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Are you Shopping Healthy?
Navigate the Grocery Store for Cleaner and Healthier Eating
You either love it or hate it. Grocery shopping is just one of those things that isn’t very glamorous or exciting but it is still a very important part of your routine. Learning to grocery shop smarter will help you lay the foundation towards cleaner eating. For some, grocery shopping is stressful and overwhelming. You have to make it through the crowds and confusion, put up with loud music and fluorescent lighting and sometimes you may even have to drag your kids with you!
Summer is COMING!! Are you READY??
Summer is on the Horizon
Okay, so it’s only March, but let’s be honest, the New Years Resolution thing has worn off, the winter weather has had us huddled indoors for warmth, and we are beginning to crave sunshine, activity and maybe even…. salad!! Spring will be here, and then comes summer with short sleeves and exposed skin. Are you ready? Do you feel confident? I only bring this up because it’s just about now that spring fever hits and it’s a FANTASTIC time to change because the world around us will start to change and blossom very soon and why shouldn’t we change and blossom as well?
Does anyone eat together as a family anymore??
Come And Get It!!
When was the last time you and your family sat down to eat a meal together? Is it only for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas that more effort is made to get everyone to sit together and eat as a family? Today’s society has families running from activity to activity making it hard to round up the troops for a meal, especially dinnertime. Even the family TV sitcoms from the past had families sitting around the table sharing a meal. It was expected that each family member make it a priority to reserve that time for family.
The Highs and Lows of Cholesterol – What you should know!
Is Your Cholesterol a Problem?
If you are one of the many North American’s that have recently had their blood tested and found out they have elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol and/or blood glucose imbalances, I am here to tell you there is hope. Nutrition can make a huge impact on cholesterol and help turn your health around before serious issues arise.
Have You Fallen Off the Wagon??
Tips to Getting Back On Track
On January 1st most of us made promises to ourselves that 2019 will be different, promises like getting our eating on track, sticking to a plan, losing some extra weight and finally starting to feel better. How’s that going?
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.
New Year - New Food
When Did You Last Try a New Food?
It’s the new year, we’re all resolving to get healthy and try to make this the year that we change our ways and hit our goals. So, my question to you is this, when’s the last time you tried a new food? I know, I know, you have your routine, you have your way of doing things, you are doing what works for you but, how’s that working out? I believe the definition of insanity goes some thing like doing the same thing and expecting different results.
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!
Thank You - From No Shoes Nutrition
Anyone who has tried it knows that starting a business is no easy feat. There are SO many more things to think about than I was ever aware of starting No Shoes Nutrition. I have lucked into meeting some very knowledgeable people who have mentored me along the way and I have had the support of my amazing husband who has been there to help me figure things out. My little pet project of starting my own nutrition business has been one of the most life changing endeavors in my career and in my adult life.
Having Trouble Sleeping? Here's Some Foods To Help!
Are you dealing with sleeping issues? Can’t seem to get to sleep because your mind is racing or maybe you are exhausted and fall asleep right away but wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. There are lots of reasons that sleep seems to elude us, but have you ever thought that some of the foods you eat at dinner or after could be the reason you can’t get a good night’s rest?
An Addition to the No Shoes Team
New Addition to No Shoes Nutrition
Today is a special day. I am pleased to be introducing to the world to a new addition here at No Shoes Nutrition. Penny DeJager, a former student of mine at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, impressed me so much with her knowledge and love of nutrition last year that after her graduation this past September I asked Penny if she would consider joining No Shoes Nutrition to bring her knowledge base and expertise and join the team. I was delighted when her answer was yes!
Feel your Feelings to End Emotional Eating
Let’s talk about eating our feelings.
Too often we use food as a physical weapon to conjure a happier feeling within ourselves when things aren’t going well. Most of us were never taught to sit and feel our feelings or understand that if you do have a bad day it’s okay to feel bad. We are scared to feel our feelings and being surrounded by social media where everyone only takes pictures of themselves living their most amazing lives, does not help things.
Are you Magnesium Deficient?
Could a Little Magnesium Solve Your Problems?
I have recently been learning more and more about the mineral magnesium. I have even been supplementing with it and have been finding the benefits are changing my health in great ways! As most of my readers know, I am a foods first holistic nutrition consultant. I will always recommend you try to get the foods high in magnesium before supplements but according to Health Canada nearly half the population is deficient in magnesium.
Are you Allergic or Intolerant?
The Myth of "Fresh" Food
How Fresh is Fresh?
So, you have decided to make a change this season and start investing in your health. You are going to make a BIG effort to buy your fruits and veggies fresh and eat them raw as you have read that this can be best for your health. But what does fresh mean and how fresh are the fruits and vegetables in the grocery store?
Are you Getting your Gut Bugs?
The Yogurt Culture
If you have been following my blogs and my feeds you know how much I love fermentation and the microbes, they contribute to our guts. Currently many of us find digesting dairy difficult but milk contains agents of extraordinary transformation. Bacteria. Bacteria that can produce a plethora of fermentation products that improve the way your body works. The same microbes that turn milk into yogurt, benefit your gut, brain, immune system and overall physiology.
Phyto whats? In Where? And Why?
Is there more than vitamins and minerals to think about?
When we think about the nutrients in food, we most often think about vitamins like vitamin C in oranges or minerals like calcium and magnesium to keep our bones healthy. Very rarely have I heard a mother say, “Eat those veggies because they are full of phytonutrients!” So, what are these phytochemicals and how do they contribute to our health?
Tis The Season!!
Are you Canning, Pickling and Preserving?
As traditionally done, its the season for the harvest to come in. We all know that there is much too much to eat during harvest and it’s going to be a cold winter so preserving the extra is needed. Most cultures have persevered foods by various methods to extend the shelf life of the food harvested in the fall.
Can Drinking Tea Make you Healthier?
Drinking Tea for Health
Drinking tea has become popular again recently. When I was growing up we used to think of tea as “grandma's” drink but now it’s new and trendy with just as many tea shops popping up as coffee shops. Tea has a history stretching back thousands of years and with many quality brews comes many quality nutrients that your body can benefit from.
The Art of Oil Pulling
Oil Pulling For Better Health
How does swishing oil around in your mouth for five to twenty minutes every morning sound? Cool or Gross? What if you heard that doing so might clear up your skin, improve your oral hygiene, and whiten your teeth, among a slew of other health benefits?
Blog Post Archive
- December 2024
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November 2024
- Nov 25, 2024 Healthy Holidays, Happy You: Simple Strategies to Stay on Track During the Festive Season
- Nov 18, 2024 Is Stress Aggravating Your Guts?
- Nov 11, 2024 Nourishing Your Mind: The Power of Nutrition for Mental Wellness
- Nov 4, 2024 Fuel Your Morning Right: Why Quality Protein Sets the Tone for Your Day
- October 2024
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September 2024
- Sep 30, 2024 A Seasonal Fall Harvest Guide: Eating with the Seasons
- Sep 23, 2024 Optimizing Cognition, Sleep, and Stress Through Nutrition: A Holistic Approach
- Sep 9, 2024 Snack Smart: Power Up Your Kids with Nutrient-Packed After-School Fuel
- Sep 2, 2024 Back to school: The Epic Lunch Struggles Continue!
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August 2024
- Aug 26, 2024 Fall Back Into Health: 10 Effortless Resets to Reclaim Your Wellness
- Aug 19, 2024 Understanding Parasite Symptoms: A Holistic Approach and the Reality in North America
- Aug 5, 2024 Understanding Gut Health: The Key to Overall Wellness
- Aug 5, 2024 Is a Plant-Based Diet Right for Everyone? Exploring the Benefits of Including Animal Foods
- July 2024
- June 2024
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May 2024
- May 27, 2024 The Power of Mindful Eating: How Enjoying Meals Without Distractions Benefits Mental and Gut Health
- May 20, 2024 Mental Wellness Awareness: Eating for Anxiety
- May 13, 2024 Mindful Eating: Are you Ready to Savor the Flavor of Every Bite?
- May 6, 2024 Overcoming Bloating and Discomfort: Tips for Getting Started
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April 2024
- Apr 29, 2024 The Power of Anti-Inflammatory Eating: A Guide to Boosting Health and Vitality
- Apr 22, 2024 Nourish Your Gut with Herbal Tea: Discover the Health Benefits and Top Blends
- Apr 15, 2024 Time to Spring Clean! Can you do it Toxin Free?
- Apr 8, 2024 Embracing Spring: Seasonal Eating for Vibrant Gut Health
- Apr 1, 2024 The Power of Detoxifying Foods: Nourishing Your Body for Optimal Health
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March 2024
- Mar 25, 2024 Embracing Inclusion Diets: A Shift from Restriction to Abundance
- Mar 18, 2024 Harnessing the Power of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Gut Health
- Mar 11, 2024 Exploring the Gut-Lymph Connection: Understanding the Link Between Gut Health and Lymphatic System
- Mar 4, 2024 Heart-Healthy and Simple Fitness Tips for Beginners
- February 2024
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January 2024
- Jan 22, 2024 Are you Hungry or Dehydrated? Here are your Winter Hydration Tips!
- Jan 15, 2024 Winter Wellness: Our Favorite Nutrient-Rich Recipe
- Jan 8, 2024 Nourishing Resolutions: 2024 Here We Come!!
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
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August 2023
- Aug 7, 2023 Hosting the Perfect Healthy Summer BBQ
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July 2023
- Jul 31, 2023 Unraveling the Beef: Debunking Meat Myths and Separating Fact from Fiction
- Jul 24, 2023 Fueling Your Summer Road Trip
- Jul 17, 2023 Mindful Eating for Optimal Digestion
- Jul 10, 2023 Camp Food Conundrum - Can I Eat Healthy While Camping?
- May 2023
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April 2023
- Apr 10, 2023 Antioxidant April – The Power of Phytonutrients
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March 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Cholesterol – The Good, The Bad, The Awesome?
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February 2023
- Feb 27, 2023 Do You Eat Away the Winter Blues?
- Feb 20, 2023 How to Beat the Winter Blues - Recipe Included!
- Feb 13, 2023 Feel Good February
- Feb 6, 2023 February Is About Love - What About Self-Love Through Nutrition?
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January 2023
- Jan 30, 2023 Is it Time To Make a Change? Read This First!
- Jan 23, 2023 Jumpstart January with a Resolution - Do Resolutions Work?
- Jan 16, 2023 Dry January – Yea or Nay??
- Jan 9, 2023 It's January Let's Jump Into Movement
- Jan 2, 2023 New Year - Resolution or Jumpstart?
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October 2022
- Oct 10, 2022 Hating Your Current Diet? - Don't Miss This!!
- Oct 3, 2022 Do You Love the Newest Diet Craze? - Read This!!
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September 2022
- Sep 26, 2022 Here we Grow Again!!
- Sep 19, 2022 What is Stress Doing to You?
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February 2022
- Feb 28, 2022 How Do I get My Kids to Eat Healthier?
- Feb 22, 2022 February Feelings - How Far Have You Come?
- Feb 14, 2022 From Our Hearts to yours: Happy Valentine’s Day
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November 2021
- Nov 22, 2021 Eating Fresh and Local: Modern Hunter-Gathering
- Nov 15, 2021 The Challenge to Staying Healthy
- Nov 8, 2021 Are You Making Good Choices?
- Nov 1, 2021 Should We Change Our Diet With The Seasons?
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May 2021
- May 31, 2021 How to Get your Groove back:
- May 24, 2021 The Leaky Gut Solution - Part Two
- May 17, 2021 Are Your Guts Leaky? Let's Find Out Why!
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March 2021
- Mar 16, 2021 Tips to Spring Clean Your Body!
- Mar 1, 2021 How DUMB are your GOALS?
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January 2021
- Jan 11, 2021 Thriving In Our Winter of Discontent
- Jan 4, 2021 Reset with Results – Start the New Year Better
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November 2020
- Nov 30, 2020 Entrepreneurial Energy – How to Generate More!
- Nov 23, 2020 A New Era – No Shoes is Expanding Again
- September 2020
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August 2020
- Aug 17, 2020 Motivation – Where oh Where Have You Gone?
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July 2020
- Jul 27, 2020 Transit Time Talk - Are you Pooping Enough?
- Jul 20, 2020 Keto - The Weight Loss Wonder
- Jul 16, 2020 Furious and Frustrate? How to eat for Calm?
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April 2020
- Apr 27, 2020 Candida Cleansing In a Crisis
- Apr 20, 2020 Am I Crazy? Candida Cleansing While Quarantined
- Apr 13, 2020 COVID Is Here! Immune Support Part Two
- Apr 6, 2020 COVID is Here! Is your Immune System Ready?
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March 2020
- Mar 31, 2020 COVID 19, Self-Isolation, Quarantine – How Are You Coping?
- Mar 17, 2020 Your Kids are Home – What do you feed them?
- Mar 2, 2020 Are you Struggling to Maintain Weight Loss? Here's Why!
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February 2020
- Feb 24, 2020 Want to Live Longer? Specific Foods to Add as You Age.
- Feb 18, 2020 Want to Live Longer? Here's What You Need!
- Feb 10, 2020 Prebiotic vs. Probiotics – Do I need to buy both?
- Feb 3, 2020 Thirsty? Why not try a Switchel?
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January 2020
- Jan 27, 2020 Can you see it? Where will you be NEXT January?
- Jan 13, 2020 No Shoes Nutrition & Practical Nutrition In 2020
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December 2019
- Dec 30, 2019 Happy New Year!!
- Dec 16, 2019 Hibiscus – Not Just A Beautiful Flower
- Dec 9, 2019 Are you Crazy for Keto?
- Dec 2, 2019 Ginger - The Root That Can Do It All
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November 2019
- Nov 25, 2019 Are You Ready For The Holiday Food?
- Nov 18, 2019 Is Your Tongue Telling You Something?
- Nov 12, 2019 Autophagy – To Eat Thy Self
- Nov 4, 2019 The Sleep Review – Could I Keep Up?
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October 2019
- Oct 23, 2019 The Challenge of Sleep – A Sleep Challenge
- Oct 14, 2019 A Thanksgiving Tribute
- Oct 7, 2019 From Tummy Trouble to Glorious Guts
- September 2019
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August 2019
- Aug 26, 2019 It’s Back to School: Time to Make the Lunches
- Aug 19, 2019 Sauerkraut: Real and Raw
- Aug 14, 2019 Are you Drinking Too Much Coffee? Find out here!
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July 2019
- Jul 29, 2019 Is today your day one?
- Jul 22, 2019 What's Up With Dairy and Wheat?
- Jul 15, 2019 Bugs in Your Belly?? Read this!
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June 2019
- Jun 24, 2019 Candida, Here's What You Need To Know.
- Jun 17, 2019 Are you Dealing With Inflammation?
- Jun 10, 2019 Is Tracking Your Food A Good Idea?
- Jun 4, 2019 Ready to get Healthy? Don't know where to start?
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May 2019
- May 27, 2019 Can this Root Rid You of Stress Effects?
- May 20, 2019 Are you Addicted to Sugar? Find Out Today!
- May 13, 2019 Ready to Feel Renewed? More Energy For All!!
- May 6, 2019 Stressed? Adrenal Fatigue Continued...
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April 2019
- Apr 29, 2019 Are You Tired? Wanna Know Why?
- Apr 23, 2019 The Sweet Truth about Honey
- Apr 15, 2019 Alleviate Your Allergies
- Apr 8, 2019 Muscle Mania!
- Apr 1, 2019 Sunshine or Bust!
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March 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 Are you Craving Movement?
- Mar 18, 2019 Are you Shopping Healthy?
- Mar 11, 2019 Summer is COMING!! Are you READY??
- Mar 4, 2019 Does anyone eat together as a family anymore??
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February 2019
- Feb 25, 2019 The Highs and Lows of Cholesterol – What you should know!
- Feb 11, 2019 Foods that Can Make You Go Hmmm….
- Feb 4, 2019 Have You Fallen Off the Wagon??
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January 2019
- Jan 28, 2019 Healthy Swaps
- Jan 21, 2019 New Year - New Food
- Jan 14, 2019 Did You Resolve to the Same Resolution Again this Year?
- Jan 7, 2019 Thank You - From No Shoes Nutrition
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December 2018
- Dec 17, 2018 Holiday Stress - Is it Adrenal Fatigue?
- Dec 10, 2018 Are Your Gifts Sustainable this Season?
- Dec 3, 2018 Do You Work Shifts? Try These Nutrition Tips!
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November 2018
- Nov 26, 2018 Hungover? Here’s some Natural Nutrition to Help!
- Nov 19, 2018 Having Trouble Sleeping? Here's Some Foods To Help!
- Nov 12, 2018 An Addition to the No Shoes Team
- Nov 5, 2018 Could your Diet be Making you Stink?
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October 2018
- Oct 29, 2018 Feel your Feelings to End Emotional Eating
- Oct 22, 2018 Are you Magnesium Deficient?
- Oct 15, 2018 How Many Carbs Do I Need?
- Oct 8, 2018 Are you Allergic or Intolerant?
- Oct 1, 2018 The Myth of "Fresh" Food
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September 2018
- Sep 24, 2018 Are you Getting your Gut Bugs?
- Sep 17, 2018 Phyto whats? In Where? And Why?
- Sep 10, 2018 Tis The Season!!
- Sep 3, 2018 Is Your Blood Pressure Rising??
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August 2018
- Aug 20, 2018 Can Drinking Tea Make you Healthier?
- Aug 13, 2018 Is Too Much Stress Making You Tired, Hungry and Fat?
- Aug 6, 2018 The Art of Oil Pulling
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July 2018
- Jul 30, 2018 Do You Have An "itis"?
- Jul 23, 2018 12 Steps to Better Health - Start TODAY!!
- Jul 16, 2018 What's Your Why?
- Jul 9, 2018 Eat Yeast? Are you Serious?
- Jul 2, 2018 How Are You Spending Your Calories?
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June 2018
- Jun 25, 2018 Want More Energy? - 5 Nutrients You Can Add Today!!
- Jun 18, 2018 Fiber - A BIG BAD F-word!!
- Jun 11, 2018 Protein and Weight Loss - What you need to Know!
- Jun 4, 2018 How to Make your DREAM come True!
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May 2018
- May 28, 2018 Bone Broth - Is it worth all the hype?
- May 14, 2018 Love Your Guts - Eat Fermented Foods!
- May 7, 2018 Traditional Diets
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April 2018
- Apr 30, 2018 Fasting, Is it for You?
- Apr 23, 2018 Deconstructing Cravings
- Apr 16, 2018 The Great Vitamin D Debate!!
- Apr 9, 2018 The Incredible Kale!!
- Apr 2, 2018 Could it be Adrenal Fatigue?
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March 2018
- Mar 26, 2018 Can Mindful Eating Change your Health?
- Mar 19, 2018 Eat Veggies - Kill the Cravings
- Mar 12, 2018 Seven Ways to Boost Your Brain Power
- Mar 5, 2018 The Importance of Goals and Having a Vision for Transformation
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February 2018
- Feb 26, 2018 How to Avoid Exercise Injuries
- Feb 19, 2018 Exercise and Metabolism
- Feb 12, 2018 The Benefits of Exercise
- Feb 5, 2018 Exercise Tips for Busy People
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January 2018
- Jan 29, 2018 Water
- Jan 22, 2018 Resolution Check In
- Jan 15, 2018 Juicing - What's to know?
- Jan 8, 2018 Cleanses and Detoxes
- Jan 1, 2018 January 1st - Happy New Year!!
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December 2017
- Dec 31, 2017 Day Thirty-One - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 30, 2017 Day Thirty - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 30, 2017 Day Twenty-Nine - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 28, 2017 Day Twenty-Eight - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 27, 2017 Day Twenty-Seven - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 26, 2017 Day Twenty-Six - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 25, 2017 Day Twenty-Five - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 24, 2017 Day Twenty-Four - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 23, 2017 Day Twenty-Three - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 22, 2017 Day Twenty-Two - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 21, 2017 Day Twenty-One - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 20, 2017 Day Twenty - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 19, 2017 Day Nineteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 18, 2017 Day Eighteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 17, 2017 Day Seventeen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 16, 2017 Day Sixteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 15, 2017 Day Fifteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 14, 2017 Day Fourteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 13, 2017 Day Thirteen - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 12, 2017 Day Twelve - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 11, 2017 Day Eleven - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 10, 2017 Day Ten - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 9, 2017 Day Nine - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 8, 2017 Day Eight - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 7, 2017 Day Seven - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 6, 2017 Day Six - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 5, 2017 Day Five - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 4, 2017 Day Four - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 3, 2017 Day Three - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 2, 2017 Day Two - Holiday Health Challenge
- Dec 1, 2017 Day One - Holiday Health Challenge
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November 2017
- Nov 27, 2017 What's all the Hype about Pumpkin Spice
- Nov 22, 2017 Holiday Health Challenge - Introduction
- Nov 13, 2017 The Benefits of Raw Chocolate
- Nov 6, 2017 Christmas Healthy Gift Guide
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October 2017
- Oct 30, 2017 Why is Everyone Eating Avocados?
- Oct 24, 2017 Should I Be Buying Organic?
- Oct 17, 2017 Welcome to My New Website!