When I am stressed, I turn immediately to sweets—specifically chocolate. Or ice cream. Or some nice big hot out of the oven cookies. Any of them will make me feel better—at least in the short term. There is actually good reason why we reach for these foods when we’re feeling down. Carbs release serotonin and endorphins in your body. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood and endorphins are another type of feel-good chemical. However, although the refined carbs make you temporarily feel better, you end up with a sugar crash […]
Salads Reinvented
It’s all about simplicity, one bowl, all the fixin’s for hearty and satisfying goodness. I love experimenting with new ingredients and finding fresh ideas, and what’s fresher than a salad? They transport well when I’m on the go, and help me get closer to my 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables. When I build salads I like to include vegetables (duh!), but also carbohydrates and protein so that my body feels at it’s best. Here are my tips for reinventing the traditional salad. -Turn your favorite sandwich into a salad. Why not go […]
Fact or Fad?
The weight loss industry makes billions and billions of dollars every year telling us that by eating only bacon and eggs, grapefruit, or cabbage, we will get the body of our dreams. Fad diets are weight loss plans that promise dramatic results. South Beach, Atkins, Zone, the Hollywood diet etc. are all common fad diets that promise that the fat will simply melt away.
The problem with fad diets is that they promote weight loss through unhealthy means and they can negatively affect health as well as athletic performance. Low carbohydrate diets fail to provide athletes or recreational gym […]
5 Slim Down Strategies for Spring
Once the weather starts getting warmer, the shorts, tank tops, and swim suits come out of storage and I always hope they are going to fit the same (or better!) than they did last season. If things start to feel a little tight, it is time for me to pull out all the stops to tone up and slim down just a bit.
Eat 2 fruits or veggies at every single meal. Fruits and vegetables are the lowest calorie foods, they are full of fiber and antioxidants, and they can fill you up. I don’t care how […]
Ditch the Diet
5 Reasons to Ditch the Diet
If you go on a “diet,” what happens after you come off your diet? Fad diets are designed to lead to rapid weight loss, which really means eating much fewer calories than your body needs. This restriction you put on yourself may actually backfires in the long run. Often times, your body wises up and compensates for getting less food by slowing your metabolism.
The deprivation caused by dieting creates a sense of entitlement, a mindset of “I deserve something for being so good”, so you treat yourself, which in […]
Can you Anti-Age?
Is it just me or is there some cream or pill around every corner and on every shelf that promises to stop aging in it’s tracks? Even though the economy has taken a hit in the past few years (I am trying to avoid your reading ‘tough economic times’ one more time), the anti-aging industry does not appear to be suffering. Or slowing down.
I could have a full time job simply getting facials and various other spa treatments and using all of the anti-aging devices that promise results. Don’t […]
4th of July Grilling
Your 4th of July may look a little different this year, but it can still be special and tasty! If you’re not able to hang with your loved ones, maybe you can do a virtual BBQ together and cook the same recipes and compare the end product!
I shop at ALDI all the time so I have partnered with them because it’s so much more affordable to get organics, fresh meat, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options so conveniently! Of course, as a dietitian I make sure I always have veggies. One way to get the […]
Family Meal Ideas During Quarantine
This is a great time to try some new recipes because you might have more time to search up some recipes and add a few to your repertoire when life gets back to normal.
Here are some suggestions!
Meal 1: You can make all 3 items at the same time. The pork chops in the oven, potatoes in the air fryer, and veggies on the stovetop.
Baked Pork Chops
Air fryer French fries
Green beans (or veggie of choice) on skillet
Meal 2: Stir Fry is a great way to use up any […]
Making Your Groceries Last Longer and Prevent Waste
Now that we are well into social distancing and stay at home orders of this COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are limiting their trips to the grocery store. How can you manage to store that food a little bit longer to try to stretch the days between trips out of the house?
• Invest in produce savers. Many options exist on Amazon from green bags to containers to freshness saver balls. These will keep your produce from going bad as quickly.
• Remove rubber bands from any produce like greens, carrots, and others that might come with a rubber band […]
Staying Fit and Healthy Under Quarantine
You’re stuck at home. Maybe you’re working from home or homeschooling your kids, or maybe you are just dying of boredom, feeling like a prisoner in your own home! With stress and feeling confined also comes emotional eating and fatigue.
You have a choice. You can panic and eat and drink too much, or you can decide to reset your bodies and focus on YOU. Take this time when you might have a little bit more time, a little less on your work plate and better yourself. Don’t obsess over watching the news. Improve your health so […]