Juanita Watts, MD, is our women's health leader in Southern California. She explains how the colors of the rainbow can help you prevent cancer, maintain your weight, and sharpen your mind.

There's an easy way to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for health conditions such as heart [...]]]>

Juanita Watts, MD, is our women's health leader in Southern California. She explains how the colors of the rainbow can help you prevent cancer, maintain your weight, and sharpen your mind.

There's an easy way to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for health conditions such as heart disease and cancer: Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.

Following are a few of my favorite building blocks for health:

• Ravishing reds. Tomatoes, red bell pepper, watermelon, and pink grapefruit are among the foods that get their color from lycopene. This antioxidant helps lessen the effect of disease-causing free radicals, which are molecules or atoms that can damage cells and genes. For men, lycopene may also decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
• Outrageous oranges. Orange and yellow foods contain beta-carotene, which may help keep your mind sharp. Apricots, peaches, yams, and carrots are some examples that also contain cryptoxanthin, an antioxidant that acts like an anti-inflammatory agent and may lower the risk of arthritis.
• Glowing greens. Leafy greens, such as spinach and collard greens, and broccoli contain vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, and many other phytochemicals. These compounds work together to help reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease.
• Blue blends. Dark blue and purple fruits and vegetables—such as blackberries, purple cabbage, and eggplant—contain anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent tumor growth and protect against vascular disease.
• Brown beanies. Lentils and beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber works to lower your cholesterol. Insoluble fiber can decrease constipation and help prevent weight gain.

For local, in-season fruits and vegetables, visit a farmers' market at one of our medical facilities. Find a farmers' market near you.

Much like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, Preston Maring, MD, is on a mission—a mission to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to more people across the country.

Dr. Maring's quest began back in 2003 with the founding of the first Kaiser Permanente farmers' market: the Friday Fresh Market at our Oakland Medical [...]]]> Much like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, Preston Maring, MD, is on a mission—a mission to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to more people across the country.

Dr. Maring's quest began back in 2003 with the founding of the first Kaiser Permanente farmers' market: the Friday Fresh Market at our Oakland Medical Center. Since then, he has helped establish over 30 farmers' markets at Kaiser Permanente facilities across our regions.

Recently, the National Park Service honored Dr. Maring with the 2009 World War II Home Front Award for promoting the role of fresh produce in preventive medicine—and for recognizing farming as a community effort.

The award was presented during the Richmond, California, annual Home Front Festival on October 3. The theme of the festival was "We grow when we come together," highlighting victory and community gardens past and present.

Dr. Maring is an unabashed champion of his cause—advocating the value of locally grown produce through his television appearances and sharing healthy recipes on his blog. He also recently authored the introduction to EatingWell in Season: A Farmers' Market Cookbook, published by EatingWell magazine.

Dr. Maring is an Ob/Gyn physician with nearly 40 years of experience. He continues in a long line of Kaiser Permanente practitioners who have promoted healthy diets and communities through innovative means. To learn more about the history of Kaiser Permanente, visit our history blog.

To find a Kaiser Permanente farmers' market near you, check out our interactive map.

To discover some fresh new recipes, visit Dr. Maring's blog. From Moroccan Tomato Soup to the Quarterpounder Revisited, you'll find all sorts of delicious creations.

Can you write away the pounds? Dietician Nora Norback lets you in on a weight loss secret: Keeping a food diary could double your weight loss!

Click here to view the embedded video.

At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that each of us can play a role in shaping the health and wellness of the places we live.

By supporting parks, farmers' markets, and public spaces for physical [...]]]>

Click here to view the embedded video.

At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that each of us can play a role in shaping the health and wellness of the places we live.

By supporting parks, farmers' markets, and public spaces for physical activity, we can all help create and sustain the vitality of our neighborhoods. Watch an innovative practice with a “clean” message.

Can your e-mail make you healthier? A new study from Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research says yes.

In the study, more than 300 people received weekly e-mails at work urging them to make small health changes, such as eating fruit or walking for 10 minutes on their lunch [...]]]> Can your e-mail make you healthier? A new study from Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research says yes.

In the study, more than 300 people received weekly e-mails at work urging them to make small health changes, such as eating fruit or walking for 10 minutes on their lunch break. By the end of the 16-week program, these people were more active, were eating more fruits and vegetables, and had reduced their intake of trans fats and saturated fats.

"The takeaway message here for people who want to improve their diet and physical activity, and for employers who want a healthier workforce, is that e-mail intervention programs are a very cost-effective way to get healthy," said study lead investigator Barbara Sternfeld, Ph.D., a senior research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

Find out why this e-mail intervention program was so successful.

Now that you’re motivated to thrive, you need to look and act the part. Visit our Brand Store for a full line of workout clothing, bags, totes, eco-friendly products, drinkware, office items — even gifts — that can inspire you and others to thrive.

Improving your health can start at home. Our Kaiser Permanente environmental experts have put together a list of simple “green” steps to make your home healthier and more eco-friendly.

Buying locally produced fruits and vegetables saves energy by reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed to transport the items [...]]]> Improving your health can start at home. Our Kaiser Permanente environmental experts have put together a list of simple “green” steps to make your home healthier and more eco-friendly.

Buying locally produced fruits and vegetables saves energy by reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed to transport the items around the globe. Additionally, the food is fresher and tastier. For example, in 2007, we bought 60 tons of locally grown, sustainable farmed produce for our hospital meals. We also sponsor 30 farmers’ markets at our facilities around the country.

Know somebody who loves to color? Do it here! No crayons, markers, or paint required. Just point, click, print, repeat. Choose from three cool patterns. When it comes to nutrition and exercise, Kaiser Permanente and kids are on the same page.

Start coloring snack 1, snack 2, or snack [...]]]> Know somebody who loves to color? Do it here! No crayons, markers, or paint required. Just point, click, print, repeat. Choose from three cool patterns. When it comes to nutrition and exercise, Kaiser Permanente and kids are on the same page.

Start coloring snack 1, snack 2, or snack 3.