Fact or Fiction: The Truth About Five Winter Wives’ Tales

A woman dries her young daughter's hair
As a full-time working mom, I am usually in a rush all the time, especially in the mornings. So it’s not uncommon for me to wash my hair and run out of the house while it’s still wet — even in the cold winter months. It’s a very defiant act considering that my mother scolded me my whole life for this (and still does)....
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Food vs. Food: Milk — To Dairy or Not to Dairy?

For years, if you wanted milk on your cereal or in your coffee, cow’s milk was your only option. But take a trip down the supermarket dairy aisle, and you’ll find a veritable herd of plant-based milk alternatives. There are options made from soybeans, nuts, rice, oats, and even peas! Udderly confused about whether to stick with traditional cow’s milk or switch to a plant-based milk alternative like soy or almond milk?...
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No Resolution Required: Tools for Better Health

If you’ve already given up on your New Year’s resolutions, don’t stress about it — statistically, only eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals. Despite our best intentions, changing our lives for the better isn’t easy. But, there are resources that can help you be a healthier you. Have you considered your health plan?...
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Make This the Year You Quit Smoking

A nicotine patch being applied to an arm
Chris Guerrieri, a graphic designer at Independence Blue Cross, had been a two-pack-a-day smoker for ten years. He felt exhausted, sick, and older than his 33 years. He was tired of using nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine as a crutch, and was ready to change his life. Chris had tried to quit before — the gum, the patch — but nothing worked....
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The Importance of Getting Away from Stress

A woman stands before the ocean, with her arms outstretched
How was your summer vacation — great or non-existent? If you said non-existent, there’s a good chance you’re like most Americans and only use about half of your vacation days each year.1 And, while it may be a good thing for your bank account, it could be hurting your health and productivity. Before you let another summer slip by without a break,...
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Fellas, Invest in Yourself: Schedule a Checkup with a Doctor

Men's Checkup with a Doctor
A recent survey commissioned by the Orlando Health Hospital System found that when a man has a health issue, he is much less likely to visit a doctor than a woman. Reasons given for not visiting a doctor include being too busy, afraid, or ashamed. In addition, men are more likely to think that health problems will resolve without seeing a doctor....
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Repeat After Me: Self-Care is Not Selfish

Overhead photo of a woman practicing self-care by drinking coffee and reading in bed.
Like many women, I tend to put my health and well-being last on my list of priorities. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went to see my specialist (yet I manage to schedule and attend many of my husband’s and parents’ appointments) or even worked out consistently (but I watch the baby so my husband can work out two to three times a week)....
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Starting Healthy Holiday Traditions

A group of skaters smiling on the ice rink
Photo credit: Matt Stanley for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. With two little ones, the holiday season is full of excitement. Everything is exciting to them, whether it’s spotting the first lights in the neighborhood, getting a toy catalog in the mail, pulling decorations out of the attic, or celebrations with family and friends....
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Lessons for the 2019 Flu Season

The 2017-2018 flu season was tough. So what can we do to keep ourselves healthy this year? Well, the same things we did last year. Here’s why.
The 2017 – 2018 flu season had a bad rap, but does it deserve it? Yes and no. Philadelphia County experienced 4,418 reported cases of flu. Mind you, these are the people who were able to drag themselves to the doctor to be tested — the actual number may be higher. In fact, according to IBX Medical Director Ellen Riccobene,...
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Game On: 6 Sports Safety Tips for Student-Athletes

Sports safety tips for student-athletes.
According to a National Council of Youth Sports survey, more than 40 million young athletes ages 6 – 18 participate in organized sports. And while there are countless benefits to organized sports, there are also the inevitable injuries that come with the territory. I recently spoke with Ron M. Hillian, MS, of EXOS, Human Performance about tips to keep student-athletes as healthy as possible....
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