Hally Healthcast: Winter Fitness Tips

Hally® Healthcast is the wellness podcast from Hally® health – your partner in helping you live your healthiest life. It’s winter – a season of cold weather and time spent mostly indoors. For many of us, this means less exercise and a lot more sitting around. But our health and well-being shouldn’t take the season

Diabetes and Your Brain

Diabetes can be challenging, but knowing the many ways it affects your body can help you live your healthiest life while dealing with the disease. You might know that it can cause complications for your heart, kidneys and even eyes – but did you know diabetes can also affect your brain? Here’s what you should

Spread the word – mammograms save lives.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You might be asking yourself, what can I do to help this important cause? Many things. But perhaps most important of all – make sure you and all your loved ones stay up to date with your mammograms. Why are they so important? Mammograms are X-rays of the breast

How To Help a Child Cope With Leukemia or Lymphoma

Cancer is hard for anyone to deal with. For children and teenagers it’s often even more stressful, emotional and difficult. Since September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month – a time to raise knowledge, support and awareness of leukemia and lymphoma – we’re offering some tips for parents, guardians and caregivers on how they can help

All You Need To Know About Vaccines

Vaccines save up to 3 million lives every year, according to the World Health Organization. They are safe, proven and effective, and protect our bodies against infectious diseases. To celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month, we’ve gathered some of our favorite resources about vaccines. Be in the know – check these out, and keep you and

Busy isn’t always better.

By Breck Obermeyer Most of you know the definition of busy – having a great deal to do. We’ve all heard that phrase, “Life is just so busy,” right? You run into a friend you haven’t seen in months and they say, “I’m sorry we haven’t had the time connect, life is just so busy.”

Pushing Life’s Little Buttons

By Ashley Wicker Are you technologically inclined? I don’t mean working on the computer – I’m talking about all those little automatic buttons and gadgets we have in our lives to make things “easier.” Opening our garage door with our phones. Watching the squirrels dig out our flower pots via camera doorbell. Vacuum cleaner robots

Olive Oil & Vicks VapoRub

By Denny Mekus   “Keep your feet warm, your head cool, and you’ll never be sick a day in your life…Denny, would you please just put on a hat! You’re laughing now, but you’ll remember me when I’m gone!”– My grandmother I heard this statement more times than I can remember – and I never

Text Madness

By Lora Felger By the time this article is printed, March Madness will be behind us and everyone will know who the 2022 NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball champions are. For those of you who can time travel, shhhh keep it to yourselves, don’t spoil all the excitement. I’m writing this article after a fun

Hally Healthcast: Stay Safe This Summer – UV Safety, Eye Injury Prevention, Heat Safety and More

Hally® Healthcast is the wellness podcast from Hally® health – your partner in helping you live your healthiest life. Today’s episode is all about summer safety. With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to learn tips that’ll help keep you and your family safe. We’ll talk about sun safety, protection against the heat,

Summertime Chill

By James M. How It doesn’t get much better than summertime in western North Carolina. Beautiful weather, kayaking, waterfalls, lavender picking and trail days. And that’s only a handful of things that are going on during our June-to-September summer. Growing up in Florida, the summer months (pretty much all year!) were so hot that you

Hey June!

By Sherry Gordon-Harris Every season, I can’t wait for the next season to be here (like when it’s finally summer, I’m waiting for fall and the cooler temperatures). I’ve always done that, but I’m getting better about living in the moment. Hey June! Now that the beginning of summer is here, I’ve started thinking about

Fancy Dress

By Jessica Arroyo Papa, Papi, Daddy and Dad – those are a few names I have for my father. I sure get weird stares when we’re in public together and I yell out, “Daddy!” At this point I’ve realized that I’m never going to outgrow all the different names I have for him. In honor

Beat Summertime Boredom

By Ashley Wicker I can’t tell you how nice it is to wake up every morning with rays of sunshine peeking through my window and the sound of birds singing. As I was researching what to write about this month, I found out that “Anti-Boredom Month” is right around the corner, coming up in July.

Hally Healthcast: National Pride Month

Hally® Healthcast is the wellness podcast from Hally® health – your partner in helping you live your healthiest life. June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. So on our episode today, we take a look at how to create truly equitable and inclusive healthcare environments, services and experiences

Is it a migraine?

What to know about the different types of headaches. Your head hurts. You want relief. But is it a migraine or a different type of headache? Knowing what you have will help you get better treatment – and help you get rid of the pain quicker. Here’s what you should know. All headaches aren’t the

When Your Therapist Is Water

By Breck Obermeyer Can we just talk honestly for a minute? These past two years have been absolutely insane. I don’t think there’s a person out there who hasn’t been affected by this pandemic. Some have been affected on a large-scale level – community engagement rules have changed, commerce looks different and healthcare has taken

What will your story be?

By Denny Mekus We’ve all experienced that look…Not the dreaded, “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” kind, but the one a parent gives you at a pizza buffet when they say their child is 5, and the kid blurts out, “No, I’m 7!” It’s been 20 years, and I still have never felt this look

Here’s to you, mom!

By Lora Felger My mother was a force of nature in a 5’3”, 115-pound package. Our 1976 Pontiac Bonneville was bigger than some New York City apartments, yet she could still manage to reach from the front seat to take a swat at both me and my brother if we fought in the back. It

Sleep your way to better mental health.

You know how it feels when you don’t get enough sleep – your muscles ache, your eyelids droop and your whole body is simply exhausted. But did you know that your mental and emotional health are also affected by the amount of Zs you get at night? Read on to discover how sleep affects your

April Workout: Total Body Strength

April Workout: Yoga

Two New Additions – And a Family Made Whole

By Jessica Arroyo Like many parents, my husband and I spend most days working and getting our children from point A to point B – multiple times a day, every day. We’re busy, to say the least! Well, about 15 months ago my family and I decided to add another member. In January 2021, Lola

Don’t forget your pets.

By James M. How One of the things I love about western North Carolina is how pet-friendly it is. There always seems to be a venue, new restaurant or event that encourages patrons to bring their pets. Spring’s in full swing and we’ve gotten through a cold winter with multiple winter storms, so as we

Tax Day is fast approaching – HELP!

April 18 is fast approaching for all young, middle-age and older adults alike. Tax Day – most years on April 15, but this year on April 18 due to a holiday – is the day by when taxes must be filed with state and federal departments of revenue. Now, if you’re like me, I bet

Virtual Visits – From the Comfort of Your Home

As spring blooms, we’re here to help you and your family take care of your health needs. Did you know your health plan lets you connect with a board certified doctor by phone or secure video 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for these common conditions and more? Allergies. Insect bites. Rashes. Cold

March Total Body Strength Exercises

March Band Exercises

March Dance Exercise

March Tabata Exercise

January Lower Body Strength Exercises

January Upper Body Strength Exercises

Hally Health: Tools for Living Your Healthiest Life

Investing in your health, your well-being and your best overall life means having the right tools at the right time. If you have all the right tools, right now, you can make this day, this moment, a good one. Below are a few useful tools to have at your fingertips – to use any time

Pushing Life’s Little Buttons

By Lora Felger Are you technologically inclined? I don’t mean working on the computer – I’m talking about all those little automatic buttons and gadgets we have in our lives to make things “easier.” Opening our garage door with our phones. Watching the squirrels dig out our flower pots via camera doorbell. Vacuum cleaner robots

Coming Full Circle

By Ashley Wicker I don’t know why, but lately everywhere I look I see so many things becoming popular that are from “back in the day.” Yes, we all know as each day goes by, we’re getting just a bit older. We don’t feel it – but as I look back three or six months

Turning Loss Into Luck

By Denny Mekus March is a special month for me because of St. Patrick’s Day. A day burned into my memory like no other. My beautiful wife and I were married nearly 10 years, and we wanted nothing more than to become first-time parents. Our prayers were finally answered, and we were headed to our

Embrace Change

By Breck Obermeyer My family and I were taking a trip, and when we were in the car we started idly chatting about this or that. My husband brought up the fact that he’d seen a Bluetooth rotary phone. We laughed at how odd that sounded and how people these days might not even know

Hally Healthcast: Celebrating National Nutrition Month

Hally® Healthcast is the wellness podcast from Hally® health – your partner in helping you live your healthiest life. March is National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, so today we’re discussing healthful, mindful eating for people of all ages. Here with us are two experts. Kristina Adams-Smith

Kids Dental Coloring Sheets

Cheer! Because spring is near!

If you’re like me, you may have relocated to the beautiful west North Carolina area to experience the wonderful seasons. Coming from Florida, we only had two seasons, Hot and Hotter. Here in west North Carolina we enjoy all four wonderful seasons, each bringing its own beauty to the area. Spring is particularly welcome. Ah,

Spread the love with random acts of kindness.

Happy February! With Valentine’s Day being this month, it’s led me to think of ways to help the older individuals in my life melt away any winter blues they may be having – with a little extra love and warmth from my heart to theirs. I encourage you to do the same for those in

Hally Healthcast: Black History Month – In Pursuit of Health and Racial Equity

Hally® Healthcast is the wellness podcast from Hally® health – your partner in helping you live your healthiest life. February is Black History Month, so today we’re discussing an incredibly important topic for our communities and our country as a whole – the pursuit of health and racial equity for Black Americans. Here with us

My Love Language

My husband has a favorite football team, the Chicago Bears. Every Sunday he can be found in front of the television with his team jersey on. He’s equipped with snacks, drinks and now a brand new blue-and-orange throw blanket. He’s a fan – but not what I’d call an extreme fanatic. The jersey and maybe

You can’t beat a healthy heart – or six more weeks of winter!

Just when you think the holidays are over and the thrill of the new year has finally tapered down, here comes February – Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day, oh my! February is a multi-themed, food-filled month of celebration.    We anticipate the shadow reveal of Punxsutawney Phil, we

It’s a No-Brainer: A Healthy Heart Affects Your Whole Body

You’ll probably hear a lot about hearts this month, and – no – we’re not only referring to the cards, candy and decorations celebrating Valentine’s Day! February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to learn about heart health and why it’s so important. Healthy Heart, Healthy Body According to the American Academy of Family

Please remember to smile.

No doubt like many of us in the past few years, my family attended a funeral of a close friend not too long ago. And once again the mind of my 10-year-old surprised me and taught me something to remember. As we sat down at this small intimate gathering of family and friends – some

New Faces New Places Same Hometown Coverage

I’m the new kid in town. There seem to be a lot of us here in the greater Raleigh/Wake County metropolitan area who lay claim to that moniker. I know I speak for all of us when I say to y’all, thanks for making us feel so welcome! Southern hospitality isn’t just an imaginary dream

Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 12,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. It’s a harmful disease – but also one that can be caught early, and even prevented in some cases, by taking certain steps. Here’s what you need to know. Basic Information Cervical

Embrace a theme.

January. 2022. A New Year. New beginnings. It’s that time of year when you self-impose New Year resolutions on yourself. Lose 15 pounds. Save $500. Stop smoking. You know the New Year drill. Goals are set – sometimes realistic and sometimes lofty – and then the year progresses and a large majority of people don’t

The Island of Caregiving

The holidays are supposed to be a time for family gatherings, parties, traveling and opportunities to laugh and relax with the ones you love. For some, though, the holidays have different associations, like dealing with stress, anxiety and isolation. Isolation is a real concern and it’s dangerous for many older adults in our communities. Dealing

Help for Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression and more.

Many of us struggle with depression, extreme sadness and other mental health issues. For those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), these are particularly strong when the seasons change. If you or a loved one has SAD, there’s a new way to get help – private and secure virtual visits from Hally® health. These virtual visits

Santa Claus, a.k.a. Your Local Community Liaison

One of the best perks about being a Community Liaison for Health AllianceTM is not just educating people about Medicare and the wonderful plans Health Alliance offers. For me, one of the best things is being able to build great partnerships with the community providers in my area. Today, I’m going to let you know

December Workout: Body Weight Strength

December Workout: Pilates

Hally Healthcast: Fall Risk and Prevention 101

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. This month, we’re discussing fall risk and prevention. Every year, millions of Americans fall. And although you might not think so, falls are often very serious. In fact – according to the CDC – over 800,000 Americans a year are hospitalized because of falls, and

Take steps to stay healthy this winter.

Winter – short days, cold temperatures and frigid landscapes. For many of us, finding ways to stay physically active becomes more difficult during these months. A lot of us also find it harder to stay mentally upbeat and positive. We can help. This winter, try these tips to help you stay healthy and well this

November Workout Video: Strength

November Workout: Core Exercises

Caring for Caregivers

We all know them. In fact, you yourself might be one. A caregiver. Someone who takes care of others, looking out for the health and well-being of family members or friends. More often than not, this person is busy, busy, busy – looking after those in their care, giving of themselves from a deep well

Use this year’s Annual Enrollment Period to choose a plan you love.

By Breck Obermeyer It’s that time of year again! Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare – the only weeks during the year that most people can change their Medicare plan if they want to switch to a different option that better fits their needs. Annual Enrollment Period lasts from October 15 through December 7, and it’s

My Running Journey | Alison Jones | Hally Health and Wellness Coordinator

Alison Jones and family pictured at the Welcome Athletes sign in Boston.

Alison is the Health and Wellness Coordinator for Health Alliance and Hally health. She will be running in the 125th Boston Marathon on October 11. Here is her running story. The Beginning  I have been a runner since I was a child. I ran track starting in fourth grade up through high school. Then in college and for a few years after,

Shopping Into the New Year This AEP

By Sherry Gordon-Harris October is one of my favorite months – changing fall colors on the tree leaves, brisk walks that leave a nice rosy glow to the skin, stores filled with our favorite Halloween treats and decorative costumes. And – last but certainly not least – October is a month for celebrating fall festivals

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body

Chew on this – the health of your mouth and teeth have quite a large impact on your overall health. Read on to discover why keeping your pearly whites clean and healthy is something your whole body can smile about. The Mouth Itself First, we shouldn’t ignore the very real health problems that affect our

National Name vs. Local Experience: The Choice Is Yours

By: Jessica Arroyo and Breck Obermeyer When it comes to your healthcare needs, buying a local health plan has to mean more than just the word “local.” A local plan matters because it means you get to see your doctors – the ones you already know and trust, who are close to home. A local

Look Closer – A Lesson From My Son

By Jonathan Davis “Look closer and you will see a surprise.” These are the words my son whispered as he convinced me to peer into a microscope focused on a slide labeled “Berry Hair.” I was amazed at what I saw. What looked like a tiny hair to the naked eye actually appeared to be

Hally Healthcast: Leukemia, Lymphoma and Behind-the-Scenes Cancer Research

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, so today we brought in experts to talk about cancer research – and its role in discovering treatments for two of the most common types of blood cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. With us are Betsy Barnick and Pauline Mbuvi,

Ovarian and Prostate Cancers: What You Need to Know

Knowledge is powerful – and perhaps even lifesaving. Ovarian and prostate cancer are two of the most common diseases, respectively, for women and men. By knowing the signs and symptoms, people can catch these diseases earlier and start getting the treatment they need. Visit these webpages (Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer) from the Centers for Disease

August Workout: Core

August Workout: Strength

August Workout: Active Older Adults

August Workout: Mind & Body

Safety First: Tips for Runners, Joggers and Walkers

Are you thinking about entering that 5K you’ve had your eyes on? Or starting a new running routine? Or maybe simply committing to daily walks with your family? Here are some tips to stay safe as you get the exercise you need. Talk to your doctor. Before starting your new exercise routine, speak with your

Walk, Jog or Run Your Way to Better Health

Have you ever thought about running a 5K? Or simply jogging for fun, or taking long strolls around your favorite local park? There’s a reason so many people enjoy running, jogging and walking. Many reasons, in fact. Today we’ll run though some of the health benefits. (Pun completely intended!) Get those sneakers ready – because

Medicare: The 5-Part Saga

A Deep Dive into Medicare Mini-Series We know Medicare can be confusing – we’re here for you. Health AllianceTM is excited to announce that we’re presenting a new five-part mini-series on Medicare, its various parts and what you need to know to get the coverage that’s best for you. Every year during the Annual Enrollment

Hally Healthcast: Care Coordination – Help Living Your Healthiest Life

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. This month we’re talking about care coordination – the fancy term for the personalized help and support some health insurance plans offer their members. We want to spread the word about this helpful service, since many people aren’t aware it exists and others don’t know

Stop COVID-19, the flu and more.

Vaccines give you and your family the power. August is National Immunization Awareness Month – and this year more than most, we’re aware of the power of vaccines to keep us, our families and our entire communities healthy. Since January, millions worldwide have received COVID-19 vaccines, saving an uncountable number of lives. Yet many more

July Workout: Strength

July Workout: Active Older Adults

July Workout: Mind & Body

July Workout: Core

July Workout: Circuit

Mommy, you’re old!

I always look forward to spending entire days with my family. To me, each one is a fresh opportunity to make new memories with my kids and husband. Recently during one of our weekend outings, we decided we wanted to go out for lunch instead of breakfast. When we arrived at the restaurant, they had

Bologna, Cheese and Me: A Multi-Generational Sandwich

My favorite sandwich is bologna and cheese on wheat bread with butter and ketchup. I buy the thick-sliced bologna from the meat counter at Fareway. I’m not sure how much of it they sell in a day, and I do feel the judgy sideways glances I get as I shout my order over the glass

Hally Healthcast: Family Wellness – Fitness, Nutrition and More for the Whole Family

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. This month we’re talking about family wellness. With summer in full swing, kids and adults alike are enjoying the beautiful weather and the season’s festivities. It’s the perfect time to chat about fun, creative ways to help keep the whole family active and healthy. We

Summer Fruit Salad

Save lives with stroke awareness.

Every year, 800,000 Americans have a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sadly, about 150,000 of these individuals die, and many more are left with serious disabilities. These stats are alarming – but you can help prevent strokes and limit their damage. Here’s what you need to know to save

June Workout:

June Workout: Core

June Workout: Active Older Adults

June Workout: Mind & Body

June Workout: Tabata Exercise

Wait, I’m sorry, I heard “Complete all the projects!” – not “Breathe.”

Our home right now is buzzing with projects. Currently, we’re putting together a playset for my kids (which has made us the coolest parents ever), while also putting in a new section of fence by said playset. The fence that came with our home is not only the saddest thing you’ve ever seen – but

Hally Healthcast: Men’s Health Month – Tips for Every Stage of Your Adult Life

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. June is Men’s Health Month, so today we have tips on what men should know and do about their health during every stage of their adult life. With us today is Dr. Robert Healy, a long-time adult medicine physician and the chief quality officer at

My Post-Pandemic Travel Fantasies

Picture it: I’m somewhere on a warm sandy beach, leaned back on a comfortable beach chair and sipping on an icy drink from a tall glass with an umbrella hanging off the side. Or maybe I’m exploring the cobblestone streets of an Italian city seeing wonderful items in the marketplace and smelling freshly baked bread.

Farm Safety – Tips, Advice and What You Need to Know

June is National Safety Month and also a time when farmers are hard at work in their fields. With this in mind, we brought in an expert to talk farm safety. Amy Rademaker is the program coordinator for Rural Health and Farm Safety at Carle Health in Urbana, IL. Read on for what all farm

May Workout: Strength

May Workout: Hip Mobility

May Workout: Core

May Workout: Low Impact Aerobics

May Workout : Mind & Body

Hally Healthcast: Mental Health and Healthcare: What You Need to Know

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so today we have a special panel discussion about this important topic. We’ll talk mental health in general, where to turn for resources, help and support, virtual visits with doctors and therapists and much more. We have two guests

Breathe easy! What to know about asthma and allergies.

As the weather gets better, we’re all spending more time outdoors. And many of us are taking advantage of the sunshine to get more exercise. For a large number of us, though, these activities often mean dealing with asthma or allergies. For this special edition of our blog, we brought in an expert to chat

See the doctor from the comfort of your home.

Make your next appointment a virtual visit. We have an exciting announcement for our Hally® health members: Your health plan’s covered benefits now include virtual visits through the Hally mobile app. It’s never been easier or more convenient to check in with a doctor or therapist for your health needs. Virtual visits are simple, secure

April Workout – Chair Yoga

April Workout – Core

April Workout – Mind & Body

April Workout – Strength

Hally Healthcast: World Health: 5 Key Things about Vaccines, Medication Adherence and Preventive Care

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. Every April, we celebrate World Health Day, so today we’re talking about one of the most important topics for world health – preventive care. Both here in America and globally, vaccines, screenings, medication adherence and other types of preventive care help keep people healthy and

Virtual Visits With Your Doctor: Pros and Cons

By Derek Brawner COVID-19 took hold of not only the world stage in March 2020, but it took hold of our local communities as well. U.S. doctors limited in-person appointments and many patients avoided them for fear of infection. The result was a huge increase in the volume of virtual medical and behavioral health visits.

Worry less at work.

Manage and control workplace stress. If your job brings you stress, you’re not alone. In fact, the workday is a top source of stress, anxiety and worry for many men and women. And with the ongoing pandemic and changes to many of our workplaces, it definitely hasn’t gotten any easier the past year. But while

March Workout – Strength

March Workout – Active Older Adults

March Workout – Mind & Body

March Workout – Seated Upper Body Mobility

Protect your lungs from air pollution.

Info, Tips and Resources Air pollution can harm our lungs and isn’t good for the environment. But with the proper knowledge, we can protect our health and the well-being of those we love. We have the power to keep ourselves and others healthy! Health Risks According to the American Lung Association®, air pollution can interfere

Taking Time to Laugh

Once we’ve made it to March, it’s usually a good sign winter is almost over. Hopefully this winter, you’ve found some time to laugh a little. I know there hasn’t been much to laugh about these past 12 months since COVID-19 stopped us in our tracks. But hopefully, maybe, possibly, you found time for at

Hally Healthcast: 5 Key Things to Know About Colorectal Cancer and Prevention

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so today we’re talking about this common disease, and – most importantly – how to catch it early or even prevent it. Here with us is Robert Good, DO, MACOI, physician and associate chief medical officer for population

Hally Healthcast: 5 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. February’s focus on hearts involves more than just Valentine’s Day. It’s American Heart Month, the perfect time to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and how important it is to take care of our hearts. Our guest is Karen Wiarda, DO, a cardiologist at Carle Heart

Take Your Blood Pressure at Home

Effectively taking your blood pressure at home is an important part of managing your blood pressure. Through this instruction by our very own Health And Wellness Coordinator Alison Jones, we’ll show you how to correctly take your blood pressure from the comfort of your home. Remember to take your blood pressure twice a day –

Musings of a Gardener with a Substandard Green Thumb

February is a great time of year to start planning your spring garden, and I did just that last year. If there’s one thing about me, when I put my mind to something new, I jump in both feet, heart and soul, and I don’t look back. Learning and trying to garden wasn’t any different.

Don’t delay heart health – even in a pandemic.

Heart health is important. Today, tomorrow, and every day after. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, you must take care of your heart. Unfortunately, since COVID-19 began spreading in our communities last spring, many people have canceled or delayed important medical care. But many heart issues are simply too important to your health

Hally Healthcast: COVID-19, the Vaccine and Coping During the Pandemic

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally health. This month, we explore COVID-19 through three important sets of eyes: doctors, nurses and pharmacists. The panel discusses the ups and downs we’ve experienced lately in our fight against the pandemic, answers common questions about the new vaccines and chats about mental health and coping

My First Love

My 3-year-old niece, Haddariah Rose, loves the Minnie Mouse talking doll and play costume I got her for her birthday. She holds it, talks to it, tries to feed it and makes sure her Minnie Mouse doll gets her naps too. She gives love to this doll in the purest way she knows how. I

COVID-19 and the Vaccine: What You Need to Know

Recent news about the COVID-19 pandemic brings both hope and a renewed call for vigilance, patience and safety. Unfortunately, the disease is still spreading worldwide. The first vaccines have rolled out, giving us hope that our darkest days are behind us. Here’s what you need to know about the spread of COVID-19, the vaccines and

Communication Sci-fi to Wi-Fi

From the first time I saw a character on TV reach into their pocket and pull out a small device to connect with someone miles above, orbiting the planet, I’ve been fascinated with high-tech communication. Not too long ago, cellphones were the size of a small bag (and very impractical), and tablets and video calling

A New Year of Reflection, Gratitude and Workouts

Happy New Year! As I’ve written before, a new year comes with new goals, new resolutions and a chance to start with a clean slate. But this new year, I’m looking at things a little differently. I know we keep hearing and reading about how 2020 was the year of unprecedented times, and nobody could

Wishing You a Happy and Healthy New Year

It’s become a cliché, but it’s true: 2020 was a year like no other. We’ve been through lows and highs, terrible tragedies and moments that rekindle our sense of joy and hope. The pandemic has upended the physical, emotional and financial health of many of us, and we’re still not out of the woods. But

Healthy Holidays

As I’m on my journey of healthy eating and living, I fret about the challenge of the upcoming holidays. Most years around December and January, there are holiday celebrations with an abundance of food, desserts and candy. There are usually holiday parties and potlucks with friends. There are feasts at our places of worship with

Each Year a Blessing: Tips for Healthy Aging

Aging. For many, it’s a daunting topic – but it shouldn’t be! We’re living longer than ever thanks to improvements in healthcare and technology. And we’re not just living longer years – we’re living better years, well into “old” age. So aging shouldn’t be unsettling to us, as long as we take the right steps

Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020

This year has been a very interesting year to say the least. The United States has gone through months of federal, state and local stay-at-home orders due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that’s swept the globe.   Back when it first hit the U.S., stores across the country weren’t prepared for the rush of Americans

Hally Healthcast: Busting 5 Myths about Aging

Hally® Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally® health. This month we discuss healthy aging with Faith Roberts, MSN, RN, and the Executive Director of Community Engagement at Carle in Urbana. Listen here, or read a quick summary in the article below. Healthy Aging: Don’t Fall Victim to These Aging Myths! Fact: we all

Thank you to our caring heroes.

These past eight months haven’t been an easy adjustment for a lot of us during this COVID-19 pandemic. But despite the challenges of the rapidly spreading virus, home schooling, working from home and natural disasters, essential healthcare workers have more than met the challenge. Caring for patients at their bedsides and/or in their homes was

Eating Healthy with Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, and we’re here with helpful tips and advice for living with the disease. Specifically, we’re talking nutrition – a key “ingredient” in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while fighting diabetes. A healthy diet makes you feel better on a daily basis and leads to better long-term health outcomes. Day-to-day, good food

Hally Healthcast: 5 Tips for Managing Your Diabetes at Home

Hally™ Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally® health. This month we discuss taking care of your diabetes at home. Our guest is Jean Land, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator for Carle’s Diabetes Education Services. Listen here, or read a quick summary in the article below. November is National Diabetes Month According

Coffee on Me Today

I was recently getting my morning caffeine fix. As I pulled up to the coffee window and got ready to pay for my beverage, the barista told me the person in front of me had already paid for my drink. This completely took me by surprise. It was the first time this has ever happened

Beyond Pink – More Ways to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are always heartened by the pink ribbons we see everywhere this month. But how else can we promote breast cancer awareness? How can we provide year-round education, resources and support? Read on for ideas – including actions you can take today. Spread the news: mammograms save lives Remind

Thank you to our caring heroes.

These past eight months haven’t been an easy adjustment for a lot of us during this COVID-19 pandemic. But despite the challenges of the rapidly spreading virus, home schooling, working from home and natural disasters, essential healthcare workers have more than met the challenge. Caring for patients at their bedsides and/or in their homes was

Safety Tips for Runners and Walkers

Are you thinking about starting a new running, walking or jogging routine? Or perhaps entering your first 5K, 10K or walking event? Here are some tips to keep you safe as you begin (or continue) your fitness journey. Talk to Your Doctor Before beginning any new exercise routine, talk to your doctor to see what

Hally Healthcast: 5 Things Every Woman Should Know about Breast Cancer

Hally™ Healthcast is the monthly wellness podcast from Hally™ health. This month we discuss five things every woman should know about breast cancer. Our guest is Dr. Maria Grosse Perdekamp, an expert on breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies at the Mills Breast Cancer Institute, part of the Carle Cancer Center in Urbana, Illinois. Listen here,

Steps to a Better Life: The Many Benefits of Running and Walking

When the weather’s good, many of our neighborhoods bustle with the activity of runners, joggers and people out for a stroll. Throughout the year, bulletin boards and Facebook feeds tell of the latest 5K, 10K or community walkathon. Why do so many people run or walk regularly? It’s simple: physical activity improves health and well-being.

Flu Season is Coming – Protect Yourself and Your Family

Summer is ending, which means the beginning of flu season is again upon us. As our communities continue to take precautions against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, we also want you to be prepared to avoid the seasonal flu. Read on to discover how to best protect yourself and your family from

Spicy Apricot Glazed Pork Recipe

Breakfast Burrito Recipe

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe

Mediterranean Pita Pizza Recipe