I recently had a conversation with a client about how she always thought white potatoes were “bad’ just as white bread was ‘bad’. Not the case. Where as sweet potatoes have more fiber in them, the good old white potato shouldn’t be shunned…unless their in the form of french fries! Within its red, yellow, white or brown protective exterior, a potato can provide much of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of a number of vitamins and minerals. For example, potatoes have about 620 mg of potassium-that’s more than a banana. Potassium is essential to the body because of its role in attaining optimal muscle performance and improving the nerves’ response to stimulation. Iron, essential in helping the body convert food to energy as well as resist infection, is also present. Read More »

Not only will you put far less pesticides into your body, but organic food tastes better!

I know prices of everything are going up and up everyday, even food. As an organic junkie myself, I did some research for us and came up with some good information on which items are most important to spend a little extra on and buy organic.
Conventional, or “non-organic” farmers, spray all kinds of toxic poisons onto the food we put into your bodies. When we work so hard at exercising, getting enough sleep, hydration, and eating our 8-10 servings of produce a day (yes I said 8-10 a day!) shouldn’t our fuel be good for us, not hurting us? Conventional farmers utilize human sludge as fertilizer, irradiate their crops, and plant genetically-modified seeds that the human body has never encountered.

Organic farmers rely on natural pest control, nurtured and maintained rich soils, complimentary plant groupings, lunar cycles, etc. They do not use toxic pesticides and do not use seedlings or seeds that have been DNA-altered. Organic farmers use the riches that Nature gives us. It is good for the crops, for the water we drink and the water stills in the ground, for the ocean, for the rain, and for the air we breathe.

Here I comprised a list of the produce that we should consume organic: Read More »

I love cheese, you love cheese, we all love cheese. So which ones fit best into our healthy choices??

There are hundreds of types of cheese, but the 3 most common types are:

Soft cheese - ex. Mozzarella

Semi soft cheese - ex. Blue cheese

Hard cheese - ex. Cheddar and Swiss cheese

Cheese is a great replacement for meat, and if you want a light snack at any time, a 1 oz wedge of cheese supplies you the same amount of nutrients as a 12 oz glass of milk. The casein of cheese contains all the essential amino acids, and cheese contains a high amount of vitamin A and D, as well as calcium.

The downside of cheese is… Read More »

Deep down you thought the ‘healthy choice’ tasted too good to be so low in fat and calories according to the menu promise…turns out you were probably right. Check out this article in the Seattle P. I. about the investigation into some popular chains. Restaurant Menu Promises

Restaurant menu promises buried in calories, fat

We exercise to burn calories, so why would we want to undo this by eating before and after a workout? For one, we need energy to carry us through our workouts. I have actually caught a person, or two, while fainting in the middle of a training session. Oops they tell me, I was too busy and forgot to eat. Dizziness and nausea are the first signs of lack of fuel. We need energy to burn energy, the key here is to make sure you are burning more than you are consuming. We don’t get the green light to eat whatever we want just because we worked out - a huge misconception among many. Additionally, after we workout our body needs food to feed our hungry muscles. We need to quickly (within 30 minutes) get food into the blood flow following exercise. Protein and carbohydrates before and after weight training can enhance recovery, allowing the body to spend more time on building muscle rather than repair.

Some good pre and post workout snacks are : Read More »

Cooking Light is one of my favorite magazines for finding easy, tasty, and nutritious recipes. Not only is it packed with a variety of foods and the benefits of why they are good for our bodies, it also features an overall healthy attitude towards food. Check it out at cookinglight.com

It seems that every time we turn on the television or open the newspaper, there is another report about the health challenges facing Americans.

It is difficult to say no to that piece of office candy, or choose salad rather than fries with that sandwich at lunch. But, you know there are ways that you can cook and eat healthier which only require a little bit of sacrifice! …especially this time of year.

Cooking Tips:

Read More »

I invite all you healthy minded people to give your 2 cents on finding healthy food to eat for lunch downtown Seattle. I know it is a challenge to eat healthy when ordering out, but many of our choices can fit into a healthy meal plan. For instance a client of mine recently introduced me to Red Bowls, on 3rd&Columbia. The ‘Good Heart’ is delicious if you are looking for a vegetarian option, and the ‘Radical’ is great if your in the mood or some sushi. Want a salad, try Cocoa Banana salad bar on 2nd & James, or Market Fresh on 4th & Marion (just stay away from the hot foods side).  Please comment with your healthy favorites!