Whether you have an official break from school or simply want to take advantage of warm weather, spring travel is top-of-mind for many of us. Whatever your plans, keep in mind that COVID-19 is still poses a health concern and the virus can spread easily among groups of people during travel and in places like museums, sports venues or amusement parks.

We caught up with Kelley Brinsky, DO, a family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sequoia, to discuss tips for safe and healthy travel this spring.

The holidays are here, and so are tasty treats and holiday staples. Whether it's childhood favorites, or shared family recipes, holiday foods tend to be sweeter and richer than we’re used to. While these foods are traditionally less healthy, they do not have to be off limits. We spoke with Melody Steeples, MPH, RD, a registered dietician with Woodland Clinic, about her recommendations for enjoying this time of year without overindulging.

It may surprise you to know that there is a system in your body so complex that it contains almost 500 million neurons, linked to your brain. Would you ever guess that it is your gastrointestinal (GI) system, otherwise known as your gut? To help shed some light on the importance of gut health for the whole body, we talked to Jagrati Mathur, MD, a gastroenterologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Saint Francis/St. Mary’s.

Summer for most kids means no school, road trips, and days well-spent in the sun. With that, your child’s body needs to be well-fed and hydrated in order to power through summer activities. For some kids three square meals will do the trick, but for others, snacking can keep them going between meals. Melody Steeples, MPH, RD, with Woodland Clinic, shares some insight on why snacking can be helpful for your child, as well as some advice on how to snack healthily this summer and beyond. Read to the end for a special summer recipe from Melody Steeples!

The holidays are upon us. Here are a few holiday tips to help keep your family safe and healthy this time of year.