Berries are not only a delicious treat; they are jam packed with numerous health benefits. CelebrateNational Berry Month this July by adding two servings to your day! There are a wide variety to choose from; blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, Gojiberries, raspberries, oh my!   Berries are a summer essential. They are refreshing and can be enjoyed in…

You constantly hear how a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to your health and heart health in particular, but what does this mean for you?   A sedentary lifestyle is one which a person sits down for long periods of time daily and gets little to no exercise – think working an office job 9-5 and…

Macaroni salad is such a staple at summer barbeques that is should come as no surprise that National Macaroni Salad day is July 7th. What’s great about macaroni is that there is not one right way to eat it! You can celebrate this pasta’s special day in a variety of ways.   Macaroni can be…

Do youoften hear that red meat should be avoided because of its high saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease? This is typically followed by promotingwhite meat.  However, there has been a recent study that shows that both white meat and red meat can cause high levels of cholesterol.  The study was publishedin the…

It’s officially summer, which means now is the perfect time to pack up a basket and head outdoors – just don’t forget the bug spray! Whether the picnic is at a local park or in your own backyard, it’s a perfect opportunity to get the family together and head outside.   When you are getting…

Happy First Day of Summer! As you probably already know, June 21st is the summer solstice, which marks the first day of summer – meaning more sun and more fun for everyone! Summer is one of my favorite times of year because there is just so much to do and the best part is you…

Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day! This day is dedicated to spreading awareness about how essential veggies are for a healthy diet. Vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients. You can find vegetables in many different shapes and colors. With the wide array of choices, everyone’s favorite might be…

As the warm weather is approaching us and continuing to get warmer, what better fruit to eat than a refreshing papaya!  June is National Papaya Month,so add some color to your selection of food this summer by using papayas!  This juicy delicacy can be found all year around, however, you should take advantage of this…

Did you know that National Men’s Health Week runs from June 10thto the 17th this year?  Men’s health is extremely important – just as important as women’s health! If fact, many chronic illnesses (heart disease and chronic lower respiratory disease) have the same risk in both men and women. However, men are 50% less likely to visit…

Today we celebrate National Egg Day! I know that eggs can sometimes have a bad rap… butdid you know that they actually have many nutritional benefits? They contain 13 essential nutrients and phytonutrients to aid in keeping eyes healthy, a healthy pregnancy and brain function. Eggs also contain 6 g of protein and are often used by…

Happy Frozen Yogurt week! Frozen yogurt just happens to be one of my favorite warm weather snacks for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that it’s delicious. But besides that, frozen yogurt can contains some important nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and protein!   5 Fun Facts about Froyo:   Frozen yogurt is…

The warm weather calls for longer daylight time, playing sports outside, visiting the beach, camping trips and of course, plenty of barbeques filled with delicious food like hamburgers!  The fluffy bun, crunchy lettuce, sweet tomato and smoky beef patty topped off with a slice of melted cheese is a classic favorite and staple in any…

As I’m sure you’re already well aware, this weekend is Memorial Day, which is the unofficial start to summer! While Memorial Day often goes hand-in-hand with BBQs, it’s important to take a moment to remember what it stands for. It was started in 1858 to honor all of the soldiers who lost their lives serving…

Time to fire up the grill in celebration of National Barbecue Month! The weather is finally getting drier and the temperature is getting higher, making now the perfect time to get outside and get the grill going.   The word barbecue probably conjures up an image of hot dogs and hamburgers, however there are many wonderful…

This week is Women’s Health Week! It serves as a reminder to make health and wellness a priority for all women.   As a woman, I get it. You’re always on the run and very often don’t take the time to care for yourself! Highlighting this week as Women’s Health Week will hopefully make you…

As Mother’s Day is approaching this Sunday, May 12th, its time to give Mom the recognition she deserves.  Not that this should be the only day to be grateful to all the moms out there; they should be celebrated everyday!  Whether blood-related or not, or they’re a mother figure in your life, these nurturers go…

As a dietitian, I am often asked, “What is the best diet for weight loss?” And my answer is always, “NO DIET”. Thankfully, there are plenty of other people, including registered dietitians, that agree with me!   Today, May 6th is International No Diet Day! Come celebrate with me!   If you’re a regular reader of…

Now that the weather is finally heating up, you probably want to spend every second that you can outdoors – and I’m with you! It’s time to grab a blanket and head outside for a day of fun and picnics!   Having a picnic is a great way to get the family together to enjoy…

Did you know that nearly all of raisin crops are grown in the Central San Joaquin Valley in California?  Raisins are basically grapes that are typically dried by the sun on the vines or on paper trays.  They vary in size and color; some are very small like the Zante currant that are made from…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every four deaths in the U.S. is due to cancer.  In addition, the American Cancer Society states that the expected diagnosis of new cancer cases in 2019 is over 1.7 million.  Despite cancer being the second most common cause of death in the…