Explore the Latest in A Healthier Michigan

Food and Recipes

Beans, Beans, the Musical Fruit: The Many Health Benefits of Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes are packed full of antioxidants, protein, complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber. It's no wonder that popular kids jingle suggested to eat them with every meal.

Food and Recipes

How to Tell if Eggs Are Bad

It's important to understand the various food product dates stamped on our food. Knowing the difference between them, as well as how to perform an egg float test, can help you figure out if your eggs have spoiled.

Podcast

Easy Ways to Increase Your Veggie Intake

At some point in your life, it’s possible you’ve heard someone say, “it’s important to eat your veggies so you can grow up to be big and strong.” And it’s also likely some of us didn’t read much more into that statement. To an extent, a majority of us know that vegetables are good for us because that’s what we were told growing up. However, according to the CDC, 91% of adults aren’t getting the daily recommended of vegetables. During this conversation, we’ll shed light on the benefits of vegetables and creative ways we can incorporate them into our diet.

Easy Ways to Increase Your Veggie Intake
Community

Things to Do in Port Austin

Located at the tip of the Thumb, Port Austin a spot full of small-town charm and big adventure. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, there’s fun waiting for everyone here.

Food and Recipes

Is it a Dairy Allergy or Lactose Intolerance?

Let’s look at the symptoms of each and how to manage the conditions.

Health and Wellness

The Pressure of Social Media on Young Men

A trend known as "looksmaxxing" and the social media activity surrounding it can create unreasonable expectations and pressure to fit in with new male beauty standards.

Food and Recipes

Milk Safety Overview: The Dangers of Raw Milk and the Pros and Cons of Milk Alternatives

June is National Dairy Month, a good time to look at the pros and cons of dairy milk, how dairy compares to milk alternatives and the dangers of raw milk.

Community

Fourth of July Fireworks in Michigan: 10 Displays to Check Out in 2025

Are you looking for the best fireworks in Michigan in 2025? There are destination fireworks displays and festivals all over the state.

Looking for the best fireworks in Michigan in 2022? There are destination fireworks displays and festivals all over the state between June 24 and July 4.
Food and Recipes

9 Iconic Michigan Ice Cream Parlors to Visit 

From the upper peninsula all the way down to Jackson, Michigan is dripping with iconic ice cream parlors. How many of these classic Michigan ice cream spots have you tried?

There are more than a few iconic ice cream spots that Michigan families flock to each summer. These shops have enjoyed sustained success for their quality and service. How many of these eight have you visited, and how many more would you like to check out?  
Food and Recipes

Why You Should Eat More Flavonoids

A study found those who ate more flavonoids, a plant chemical in many fruits and vegetables, aged better than those who had a lower flavonoid intake. Let’s look at flavonoids, associated health outcomes and how to add more flavonoids to your diet.

Things To Do

Michigan Bucket List: Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park

The park in the Thumb is home to Native American carvings believed to be 1,400 years old.

Kids and Parenting

Summer Activities for Kids with Learning Disabilities

For many families, summer is a time of relaxation and freedom from the rigid structure of the school year. But for children with learning disabilities, that freedom can lead to frustration or lost progress if not balanced with thoughtful structure and purposeful activities.

shanthieats

3 Healthy Father’s Day Recipes

Prioritizing health doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or tradition. It’s an opportunity to reimagine Father’s Day favorites with a fresh and wholesome twist.

Food and Recipes

Strawberry Shaved Ice

This shaved frozen fruit treat relies on the natural sweetness of ripe seasonal strawberries. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, fiber and phytonutrients that support heart health and reduce inflammation.

Recipes

Mediterranean Salmon Burger with Tzatziki

Salmon is a powerhouse of heart-healthy omega-3s, high-quality protein and essential nutrients like vitamin D and selenium. The feta cheese brings a rich, tangy flavor to the salmon burgers, while cap

Food and Recipes

Mediterranean-inspired Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is packed with fiber-rich vegetables, healthy fats from olive oil and antioxidant-rich herbs.

Podcast

Community First-Partnering for Upstream Affordability

Affordability isn't just about medical bills—it's about addressing what drives health in the first place. When people have stable housing, access to healthy food and support for mental health, they use the health care system less and live healthier lives. In this episode we explore how health care affordability starts far upstream—from food security and housing stability to behavioral health and chronic disease prevention. This episode will spotlight community-based partnerships that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested in to address these social determinants of health and ultimately reduce unnecessary costs across the system.

Home and Family

What to Do When Your Kid Has a Migraine

Few young children get migraines, but children age 10 and older are increasingly likely to have them. About 28% of teenagers will have migraine. Learn more about the symptoms of migraines, symptoms and causes and how to treat them.

Food

Nutritional Value of Broccoli vs Asparagus: Which is Healthier?

Produce provides essential vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and nutrients. But it is interesting to compare the nutritional value of certain foods. Take broccoli vs. asparagus – which is healthier?

Healthy kitchen
Food and Recipes

Michigan Tomatoes: The Six Varieties You Need to Taste

You already know about Beefsteak tomatoes, but there are many varieties grown in Michigan to try before summer ends.

Michigan tomato varieties
Things To Do

Michigan Bucket List: Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids

The gardens cover 158 acres of land and offer a spread of flowers, plants and sculptures.

Podcast

Is There an Optimal Time to Work Out?

There’s no question that finding time to work out whenever you can is better than not doing it at all. But what if you wanted to optimize your workouts to get the most benefit? Is there a specific time of day that’s optimal to maximize the results you get from working out?

Is There an Optimal Time to Work Out?
Health and Wellness

What is a Color Walk?

A color walk is a type of walking meditation in which you pick a color and search for items in various shades. This kind of walk combines exercise with meditation.

Podcast

Uncompensated Care and the Safety Net

Uninsured individuals often rely on hospitals for emergency care, the most expensive part of the health system. That cost doesn’t disappear—it shows up in everyone’s insurance premiums. This episode helps reframe affordability by examining how charity care, Medicaid, and federal subsidies work together to manage that cost upstream. In this episode, we explore the hidden costs of uncompensated care, how hospitals and insurers work together to support vulnerable populations, and the impact of federal and state policy decisions on health insurance coverage rates in Michigan.

Mental Health

Mental Health Tips for New Fathers

The reality is that fatherhood, while deeply rewarding, can also come with significant mental health challenges, especially when men become fathers for the first time.

Food and Recipes

Southwestern Grilled Romaine Salad

By grilling half a head of romaine, the salad body stays intact well and makes for a beautiful presentation. This recipe takes on a Southwestern flavor with cotija cheese, cilantro and chipotle ranch.

Food and Recipes

What Are the Best Fruits for People with Diabetes?

Fruits are high in nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and fiber necessary for overall health. People with diabetes should include fruit as part of a healthy diet while keeping an eye on fruits with particularly high sugar content.

Health and Wellness

The Science Behind the Perfect Workout Playlist

Upbeat music can make exercise feel easier, and the right collection of songs can put you in the zone. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are building a workout playlist.

Community

Michigan Bucket List: Zoos to Visit

Michigan is home to many zoos, petting zoos, refuges and specialty animal conservancies that are exciting, fun and educational experiences for the whole family. We’ve compiled some of the best zoos and conservatories from across the state.

Podcast

Shared Responsibility for Affordability

Health care affordability isn't just a consumer problem—it's a system accountability issue. Consolidated health systems promised lower costs. This episode brings together health systems, insurers and business leaders to explore how each player in the health care system can do more—collectively—to lower the cost of coverage. From legacy partnerships to forward-looking value-based models, what does meaningful collaboration look like?

Health and Wellness

Becoming a Mom Made Me Realize How Precious Life Is

Mental health and suicide awareness have always been important causes to me, but becoming a new mom has given new meaning to how precious life is. Now I know firsthand what goes into bringing a new life into the world.

Health and Wellness

The Importance of Weight Training for Seniors

As you get older, your approach to exercise needs to shift. Strength training isn’t only for athletes, it’s one of the most effective ways to stay strong, steady and independent in your golden years.

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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