In the summer people are outdoors more enjoying a variety of sports and recreational activities and should protect themselves from the summer sun and heat as much as possible. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) can be harmful to the skin, and may cause skin cancer. Overexposure to heat and high temperatures may also lead to heat exhaustion or stroke. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from too much sun:

Canned salmon can be a great, economical alternative to fresh salmon. The amount of omega-3s varies widely, but you can be assured that you’ll be getting more heart-healthy omega-3s with canned salmon than with no salmon at all.

Most celebrations involve food. In honor of MyPlate’s 2nd birthday try out a new healthy recipe from the MyPlate Recipes Pinterest account: www.pinterest.com/myplaterecipes

Also, post your own favorite celebration recipes on Pinterest and use the hashtag #MyPlateBirthday.

MyPlate Recipes on Pinterest is brought to you by MyPlate, Let's Move and the Partnership for a Healthier America.

Cooking out requires extra care to prevent food-borne illness, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. Careful grilling also can prevent excessive smoke and charring that may be unhealthful.

For safe cookouts, Reames recommends these tips for proper cleanliness, safe food preparation and healthful grilling:

It seems that everywhere you look these days – on television, at the grocery store, vending machines, and sporting events – you see claims made about the benefits of energy drinks. But are these caffeine-laden beverages really providing energy, improved performance, or mental alertness as many of them claim? Let’s take a look.

Delicate strawberries may require gentle handling in the kitchen, but the little red fruits can toughen up the immune system and even protect the heart.

“You hear a lot about certain fruits that provide a significant source of antioxidants, that help to reduce the production of free radicals and prevent them from hurting your body,” said Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “One fruit that seems to miss the list is strawberries.”

A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine provided further evidence for what healthcare experts have proclaimed for years: a traditional Mediterranean diet helps your risk of heart disease.

And that’s not all! This dietary pattern is also linked to a lower risk of cancer, Parkinson's disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in the Mediterranean to enjoy the benefits; you can incorporate small changes for an overall healthier pattern of eating.

Want to add some adventure and nutrition to your grilled meals? Grill vegetables and fruits.
According to the recently released Colorado Health Report Card, less than one-quarter of Colorado adults eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Here are some great facts and tips to motivate you to try grilled veggies and fruits:

Memorial Day signals the start of a season where food is on the move - to picnics, cookouts, and barbecues in the backyard and beyond!  Escaping the kitchen doesn't mean escaping bacteria!  And since food poisoning spikes in the summer, it's the perfect time to think about what you can do to reduce your risk. Food Safety on the Move is a reminder of what to do when taking a meal out to the great outdoors.

Students who pre-order their school lunches are more likely to pick healthier dishes, according to a new study by the Food and Brand Lab.

Skipping meals can sabotage your shopping – and your diet, according to a new Cornell study.

Even short-term food deprivation not only increases overall grocery shopping, but also leads shoppers to buy 31 percent more high-calorie foods, according to a paper published online in JAMA Internal Medicine May 6.