Is sugar poisonous? According to UCSF researcher and pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Robert Lustig, very. Though most people are quick to condemn sugar as an unhealthy choice, Dr. Lustig took sugar slandering to a new level when he asserted in February that sugar is toxic and should be regulated similarly to alcohol and tobacco.

On Sunday in an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on 60 Minutes, Dr. Lustig argued that sugar, more than any other substance, is to blame for the skyrocketing rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

New research backs up Dr. Lustig’s claim. UC Davis nutritional biologist Kimber Stanhope has found that people who consume high-fructose corn syrup have increased levels of LDL cholesterol and are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease than those who consumed the name number of calories without the added sugar.

To some, March 17^th is merely a day to wear green and drink Guinness. But to others, particularly those of us who come from a long line of Celts, the holiday ranks up there with Christmas. Between handfuls of chocolate coins, generous servings of corned beef, and an endless flow of green beer, the shamrock spirit will be in full force this weekend. It’s a festive and fun celebration, but health-conscious, it is not.

Here are a few twists on the traditional St. Patty’s Day menu so you can stay healthy and still get your Irish on!

Skinny Green Smoothie

Instead of sipping on soda or beer, opt for a delicious green smoothie to keep you energized all day long. IIN grad Holli Thompson’s recipe from her blog, Nutritional Style calls for detoxing, immunity-boosting ingredients such as kale, cucumber and grapefruit.

The first day of a new year is a time to reflect on exciting new beginnings and anticipate what’s to come. If you’re hoping for a bit of extra luck and prosperity this year, look no farther than your local supermarket! On New Year’s Day, people all around the world feast on foods that are thought to symbolize good fortune. We have a list of a few lucky foods for you to load your plate up with that promise a good year to come!

Long Noodles - In many Asian countries, it is tradition to eat long noodles, such as soba or ramen, on New Year’s Day. The length of the noodle symbolizes long life, but there’s a catch. In order for the noodles to bring longevity, it must not break before it is all in your mouth.

You’re a food blog fanatic and surfing the net for new recipes is high up on your list of favorite pastimes. You’re always on the lookout for mouth-watering photos, and you love sharing your new finds with friends. Does this sound like you? If so, it’s time to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. Follow the right users and voila! You’ve got yourself a virtual recipe book, complete with tips, videos and photos.

We’re going to make it easy for you by sharing Twitter users we think are of value to the Integrative Nutrition community. If you’re already on Twitter, check out this list and follow away! We previously shared a list of doctors and health experts, and now we’re bringing you bloggers and authors that post healthy recipes on Twitter, complete with several students and graduates of the Health Coach Training Program.

If you are on a gluten-free diet, or you have celiac disease, you know that reading cookbooks, cooking magazines or anything of the sort can be tough. It’s no fun looking at pictures of beautiful, delicious food that you can’t eat!

Enter Easy Eats, the newest digital food magazine to hit the web.

At first glance, the cover that features delectable glazed doughnuts scattered with rainbow sprinkles might have gluten-free eaters running for the hills. However, the tagline will, without a doubt, pull them back in: "It’s good to be gluten free."

Editor-In-Chief Slivana Nardone, whose most recent gig was Editor-In-Chief of Rachael Ray magazine, decided to create the online magazine after her children were both diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerance.  As a cookbook writer, former bakery owner, and food lover, she created Easy Eats to prove to her children (and everyone else) that it’s good to be gluten free! As Slivana says "My intentions all originate from the same place: positivity. Yes, you can eat mac and cheese. Yes, I will make cupcakes for your school birthday party."

Halloween can be a tricky holiday. The omnipresent candy, the festive parties, and the excited enthusiasm of costumed kids can make us go overboard on treating ourselves – especially since we can rationalize that the holiday comes but once a year.

Truly, Halloween is a good time to treat yourself and your kids - not just with a little extra candy, but also with family activities. Bob for apples, tell spooky stories, or have a mini pumpkin hunt!

Halloween definitely doesn’t have to be scary for your health, which is why we’ve compiled this list of tips and recipes to help you moderate the treats and avoid the tricks.

Want more? The Integrative Nutrition community will discuss more tips for a healthy Halloween on Thursday, October 20 during a free webinar. Register for Tricked by Halloween Treats? Not This Year! to reserve your spot!

Candy

The trickiest part of Halloween is keeping yourself and your kids from going nuts over all that candy. It's in the grocery, the drugstore, and practically pouring from every nook and cranny, all shiny in neat individual wrappers. One piece seems so small, almost harmless.

Of course, it comes in a bag with 50 or 100 other tiny "harmless" pieces. Take heart, though - we have a few ways to tackle the Halloween-candy blues while still allowing a little festive indulgence.

Yesterday was National Celiac Awareness Day. Celiac Disease is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the western world, so it is no wonder that gluten-free diets are making a huge splash in the media lately. But with so much information, where do you begin your research? Since so many people are affected by Celiac Disease, we decided to extend the day of recognition, by putting together a guide of some of our favorite resources, including restaurants, books, products and more to help de-mystify the gluten-free diet.

Restaurants

One Lucky Duck – New York City – The take-away spot from the renowned vegan restaurant Pure Food & Wine, best known for their smoothies, juices and raw desserts.

BabyCakes – New York City; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL – Fresh-baked cupcakes without all the sugar, flour and butter cream, making for a gluten-free, guilt-free indulgence!

The Art Café & Bakery – Atascadero, CA – Home to Oprah’s favorite sandwich, the café strives to suit all needs with a gluten-free line of breads and baked goods.

Donna Marie’s – Rochester, NY – With the motto, “It’s gluten-free, not taste-free,” this bakery offers muffins, brownies and custom cakes all made without wheat flour.

 
In celebration of the fact that September is locavore month and foodies worldwide have pledged to eat locally produced
food, we’re sharing a local, seasonal recipe that’s a perfect choice as we near the end of the summer season!  IIN grad Kilee Johnson, nutrition consultant and founder of Whole Nutrition, stocked up on items from a local produce stand and created this simple, healthy recipe.

Fresh Corn, Tomato, Avocado and Black Bean Salad

Serves 2-4

2 ears of fresh sweet corn
3 tomatoes
1 avocado
1 lime
1 can of rinsed black beans
Small handful of fresh parsley
Large handful of fresh cilantro
Salt & pepper to taste

If you aren't wearing green today, you can eat green instead! This delicious green smoothie recipe is courtesy of Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Julia Argenti, also the creator of Lemons and Loafers, a popular health and fashion blog. Also don't miss the webinar we have with her next week, "Spring into a Clean Mind, Body, and Home," to get yourself ready for spring! (More details below).

Green Smoothie!

Ingredients:
-1 cup coconut water
-1 apple
-1/2 bunch kale
-small handful frozen spinach
-2 Tbsp lemon juice

Directions:
Blend and enjoy!

Webinar:
Spring is here! It’s nature’s time for renewal, rebirth, and rejuvenation. There is no better time to get organized, do a little spring cleaning, and revive your entire self inside and out.

Join us on Tuesday, March 22 at 2pm EST for our special Spring Cleaning webinar with Integrative Nutrition Graduate, Julia Argenti. Register here.

Julia Argenti is a Health Coach and the founder of Lemons & Loafers, a popular food and fashion blog.  She helps her clients organize their life goals, kitchens, and closets.

 On this free 40-minute webinar you will:

• Learn how to spring clean your home and achieve ultimate health and happiness
• Receive Julia’s top 5 tips to sustaining a clean mind, body and home
• Detox your own life with the some if the simple tools Julia learned at Integrative Nutrition
• You’ll also hear a little more about Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program

We’ve made it simple and easy for you to become your healthiest self with this list of 50 Easy Ways to Get Healthier Now! We have compiled some of the best tips, resources and products from Integrative Nutrition guest speakers and friends like Dr. Andrew Weil, David Wolfe and Deepak Chopra, as well as some Integrative Nutrition graduates that have been rocking the world of holistic health. Also included are some inspiring resources that support living a happier, healthier life! Be well!

1.    Want to ditch processed food for good? Learn from the Natural Gourmet herself, Annemarie Colbin, in this informative video How to Choose Your Food.

2.    Learn meditation for health. Dr. Weil’s Three Breathing Exercises are a great place to start.

3.    Looking to clean up your diet? Make it a Clean Start in 2011 with Integrative Nutrition Grad Terry Walters’ new book, inspiring You to Eat Clean and Live Well.

4.    A great workout for mind, body and soul: Pop in this DVD, Intensati: Intention and Power—A High Energy Workout for Body Mind and Soul, created by an Integrative Nutrition student.

5.    Want to avoid getting a cold like the plague? Invest in a neti pot. This Ayurvedic remedy will keep your sinuses clean and clear all year. Check out this how to video if you are a neti novice.

6.    Follow the leader. Take the lead from Dr. David Katz as he shares his 3 Tricks to a Longer Life.

7.    Eat with the seasons by learning what your Ayurvedic body type is, compliments of Dr. John Douillard.

8.    Build your brain with exercise:  Exercise is beneficial for more than just your waistline. Deepak Chopra suggests breaking a sweat to improve your memory, learning and metabolism.  

9.    Say NO to chemicals in your food by using this helpful guide on common food additives to avoid, compliments of Center for Science in the Public Interest.

10.    Keep a check on your health with Dr. Oz's Lifesaving Numbers You Need to Know.

11.    Get to know your food: Learn from nutrition expert Joy Bauer’s “Should I be eating…” Food Index about the benefits of the foods you love. Also discover new favorites that might surprise you with their vitamin, mineral, and nutrient content.

12.    Want to find the perfect lover in 2011? Harville Hendrix, bestselling author of Getting the Love You Want and founder of Imago Relationship Therapy, explains what "Imago" means and how it relates to your soul mate in this video.

13.    Avoid food shopping pitfalls: Try this grocery store guidance to prevent yourself from making tempting, yet regrettable, food purchases.

14.    Get your cookie fix and keep fit: Purely Elizabeth Cookie Mixes are gluten and dairy free and made with unrefined sweeteners. Easy to make and incredibly delicious. Founded by an Integrative Nutrition grad!

15.    Breathe easy in your home: Easy steps to make sure the air you are breathing in your home is clean and safe.

16.    Want to heal holistically? Browse Veria’s Holistic Health Solutions Database.

17.    Get the FAQs: Dr. Fuhrman might have the answers you’re searching for! His list of frequently asked questions and answers provides insight into many great debates in health, nutrition, diet, and lifestyle.

18.    Bring your stress level down: Try Integrative Nutrition grad and guest speaker Robert Notter’s “8 Ways to Reduce Stress Now,” to take your anxiety down a notch and allow for greater wellbeing.   

19.    Cut the salt: The Harvard School of Public Health recommends these 25 easy ways to decrease your sodium intake and boost your health, without sucking the flavor out of your food.

20.    Be happy to be healthy: Take the time to be actively joyful about the abundance in your life. It can actually boost immunity, among other benefits.

21.    Supercharge your diet: These top 5 superfoods are anything but a fad, according to David Wolfe, one of the world’s top authorities on organic superfoods.

22.    Don’t skip dessert! Try Gnosis raw chocolate to add a superfood and some well deserved bliss to your daily diet!

23.    Become a farmers market pro: Whether you’re a newby or a regular at your local farmers market, have a successful shopping trip every time by trying these 10 tips to becoming an expert locavore.

24.    Think positive thoughts: In order to make room for positive thoughts, it’s important to learn how to stop negative thinking. You’re bound to start feeling better.

25.    Stall the clock: If you’re interested in slowing down the aging process for a healthier, longer life (who isnt’?!), try any combination of these 30 Healthstyle Tips To Keep You Young.

26.    Snack well:  If you’re hungry between meals or just need a little crunch in your life, stick to healthy snacks like Brad’s Raw Chips. These dehydrated chips come in 9 delicious flavors and are made from fresh vegetables, sprouted flax seeds, and buckwheat groats!

27.    Transform leftovers: Try these simple ideas and tips for turning leftovers into healthy snacks and meals.

28.    Know what to buy organic: Prioritize your organic produce shopping list to include the “Dirty Dozen,” which are those fruits and veggies most likely to contain high traces of pesticides if they are conventionally grown. Check out the “Clean Fifteen” that pass the test.

29.    Looking for skin care products free of toxic chemicals? Check out Skin Deep, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group.   EWG also offers a printable shoppers guide to safe cosmetics.

30.    Kick that cold! Top 10 natural ways to kick a cold’s butt from Integrative Nutrition graduate and health coach, Michelle Pfennighaus of Find Your Balance Health.

31.    Go from conflict to connection. Heal your relationship in 2011 with Imago Relationship Therapy.

32.    Bring on the sea vegetables: Incorporate these low calorie, mineral/vitamin rich foods into your diet to reap the immunity & energy boosting benefits. Check out Top Chef contestant and Integrative Nutrition grad Andrea Beaman’s simple, delicious sea vegetable recipes to get started.

33.    Score Your Diet with a quick check-list to show how your diet rates on nutrition, the environment, and animal welfare. 

34.    Stuck in a recipe rut? Check out the list of vegetarian/vegan online recipe resources compiled by animal welfare activist, Howard Lyman. There are over 10,000 veg recipes, so you’ll be fully equipped to stir things up in the kitchen!

35.    Not so fast: Eat slower and more mindfully to do more than just savor the flavor. Enjoy better digestion, metabolize faster, and even lose weight with these suggestions to slow down speed eating.

36.    Cleanse continually: Take simple steps to cleanse your colon naturally and consistently by incorporating foods and beverages that lead to a cleaner colon.

37.    Expecting? Take it from Integrative Nutrition graduates, Real Food Moms, for some wonderful recipes, ideas and tips for feeding your little one with this cookbook, Great Expectations: Best Food for Your Baby and Toddler.

38.    Go green (smoothies): Incorporating green smoothies into your diet for an easy way to get a boost of readily absorbable nutrients. Just blend up these yummy green smoothie recipes to help increase your energy and feel healthier from the inside out.   

39.    Meditate your stress away: If your New Year’s resolutions included minimizing your stress levels this year, try this wonderful audio CD, Stress Management: Meditation and Affirmations by Peg Doyle, an Integrative Nutrition graduate!

40.    Nutrition on the go! Don’t let being busy take away from your nutrition. Try YouBars! You can chose all of the natural ingredients in your fresh, customized nutrition bar so it meets all of your prefernces and needs!

41.    Sparkle me well: Check out these beautiful iloveme rings and necklaces from jeWELLery, they are a "gentle reminder to love yourself so you can open your heart, receive love and share it with others." Made by Be Well With Arielle, an Integrative Nutrition graduate and health coach.

42.    Want to say no to GMOs? The Non-GMO Project has created great resources to help you make informed decisions about the foods you are putting in your body. You can even sign the consumer pledge to support the preservation of a non-GMO food supply.

43.    Animal love: Keep your pets healthy along side of you! Find natural and holistic health products for your sweet animals here.

44.    Listen for health: Check out these weekly holistic health pod-casts that explore all different aspects of wellness.

45.    Strike a pose. Experience the benefits yoga can provide for your body and mind. It’s never too late to start or learn something new. Check out Simple Yoga, a website and community dedicated to everything yoga.

46.    Kick your coffee habit. If you fuel up on caffeine daily, try these 11 tips to say goodbye to your daily buzz and hello to better health.

47.    Mindfully make your way towards health. An Integrative Nutrition graduate created Mindful Organics, where you can get health tips, nourishing organic baking mixes, and detoxifying juice kits!

48.    All in the family! Check out Kiwi Magazine online, committed to “Growing families the natural and organic way,” for great articles, products, recipes and resources.  

49.    Continuing Education. Learn to cook or sharpen your skills with these free online cooking demonstrations! Cooking your own food is a great way to set yourself on the path to health!

50.    Eat smart with us! Integrative Nutrition’s healthy recipe directory has some of the best tasting healthy snacks, meals and dessert ideas around.

Feel free to bookmak this page for your future reference, or pass it along to your friends and family to help move everyone towards health and happiness!