Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

A year into COVID-19: How are you coping? over photo of people wearing masks A year into COVID-19: How are you coping?

About a year ago, I wrote an article encouraging you to keep your mental health in mind at the beginning of a pandemic. It’s hard to believe that one year later, most of us are still living our lives radically different. Working in the primary care setting, I’ve had the…

Photo of Greek Salad with Quinoa Chicken Healthy Recipe: Greek Salad with Quinoa & Chicken

This healthy 5-ingredient salad recipe has everything your diet needs for a satisfyingly complete meal! Prep Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 servings Ingredients: 4 cups chopped kale 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 cup cooked quinoa 1/4 cup sliced jarred roasted red peppers 1/4 cup Greek salad dressing 1…

Person rubbing their shins after a run Shin Splints & How to Prevent Them

As the weather gets warmer, you can take your training outside! It is important to take precautions to prevent injuries like shin splints when training. Monica Boyer, GHS Athletic Trainer with the Granville Sports Medicine Program, explains shin splints and how you can avoid them. What are shin splints? Repetitive…

Photo of doctor holding small chalk board that says colonoscopy Colon Care

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Below, Albin Abraham, MD, who practices at Granville Gastroenterology Associates provides information on colon care screening. Why? Colon cancers are the third most-common cause of cancers in the US with approximately 145,000 new cases of colorectal cancers diagnosed ever year. The good news is…

Photo of doctor examining a little girl's ear ENT Tips for Kids

February is Kids ENT Health Awareness month. Many parents have tried to provide comfort to a baby or toddler with an ear infection as they are quite common – a whopping three-quarters of children will get one by age 3.  What is an ear infection? An ear infection occurs in…

American Heart Month infographic showing tips for heart health American Heart Month

Did you know that heart disease is a leading cause of death in the US? February is American Heart Month and focusing on your heart health has never been more important. People with poor cardiovascular health are also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Make heart health a…

Photo of Chicken Picadillo Heart Healthy Recipe: Chicken Picadillo

This zesty one-pot meal contains several heart-healthy ingredients and is easy to throw together on a busy weeknight – give it a try! Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Yields: 6 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup of chicken and vegetables) Ingredients: 2 tsp olive oil 1 large yellow…

Photo of a man and woman's feet with baby shoes between them New Year, New Baby

Many couples will list starting a family as one of their hopes for the new year. If you have made this decision, congratulations! Dr. Cassandra Hornbuckle, OB/GYN provider at Granville Primary Care & OB/GYN, offers some insight on things that you can do before a pregnancy to keep yourself healthy and…

Photo of Chicken and Black Bean Soup Healthy Recipe: Chicken and Black Bean Soup

Warm up with this easy slow-cooker soup recipe from CookingLight.com- it is full of flavor and is ideal for these chilly evenings! Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes Yield: Serves 5 (serving size: about 2 cups of soup) Ingredients: 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs…

New Year New You graphic Goals for a Healthy New Year

It’s the time of year when many people think about New Year’s resolutions. We would like to capture this holiday spirit and inspire some ideas to help you focus on your health! Dr. Liz Baltaro, primary care provider at Granville Primary Care, Butner-Creedmoor, discusses some ideas for you to consider…

Photo of yellow road sign against gray cloudy sky that says flu season ahead GHS Cares: Preparing for Flu Season

It is November and flu season is upon us! Seasonal flu viruses are present year-round but they are most common in the fall and winter months. The seasonal flu viruses spread easily from person to person. Below are five tips to decrease your risk of contracting the flu, as well as other…

Melanoma warning signs infographic UV Safety Awareness Month- The ABCDEs of Melanoma

July is UV Safety Awareness Month. As we spend time in the sun, we should be aware of the harm that UV rays cause to our skin. Exposure to UV rays causes most cases of melanoma.  To lower your skin cancer risk and protect your skin, the CDC recommends the…

Graphic with tips for coping with COVID-19 Coping with COVID-19: Keeping your mental health in mind

We are currently in the midst of a global pandemic, COVID-19, which is impacting the way we live our daily lives. While there is concern for protecting our physical health, it is imperative that we take the preventative steps to care for our mental and emotional health as well.  Kerry…

Photo of oats with fruit and bottled water Ambulance Chase Training Diet

Are you training for the Granville Ambulance Chase 5K/10K? If so, congratulations on making that commitment. Training for a race can be challenging at times, but you can do this! It is important to pay attention to your diet. Consuming the proper food at the right time can really help…

SMART Goals graphic showing colored post-its on chalk board Losing Weight the SMART Way

Every year resolutions to lose weight are set for the new year. If that is something you’re aiming for in 2020, congratulations! Making the decision to lose weight is just the first step, and an important part of the overall goal. Dr. Leslie Thomas, a med-peds physician at Granville Primary Care…

Closeup of person washing their hands Proper Hand-Washing to Prevent the Flu

It’s flu season and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the flu virus and other germs is to wash your hands. The Centers for Disease Control recommends following these five steps every time you wash: Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold)…

Sad snowman in the rain Tips on How to Avoid the “Winter Blues”

We are right in the midst of the winter season, and this is the time of year that many people notice a shift in their moods. Symptoms can include sadness, oversleeping, irritability, low energy, weight gain, and social withdrawal. This can often be referred to as seasonal depression, which typically…

Photo of woman running on a track 5K Preparation Plan

Starting a Running Program can be a bit daunting. But, having a plan and setting goals for yourself is a great way to set you up for success. The Granville Ambulance Chase, a 10K, 5K, and Fun Run is set for March 7, 2020! Nathan Ameen, GHS Athletic trainer with the Granville…

Blonde woman looking sad with Christmas tree in background Tips on How to Avoid the “Holiday Blues”

Obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the Western World, with an estimated prevalence of 39.8% (93.3 million US adults) and $147 billion spent in annual healthcare costs. With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important to remember that many people are more at risk for increased stress, burnout,…

Headshot of Albin Abraham GHS Cares: Fatty Liver Disease

Obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the Western World, with an estimated prevalence of 39.8% (93.3 million US adults) and $147 billion spent in annual healthcare costs. With obesity being an important risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and World Obesity Day being acknowledged on October 11th,…

Photo of two female doctors GHS Cares: Health Topics from Your Local Family Doctors- Pancreatitis

We aren’t sure all of you are familiar with this month’s featured organ, the pancreas. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas, and for most of us, we aren’t thinking about the pancreas too often. The pancreas is a small organ in your upper abdomen between your stomach and liver. It…