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Diet

The Skinny on Fats

Fats have been widely demonized in the health industry. “Fat makes you fat” is a common belief for many people, though that is truly not the case. Fats are essential for our overall health. They are burned as fuel for our body and are an integral part of our cell membranes. They maintain healthy skin and hair, and can even affect brain functioning in our mood, behavior, and cognition. Given that some fats are absolutely necessary to eat because they cannot be manufactured in the body, this w…

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Eating Animals: What to Look for & What to Avoid

You hear nowadays about the growing popularity of vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets. These are great options for both your body and the environment, but many people still want to consume animal products on a regular basis. So if you’re not quite ready to go all the way, here are some tips to make healthier choices.

Avoid Processed Meats

Processed meat has been defined as any meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes t…

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12 Ways to Stress Less For The Holidays

Stress Free Holiday
1. Prepare food ahead of time

It’s a busy time of year and plenty of goodies are around, making it easy for us to grab something that may not be the healthiest choice. I find I do best when I plan my meals ahead for the week – or at least for the day. Even if you are planning on ordering food for delivery/take-out plan ahead so that you can choose something that will be yummy and nourishing and not just fast and easy. If you’re having a hard time resisting temptation or just want to start t…

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Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

I recently tried this recipe out from Cookie and Kate. I made a couple of modifications and it was a great hit. I love how the red of the cranberries and the green of the kale makes this a festive holiday dish. And the leftover quinoa stuffing (I added garbanzos), combined with additional chopped kale made a great salad as well!


Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

 

  • 2 acorn squash
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, divided
  • 1/2 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup water

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Are These “Health Foods” REALLY Healthy?

My clients often tell me that they are eating a “healthy diet,” so they don’t understand why they can’t lose weight, have digestive issues, crave carbs and sweets, or still feel sluggish. And part of my intake is to take a deep dive into exactly what they are eating on their “healthy diet” which oftentimes reveals that they are consuming what I will call health food imposters.

What is a Health Food Imposter?

If you are not eating food in its original form – such as a piece of fruit, vegeta…

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3 Tips to Reduce Mindless Holiday Overeating

Holiday Overeating

With the holidays upon us, the temptation to eat is all around. Reduce the temptation to mindlessly overeat with these helpful tips.

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind

A client was telling me that she kept mindlessly eating M & M’s because her husband had his candy jar out on the counter. He was great about self-control, but it seemed that each time she walked by the see-through candy jar, the multicolored M&M’s would grab her attention, her hand would go in the jar and the M&M’s would go in her mo…

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Shift Your Snacking

Snacking

For many of us, snacking has increased and daily activities, such as walking from the parking lot to the office and back, have decreased, leading to unwanted weight a la the “quarantine 15.”  Some of us snack out of boredom which can lead to unwanted weight gain as well. As we move into winter where we may be spending even more time at home, being prepared with healthy snacks can be key.

Prepare in Advance

Snacking on a veggie platter can be enjoyable and satisfying, but oftentimes when th…

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It’s Pumpkin Time…

This warm and hearty meal has wonderful flavors that are savory and grounding for a fall day. I added sauteed veggies to round it out. Or substitute all veggies for the chicken (such as peppers, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, zucchini) for a plant-based meal. Yum!


Pumpkin Chicken Curry

 

  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil, divided
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless organic chicken breast or thighs cut into cubes
  • 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 Tbsp yell…

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Sugar and Sweeteners: What is Best?

In my prior post I discussed that drinking sweet stuff is not good for you. But how about eating it?

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the sweet taste is one of the six fundamental tastes and provides nourishment to your body, mind, and spirit (the other tastes are sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent). We get sweetness in a variety of forms—beyond foods we typically think of as sweets like pastries and ice cream, the sweet taste is found in fruit, starchy vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, …

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BPA: A Hidden Hazard in Your Everyday Life

BPA receipts cans bottles

(Adapted from “Resilient Health: How to Thrive In Our Toxic World)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hormone mimicking chemical that is present in many products that we are exposed to on a daily basis. It’s so widespread, that a 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control showed that 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies. BPA is an endocrine disruptor linked to abnormal fetal development, neurodevelopmental disorders, diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, heart disease, cancer and erecti…

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