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Welcome to My Blog About Nutrition & Optimal Health!!
Top 2025 Nutrition Trends to Watch For
Megan Barefoot
Top 2025 Nutrition Trends to Watch For
Megan Barefoot
Megan Barefoot
Is a Plant-Based Diet Right for Everyone? Exploring the Benefits of Including Animal Foods
Megan Barefoot
Is a Plant-Based Diet Right for Everyone? Exploring the Benefits of Including Animal Foods
Megan Barefoot
Megan Barefoot
How To Know If You Have Parasites!!
Megan Barefoot
How To Know If You Have Parasites!!
Megan Barefoot
Megan Barefoot
Grilling Veggies to Perfection: A How-To Guide for a Healthy Summer
Megan Barefoot
Grilling Veggies to Perfection: A How-To Guide for a Healthy Summer
Megan Barefoot
Megan Barefoot

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Are Your Gifts Sustainable this Season?
2018, Christmas, Cinnamon, cloves, Coaching, Diet, Easy Gift Ideas, Education, Energy, Emotions, Gift Giving, Gift Ideas, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Spiritual, Stress, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Christmas, Cinnamon, cloves, Coaching, Diet, Easy Gift Ideas, Education, Energy, Emotions, Gift Giving, Gift Ideas, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Spiritual, Stress, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Are Your Gifts Sustainable this Season?

The Holidays are getting closer and gift buying and giving is in full swing! If you’re like me you probably put a lot of thought into what you are buying for the special people in your life. This week Penny has a think about one more gift giving topic. Are the gifts you give helping or hindering the environment?

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What's Your Why?
2018, Challenge, Choices, Education, Food, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Choices, Education, Food, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

What's Your Why?

Why a Why is so Important

When you are losing weight, trying to improve your health or have any BIG goal it’s important you have a strong “WHY”. This doesn’t mean a reason like “because I should” or “because my doctor told me I need to” although those are both good reasons to start embarking on a change in lifestyle to get healthy, they might not get you through the tough times….and trust me when I say there are likely going to be tough times if the “goal” is a big one.

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Fiber - A BIG BAD F-word!!
2018, Brain Health, Carbohydrates, Choices, Clean 15, Coaching, Digestion, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Mental Health, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Paleo Friendly, Raw Foods, Self Care, Self Love, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2018, Brain Health, Carbohydrates, Choices, Clean 15, Coaching, Digestion, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Mental Health, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Paleo Friendly, Raw Foods, Self Care, Self Love, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Fiber - A BIG BAD F-word!!

Fiber - A BIG bad F-word! 

When I say fiber, do you think of cardboard or tree bark? I know when I have brought it up with clients I often get the stink-eye from them like I am going to ask them to eat saw dust! Some refer to it as their roughage, my grandma calls it getting her greens, but we all need it to get ourselves moving, stay at an optimal weight and feel our best. The big question is “Are you getting enough?”.

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Resolution Check In
2018, Coaching, Fitness, Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2018, Coaching, Fitness, Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Resolution Check In

Just curious about who has made a resolution this year? It’s the last week of January and I’m wondering if you have stuck to it this far. Have you had support? Was it a BIG goal or a little change that you have made? I decided to make a list of goals for the year with one for each month. I have been able to keep my goals for the month but am struggling with patience and can see why people don’t typically make it to the end of the month for resolutions and give up before things get going.

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Cleanses and Detoxes
2018, Coaching, Digestion, Energy, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutritionist, Nutrition Coach, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Coaching, Digestion, Energy, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutritionist, Nutrition Coach, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Cleanses and Detoxes

Cleanses and Detoxes

There are detoxes and cleanses galore on the market these days!  As we begin the New Year and are looking to jump start our health goals for 2018 I am getting a lot of questions around cleanses and detoxes so I thought I would answer some today.

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January 1st - Happy New Year!!
2018, Challenge, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Health Food, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Health Food, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

January 1st - Happy New Year!!

The Winner

First off, I would like to start the New Year telling the world how blessed and grateful I feel to all the participants of No Shoes Nutrition's first Holiday Health Challenge.  I was very nervous coming into this season and running this contest for the first time.  I mean, what if no one followed it?  I was overwhelmed with the participation and dedication by not just one or two but several people!  So, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to all that left even one little comment.

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Day Thirty - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Christmas, Coaching, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Christmas, Coaching, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Thirty - Holiday Health Challenge

Prepare Your Resolution

Here it is! The last weekend of the year. How are you preparing for the New Year? 2018!! I am going to spend some time today preparing for my resolutions and goals that I have set for the coming year. I know what I have to do because we have already set our goals. Now I am going to set myself up for success.

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Day Twenty-Nine - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Education, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Education, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Nine - Holiday Health Challenge

Book Your Appointments

Today is Friday. If you are like me, you don’t really feel like working. Today I am going through my calendar and setting dates for all my yearly appointments. I want to ensure that I am taking care of myself and that I have scheduled time for appointments for my children too. Yearly check ups for physicals, dental and eye doctor visits are part of a healthy regime. Why not book them now and not let things go for another year. 

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Day Twenty-Eight - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Coaching, Health Coach, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Self Care, Wellness, Mental Health Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Coaching, Health Coach, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Self Care, Wellness, Mental Health Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Eight - Holiday Health Challenge

Know You’re Supported

Yesterday we spent some time thinking about goals. Maybe we have some simple tweaks to make to our daily lives or we may have lofty goals to achieve in 2018. Regardless, where is your support coming from? Who is going to help you stay accountable and living your intention?  How do you want to be supported? Do you need to join a group to quit a habit? Should you talk to your doctor before hand? These are important things to remember and to get in place before starting.

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Day Twenty-Two - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Coaching, Health Coach, Health Food, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Coaching, Health Coach, Health Food, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Two - Holiday Health Challenge

Get Domestic

Over the holiday season many of us get at least a few days off. How do you use that time?  Are you home? I suggest using a little of your down time to get your life organized for 2018!  Take the time to meal plan, unclutter the house and look at your schedule for the year.

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Day Twelve - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Buffet, Challenge, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Digestion, Holistic Megan Barefoot 2018, Buffet, Challenge, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Digestion, Holistic Megan Barefoot

Day Twelve - Holiday Health Challenge

Eat Low to High – Eat till Satisfied NOT Stuffed

It’s time to discuss how to eat at a buffet FULL of treats!  We’ve discussed trying to come prepared and trying to not arrive starving but it’s still nice to sample some of the food.  I mean, it is Christmas!!  So where to start?

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Day Six - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Drinks, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Raw Foods, Self Care, Self Love, Sugar Free, Treat Yourself, Wellness, Whole Foods, Buffet Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Drinks, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Raw Foods, Self Care, Self Love, Sugar Free, Treat Yourself, Wellness, Whole Foods, Buffet Megan Barefoot

Day Six - Holiday Health Challenge

Okay, so we discussed scheduling the events that we are going to visit and we discussed how to navigate drinking at events but what about food?  Here’s the scenario; We arrive at a party and there is a MASSIVE buffet filled with the most delicious food!  We tried to plan ahead and not arrive super hungry but we were tied up at the office and had to rush out the door.  What do we do?...

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Day Five - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Energy, Fitness, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Sleep, Unplug, Wellness, Whole Foods, Yoga, Self Care, Self Love, Mental Health, Spiritual, Treat Yourself Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Energy, Fitness, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Sleep, Unplug, Wellness, Whole Foods, Yoga, Self Care, Self Love, Mental Health, Spiritual, Treat Yourself Megan Barefoot

Day Five - Holiday Health Challenge

Through this entire year how many times have you taken time out to “just be”? Just be you, just think about you, what you want and what you need?  How many times did you think about doing something special for yourself, to say thank you to yourself for being SO amazing? Have you been to get a pedicure, facial or massage? Did you think to buy yourself something, just because YOU deserve it?...

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Day Four - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Activity, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Education, Energy, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Sleep, Wellness, Unplug, Technology Megan Barefoot 2018, Activity, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Education, Energy, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Sleep, Wellness, Unplug, Technology Megan Barefoot

Day Four - Holiday Health Challenge

Technology is the current drug of choice for many.  Addiction can only be understood when the object is taken away.  Are you addicted to your technology?  Have you tried leaving the phone, tablet or computer turned off for a day or even a few hours?  We can never fully realize how much we NEED to be connected until we aren’t...

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Day Three - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Education, Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Pumpkin Spice, Wellness, Whole Foods, Drinks, Cocktails, Choices Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Education, Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Healthy Gifts, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Pumpkin Spice, Wellness, Whole Foods, Drinks, Cocktails, Choices Megan Barefoot

Day Three - Holiday Health Challenge

Many of us stay accountable for the food but forget the drinks add up too! I am astounded at the number of New Year resolution stories I hear that begin with “I just don’t know where I went wrong!” I am by NO means going to tell you...

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Day Two - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Two - Holiday Health Challenge

First things first, I know that there are LOTS of events we feel we HAVE to attend over the holidays, but do we?  Today I suggest sitting down with your calendar and really evaluating all the invites you have scheduled.  I know there is at least ONE that...

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Day One - Holiday Health Challenge
2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Digestion, Drinks, Education, Energy, Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Hydration, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2018, Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Digestion, Drinks, Education, Energy, Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Hydration, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Day One - Holiday Health Challenge

I know, I know, it sounds SO simple.  But did you know that your body is approximately 60% water and that we are constantly losing water through our urine and our sweat?  When we are going into the holidays filled with goodies and treats there also some other good reasons to drink more water!...

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What's all the Hype about Pumpkin Spice
2018, Antioxidant, Coaching, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Heath Coach, Holistic, Immune System, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Raw Foods, Recipe, Sugar Free, Wellness, Whole Foods, Winter Blues, Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, cloves, Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg, Digestion, Micro-flora, Gut Health Megan Barefoot 2018, Antioxidant, Coaching, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Heath Coach, Holistic, Immune System, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Raw Foods, Recipe, Sugar Free, Wellness, Whole Foods, Winter Blues, Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, cloves, Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg, Digestion, Micro-flora, Gut Health Megan Barefoot

What's all the Hype about Pumpkin Spice

Believe it or not I don’t drink coffee.  Its not because I don’t agree with having a little java to start your day, its just because I don’t really enjoy the taste.  I can’t say that I haven’t been tempted lately though, as I catch the smell of pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING wafting through the air!  What is this pumpkin spice?...

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