6 Ways to Reduce Stress by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD 1) Deep Breathing Focusing on deep, slow breaths with your eyes closed can really help you regain your composure and relax the body. Similar to a deep breath you’d take during physical stress (exercise), you can do the same with mental/emotional stress. 2) Talk […]
Quinoa Crockpot Recipes by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Quinoa Primavera Ingredients • 1½ cups quinoa, uncooked • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts • 4 cups + 3 cups chicken broth • 4-6 cloves garlic • Salt and pepper Before serving: • 1 tbsp. grapeseed oil • 1 bunch asparagus, cut into bite sized […]
Pool Noodle Olympics by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Turn your backyard into the next Olympic arena. These activities would best be done on grass (maybe with a sprinkler on for some added flair) however, you could also do these around the pool. Just be careful not to slip and fall on the wet deck. […]
Reasons to Walk Daily for Better Health by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Incorporate an after-dinner walk each night. You can increase the duration by one minute each week, and in no time you’ll have logged hundreds of miles! Change up the terrain as well. Walking on uneven surfaces, such as sand or gravel, activates […]
The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Successful by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD In order to succeed, you need to have the proper mindset and attitude. If you live off of the Don’t list, try shifting your attitude to the Do list. Happiness and success is contagious, as long as you showcase it properly. DO […]
Signs & Symptoms of Stress by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD We all have stressful times in our lives. But it is important to decipher chronic stress from a one-time instance or just pure annoyance. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for on multiple levels. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, […]
3 Fitness Activities for Families by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Fitness Jenga You’ll need: • Jenga game set • Sharpie marker How to Play: • Write a different body weight, movement or activity on the side of each Jenga piece with desired reps (you can repeat movements) – you can do squats, dancing, anything […]
3 Fantastic Seafood Recipes by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Cilantro Lime Salmon Ingredients • 1 tbsp. dried cilantro • Lime juice • 1 lb. salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 4 pieces • 1½ cups panko bread crumbs • ½ tsp. red pepper flakes • freshly ground pepper Directions • Preheat the oven to […]
3 Tasty Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Buffalo Chicken Bowls Ingredients • 2 cans black beans • 3 avocados, diced • A pint of cherry tomatoes, halved • 6 chicken breasts • 1 cup buffalo sauce • 1 tbsp. garlic, minced • 1 packet Greek yogurt dressing – dry seasoning • 1 1/3 cups plain Greek […]
How Mindfulness Can Improve Your Life by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Being aware and present in your surroundings can really help you absorb all the energy from that moment. By practicing and focusing on these techniques, you can change your whole mindset, which sets in motion the events for the day. Walking Keep your […]
DOLCE LIFESTYLE: 3 Unique Back to School Lunch Ideas by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD It’s back-to-school time once again! Before you know it, kids will be bored of the same old lunches. Here are some healthy school lunch ideas to keep in mind! Sandwich Sushi Ingredients • Inner ingredients of choice (you can choose […]
5 Healthy Spices & Why You Should Use Them Now By Amber Lowry It’s safe to say that spices make meals more exciting. But did you know they can also have health benefits? Modern science is waking up to the fact that our favorite spices and herbs are vital for more than just our tastes […]
DOLCE LIFESTYLE: Practice Proper Dental Health for Proper Heart Health by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD We’ve all seen the commercials for plaque-fighting toothpastes. We’ve also heard our dentists harp on us to floss daily in order to prevent plaque build-up on our teeth. So we know that plaque build-up can lead to gum disease […]
Foods that Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 3 Americans has high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be hereditary, but it can also be largely caused by diet and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Here are some foods that can potentially help lower cholesterol levels, which […]
Foods to Eat Pineapple • Filled with potassium to reduce bloating, but also contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps digest proteins. Blueberries • There have been several studies linked to blueberry intake and the ability to prevent the growth of belly fat. Plus they are antioxidant-rich and an easy way to bulk up breakfast. […]
DOLCE DIET LIFESTYLE: Unique Thanksgiving Side Dishes by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Instead of your typical mashed potatoes with gravy and green bean casserole, try out these festive side dishes, guaranteed to please your friends and family. Or at the very least, add these as additional options, and let your guests choose to go […]
DOLCE LIFESTYLE: 3 Active Rest Day Workout Ideas by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD We all know that rest is part of the program. If you’re very active, it can be tough to force yourself to take it easy. Luckily, a rest day doesn’t have to consist of doing absolutely nothing. In fact, active rest […]
DOLCE LIFESTYLE: 10 Signs You’re Not Eating Enough 1. Constant stressed/fatigued feeling 2. You don’t experience hunger cues due to a decreased appetite 3. Poor circulation in your hands and feet that makes them feel cold 4. Body temperature below 98 degrees F during the day, even when it’s hot out 5. Polyuria (frequent urination) […]
DOLCE DIET LIFESTYLE: 4 Exercise Habits That Age You Exercise’s antigravity effect on your body provides more than enough incentive to hit the gym. But it only works if you do it correctly — too much of one thing and not enough of another can actually add years to your body. Here are some of […]
DOLCE DIET LIFESTYLE: 4 Simple Shoulder Sculpting Exercises by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD Body weight exercises are great for building muscle tone. A lot of people tend to think lifting heavy makes you bulky, but it’s all about time under tension. So yes, if you lift heavy for multiple reps, you’ll see size. But […]
