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SETTING BOUNDARIES AROUND FAMILY FOOD TALK: HOW OUR FAMILY’S DIET AND BODY TALK IMPACTS OUR EATING BEHAVIORS
You're enjoying Sunday dinner with your family when your aunt comments, "Are you sure you want more mashed potatoes? You've already had two helpings!" This type of communication or commentary can have very detrimental effects on our self-esteem, body image, and overall relationship with food. It may contribute to the development of disordered eating patterns and a heightened focus on achieving unrealistic beauty standards that impact us in very negative ways as we age and grow.
8 MUST-HAVE TRADER JOE’S MACRO-FRIENDLY ITEMS FOR FLAVORFUL, HEALTHY MEALS
Focusing on making healthful nutrition changes does not have to equal making food taste boring: let’s put the idea of needing to eat boiled chicken breast and mushy vegetables in order to successfully pursue health goals to bed once and for all! On the contrary, by ensuring that we’re actually enjoying the health-promoting foods that we’re aiming to make staples in our diets, we’re far more likely to make change sustainable and, in turn, results retainable. Whether you’re looking to liven up your protein prep, make veggies more attractive to reach for or play around with new flavor profiles, here is a list of some of our favorite ways to insert flavor from Trader Joe’s.
5 EASY MEAL PREP RECIPES: USING ROTISSERIE CHICKEN FOR SIMPLE, HIGH PROTEIN, MACRO FRIENDLY MEALS
Rotisserie chicken is one of those often overlooked options that can cut down on our cooking time, make our food delicious, and add ease to our busy lives. It comes cooked and ready to eat and is a wonderful, healthful substitute to protein prep at home. Simplicity is key to sustainability in our nutrition and, with that in mind, here are 5 quick, simple meals using rotisserie chicken. Because these recipes are so simple and customizable, the ingredients and directions are merely suggestions.
REVERSE DIETING: MYTHS, FACTS, AND WHAT REALLY WORKS
Reverse dieting is the practice of increasing a person’s total daily caloric intake after a period of prolonged caloric restriction (aka a diet). Reverse dieting is all the rage on the internet, with social media promoting specific “Reverse Diet Coaches” and overly complicated reverse diet protocols to follow after time in a calorie deficit.
HIGH PROTEIN WINTER SOUP RECIPE: AVGOLEMONO (CREAMY GREEK CHICKEN & LEMON SOUP)
Indulge in warmth and wellness with our High-Protein Winter Soup Recipe: Avgolemono. It’s a healthy, macro-friendly recipe with easy ingredients and instructions. Experience the comforting blend of creamy Greek chicken and lemon flavors. Discover a delicious and nutritious way to stay cozy this season. Try our easy homemade soup today!
DETOXING 101: WHAT YOUR BODY ACTUALLY NEEDS TO STAY HEALTHY
If you've spent any time in the wellness space, you've probably seen many bold claims about detoxes - from juice cleanses to special supplements, influencers and "detox specialists" promise that these methods will help flush toxins, boost metabolism, and even cure diseases. But do they actually work?
WHEN ROUTINE GOES OUT THE WINDOW: HOW TO HANDLE A NON ‘MACRO FRIENDLY’ MEAL
Intentional out-of-routine times, like the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, tend to cause panic around meals where panic need not be warranted. Nutritional and lifestyle habits might need to temporarily change but managing expectations, having flexibility with our choices, and giving ourselves the permission to intentionally get out of our routines can ensure that those occasional meals stay exciting (not stressful!). Understanding and establishing the intentions of our meals gives us more control over how our meals make us feel. Remember: we have the power over food, food does not have the power over us.
MANAGING APPETITE WHILE BREASTFEEDING: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE NEVER-ENDING HUNGER WHEN NURSING OR PUMPING
Breastfeeding is one of the most energy-demanding stages of life, let alone motherhood! If you've found yourself constantly hungry while nursing your little one, you're not alone – this increased appetite is both normal and necessary. Let's explore how to satisfy those intense hunger cues while ensuring you're getting the nutrients both you and your baby need.
THE MYTH OF CYCLE SYNCING: THE IMPACT OF MENSTRUATION ON OUR TRAINING AND NUTRITION
In the episode of the How to: Fitness podcast, Dr. Alyssa Olenick delves into her research on sex differences and metabolic response to exercise and shares her knowledge on menstrual cycle importance and its impact on training and nutrition. Alyssa also addresses misconceptions about 'cycle syncing' and offers practical advice for fitness and nutrition based on individual needs, urging against a 'one size fits all' approach.
4-COURSE VALENTINE’S MEAL FOR 2: ASIAN STICKY CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE “FRIED RICE”
Feeling joy in what you eat is an important part of having a positive relationship with your food, as is enjoying a holiday meal or a date night that feels decadent. So, we created this delicious four-course meal in honor of Valentine’s Day so that you can enjoy a big meal in a way that aligns with your goals and helps you recognize that no food is good or bad.
THE ANTI AGING CRAZE: HOW NUTRITION AND FITNESS ACTUALLY PLAY A ROLE IN AGE PREVENTION AND HEALTHY AGING
We live in a society obsessed with eternal youth. The pressure starts early, with ads and messages telling us we need to “fight aging” before wrinkles and gray hairs even think about making an appearance. And while this pressure is not unique to women alone, anyone identifying as a woman most likely feels the pressure at a greater intensity, and starting at a younger age.
PROTEIN BARS UNWRAPPED: WHAT TO LOOK FOR (AND WHAT TO AVOID) IN A MACRO-FRIENDLY PROTEIN BAR
Choosing the right “macro-friendly” protein bar can feel like spotting a snowflake in a blizzard—especially when marketing doesn't make it clear whether the product is actually a protein bar or more of a glorified candy bar. Protein bars can absolutely have a place in your daily intake, but it’s important to know what you’re really buying.
AI FOR MEAL IDEAS, GROCERY LISTS, AND MORE
In the ever-evolving landscape of nutrition, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potential ally in the pursuit of our health and nutrition goals. However, it's crucial to approach this technology with a healthy dose of skepticism. From my (admittedly biased) viewpoint, AI's capabilities, while promising, cannot completely replace the nuanced guidance provided by a human nutrition coach.
CREATING A DOPAMINE MENU: AN EASY TOOL FOR WHEN MOTIVATION IS LOW
One part of our nutrition goals we often overlook is the inevitable fact that, at some point, our motivation will tank. When that happens, we often believe we have to rely on only willpower or wait until motivation comes back to feel “on track,” but the reality is that motivation will wane at times and, rather than waiting for it to reappear, this is a time when we can benefit from taking simple actions that help us rebuild momentum.
HEALTH IN THE NEW YEAR: 5 UNEXPECTED “HEALTH BOOSTERS”
It’s the middle of January and you’re a couple of weeks into your New Year’s resolution. While we’re all about BIG goals around here, we’re also about finding effective and sustainable ways to improve your overall health, beyond only losing weight or going for PRs in the gym. With years of experience working with hundreds of clients, our coaches have A LOT of experience supporting others in all areas of their health and nutrition. Our team is sharing that expertise with this list of unexpected ways to improve your health this year and continue to work towards your body composition and fitness goals sustainably. It’s a culmination of our work with our clients as well as our own personal journeys as nutrition coaches. We’re sharing how getting in touch with different aspects of your health will allow you to look and feel your best not only this year, but for years (and years!) to come.
EASY SNACK RECIPE: HIGH PROTEIN PIZZA MUFFINS (GLUTEN FREE!)
This high-protein snack is something we always have baked and ready to eat at our house. My toddler loves it and I add one or two of these pizza muffins to my meal prep as a snack daily. The absolute best part: all this recipe requires is throwing all ingredients in a blender and then a muffin tin. Minimal dishes, some easy protein, and a snack that feels far more indulgent than it is!
MACRO-FRIENDLY ONE POT RECIPE: CROCKPOT CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
It’s soup season, y’all! It’s truly one of my favorite times of year when it comes to cooking and meal prep. I love a good crockpot meal and anything that allows me to be warm and cozy during these chilly winter months is what’s on the menu in our house! This recipe for Chicken and Dumplings can be made in either the crockpot or on the stovetop (I share both ways below!) and is a perfect recipe for making a big batch to enjoy now and then freeze some to enjoy later!
6 COMMON MACRO TRACKING MISTAKES YOU MIGHT BE MAKING: TIPS FROM A NUTRITION COACH
Tracking your macros is a fantastic tool for understanding your food intake and making intentional choices that align with your goals. But let’s be honest—it’s not always straightforward. In time, you will be able to track macros like a pro. But mistakes happen, and that’s ok. We need to acknowledge they will be part of this experience. The goal is to learn from them and make small, sustainable improvements over time.
THE PROS AND CONS OF A PLANT-BASED APPROACH: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO EAT WITH INTENTION
Ideally you are starting with a diet that is already well-rounded and focused on whole foods, then reducing/eliminating meat consumption and replacing animal based proteins with plant-based alternatives. The unfortunate side effect of a plant-based diet being a fad right now is that many people skip this part and move right to just cutting out meat and dairy.
With the surge of popularity of plant-based diets has also come the increase in plant-based marketing. Walking around the grocery store, you’ll find “plant based” whole wheat pasta, donuts, and chips - all foods that are generally free of animal products anyway, and foods that don’t become automatically healthy just because of a plant-based label.
HIGH PROTEIN COMFORT FOOD RECIPE: CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
‘Tis the season for feeling both under the weather after a month or so of extra socializing and yearning for comforting foods, yet likely feeling a push from the temporal landmark that is the New Year as well. But who says comforting foods can’t also be goal-aligned? This chicken noodle soup recipe checks all the boxes when it comes to flavor, warmth, and nourishment and is sure to become a winter go-to to help boost your protein intake!
DRY JANUARY? EXPLORING THE PROS AND CONS OF ALCOHOL
It’s a brand new year and we usually head into it with big aspirations and lofty plans for the year ahead. Sometimes our renewed motivation is paired with new challenges, and it seems like Dry January (or a self-commitment to no alcohol for the month of January) is often a common part of that. Personally, I’m a huge fan of Dry January (or any temporary pause in drinking) as it gives us an opportunity to assess if a short period of sobriety has us feeling any different - in mood, appetite, energy, or in any other area of life.
3 UNDERRATED TIPS FOR A FAT LOSS PHASE: IMPROVING ADHERENCE IN YOUR CALORIE DEFICIT EASIER
When it comes to pursuing a fat loss goal, we know there are two main necessities to successful fat loss: First, consistency in a calorie deficit. Second, adequate protein intake. These two necessities are our top priority, but they don’t encompass all of the strategies that help us make these actions possible. Today, I want to talk through three of the most underrated strategies that help us achieve that consistency and feel good during a calorie deficit so that our fat loss goals don’t come at the expense of our energy, workouts, recovery, or relationship with food.
HOW TO TRACK YOUR MACROS: THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE BASICS
At first, tracking macros can seem cumbersome or obsessive, but there are so many benefits that arise from learning to track your food! Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain, athletic performance, or improved health, tracking macros empowers you to make informed choices about what you eat to help you reach your goals.
WHY MINDSET MATTERS FOR YOUR NUTRITION GOALS
The rules of energy balance may seem simple on paper (with all “name brand” diets driven by hard and fast regulations operating under the same umbrella): calories in vs. calories out. Follow the guidelines, achieve results. However, without a foundational belief that we are capable of overcoming and learning from the challenges that are bound to arise in the process and are deserving of the outcomes we seek, we are bound to struggle with any real, sustainable change. A growth mindset is the key to unlocking our potential to reach any and all of our goals.
REVERSE DIETING AND TRACKING MACROS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHY IT’S NOT MAGIC
Reverse diets may also be helpful if you’ve been eating a deficit for a long period of time and want to get an idea for what your current maintenance calorie needs are. It can be beneficial to slowly increase calories to make sure you’re keeping the habits you established while in your calorie deficit, rather than just considering the end of your deficit to be a signal to just stop being mindful of your nutrition altogether. Chances are that your ideal maintenance nutrition doesn’t look much different than your deficit nutrition – just slightly larger meals and a little extra flexibility.
TRACKING IS A TEMPORARY TOOL: HOW TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM TRACKING MACROS AND TO INTENTIONAL EATING
In the world of nutrition, tracking food intake can be a popular tool for building awareness of our eating habits and helping us to reach more specific goals (eating within a deficit, reaching a certain bare minimum for fiber intake, or even fueling for specific athletic-based performance). But what happens when we reach our goals? Do we continue tracking forever? The answer is absolutely not. Our goal isn’t to obsessively monitor every bite but to use tracking as a temporary tool to cultivate a deeper understanding of our relationship with food.
MAINTAINING MINDFULNESS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS: THE GIFT OF A MINDFUL MEAL
In the throes of the holiday season, it’s easy to push your nutrition goals to the side and tell yourself you’ll gear up to tackle those big goals in the New Year. But in the spirit of flexible nutrition, we find that this is the perfect time to work on building important skills around eating and making food choices as well as improving your relationship with food.
WHY 75 DAY HARD IS A HARD PASS FOR ME
75 Hard is a popular program that's come to the forefront the last few years promises rapid transformations, increased mental toughness, and life-changing results, but what it misses is how extreme approaches can be counterproductive to your long-term goals. The focus on rigidity, perfectionism, and punishing routines may offer short-term wins but lead to burnout, injury, or even regression. It can be counterintuitive to your overall well-being and can just be another attempted quick fix that keeps us stuck in the cycle of restriction, punishment, and believing that change comes only when we’re miserable and doing everything “perfectly.”
7 HEALTHFUL TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: AVOIDING HOLIDAY BURNOUT
The holidays are a time of twinkling lights, cheerful gatherings, and copious amounts of joy-- and sometimes, stress. Consequently, you've probably found yourself frazzled amidst the festivities, wishing things were as simple as a Hallmark Christmas movie. Despite the hustle, bustle, and festivities muscle, there are a few ways you can help avoid the typical holiday burnout and still prioritize yourself.
HOLIDAY NUTRITION MADE EASY: 3 ESSENTIAL TOOLS TO AVOID THE ‘ALL OR NOTHING’ MENTALITY
The holiday season often means packed calendars, filled with family gatherings, work parties, and festive get-togethers. Right now, we’re in the thick of it. But how do we approach these events without feeling either deprived or overly indulgent? How do we navigate our nutrition in a way that aligns with our goals instead of calling it quits and just “starting over in January?” Let’s talk about it…