Give your medicine cabinet a check-up!
Give your medicine cabinet a once-a-year check-up to make sure it's fully stocked with everything you need to handle your family's health needs.  Check expiration dates and throw away any unused medicine and leftover prescriptions.

Wash 'em!
Be sure to wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking them

EAT BREAKFAST!
Don't start your day on an empty stomach. A study presented by the American Heart Association suggests that people who eat breakfast are far less likely than people who skip the morning meal to develop obesity and signs of diabetes. Choose foods such as whole-grain cereals, bagels, fruits and nonfat yogurt.

Protect your skin from the sun.
Use sunscreen with an spf on at least 15. Wear a hat that protects your ears. Don't forget your sunglasses. Too much sun increases your risk of skin cancer.

Snacks can be a healthy way to control your appetite and waist line!
Snacks should help balance your diet not add unneeded calories or fat. Try taking healthy snacks along with you in your purse or briefcase like small boxes of cereal plain popcorn, pretzels or dried fruit.

Go for the deepest and the greenest!
When buying salad greens, select those deepest in color-dark green and reds. The dark green means beta-carotene and other carotenoids, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium and other nutrients are present.

One of the best ways to have active children is to be an active parent.
Encourage your kids to turn off the television and go for a family walk, ride bikes, play kick ball, or toss a frisbee. By enjoying active time together, you improve your health as well as your family's.

Avoid Secondhand smoke!
Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer, heart disease and other serious health problems in nonsmokers.

YOU DO HAVE CHOICES TO REDUCE CANCER RISKS
Call your doctor and schedule a regular check-up.
Unfortunately, cancers often begin their deadly growth before symptoms become obvious. Screening is a critical tool in discovering cancers at a point when treatments are most likely to be successful. Protect your health through maintaining a regular cancer screening schedule.

Wear Sunglasses
Not only will you look "Cool" but you will be protecting your eyes.
Studies have found that exposure to bright sunlight can increase the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. Buy sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) rays. Don't be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag.

Water keeps your skin glowing by retaining moisture, fuels your body for physical activities and improves your circulation and digestion. Keep a bottle of water at work and take one along when traveling, exercising or out in the sun.Having 6 to 8 glasses of water daily is reccommended.

Here's a good rule of thumb to follow when you want to know how many ounces of water you should be drinking. Divide your weight by 2. Example: 170 lbs divided by 2 equals 85. You should drink 85 ounces of water daily.

Five reasons to be physically active for 30 minutes or more most days of the week.

1. Releases tension
   
2. Helps keep weight under control
   
3. Prevents bone loss
   
4. Improves blood cholesterol levels
   
5. Improves self-image

If you're watching your weight and you are concerned with your blood pressure, limit your intake of sodium to no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium a day; that's about a teaspoon of table salt. Avoid highly salted and processed foods like chips, crackers, and most canned soups.

For MEN Only Health Screenings! Click here for more information!

Randolph County, put on your comfortable shoes and let's go walking! Click here for some great walking locations!

Healthy Community Nutrition Education Initiative —Looking for information on nutrition, healthy recipes, and more? Look no further!

Community Policy and Environmental Change Program—Policy and environmental changes enable communities to support healthy behaviors. For more information, please click here!

Skin Cancer Facts

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputations. For more information on the signs and symptoms of diabetes, please click here.

According to the National Stroke Association, a great majority of all stroke patients experience high blood pressure prior to experiencing a "brain attack," which occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped. Consequences can include impaired speaking, walking, breathing or death. Know the warning signs of a stroke with more information here.

Know the signs of a heart attack!

Everyone can take steps to control their blood pressure! Learn more here!

Knowing what your target heart rate is an effective way to measure your initial fitness level and to monitor your progress after you begin a fitness program.

Arthritis is one of Missouri's most common chronic health problems affecting as many as 1.5 million residents 18 years of age and older. Find out more about arthritis here.