Nutrition

So many of us are trying our best to steer clear of the grab-and-go convenience of fast food restaurants because of how unhealthy they are. But what are we supposed to eat when we are jammed for time or on a long road trip and our stomach starts growling?

Yes, in an ideal world we always have our lunches packed and our snacks on hand. I don’t know about you, but I don’t actually live in an ideal world. Things happen. And getting hungry when we’re on the road is one of them.

So, are there better alternatives to McDonald’s that can offer us a fast, but healthy meal?

Panera has been touted as just that. A health-conscious, “better for you” fast food alternative. Aware that Panera is known for their delicious breads, pastas and baked goods, I definitely was a little skeptical about this going in. Here’s what I learned.  Continue Reading

Have you ever taken a look at the food that is being served at your kid’s school cafeteria? Better yet, have you ever seen the lunches being served in other countries, like France? Compare our reheated chicken nuggets and fries with a juice and maybe ice cream for dessert to their 3-course, locally sourced salad, baked fish and veggies and fruit for dessert. Is it any wonder why our country struggles with a childhood obesity epidemic and the French do not?

The current state of school lunch in the US is far from ideal. Most cafeterias are running on a tiny budget, relying on reheating instead of actually cooking food and are doing what they can just to scrape by. This is a far cry from the cooked in-house, locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared meals of other countries.  Continue Reading

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. Found in our muscles, bones, tendons and skin, it is essential for mobility and is what gives our skin its elasticity.

Collagen vs Gelatin: What’s The Difference?

Often times, when people talk about collagen, they will use the term gelatin interchangeably. In the simplest of terms, gelatin is derived from collagen when collagen is broken down. So, basically, the same thing in a different form. A perfect example is when bones- full of collagen- are cooked to make bone broth, the end product contains the gelatinous gelatin instead of collagen.

While very similar in many ways, there are some slight differences between the two. Both are odorless and tasteless and have very similar amino acid profiles. How they are used, though, is where the greatest difference is. Continue Reading

Ghee, perhaps more commonly known as clarified butter, has been around for hundreds of years, originating in ancient India. It’s long shelf life, high smoke point and ability to keep at room temperature made it a staple in many Asian countries. It has been shown to aid in weight loss, boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the gut.

Oh, and did I mention, as a by-product of butter, it’s delicious as well? Yeah. Ghee is pretty awesome! Continue Reading

When we think about how much sugar we consume, we usually think about how many sweets we are eating. Things like ice cream and candy bars and pastries are the first things to go when trying to reduce our sugar intake. But have you thought about how much sugar you might be drinking? Sweet treats are the obvious culprit when it comes to sugar, but often, we are drinking way more sugar than we realize on a daily basis.

Did you know that your Starbucks coffee can have as much as 50 or more grams of sugar in it? Or how about the 24g of sugar in your Gatorade? It’s time to find out just how much sugar is really in your favorite drinks. Continue Reading

From shinier hair to a sparkling toilet, the uses for apple cider vinegar in your everyday life are seemingly endless. Often referred to as one of Mother Nature’s “perfect foods”, this elixir can improve your digestive health, complexion and hair and can even help clean your home. It’s clear that apple cider vinegar is so much more than just an ingredient in your salad dressing!  Continue Reading

Trying to lose weight can be a struggle for so many. It feels like there is a new emerging diet trend every month. So, which one is right for you? Should you eat more of this or less of that? It can get overwhelming!

When it comes to “dieting”, I really hate for people to get caught up in any one particular trend. Whether trying to lose weight or just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s not about dieting. It’s about eating healthy longterm.

Here are the 10 best foods to eat for weight loss (and overall health).  Continue Reading