This show primarily aims to find current news or trends (in nutrition, sustainable eating, or stress reduction) that are important, but confusing or controversial. I will arrange the information in a way to make it clear and relevant.
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Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State Uni ...
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The K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences specialist for the northeast region, Sharolyn Jackson, says Halloween marks the beginning of what some refer to as a food and party marathon that won’t end until after the Super Bowl. While many may gain just a pound or two, some will gain five pounds or more. According to Jackson, for…
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Kansas State University Extension adult development and aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says retirement is one of life’s most stressful events – and it’s not all tied to how much you’ve saved. Researchers have been focusing on more than just managing retirement accounts and are exploring retiree’s life experiences and they’ve found several distinc…
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Living Well Wednesday: Making Our Lives better
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The fall K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Living Well Wednesday webinar series will cover how to distribute personal possessions without harming relationships, reducing the risk of falls, and ways to declutter and downsize. Sharolyn Jackson, the family and consumer sciences specialist for the northeast region, has an over…
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Regardless of the price of an item or product, there’s nothing more frustrating than being a disappointed consumer. This is especially true if it’s difficult to get any kind of satisfaction from the retailer or seller. However, consumers have rights, and K-State Research and Extension family resource specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) says she’s on a…
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HOTB 300: Some straight talk about protein intake and muscle mass
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Many athletes involved in all types of sports add protein powders to their daily regimen, assuming that it will help stimulate muscle mass as they train. But does it? You would assume many research studies are looking into this, and you would be correct. I discuss an elaborate study that shows that provided the protein intake is adequate, exercise …
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A national report on the state of mental health in the United States indicates that Kansas has made significant progress – moving from 51st in the 2022 rankings – essentially last among all 50 states and the District of Columbia – to 22nd in the 2024 rankings. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Heal…
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Bonding with Children Through Daily Activities
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Like any relationship, the bond between a parent and child can be made stronger. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist, Bradford Wiles, says it starts with being intentional about spending quality time together. He says that can include eating together, talking about your day, working on projects or playing together. Sound Liv…
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The Seriousness of Falls for Older Adults
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Statistics show that nearly 30% of older adults in Kansas experience at least one fall every single year – often resulting in serious injuries. Kansas State University Extension aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says Extension invests a great deal of its resources on programs to help older adults increase their confidence in maintaining their balanc…
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Routines Help Youth Manage Stress and Anxiety
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With fall classes getting underway, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, says there are a lot of things that can create anxiety and stress for students. Elaine Johannes says the way middle school and high school students do school today is different from what she did many years ago w…
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The Changing Dynamics of Becoming a Grandparent
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When it comes to being a grandparent, Kansas State University aging and adult development specialist, Erin Martinez, suggests trying not to take the grandparent “fun card” too far. Instead, stay within the boundaries and expectations of the parent and spend time with grandchildren in a meaningful and purposeful way. Martinez says there are some uni…
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The first-ever Kansas Local Food Summit, an event highlighting the state’s challenges in accessing nutritious foods, is being held August 27th and 28th in Wichita. According to K-State Research and Extension Local Food System program coordinator, Amanda Lindahl, this summit is designed to help Kansas communities fill gaps in local food systems by e…
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Back-to-School Budgeting: Ways to Avoid Overspending
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Summer has nearly come-and-gone and for students of all ages it’s time to start purchasing the required school supplies. While not required, new clothes, backpacks, lunch bags, and technology are often part of the back-to-school expenses. The National Retail Federation reports that families of kindergarten through 12th grade students are expected t…
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Time, Money and Talent: Teaching Children About Finances
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Teaching children about earning, spending, sharing, borrowing, and saving helps them learn about the ways their time, money and talents are valued. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles and family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) have co-authored the publication, Through a Child’s Eyes: Helpi…
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows the American diet – once given a grade of ‘F’ – has improved to a ‘D’ but there is still a lot of work to do to improve our diet. K-State Research and Extension nutrition and wellness educator, Priscilla Brenes, says we need to increase our consu…
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Extreme Heat and its Impact on Mental health
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The American Psychological Association has done quite a bit of research on what extreme heat does to us and how we respond to extreme heat. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, says the findings show that extreme heat puts mental health at risk. She says prolonged ex…
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An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables make summer the perfect time to add something we rarely get enough of in our daily diet. We can also fight the summer heat by using alternative ways to prepare meals that reduce the heat in the kitchen. And, we can combat the boredom that’s setting in for kids by getting them involved in preparing healthy…
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When summer boredom starts to set in and kids are getting restless, it’s time to find something new for them to do – but what? K-State Research and Extension has some ideas. In a series of publications called, Suddenly in Charge, Extension family and consumer science agents created a resource that parents and caregivers can turn to for quick recipe…
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Estate planning is defined as the process of arranging your affairs to meet your objectives regarding the use, conservation, and disposal of your property. However, a K-State Research and Extension family resource management and wellness agent says it’s also a gift that you can give your family. Renae Riedy is working on new Extension publications …
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According to a 2023 annual report by the March of Dimes, Kansas received a low grade in care before, during and after birth. The report found that 45.7% of Kansas counties are defined as maternity care deserts – indicating a lack of obstetric providers, and lack of hospitals and birth centers with obstetric care. Elaine Johannes, Kansas Health Foun…
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That idea for this episode was sparked by an article in the Guardian about a woman who changed her yard into a suburban micro-farm. That article hit so many positive notes that I thought it was worthy of an entire episode. But first, I did a quick review of the new documentary "Food Inc. 2". This is a sequel to the popular but controversial documen…
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Walk Kansas Participants Logged the Miles
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The goal of Walk Kansas is to keep moving – and that’s what the coordinator of the K-State Research and Extension health initiative is doing. Walk Kansas 2024 wrapped up May 25th and Sharolyn Jackson is already looking ahead to programs for 2025 – the program’s 25th year. During this year’s eight-week program, participants logged enough minutes to …
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A Men's Health Guide: Defending Against Cancer
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, accounting for one in every four deaths. After that, according to the CDC, are lung, prostate and colorectal cancers. The good news is that these health threats men face are largely preventable. However, a K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences agent says early detection is ke…
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After receiving a lot of questions about what hospice care is, K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences developed a four-page Fact Sheet, Understanding Hospice. K-State Extension specialist in adult development and aging, Erin Martinez, one of the authors of the Fact Sheet, says it helps answer the questions people have about how…
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Whether it’s in a physical location, remote or hybrid, work can be stressful. A 2024 report from Lyra (leer-uh) Health concluded that people in remote work situations are facing a post-pandemic surge in serious and complex mental health conditions. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health and a sta…
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Having to pay higher prices for goods and services affects families in many ways, often straining a family’s budget. When this occurs, paying attention to your finances and making cuts where necessary can help combat higher prices. When your income, for whatever reason, isn’t meeting your needs or financial goals, K-State Extension family resource …
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Keeping Fruits and Vegetables Fresh; Preparing for Canning Season
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There’s nothing more frustrating than purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables – especially at today’s prices – and having to throw some of them out because they went bad before they could be eaten. Kansas State University food scientist and coordinator of the university’s Rapid Response center, Karen Blakeslee, has tips for safely storing fresh frui…
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HOTB 298: What's in this thing? A closer look at GOLO
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I often get questions from people who have seen advertisements for weight loss supplements and they wonder if they work. One of those supplement companies has a product that they call "GOLO". Their pitch is that it is a combination of supplement pills and a low-calorie diet, but it is primarily pills that contain a few minerals and some crushed her…
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Multiple studies suggest there is a science to happiness. Participants in this year’s Walk Kansas, an annual eight-week challenge that encourages people to exercise and live more healthfully while working toward a common goal, had access to a webinar that focused on the benefits of being happy. Michelle Lane, the senior director of community wellne…
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Is Your Skin Protected from the Sun's Harmful Rays
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Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers – and it’s been on the rise over the past few years. According to the American Cancer Society, more than five million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States – that’s more than all other cancers combined. K-State Extension Northwest Regional Specialist for family and consumer sciences,…
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The arrival of warmer weather is an opportunity for parents to spend more time outdoors with their children. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles says there’s just all kinds of really cool activities and opportunities to support our children’s development in a conscientious and forward-thinking way. He discusse…
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Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters. In most of the U.S., extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees – and it’s becoming more of a health risk. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Ka…
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Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd to raise awareness and support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day was held in 1970, and it’s now observed by millions of people in over 190 countries around the world. Kansas State University family resource management specialist Elizabeth KIss (kish) says it’s also an opportunity to m…
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Developing positive lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly and eating healthful foods, often require just a little nudge – not a lot of effort or willpower. Walk Kansas 2024 is focusing on how simple shifts can help positive habits stick. State leader for Walk Kansas and the K-State Research and Extension family and consumer science special…
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HOTB 297: Can regular meditation enhance healing?
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I stumbled upon an article about meditation that led me down a rabbit hole of other articles looking into why or how meditation helps us feel better. Turns out, there are hundreds of recent articles discovering exactly what meditation is doing in our bodies. So where would I begin? It was overwhelming to be sure. But I started with articles from th…
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What is Too Much Screen Time Costing You?
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TV, smartphones and tablets are part of our culture. That doesn’t mean we should spend every waking minute staring at a screen. In fact, research shows both adults and children benefit from limiting screen time to just a few hours a day. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles says not establishing rules for scree…
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No More Excuses: Schedule Your Annual Wellness Exam
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According to the National Institutes of Health, even if you feel fine, you should still see your health provider for regular checkups because these annual wellness exams can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly, and regular blood tests can check …
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National Nutrition Month: Eating a Variety of Foods
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MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines for daily health, recommends one-half of your plate at any meal should include fruits and vegetables; one-quarter each for grains and proteins, and one serving of dairy. March is National Nutrition Month and K-State Research and Extension nutrition and wellness educator, Priscilla Bre…
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Are You Prepared for Severe Weather Events?
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Kansas experiences a variety of spring and summertime severe weather events, including tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, lightning and flash flooding. Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 4-8. Kansas State University climatologist and manager of Mesonet, a network of environmental monitoring stations across the state, Chip Redmond, sugges…
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Some studies have shown that eating nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day could reduce a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease by as much as 60%. An eating style that’s becoming more popular, the Mediterranean Diet, focuses on a holistic approach to incorporating healthy protein and healthy fats, eating more fruits, vegetables and whole g…
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The Importance of Routine Blood Pressure Checks
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High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms until there are greater problems. The Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, Elaine Johannes, says Extension agents are being trained as Healthy Heart Ambassadors …
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Walk Kansas, an annual K-State Research and Extension health initiative that promotes personal health and well-being by helping participants adopt healthful lifestyle habits over an eight-week period, begins March 31st and runs through May 25th. Walk Kansas State Leader and Northeast Area Family and Consumer Science Specialist, Sharolyn Jackson, sa…
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HOTB 296: What are branched-chain amino acids and why are they essential?
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Today's episode is a relatively short one, so I thought I would start by giving you a 5 minute sample of my new memoir, called Helpers Anonymous (now on audible and itunes. If you are interested in listening to the audio version of the memoir, you could send me your first name and email address and I will email you one of the free audible codes for…
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Valentine’s Day typically involves roses, chocolates, dining out and lots of romance. However, Kansas State University child development specialist Bradford Wiles says it can also be a time for kindness. He says Valentine’s Day celebrates love and kindness is a key component of love. Wiles discusses how parents can show kindness toward their childr…
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Assistive Technology Basics for Making Daily Tasks Easier
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Assistive technology can help everyone, but it’s especially beneficial for people with disabilities or older adults. Without assistive technology, Kansas State University Extension specialist in adult development and aging, Erin Martinez, says people may feel excluded and isolated, which increases the impact and risk of disease, disability, and men…
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HOTB 295: How to conquer weight loss plateaus
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Back in the old days, maybe 50 years ago, scientists believed that it was all about the math. We decided that a deficit of 3500 calories would equal 1 pound of weight loss and the weight loss was from the burning of fat stores for that energy. If that’s the case, a daily deficit of 500 calories per day would be equal to 1 pound of fat loss per week…
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Science shows a connection between getting a good night’s sleep – night after night – and the impact it has on our body and mind. The K-State Research and Extension Living Well Wednesday webinar series for January, presented by Michelle Lane, senior director of Community Wellness at North Kansas City Hospital, focused on the benefits of sleep – wha…
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Living Well Wednesday Begins in January with Sleep is a Superpower
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Not getting a good night’s sleep can result in more than feeling tired the next day. Science proves sleep directly affects life expectancy, relationships, libido, cardiovascular health and the immune system. The first Living Well Wednesday series of 2024, hosted by K-State Research and Extension, focuses on sleep being a superpower. In addition to …
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Often when it comes to goal-setting, Kansas State University family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) says we think it’s all or nothing…”We think ‘I have to do this or ‘I have to be focused…’ However, that’s not necessarily the best or most successful way to achieve what your goals. Instead, Kiss says to take the long view on goa…
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Candy can be as much of a holiday tradition as decorating the tree, putting up the lights and exchanging gifts. However, some holiday candy, such as fudge, peanut brittle, toffee and peanut butter balls, are a lot more difficult to make than people realize. In fact, K-State Research and Extension food scientist Karen Blakeslee says making candy is …
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HOTB 294: What's all the fuss about Olympic?
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If there was ever a topic that my unique combination of background experience leads me to have an opinion about, it would be Ozempic. Yet, even I am not sure about exactly where the internal debate in my head finally lands. And that leads me to believe that the “one size fits all” nutrition advice just won’t work here. But before I get into Ozempic…
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