healthy

It’s getting colder, and comfort foods seem to be everywhere. Those comfort foods that are full of sodium and/or loaded with pounds of sugar are staring you down; what do you do? I’ll tell ya what you do—you get out of that situation, as fast as you can. I know it can be difficult, but you don’t have to succumb to those temptations that are lurking at every corner. I’m not just saying that, either. For me, there are two food groups—sweet and salty. Whenever I eat something savory, it has to be promptly followed by something sweet. You wouldn’t want me to feel imbalanced, would you?

It’s easy to focus on those plump, crunchy parts of root vegetables, but who knew that the foliage above ground, responsible for all the goodness that grows below, is just as nutritious? I’m talking about your carrots, beets, and even those radishes that you may – hopefully – purchase with the tops flopping around awkwardly. Don’t be fooled! Those tops are a goldmine of nutrients including iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, folate, and vitamins A, B, C, E and K.

Happiness is healthiness!! This statement speaks volumes of truth in so many aspects. We often forget that we have more than just physical health; what about the mental and emotional health? When you truly discover how the three all affect you and how they rely on one another you can begin to truly heal. Our emotions and stresses can cause us to become ill. A lot of people struggle with depression and are placed on medication, but I’m sorry to say there is no such thing as a happy pill. So what is there to do about it?

Getting a healthy breakfast in every morning is important. It gives you that energy you need to jumpstart your day. Unfortunately, sometimes people have a tendency to skip eating breakfast because they may not have the time to make it. The good news is that if you don’t have the time to make breakfast, you can pre-make it! Here is a simple, delicious and healthy breakfast bar recipe for your hustle-n-bustle mornings.

Ingredients (serves about 10 bars):

It’s come to my attention that not many people know how to cook or eat an artichoke. I’ve made artichokes for friends throughout the past year and they’ve all needed an explanation on how to eat this complex — but worth it! — vegetable. While the artichoke may look intimidating, it’s actually a pretty easy dish to cook, and eating it can feel like a fun activity, especially when several people are involved and throwing leaves into the same bowl.

Many people love their morning cup of coffee and couldn’t fathom getting through their day without it. While there are some known health benefits to coffee, most people don’t know how to get the most out of this morning ritual. They negate any health benefits by taking it alone on an empty stomach or combining it with too much sugar, artificial sweeteners, and creamers. Instead you can make your morning cup quite delicious and health promoting – it’s all about what you put in it!