When trying to manage or lose weight, you may have been told countless times to look at the nutrition facts label prior to purchasing or eating certain foods.  While the nutrition label contains excellent information, it can seem confusing and overwhelming when you are unfamiliar with how to read it. The FDA requires nutrition facts…

With increasingly busy schedules and less time for meal preparation, ordering takeout is a growing trend.  A recent survey conducted by Seamless, a popular website and Smartphone app, shows that close to 50% of adult men and women order out at least once a week.  The startling data showed that the orders people make tend…

Yesterday was Drink Wine Day!  Red wine has been associated with being heart healthy for quite some time now, but the question is how? Red wine contains antioxidants, which may aid in preventing heart disease.  They increase your good cholesterol levels and protect your arteries.  The antioxidants in the red wine are called polyphenols, specifically resveratrol….

What comes to mind when you think of your loved ones? Do you think of their kindness, the respect you have for each other and how beautiful they are inside and out? Now, what do you think of when you think about yourself? Hopefully the same things come to mind. Loving yourself is a necessity…

Since February is American Heart Month, I thought I’d share with you some heart-healthy cooking tips. To lower risk of heart disease or to manage existing disease, try these tips: Limit Fat, Especially Saturated and Trans Fat Select lean cuts of beef and pork, especially cuts with “loin” or “round” in their name. Remove all…

Myth #1 Chicken and fish dishes are always good choices for those watching their weight. Chicken (specifically white meat) and fish are lower in calories, fat, and saturated fat than red meat, but other factors play a role.  Portion size, preparation method, sauces and other added ingredients, like oil and cheese, can add hundreds of…

While many people relate February to candy and boxed chocolate hearts, it is also the month to celebrate and educate people on the most precious kind of heart: your own. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, but what most people don’t realize is that it is preventable. Taking…

This Sunday, February 3rd is Super Bowl Sunday!  Sadly no New York teams are being represented in this year’s big game, but that does not mean the masses will not be getting together to celebrate this American tradition.  If you find everyone’s mood a little down because they’re not a fan of either team, spice…

Yesterday’s post focused on looking back and assessing how you have done with your New Year’s goals so far.  Today as promised are 5 steps that will help you continue to make progress on your goals for the New Year. 1.  Set your intentions.  Be specific, write them down, and share with others.  Post in…

It’s a month into the New Year and I want to see how you are doing with tackling your goals.  We often start off with best of intentions on January 1st, but then the kids go back to school, work starts after a vacation, and sometimes those intentions can take a back seat to everything…

Most of us know that obesity; hypertension, diabetes and heart disease are major issues the American population is facing.  Yet, today I am going to talk about the positives that Americans can be proud of.  The United Health Foundation has just released their list of the healthiest states.   They also listed the unhealthiest states but…

A recent discovery of an ancient berry native to West Africa has sparked the interest of Chef Cantu in Chicago and has received widespread attention with his use of the berries becoming popular and ground-breaking.  This berry is organic and contains a specific protein known as miraculin which has been shown to attach to sour…

Soup is a go-to food during the winter months because of the warm and comforting feeling it provides.  One of the great things about soup is that it is a quick and easy meal you can make yourself.  Soup can also be full of healthy ingredients such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins. …

Approximately 3,000 people die per year from foodborne illness according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  This number is astounding and preventable.  Unfortunately it is common to hear about outbreaks and deaths from foodborne illness, but it is not common to hear how we can resolve these issues.  Something must be done…

This week, January 6th through the 12th is National Folic Acid Awareness Week.  Adequate folic acid intake is important for the prevention of birth defects.  Folic acid is a B-vitamin that aids in the production of RNA and DNA so it is crucial for developing cells.  It can help prevent serious birth defects such as Spina Bifida…

Spaghetti is one of the easiest things to prepare.  I don’t think you’ll find many people who don’t love to twirl it with their fork and eat it up!  Some people might question whether spaghetti can be part of a healthy eating plan.  It absolutely can!! Today we celebrate National Spaghetti Day!  In honor of…

Here we are again, embarking on a New Year.  While many people focus on resolutions, they tend to be short-lived and you end up with disappointing results.  A New Year means new beginnings and it can be the perfect time to start setting short-term goals that will be attainable.  Goal-setting will only be successful if…

Over the past two years we have seen several major chain restaurants posting calories on their menus.  Legislation on posting calories on menus was passed with the hopes that seeing the calories of certain menu items would hopefully encourage people to make healthier choices when dining out.  A recent US study took this idea one…

As much as we all love the holiday season we can’t deny that it isn’t the most relaxing time of year.  Let’s face it, overcrowded malls, long lines, door busters, budgeting your money, and finals season for all you students.  It all leads to one thing: Stress! You are programmed to maintain equilibrium between your…

When my now 19 year old son was 5 years old, he was diagnosed with a tree nut allergy.  My older son gave him a chocolate chip cookie with walnuts for a snack and within moments of finishing the cookie, he complained of difficulty breathing.  Thankfully, we were visiting friends and there were doctors in…