Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be grateful for—I know you’ll be reflecting on God’s goodness in the coming days, as will my family and I. But it seems there is this tradition surrounding the “big meal.” Oh yes, the turkey, dressing, and all the fixings…but what about those post-meal hours? You know…those post-indulgent hours where you feel…well…stuffed. Beyond stuffed, really. Ok, really lousy. “How did I let that happen again! I ate way too much! What was I thinking” But what if there was a better way? A way to not only curb the past patterns of overeating at the Thanksgiving meal…but feeling great when you are done!

Nothing is worse than seeing a child suffering from illness. Whether they have a fever from a common illness, or a more severe condition, you (and I) want to do everything we can to help ease their suffering. But sometimes our help can turn to harm. Especially when it comes to getting the right dose. An astounding new study showed that 8 out of 10 well-meaning parents made this mistake when preparing to give medication to their child. What was the mistake? That’s the topic of this week’s 5 Minutes to Health podcast.

Are you, like me, a fan of healthy eating? Do you look for options like salad bars and other healthy alternatives? If so, there is a subtle danger lurking out there. And a recent scientific study just showed just how surprising that danger is! And it affects a particular organ…but probably not one you’d expect.

Have you made your plans for getting your flu shot this fall? Do you know the best time to get the flu vaccination? Are you aware of which flu vaccine is best for you? Before you schedule that appointment, I think you’ll want to invest a few minutes and tune in to this week’s 5 Minutes to Health podcast!

Are you concerned about Alzheimer’s disease? Perhaps you’ve noticed a subtle memory or cognitive decline in a family member or close friend. You want to encourage them to seek help, but are not sure where to start. If that concern has crossed your mind, then this week’s podcast is for you.

Do you dine out frequently? Maybe you or a family member travel for work or conferences, and find yourself entertaining clients over a meal? It’s no surprise that the temptation to eat less-than-healthy when dining out is strong. But just what impact does it have on your health? That’s the topic of this week’s 5 Minutes to Health podcast.

Last month, I did a 5 Minutes to Health Podcast sharing “The Big Fat Problem with Artificial Sweeteners” which generated some great feedback and questions. One of the most often asked questions from this podcast was, “Is Stevia safe?” It’s such a great question, that I’ve made it the topic of this week’s podcast

By now you’ve heard that not only do we have Zika virus cases in the United States, but we have Zika carrying mosquitos as well. But quite honestly, that’s not the big news. We knew they would be here…it was just a matter of time. However, in the last few weeks there have been three different developments that have changed our perspective of Zika virus—and they are not good.

A lot of things happen when you see your doctor for your physical examination. But one critical thing is often overlooked. And that one thing could be a life-saver. Literally. In fact, new science has shown that your doctor is 400% better at doing this than you are. But that is only helpful if it actually happens. And that one thing…is the focus of this week’s 5 Minutes to Health podcast.

When is the last time you thought about what is in your pantry? I don’t mean whether you need to run out to the grocery store to stock up on supplies, or grab some cereal for tomorrow’s breakfast. When is the last time you really thought about not only what is in your pantry…but exactly what it does to your body and your brain when you eat it? Not long ago, Jodi and I went through our pantry as we changed our eating strategy for our family. You might be surprised how often we looked at each other and said things like: “What in the world is this?”, and “What were we thinking!” If it’s time for a back-to-school pantry clean out, I have a suggestion for you: Take the nuts out of your pantry. Why? So glad you asked!

What time do you put your children down for bed? Now that the school year is again upon us, kids everywhere are begrudgingly climbing under the sheets wishing for just a little longer to enjoy the summer weather. So how important is bedtime to your child’s health? Very. You need to know about a surprising link between your child’s bedtime and a concerning health problem.