Healthy and sustainable weight loss can be tricky and frustrating. With hundreds of fad diets on the market promising quick and easy methods to lose weight, along with conflicting reports in the media, it can be difficult to even know where to begin. But the truth is, lasting weight loss is more than just eating less and exercising more. In reality, science is discovering that our weight is influenced by a multitude of factors including the quality of the foods we consume, our gut health, stress levels, sleep, hormones, sugar intake, inflammation, and more. “You can’t exercise your way out

From lowering your inflammation and stress levels, to boosting your creativity, the benefits of self care are countless. It’s important to set aside some regular quiet time for yourself so that you can recharge and have the energy to show up in the world as your best self. Let’s face it, it’s virtually impossible to authentically connect and pour out to others when we’re feeling depleted or running on fumes.  One of my favorite ways to have a self care day is by turning it into my own personal mini spa experience.  My self care day checklist includes taking the

The Benefits of Using a Facial Scrub Incorporating a facial scrub into your routine is not only relaxing, but it has some real benefits. Facial scrubs work by exfoliating skin and increasing cell turnover, a natural process that can slow as we age. By exfoliating regularly with a scrub, you’ll help the process by removing dead skin cells that can build up and make skin look dull, trap oil and clog pores, and make fine lines look more severe. Facial scrubs smooth and brighten skin, and make it easier for your other products—like moisturizers and serums—to penetrate skin more deeply.

Finding a nontoxic, natural deodorant that actually works can be difficult, if not next to impossible if you don’t know where to start. I’ve tried dozens over the last few years and tested them out during a variety of workouts (hot Barre, HIIT, spin classes… you name it) and I can personally attest that these 5 work and will keep you feeling confident all day. Why Switch to a Natural Deodorant? Antiperspirants are actually classified as over-the-counter-drugs because they inhibit the sweat glands (which, by the way, is a normal and healthy bodily function) by using aluminum as their active

Sweet tooth? I hear you! Sugar cravings can be one of the biggest roadblocks in a person’s health and wellness journey. They're powerfully addictive. Studies have shown sugar can be as addicting as cocaine, stimulating the same brain signaling pathways that signal dopamine. And while a little extra sugar consumption may not seem like a big deal, year after year, if these habits continue, the weight can add up.  It can also lead to things like obesity, insulin dysregulation, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, premature aging, and worsening menstrual cycles. High sugar consumption has also been linked to depression and

Nearly 70 million Americans suffer from some form of insomnia. That's a lot! And it's likely this epidemic stems from our inability to fully let our bodies wind down before bed. Think about it: How many nights do you lie in bed watching TV, scrolling on your phone or going over the next day's to-dos? These common activities make it difficult for our bodies to prepare for seven to eight hours of quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep directly impacts our appearance, causing more dark circles, redness and other common skin woes. Here are six tips on how to get

The gut microbiome is one of the hottest areas in science right now – one that is rapidly evolving globally, and rightfully so, considering it’s been linked to everything from our brain health, immune systems, chronic disease, our weight, our moods and more. “Our immune system is central to all aspects of our health… If the gut bacteria are healthy, it’s likely that the immune system is running well. If the gut bacteria are not healthy, we are at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases and cancer.” – Dr. Andrew Weil Bacteria are everywhere and they are essential to our

My journey to becoming a health coach begins with my father. My dad and I weren’t always close. He was an engineer, software developer, and entrepreneur, so he was incredibly busy, often working 70 or more hour weeks. I can still remember being a small child and longing for him to come home so I could see him for a brief moment to give him a hug or to show him something I’d made for him or drawn. However, for most of my childhood, I felt pushed aside. He was often unavailable except for the occasional math or science homework

This Fire Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup tastes so good and is easy to make! It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser - you’ll love it! If you’ve never tried homemade soup before, you might be under the impression that it involves countless ingredients and long hours simmering on the stove. This recipe proves that doesn’t have to be the case to cook delicious and nutritious soup right at home. It only takes 20 minutes and 9 ingredients to create the Fire Roasted Tomato & Basil Soup—and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already. Plus, it’s gluten-

Inflammation is complicated. While it’s beneficial for helping us heal when we break a bone or cut our skin, too much of it for too long, is a bad thing. Chronic inflammation, meaning occuring long term, has been linked to obesity, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer, accelerated aging and more—the list is long and varied. Fortunately, natural pain relief is possible. Day-to-day, the symptoms of chronic inflammation can cause debilitating pain, as well as headaches and migraines. According to a 2016 survey by the CDC, an estimated 50 million US adults (20%) experience some form of chronic pain, which leads

Do you want to know a BIG secret to cleaning up your diet, eating healthier, and feeling your best from the inside out? It's meal prep made easy! ⁠It might sound a little daunting but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In fact, meal prepping can actually save you precious time in the end!  Let's face it, we’re all busy these days and often feel pulled in a million different directions. We need simple meals that give us energy, are quick to put together, and that nourish our bodies. But creating healthy meals from scratch three times a day, every

Who doesn't want a natural glow? The secret to radiant skin all year long isn't expensive skincare products or treatments. Glowing from the inside out really comes down to what you eat and adding in the right supplements. These are the 9 best supplements for glowing, radiant skin to add your diet today. In today's world, especially if you live in a city or spend a lot of time outdoors, your skin goes through a lot. Drying air, sun damage, indoor and outdoor pollution, and other irritants affect your skin's health. Each of these factors, plus genetics, can damage your

If you eat the USDA recommended two or more servings of dairy every day, it might be affecting your skin in more ways than you recognize. Let's discuss how dairy impacts skin health, from acne and aging to how you can use dairy to make your own skincare treatments. From lattes and ice cream to pizza and cheeseburgers, dairy is pervasive in the standard Western diet. It's both a household staple and a common ingredient in restaurant kitchens. The USDA Federal nutrition policy recommends consuming two to three servings of dairy daily for a healthy diet. However, large-scale agricultural practices