Today, we are talking about the health benefits of chocolate. It all starts with the cacao bean which is a powerhouse of nutrition.

October is Eczema Awareness Month and over 16 million adults and 8 million children in the U.S. have eczema in some form.

October is National Vegetarian Awareness Month. First created by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, its goal was to raise awareness about a vegetarian lifestyle, including the environmental, ethical, health, and humanitarian aspects.

Do you know the warning signs of suicide and where to go for help? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans and is preventable.

Considering the eight dimensions of wellness—emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual—can provide a holistic approach to maintaining balance and well-being during this busy time.

Here are 5 healthy behaviors to help with healthy aging

Here are 7 tips to build a better breakfast.

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers.

Sliced carrots and bell peppers are delicious sides and easy dippers for low-fat ranch or hummus, and they are great for eye health which is our topic this week.

This week, we are talking about packing healthy school lunches and snacks. According to the National School Lunch Program, about 60% of students eat school lunch. The other 40% bring lunch to school. Lunch is an important part of the day.

The first full week of August is National Farmers Market Week. It began in 1999 to celebrate the impact local farmers markets have in America’s food supply.

One challenging task while traveling is eating healthy on the road. Here are four ways to snack well during all your summer adventures:

With the summer heat, you can become dehydrated fast. The type and severity of your dehydration will determine your treatment needs and which drink option is best.

Welcome to July, one of our hottest summertime months. This week, we are talking about hydration and how to beat the heat, as well as signs of dehydration.

Summer is a great time to focus on self-care, as the warm weather and longer days provide more opportunities for relaxation and activities you enjoy. Here are five things you can do for summer self-care

Did you know June is fresh fruit and vegetable month? We shed light on this topic because despite the positive health benefits of eating these foods, few adults meet the recommendations.

Do you find yourself forgetting a word or your keys? Don’t fret, some memory lapses are signs of normal aging. But, to help you remember better, we have new research available that has found a way to sharpen brain health.

In June, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the United States. The goal throughout the month is to bring awareness to men's health issues.

This is your Wellness Wake Up Call for the week of June 3rd

Gardening season is in full swing! If you are new to gardening, try your hand at growing herbs. Culinary herbs are a favorite of many gardeners. They are easy to grow as they require little care and have few insect and disease problems.

Half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many don’t know they have it. However, it’s important to know your numbers since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

April showers bring May flowers. Enjoy the month of May as we emerge from winter and primarily indoor activity, to the outdoors. Step into Spring with some new ideas for physical activity.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on a condition that silently affects millions worldwide.

In this month's episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, Kristen Bogdonas sheds light on the issue of food waste and the importance of addressing it during Food Waste Prevention Week.

In this episode, we explore the three pillars of holistic well-being - physical, mental/emotional, and community engagement - and how they contribute to living well.

February is not just a month for roses and chocolates; it's also Heart Health Month—a time to prioritize and nurture the very organ that keeps us ticking.

In this episode, host Kristin Bogdonas delves into the important topic of maintaining healthy habits throughout the year.

Building a winter wellness arsenal involves preparing yourself physically and mentally to navigate the challenges of the colder months. Here are 12 tips to help you create a comprehensive winter wellness plan:

In this episode of the Wellness Wake Up Call, hosted by Kristin Bogdonis, a nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, we dive into the importance of National Diabetes Month, which takes place in November. With an alarming 37 million Americans living with diabetes, it is crucial to raise awareness and understanding of this widespread disease. Shockingly, 20% of those affected are completely unaware of their condition. In the Quad Cities area alone, 13% of adults have diabetes, and an additional 11% have been informed that they have prediabetes or borderline diabetes.Bogdonis sheds light on the fact that prediabetes can go unnoticed for years, without showing any symptoms. To tackle this issue head-on, she advises individuals with a family history of diabetes, those aged 45 or older, individuals who are overweight, or those who have had gestational diabetes, to consult with their doctors and get their blood sugar tested. By determining elevated blood glucose levels, one can take the necessary steps to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the progression of the disease. Shockingly, if left untreated, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within a decade.Apart from the risk of developing diabetes, both diabetes and prediabetes increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Bogdonis emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's health through exercise and dietary modifications to prevent complications and…

In this episode, host Kristen Bogdonas, a nutrition and wellness educator, sheds light on atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, in honor of eczema awareness month. Kristen shares her personal connection to the topic, as her son was recently diagnosed with the condition.Eczema is a persistent and uncontrollable itchiness that can deeply impact one's quality of life. It affects approximately one in 10 people at some point in their lives, with most individuals experiencing their first symptoms during childhood. Babies can even be diagnosed just a few weeks after birth. While eczema isn't contagious, there is a genetic predisposition to the condition, and disturbances in the skin microbiota can contribute to its development.This complex skin disease is characterized by flare-ups of severe symptoms, followed by periods of remission. Those with eczema are more likely to also have asthma, allergies, sleep disruptions, and secondary infections. The appearance of eczema can vary depending on skin tone, appearing as a red rash on fair skin or as pale, gray, ashy, or purple patches on darker skin.

September is here, and that means it's officially Healthy Aging Month. It's a time to celebrate growing older and wiser while taking steps to maintain our health and vitality. In today's episode, I'll share some practical tips to help you age gracefully.

You may have heard of the acronym FAST or F-A-S-T. It stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. If you think someone may be having a stroke, ask these questions:Does one side of the face droop when smiling?Does one arm drift downward when both arms are raised?Does speech sound strange or slurred?If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Just in time for September, national disaster preparedness month, Kristin Bagdonas shares her top tips for disaster readiness at home, whether it's natural or financial.

Good Morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties. Joining us today is Flora Denton, dietetic intern for the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

What can we do to ensure we age successfully? I’ll outline six key elements of aging well, whether you’re 16 or 65.

Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

Kristin: Good Morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

Good Morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

The spread and mitigation of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving concern for Illinois. University of Illinois Extension has a collection of resources to assist families and community leaders preparing for and coping with COVID-19. These resources continue to grow each day as educators across the state develop content for families, businesses and food producers.

Good Morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

Good Morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties.

October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month and the perfect time to make family meals a priority. Research has shown that eating more meals together has a positive effect on both the nutrition and emotional well-being of the entire family.

In honor of Healthy Aging Month, I have a trivia question for you.

What have you been drinking lately? Our health is influenced by our day-to-day food and beverage choices so why not make your drinks count? Did you know the majority of added sugar in the American diet comes from sugar-sweetened beverages? This is not limited to soda. It also includes fruit juice, energy drinks, sports drinks and specialty coffees.

Kristin talks about summer self-care routines that promote healthy habits in the 6 dimensions of wellness, including the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, occupational, and social dimensions. Self-care is a way of living each and every day that incorporates health promoting behaviors to keep you feeling motivated to accomplish your goals.

In honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, University of Illinois Extension health educator Kristin Bogdonas gives advice on maintaining a brain-healthy lifestyle.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month — a time to learn not just about the prevalence of arthritis, which affects about one in four adults in the U.S., but also about diet and exercise habits that can enhance the quality of life for those living with any one of the more than 100 types of arthritis. Joining host Kristin Bogdonas is Diane Reinhold, a registered dietician and health educator with the University of Illinois Extension.

In this month's episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, University of Illinois Extension health educator Kristin Bogdonas lays out some "red flags" to help you detect deceptive marketing behind bogus health products and services.

March is National Nutrition Month — the perfect time to observe your overall diet, also known as your eating pattern. It's the totality of foods and beverages consumed over a lifetime, and represents all of the dietary choices made day to day. In this month's episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, University of Illinois Extension health educator Kristin Bogdonas gives advice on how to build up a healthy eating pattern, which she stresses is far more beneficial than chasing the latest diet fad.

February is American Heart Month—a time to raise awareness of heart disease and strategies to prevent this leading cause of death in the U.S. So, in this month's episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, University of Illinois Extension health educator Kristin Bogdonas shares some "heart-smart" behaviors.

University of Illinois Extension health educator Kristin Bogdonas discusses how to make good on New Year's resolutions and maintain healthy habits well into the future.