Subscribe to get updates in your inbox.

Stay on top of your health and wellness with newsletters from A Healthier Michigan! By subscribing, you'll receive access to the latest articles, videos and podcast episodes from A Healthier Michigan brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, delivered right to your inbox. Let’s all work toward healthy choices every day to make A Healthier Michigan together.
Find The latest
Food and Recipes

What to Know about the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and Pesticide Residue on Produce

The Dirty Dozen,” is a report of the 12 fruits, vegetables and greens with the highest pesticide residue. Here is what to know about this list and getting your servings of fruits and vegetables.

Food and Recipes

Spring Salad Essentials with 3 Mason Jar Salad Dressings

There are plenty of ways to spice up your salad. Here are some tips and three mason jar salad dressing recipes.

spring salad greens
Health and Wellness

Signs of Low Self-Esteem in Teens and How to Build it Back Up

It's not always easy for parents to get their teenagers to open up to them about how they are feeling. But if you feel like your child's self-esteem is low, here are some tips and conversation starters.

Community

Hunting for Morel Mushrooms in Michigan? Here's Everything You Need to Know

When late April arrives, so does morel mushroom season in Michigan. Before you get outdoors and start hunting, give this comprehensive guide a read.

Community

5 Things to Do This Spring in Mt. Pleasant 

Located in the middle of Michigan, Mt. Pleasant is home to Central Michigan University. If you are visiting this town, here are some things to do.

Yoga Meditation
Food and Nutrition

How to Fold a Burrito

From choosing the right tortilla to layering ingredients and rolling techniques, here's how to roll a mess-free, tightly wrapped burrito every time.

Health and Wellness

Is Laughing Good For You?

Like the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. But why is laughing good for you, exactly? From a giggle to a guffaw, here is why laughing is healthy, including lists of short and long-term benefits.

Laughter is the best medicine
Podcast

What Are Allergies?

It’s that time of the year again: coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. Spring not only brings lovely gardens, but also allergies. For some, these can be seasonal. For others, it’s a year-round struggle. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Senior Medical Director of Commercial Markets Dr. Michael Kobernick. Together, they discuss allergies, which ones are common, what they are and how they happen. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What are allergies? How do allergies affect our bodies? How do people develop allergies? How can we relieve symptoms?

Community

MI Bucket List: Things to Do in Glen Arbor, Michigan

The tourist town is a few miles north of Sleeping Bear Dunes. With shops, restaurants and inns, Glen Arbor is a fun place for a late spring, summer or fall visit.

Food and Nutrition

A Healthy Edible Bouquet for Mom

According to Drive Research, 81% of moms say thoughtfulness matters more than cost. A DIY edible bouquet becomes both an affordable gift and an activity families can create together.

Health and Wellness

I Exercised Without Music for A Week: Here’s What I Learned

For as long as I can remember, music has been an essential part of my workout routine. I decided to put my reliance on music to the test and spent a week exercising in complete silence. The results surprised me.

Community

Michigan Spring Bucket List: Cherry Blossoms in Traverse City

Michigan has an abundance of beautiful spots spread out across both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. In the springtime, try heading to the corner of Northern Michigan known as the Cherry Capital of the World.

Cherry Blossom in Traverse City in Michigan
Health and Wellness

Should I Cold Plunge Before or After a Workout?

Cold plunges can be a complementary recovery method to vigorous exercise. But exactly when should you take the plunge? Here's what the research suggests.

Food and Recipes

What’s the Healthiest Type of Grill?

Charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers have all seen an uptick in use over the past five years. The question is, what is the healthiest grill to use?

Young People Having Fun At Barbecue Party.
Food and Recipes

Morel Mushroom Season – Where to Look and How to Cook

For foragers and foodies alike, morels are a seasonal prize worth the hunt. Their honeycomb texture also helps them absorb sauces and seasonings making them a favorite in gourmet cooking.

Food and Recipes

Garlic and Thyme Morel Mushroom Toast

Served over crisp, warm toast and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh herbs, it’s an easy dish that feels both rustic and refined.

Fitness

I Always Hated Exercise – Until I Saw How Much it Helped My Anxiety

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how starting an exercise routine has helped her manage her anxiety.

Monica Drake poses for a photo in her gym.
Health and Wellness

Are Seaweed Snacks Good for You?

For centuries, seaweed has been an integral part of coastal diets, known for its unique flavor and rich nutrient value. In recent years, it’s emerged as a popular snack option in stores around the world.

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.