Benefits of Casual Social Ties

Loneliness has become a significant public health issue, prompting the Surgeon General to issue a warning about its impact on individual well-being and society as a whole. The increasing prevalence of social isolation and loneliness can lead to various adverse health effects, including increased risk of mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality to […]

Get Inspired for Grilling Season!

Whether it’s a casual backyard gathering or a festive barbecue, the pleasures of grilling when the weather heats up evoke a sense of joy, celebration, and the simple pleasures of good food enjoyed in your backyard or the great outdoors. From marinated meats to vibrant vegetables and juicy fruits, the grill transforms ordinary ingredients into […]

Can We Rebrand Salads?

Salads are often labeled as “diet foods” and that is quite frankly a bummer. Rather than simply being a boring and healthy side dish, salad should be reimagined as a delicious and satisfying main course. One way to do this is by adding flavorful and filling ingredients, such as protein-rich grilled chicken, hearty grains like […]

Best Scrambled Eggs…EVER

It is hard to improve on a classic. No dish is more classic than scrambled eggs. It is a go-to breakfast, lunch, or dinner for a quick comfort food that is bound to please. You may think it is impossible to improve. Well, that is what I thought until I added cottage cheese. Yes, cottage […]

Aspirational versus Inspirational

In my recent blog post, Avoid the Trap of Comparison, I referred to “health and wellness” social media content as aspirational. I did this because most of social media’s “health and wellness” content is aspirational.  Aspiration refers to ambition whereas inspiration refers to the urge to do something. Aspiration motivates an individual to achieve a […]

Avoid the Trap of Comparison

Even just a casual scroll through your social media feeds can trigger feelings of not being enough. With the prevalence of social media, it is so easy to become consumed with comparing oneself to others who appear to be living their best life. You may not even realize you are internalizing the messages on your […]

2023 NC Year of the Trail

Did you know that North Carolina is the Great Trails State and that 2023 is the NC Year of the Trail? The “NC Year of the Trail” is the largest statewide celebration of the vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways that showcase the state’s diverse landscapes. Goals for NC Year of the Trail: I’ve […]

I’m Injured–Now What?

About a month ago, I broke my toe. It’s the big toe, and arguably the most important since it’s responsible for balance. I went from engaging in over 500 minutes of physical activity a week to maybe 100 minutes, severely restricted by my injury and a walking boot. Pre-injury, I enjoyed daily movement consisting of […]

Kale is the New Kale

Food fads come and go. However, a hot trend from several years ago is still going strong. Kale. There is a reason for that. Kale, a leafy green has the potential to improve your overall diet in several ways. It is high in fiber and low in calories, and a diet high in leafy greens […]

My Experience Using a Calorie Counter App

Perimenopause and menopause have had their challenges for me, including weight gain despite no change in diet or exercise. In addition, a baseline bone density scan performed last summer revealed lower-than-normal bone density in my hips. Needless to say, I became very motivated to lose weight, especially abdominal fat, and prevent further bone loss. My […]

Are You An Active Couch Potato?

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week. For some of us, that means hitting the gym for 30 minutes a day to “knock it out” before work or maybe going on a moderate-intensity walk. Although doing this might check […]