Wellness

National Nurses Week is celebrated every year from May 6 to 12 to recognize the profound contributions nurses make to the community. This week, Blue KC is celebrating its own nurses, including those who practice at our Spira Care Centers in Shawnee and Olathe. Empowered to Help Ashley Andre, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Spira…

Yes, it can be hard to find time in your schedule to squeeze in some physical activity. However, walking is one of the simplest, safest and most effective forms of exercise. And here’s your perfect opportunity to get started. Wednesday, April 25 is the 10th annual National Walk @ Lunch Day sponsored by Blue Cross…

Soups are a great way to combine a number of healthy ingredients into a delicious one-pot meal. This white bean and kale stew recipe from Chef Kyle Williams, head chef of our Live Blue Kitchen + Café, is packed with legumes, herbs, vegetables and rustic good taste. Makes 1 gallon Ingredients: Kale, Rough chopped –…

Spring is here, and while it’s often a welcome reprieve after a long winter, it also brings seasonal allergies. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association recently examined American children diagnosed with different kinds of allergies and allergic reactions for the newest installment of its Health of America series, Childhood Allergies in America. The findings…

For many people, eating out is a way to relax and socialize. But if you are watching your weight or just are concerned with healthy eating, dining out can be a challenge. The good news is that usually there are healthier options at every restaurant, even at fast-food places. By following some simple guidelines, you…

This month’s healthy recipe from Chef Kyle Williams, head chef of our Live Blue Kitchen + Cafe, is a Wild Seared Salmon Spinach Salad. It’s fresh, nutritious and the perfect recipe during February’s Heart Health Month. Makes 4 servings         Ingredients: Wild salmon fillets – 4 each of 3-4 oz. servings Whole…

What stresses you out? Your daily commute? Office politics? Your mother-in-law? The fact that you’ve got miles to go to retirement? If you’re constantly under stress, and you don’t have good coping strategies, you’re more likely to have high blood pressure, chest pain, or experience irregular heartbeats. Here’s why. Stress triggers your body’s “fight or…

Hand-washing is a simple and effective way to help prevent diseases, such as colds, flu, and food poisoning. When to Wash Your Hands Wash hands: Often, especially during cold and flu (influenza) season, can reduce your risk of catching or spreading a cold or the flu. Before, during, and after preparing food reduces your risk…

If you’re feeling inspired by the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, there are plenty of ways to be active in fall and winter, even if the weather turns cold. You can stay in shape and have fun while you’re at it. Indoors Go for walks at the mall with a friend. Local schools and churches may…

This month’s healthy recipe from Chef Kyle Williams, head chef of our Live Blue Kitchen + Cafe, is Parsnip Sage Browned Butter Soup. The humble parsnip is a root vegetable that is related to carrots, but sweeter. Parsnips, in all their creamy white glory, are packed with nutrients, and make for a deliciously healthy winter…