The Fourth of July is a very special day for our country, and it is also a special day for family and friends to get together and observe long-held traditions together. Some traditions like fireworks, parades, and cookouts have been consistently associated with the Fourth of July since the country’s founding in 1776. Here is…
Avocado! I’ve talked about how much I love avocado and that it is number one on EWG’s Clean Fifteen list, so you know you are getting some quality nutrition when using this ingredient. In the grocery store you can get avocados from Mexico where they are in season year-round, but in California they are in…
We are one month away from summer and I have already been thoroughly enjoying the sun! Have you been getting your daily Vitamin D? I love the next couple of months because the Farmer’s Markets start making their way to the downtown streets and fresh farm produce is readily available in just about any neighborhood…
April is an important month for awareness. In the United States, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of the month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem. In the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence…
National Nutrition Month is important because it dedicates an entire month to making people aware of the issues that arise when we don’t eat nutritious, real foods. Food should be our first line of defense for our bodies and we need to improve the way we feed our families. Did you know according to the…
There is almost a palatable feeling of love in the air when February begins. Stores begin a bit early with their displays, marketing all the Valentines in mid-January. Have you completed your Valentine’s Day planning or are you stumped on what to do? There can be a lot of pressure to buy the right gift,…
It is the New Year and the perfect time to reflect on the year past and set your intentions for the year to come. As we ring in the new year, take some time this week to journal and reflect on the year past: What were your fondest memories of 2018? How was your year…
I have seen, for a few Novembers now, a trend of gratitude journals circulating on social media. I think it is important to take time out to express gratitude to those around you and for the things you have been blessed with. Thanksgiving is a time when most of us reflect on these things with…
“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves.” (author unknown) Fall’s official beginning was September 21st. October is really where we begin to see changes in weather and it really kicks off the holiday season, starting with Halloween. The next few months are definitely busy, full…
According to dosomething.org, the first US Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City. 10,000 workers from the Central Labor Union marched from City Hall all the way to 42nd Street and then met with their families in Wendel’s Elm Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches. Labor Day started…
It’s much easier to make lunches (just like dinners) if you plan ahead. Throwing together a lunch last minute as you are running out the door in the morning is a recipe for disaster. Planning ahead is crucial. You can even prep all your lunches at the beginning of the week! Some picky eaters don’t…
Independence Day is in a few days away; did you know that 150 million hot dogs are eaten on the Fourth of July? According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, that’s enough hot dogs to make a line from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times. That is a lot of…
June is one of the best months for breaking in the outdoor grill. It’s just warm enough for outdoor gatherings and it’s not too hot to be unbearable yet for those sensitive to the heat. Memorial Day was just earlier this week and that normally kicks off the official grilling season. How was your first…
I think one of the most special gifts you can give is your time and something homemade from the heart. One way I know how to give a gift from the heart is making a nutritious meal and sharing it with family. This year, consider doing that for the mother figure you are celebrating with…
April is a month full of hope; spring is officially here! Spring can represent so many things: hope, new life, reflection, transformation. There is a beautiful quote from Harriet Ann Jacobs that says: “The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” Easter also represents that…
Have you ever gone to the grocery store and come back home with a ton of food and then nothing to make for dinner? All those ingredients but not a well-thought out plan of what to do with them? Having a lot of great nutritious food is great, but without a plan, you could still…
February is American Heart Month and tomorrow, February 2nd is National Wear Red Day, in hopes of raising awareness for Women and Heart Disease Prevention. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a “man’s disease,” around the same number of…
It’s a New Year! Last year went by so fast! It was filled with so many things, both challenging and exciting. I was blessed to be able to be part of so many incredible things with the Jonathan D. Fischer Foundation. If you don’t already know what JDFF is, A number of years ago my…
The end of the year is almost upon us, and just as yesterday came with loads of candy, the holidays will keep coming, and with them, a never-ending supply of yummy food! It is understandable to have some anxiety with the holidays; big family gatherings, planning, financial stress – but if you stick to your…
This month, Halloween sneaks up fast with all the yummy goodies. Since Halloween is the kick-off to the holiday season, it is a great time to practice mindfulness and portion control. Some easy ways to do that is plan your meals, eat a healthy snack before you go to parties (or before you go trick-or-treating)…