Ask The Nutritionist is the newest addition to this page! Outside of my weekly show Wine About It (Facebook live on Thursdays at 5:30pmCST @Basically It Meals), I love answering your questions! Post them in the comments here or on Instagam I will answer them in this weekly post!

The first question is from Sherry; “why is it important to add flax seeds to your diet?”

Flax seeds may seem like one of those foods that you don’t want to buy because you don’t know how you will ever include it in your diet. BUT as far as health benefits go, it is one of my favorite seeds and I try to include flax every day. Flax seeds contain #omega3 fatty acids which are great for brain health as well as skin and nails. Studies have also shown them to reduce the risk of stroke and cancer. I always used to have nails that broke and peeled, but when I started adding flax to my diet, they changed to the most sturdy nails that would literally be as long as my arm if I didn’t cut...

During these cold days, there is nothing better than a warm hearty bowl of roasted squash, sauteed kale, and spicy sausage.

OMG it is so delicious and part of our Fall Menu.

You know what the most amazing part of this cold fall has been for me? NOT having to trek out to the grocery store!

I don’t have to do that because, of course, I use Basically It Meals. Everything is super nutritious, gluten-free and ready to eat. All I have to do is pop it in the microwave and I am good to go.

THIS is the time of year to use our healthy meal delivery service. Your life is double hectic and it’s cold! Spare yourself some time and make your life a little easier. Click here to try our meals now!

An episode of Wine About It, my weekly Facebook live show @Basically It Meals Thursdays at 5:30, had me on my soapbox!

When it comes to living your life, you are way better off listening to your body than counting points, calories or macros.

Listening can be a challenge when most of us have been tuned out to what is happening in there since we hit puberty. It all starts with slowing down.

As a nutritionist, I know the power that supplements can have on your health. They can truly change your health when used properly! (which is also why we take a whole month to cover this in No-Diet Diet Club, which is launching in January!)

One of my all-time favorite supplements is this Krill oil from 1MD Health .

Not only is it high quality and full of the fats our brain loves, but it is full of one of my antiaging secret weapons, astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin is a super antioxidant that works at all levels to prevent aging! Clinical studies have shown it to:

• Increase skin moisture
• Increase moisture retention
• Increase skin elasticity
• Promote skin smoothness
• Decrease fine lines and wrinkles

It is really incredible. Click here to see the one I buy and like.

If this is the type of stuff you love to incorporate in your life, you must get on our waiting list for the launch of No-Diet Diet Club! The Club helps you put the secrets of a nutritionist to work in...

We don’t even realize how important what we put in our bodies is….

I am rarely so black and white about nutrition. For a lot of foods and lifestyle habits, there is a gray area; a lot of subjectivity.

But I also love it when things are super simple when they are really clear.

Ann Wigmore makes it really clear here; food is either medicine or poison. That’s it. No ifs, ands or buts. There is medicine, and there is poison.

Now, it’s ok to eat “poison” now and again. This isn’t the cyanide type poison that is going to kill you instantly, as you well know if you’ve had a Cheeto or a bowl of ice cream.

You don’t have to actively think before taking a bite of cheeseburger “my God, I’m about to eat poison!”, that would stunt your life, but you should have awareness around the food you eat. Acknowledge that a daily fast food run isn’t your medicine.

The message here is to really focus on our diets consisting...

Hey there,

Man, this change in the season can be tough! Those clocks go back and it feels like everything changes!

It can be really rough on sleep and your routine. Here are a couple of great ways to beat it:

If the sun is out, poke your head outside and catch some rays on any skin you can expose (face, hands). This can really help with mood and sleep this time of year.

If the moon is out in the evening, bundle up and step outside to take a look at it! Again, can be really helpful for getting you back on track with sleep

Try some blue blocking glasses. When we sit in front of a screen all day (hello, computer and phone!), it can be harmful to our sleep hormones! Blue blocking glasses can really help. Click this link to see the ones I got. I am trying them out and will let you know the results!

I know you’ve heard it before…

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!!

But is it?

Yes and no.

What you eat for your first meal of the day is very important. What is less important is when you eat it.

Yes, I am telling you that you do not have to wake up first thing and start eating. You can actually wait, a while. This is totally fine! It’s called intermittent fasting and it is actually really good for you!

So, what should you eat, then?

Your meal should be balanced with plant foods (fruits and veggies)

Healthy fats because they are super satiating and full of nutrients; think avocado, nuts and seeds

Contain some protein. Some good ones are eggs, protein powder, salmon

Feels like winter has arrived! A few things to keep stocked in your house in case of a snow storm:

Eggs! Great and easy source of protein

A jar of marinara- it can turn almost anything into a meal

Canned tuna- simple, no cook protein for any meal

Frozen veggies are an easy side dish that never go bad

Having your house stocked with healthy, ready to eat meals is so helpful, especially as weather gets bad. Not to mention, we deliver them to your house

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Hayley

I just found this quote and I am so obsessed with it!!!

Such a great reminder...

It doesn't matter how good your doctor or how good the meds you are on...

Nothing will work to improve your health if you are not eating healthy!!! 

Even with the incredible advances in modern medicine and science, our bodies still need good nutrition from food. 

Cooking at home (there are many ways to learn!), hiring a meal delivery service (holla, St Louis!), or making a daily smoothie (tons of recipes on this blog) can do so much for your health.

If you have questions on how to feed your body, please comment here!

Hayley

I'm not kidding, you guys!

There is so much joy to be had in cooking a meal at home.

It is a creative outlet, it brings the family together, it gives you a bragging point (why not?).

If you "don't know how" (I hear that all the time!), it is not rocket science, and the only reason you're not good at it is because you never practice! So, get to practicing....

The truth is, if you're a terrible cook it's because you never cook. Ohhhh, the irony.

Have you ever seen that show "Worst Cooks in America"? It is hilarious; a bunch of people who are totally clueless about cooking compete against each other in cooking competitions. They're all so bad that it makes for quite entertaining TV. 

But by the end of the season, the final few contestants who have been practicing cooking for some time, are actually good cooks. These people, who were chosen for this show based on how bad they are, have been transformed into mini chefs due to trial and error and practice.

That, my friend, is all it...