Whenever our at-work TOPS chapter needs a little pick-me-up, I like to plan a healthy tasting. In the past, we’ve made our own salsa, sampled unique fruits and veggies and even tried blended spinach in a smoothie. The above picture is from our most-recent culinary adventure. We usually only have about two tastings a year but it’s a great way…
Balanced nutrition is important all year long, but should take center stage in the winter months when germs, colds, and flus abound. According to Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert for TOPS, Dena McDowell, the following 6 foods can help you stay healthy this winter. Fish: Choosing fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines and salmon will help increase your intake…
While at my workout class the other day, one of the exercises was to use a rowing machine for as long as it took to burn 50 calories. After rowing and huffing and puffing for what seemed like forever (OK, it was only about 4-5 minutes, but still) I thought to myself, “It takes this much effort to burn 50…
Halloween is next week and that means the other holidays are right around the corner. This can present a challenge for those trying to stay on track with healthy goals. Fortunately, holiday treats and dishes don’t have to be loaded with calories, fat and sugar. Sometimes, all it takes is a little dose of creativity to make healthier options seem…
Including energy bars as part of your meal plan can be a great way to control calories and tide you over in between meals. But if you’ve ever taken a stroll down the energy/protein bar aisle at the store, you may have found the experience a little overwhelming. There are energy bars boasting “high fiber” or “low calorie,” and can…
Do the words “healthy eating” bum you out or bring to mind visions of foods you’re not even sure if your dog would eat? Healthy eating can seem so boring and “blah,” but it can actually be a great excuse to try new things and keep your journey to weight loss and wellness fun. Healthy eating and fun? Hear me…
A short while back, I blogged about trying a kale smoothie. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks that salad greens and fruit can peacefully coexist in a blended treat. Katie Ferraro, a Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert for TOPS, shared a couple of different “green” smoothie recipes in a past issue of TOPS News membership magazine. If you’re trying…
There are so many things to love about summer here in Wisconsin—warm weather, outdoor activities, festivals galore, and not having to scrape the ice off of your windshield in the morning. But one of my favorite summertime staples is the farmers market. I love the idea of stocking up on veggies and fruit (at a fraction of what the typical…
Okay, so you’ve probably never said this, but you probably have had a craving for ice cream. I found the aforementioned ingredients while scanning a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. This got me thinking: Just how many of these types of ingredients do we eat in a typical day…and should we be concerned? My ingredients list scanning…