Health Matters
Dr. Diana T. Yu is the health officer for Thurston and Mason counties. Contact her at 360-867-2501 or yud@co.thurston.wa.us
The South Sound's best source for health and fitness information
LIVING COLUMNS
Now is the time to move toward your wellness goals
Are you obese? Overweight? Chubby? Big-boned? Hefty? Any way you put it, if these words apply, you probably are not at your most healthful weight.
To enjoy the holidays, drive sober
The holidays have arrived, bringing more family celebrations and parties, and more time off work.
Keeping food safe during the holidays
Whether you are hosting a sit-down holiday meal, a buffet, a gathering with tasty appetizers, or contributing to a potluck, there are important tips to ensure the food you serve is both delicious and safe. Carefully following the steps of clean, separate, cook, serve, and chill will help protect your family and guests from food poisoning.
Health improves once you quit smoking
Quitting tobacco use is one of the best things that you can do for your personal health. But have you ever wondered what happens to your body when you quit?
Avoid water contact in lakes with algae blooms
Recently, advisories have warned about algae blooms in local lakes. Blue-green algae reproduce rapidly in fresh water when the amount of sunlight, temperature and nutrients are adequate.
Healthful lunches can taste good, too
When it comes to packing a school lunch, “keeping it cool at school” doesn’t mean wearing the latest clothes or playing a popular sport. A cool lunch includes healthful foods that your child will eat and enjoy. Getting kids involved in planning and preparing lunches for the next day can build family connectedness and teach them about food safety and nutrition.
Benefits of breast-feeding
The first week of August marks World Breastfeeding Week in more than 170 countries. Why celebrate breastfeeding? There is no substitute for breastmilk. If breastmilk could be bottled and sold, it would be labeled a “miracle cure.”
How to avoid waterborne illnesses
Summertime for many people means heading out to their favorite lake or swimming hole to cool off. However, thousands of Americans every year get sick from those recreational waters.
Follow rules to eat well – and safely – at potlucks
The days are getting longer, the sun is showing more and the potlucks are coming. As the potluck/picnic season approaches, I wanted to remind you of food safety basics that allow you to share food with your friends and family confidently.
Help teens kick (or not start) habit
This past week, youth across the nation celebrated National Kick Butts Day, which was launched in 1995 by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to empower youth to speak up and take action against tobacco use. With that recent reminder, now is a good time to talk to your kids about tobacco use.
Site Map
- News
- South Sound
- Business
- Education
- Environment
- Crime
- Military
- Northwest
- National News
- Stock Market
- Traffic
- Weather
- RSS Feeds
- Multimedia
- Local Video
- Local Galleries
- Today in Photos
- Nation & World Galleries
- Your Videos
- Your Photos
- Mobile website
- Photo Reprints
111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, Washington 98506 · 360-754-5400
© Copyright 2013 The Olympian. A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company
Partners: The News Tribune | The Peninsula Gateway | The Puyallup Herald | Northwest Guardian | KIRO7