Healthy City, USA, is a community-led initiative developed by Portneuf Health Trust, community health partners and media partners in eastern Idaho. The goal of this initiative is to make our community a model of health in the country and to build health and wellness into our community's DNA.
For more information, visit the Healthy City, USA page by clicking here
Summer is approaching, which means more activities in and around water. In the U.S., someone dies from drowning every ten minutes and one out …
Trying to figure out when and what to feed your kids can be frustrating, especially when they are toddlers. Toddlers may reject a certain food…
To quote a well know song lyric — SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER (thank you Alice Cooper for this perennial ode to the end of the school year). Look …
As discussed in a previous article, baby rashes are quite common and often have simple solutions. This article is a continuation of the previo…
Baby skin can be very sensitive and when rashes appear, it can make a parent unsure of what to do. A rash is a swelling or irritation of the s…
I believe it’s a fair statement that responsibly managing personal screen time is now a skill that every human being will eventually need to d…
Have you heard of the 1% rule? It’s the rule Sir David Brailsford used to help the British cycling team win eight gold medals at the 2008 Olym…
Eating healthy is important and starting to teach kids when they are young can set them on the path of healthy eating throughout their lives.
Some of my favorite memories as a parent happened at the beach. We always loved the times we had an opportunity to take our kids and visit the…
Why can’t we treat the common cold? The common cold, and most other infections, are caused by viruses. Viruses are too weird and mutate too qu…
As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, many of us reflect on the past and contemplate resolutions for the year ahead. While the e…
Here’s a word you don’t hear very often, but you might relate to in a big way. The word is “malaise.” Malaise is an unfamiliar word with a fam…
Have you ever wondered why your doctor insists on the age-old advice to “drink plenty of fluids” when you’re feeling under the weather?
Are you having a hard time paying attention? Do you no longer find joy in activities you normally love? Do you feel irritable for no reason? D…
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) or simply A1C is one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as the mai…
The rising cost of food has many of us seeking sales, discount stores, and food pantries. Some of us have been forced to make tough decisions …
It’s a great question. My patients ask me for the answer often. Usually because they are desperate to quit smoking and think it may be a good …
As November begins, we embark on National Diabetes Awareness Month, a critical time to shed light on the importance of early diagnosis. With m…
There are a lot of fun things to do in the winter, but we also need to be prepared for the bad weather. Winter storms create a higher risk of …
I was playing basketball with my son and son-in-law a few months ago at the university gym when I had an eye opening experience. After a picku…
Diabetes is becoming more prevalent in an age of information when that one would anticipate would help prevent it. Environment and lifestyle c…
Trick or Treat! Halloween is a favorite holiday for many kids, from eating candy to dressing up, spending time with friends, and being outside…
Mental health matters.
October is Pastor Appreciation month, and it’s a great opportunity to have an important conversation about pastors and mental health. I worked…
It is no secret that I do not like the acid reflux medicines called Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPIs. Examples are Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid…
All project opportunities in 4-H provide a unique avenue for youth to enhance their physical, emotional, and environmental well-being. As a 4-…
What is anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of dread, fear, or uneasiness related to some particular source. That source could be a person, situatio…
The humble pumpkin is making its way to front porches nationwide. Beyond its role as a decorative icon, this versatile vegetable is a nutritio…
One unique and interesting cluster of individuals I have the pleasure of dealing with are judgmental people. Especially the ones who are quick…
Have you ever heard of gleaning? Gleaning, or gathering leftover produce after a harvest, is gaining interest, especially since the price of f…
WarrArguments continually occur at family gatherings, church events, school functions, and doctors’ offices about the effects of screen time o…
Fall is here. That means cold and flu season. But, it also means the start of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season. RSV is a common respir…
I can remember years ago having a conversation with a parent about a child’s behavior in school and watching the mom’s face melt into discoura…
There are multiple theories on aging and the causes, reasons and views about disease states. Reality suggests that they are all correct, as ev…
Whether it be dining in or dining out, when you or someone you care for is managing diabetes, finding something to eat can be a challenge. Dec…
As the seasons change, so do our routines. Whether you're heading back to school, back to work or embracing the joys of retirement, one aspect…
Fall is on the way! Days are getting shorter, leaves are changing colors, and school is starting. Here are a few safety tips to help enjoy thi…
When your health care provider says that you need to eat more fruits and vegetables, it might not be beneficial, especially if you already eat…
Years ago, we had a cat named Hitch. I don’t remember why he was named Hitch — we adopted him with that name — but I do remember that Hitch ha…
The Journal of Medical Internet Research released an article that was a meta-analysis (meaning a review of other articles in medical journals)…
It is not arguable that moving your body with some form of physical activity improves that non-mobile squishy mass called your brain.
More than 50 million people in the United States have an allergic reaction each year. You are more likely to have allergies and a reaction if …
People in the medical profession are often asked, from our experience of seeing illness and poor health, what are a few of the conditions, mor…
As temperatures rise this summer, turning on the oven or cooking on the stove may be unappealing. Some older homes in Pocatello may not have a…
Keep your eye out for 4 percent vinegar.
It’s true for a lot of people that being bored leads to getting in trouble. That’s probably especially true for kids. Parents understand the p…
Last weekend I was throwing the football with my son and son-in-law. Now, both of these guys are in their early 20s and fit. I’m 46, and while…
This article could easily be viewed as a logical fallacy. A logical fallacy is a mistake in reasoning. It occurs when someone draws a conclusi…
You’ve had a long morning at work, and you look at the clock and realize it’s already noon! Your stomach is grumbling, and you don’t know what…
I remember it like it was yesterday. The thrill of summer break from school. I remember the last day of school my fourth-grade year. When I go…
It is that time of year again, as we prepare for the chaos that is affectionately called “back-to-school.” I have often been asked by slightly…
While working as a Registered Dietitian in a health clinic, many of my patients noted how they only drink diet sodas or use artificial sweeten…
Summer is here! It’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy fun family adventures. From sunburns to heat exhaustion to insect bites to drowning, s…
Weight loss is likely one of the most commonly shared ambitions amongst people of all shapes and sizes, one possible exception being winning t…
Did you know skin is our largest organ? Our skin helps to regulate body temperature, control blood pressure, prevent moisture loss and protect…
Supplements to your diet should be just that: Supplements to your diet. You do not need many if your diet is adequate.
There are many conditions that can affect the skin. There are more than 12 million doctor visits from children each year related to skin conce…
It is no longer arguable to say that food has nothing to do with your overall health. I remember the days, however, when it was argued about a…
Boiling-water bath canning is a method of food preservation for acidic foods using pressure created by submerging glass jars in boiling water.…
People see doctors for a variety of reasons. The Mayo Clinic did a study in 2013 involving a total of 142,377 subjects addressing just that.
As a parent, it can be frustrating to have a picky eater. It can also be frustrating to be married to a picky eater. Picky eating is very norm…
This may seem a bit premature with our lovely weather of late. (Side note: Whoever ticked off Mother Nature, I have an issue with you!) Eventu…
Microgreens are nutrient-dense tiny greens that can be grown in small spaces, even on your windowsill. Various microgreen seeds can be used, f…
Dr. Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Barack Obama said, “Re…
The Centers for Disease Control issued a nationwide recall on April 28 for 2-pound, 5-pound and 10-pound bags of Gold Medal Bleached and Unble…
Burly. Grizzly. Strong. Fearless. Nerves of Steel. Gutsy. All of those are synonyms for someone who can face danger and stand up to it.
The sun is shining, and the birds are singing. Are you feeling inspired to tidy up? Make springtime the time to establish new food safety habi…
The British Medical Journal, or BMJ, recently published a report looking at dietary programs and the risk of cardiovascular disease — heart at…
Nutrition and sleep may seem unrelated, but in some ways, they are. The current understanding is that diet and sleep have a reciprocal relationship.
Are you one of the many people who has been told by your doctor that you need a statin drug because your cholesterol, in medical terms, sucks?…
According to indicators, one in five Americans will experience depressive symptoms in their lifetime, some far worse than others. A very large…
This week's tribute to National Nutrition Month and Fuel for the Future theme will dive into how food is packaged and sold.
March is National Nutrition Month, and the theme this year is strategizing how to create a more sustainable, healthy future. But understanding…
I was in Salt Lake City visiting my daughter a few weeks ago and we decided to go get some lunch. She drove me around to a few places close to…
March is National Nutrition Month and this year the theme encourages us to consider the environment when making food choices. The average Amer…
Sleep is crucial to the development and health of children, but as many as 50 percent of children experience sleep issues during childhood. Sl…
Cognitive health has been on people’s minds (yes, that was intended) more so in the last few years than I recall, even after practicing medici…
One out of every five smoking-related deaths is caused by heart disease. Smoking is the most preventable cause of early death in the United St…
The benefits of exercise cannot be overstated. One group of people we usually do not think about as participating in exercise due to their cur…
To continue recognizing February Heart Month, let’s explore how sweetened beverages impact your heart. Reducing the intake of sweetened bevera…
