February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. A great deal of time, effort and research has gone into the study of heart disease. Much of the early research was focused on research in men as they suffered the effects of heart disease with greater frequency than women. In recent years however, more interest has developed in the prevention of heart disease in women as heart disease is actually the number one cause of death in women.

We hear conflicting stories from the news media and doctors about the rise of children’s food allergies. The standard scratch testing is good for airborne such as dust, pets, trees and grasses but not as accurate when it comes to foods. Your “mother’s” intuition may be right on because you are there when your child reacts. What no one tells you is that it can take minutes to days for your child to react to the allergen.  There are different levels of allergens, too. From full blown life threatening allergies like peanuts to hard to detect “sensitivities” that affect skin, moods, bowels/gut and behavior to name a few.

The Science of Resolutions: Why Willpower Doesn’t Lead to Lasting Behavior Change (and Five Steps That Do)

If you’re tired of attacking your New Year’s resolutions full force, only to falter before January ends, Dr. Howard Rankin, founder of http://www.scienceofyou.com/, has some good news. With the right scientifically proven strategy, you CAN get rid of your unhealthy and unproductive habits for good in the new year.

We all make New Year's Resolutions, but how many of us actually keep them? If you’re like most Americans, you vow that this is the year you’ll lose weight, get your finances under control, or start working out three times a week. But by February or March, nothing’s really changed. You may even be wondering if a lifestyle change is even possible.

Organic vs. Conventional Diets for Children

If you choose to eat organic food you may be giving your child’s health a boost.  Children who eat organically grown food are exposed to a lower level of pesticides.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture now has a seal that certifies that food tagged with this seal has been grown free of growth hormones and genetically engineered substances, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

What exactly does organic mean and what are the benefits of an organic food diet?

In today’s quick fix society many health care providers are quick to diagnose and prescribe potentially harmful drugs to “fix” a symptom that could be a basic metabolic imbalance relieved by a natural product that the body recognizes.

Children with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Most children or infants with GERD are put on acid blockers because that is what the doctors know about and it will take the symptom away, but does it find the cause and fix that? No one has a Prilosec deficiency!

So many of us talk about new year's resolutions and often they revolve around increasing our health.  This year, let’s all try something new and make it a family affair.  It doesn’t matter what age your children are, we can all exercise together.  
Let’s all get up, get out, and let’s make exercise fun.

Nutrition and your skin 

The journey toward healthy skin begins with good nutrition - a well-balanced diet is essential for healthy skin. It won't necessarily reverse damage that is already done, but it will prevent more damage and nourish your skin by supplying the essential vitamins and minerals that your skin needs to keep it looking healthy.

Vitamins and minerals that play an important role in maintaining the quality of your skin include vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals such as selenium and zinc.

It is so hard to believe that the Holiday Season is here.  Even though the holidays are a joyous time for most it can also be a very stressful time.  How can you make life easier?  Read below for 20 simple solutions and tips to help make life and the holidays less stressful.

20 Ways to Make Life Easier:  The Simplest Solution Is Often The Best One

In an effort to vary the recipe section of OCM, I contacted  Cheryl Heppard of http://www.michiganhealthcoach.com/ to help provide us with articles on health and wellness. Cheryl is a personal friend and health expert. This is her first column for OCM and she will be providing many delicious recipes in the coming weeks designed to help with eating healthier and preventing disease.

With the holidays ahead, many people will spend time getting ready by decorating and cleaning. While it's important to spend time cleaning up the yard and the house, it’s also wise to turn our attention to cleansing and detoxifying a home of another kind, our body.