February always has us seeing red. In fact, today, February 6th is National Wear Red Day. No, not because of Valentine’s Day. It is American Heart Month, a month which raises awareness of heart disease in America.   Heart disease is the leading cause of death in our country, including coronary heart disease, heart attacks,…

The Versatile Chickpea By Charna Sheinfeld, Nutrition Intern   By now, most Americans have tasted that creamy and popular dip known as Hummus. However, it has only been a few years since we have figured out that chickpeas, its main ingredient, can provide lots of fiber and protein and make for a delicious snack!  …

Soup is one meal that is enjoyed around the world and can incorporate a variety of different ingredients to offer a well-balanced nutritious meal for you and your family.  Nowadays, it is easy to pick up a can of premade soup for a quick easy meal, but it is no doubt that soup is healthier…

Marketing companies are really good at designing and advertising products to make you think they are what you need and want. Food labels are no exception. These days you will find “skinny” alternatives to foods and drink on nearly every menu or supermarket shelf. These “skinny” items may be very tempting if you are trying…

As the month is coming to a close and the weather is getting even colder, take some time on January 28th to celebrate National Blueberry Pancake Day! I have searched for any reason that this special day is dedicated to a certain type of pancake to no avail, so I’ve put together my own list…

January is the perfect cold weather month to celebrate National Hot Tea Month!  Incorporating herbal teas into your meal plan is a simple, inexpensive way to enhance your health this upcoming year.  There are hundreds of varieties of tea that offer an array of health benefits due to their herbal content and antioxidant power.  …

This week is the 22nd annual Healthy Weight Week. Every third week of January is dedicated to celebrating our individual bodies and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Both men and women struggle with managing a healthy weight due to an obsession with body weight and dieting in our society. If you have a history with dieting, it…

January 21st is Granola Bar Day!  Granola bars are the perfect grab and go snack food to fit into any busy schedule, and there are hundreds of varieties on the market to choose from.  Although granola bars were originally created to be a healthy snack bar to keep you energized throughout the day, many manufacturers…

The second week of January is National Pizza Week – a full 7 day celebration of America’s number one pleasure food, especially for us New Yorkers.  Many people refer to pizza as a “bad” food, not in the delicious taste but in the fact that they label foods as good and bad based on how…

Have I got some exciting news for you today!   You can now get instant access to 100s of downloadable self-help gifts at NO COST.   Yep, you heard me right…for FREE!   All you have to do is go here: http://selfimprovementgifts.com/go/488   So, if you have found yourself going around in circles time and…

Let’s talk about why we love apricots in honor of National Apricot Day. Not only apricots are full of health benefits, they can be sweet or tart in flavor for use in many ways.   Not to be confused with their relative, the peach, apricots are yellow or orange skinned stone fruits with a sweet…

The Wonders of Oatmeal By Charna Sheinfeld, Nutrition Intern   January is National Oatmeal Month! What a great time of year to celebrate this satisfying grain. There is nothing like a hot bowl of creamy oatmeal on a cold wintry morning, especially when you know that you are giving your body loads of vital nutrients….

January is National Fiber Focus Month!   I can’t think of a better way to start the New Year than to learn about the benefits of fiber and how you can increase your daily intake.   To start, what is fiber?   It is a form of carbohydrate which, unlike other carbohydrates you’re familiar with,…

Time or lack there-of, seems to be one of the greatest obstacles people face when trying to make healthier food choices and cook nutritious meals.  Advice commonly given to those who cannot seem to manage their time include meal preparation and careful planning, but there is one kitchen invention that allows for ultimate cooking convenience:…

We have finally come to the end of another great year, and it is now time to ring in 2015!  New Year’s Eve is less of a holiday and more of a worldwide celebration where families and friends come together and pop champagne bottles for an annual toast to a New Year and new beginnings. …

Year after year we make New Year’s resolutions to better ourselves in the coming year. Losing weight, eating healthier, and exercising more are among the top ten resolutions made each New Year’s Eve.   The media buzzes about what diets to start in 2015, how to lose the weight, what you should and shouldn’t eat…

Many individuals are engaging in increased efforts to lose weight and better their health, but now weight loss is being seen as a group effort as companies take an aggressive personalized approach to encouraging weight loss to their staff.   You may wonder why employers care so much about the weight of their employees.  …

With the holiday season in full swing, I think it is important to take a step back now and reflect on the past month and a half to assess the choices you have made not only at holiday parties, but also on the choices you have made on all the days in between.  It is…

December 19th is Oatmeal Muffin Day! This weekend we’re cooking up muffins to boost health. Oatmeal has become a popular breakfast choice, but what makes oats so beneficial to health?   Oatmeal is considered a whole grain, meaning that the germ, endosperm, and bran of the grain are kept intact and used in the processing…

The holiday season is truly about giving! It is only natural to put a lot of thought into your gifts to be sure that the special person receiving your present is more than just pleased.   This year give something different by considering a holiday gift that inspires health and wellness for the ones you…