At the start of a new year, it is easy to be hyper-focused on what we would like to accomplish in the next 12 months. But it can be advantageous to assess what is already going well, plus if any additional support might be beneficial in terms of maintaining the healthy lifestyle you have been working so hard to cultivate. …
Having a wide range of dietary needs to accommodate during festive gatherings can be stressful when unfamiliar with how to make certain culinary modifications. Cross-contamination between dishes isn’t always a concern but it could be if you or an expected guest has a diagnosed allergy or severe food intolerance. If you’re worried there may not be enough satisfying sustenance to…
The most festive time of year for many of us will begin next week. And I am probably not the only one who craves a legit reason to indulge in shopping, staying up late and snacking more than I typically do. But if you’re looking for fresh ideas to curb holiday eating patterns that might disrupt your wellness goals long-term,…
One of the books recently added to my TBR (to be read) pile is “The Hormone Shift” by Dr. Tasneem Bhatia. As a doctor who focuses on holistic and integrative medicine, she has spent decades helping patients, particularly women, navigate the major transitions our bodies go through as life progresses. Such changes occur on a cellular and functional level. Thus,…
The main macronutrient many of us consistently struggle to get enough of is protein. This is true no matter what one’s dietary preferences might be and is a big reason why a vast number of protein supplements, in the form of concentrates, bars and powders, have become so readily available over the last decade. But, is making sure to regularly…
In case you didn’t know, the TOPS team loves member requests! We recently were asked to provide more meal ideas for those currently managing Type 2 Diabetes. Ask and you shall receive! Both recipes I am sharing this month are diabetic- and budget-friendly. They also require minimal prep which means you’ll have plenty of time after cooking to get back to enjoying…
Sleep deprivation and anxiety are more related than you might think. This is one of several reasons that on June 20, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced that an anxiety screening is now recommended for all adults. Chronic anxiety can trigger other mental health issues or exacerbate physiological symptoms of current health concerns. This is particularly troublesome for women and…
Not sure how many of you have tuned in yet, but we’ve been rolling out new content on the TOPS YouTube channel for the last few months. Currently, it is a hodgepodge of segments during which I demo recipes that have appeared in recent issues of TOPS News and share shopping tips while getting groceries in “behind the scenes” (BTS) shorts. If…
You may have noticed in January/February 2023 issue of TOPS News a short teaser about my first cookbook being released this spring. One of the topics I candidly discuss in the opening section is how I became sober-curious during the “safer at home” phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, I’ve been gradually transitioning to an alcohol-free life and am…