Potato salad is a summertime classic, but with all that mayonnaise, it’s not exactly what the doctor ordered for overall health! 

Swap your mayonnaise-laden, white potato salad for this colorful and nutritious recipe, which features sweet potatoes, a lively citrus dressing, and vitamin-rich spinach. 

The sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene...they have more beta-carotene (a whopping 25,000 IU in one baked sweet potat with skin), vitamin C, folate, calcium and manganese than white spuds.  Another plus...even the seasonings in this recipe have nutritional benefits.

Ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties, while cinnamon helps control blood sugar. 

If you have leftovers, just heat in the microwave to warm the sweet potatoes and wilt the spinach for an appealing side dish.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

3 Tbsp sliced almonds

1 lb. sweet potatoes (1 large or 2 small), peeled and cut into ¾-inch chunks (2 ¾ cups)

¼ cup fresh orange juice

4 tsp lemon juice

½ tsp honey

½ t...

Protein powders are all the rage right now, and for good reason.  Here are several reasons just off the top of my head:

1)      A quick & easy protein source when you don’t have time to prepare a protein-rich meal or snack.

2)      Many protein powders either don’t contain or are low in fat and cholesterol.

3)      A way for vegetarians and vegans to ensure they eat enough protein.

4)      After intense exercise, drinking a protein shake may be better tolerated and tasting than sitting down to a chicken breast.

5)      Did I mention EASY?

6)      Now days, you can buy some pretty tasty protein powders that make some really tasty protein drinks--they remind me of dessert, but packed with nutrition.

When looking to purchase a protein powder, you probably noticed there are so many different protein sources to choose from.  What is the difference between the protein sources? 

A Complete Protein:  To ensure we’re on the same page with terminology, a complete protein contains the nine essential amin...

Have you heard of Phosphatidylcholine (PC)? 

If no, you’re not alone; however, this product is a very popular product on the website, so people obviously know about it!  My curiosity has been peaked and I have several questions about phosphatidylcholine. 

First off, how do you even pronounce it? 

According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, its two phonetic pronunciations look like this: 

phos·pha·ti·dyl·cho·line    AND    fŏs'fə-tīd'l-kō'lēn

What exactly is phosphatidylcholine? 

In scientific terms, it’s a phospholipid that is a major component of cellular membranes, and functions in the transport of lipoproteins in tissues. 

In layman terms, phosphatidylcholine is an important part of every cell in the human body.  Phosphatidylcholine breaks down fat deposits in the body and is necessary for metabolizing and transporting fat to our cells.  Without phosphatidylcholine, fat actually becomes trapped in the liver.  Phosphatidylcholine is made in our cells by choline, and humans obtai...

Exciting findings!  A flurry of new studies is raising hope green tea may someday be a potent weapon in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Although the studies differ widely in technique, all focus on ways polyphenol compounds in green tea affect important areas of the brain. 

The studies used extracts of green tea---notably a polyphenol compound called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), but experts say similar benefits could be gained simply by sipping tea (1).

“As some research has revealed the potential benefit of selected vitamins and fatty acids in promoting cognitive function, recent studies on flavonoids, which are phytochemicals especially rich in plant foods like berries and tea, show they too may act to promote brain performance and/or reduce the risk for neurodegenerative conditions,” says Jeffery Blumberg, PhD, director of Tufts’ HNRCA Antioxidants Research Laboratory (1).

Very Exciting Findings from Several Rearch Studies: 

1.  Research on gre...

I’m the mom of two little boys—a 3 month old and 20 month old.  Lucky (or unlucky) for them, I am pretty particular about what they eat, put on their skin, and suck and chew on.  And why?  Because their little bodies and developing brains need good nutrition and I want to reduce the amount of exposure they receive from environmental toxins—both which can be challenging this day and age, sad to say!

Why do babies need good nutrition?

• For growth and development.
• To provide energy.
• To sustain and maintain bodily function and structure.
• To heal from recurrent injuries to our body, whether it be a traumatic injury (ie: fall), microbial (ie: infections), or toxin  induced.

Is it just me or do our kids seem to be exposed to far more toxins than ever before and our children seem to eat far less nutrients than other generations???

Why are toxins more damaging to babies than adults?  There are actually numerous reasons.

• Babies have immature detoxification systems.  They have immature kidneys, an immatur...

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the skin also known as tinea pedis.  The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments, such as the locker rooms, health clubs, public showers, and indoor swimming pools.

Athlete's Foot Symptoms

• Itching, burning, or stinging between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
• Scales, cracks, cuts, peeling skin or blisters between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
• Skin dryness on the sides or bottoms of the feet

If the infection spreads to under the toenails, causing thick, crumbly, discolored, or separated toenails, it is called onchomycosis and it can be very difficult to treat.

Home Remedies for Athlete's Foot

Although home remedies are widely used for athlete's foot, it's important to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis, because your symptoms may be caused by another condition.  See a doctor immediately if you notice swelling in your foot or leg, fever, or pus in the blisters or cracks in your skin.

1) Tea Tree Oil

The mo...