 What if I told you there was something you could do to decrease your depression, level out your mood swings, get better sleep, lose weight, fight disease and improve your overall health? Most of us would spend loads of money on whatever pill we had to take to get these results, am I right? Now what if I told you that the change is totally free? Too good to be true! What’s the catch? The catch is there is nothing you can add to medicine cabinet that could help you to achieve all of these results. It isn’t anything you can add at all, but something you must give up. Sugar. I know, now you’re thinking, “Great another health nut here to preach about diet fads”, but bear with me. I am not here to preach at all, simply to let you know that if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, disease or weight issues (I think I just described the entire population of America..) Sugar could be the cause of some, or all, of these symptoms.
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 Teens Having Fun in Recovery
As children become teenagers, they begin to step away from the influence of their parents and into the influence of their peers. Sometimes this can be a drastic shift in the child’s behaviors. As parents, we have taught morals and responsibility. As the teen's attitude changes, they live more and more in a “if it is not fun then why do it?” modality. To many teenager’s fun becomes hanging out with friends, listening to music, and going to parties. For some of the pressures of doing well in school, family responsibilities, fitting in with peers and an increase in the importance of body issues lead to coping by cutting, drug use and restricting food.  “I’m trying to be healthier. But being healthy means cutting SO much out of my diet, it’s impractical! So, what the heck CAN I eat?”
A lot! There are so many options that are actually delicious and easy to make...once you get the hang of it. And, it can be fun to find foods that not only add to your health, but taste amazing! I really have enjoyed the creativity of recreating recipes of some of my favorite comfort foods, in a healthy way. Transitioning into an organic, whole food diet can take time to get used to. If doing it all at once is too much, make small changes little by little.  The Holidays are HERE! And your contemplating on taking a break from healthy eating. I am here to tell you that you don’t have to. Let me suggest a Butternut Squash or Pumpkin Soup made with chicken or vegetable base to start and finished with coconut cream and Vegan butter substitute. Honestly I make this every Friday for a Jewish Family that brought this delicious recipe into play. Not only do our clients learn from us, we also learn from them. Family recipes are popular around the Holidays. People tend to prepare comfort food verses healthy food. I specifically remembered being challenged by one of my Clients to make a Healthy Thanksgiving dinner with no preservatives, no sugar and fresh ingredients. Nothing from a can, nothing powdered and absolutely no boxed ingredients. I made a huge Lemon Herb Turkey accompanied by giblet gravy, Haricot Verts, Sweet Potatoes flavored with Orange and Stevia, and also Cranberry with no sugar, just stevia, fresh squeezed orange juice and zest and spices. I do remember also adding garlic infused Yukon mashed potatoes and ghee. I thickened the gravy with 1 teaspoon of Tapioca Starch and added giblets from the turkey. Delish!
 Amanda Barrell from Medical News Today wrote the article “Is clove oil effective for toothache?”. She shares the enormous benefits of clove oil for people suffering from toothaches. Cloves and clove oil have been used in dentistry for many years. The chemical eugenol is found in cloves and used in medicines for toothache pain since the 1800s. Cloves have antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties.
 While meals cooked in the home are always the safest and healthiest ways to eat, sometimes we must eat out. Here are some tips to avoid picking up any illnesses when eating out for a business meeting, celebration, or a quick lunch.
 Today I want to talk about collagen. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies get depleted of so many nutrients and other vitally important things that keep us moving and happy with ourselves. Lacking in collagen hits home in a big way for me because I’ve always had beautiful skin, people have always commented on my skin, and now it’s what I dislike most about myself when I look in the mirror. I’ve been looking closely for a supplement to help me restore the collagen levels I need to improve elasticity, vibrancy, and hydration. I came across the top 10 collagen killers, which I will talk about, but first, here are some facts about collagen from Dr. Axe:
 During this time of year I'm always looking to more earthy, heartier, rustic dishes to warm body and soul. Chestnuts similar mushrooms not only pair nicely with many wines but also contain great benefits. Including folate which you find in leafy greens as well as a good source of fats the body needs. Check out the additional vitamins and minerals chestnuts provide below and enjoy your winter celebrating.
https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/chestnuts.html  As the holiday season draws near, we all try to find ways to enjoy the food without the consequences of eating it. The danger here is the misleading advertisements that tempt you with low or zero-sugar items and even low glycemic index sugars. Many of us have heard about the perils of aspartame, but that is not the only harmful sugar substitute. Erythritol is another artificial sweetener that is commonly found in sports drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate bars. It boasts zero calories and zero effect on your blood sugar. However, the downsides to it are hardly discussed. It is made from man-made GMO cornstarch, so it is an ultra-processed food. Not only is it a GMO, but it is also often combined with other artificial sweeteners. It can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and are even more severe for children. Erythritol may even cause allergic reactions on your skin. So, while the “zero”s are appealing, especially when we are all consuming extra sweets, they come with their own set of issues. There’s even less reason to consume erythritol when there are so many healthier sugar substitutes at our disposal like stevia, raw honey, and monk fruit. These are substitutes that also do something for our health. What we consume should not just pass through us unnoticed, it should benefit our bodies.
As a Chef, cooking healthy food and being healthy is a top priority for me. In general, I always strive to cook healthy yet satisfying food for my clients, unless they have requested otherwise or are hosting an event. In keeping up with being healthy, both mentally and physically, kayaking is a sport that I have found to be able to do so. Kayaking and gliding along the water helps me keep a clear mindset. I’ve also outfitted my kayaks to be able to fish off of them. With a clear healthy mind, I can be more effective and creative as a Chef. As a Personal Chef it’s important to my clients that I am always on top of my game. They have specific diet and culinary needs that I need to focus on, along with health focused menu planning.
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