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May 22, 2025

Celebrate Smart with Memorial Day Tips

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many of us look forward to picnics, cookouts, family gatherings, and the unofficial start of summer. But before we

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Family, Food, Fun, Health
May 18, 2025

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

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Salads
May 15, 2025

Busting a Salad Food Myth and Recipe

You may have seen articles or heard claims that cucumbers and tomatoes don’t belong together on your plate or in your salad. The reasons? Some say t

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Food, Health
May 8, 2025

Swapping Out Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils

This week, a client asked me for safe alternatives to replace the black plastic cooking utensils his wife discarded over three weeks ago. Turns out sh

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Health
May 1, 2025

Scoop Up Fun with Banana Ice Cream

Last week I posted a blog on healthier popsicles. This week I feel it’s only fair to give you a delicious recipe for “nice cream.” “Nice cream

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Food, Fun, Health
April 29, 2025

🍨 Non-Dairy Banana Pecan Ice Cream

I purposely stock up on bananas so that I have some ready to toss in my protein smoothies, make banana muffins, or mix up this special treat. When the

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Treats
April 24, 2025

Healthy Popsicles That Make Summer Sweeter

Consider the humble popsicle. A nostalgic symbol of sticky fingers, grass-stained knees, and that sweet relief on a blazing summer day. But here’s t

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Food, Fun, Health
April 16, 2025

Time to Reflect, Release, Move Forward

Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover, or simply welcome the longer, brighter days of spring, this time of year invites reflection. It’s a season o

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Family, Food, Health, Personal Development
April 10, 2025

How to Stop “Night Worrying”

Ever find yourself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling while your mind races through tomorrow’s to-do list, replaying conversations, or wondering i

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Health
April 2, 2025

Four Cheers for Angelos and a Birthday Recipe to Reel You In

If you’ve been following my blog for several years, you may recall my weekly posts that were written comparing the size of my friend’s baby in ute

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Family, Food, Fun, Health

Celebrate Smart with Memorial Day Tips

May 22, 2025
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Family, Food, Fun, Health

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many of us look forward to picnics, cookouts, family gatherings, and the unofficial start of summer. But before we dive into the long weekend fun, let’s take a moment to reflect on what this holiday truly represents.

Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. It’s a solemn and significant reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms. As we gather with family and friends, let’s make space to pause, give thanks, and carry a bit of that reverence into how we spend our weekend.

Tips for a Healthy and Enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend 

Long weekends can be full of joy… and full of food, late nights, and forgotten habits. So here are a few tips to help you enjoy the weekend while still feeling your best.

  • Stay Hydrated
    The temps are climbing—well, depending on where you live. At any rate, keep water on hand (infused with lemon, berries, or mint if you want to be festive), especially if you’re enjoying adult beverages or salty foods. A good rule? One glass of water for every alcoholic drink.
  • Balance Your Plate
    It’s easy to go all-in on burgers and chips. Instead, build a better picnic plate—half fruits and veggies, a quarter protein (think grilled chicken, turkey burgers, beans), and a quarter whole grains or a modest portion of pasta or potato salad. And remember my favorite rule when it comes to special treats: only eat it if it’s amazing!
  • Sleep Counts, Even on Holidays
    Holiday weekends can throw off our sleep schedule. If you’re staying up later, aim to limit caffeine mid-afternoon, keep alcohol in check, and carve out a little wind-down time before bed—even if it’s just 10 minutes of quiet.
  • Move Naturally
    Whether it’s a morning walk, a few rounds of cornhole, or tossing a frisbee, movement doesn’t have to be formal. Just keep your body in motion, and your mood will thank you.
  • Keep Food Safe
    If you’re eating outdoors, remember this: Keep cold foods cold, and hot foods hot. Avoid letting perishables sit out for more than 2 hours—or 1 hour if temps are above 90°F. Pack a cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs.

Enjoy the sunshine, the flag-waving parades, the chocolate chip cookies—and the memories. And let’s not forget the brave men and women who made our freedom possible. By incorporating healthy habits into our celebrations, we can pay tribute to their legacy by living our best lives.

White Lies and Wardrobe Rules

Ever heard the old rule about not wearing white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day? 

The rule originated in the late 19th to early 20th century among upper-class Americans. Wealthy families often left the dirty, industrial cities for beach homes or countryside estates. White was practical for the heat and symbolized a break from city life.

It stuck around because fashion magazines and department stores reinforced it. Like many fashion rules, it was based more on tradition and exclusivity than necessity.

These days? Fashion’s more flexible, and that “rule” is as outdated as a 1950s barbecue apron.

Just don’t spill ketchup or mustard on those white shorts.

With gratitude and love,
Health Coach Carol

“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” — Mary Roach

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

May 18, 2025
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Salads

This is ideal for a summer lunch, picnic, or side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta, goat cheese, or sliced avocado

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss gently to combine.
  4. Let sit for 5–10 minutes for flavors to blend. Add feta or avocado if desired and serve immediately.

Why it works:

  • Hydrating from the cucumber
  • Vitamin C from both veggies
  • Lycopene from the tomatoes
  • Better nutrient absorption with the olive oil
  • Zingy herbs and lemon boost flavor without any processed ingredients

Busting a Salad Food Myth and Recipe

May 15, 2025
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Food, Health

You may have seen articles or heard claims that cucumbers and tomatoes don’t belong together on your plate or in your salad.

The reasons? Some say they digest at different rates or that an enzyme in cucumbers destroys vitamin C in tomatoes, making the combo hard on digestion or less nutritious.

In Ayurveda (an ancient system of health and healing from India that focuses on balance in the body, mind, and spirit) and other traditional systems, it’s believed that mixing foods with opposing qualities—like cool cucumbers and warm tomatoes—can make digestion less efficient and upset your body’s balance. 

Here’s what you really need to know:

🥒🍅 Yes, cucumbers do contain an enzyme called ascorbic acid oxidase, which can break down vitamin C. But this happens slowly and only in specific conditions. In a fresh salad, the effect is minimal and doesn’t cancel out the health benefits.

💪 Your digestive system is made to handle a mix of foods. Unless you have a personal sensitivity, most people don’t experience any issues from this classic combo.

🌿 In fact, pairing different veggies—like cucumbers and tomatoes—can help you get a wider range of nutrients. Add a little olive oil, and you’ll even boost your absorption of lycopene from tomatoes!

An Ayurvedic tip: If you find that raw salads don’t sit well with you, or you tend to feel bloated or sluggish after eating them, you might want to enjoy these veggies separately or add some digestive-friendly spices like cumin or black pepper.

For those of you who love this combo, here’s a recipe for the season. This is ideal for a summer lunch, picnic, or side dish.

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta, goat cheese, or sliced avocado

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss gently to combine.
  4. Let sit for 5–10 minutes for flavors to blend. Add feta or avocado if desired and serve immediately. 

Why it works:

  • Hydrating from the cucumber
  • Vitamin C from both veggies
  • Lycopene from the tomatoes
  • Better nutrient absorption with the olive oil
  • Zingy herbs and lemon boost flavor without any processed ingredients

At the end of the day, food is meant to nourish and bring enjoyment. If you love the fresh crunch of cucumbers with the juicy burst of tomatoes, there’s no need to overthink it. Trust your body, be attentive to how you feel, and enjoy the delicious simplicity of whole foods.

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“Three tomatoes are walking down the street-a poppa tomato, a mamma tomato, and a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him and says, Catch up.” — Uma Thurman

Swapping Out Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils

May 8, 2025
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Health

This week, a client asked me for safe alternatives to replace the black plastic cooking utensils his wife discarded over three weeks ago. Turns out she tossed them before investigating safer options.

I asked him what he was cooking with during the last three weeks. Still wondering…

Seems there’s been a bit of tension in their home over this quandary. She’s trying to give their life a complete health makeover and he’s losing it. Health Coach Carol to the rescue. (Now he knows how Mr. Non-Compliant feels.)

Doing our best to live healthy is a never-ending process and it’s impossible to eliminate everything that MAY cause harm. Research is constantly coming out about one more thing/food/activity being toxic and causing cancer.

What we CAN do is make changes a bit at a time.

So, is it Time to Toss Your Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils? 

If you’re cooking with black plastic kitchen utensils, you may want to reconsider. Recent research has raised concerns that many black plastic cooking utensils could contain harmful chemicals, such as flame retardants, which can leach into your food, especially when heated or used on scratched surfaces.

Why Should You Care?

Black plastic utensils often come from recycled electronic materials, making them prone to containing harmful chemicals like brominated flame retardants. These substances are linked to health issues including hormone disruption and increased cancer risk. The hotter and more scratched these utensils get, the more likely these chemicals can contaminate your meals.

Safer Alternatives to Consider

Don’t panic—there are plenty of safer alternatives:

  • Silicone utensils: Look for food-grade, BPA-free silicone brands like Walfos, which are heat-resistant, easy to clean, and safe for your non-stick pans. (My updated Walfos utensils are in the photo.)
  • Wood or Bamboo: Naturally antibacterial and safe at high temperatures, these are excellent alternatives that won’t scratch your cookware.
  • Stainless Steel: Durable, easy to clean, and free of chemical concerns. Just be cautious on non-stick surfaces to avoid scratching.

Quick Tips for a Safer Kitchen and Home

  • Replace black plastic utensils, particularly if they’re scratched or old.
  • Choose products labeled as food-grade, BPA-free, and heat-resistant.
  • Regularly inspect your utensils for wear and tear, replacing them as necessary.
  • It’s also a good idea to opt for toys, food containers, and home items made from safer materials, avoiding black plastic when heat or child use is involved.

Taking these simple steps can help keep your cooking safe and healthy. Now might be a great time for a utensil refresh.

Another Healthy Tip

Now is also a great time to step outside and let spring work its magic. 

Whether you take a brisk walk, a peaceful bike ride, hike a trail, or simply sit quietly and listen to the outdoors, spending time in nature is both healing and grounding.

Fresh air and movement—no matter how gentle—boosts your mood, reduces stress, and supports your overall health.

Sometimes, the best medicine is just outside your door.

Much love and Happy Mother’s Day,
Health Coach Carol

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon — instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” — Dale Carnegie