ABSOLUTELY DIVINE

Historians first started recording the use of coffee somewhere in the mid-1400’s, possibly in the Ethiopian area of Africa and it spread into Arabia and around the Mediterranean into today’s Europe and finally into the Americas. Even then its use was met with controversy. To consume or not consume seems to have always been the question… condemned by rulers and religions as addicting and too stimulating, then again touted by rulers and religions as enlivening and enlightening…

I enjoy Christmas. I know that commercialism has taken over a lot of the holiday, but we still have choices to make as we create the memories that mean so much. It’s our choice, at this time as well as any other, what we will focus on. One of the things that I love about this time of year is that EVERYBODY has a sale going on. The stores get really competitive and it’s a time when the latest and greatest is front and center. Since I love food, anything that is a kitch

What? Is that even possible? Thanksgiving, Christmas Parties, New Year’s! Three huge holidays in a row really set us up for major stress… and they are back to back to back. In a way, it’s good that we can get all of the stress over with all at once. So, let’s look at some strategies. It really is all about our outlook If you are fortunate enough to have a large and loving family, share the chores. Gone are the days of “going to Grandma’s house” who lovingly had the ava

All of our lives, we have been told that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Don’t ever skip breakfast. If you do, you are setting yourself up for obesity and other health issues. This is what we have been told. Yet, I meet people often who say that they can’t eat first thing in the morning. The truth is, there are different body types and things change as we age. A good healthy breakfast filled with protein and/or whole grains is wonderful for most of us when we

Are you using artificial sweeteners for weight loss? If so, STOP!!!!!! Here’s Why… While they have little or no calories, they are not helping you to lose weight. Most of these sweet chemicals cause your insulin to rise. When insulin rises, your blood sugar is lowered. Low blood sugar causes you to crave and eat more. Studies have shown that people who consume artificial sweeteners eat more calories than people who don’t. Additionally, this rise in insulin signals your body t

For many of us, the start of the new year marks the time to take on – perhaps for the umpteenth time – a new diet. It turns out our success or failure may be closely linked to our ability to shape a plan that conforms to our specific body type. Nutritionists, fitness instructors and health professionals recognize that different body types gain or lose weight at different rates. They have given those types different names and few individuals will fit precisely into a single c

School’s Out for Summer! Now that the kids are home for the summer, most parents will do their best to keep them busy and well fed. Unfortunately for most families though, Mom and Dad still have to work, so things get a little more complicated, especially in the food department. Some things NOT to stock up on… Fruit juice – the average glass of juice contains the juice and the sugar of 3 to 6 of whatever fruit the juice is made from. Most people, let alone kids, would not eat

Obesity is on the rise. Fortunately, we are not powerless to stop it. While many people associate sweetness with table sugar, called sucrose, this is just one type of sugar that provides this taste. There is also sugar in fruits, called fructose, and many foods contain added sugars such as corn syrup, honey and high fructose corn syrup. All sugars are carbohydrates containing four calories per gram and after digestion they travel through the bloodstream where they are used