B2 or Not B2, THAT is the Question. Also, B12, B6…

B2 or NOT B2 - Sacks of various dry beans

Vitamins are essential nutrients for the body, needed in small quantities for the proper functioning of the metabolism.  Although the needed requirements are small, there is no way to synthesize them in the body itself, so they must be acquired through the diet. While the list of vitamins reads like a short alphabet, the one […]

Vitamin D – The Bone Defender

Little girl enjoying sunlight in a field rimmed by trees

Vitamin D – The Bone Defender is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed to maintain healthy and strong bones.  It is also involved in several other bodily functions such as digestion, blood circulation, and the immune and nervous systems.  The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, so it […]

Fiber = Digestive Draino

The TV ads say that we need more fiber.  Doctors tell you that you need more fiber.  Product packaging promotes having more fiber than the other guys.  So what exactly is fiber and why should we care? Dietary fiber is a plant-based nutrient that passes through your digestive system relatively intact; it’s not digested into […]

What’s the Skinny on CLA?

What’s the Skinny on CLA?

What’s the Skinny on CLA? Is CLA a weight loss miracle pill?  Theories and postulations abound–fortunately, there’s some research too.  One theory says that it modulates fat metabolism, which helps your body use food for energy.  Another thought is that it causes fat and weight loss because it boosts the body’s metabolism by increasing your […]

Gut Flora – Help Your Gut Blossom!

Close up of woman wearing long sleeves holding pink flower in her cupped hands

Our bodies are filled with bacteria, and in a healthy body, we can have around 40 million of those little critters floating around, mostly in our intestines. However, we also may have a fair share of bad bacteria at any given moment and they can contribute to sickness and disease, so it is important to […]

Smoothie Power, Part 3

Three green smoothies in mason jars, shown from above on ivy covered red tile

We’ve discussed protein, and fiber and now we’re going to discuss fat. These three components are critically important in each meal but especially important for your first meal (I’m suggesting you keep it a liquid meal for quick absorption and easy digestability). Like I said, each of these three components plays crucial and important roles […]

Smoothie Power, Part 2

Yellow smoothie with striped straw in a clear glass on a grey wooden serving tray

In my first Smoothie Power blog post (which you can read here) I shared with you the wisdom behind breaking your fast with a liquid meal (AKA a smoothie). In Part 1, I dug into the fiber component of our powerhouse smoothies–it’s a favorite of mine because I’ve enjoyed the benefits of FiberMender for a […]

Smoothie Power

Green vegetables and lemons sliced and laid artistically on a green background

One of the biggest needle movers when it comes to bumping up your nutrition, weight loss and just plain feeling great is starting your day off with a smoothie. I’ve been a fan for years–and raised my children on smoothies, too. However it is you break your fast–whether it’s early in the morning, or later […]

Be Proactive with Probiotics

Good gut bacteria is a hugely underrated benefit for your physical well-being. Did you know that there are roughly 450  or so different species of bacteria right now sitting in your gastrointestinal tract? If you put all of those little critters on a kitchen scale, they’d add up to about three pounds. Now, I don’t […]