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Lauren Venosta

Kale gets a lot of press for good reason. Studies have found that it’s packed with nutrients like beta-carotene and vitamin C, and it’s also high in fiber. Kale quickly became the king of greens becau …

Bloating is a build-up of gas in the digestive system, which can make your stomach bulge. Bloating is uncomfortable and painful; it’s that bowling-ball-in-the-stomach feeling.Sometimes bloating feels …

Nutrition plays a large role in your overall energy as well as the ability to focus and think with a clear mind. How much more could you accomplish in a day if your mind was consistently sharp and cou …

Vegans don’t consume any products that come from an animal-based source or animal protein. All macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat are only consumed through plant-based sources—which c …

Eating healthy is expensive. Healthy food doesn’t taste good. You won’t get enough calcium if you don’t consume dairy products.Have you heard those statements before? Or maybe you’ve said those things …

You may have heard about celiac disease more often in recent years due to the rise in gluten-free diets and the growing availability of gluten-free products. But what is celiac disease?Celiac disease …

Staying hydrated is key to many functions in the human body, and in summer heat, it can be difficult to maintain your hydration. One of the largest roles that water plays in the body is regulating int …

Most people know eating fiber is important. But what does that even mean? Why fiber? What is it and what role does it play in your health?Fiber comes in two different types: Soluble: It is just as it …

When looking at a nutrition label, most people think it’s important to look at the calories, fats, sugars, etc. However, the ingredients are just as important as anything else on the nutrition label. …

In the heat of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a big smoothie or a glass of fresh juice. But are smoothies and juices actually healthy? When it comes to your health, which is better?The …

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is known as an ancient Andean grain, but it’s not a grain—it’s a seed! Quinoa seeds originated and is cultivated in South America along the Andes mountains. It comes fro …

Blood pressure is a term most people are familiar with, but what exactly is it? Blood pressure is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the pressure of the blood circulating through your vessels. Simple, …

Convenience is key when it comes to cooking. Between work, family, school, exercise, obligations—life just gets busy! Not everyone has time to spend hours slaving over the stove every night after work …

Have you heard of spirulina? Don’t be surprised if you haven’t! It’s not a food that is commonly found in the standard American diet. However, it’s incredibly nutrient-dense, which means it provides a …

When summer turns to fall, it’s more than just a weather change. Although the days get shorter and the nights get colder, the freshest produce changes, too! Many vegetables that aren’t in season durin …

Why do you need to know about anti-inflammatory foods and spices? Evidence shows that chronic inflammation is at the root of many different diseases—from a simple sinus infection to cancer. If inflamm …

Consuming too much sodium is not ideal for a healthy diet. But with the foods that make up the standard American diet (SAD), many people consume too much sodium every day. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidel …

Who has time for getting sick? I know I don’t! Whether it’s just a common cold or something as miserable as the stomach flu, it always seems to come at the most inconvenient times—especially during th …

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls—the Thanksgiving table is full of food! Not to mention the pumpkin pie and other desserts. Every family has …

Transitioning into a new way of eating should be slow and steady. When you make a massive change or go “cold turkey” with something, it’s less likely to last for the long-term. And with any lifestyle …

The holidays can be a stressful time for many people. With work parties, family gatherings, Christmas shopping, and baking, it’s easy to get caught up in indulgences. Between the long days and busy we …

Cold weather, post-holiday hustle, sweet treats, and added stress—sounds like winter! And with all those things it’s easy to put on a few (or more) pounds. In cold weather, your body uses energy to ke …

Winter: the weather is colder, days are shorter, and your body works overtime to keep your system healthy. As seasons change, so do the needs of your body. Think about winter—there is less sunshine, m …

A new year means new beginnings. And new beginnings are the start of new trends including in the health food space. The health industry is constantly changing and evolving, which is fantastic because …

Dinner parties are always fun. But they can come with a lot of stress as well, especially if you’re catering to special diets, like veganism. It’s always good to have an array of different dishes for …

The alarm rings. You get ready, rush out the door, head toward a drive-through to grab coffee, then crash a couple hours later once the caffeine wears off. Sound familiar? Mornings can get pretty hect …

The word diet doesn’t necessarily mean deprivation. It’s a term that you may hear and instantly associate with drinking detox drinks and eating rice cakes to lose weight. But that’s not the case. A di …

Comfort food—everyone craves it from time to time. Especially in the cold weather or when you’re feeling under the weather! But comfort food typically comes with a heavy, bloated feeling afterward sin …

Low-fat diets are a thing of the past, avocado toast is on everyone’s plate, and coconut oil is being added to coffee. A big change from the low-fat diet trend in the 90s, right? Contrary to the belie …

There are so many medicinal foods found on the earth, and raw honey is no exception. Not only is it medicinal, but it’s also sweet and delicious. It’s used as a sweetener in tea and desserts, and it g …

Imagine having an immune system so strong that you can be around those who are sick, but not get their sickness. Wouldn’t that be amazing? You wouldn’t have to miss work or lie in bed all day, but you …

What would your life be like if you had a spectacular memory and could remember everything you ever read, heard, or saw? That is not reality. With so many distractions, it’s easy for your mind to wand …

Probiotics is a word that you’ve likely heard—whether your friend at the gym told you about her kombucha drink that has probiotics or you saw an advertisement on TV trying to sell you on a probiotic s …

Are you a fan of mushrooms? Or do they intimidate you? Mushrooms may seem complicated because there are so many different varieties. Some are safe to eat, some are poisonous, some are psychedelic, but …

Fiber is something you are likely familiar with. Commercials on TV try to sell you dry fiber crackers and chalky powders to make you more regular. If you’re constipated, prune juice always seems to be …

If you’ve ever seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” you know that for every ailment the dad says: “Put some Windex on it.” That’s like apple cider vinegar’s role for health. Apple cider vinegar health ben …

Acai berries are a small purple berry with a powerful punch of flavor and nutrition. Have you tried them before? You’ll commonly see them in pureed preparations like smoothies or acai bowls, but they …

Fermented foods are receiving quite a buzz these days. Everything related to gut health is seen more on health and nutrition blogs and found on grocery store shelves. But will fermented foods’ benefit …

Papaya is a sweet, tropical fruit that has so much flavor, but even more health benefits. It’s a unique looking fruit that’s large in size and has an inside full of small round black seeds. When it’s …

Milk builds strong bones. That’s a phrase that’s been repeated for decades. But what does that statement imply? What it should say is that calcium builds strong bones, because it’s the calcium that ma …

The brain. It’s a complex organ! You would love to have a brain that functions more optimally, right? You may think you’re stuck with the brain you have—and that’s true to a point—but you can optimize …

Inflammation. It’s a word that seems to be popping up in the health community more frequently as more awareness comes into this cause of illness and disease. But what is it exactly? And how does it im …

Stress is a word everyone is familiar with and a feeling that everyone experiences. There are different kinds of stress—mental, physical, emotional—but the body responds in the same way no matter what …

Ginger root has a range of health benefits, including improving digestion, blood sugar levels, and harmful cholesterol levels. Here’s a look at eight of ginger’s benefits and five ways for you to incr …

When you think of on-the-go foods, what comes to mind? Is it fast food, packaged snack foods like chips or crackers, or energy bars? There are so many convenience foods in grocery stores, gas stations …

Stress. Just hearing that word can conjure up feelings of anxiety. Life offers many stressors simply during day-to-day events. School, work, health issues, busy schedules, family drama—it seems that t …

Depending on where you live on this beautiful earth, fall is the season of new beginnings and the transition between summer and winter. It includes the months of September, October, and November. The …

Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around family and food. Everyone joins around a dinner table and eats together in thankfulness. While the most important part about Thanksgiving is gratitude and con …

Holiday parties are fun for many reasons, and the food you share is typically one of them—especially the desserts. But often the desserts can be full of butter, milk, and eggs. If you’re hosting a veg …

When you think about breakfast in the winter, what comes to mind? Is it a big stack of pancakes with butter and warm maple syrup? Or maybe large cinnamon rolls with sweet icing on top? Muffins, scones …

Meal prep. Do those two words make you think of hours upon hours in the kitchen? Not only time in the kitchen cooking, but also loads of dishes and clean up? Not to mention the time it takes to do the …

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? And how many of those resolutions are centered around wellness? Goals like lose weight, exercise more, or eat more vegetables? They seem like a good idea but as the …

Brrrr, winter is here, and you can feel it in the air. Fall has ended, and the mornings and nights are colder with each passing day. You can bundle up by the fire, wear an extra layer of clothing, or …

Snacking is something most people do every day and oftentimes it’s centered around an event or activity. Going to a movie? Get some goodies. Jumping in the car for a road trip? Pack the snacks. Hungry …

Have you heard of the ketogenic diet? It’s a diet trend that is similar to the Atkins diet from the 70s. It’s a low-carb, high-fat way of eating. The purpose of eating minimal carbohydrates is to put …

Winter is a time when indulgent foods are really desirable. Think about it—it’s cold outside, it gets darker earlier, and you’re always bundled up in a coat or a blanket. The last thing you want to do …

When you think about Fourth of July it’s usually centered around burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, sausages, skewers ... the list goes on. Basically, any meat you can BBQ will be found in many Fourth …