We have all been there before - holidays, vacations, and parties add up and before we know it, we have had too many sweets, rich foods or cocktails. Celebrating with family and friends is always good but there comes a time when we need to return to our healthy routine. These are three strategies that I use when I need to get back on track. It is also how I like to start my Mondays. 1. Go Green! Start your morning with a Green Smoothie - to give your body a jolt of power nutrients that is easy ...
Detox Day One
Curried Butternut Squash Stew I have always loved food and cooking. I still remember my very first Peanut's Cook Book and making Lucy’s Lemon Squares for my dad every Father's Day. When I became a nurse, I started learning more about the link between food and health. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I started thinking of food as medicine. We lead such busy lives that committing to healthy habits can be a real challenge. Believe me, I know first-hand! To stay consistent, I created ...
Let Go, Lose Weight
For Christians, early spring brings the 40 days of Lent. As a kid, I didn’t look forward to it. Lent began with ashes on your forehead and having to give up candy for what seemed like forever! Now, I actually look forward to it. It’s a time to be quiet, reflect and let go of some of the routines or habits that can inhibit true personal and spiritual growth. This year, I gave up alcohol for Lent. I will admit that I was a little scared that I couldn’t stick to it. Would I have as much fun at ...
Heart-Healthy Entertaining
It’s snowy here in the Northeast and we tend to be cooped up inside. I love it in the beginning--it gives me time to be in the kitchen to try new recipes. But after awhile, I like to spend time around a table with friends and family. Last night, in honor of Heart Health Month, I prepared Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple and Maple Vinaigrette. It is a family favorite and so simple and tasty. It’s even good enough to serve to guests :) In addition to being tasty, here is another reason I like ...
Reclaim Your Hearth Health
It’s easier and tastier than you think! February is Heart Health month and you have probably heard some of the startling statistics: Someone dies from heart disease every 39 seconds; Someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; and Heart disease and stroke cost patients over $173 billion annually. Yikes! I certainly don’t want to spend my hard earned money or time in a doctor’s office and on medications. Do you?? I believe in living life to its fullest. My parents died at a young ...
A New Year’s Celebration to a Healthier You!
I am so looking forward to the new year. I love the celebration with friends and family, followed by time spent on deciding my intentions for the year ahead. Once I know my goals, I love finding ways to kick start the new year. As you ring in 2014, here are some new recipes and traditions that I hope will bring you health and prosperity. For your New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pomegranate Champagne Punch is a great starter. When hosting a dinner or celebration, I like to greet my guests with a ...
3 Tips for a Healthy Holiday
Winter is upon us -- brrrr! Cold weather coupled with the busy holiday season can be taxing on our immune system, which can cause us to get sick, leaving us not so jolly. Although there are many great strategies and power foods to strengthen your immune system, today we will focus on my top three, specifically designed to keep you healthy during the often hectic holiday season. 1. Lather Up! Washing your hands is crucial for preventing illness -- get in the habit before leaving a public ...
Exotic Coconut Pumpkin Soup
Thanksgiving is upon us and that means it's pumpkin-time. Pumpkin is everywhere - lattes, pies, muffins! Although it is a healthy vegetable, giving us vitamin A and C, it is usually paired with sugar and fat, which completely counter all of its goodness! Instead of the traditional pumpkin pie, I was looking for a different way of bringing our good friend the pumpkin to my Thanksgiving table that highlighted all of its nutritional goodness. Did you realize that a big ol’ slice of Pumpkin pie a ...
More Super Stars for Breast Health!
I’m back with another recipe packed full of nutrients for breast health -- this time it has raw veggies, which are cancer choking super stars. Why do I call raw veggies cancer choking? Because we know that oxygen and a healthy PH are cancers’ enemies. When our bodies are too acidic from eating sugar, dairy, animal protein, or refined foods, we set the stage for a slew of ailments, ranging from chronic degenerative diseases to fatigued body to cancer. What we know, thanks to Nobel-prize winning ...
If I had breast cancer, I would eat…
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as I listen to the statistics of women diagnosed, I ponder the reality that it could happen to me. I can’t help but wonder, what would I do? What power foods would I eat to strengthen my immune system? What I do know is that we have incredible power over our health. Even if there are genetic factors involved, our lifestyle can have an effect on whether or not those genes are expressed. That being said, cancer is a stinker and can appear in even the ...