SHANNON HAGEL

If there was ever a call for "digestive health," this is it! Yes, it's true. Your gut is considered your "second brain." There is no denying it anymore. And because of the new scientific discoveries about the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system, and the amazing influence your gut microbes can have, it's no wonder what you eat feeds not only your body but can directly affect your brain. What exactly is the "gut-brain connection"? Well, it’s very complex, and to be honest,

There are few things I love and hate as much as sugar. I’ve always had an incredibly intense sweet tooth. When I was a kid I ate breakfast bowl sized Sundays with all the fixings DAILY for my after-school snack. My poor kids are stuck with all natural apple sauce. But more and more evidence is showing that the negative side effects of sugar paint a similar story as that of the tobacco industry. Almost all diseases, virus, and autoimmune diseases have some link to sugar cons

The Coconut Oil Craze - Should I Jump on the Bandwagon Too? Yes you should (end of post). But what exactly is it about coconut oil that makes it so healthy? And which type is best? Let’s dive into some of the fascinating research and find out. COCONUT OIL IS A SPECIAL KIND OF FAT Coconut oil is fat and contains the same 9 calories per gram as other fats. It is extracted from the "meat" of the coconut. Coconut oil is a white solid at room temperature and easily melts into a cl

Raw vs. Cooked - Which Contains More Vitamins and Minerals? Let’s finally put an end to the debate of raw vs. cooked. Of course, in the grand scheme of a well-balanced, nutrient-dense, varied, whole foods diet, the cooked vs. raw debate isn't that critical for most people. This becomes a bigger deal for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (or "insufficiency"). So if you are rocking some digestion or absorption issues, or avoidance of certain foods (due to allergies, intolerance'

The words “healthy” and “snacks” often appear in the same sentence. But that might also bring thoughts of "tasteless," "cardboard," and "completely unsatisfying." Right? Let me give you my best whole food snacks that aren't just nutritious but also delicious! What’s my criteria you ask? They have to be nutrient-dense whole foods where a little goes a long way; foods that contain protein and/or fibre. We are going to take these ordinary foods and give them a bit of a spin to