I developed a passion for food, fitness, and living a health promoting lifestyle early in life – pretty well as soon as I began to buy groceries for myself. I quickly became aware of the overwhelming variety of products available at supermarkets today. But having little knowledge in the way of food or nutrition at that time, I, like so many out there today, was a confused consumer.

Excess weight has been traditionally viewed as a mismatch in the calories in/calories out equation. While this may be true, it is important to note that body-weight regulation is dynamically impacted by variables such as genes, the environment and social and cultural factors. Each person has unique energy requirements, arising from the contribution of basal metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, and physical movement.

With visions of sugar plums dancing out of our heads, now is the time when many of us turn our attention to the upcoming New Year. While, personally, we prefer not to set, “New Year’s Resolutions” (due mainly to the standard New Year's Day resolutions losing momentum well before spring), we, like many others, do enjoy facing a new challenge at the beginning of the year.

Whether you're well informed or blissfully unaware of it, stress affects many aspects of our lives - be it our mental & physical health, lifestyle habits, energy levels, or our relationships. As our to-do lists mount and our year end expectations climb over the next few weeks, we feel that now is as good of a time as any to talk stress management.

As wonderful and joy-filled as this time of year is, for many of us it is also that time of year where we begin to feel the pinch. It seems no matter how much we plan for it (or at least intend to) each year, with those cozy holiday vibes often comes that slight financial worry in the back of our minds. And with the biggest and brightest new items on the block these days, it come as no surprise that many of us struggle to keep up while maintaining a wholesome and nourishing diet for our families.

December is finally upon us – it’s time to eat, drink and be merry! As we enter the season of holiday feasts, opportunities to socialize with friends and family over attractive meals (and bottles) will arise. With this season comes food - lots and lots of delicious food. As we promote balance, flexibility and the enjoyment of all types of food, we want you to enjoy your holiday engagements without going overboard. After all, life is meant to be fully lived and food is meant to be thoroughly enjoyed.

During the teenage years, when our bone maturation accelerates, it is particularly important to support bone health through healthy dietary and exercise habits. But when the maintenance phase is entered in adult life, all hope is not lost - there is a lot we can do to protect and even strengthen our bones.

In this day and age (with the birth of technology many years behind us), real, up-to-date, nutrition and food science exists in a sea of myths and outdated information. One of the most common myths is that consuming certain types of food will cause fat gain (or prevent fat loss). For example, a “bad food” (such as a cheeseburger from a fast-food restaurant) will cause fat storage, where as a “good food” (such as a bowl of fresh salad topped with wild salmon) will not. Due to this widely spread belief, clean eating meal plans and programs for weight loss emerged.

The food we eat can have a significant impact on our lives. It can enhance our quality of life by improving things like mental cognition and quality of sleep. It can also help us recover faster between workouts. But when not effectively consumed, food can also have a negative impact – causing low energy, decreased sense of well-being and of course, excess weight gain.

Fresh, whole fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Leafy green vegetables, in particular, are brimming with fibre, vitamins, minerals and plant-based substances shown to promote health and well-being. While chowing down on a large green salad several days a week is one way to fit greens into your diet, this meal choice is not a go-to for everyone. For those looking for a unique way to sneak these nutrition powerhouses into their diet, consider whipping up a green smoothie.