Get Active

Healthy Winter Breakfast Ideas (Protein Pancakes!) to Fuel Outdoor Activities

Blue skies. Fresh powder. And energy to burn. Sounds like a perfect day to explore the Northern Michigan outdoors. But before you go hiking, skiing or sledding (or another favorite winter activity!), it’s important to fuel your body. Traverse City chef Michelle Rodriguez shares her favorite protein pancakes recipe and more winter breakfast ideas. “Carbohydrates […]

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is More Than a Gym, It’s a Community

Staying active during winter is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle year-round. And for those blistering cold days that we’re oh-so-familiar with in Northern Michigan, it’s nice to have indoor places to be active. Thanks to the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, we have three locations in Traverse City that allow just that—Central (at the Civic Center), […]

Winter Activities in Northern Michigan: Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt

Are you running out of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained during the winter? Well, hereʼs a fun one: try a winter scavenger hunt! These Northern Michigan scavenger hunt ideas will get everyone up and out of the house and making memories. Hereʼs a full day of fun laid out for your family. Turn each […]

How Seniors Stay Active During Winter in Northern Michigan

For people with limited mobility, finding exercises that work well for them can be difficult—especially in the snowy months when everything is ice-covered in Northern Michigan. Discover how seniors stay active during winter. Ericca “CC” Hovie is the Traverse City Program Coordinator at the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Senior Center Network. For nine […]

I Want to Be Healthier: Q&A with Traverse City Behavioral Health Specialist Mandy Remai

Are you ready to make a healthy lifestyle change but don’t know where to start? Advice can come from all directions, and it can easily become overwhelming. Here’s a simple solution: Start small. We consult with Traverse City Behavioral Health Specialist Mandy Remai, who works at Munson Healthcare’s Healthy Weight Center and also owns a […]

4 Ways to Be a Healthy Role Model for Your Kids

We’ve all heard the analogy that kids are sponges—while adorable, this can be terrifying for caregivers. You don’t need to worry about what habits they’re soaking up though once you’ve embraced this simple truth: model the behaviors you want your kids to mimic Tara Rybicki, a Traverse City-based Community Health Coordinator for Munson Healthcare, shares […]

How to Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Doable Tips & Expert Advice

© Photo by Graceland Fruit Munson Healthcare Community Health Coordinator Tara Rybicki, MS, says small, healthy lifestyle changes quickly add up and are key to meeting your goals. There’s a well-known quote by teacher and author Eckhart Tolle, “If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.” And it’s a quote Tara Rybicki […]

Healthy, Fun Ways to Reduce Screen Time for Kids and Adults

Numerous studies have been shared cautioning us about the implications of too much screen time, especially for children. In a media-savvy world, this can be difficult. But simple (and fun!) steps can be taken both at home and in the workplace to reduce screen time. Ben Watson, Weight Management Coordinator at Munson’s Foster Family Community Health […]

6 Great Healthy Lifestyle Apps for Food, Exercise and Sleep

There are many ways technology can help you live a healthier lifestyle, no matter where you live in Northern Michigan or what equipment you have. And these resources couldn’t be more convenient than through cell phone apps. From fitness to food to sleep, check out these six healthy lifestyle apps.   Fooducate  Ben Watson, Weight […]