People often ask me what diet I embrace. My mom (who, with my help, lost 90 pounds), and I always say that we don’t believe in diet – diet stands for “Did I Eat That?”. But when pressed, I tell them my secret.

I am on the “absolutely delicious” diet. I only eat things that are absolutely delicious! And I enjoy them in moderation. No preservatives. No fake food. Just real, delicious, food. Whole grains. Fish. Apples.

With the holidays coming up, now is a great time to embrace a whole foods diet, not just in terms of what you eat, but also in terms of what you drink. Many of us will be jumping from holiday party to holiday party within the next few weeks, and a few sugary drinks here and there can add up to thousands of empty calories throughout the holiday season. Continue reading

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In the spirit of the holiday season, Best Self Atlanta and Atlanta Home Improvement will be giving back by hosting a toiletry drive. The toiletries will be given to City of Refuge – an organization that provides food, clothes, hygiene, resume/ employment help, GED classes, counseling and budgeting for those in need. The hygiene items we will provide allow City of Refuge to ensure those in need have items that not only bring cleanliness, but help to restore dignity. Many of their residents are in low-income households or homeless, therefore having items like these at no cost will be extremely helpful. Continue reading

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If you are looking to infuse some energy back into your home, try some tips from “The Seductive Home” author and lifestyle expert Moll Anderson. The Seductive Home, Anderson’s second book following her 2006 guide Change Your Home, Change Your Life, is full of inspirational style and creativity.

From the bedroom to the bathroom, Moll says, “the key to a seductive home is to immerse your surroundings in elements that capture the senses. Create a sensory experience with color, texture, scale, lighting, scent, and dramatic focal points that add the wow factor.” Continue reading

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Have you ever had to stop short on the road because a squirrel darted in front of your car and then just stood there, frozen, staring at you? Do you ever feel this way – paralyzed, aware that you need to make a change, but not sure where to go?

This time of year, it’s easy to feel stuck. If you haven’t reached your New Year’s Resolution from last year and really want this year to be the year you finally move forward, you may be feeling like you’re ready for a change, but just don’t know where to start. Here’s a 3-step plan to get you moving! Continue reading

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If you’re like many this holiday season and want to give to others but don’t have the means to do so, there’s something you can do that will save lives and won’t cost you a penny… and that’s giving blood! Every minute of every day, someone needs blood – and that blood can only come from a volunteer donor. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood and that doesn’t scratch the surface of what’s needed.

This month, Piedmont Hospital will be hosting three blood drives in the hopes to change that number. All donors will receive a Piedmont t-shirt and will be automatically entered to win two Delta Airlines tickets from the American Red Cross! Time and locations of the blood drives are: Continue reading

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This Saturday, the much anticipated Atlanta Santa Speedo Run is back and better than ever! The event had its inaugural Atlanta run in 2009 and raised over $42,000 for CHRIS Kids. In its second year, over $50,000 was raised for Camp Twin Lakes. This year, they’re raising the bar and hoping to raise $75,000 for Bert’s Big Adventure.

Although registration has closed (you can’t have too many speedo wearing santa’s running around!), there are still ways you can help. Not only can you come out to the Hudson Grille in Midtown to watch the run, but you can also sponsor a runner/santa (http://www.firstgiving.com/ASSR/fundraisers) or make a general donation by clicking the donate button on that page. Continue reading

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Guest Blogger: Brae Blackley

On Thanksgiving weekend, it’s easy to get caught up in shopping, eating, and watching football, but roughly 500 runners took an all-important break to partake in the fourth-annual ZOOMA Atlanta Women’s Half Marathon & 5K on November 26. Starting and ending on the grapevine-dotted grounds of the Chateau Elan, the race felt an ocean away from Atlanta, rather than a mere 45-minute drive.

“ZOOMA picked the perfect venue at a perfect time of year,” said Courtney Stewart, a 5K’er from John’s Creek, who said the race was helping her stay focused on staying healthy during the holidays. “It’s great to be out of shopping mode. Instead of walking in the mall, I was out running among the vineyards.” Continue reading

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If you’re like me and absolutely love the holidays and the decorations that come with it, then you don’t want to miss the 10th Annual Holiday Home Tour held by The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna this Sunday, December 4 from noon to 6pm.

The tour will feature homes in the Smyrna/Vinings area and each home will be decorated for the holiday season, highlighting the talents of local designers and decorators. Admission is $20 per person and includes admission to the tour of homes, as well as tearoom and silent bid auction at The Community Bank of the South. Continue reading

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Tired of turkey? Need a nourishing soup that is low in fat but FULL of flavor? Enjoy this with a big, green salad, and if you indulged during Thanksgiving, you’ll be right back on your way to health, happiness and positive nutrition. Continue reading

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It’s never easy when your child breaks a bone… but when it becomes a recurring thing, it’s hard not to wonder if something more serious is going on. We got a question from a parent who’s son had broke both wrists and his collarbone in the past five years, and she was wondering if he possibly has brittle bones.

Dr. Jeffrey Kovacic of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Center answers:

It’s very unlikely. Metabolic disorders, like osteoporosis and rickets, which weaken bones, are very rare for children in the U.S.  Fractures in active children are very common. Most of these occur when a normal bone is hit with a force that is greater than its strength, causing it to break.

Be sure to keep up with all of our experts on hundreds of different categories!

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It is officially holiday season!

That means parties, celebrations, friends and family….along with lots of eating, drinking, preparations and stress. All of this put together can mean a great big weight gain during the holiday season. And, if we are not careful, the brand new outfit we bought for New Years Eve may not fit on New Years Day! Here are some tips on how to stay on track during this holiday season. (Click here for some more great tips). Continue reading

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Having gallstones doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be in pain or will need surgery. There are ways to avoid this and to keep your gallbladder healthy.

Dr. Field F. Willingham of Emory University tells us more: Continue reading

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