What does it mean to be a responsible dog owner? For starters, it means getting a dog for the right reasons. Dogs are meant to be our companions and to share our lives with us. The right reasons to get a dog are to help him become all that he can be. To properly feed and exercise him. To spend quality time socializing and training him. But there are many wrong reasons to get a dog. Some of these include as a means of protection or to be a hobby breeder. When dogs are purchased as a means of protection, most people think this means keeping them away from other dogs and people to make them more protective. By doing this, your dog is not getting the socialization that he requires and as a result ends up fearful, aggressive, and destructive.

(more…)

For information on how to reduce your health insurance premiums when you quit smoking, call our toll free number at 888-765-5400.  We offer health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and under the Blue Advantage plan, you can qualify for a discount in your premium if you fall within their preferred guidelines.  To see if you qualify, contact our office for a rate quote and on-line application or visit our website www.nchealthplans.com.  The following article on  on “How to Avoid Weight Gain When you Quit Smoking” came from a post from the American Heart Association.

How to Avoid Weight Gain When Quitting Smoking

If you’re going to quit smoking, you need to know about situations that may tempt you to gain weight. There are some common situations and practical solutions for each. This information is based on the real-life experiences of many people.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

1. Have your spouse portion your food, or portion it yourself. Put away extra food so it’s hard to have second helpings. (more…)

QUIT SMOKING – YOUR HEALTH COVERAGE THROUGH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NC (BCBSNC) CAN BE RATED AS MUCH AS 30% HIGHER IF YOU SMOKE.  IF YOU QUIT SMOKING, NOT ONLY DO YOU GAIN THE HEALTH BENEFITS, BUT YOU ALSO PAY LOWER HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.  Call our agency for more details about healthy lifestyle discounts and how to reduce your premiums – 888-765-5400.  The following article on Nicotine Addition came from a a post from the American Heart Association. (more…)

Second-Hand Smoke Fact Sheet

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!  This is the one recommendation you will find in almost every diet, every fitness book and every guide to improved nutrition. The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, The World Health Organization, Department of Agriculture and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention agree this is sound advise. There is strong evidence that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods may reduce the risk of cancer. Healthcare professionals agree that most patients would be healthier if they consumed more raw, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Eating raw fruits and veggies helps build stronger bodies that stay healthier and are better able to fight disease.  Most of us do not eat enough raw fruits and veggies.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

Obesity

With the rate of diabetes diagnosis on the rise, everyone should know the signs and symptoms of this disease.  Early detection can be key to managing this disease and leading a healthy life.  You may be a picture of health and not realize you could be a candidate for diabetes.

Excessive thirst and increased urination

Flu-like feeling

Weight loss or gain

Blurred vision

Slow-healing sores or frequent infections

Tingling hands and feet

Red, swollen, tender gums

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

We all seem to be trying to live a more healthy lifestyle.  Eating healthy begins with planning.  Plan meals ahead, make your list, and order that list around the perimeter of the store.  Add a snack menu to your list that includes healthy items such as baby carrots, apples, oranges, pears, whole grain snacks, blueberries, grapes, salsa, pretzels, cottage cheese, and broccoli florets.  Meal planning and available healthy snacks will make healthy eating more successful and enjoyable.  One last tip…. don’t forget to only grocery shop after a good meal. 

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

A child’s risk of adult obesity may be linked to sleep deprivation.   According to researchers, more than 1,000 people were followed from birth to 32 comparing those with too little sleep to those that were well-rested.  The results found that those children that received fewer than 11 hours of sleep each night over the years, were more likely to have a Mass Body Index higher than those that received adequate sleep.  Experts agree that the optimum amount of sleep for children ages 5 to 12 is 11 hours and for teenagers, 8.5 to 9.5 hours. 

The best way to ensure that children are getting enough Zs is to establish bedtime routines.  Utilize a few simple steps that you follow each and every night.  Begin with a quiet activity that signals that the evening is winding down.  Many parents find that a warm bath, followed by a story help set the tone for bedtime.  Whatever your routine, be consistent and follow through.  A well-rested child is a happy child and could possibly be a more fit and trim adult.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

*Study statistics gathered from Pediatrics, November 2008.