News & Events
Nutrient Dense or Energy Dense?
Energy density and nutrient density are two important terms to understand when making food choices. Foods that are energy dense contain a higher number of calories per serving, while foods that are nutrient dense contain a higher level of vitamins, minerals, and other...
More than a Gut Feeling: Inside the Microbiome
The bacteria in our guts is responsible for metabolizing nutrients from food, acting as a protective barrier against infections in the intestine, and making fat-soluble vitamin K (which is needed to make proteins that help clot blood). Researchers are just scratching...
Pacific Crest Trail Challenge Starts July 23
Team, are you ready to backpack America's treasured Pacific Crest Trail? From the Mexican border to the edge of Canada — your route is brutal and breathtaking through the wild west’s deserts, mountains, and forests. Remember, the more you trek, the more destinations...
Walking Path Expansion Project
The Arc of Washington County will soon have three new marked walking paths on its Florida Avenue campus, thanks to a grant from the Healthiest Maryland Businesses that will provide funds for permanent signage. In addition to the existing walking and fitness path...
Buy Local Challenge
Join the Buy Local Challenge July 21-29 Have you heard of the Buy Local Challenge? The Challenge encourages all Marylanders to eat at least one locally grown or raised product each day of the Buy Local Challenge Week, which is always the last full week of July. Why...
Get Ready to Grill Safely
Food poisoning peaks in the summer months when warmer temperatures cause foodborne germs to flourish. Follow these steps for a safe and enjoyable grilling season. Separate When shopping, pick up meat, poultry, and seafood last, right before checkout. Separate them...
Make Your Summer Sizzle (not your sunburn)
The sun is out, the sky is blue and your favorite spot to swim is calling your name. Who’s ready to head outside and find an adventure? Summer months are full of fun—but because of that, simple safety precautions often get overlooked. Don’t waste your summer...
Are frozen vegetables “ready-to-eat”?
Except perhaps a quick glance at the recommended microwave cooking times, I’m betting that most people don’t look at the fine print on a bag of frozen vegetables. I’ve recently noticed that some packages now contain the food safety caution: “Product is not ready to...
June is Men’s Health Month
Most men need to pay more attention to their health. Compared to women, men are more likely to: * Smoke * Drink alcohol * Make unhealthy or risky choices * Put off regular checkups and medical care The good news is that you can start taking better care of your health...
Tobacco Breaks Hearts
https://youtu.be/Fyi-ePw9Qn0 The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 7 million people a year. More than 6 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 890,000 are the...
Poultry: Wash It or Not?
Research shows that 70% of consumers wash their chicken before they cook it. Where do you stand on this issue? The practice of washing chicken may actually have come from someone I admire greatly, Julia Child. In one of her episodes of The French Chef, she advised...
Spring Health Fair & Farmers Market – Prize Winners!
Thank you for everyone who attended this year’s Spring Health Fair and Farmers Market to make it our most successful year yet! We had over 130 attendees (a 30% increase) and 91 biometric screenings (a 10% increase). Due to the generous support of our vendors,...