Sharing my thoughts on food dyes and which ones to avoid, if that’s one of your goals. 

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you had an amazing weekend. Ours was a good one – three soccer games, dinner with friends, some swimming, and some chill time. I also got some work stuff done since I’d been behind for a couple of weeks.

Today, I wanted to talk about a beefy topic: food dye!

When you’re browsing the aisles of your local grocery store, it’s easy to be drawn to the vibrant, colorful packaging that lines the shelves. The bright hues in your favorite candies, baked goods, and even some beverages are often due to food dyes. These additives are used to enhance the appearance of food and drinks, making them more visually appealing. Unfortunately, some food dyes can have potentially harmful effects on your body. Here’s a roundup of food dyes with some info, so you can make more informed choices about what you and your family consume.

I’m not dogmatic about anything in our diet – I don’t want our kids to be afraid of any foods, and while they know that some foods are more nutritious than others, nothing is off limits. We focus on whole, mostly unprocessed foods here at home, but when we’re out with friends, at a party, or traveling, they order and eat whatever they’re feeling. I’ll typically encourage them to have a fruit or vegetable with whatever they’re eating, but that’s pretty much it.

At the same time, I do have a pretty strong feelings about food dye. The kids know if they’re choosing a candy or drink, I typically will ask them to pick something else if it’s red, because I’ve seen the effects of food dye (especially red!!) on the kids. It makes them hyperactive and extremely cranky. Not worth it to me.

6 Food Dyes To Avoid

The growing awareness of the potential risks associated with certain food dyes has prompted many consumers to take a closer look at the ingredients in their favorite products. While food dyes may make food look more attractive, the trade-off in health risks is often not worth it. (Also, I find this debatable. I think that brightly colored food looks way less appetizing that foods that are their normal colors. Who decided that everything needs to be bright and rainbow colored to eat it?? It’s a mystery to me.) There are so many great alternatives out there!

Today, I wanted to share some potential effects of common food dyes, the conditions they’ve been linked to, and how avoiding them can positively impact your health. I’ve also linked to various studies below.

Is Food Dye Bad For You?

The short answer? It can be. Food dyes are synthetic chemicals that are added to foods to enhance their color. While they’re approved for use by food safety authorities in many countries, there’s a growing body of research suggesting that these additives can have adverse effects on health.

When you ingest food dyes, your body has to process these synthetic chemicals, which can sometimes lead to side effects. Studies have linked certain food dyes to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and even an increased risk of certain cancers in animal studies. The amount of food dye that is considered harmful can vary, but for some in

Sharing 10 of the most useful things I’ve bought from Amazon.

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope that you’re having a lovely week! I have a day full of client calls but am going to sneak in a lunchtime Peloton ride. Also, I’m so pumped that so many of you have signed up for Detox and Thrive! Join us here. We start Sunday and it’s freeeeeee.

For today’s post, I wanted to share some of the most useful things I’ve purchased from Amazon. These are definitely more functional finds, but they’re things that constantly bring me joy because they work well, I use them constantly, and they make life a little bit easier. I always love hearing about the best of the best, so if you’ve found something you love lately, please share the goods in the comments section!

10 of the most useful things I’ve bought from Amazon

1. Retainer cleaner

Why did I wait so long to get a retainer cleaner? I initially was going to ge the Zima one, but it’s $100, and this one was $40 and works incredibly well. It makes me so grossed out to think that I used to simply brush my retainers. They’re SO much more clean when I use this!

2. Tineco vaccum/mop

The hype is real, friends. I never thought I’d love a mop, but I do. It works extremely well, and even though I’m not supposed to (you’re supposed to only use their clenaing product), I add a tiny bit of Branch Basics or Method spray and mop to the water. The floors are sparkling clean. I didn’t get the self-cleaning version, so it’s a little bit of a pain to clean each time, but worth it.

3. Weighted vest

I added this to my morning walking routine because it’s an easy way to add extra resistance and core stabilzation to walks. I ordered the 8-lb vest and love wearing it while I walk Maisey, for hikes, and while I’m using my walking pad. 

4. Walking pad and standing desk

Some days, this is the only way I can hit 10,000 steps. I’m at my desk a LOT throughout the day, so I use the walking pad for phone calls, Zoom/conference calls (where I don’t have to present or take a ton of notes), and to sneak in little movement vitamins throughout the day. I also have this standing desk, and this TV mounted to the wall so I can Airplay videos from my computer, or watch a movie. Worth mentioning

Sharing some tips about sugar cravings, healthy foods to curb them, why you should enjoy a sweet treat when you want one, and why fueling yourself throughout the day is the key to feeling satisfied and energized.

Hi friends! How’s the day going? Are you excited about the return of fall? It’s bittersweet for us! I hope you have a wonderful day!!. 🙂

For today’s post, let’s talk about sugar cravings!

Sugar cravings make you feel the urge to eat something sweet, and it’s super common. It can also lead to overeating, as tons of sugary foods can satisfy your sweet tooth for a second, but also make you feel hungry and wanting more just as quickly. Some common causes of sugar cravings include: poor sleep quality, hormones (oh hey, PMS), being dehydrated, restrictive eating styles, and deprivation throughout the day. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of foods and strategies I enjoy to fight sugar cravings and hope that these tips are helpful for ya.

Healthy foods to curb sugar cravings

(10 years ago, I would have never posted these pics. My posture is slouchy and I don’t like the way my stomach looks. But, this is real life, and this is my real body, so there ya go.)

Make sure you’re getting enough protein

Protein is the building block of our cells and also adds a satiety factor to our meals. They’re so much more filling when there’s a protein component, and as it’s important to preserve muscle tissue as we age, high-protein food continues to be something you should include in your meals and snacks.

Some sources of protein you might consider:

– Greek yogurt

– Cottage cheese

– Chicken

– Fish (shellfish, salmon, tuna)

– Eggs

– Tempeh

– Lentils

– Red meat

-Deli meat

– A quality protein powder

Get fiber throughout the day

Foods that are high in fiber are also high in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and antioxidants, plus they can improve digestion. In your meals and snacks, try to include veggies with high water content, and eat the colors of the rainbow throughout the day. Each week, I like to grab a ton of veggies and roast them on a sheet pan. I’ll add these veggies to wraps, scrambles, and salads throughout the week. (Also, when you roast them, it makes them easier to digest. If you have a hard time digesting raw salads, roasted veggies may be an awesome solution.)

I’m also a huge fan of fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut, and chia seeds increase fiber intake.

Foods that are naturally sweet (as opposed to foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners or added sugars) can also be sources of fiber in your diet, like fruit! I love berries, a couple of medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter and topped with sea salt, or a handful of dried fruit and nuts.

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Sharing some tips on boosting fertility and supporting your stress levels and hormones. 

Hi friends! I hope that you’re enjoying the day so far! I have a conference call this am and two coaching calls this afternoon. I’m excited to get in a lunchtime yoga class in between the screen today.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a little bit about fertility. While this phase of life seems so far in the past for us (wahhhh), I know many of my friends out there are considering building a family or working towards it. I also wanted to add a note here that if fertility is a triggering topic for you, please skip this post and I’ll see ya back here tomorrow with a new podcast episode! I’m holding you in my heart and sending you love.

Living a healthy lifestyle is crucial not only for your overall well-being but also for your fertility. In fact, many Americans struggle with getting pregnant, with about 12-15% of couples experiencing fertility issues. The good news? Making a few lifestyle and dietary adjustments can significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant. While I understand that there are complicated and difficult situations out there that can all impact fertility, I’m a huge believer in controlling what you can control, which is exactly what this post is about!

Today, I’m sharing a round-up of natural ways to boost fertility that could make all the difference. (As always, this post is not medical advice and talk with your healthcare provider before making any fitness or nutrition changes.)

(P! My baby fever is baaaaaad right now)

13 Natural Ways to Boost Fertility

1. Reduce Stress

Stress is a major factor that can negatively affect fertility in both men and women. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can interfere with the reproductive system, leading to irregular menstrual cycles in women and decreased sperm production in men. Reducing stress, or the impacts of daily stress on your body, is crucial to improving fertility. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and even simple daily walks can help manage stress levels. Consider incorporating these practices into your daily routine to create a more balanced and calm environment for conception.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important factors for boosting fertility. Both underweight and overweight individuals can face fertility challenges. For women, being overweight can lead to hormonal imbalances and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can negatively affect ovulation. On the other hand, being underweight can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and difficulties in conceiving. Strive for a balanced diet rich in whole foods, and engage in regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, which will optimize your fertility.

3. Increase Physical Activity

Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces stress, and improves overall health, all of which are beneficial for fertility. However, it’s important to

Sharing my full review of Danger Coffee. If you’d like to try it, you can get 10% off your purchases here with the code FITNESSISTA.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful morning so far. The kids start school today (wah!) and I can hardly believe it. Summer went by way too quickly, but between amazing long vacays in Spain and Hawaii, it was definitely one for the books!

For today’s post, let’s talk about my favorite morning ritual: coffee!! Coffee and I go wayyyy back. We laugh that it stunted my growth because I started drinking milking coffee at the age of 11, at my great-nana’s dining room table. Sunday morning meant Mass, donuts, the best homemade Mexican food, mugs and mugs of coffee, and eventually falling asleep on a couch while the grownups chatted.

I’ve been a coffee fan forever, but my relationship with coffee wasn’t always a healthy one. In college, I would drink a pot of coffee each day. I’m not even joking. My sleep, coffee, and lifestyle habits were terrifying. I would make a pot of coffee and drink it by the time I went to *bed.*

I also noticed over the years that coffee dramatically affected my anxiety and resting heart rate. I made the choice to switch to decaf years ago, and haven’t gone back. I love the taste and ritual of it, but I don’t need the caffeine.

Over the years, I’ve found myself diving into different coffee brands and methods. I’ve also realized that most decaf coffee is disgusting. I hate the Nespresso brand, love the Whole Foods brands and one brand that has caught my attention recently is Danger Coffee. They had Danger Coffee FLOWING at the Biohacking Conference and I fell in love with it! Today, I wanted to share my full review and along with a discount link. You can use FITNESSISTA here for 10% off!

Is Danger Coffee Worth It? My full review

What is Danger Coffee?

Danger Coffee is not your typical coffee brand. It’s marketed as a premium, high-quality coffee that promises more than just a caffeine boost. Created by Dave Asprey, the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, Danger Coffee aims to deliver a clean and energizing coffee experience. The beans are sourced from high-altitude regions known for their rich soil, which purportedly results in a smoother and more flavorful cup. Additionally, Danger Coffee is lab-tested for mold and toxins, ensuring a clean cup of coffee free from harmful contaminants.

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