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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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Thrive Together: Why Group Challenges Are the Secret to Achieving Your 2025 Health Goals
programs, Gut Health, Challenge Megan Barefoot programs, Gut Health, Challenge Megan Barefoot

Thrive Together: Why Group Challenges Are the Secret to Achieving Your 2025 Health Goals

Jumpstart your health journey in 2025 with a group challenge designed to build sustainable nutrition habits! This blog explores why working with a supportive group can accelerate your progress, keep you motivated, and help you ditch fad diets for lasting results. Learn about the benefits of habit-based approaches, expert guidance, and shared accountability to transform your health goals into achievements.

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Is it Time To Make a Change? Read This First!
2023, Accountability, Action, Awareness, Certified, Challenge, Change, Coaching, Diet, Education, Food, Fitness, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Holistic, Hydration, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Routine, Weight Loss, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2023, Accountability, Action, Awareness, Certified, Challenge, Change, Coaching, Diet, Education, Food, Fitness, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Holistic, Hydration, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Routine, Weight Loss, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Is it Time To Make a Change? Read This First!

Change is Hard - Let’s talk Accountability and Support - Have you ever thought of challenging yourself or joining a challenge program? Challenging yourself can lead to personal growth and development, as well as a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Taking on new challenges can also help you learn new skills and gain valuable experience. Additionally, it can help you to build self-confidence and resilience.

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Are You Making Good Choices?
2021, Accountability, Action, Activity, anti-inflammatory, Awareness, Back On Track, Certified, Challenge, Coaching, Diet, Digestion, Energy, Fermentation, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, High Fiber, Holistic, Hydration, Manifestation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Real Food, Routine, Self Care, Self Love, Stress, Visualization, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2021, Accountability, Action, Activity, anti-inflammatory, Awareness, Back On Track, Certified, Challenge, Coaching, Diet, Digestion, Energy, Fermentation, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, High Fiber, Holistic, Hydration, Manifestation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Motivation, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Real Food, Routine, Self Care, Self Love, Stress, Visualization, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Are You Making Good Choices?

The Choice is Yours! Making good choices can be really challenging. Life gets busy, stress levels rise, and the easiest thing to do is to hit the drive-thru or skip the dishes. The great thing is, the choice is yours!

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Tips to Spring Clean Your Body!
2021, Activity, anti-inflammatory, Awareness, Back On Track, Blood Pressure, Brain Health, Candida, Certified, Challenge, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Digestive System, Energy, Fasting, Fitness, Food, Food Sensitivities, Fresh Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health Coach, Healthy, High Fiber, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Micro-flora, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Self Care, Simple Food, Sugar Free, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2021, Activity, anti-inflammatory, Awareness, Back On Track, Blood Pressure, Brain Health, Candida, Certified, Challenge, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Digestive System, Energy, Fasting, Fitness, Food, Food Sensitivities, Fresh Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health Coach, Healthy, High Fiber, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Micro-flora, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Motivation, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionalist, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Self Care, Simple Food, Sugar Free, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Tips to Spring Clean Your Body!

Spring Forward with 5 Tips for a Gentle Detox - Spring is coming! In Alberta we are firmly planted in the spring of deception after hitting 18 degrees yesterday in Calgary! The parks were booming this weekend, and everyone is eager to get outside in the beautiful weather, especially after the year we’ve had! Spring is a time of renewal for the earth as the trees begin to bud, sap begins to flow, and flowers start to peek out of the ground with their fresh green shoots. Spring is also an excellent time for us to do a renewal of our own, and a great way to start that is to do a gentle body detox.

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Can you see it? Where will you be NEXT January?
2020, Accountability, Action, Awareness, Back On Track, Certified, Challenge, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Energy, Fresh Food, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Real Food, Routine, Self Care, Self Love, Simple Food, Stress, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods, Manifestation, Visualization, vision board Megan Barefoot 2020, Accountability, Action, Awareness, Back On Track, Certified, Challenge, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Energy, Fresh Food, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Practical Nutrition, Real Food, Routine, Self Care, Self Love, Simple Food, Stress, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods, Manifestation, Visualization, vision board Megan Barefoot

Can you see it? Where will you be NEXT January?

The Power of Visualization

January is just about to end and I’m curious about how the first month of the next decade has gone for you? I have made a little headway on my own goals and have put some new ideas into place but to be honest, not much has changed. Is this a pattern for you? Every few months are you starting over again? Trying something new? I do it because it’s my job, but for years I know I was doing it because it was my pattern.

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The Challenge of Sleep – A Sleep Challenge
2019, Awareness, Blood Pressure, Brain Health, Challenge, Change, Coaching, Digestion, Emotions, Energy, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Hypertension, Immune System, Inflammation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Sleep, Stress, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2019, Awareness, Blood Pressure, Brain Health, Challenge, Change, Coaching, Digestion, Emotions, Energy, Goals, Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Hypertension, Immune System, Inflammation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Sleep, Stress, Wellness Megan Barefoot

The Challenge of Sleep – A Sleep Challenge

Are you Sleeping enough?

I’m a mom, I run my own business, we are selling our home and I volunteer my time at my kids’ school and in the community. I also have hobbies and activities I love to participate in. So, when, do you ask, do I find time to sleep? Well, it has recently come to my attention, thanks to my body giving me some not so subtle signs and symptoms, that I am NOT getting enough sleep.

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A Thanksgiving Tribute
2019, Action, Awareness, Brain Health, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Energy, Family Health, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Bugs, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Mental Health, Microbiome, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods, Real Food Megan Barefoot 2019, Action, Awareness, Brain Health, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Energy, Family Health, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Bugs, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Mental Health, Microbiome, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness, Whole Foods, Real Food Megan Barefoot

A Thanksgiving Tribute

What should I eat?

As I sit here and write this blog, I am reflecting on all that I have to be thankful for. Today is Canada’s Thanksgiving. A day we spend with family and friends and give thanks for all that we have, all the opportunity, all our possessions, and all our blessings. Along with all, we have let’s give thanks for our food. Most days we take food for granted. It just seems to show up in the grocery store for us to purchase. Have you ever given thought to how incredible it is that we can walk into a grocery store at any time of the year, almost any time of the day and find fresh produce? Baked bread? A cornucopia of deliciousness?

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Accountability: What is it and why do I need it?
2019, Action, Awareness, Accountability, Challenge, Coaching, Diet, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holistic, Mindfulness, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Wellness Megan Barefoot 2019, Action, Awareness, Accountability, Challenge, Coaching, Diet, Digestive System, Education, Energy, Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health Coach, Healthy, Holistic, Mindfulness, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Accountability: What is it and why do I need it?

What or who are you accountable to?

This is the definition of accountability but what does that actually mean? Accountability is the act of taking responsibility for our actions in a transparent manner. It means owning up to our actions whether they are for the good of ourselves or others or whether they may not be.

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Healthy Swaps
2019, Antioxidant, Brain Health, Certified, Challenge, Choices, Cleansing, Coaching, Diet, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Weight Loss, Vegetarian, Vegan Friendly, Wellness, Whole Foods, swaps, Simple Food Megan Barefoot 2019, Antioxidant, Brain Health, Certified, Challenge, Choices, Cleansing, Coaching, Diet, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Weight Loss, Vegetarian, Vegan Friendly, Wellness, Whole Foods, swaps, Simple Food Megan Barefoot

Healthy Swaps

Healthy Food Swaps

Now that you are well into the New Year, how are your nutrition and wellness goals going for you? Are you finding it challenging to prepare meals that are healthier? I know for me, it has been more effective to start with simple food substitutions that I can slowly build on. Exchanging a few ingredients in recipes could lead to big results. You may find that you start to like how these new ingredients taste and will actually crave more healthy options while cooking.

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Did You Resolve to the Same Resolution Again this Year?
2019, Challenge, Choices, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Education, Energy, Fitness, Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Self Care, Self Love, Stress, Sugar Free, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot 2019, Challenge, Choices, Cleansing, Coaching, Detoxification, Diet, Digestion, Education, Energy, Fitness, Food, Goals, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Hydration, Inflammation, Microbiome, Mindfulness, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Self Care, Self Love, Stress, Sugar Free, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Did You Resolve to the Same Resolution Again this Year?

New Years Accountability

by Penny DeJager and Megan Barefoot

It’s two weeks into 2019 and it’s time to check in and see if you are still following your resolution. I had one friend resolve to a “dry January” and has slipped up already. This friend didn’t just slip up, they have given up! Another friend was going cold turkey on sugar. They lasted ten days and gave in to half a chocolate bar to deal with the withdrawal headaches. Big goals can mean Big results but they might also need Big support!

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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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How Are You Spending Your Calories?
Brain Health, Carbohydrates, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Mental Health, Micro-flora, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Paleo Friendly, Self Care, Self Love, Sugar Free, Treat Yourself, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot Brain Health, Carbohydrates, Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Keto Friendly, Mental Health, Micro-flora, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Organic, Paleo Friendly, Self Care, Self Love, Sugar Free, Treat Yourself, Vegan Friendly, Vegetarian, Weight Loss, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

How Are You Spending Your Calories?

Eat Your Nutrients Before Your Calories!

I know we don’t like to talk about calories, or count calories or think about calories. We’re all just ‘intuitively” supposed to eat and “know” when we are full and when our body has had enough. Then how come so many of my clients are ALWAYS hungry?

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Can Mindful Eating Change your Health?
Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Mental Health, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Treat Yourself, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot Challenge, Choices, Coaching, Digestion, Education, Energy, Food, Fresh Food, Gut Health, Health Coach, Health Food, Healthy, Holistic, Inflammation, Mental Health, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Treat Yourself, Wellness, Whole Foods Megan Barefoot

Can Mindful Eating Change your Health?

What is mindful eating?

So often we eat without even thinking of what we're doing. We stuff food into our mouths while working on the computer, watching TV, or when we’re on the run. We’re all busy, I get it. Did you know that when we eat on the run and when we’re stressed digestion actually slows down and can even stop? You need to be in a relaxed state to optimize digestion.  When digestion is hampered symptoms like bloating, belching and indigestion can occur.   

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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 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-Six - Holiday Health Challenge
Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Mental Health, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Unplug, Wellness Megan Barefoot Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Mental Health, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Self Care, Self Love, Unplug, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Six - Holiday Health Challenge

Do Nothing

What is happening? Yesterday I recommended that we all indulge and now we’re not doing any activity today!?! That’s right, we’re going to take a day of rest. It is not traditionally what Boxing Day is about but it’s what I recommend we do. I always thought Boxing Day was named as the day we get rid of the boxes all the presents came in on Christmas Day. I never thought anything more nor did think to do any other research. 

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Day Twenty-Five - Holiday Health Challenge
Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Treat Yourself, Wellness Megan Barefoot Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Health Coach, Healthy, Holidays, Holistic, Natural, Nutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Treat Yourself, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Five - Holiday Health Challenge

Everything in Moderation

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! It’s the BIG day and I wouldn’t be surprised if you are all too busy with family and friends to comment here. I would completely understand. I am just gearing up with my family to open presents and feast the night away. Today is a special day for me in SO many ways. It’s one of the only days I DO NOT practice moderation. What?

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Day Twenty-Four - Holiday Health Challenge
Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Food, Health, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Mental Health, Natural, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Wellness Megan Barefoot Challenge, Choices, Christmas, Coaching, Food, Health, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Mental Health, Natural, Nutrition, Nutrition Coach, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Four - Holiday Health Challenge

Be Kind

It’s Christmas, a time of giving, a time of receiving, a time of peace and joy. That seems so obvious on the outside. We put on a happy face and bravely face the world. But what are your inner thoughts saying to you? Are you kind to yourself? We have been working together all month to focus on being aware, on making the best choices and being prepared. But what do you tell yourself when that doesn’t happen? Are you kind?

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Day Twenty-Three - Holiday Health Challenge
Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Digestion, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrients, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot Challenge, Christmas, Coaching, Digestion, Food, Health Coach, Holidays, Holistic, Nutrition, Nutrients, Nutrition Coach, Nutritionist, Wellness Megan Barefoot

Day Twenty-Three - Holiday Health Challenge

Put the Food Away

It’s the BIG DAY! The family is all present, the dinner food is about to be plated. What do we do with all the appetizers? You know, the cheese plate with crackers, the veggies and dip and the nachos and salsa that some how made it out of the pantry. Put them away. Clean up the appetizers before the meal gets plated to cut down on filling up too much on the snack foods and then over filling on dinner.

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