Most of us grew up with the food pyramid that had grains at the base of what we should be eating. Then about 10 years ago, researchers announced that was out of date. Because there is a natural lag time between research and translation into public materials, we are just now seeing an updated food pyramid filter into the system. The updated food pyramid has fruits and vegetables at the base of what we should be eating, and grains have moved...  Read More »

Many of the products we buy are infused with chemicals that may be harmful to our health. Take formaldehyde for instance, which is a cheap preservative the U.S. Federal and Drug Administration allows in cosmetics because it is used in very low doses. The problem is formaldehyde is a fat soluble chemical that is absorbed through the skin and stored in fat tissue, meaning formaldehyde levels can build up over time. While you may not care...  Read More »

Supplements are a great tool for getting all your vitamins and minerals into your diet. Some supplements have even been shown to reduce cholesterol. While there is sound research on the benefits of supplements, purchasing one can be a dicey game. In my article, “Why doctors tend to prefer prescriptions to supplements” I explain how the lack of federal regulation has made the industry vulnerable to snake oil artists. I haven’t...  Read More »

I have worked in the healthcare industry as a nurse and in the wellness industry as a health coach. While these two different industries have very similar goals, their philosophies and approaches can be quite different. I have found few healthcare professionals are able to combine the best of both worlds for a holistic approach to their practice. And there are several reasons for that lack of crossover. 1.  Education and training. Out of...  Read More »

Class started back up last week. It’s hard to go back after the long break between semesters, but it is also exciting to know this is my last semester. Balancing work, school, and a personal life is a great challenge, and it’s at times like this that it can be so easy to stop taking care of yourself. However, I can feel the difference between my old life and my healthy life, and I can do more when I take care of myself. I’m...  Read More »

My sister got married last fall and I recently found out that she is pregnant. I currently have two nieces and five nephews and I’m excited that I will soon have another. My mother used to say she wanted 64 grandchildren. I doubt that will ever happen, but she will likely end up with more than the average grandmother by the time all eight of her children finish having children of their own. Pregnancy is a major event that brings many...  Read More »

Skipping meals places your body in starvation mode and slows down your metabolism, which causes the next meal you eat to be stored as fat. Many people are aware that nutrition research shows that frequent small meals is the best way to lose weight—and keep it off—because this pattern keeps your metabolism going and stabilizes your blood sugars. But how frequent and how small do these meals need to be?  Would you be surprised to learn...  Read More »

Are you determined to get healthy this year?  This is a big goal involving many complicated behaviors. Don’t try and make all your changes at once. You may want to break the process down into stages. What do you want in five years, one year, three months, or one month from now? For some people, exercise is easier, while changing eating habits is easier for others. As a health coach, I start my clients on a healthy diet first. We don’t...  Read More »

Do find you set New Year’s resolutions that never happen? If so, there may be two reasons for this: 1. You set yourself up for failure by trying to take on too many changes at once 2. You lack a vision that will lead you toward achieving your goals Creating a clear vision before setting goals generates excitement and energy that helps drive you toward completion. It isn’t enough to imagine what you want your life to look...  Read More »

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year—full of parties, dinners, and sweets. Most of us put on a little extra weight and then make New Year’s resolutions to exercise and/or diet. Research shows that eventually there is a return to our normal weight as we return to our normal eating and activity patterns. While this is comforting to know, I prefer to enjoy the holidays without the set back in my health. Here are a few survival...  Read More »