When it comes to salad, Americans' love affair with the greens is slowly pushing aside the traditional preferences for the mayonnaise-based picnic fare of potato and macaroni salad. Green salads are no longer just a side dish - they are big business and also have a place in American eating history and culture. A Few Facts: Prepared salads and salad-based restaurants comprise a $300 million In spite of the growing greens industry, eight in 10 Americans don't eat the recommended amount of vegetables for a healthy diet. The Cobb Salad craze began in 1937, 1939 or possibly 1929, depending on which version of the story you...

The winter months tend to be a time when we bundle up and shut ourselves in, avoid the cold and catch up on post-holiday work. While that might seem like a good idea, the opposite is true. Seasonal Affective Disorder - often passed off as the "winter blues"- is a type of depression that occurs every year during the same time period. For most people, it starts in late fall and ends when spring arrives. Containing ourselves to the indoors and holing up until spring can pile on undue stress and turn the ideal of cozy nights with family in...

Stress is a factor in everybody’s life and coping can be a struggle. Some periods of stress and anxiety render you too wired to sleep, too nauseous to eat, and even too unfocused to solve your problems. As frustrating as it can feel, it’s usually manageable – but when the holidays hit, it can become overwhelming. Read on to see how you can manage your stress with scent this holiday season. Stress can begin with losing sleep, which is often indicative of being overworked and anxious. These feelings then bleed into other areas of your life, causing you to act...

Cranberries are a standby at many holiday meals, but can they be more a delicious sauce or festive scent? This nutrient-packed, shiny red fruit says yes! Whether you need them to work for your health or for the holidays, you can’t go wrong with having cranberries on hand. Because cranberries are a food rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (naturally occurring, plant-based chemicals) they are great for your health in a lot of different ways. For example, proanthocyanidins (PACs) are one of the many phytonutrients that enable the elimination of free radicals from your cells. Their ability to bond with collagen...

Whether it’s something we want or not, women often link success with a desire to succeed both outside the home and within it. We want to look younger, keep the house clean, succeed professionally and do everything else on the side – which often includes our self-care. Unfortunately, this desire to triumph can then overwhelm us, keeping us in "work-mode" all day and ultimately leading to a weakening of our overall health. Though many women associate success with ambition, stamina and discipline, ironically it is these traits that can sabotage our chance at victory. By sacrificing their self-care, women “succeed”...

Your face is made up of many small muscles that work in tandem to help us create the portfolio of expressions of which we are capable. As we age, these muscles lose their tightness and fail to support the facial skin, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Any time we exercise a muscle, we are increasing circulation to the entire area and oxygenating the cells, which helps it repair itself and function efficiently. Of course, the area around the muscle includes the skin (this explains why any time you’ve begun to work out, you might notice that even your skin seems tighter).Interestingly, the...

What is collagen? Collagen is a natural protein that is found in our connective tissues to support muscle, bone, and ligament structure. As defined by the Cleveland Clinic, "collagen accounts for 30% of your body’s protein. It provides structure, support or strength to your skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues."  Within this definition, it's safe to say that collagen essentially keeps up together. Although its primary purpose is to provide structure, strength and support throughout the body, many believe that healthy levels of collagen assist with the following:  Healthy Skin: Increased blood circulation improves the flow of essential nutrients and oxygen to rejuvenate...

Halloween is a magical time of year: parties, costumes, and candy, galore! But what if you or your child are on a gluten-free diet or are suffering a gluten allergy? Fear not, because spooky, sweet, and safe selections are easy to scare up. This year, try some new takes on Halloween snacks, and keep the holiday fun for everyone to enjoy by revisiting some candy classics! Start the party with these gluten-free party treats for Halloween. Homemade ChocolateAs an integral part of the Halloween experience, chocolate can make anyone smile! The problem is, a lot of chocolate isn't gluten-free, and finding the...

As summer winds down and fall winds begin to blow, you can expect the fare at your local farmer's market to shift to heartier fruits and vegetables. You’ll start to see fiber rich pears, sweet potatoes and kale. Your kids will jump at the chance to go apple picking, and soon, everyone’s favorite fall flavor – pumpkin! – will start to decorate doorsteps. But the real question is one we all want answers to - which fall fruits & veggies should you focus on for your belly & skin? All of the foods listed above are very good for your...

The many health benefits of essential oils are finding their way into the spotlight as new research is conducted to substantiate their uses.  In the instances of lavender & peppermint oils, this is particularly beneficial as their side effects are few and far between and their potential is limitless. Lavender Oil: Lavender, also known as Lavandula angustifolia, is a remarkably prevalent and often-used oil in body care, skin care and aromatherapy practices. Its ability to soothe, calm and improve sleeping patterns is well-known and commonly accepted – even better, it’s backed by studies like this one. But what are lavender’s other benefits?...