The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends that you consume at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day. Although this varies by age, sex and level of physical activity, it is a good recommendation to live by to build a healthy dietary base.

One great way to add variety to your diet and to make sure you are eating enough fruits and vegetables is to look for seasonal produce. Additionally, choosing in-season produce can help save you money, as the abundance of the fruit or vegetable typically makes it less expensive.

This summer, be mindful of what fruits and vegetables are in season near you. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters, a health initiative focused on helping Americans increase fruit and vegetable consumption for better health, has made it easy to figure out which produce is in season. On its website, you can view year-round, winter, spring, summer and fall produce options. Read More

Between 90 and 95 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes in the United States have Type 2 diabetes. Formerly called adult onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, the condition is increasing at an alarming rate due to the current obesity levels in the United States.

About the Condition

Type 2 diabetes causes the body to resist insulin, a hormone that controls the absorption of sugar. As a result, a normal glucose level cannot be maintained. People can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age, including during childhood years. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is usually preventable with a balanced diet and exercise. Unfortunately, once present, Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Causes and Risk Factors

While it is not completely understood why some people develop Type 2 diabetes, research has shown the following factors significantly increase the risk of developing the disease. Read More

Employee engagement—or the commitment and energy that employees bring to work—impacts productivity and performance. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 33 percent of employees are engaged at work.

Engaged vs. Disengaged Employees

Engaged employees are more than just satisfied with their jobs, they are committed to the company and its goals. They have passion, pride and energy for their work and their organization, and are willing to go the extra mile on a regular basis. Employees who are truly engaged stay because they enjoy their work and support the company.

On the flipside, disengaged employees simply work for a paycheck, favorable working conditions or job security. Read More

The ACA currently protects individuals from being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Specifically, it prohibits both exclusions of coverage of specific benefits and complete exclusions from a plan or coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

The AHCA retains these protections. However, it would allow issuers in states that receive waivers of the community rating rules to charge higher premiums for individuals with pre-existing conditions, in some cases. The AHCA would establish a fund to provide assistance to individuals that have higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions under these circumstances.

Deutsch & Associates, LLC will keep you updated with any applicable legislative developments. Read More