Happy Thanksgiving from NC Health Plans!  If you are like me, you are always looking for new and exciting side dishes to spruce up your Thanksgiving table.  As much as I love new recipes, however, I don’t love spending hours in the kitchen trying to make something special.  This recipe for slow-cooker sweet potatoes with bacon from myrecipes.com is not only simple, it’s sure to please.  After all, everything’s better with bacon and sweet potatoes are one of fall’s most nutritious and delicious root vegetables.

Both sweet and salty, this yummy Thanksgiving side-dish is easy to prep and won’t cost you valuable time and stove-top space while you are busy with other things.  In addition, this dish adds beautiful color and is a hearty addition to any Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy and NC Health Plans wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving day!  For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, 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.

Autumn has arrived and with it, an abundance of pumpkins and squash.  Not only are these fruits a beautiful reminder of fall and great for decorating, they are also good for your health.  Although not all pumpkins and gourds are made for eating, many are and they can make a great addition to your autumn diet.  A healthy diet is an important part of maintaining good health, which is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina encourages members to be proactive and eat right.  This fall, you can make pumpkins a part of your preventive care maintenance by incorporating them into some of your recipes.

Especially good in soups and stews, pumpkins and squash are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, especially Vitamins A, C and E.  They are also rich in dietary fiber and boast an abundance of carotenes, while still being low in calories. They have zero saturated fat and no cholesterol and are a great part of a low-cholesterol diet in need of some hearty, robust flavors.

Here is a basic guide to some popular pumpkins and squash: (more…)