A laptop with several participants of a video call on screen

Connect from Home: Virtual Game Night

Not being able to spend time with friends and family can be difficult. Fortunately, these days there are a number of great ways to connect virtually. One of my favorites is a virtual game night. I used to love having game nights with my friends. Now that social distancing is the new normal, we still […]

Prepared yogurt bark recipe

Berry Yogurt Bark

Recipe from NC Steps to Health Ingredients • 2 cups non-fat plain yogurt• ½ tsp. vanilla extract• ¼ tsp. lemon juice• ¼ tsp. salt• 1 cup strawberries, sliced• 1 cup blueberries, whole Directions Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt. […]

Low-Impact HIIT Workouts for Older Adults

I previously wrote a blog about High Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT workouts. The exercises that I highlighted in that blog are more intense than some individuals may be ready for, so I wanted to come back to this topic and outline some more HIIT exercises that are appropriate for older adults or anyone that […]

2 people Stretching on the beach

Exercise Spotlight: HIIT Workouts

High Intensity Interval Training, otherwise known as HIIT, has become increasingly trendy lately. The good news is that this trend is actually backed by science. HIIT workouts are made up of short periods of high intensity exercise, followed by short periods of active recovery or rest. This style of workout has been shown to increase […]

5 Tips to Avoid Giving In to Family Food Pushers

Let’s face it, the holidays often revolve around activities and gatherings that include food. It can be difficult for those of us who are trying to make smarter, healthier food choices to be in environments where unhealthy sweets and treats are everywhere, especially when people we love are the ones offering us these foods.  Family […]

Smart-size Your Portions

Both the amount and types of food we consume contribute to whether our way of eating is healthy. Check out this great handout from our colleagues at NC EFNEP with tips for how to smart-size your portions. A portion is what you serve yourself or what a restaurant gives you–you can also think of this […]

Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberries are super healthy with lots of antioxidants. Thanksgiving, however, does not bring out the best in this super fruit as they are usually accompanied by lots of sugar. This recipe is what I would call healthy-ish as it does have some sugar but lots of fruit that adds most of the sweetness. It also […]

Crinkle-Cut Oven Fries with Japanese Sweet Potatoes

November is Sweet Potato Awareness Month. Sweet potatoes are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C. A fun fact, North Carolina has led the nation in sweet potato production for decades and produces about 60 percent of the country’s total sweet potato crop. My favorite type of sweet potato is Murasaki—or […]

DELicata Squash is DELicious

Move over butternut and acorn squash. Now for something…more delicate?  Delicata squash is a winter squash also referred to as “sweet potato squash”.  It has a creamy texture, sweet flavor, and roasts beautifully in the oven. We recently tried delicata squash as a side dish with salmon and it was DELicious!  As the name implies, the skin […]

5 Tips to Stay Motivated For Exercising at Home

Exercising at home has been a struggle during COVID especially amidst gym closures. I am an avid gym-goer…or I was pre-COVID. In fact, most of my free time was spent in a gym as I have been a part-time certified personal trainer for 8 years. Most of my clients used to come to me, not […]