Everyday there are new reports on what you should and should-not eat, new diet trends, and new food buzz-words. Of course if you eat a balanced diet of whole grains, lean protein, fruit, and vegetables, it’s okay to indulge every once in a while in your favorite guilty-pleasure food of choice. But there are certain foods that should be avoided as much as possible, and luckily there are plenty of flavorful and healthy substitutions you can make so you don’t have to feel like you are making sacrifices. Read More

Ironically, healthy food is sometimes high in calories. For instance, avocados are very calorically dense, but are actually a good weight loss option-when eaten in moderation! Native to Mexico, the avocado is an key ingredient in party foods like guacamole, but it can be a key ingredient in your weight loss diet as well.  Read More

Last year I was walking around Union Square Park in my sports bra… and I wasn’t alone. Together, we were 200 shirtless men and women supporting The S.E.A.K. Foundation’s Annual Sports Bra Challenge—an event that promotes confidence, boosts self-esteem, and funds year-round programming to support young teens who struggle with various social issues, including but not limited to, bullying and obesity. Read More

When we approached St. Philips Academy in Newark, I had no idea what kind of experience we were in for. What I thought would be a simple look into the technology behind the school’s aeroponic farming system, turned into an eye-opening experience and realization of how one small change can get the ball rolling to make monumental and all-inclusive steps in changing how kids learn about, eat, cook, and view food. Read More

An interesting study reported on by the New York Times reveals solid evidence that a Mediterranean Diet can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease. People that are considered at “high risk” for heart disease can cut their chances by 30 percent if they follow a diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruit, vegetables…and even a daily glass of wine. Read More

Photo: Six Tomatoes

Sounds a bit weird right? But if you think about it not so much. The benefits we get from tea on the inside can also be benefited from on the outside. And to go further, because our bodies absorb whatever we apply to our skin, it’s best to use products that are made from ingredients that you wouldn’t be afraid to eat. Therefore these tea masks and scrubs are made from 100% natural edible ingredients that will leave your face feeling as good as if it just had a cup of tea. Read More

A few days ago, you couldn’t find my kitchen table as I anticipated correctly that every corner was covered by bowls and dishes of leafy greens, cabbages, millet, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, and layers of injera – the traditional whole-grain flatbread of Ethiopia. These were just some of the menu items I planned for an African heritage potluck I hosted to commemorate African Heritage & Health Week. Read More

Nestled between busy restaurants on North 6th Street and the beaten path of Bedford Avenue lies an organic health oasis called Tiny Empire. Walk in and find yourself facing a rainbow assortment of fresh-pressed juices and healthy dessert options of açai bowls and chia seed pudding. Face the counter and get thoroughly confused on what to order as you decide between earthy, delicious blends like raw cacao, blueberries and maple syrup or kale, coconut meat and bee pollen smoothies. Read More

Photo: premasagar

We’re all familiar with the uncomfortable feelings stress can create. What’s even more important than the feelings, however, is what that stress may be doing to our bodies. The medical community links “psychosocial stress” to both the onset and the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), proof positive that stress affects our lives beyond our conscious feelings.  Plainly put, stress can indeed kill and reducing stress is key to protecting our health and wellbeing. The good news is that it appears that our brains may well have the power to positively impact our health by helping keep stress at bay. Read More

Photo: Chris Blakeley

It’s no secret that sodium can play a villainous role in our health. We’ve all heard that the average American consumes far more sodium than we should, increasing our risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.   Read More