My kids love Mexican food and so do I.  The problem is that a lot of Mexican food is really unhealthy and can leave you feeling weighed down.  This recipe for Santa Fe Chicken Saute from Campbell’s Kitchen, however, highlights the lighter, springier side of Mexican food and offers you a delicious and healthy alternative to your everyday enchiladas.

It’s also incredibly easy to make and can be thrown together on a busy school night and served up with a salad in about 30 minutes.  Although it does call for some canned food, like black beans and tomato soup, it also incorporates fresh or frozen kernel corn, fresh cilantro, and green onions.  This dish is perfect over a bed of rice or quinoa and if your family likes avocado, a fresh slice of avocado on top adds flavor, color and a healthy dose of good fat. (more…)

Spring is in the air and if you are looking for easy and delicious ways to improve your mood, energy level, skin tone and brain power, these super foods may be just what the doctor ordered.  In many ways, food is the very best medicine if used correctly and BCBSNC and NC Health Plans believe in preventive care maintenance. This spring, try eating your way to a healthier, happier, more whole you!  Below are some foods that can give you the nutrients you need: (more…)

Spring is here and nothing makes for a tastier, healthier lunch than a light and delicious salad.  If the word salad scares you, conjuring up images of raw, plain, tasteless vegetables, think again!  We found this recipe for Perfect Spinach Salad from Ree Drummond, Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, and we think it is sure to please even the pickiest palate.

Spinach is known to be a super food and for good reason.  It is an excellent source of antioxidants and also contains an ample supply of important vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, iron and more.  It is also packed with Vitamin K, a vitamin necessary for blood clotting and one that may improve bone health, reducing fracture rates in people with osteoporosis.  One cup of raw spinach has only 7 calories and 5 grams of protein!  In fact, spinach is sometimes considered a “free” food on low-carb diets because it has so little impact on blood sugar levels.

But enough about spinach. The key to making this salad delicious is in the bacon… and eggs, mushrooms and onions, all of which have healthy components about which to boast.  Eggs are full of protein and mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.

This recipe only requires 15 minutes of prep time and another 25 minutes cook time, making it as easy as it is delicious.  With a rich peppered bacon-infused, Dijon mustard dressing, we think this recipe is aptly named – Perfect Spinach Salad.  Try the recipe here and we think you will agree.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

When it comes to food, the best things for you certainly aren’t free. In fact, research indicates that healthy eaters often spend more on food than their less healthy counterparts, and to follow a diet in line with the USDA’s latest nutrition recommendations would add hundreds of dollars to the average person’s annual food expenses.

In a new study from the University of Washington, researchers surveyed 2,000 adults in King County and analyzed their self-reported diets for nutrient content and cost. Their findings illustrated what you might already suspect: Not only were grains, sugars, and fats cheaper than fruits and vegetables on a per calorie basis, but consumers typically had to increase their food budget to incorporate recommended nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D, and calcium into their diet. For example, individuals who consumed potassium in accordance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines added an average of $380 a year to their annual food cost.

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Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.  Try to get your child’s school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.  Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child’s risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child’s soft drink consumption.

The information in this article : Back to School Tips is from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site ( http://www.aap.org ).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and good nutrition at an early age and reduce the risk of health problems, regardless of age.

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 professional 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.