Kristin Bogdonas
Host, "Wellness Wake Up Call"Kristin Bogdonas believes that everyone deserves access to fresh, affordable food and is committed to helping people improve their health literacy. In this digital age it can be difficult to decipher what nutrition information is accurate and what is hype. Connecting people with factual information and evidenced-based programs will help people build the skills and attain the knowledge necessary for positive behavior change. Although nutrition is important for a long and healthy life, one should not overlook the other dimensions of health required for overall wellbeing; physical, mental, emotional, vocational, spiritual, environmental and social. Each dimension impacting the next.
Bogdonas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from Illinois State University. She then went on to earn her post-graduate degree in the Master of Public Health program at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. During her graduate studies, she instructed Foundations of Human Health, and was employed by the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development where she worked with the Illinois CATCH onto Health! Consortium and the CATCH onto Health! grant. Her main priorities were nutrition education and research/evaluation. Her collaboration on research regarding menu labeling as well as a case study on the CATCH onto Health! Consortium was presented at the 2013 Robert D. Russell Symposium. She is currently a member of the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity workgroup, Local Food Systems/Food Access.
Bogdonas’s special interests include farm-to-institution, promoting a ‘slow food’ mentality, food safety, food preservation, improving food access and living sustainably. A long-term goal is to create a generation of conscious consumers and promote the local economy and local food movement by improving students’ food experiences through hands-on, evidence-based programming that is fun and innovative. She prefers to reach her audiences through face-to-face, interactive programming and social media outlets.
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Stress is a part of everyday life and how you respond to stress can wreak havoc on your health - especially your heart health. -
This month, we have been talking about heart health. Did you know people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without diabetes? In fact, the longer someone has diabetes, the higher their risk of developing heart disease. -
Kindness is more than a simple act—it’s a heart-healthy habit. A study in the Journal of Social Psychology found that performing acts of kindness for seven days significantly boosted happiness. Whether it’s being kind to yourself, a friend, or a stranger—or simply witnessing kindness—these actions elevate mood and create a ripple effect of positivity. -
CommunityJoin host Marc Zyla as he welcomes special guest Kristin Bogdonas from Taylor Ridge, a passionate advocate for health and wellness education. -
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and many people don’t know they have it! February is American Heart Month, and following a heart healthy diet can help manage or prevent heart disease. -
Prioritizing self-care and assessing your needs is vital for a healthy winter season. Build your winter wellness arsenal with these 10 tips! -
Thriving in 2025 requires balance in physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are practical tips to help you flourish: -
Are you getting 150 minutes of physical activity each week? This recommendation may seem impossible during the winter months so here are a few helpful tips to maximize your time during Family Fit Month this January. -
Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 years and older and account for 95% of the 300,000 hip fractures in the United States annually. -
Winter is here, which means it’s cold and flu season again. The flu and many colds are caused by viruses, which cannot be treated with antibiotics, since those kill bacterial infections. However, preventing a cold and getting rid of the symptoms may be high priority. Here is how our diet plays a role with illnesses:
