I can’t believe it is already Thanksgiving! The holiday season is just around the corner bringing all kinds of activities around food. As I reflect on this, I ask myself how can I make it more meaningful. How can I enjoy it without indulging in unhealthy attitudes and behaviors? Gratitude and appreciation are what come to mind as a wonderful way to keep me aware and receptive to experience mindfulness in my body, mind and spirit during this holiday season. As someone who views healthy eating as one of the ways to stay grounded and balanced, the kitchen is a good place to start. If you enjoy…

  If you are looking for ways to loose extra pounds, feel better and learn how to eat healthier, the apps below might help you do just that. You can download to your iPhone, iTouch or iPad and have the guidance, inspiration and information you need to stay on track, cook a healthy meal and even breathe deeper. Many apps are free. Foodducate                                                                             Cost: Free You can automatically scan a product barcode, search for products and compare products
 and select healthier alternatives (Available for iPhone, iTouch and iPad)   Lose …

Chicken soup is the quintessential home remedy for colds as well as the soul. I have fond memories from my childhood when I was nurtured back to health after the flu or a cold with lots of love and a bowl of warm and delicious chicken soup. Our body has an amazing ability to heal itself when it is supported by the right nutrients. There is a bounty of vitamins, minerals and natural chemicals in whole foods that do just that.   Many of us are not aware we have a medicine cabinet in the kitchen pantry. I envision a time when the doctor will send us to the food market instead of the pharmacy to …

What does living in the now have to do with healthy living? One aspect of healthy living is learning to align our beliefs, perceptions, habits and actions in a way that brings harmony, balance and wellbeing through self-awareness. Taking care of our body is the first step in the aligning process. Our body is the vessel to achieve our goals and to express a higher intelligence that is innate in all of us. Without good health, it is very hard to find the motivation, drive, inspiration and energy to chase our dreams and reach our goals. Most of us live outside ourselves. By that I mean, we are …

I always say if you must choose between eating broccoli, only because it's healthy, or a yummy piece of cheesecake that you love, go for the cheesecake. The benefit of food goes beyond nutritional value. How you feel about the food you eat makes a difference. Yes, it's important to know the general nutritional value of the food you’re eating, but if you’re not mindful of the food you’re taking in, you likely will not enjoy the balance your body seeks. Mindful eating is about enjoying every bite while appreciating where the food came from, who prepared it and who is sitting around you at the …

Taking the time to know which foods are right for you can be life changing in more ways that you can imagine. When I eat unhealthy foods, I notice I don’t have the focus, energy and strength to pursue and follow through with my goals. I now continue to explore how food affects me by eating consciously. Every time I take a healthy bite I am affirming I deserve the best. Over time I’ve noticed how different foods affect me either positively or negatively. That has inspired me to study at a deeper level how my diet can help me feel and look better. For example: If I want to experience more …

It's only been in recent years that I've associated eating healthy with being healthy. I thought that if I got sick, I would take medicine. In 2004, I was diagnosed with hypertension, which runs in my family. My father had a pretty unhealthy diet and was diagnosed with diabetes in his late 50s. He died of a massive heart attack at age 62. Being told I needed to be on medication for the rest of my life put me on the journey I am on now. I learned the benefits of whole foods on my health. I cleaned up my diet and felt so excited about the results that I became a health coach. I am now happy to …

It’s always best to eat locally grown produce. It tends to be tastier and fresher since the transportation period is minimized. Plus, we’re able to promote our community, as well as good health. The Sandy Springs Farmers Market’s season continues through Nov. 19. The Farmers Market is located at 235 Sandy Springs Circle, N.W.  We just celebrated the fall equinox on Sept. 23. This is a time of harvest and everything in nature, including ourselves, start moving inward and downward. We start preparing for the upcoming stillness of winter. The leaves and fruits fall, the sap of trees goes into …

Chronic silent inflammation is the root cause of many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Hormone insulin is one of the top causes of inflammation. Sugar triggers insulin release. The more sugar you consume the higher the levels of insulin and inflammation. When you eat sugar the natural body reaction is to eliminate it rather than absorb it as it doesn’t have any nutrition. If you consume too much sugar, the following tips can help you curb your craving.   Eat a balanced meal consisting of high quality protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The body is …

Many consider the kitchen the heart of the home. When I think of the kitchen of my childhood, I have wonderful memories of a loving woman who used to cook for my family. We were five children and she would indulge each one of us with our favorite foods. She was a great cook. However, I have since realized that what made her food special was the love she poured into it.   You can bring nourishment to your families and yourself in ways that go deeper than the nutritional aspect of food. According to the Ksema-kuntuhala, a Vedic cookbook from the 2nd century A.D., a pleasant atmosphere and a …

Did you know your spice rack might contain healing properties for a variety of health issues? Spices are a natural way of preventive care and their health benefits continue to be uncovered.  Healing Properties of Popular Spices: Basil – Protects against unwanted bacterial growth and contains nutrients essential for cardiovascular health. Black Pepper – Improves digestion and promotes intestinal health. The outer layer of peppercorns stimulates the breakdown of fat cells helping the body stay slim and energetic. Cilantro – Offers antibacterial and anticancer properties as well as blood sugar …