July is National Baked Beans Month and for good reason.  Baked beans are a favorite during the cold months but they’re also the perfect side dish for your summer barbecues.   Baked beans are most commonly made with navy, pinto or kidney beans, and they come in a range of flavors.  Many commercial brands now…

This Sunday, July 17th, is National Ice Cream Day!  Not many people know this about me (although after reading this blog, thousands will) but I love ice cream.  Ice cream can be a year-round favorite, but it is enjoyed the most during the warm summer months.  With summer’s heat at its peak, this is the…

In recent years, pasta has gained a reputation of being unhealthy, fattening, and a little heavy on the carbs for weight loss. You likely consider pasta as “empty” carbs that provide no nutritional benefits. So why do Italians use pasta as a basis of their eating patterns? Now that got you thinking, huh?!   Studies…

July is National Berry Month, so what better way to celebrate than learn all about the benefits of berries and different ways to incorporate them into your daily eating pattern?   Berries, like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain a wide variety of antioxidants, which can help in preventing cancer. They are very nutrient dense without…

Eggplant’s Excellence By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern There’s no mistaking those shiny purple oblong shaped veggies for anything else besides eggplant! Eggplant, or aubergine, as it is referred to by our friends “across the pond, is extremely in season during July through October. Because of its meaty texture, it is often used as a vegetarian…

With summer in full swing and July 4th upon us, it can only mean one thing – it’s time to grill!  July is National Grilling Month and the warm summer nights make for an enjoyable night perfect for grilling.   According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, outdoor cooking remains more popular and easier…

When you think of July 4th, what comes to mind? Food, BBQ, alcohol and the beach, right? It only seems fitting, then, that finding delicious and healthy recipes tops your list of ways to make this Fourth of July your best ever; and since most plans on the Fourth involve time outdoors in the sun,…

“Zoodling” originated as the term for zucchini spirals made into noodles. Zoodling vegetables is a creative way to make meals look good, taste amazing, boost your servings per day of vegetables, and eliminate heavy gluten products in pasta-like dishes and other meals for those who need to be gluten-free (i.e. Celiac Disease). Usually, zoodling is…

It’s National Iced Tea Month!  There is nothing like a refreshing glass of cold iced tea on a hot summer’s day, which is why June is a perfect time to celebrate.  Iced Tea is a summertime staple and does a great job quenching your thirst. Besides being refreshing, tea has many health benefits and can…

Do you know what today is? I’ll give you a hint- it’s one of the most awaited days of the year for me. It is the official first day of summer!   Although most of us still have to work through the summer, there is something special about this time of year. The sun is…

Get Out the Picnic Blankets Summer is here just in time to celebrate International Picnic Day! It’s time to start heading out to patios and back porches, decks and parks for some picnic fun. Typically picnics are full of processed, mayo-filled or fried foods.  We tend to lean towards fried chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and…

Summer is coming up fast! It feels like just yesterday spring began and now we’re already in the middle of June. So many of the delicious summer fruits have begun to make appearances once again. One of the returning stars of the summer- apricots- has finally reappeared in the supermarkets. These little orange fruits are…

The Powerful Papaya By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern When I think of papaya, its bright orange hue reminds me of the sunshine, which tells me that summer is on its way. How fitting is it then, that papaya, an early summer fruit, is the food of the month of June. These long sphere shaped fruits…

Did you know that the entire month of June is dedicated to fresh fruits and vegetables? Yes, you read that right! This is the perfect month to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your meals and learn why it is so important to do so. Did you know that fruits and vegetables have many health…

I wanted to let you know today about a Health and Wellness event that will allow you to download 100’s of self-help gifts. And the best part is that it is absolutely FREE!   If you’ve had enough of plodding along year after year and you want to improve yourself and your health to make…

Today is National Egg Day and I thought it would be the perfect day to shed light on the truth about eggs.  For many, they either eat eggs as a breakfast staple or shy away from them in fear of them raising their cholesterol.  But, eggs are actually a very healthy breakfast option (and great…

May is National Barbecue Month and it’s no coincidence that this weekend we celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with our first BBQ of the summer. If what comes to mind immediately when you think of BBQ is hotdogs and hamburgers you’re not alone.  While it is OK to indulge in these fatty favorites occasionally, here…

Do you think that brown-bag lunches are just for kids going to elementary or middle school?  Most people do, but that’s not the case.  Anyone can bring a brown-bag lunch to school, college or work.  In fact, I encourage my clients to brown bag it more often!   National Brown-Bag-It-Day is being celebrated on May…

One of my favorite summertime foods is salsa and the best part is that it is so easy to make! Not only is salsa delicious but it can also be a healthy addition to any meal.   So what exactly are the health benefits of this festive dish? And what are some of my favorite…

Did you know that there are more than 100 types of arthritis, and it is the number one cause of disability in America?  The most common form is osteoarthritis and the most severe form is rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion.   As one of the most…