As the corona virus pandemic drags on, many of us are wondering how to improve or maintain vibrant health. Over the months that we have been socially distancing, clients have been lamenting their dwindling commitment to ensuring their best health. Below are some easily implemented ideas to rediscover an energetic, enthusiastic you. Eat more veggies: […]
Focus on Collagen
Collagen is a protein found in our teeth, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and makes up about 75% of our skin. It is the most plentiful protein in our bodies and is the main building block or “glue” for these parts of your body. Starting in our twenties, we begin to lose about 1% of our […]
Five Places Sugar Hides
Many of my clients have been talking to me about their New Year’s Resolutions lately. One of the most common resolutions I hear about is the desire to reduce added sugar in their diet. Changing your relationship with sugar can have profound effects on your health. Added sugar has been linked to heart disease, inflammation, tooth decay, cancer […]
Ditch the Sugar
Ditch the Sugar Halloween marks the beginning of the long holiday season for many of us. It seems we just tuck away the Halloween decorations and then are reaching for turkeys, cornucopias and other symbols of Thanksgiving. One common concern I hear from my clients is trying to not only find a way to limit […]
Inflammation Information
It seems the health community and popular media has been talking a lot about the risks of inflammation and its impact on our bodies. Even with all the information available, you may be asking yourself what is inflammation and how concerned should we be about it? There are two types of inflammation: Acute inflammation occurs in […]
Carb Crazy
Carbohydrates have an especially important role in providing the energy needed for exercise and life. Carbs are the most easily used source of fuel for your body and can be found in fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and dairy products. Carbs are also important in the metabolism of fat for energy. Fat, protein and carbohydrates provide […]
Sugar Free Freedom
One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions I hear about from clients is to stop eating sugar. Sugar is ubiquitous in a standard American diet and hides in many places you wouldn’t expect. Our body is wired to crave sugar because our first food, breast milk, is filled with gut health nurturing lactose. Throughout […]
3 Nutrition No-No’s
Recently a client of the Refinery asked me for my three biggest nutrition “don’ts”. I rarely liked to talk about what not to do because I like to focus on framing change in a more positive way but the question did get me thinking about where I feel is most important to concentrate my attention […]
Focus on Stevia
My last two posts on sugar have brought up conversations at the gym about sugar alternatives and their impact on the body. One of the sugar substitutes I frequently get asked about is stevia. People are often curious because they have heard it is a natural sugar but they confuse it with similar sounding artificial […]
Resisting Sugar
Now that we know sugar has such a negative impact on our health, it seems important to figure out some ways to manage sugar cravings. Many of my clients lament the almost daily struggle they experience when it comes to sugar. There are some tricks to help reduce those cravings. Start your day with protein. […]
Sugar Sabatogue
The average American eats 13 five pound bags of sugar in a year. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per a day and women should have only 6 teaspoons. With sugar hiding in many foods, it is easy to exceed these recommendations. Here are 5 common […]
Raspberries
I am moving this week to a new house and for the first time in a long time, I will have an easily accessible yard. One of the first things I did when we took possession of the house was to plant some raspberry bushes. I love raspberries not just for their amazing flavor but […]