Healthy Habits
Let the Nutrients Take Care of Themselves
POSTED: February 10, 2026
“If you eat a wide variety of REAL food, the nutrients will take care of themselves.” We say this often at Eat REAL America—but for many people, it almost sounds too simple. After all, we’ve been ...
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Is Comfort Food Just a Myth?
POSTED: January 27, 2026
When it’s a cold, blustery winter day… Or life has you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed… Do you suddenly start craving a juicy cheeseburger and fries? Or maybe a ...
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Cuban Picadillo: A Hidden Gem!
POSTED: January 20, 2026
One of the things we hear from Eat REAL America members is just how big our recipe library has become – with now over 1,400 recipes! While we absolutely love having such a wide ...
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FINALLY…Eat REAL Food!
POSTED: January 13, 2026
Have you seen the new version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans? If not, here is a link – you can find them at the new website realfood.gov. The second sentence in the document? ...
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26 for 2026!
POSTED: December 30, 2025
Are you excited for the start of 2026? As the new year approaches, people everywhere start thinking about what they want to do differently. And year after year, the #1 resolution is almost ...
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Santa’s Message of Simplicity
POSTED: December 23, 2025
Do you remember reading our coaching tip over the summer about our celebratory hike and picnic at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio? It was one of those days that sticks with you – it ...
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Real Food Hospitality Made Easy
POSTED: December 16, 2025
An Eat REAL America member recently sent me a message with a suggestion for a new coaching tip. She said she would love more information on “go to” recipes to be prepared ...
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The Dietary Guidelines Are Still Marinating!
POSTED: December 9, 2025
Do you remember our coaching tip last December about the highly anticipated update to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines? If not, we encourage you to check it out here! Federal law requires the ...
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The Sides Can Steal the Show!
POSTED: November 18, 2025
Have you started planning your Thanksgiving menu yet? If so, have you thought about how colorful your holiday table will be this year? During a recent cooking demo, I showed one of our all-time ...
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I Can’t Believe We Live Here!
POSTED: November 11, 2025
I have said this at least 50 times in the past few days… I am in total awe of the beauty that surrounds us in our new home. The rolling hills, the fall colors, the peaceful mornings – ...
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Holiday Survival Plan!
POSTED: November 3, 2025
Congratulations, you made it through Halloween! But are you ready for sweet treat season to kick into full gear? We hear it all the time: people dreading the scale between now and New ...
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Farmers’ Markets, Cooking Demos & Glamping!
POSTED: October 28, 2025
Have you ever been glamping? It’s basically camping without sacrificing the comforts like cozy beds, electricity, running water, and your own bathroom. If you’ve ever been in between ...
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Nourished by Food, Fueled by Friendship
POSTED: October 21, 2025
This week was a beautiful reminder that REAL food isn’t just about what’s on your plate… it’s about connection, community, and celebrating life’s meaningful moments! ...
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Farm-Fresh Meals Meet New Home Feels!
POSTED: October 14, 2025
Do you ever feel like there’s just too much going on to keep your REAL food routine alive? If you do – we want to help you kick that thought to the curb! With a little planning and ...
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Bittersweet Lasts: Our Journey Continues!
POSTED: October 7, 2025
Did you read our coaching last week on butternut squash? Did it inspire you to pick one up at the store or the farmers’ market? The season for winter squash is just beginning, so you will ...
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BIG NEWS: A New Chapter, Same REAL Food Mission!
POSTED: September 23, 2025
Did you think our life might slow down after the wedding? Not quite! If you’ve been following along, you know the past few weeks have been full of joy – our son’s engagement, ...
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How We Pulled Off Feeding a Wedding Weekend!
POSTED: September 16, 2025
Our daughter got married! On September 6th, we celebrated her wedding in the mountains of Colorado. It was a small wedding with 15 close family members and friends and the ceremony was beautiful ...
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Continuing Strong into Fall
POSTED: September 9, 2025
Are you ready for fall now that Labor Day has passed? Last weekend, we celebrated Scott’s birthday with an incredible meal made with fresh farmers’ market ingredients: It was a ...
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FARM TO TABLE – Our Week of REAL Food Adventures!
POSTED: September 2, 2025
Welcome to September! I don’t know about you, but we are loving these unexpectedly cool temperatures. Last week, we even enjoyed a few days in the lower 70s, a rare treat at the end of ...
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A Week Loaded with Summer Flavors!
POSTED: August 26, 2025
Did you catch our YouTube video on Hatch chilies this week? Last Thursday, we stopped by a local garden center and came home with half a bushel of EXTRA HOT Hatch chile peppers. And we have ...
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Tacos, Bacon Mushrooms…and a BIG Surprise!
POSTED: August 19, 2025
Did you catch our weekly recap video last week? If so, you heard me hint at an EXCITING secret…and this week, we finally get to share it with you! (More on that in the video below!) ...
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REAL Food. REAL Life.
POSTED: August 12, 2025
Are you ready for something new?! For the next few weeks, we’re shaking up our Tuesday Coaching Tips – we are swapping our written posts for short, behind-the-scenes ...
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Why Ugly Produce Is a Hidden Gem
POSTED: August 5, 2025
What if the lumpy tomato or dented peach at the market wasn’t something to avoid – but something to celebrate? Most of us have been conditioned to reach for flawless, shiny fruits and ...
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Do Healthy People Have More Fun?
POSTED: July 29, 2025
Dr. David Katz is one of our favorite experts that we love to listen to, and who has taught us so much on our REAL food journey. I have heard him say this multiple times. And every ...
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Meal Pairings Made Easy
POSTED: July 15, 2025
Do you ever find yourself standing in the kitchen thinking, “What side do I serve with this?” Or maybe you’ve mastered an entrée you love, but have no idea what side dish complements it? You’re ...
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When Water Gets Boring
POSTED: July 8, 2025
“Make sure you drink enough water.” This advice has been drilled into our heads since we learned about nutrition basics in elementary school. Yet, if you search the internet, you will ...
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Summer on a Stick!
POSTED: July 1, 2025
Picture this… …ice-cold lemonade, lounging by the pool and, of course, eating a popsicle before it melts all over your hand! Pure summertime bliss! But let’s be real – most ...
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Celebrate Red, White and Blue – REAL Food Style
POSTED: June 24, 2025
Fireworks, enjoying time with family and friends, soaking up the sun at the pool, or relaxing on the lake! If you’re like us, you are probably looking forward to celebrating all ...
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Should You Only Eat Organic?
POSTED: June 17, 2025
Do you wonder whether you should be eating more organic foods? Are you confused about what “organic” really means? This past week, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its ...
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Ask Us Anything!
POSTED: May 20, 2025
We occasionally use our coaching tips to answer some of the questions we are being frequently asked. Today, we are answering your questions about whether sourdough bread is healthier, the ...
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Have We Lost the Connection?
POSTED: May 13, 2025
Have you heard any of these before? “It’s all about moderation.”“Let them be kids.”“This one meal won’t hurt.”“A calorie is a calorie.” And of course, the classic: We hear this A LOT ...
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Antioxidants: Your Weapon Against Aging and Disease
POSTED: May 6, 2025
Most of us have heard this buzzword thrown around when a food is described as “healthy.” Or, you may have seen it on the front of the boxes in the cereal aisle. But do we ...
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Folks, This Ain’t Normal!
POSTED: April 22, 2025
Since we talked about Cool Whip in last week’s coaching tip and how to make your own whipped toppings using REAL ingredients, it got us thinking about pudding. I don’t know ...
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Eat Today for a Healthy Tomorrow
POSTED: April 8, 2025
Do you ever stop and think about how you are aging? Now that we are in our 50’s (how did that happen?!) we are becoming VERY aware of how our bodies change as we get older. We also often ...
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“DNA is Not Your Destiny – Dinner Is!”
POSTED: March 25, 2025
“DNA is not your destiny…dinner is!” This is one of our favorite quotes from Dr. David Katz. But what exactly does he mean? For years, we’ve been told that genetics ...
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Lab Results Through the Lens of Metabolic Health!
POSTED: March 11, 2025
For us, when February rolls around, it’s not just time for Punxsutawney Phil and Valentine’s Day. It’s also time for our annual trip to our doctor for a checkup and blood ...
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Willpower May Not Be Enough!
POSTED: February 25, 2025
Have you ever… …opened a bag of chips, promising yourself just one handful, only to realize you’ve eaten half the bag before you even noticed? Or maybe you told yourself you are ...
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Grocery Store Cheat Sheet
POSTED: February 11, 2025
If grocery shopping ever feels overwhelming, rest assured you are not alone. Someone recently told me, “I love the grocery store tours on the website. But when I get to the store, I need a ...
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From Humble to Hero: The Power of Legumes
POSTED: January 21, 2025
Did you read our coaching tip about how not all calories are created equal? We talked about how many REAL FOODS are nutrient dense, low in calories and help you feel full. And when you ...
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A Calorie Is Not a Calorie!
POSTED: January 14, 2025
Have you ever felt like you needed to count your calories? If so, you’re not alone. We talk to people all the time who feel compelled to track and count calories. And this was ...
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One More Christmas Gift – Website Enhancements!
POSTED: January 7, 2025
We are SO EXCITED to share some enhancements that just went live on the Eat REAL America website! Thanks to your feedback and requests, we have had a growing wish list for the website for a ...
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Happy New Year and Back to Basics!
POSTED: December 31, 2024
Is your New Year’s celebration already underway? Are you indulging one more time before your New Year’s resolution kicks in when you wake up in the morning? Yes, tomorrow will be the ...
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Cruisin’ with Santa
POSTED: December 24, 2024
Do you remember last year when we met up with Santa in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? He was recruiting more helpers for the North Pole, and we enjoyed catching up over a traditional pasty ...
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Are You Ready?
POSTED: December 17, 2024
You are probably asking, “update of what?” Federal law requires that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines be updated every 5 years. Since the last update was done in 2020, the new ...
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How to Enjoy Holiday Treats Without Going Overboard
POSTED: December 3, 2024
‘Tis the Season! The season with a love/hate relationship for many of us. We love the decorations, the parties, the time with family and friends, the festive music and, of course, the sweet ...
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Double Duty Pumpkin Power!
POSTED: November 19, 2024
Is there a lonely can of pumpkin sitting in your pantry? If so, let’s put it to work! And if not, pick one up because we are going transform it into not just one, but two incredibly ...
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Stress-Busting Meal Prep Strategies for the Holidays
POSTED: November 12, 2024
Does the thought of holiday meal prep make you anxious? The next few weeks will be filled with fun, family and friend gatherings, and hopefully some delicious REAL food. But it can also bring a ...
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Cooking is a Superpower!
POSTED: October 15, 2024
Do you remember the movie “The Incredibles?” Our kids loved this movie growing up. We always had entertaining discussions about what our superpower would be. Superhuman strength, ...
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What Would You Put on Your Napkin?
POSTED: October 1, 2024
Are you ready?! In just 30 short days, we are going to reveal The Napkin, which contains everything we believe you need to know to eat healthy and thrive! This is what helped us transform our ...
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“Choose Your Hard”
POSTED: September 2, 2024
A few weeks ago, I was listening to a radio show one morning and the hosts were talking about something that intrigued me… they were discussing how you have to “choose your ...
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Do This to Stay Healthy All Summer Long!
POSTED: July 9, 2024
Welcome to the “dog days of summer!” While there is no official definition, the “dog days of summer” are considered to be July and August, when the heat and humidity are ...
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Mocktail Mastery: Healthy, Non-Alcoholic Drinks!
POSTED: July 2, 2024
Have you ever wanted to change your relationship with alcohol? Or have you ever thought about going alcohol-free for a period of time, but are concerned about how it will affect your social life? ...
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Delicious Dressings at Your Fingertips!
POSTED: June 11, 2024
Did you read our coaching tip last week about whether a burger can be healthier than a salad? Big flavor loaded salads are absolutely one of the best things you can eat. And the right ...
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Can a Burger Be Healthier Than a Salad?
POSTED: June 4, 2024
Which do you think is healthier? A burger or a salad? If we asked ten people this question, at least nine would say, “Of course, the salad is healthier!” What if the ...
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Don’t Believe Everything You Think
POSTED: May 14, 2024
Picky eaters. We all know one. Maybe we are one. Or we once were. Almost every single day, we hear “I don’t like _________.” You can fill in the blank with all kinds of things such as mushrooms, ...
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Are You Getting Enough Protein?
POSTED: May 7, 2024
Do you feel like you are constantly bombarded with conflicting messages about protein? It seems like protein has recently taken on a “superfood” status. You will find no shortage of ...
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Ask Us Anything #2!
POSTED: April 23, 2024
A few weeks ago, we shared a coaching tip to answer some of the questions we are frequently asked. Thanks to your responses, we are answering some more questions we have been hearing recently. ...
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Why We Should All Be Eating Buddha Bowls!
POSTED: April 16, 2024
Did you read our coaching tip last week? Did the thought of eating 30 different varieties of plants every week seem overwhelming? To keep you inspired and motivated to enjoy a wide variety of ...
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These May Be the Most Important Things to Count!
POSTED: April 9, 2024
Do you count numbers as part of your diet? Some people count calories. Others count carbs, sodium, fat, or added sugars. We know there are situations where it might be helpful to track these ...
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Why We Should All Eat with the Seasons
POSTED: March 26, 2024
It’s official…spring is here! What do you most look forward to this time of year? For some, it may be the warmer temperatures. For others, the blooming trees and the greening ...
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Are You Neophobic?
POSTED: March 5, 2024
What are you afraid of? Maybe it’s arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) or a fierce case of acrophobia (a fear of heights). There’s another common phobia that we don’t hear much ...
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Be a Good Host!
POSTED: February 27, 2024
We’ve all heard, “it’s important to have a healthy gut.” But what EXACTLY does that mean? And, maybe you have heard people talk about the “microbiome,” ...
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Ask Us Anything!
POSTED: February 6, 2024
Do you have questions as you progress on your REAL food journey? Trust us, you’re not alone! We thought our weekly coaching tips would be the perfect opportunity to ...
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Is Food Culture Controlling Your Kids?
POSTED: January 16, 2024
In the beginning… as a parent, when your baby first starts to eat “real” food and is excited to explore all the new textures and flavors, you may find yourself thinking, ...
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Is Your Workplace Conspiring Against You?
POSTED: January 9, 2024
What kind of food culture would someone find if they dropped into your workplace? Do donuts and bagels make frequent appearances in the breakroom and in meetings? Are there candy dishes ...
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How Does Culture Influence Your Food Choices?
POSTED: January 2, 2024
Imagine this… what if you were from outer space and just got dropped off here, landing smack dab in the middle of the country. After observing everything for a few weeks, your friends back ...
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Consistency is Key!
POSTED: December 26, 2023
With 2024 just a few days away, and everyone anxiously awaiting the announcement of their “New Year’s Resolutions,” we’d like to FIRST encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your ...
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Ditch the Packet with This 4-Ingredient REAL Hot Chocolate!
POSTED: December 12, 2023
The holidays are here and winter is right around the corner… have you started craving a warm cozy cup of hot cocoa? Whether it was your own childhood or a special treat for your kids, how ...
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How to Dodge Diabetes Deliciously!
POSTED: November 28, 2023
Have you or someone you love just been told… “You have prediabetes” (or “you have diabetes”)? Unfortunately, this is currently happening at an alarming rate, and we have had ...
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40 Bursts of Inspiration for Your REAL Food Journey!
POSTED: November 7, 2023
Do you have sayings or quotes that help you navigate different areas of your life? We definitely do! For example, my husband is always reminding our kids, “You ...
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Welcome to Sweet Treat Season!
POSTED: October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween! We hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween adventure this evening, whether it is taking the kids or grandkids trick-or-treating, or staying home and passing out treats and ...
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Make Your Own Coffee Creamer
POSTED: September 26, 2023
Do you love coffee? Do you love a little creamer in your coffee? If so, I am right there with you! Before our REAL food journey, I had a tendency to go a little overboard with the sugar or ...
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How Are You Training Your Muscles?
POSTED: September 19, 2023
Do you ever have things happen that leave you thinking… “was that a coincidence?!” This happens to us quite often, especially if we are paying attention! Over the past ...
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What Really Matters!
POSTED: September 5, 2023
It had been almost 4 years since Zonya and I had been together in-person. A couple of weeks ago, I was blessed to spend a weekend in Michigan with my nutritionist partner in crime, Zonya ...
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Let’s Talk Health AND Wealth!
POSTED: August 22, 2023
Have you ever thought about how the same concepts that help you achieve good health can also help you achieve financial well-being? Our daughter graduates from college this December and ...
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Is the Back-to-School Routine Stressing You Out?
POSTED: August 15, 2023
How is it possible that school is starting up again already? In our area, most children are headed back this week, and some even started last week. If you have kids or grandkids headed back to ...
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10 Meals for Under $10!
POSTED: August 1, 2023
“Eating healthy is just so expensive.” We hear this all the time. Reality check…Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive! It’s TRUE! And, as proof, ...
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Food As Medicine?!
POSTED: July 25, 2023
What comes to mind when you think of hospital food? Many of us may think “bland,” “boring,” and “colorless.” These descriptions can ...
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Food Freedom!
POSTED: July 4, 2023
Happy 4th of July to the Eat REAL America community! We hope you all are enjoying some relaxing time with family and friends – and of course enjoying delicious and nutritious food and ...
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What’s Your Number?
POSTED: June 27, 2023
When you go to the store, what percentage of the food you buy is ultra-processed? Would it shock you if we told you this number is over 60% for the average American household? Are ...
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WARNING: Don’t Eat Cherry Tomatoes!
POSTED: June 13, 2023
Believe it or not, this is real advice from some real “nutrition coaches!” One of our Eat REAL America members shared this story after a meeting she had with her ...
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Let’s Talk About Alcohol!
POSTED: June 6, 2023
Do you love having a glass of wine with dinner? Is this part of your relaxing evening routine? This was us! And we felt pretty good about enjoying a glass of wine with dinner because we have all ...
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The Good Life!
POSTED: May 23, 2023
We want to give you something a little different with the coaching tip this week! As Memorial Day weekend is approaching, we wanted to provide something a little lighter and entertaining! ...
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AI’s Take on REAL Food!
POSTED: May 9, 2023
Have you encountered AI yet? If you haven’t heard of it, we are talking about “artificial intelligence.” Even if you think it hasn’t affected your life, it probably ...
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Celebrate Mother’s Day…REAL FOOD Style!
POSTED: May 2, 2023
Believe it or not, Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away. Are you ready? You may be celebrating your Mom or a special person in your life. Or maybe your family is asking, ...
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All About Iron!
POSTED: April 25, 2023
Do you ever wonder if you are getting enough iron? Have you been told you need to get more iron in your diet? If so, you’re not alone. We were doing a cooking demo a couple of ...
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What do we eat?
POSTED: April 18, 2023
“Woman shows every meal for 47 days!” If you saw this headline, would you think “she is crazy!”? Or you might wonder, “what kind of fad diet is she trying to ...
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I Already Feel So Much Better!
POSTED: April 4, 2023
“I’m feeling sooooo much better, and that’s after just 2 weeks of eating REAL food!” “In less than a week, my digestive issues have calmed down and I’m feeling ...
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Breaking 100!
POSTED: March 21, 2023
What if you could live to 100? And, we are talking about REALLY LIVING and REALLY THRIVING! Think of all the great moments, experiences and memories! Imagine being part of not just your ...
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Today Is A Big Day!
POSTED: March 14, 2023
Do you know what today is? If you said “March 14th,” you are right, but it’s much more than just March 14th! Quick flashback to math class… it’s Pi Day! And that’s not ...
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Burger In A Bowl!
POSTED: March 7, 2023
Do you sometimes find yourself craving a burger? Then, you work really hard to tell your brain to push that craving aside, telling yourself, “burgers aren’t healthy…I should ...
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You’ve Gotta Try this Satisfying Sweet Treat!
POSTED: February 7, 2023
One thing we have learned on our REAL food journey is… it helps to have bite-size sweet treats easily and readily available. And, of course, we have also learned that ...
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Butter Board Fascination…
POSTED: January 24, 2023
Have you noticed the recent fascination with Butter Boards? We’re not sure exactly where this started, although it seems that a Portland, Oregon chef, Joshua McFadden, may have originated ...
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Even Better Than What the Doctor Ordered
POSTED: January 17, 2023
We have all heard the advice,“to be healthy, you need to eat more fruits and vegetables.” But what EXACTLY does this mean? And, are there certain foods that are more important ...
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And Now…the Rest of the Story…
POSTED: January 10, 2023
What did you think of last week’s coaching tip? Did the numbers or video give you or someone you know a sense of unease? Last week, we unveiled the first step to making a ...
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Lasting Change is Possible with These Three Things
POSTED: January 3, 2023
Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Many of us have…and the good news is most of us are probably still on track since we are just a couple of days into the new year! The age-old ...
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Bringing 2022 To a Close and Looking Forward to 2023!
POSTED: December 27, 2022
With 2023 just a few days away, and everyone anxiously awaiting to announce their “New Year’s Resolutions,” we’d like to FIRST encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the accomplishments ...
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Our Sit-Down with Santa!
POSTED: December 20, 2022
Some of you may remember our interview with Santa last year. We didn’t want to bother Santa this year, knowing how busy he is. So, you can imagine our surprise when he called and asked ...
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Coconut Confusion?! (PART 2)
POSTED: November 8, 2022
Are you ready for more about coconut? Last week, we talked about coconut nutrition, coconut oil and coconut milk, and shared a variety of nutritious and delicious meal ideas! This week, for part ...
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Recreate Your Favorite Restaurant Meals at Home!
POSTED: October 25, 2022
Do you ever enjoy a restaurant meal and wish you could recreate it at home? Or, do you wish you could make it healthier so you could enjoy it more often? This happens to us all the ...
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