Updates from Peggy Kraus

Why Openness Helps You Live Longer (and Why I’m Trying Tap Dancing)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:14:00 CDT

Openness is one of the quiet traits linked to living longer. Here is how staying curious, trying new things, and widening your world can protect your brain and your health.

Your Guests Expect Wine and Soda, But They’ll Love This Summer Smoothie Swap

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:13:00 CDT

Most people serve wine and soda at summer gatherings, but you can offer something colorful, refreshing, and quietly healthy. A well‑built smoothie is a simple way to surprise your guests and give them fiber, nutrients, and a moment of joy.

Make Yours a Plastic‑Smart Summer

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:45:00 CDT

Summer brings sunshine, gatherings, and… plastic. Here’s how microplastics affect your health and five simple swaps that lower your exposure without complicating your summer.

New Year’s on July 1st? Why not.

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 06:47:00 CDT

We’ve reached the midpoint of 2026, and moments like this naturally invite reflection. Behavioral science calls it the Fresh Start Effect — a built‑in reset button that makes it easier to begin again. Here’s how to use this mid‑year moment to choose one simple habit that helps you feel more like yourself.

Why People Think Type 2 Diabetes Is Forever — And Why That’s Not the Whole Story

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:13:00 CDT

Many people are told their pancreatic cells “no longer function” by the time they’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The truth is far more hopeful — those cells aren’t gone, they’re overwhelmed, and they can recover.

The Problem With “Winter‑Only” Oatmeal: Why Your Body Needs Fiber All Year Long

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:03:00 CDT

Most people think oatmeal is a winter food, but your body needs fiber all year long. Here’s why breakfast shouldn’t change with the seasons — and the simple swaps that keep your heart, blood sugar, and energy steady every day.

The easiest bone‑strength move you’re not doing

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:55:00 CDT

Mini hops are tiny, soft bounces that create the quick loading and unloading your bones respond to. Even low‑height hopping strengthens the femoral neck, improves balance, and reduces fall risk. They’re simple, safe, and easy to stack onto habits you already have — a small move with a big payoff for bone health.

Plants‑in‑a‑Pill: A Shortcut That Isn’t

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:37:00 CDT

Fruit‑and‑vegetable pills promise the benefits of produce without actually eating produce — but the science doesn’t back that up. When companies juice, powder, and isolate nutrients, they remove the fiber, the structure, and the synergy that make whole foods powerful. A pill can’t replace what real plants deliver.

Why Your Potassium Was High (And No, It Wasn’t the Bananas)

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:19:00 CDT

For years, bananas have taken the blame for high potassium levels — but the science tells a different story. Most “high potassium” results come from medications, dehydration, kidney function, or even lab error, not fruit. When we understand what’s really going on, we can stop blaming bananas and start fixing the real problem.

Fatty Liver (MASH): What Most People Aren’t Told — and What Actually Helps

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:44:00 CDT

Fatty liver disease is common, but it’s also highly reversible. Learn how fiber, lower dietary fat, and simple daily movement can dramatically improve liver health.