a blender, scoop and serve.

Diet and Nutrition

The Link Between Stress and Nutrition  

The link between stress and nutrition is bi-directional, meaning they both affect each other. Stress can affect our eating habits, especially the chances of unhealthy choices or overeating. Additionally, poor nutrition and diet choices can exacerbate or increase levels of stress.

Diet and Nutrition

3 Elevated Grilled Cheese Recipes

Grilled cheese sandwiches have long held a cherished spot in the hearts and stomachs of many, not just kids. In fact, according to a 2019 YouGov survey, grilled cheese reigns as the most popular sandwich among Americans.

Diet and Nutrition

Pizza-inspired Grilled Cheese

In this recipe, melty fresh mozzarella alongside your favorite pasta sauce and Italian herbs come together for pizza flavors without the effort. In general, mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than other cheeses, making it a heart healthier option.

Diet and Nutrition

Fig and Pear Grilled Cheese

This recipe puts a sense of class into a grilled cheese. The bitterness of the Brie cheese is perfectly accompanied by the fig jam. If you don’t have fig jam, any other type of jam will provide a hint of sweetness to cut the bitterness.

Diet and Nutrition

Buffalo Grilled Cheese

This recipe has that kick of buffalo everyone loves – the tang from the vinegar and the kick of heat from cayenne. Both the avocado and jack cheese adds a creamy component that literally makes this a melt-in-your-mouth meal.

Diet and Nutrition

3 Spring-inspired Mocktail Recipes

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which sheds light on the role of alcoholic beverages in our lives. Alcohol is a central component of social gatherings, celebrations and moments of relaxation. As spring arrives, and the opportunities for celebration increase, consider trying one of these refreshing mocktail options.

Diet and Nutrition

Ginger Lemon Mocktail

Ginger and lemon are ideal flavor combinations for a refreshing beverage. In this balanced mocktail, citrus provides a refreshing acid profile, honey balances it with sweetness while the ginger adds a hint of spice.

Diet and Nutrition

Grapefruit and Thyme Refresher

This refreshing mocktail recipe is citrusy with light hints of woodsy and savory elements from the thyme. The grapefruit’s bitterness mocks the taste of alcohol, while its tartness is balanced with honey.

Health and Wellness

How Caffeine Impacts Your Body

From morning coffee to snacking on chocolate bars or grabbing an energy drink, caffeine is a big part of people’s daily diet in the United States.

Person Holding Coffee Cup Having Headache
Food and Recipes

Three Healthy Sandwich Recipes for Leftover Hard-boiled Eggs

Leftover hardboiled eggs can be used for a range of things like snacks, salads and sandwiches. Check out these sandwich ideas to make the most of the Easter leftovers.

Food and Recipes

Pesto and Sautéed Spinach Egg Sandwich

This nutrient-dense sandwich features garlicky pesto and sautéed spinach for a rich base. Tomatoes and mozzarella add additional Italian elements for this filling egg sandwich.

Pesto and Sautéed Spinach Egg Sandwich
Food and Recipes

Scandinavian-inspired Smoked Salmon Egg Sandwich

This toast features Scandinavian influence of flavors including rye bread, smoked salmon with lemon, peppery arugula, crisp English cucumber and mustard.

Scandinavian-inspired Smoked Salmon Egg Sandwich
Food and Recipes

Avocado Egg Toast with Fresh Sprouts

This protein-rich avocado toast features heart-healthy fats from the avocado, protein from the eggs and a host of health benefits from the seasonal sprouts.

Avocado Egg Toast with Fresh Sprouts
Food and Recipes

Welcome Spring with Three Healthy Recipes

During March and April, Michigan experiences a bounty of spring produce including cool-weather crops. Try one of these spring-inspired recipes to make the most of the season’s produce.

Food and Recipes

Crispy Broccolini and Mushrooms with Gochujang Noodles

This recipe showcases the famous Korean spicy-sweet paste, gochujang, heart-healthy olive oil, a hint of honey and plenty of garlic. The result is a delicious sauce that coats fettuccine noodles.

Food and Recipes

Beet Whipped Feta with Orange Zest

This vibrant recipe is perfect for spring entertaining. Greek yogurt, which is rich in calcium, vitamin D, probiotics and protein, serves as a creamy base for this dip. Beets add a bright pink color as well as antioxidants.

Food and Recipes

Pistachio Crusted Salmon with Roasted Asparagus

This is a simple and heart-healthy recipe perfect for family weeknight dinners. The dish features salmon brushed with a mixture of Dijon mustard and honey that sticks the rich breading of panko breadcrumbs and pistachios.

Community

Planning for a Healthy, Sustainable Spring  

Make spring your healthiest, most sustainable season yet with these easy tips for your home and outdoor areas.

Happy woman with Down Syndrome ready to planting flowers. Gardening.
Food and Recipes

Three Non-Alcoholic St. Paddy’s Day Drinks

Here are three delicious and easy-to-make non-alcoholic St. Paddy's Day drinks that are perfect for celebrating the holiday.

St Paddy Day drinks
Food and Recipes

Three Healthy Cabbage Recipes

Incorporating cabbage into your diet can provide numerous health benefits. Here are three healthy cabbage recipes to try.

cabbage
Home and Family

Signs of Feeding and Eating Disorders in Children

Feeding and eating disorders are considered mental health disorders and medical illnesses. Understanding the types, signs and symptoms is important, regardless of an individual’s age and gender. 

Food and Recipes

Paczki-Inspired Pancakes

Skip the line for Paczkis this year, head out to the grocery store, and come home and make these Swedish-style pancakes with a raspberry sauce instead.

Paczki-inspired pancake with raspberries
Food and Recipes

Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes for Dummies

Putting together a three-course meal for a special someone on Valentine's Day can feel overwhelming. The good news is it doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out this easy three-course line-up with health-forward dishes.

Food and Recipes

Air Fried Breaded Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is an Italian-American staple and an ultimate comfort food. If you’re looking for a lighter option to the deep-fried dish, this air fried version skips the heavy fat and crisps up similar to the real deal.

Food and Recipes

Bruschetta with Garlic Baguette Slices

While bruschetta involves simple ingredients and a few simple steps, this appetizer is full of flavor. The bruschetta topping is prepared a traditional Italian way, leaning on the simplicity of the herbs and tomatoes to deliver mouthwatering bites.

Food and Recipes

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate-covered fruit is a delectable treat that leans on fruit for natural sweetness. To get a perfectly coated strawberry, it’s important to first wash and dry the fruit to allow for a stable surface for the chocolate to adhere to.

Food and Recipes

3 Easy Appetizers for the Big Game

Watching a football game makes it easy to mindlessly snack and forget about portions. It’s a good idea to mix in some lighter appetizers for nutrients and balance. Here are three easy appetizers to enjoy during the next big game.

Food and Recipes

Healthy Nacho Cheese Sauce for Loaded Nachos

This healthy nacho cheese sauce recipe features a cottage cheese-based cheese sauce that packs in filling protein and gut-healthy probiotics while reducing the overall saturated fat of the dish. Use it for loaded nachos during the big game.

Food and Recipes

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

These mozzarella sticks are tossed in flour, covered with beaten egg and then drenched with an Italian herb-seasoned parmesan cheese panko breading. Rather than the traditional deep-frying, these are lightly coated in olive oil then baked until crispy.

Food and Recipes

Sesame Seared Green Beans

These sesame seared green beans are bursting with flavor and have the perfect level of crunch. In this recipe, the green beans are seared first to ensure the other ingredients don’t burn.

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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