Grilling is a common activity in the spring and summer months—in addition to avoiding heating up your house with your stove or oven, grilling is often a good way to get family and friends together for some outdoor fun. With this activity, however, there are dangers. Grill safety is important and should not be overlooked. Follow these tips to keep your grilling experience from taking a wrong turn. Read full Newsletter

Hello My Friend- I hope you are finding lots of time to enjoy this delicious weather. I have been spending lots of time in the woods. Being in nature is an essential part of my self- care. I notice I get depressed and more anxious when I ignore my need to be in the woods.

Along with spending time in nature, I have moved into cleanse mode. I always like to get a head start before I lead a cleanse.

My Spring Cleanse starts in less than a week. Registration closes on April 15th.

Are you on the fence? Have you been thinking, “sounds good but there is no way I can handle that?”

I am here to tell you that it is possible. You can do it and I will support you through it (even if you currently drink 4 cups of coffee and indulge on doughnuts and hamburgers).

Almost everyone who has done the cleanse before started out a little (or a lot) scared. Its natural to be nervous about things we have not done before. Know that if you feel this way, you are far from alone.

My gentle, food based cleanse is perfect for people who want to:

• Reduce and/or Eliminate Food Cravings
• Kick the sugar habit
• Increase Energy
• Release excess weight
• Improve digestion and reduce belly bloating
• Jumpstart healthy eating habits
To learn more, click here.

With love and support- Michelle

On Jan. 30, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service issued two proposed rules relating to the individual coverage mandate. The basics of these rules are provided in the following paragraphs. The penalty for not obtaining minimum essential health coverage will:

• Be phased in over a three-year period, starting at $95 per person, or up to 1 percent of income for 2014

• Be capped at the national average of the annual bronze plan premium

• Be half as much for children, up to a family cap of three times the annual flat dollar amount per year

• Be assessed against an individual for any month in which he or she does not maintain acceptable coverage, beginning in 2014, unless an exemption applies

• Possibly be subtracted from an individual’s tax refund

Exemptions may exist for individuals who: Read More

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published the results of its study on how a Mediterranean diet affects heart health. This study—the first major clinical trial on the subject— revealed that following a Mediterranean diet can prevent about 30 percent of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease, in high-risk individuals.

This diet focuses on improving heart health through consumption of certain foods, rather than on losing weight. Participants in the study were either assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, nuts, wine, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, or a low-fat diet.  Of the participants following a Mediterranean diet, half were instructed to consume at least four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil per day, and the other half were instructed to consume atleast one ounce of walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts per day. These items were supplied. Read more