Normal, high, and low cortisol level chart

Taking control of cortisol

Let’s face it, life is stressful! Whether it’s work, school, relationships, financial, or whatever, we all have some sort of stressors in our lives. And if you don’t, please let me know your secrets! While stress is an inevitable part of life, things can get much harder for your health when you’re chronically stressed. Meaning, […]

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June 22, 2021

Alex Harris, dietitian at New Leaf Nutrition, holds nuts, seeds, and chocolate covered dried fruit in her hands.

Types of fat

If you’ve followed us on Instagram (@newleafnutrish), you’ve seen that we’ve discussed carbohydrates and protein. Now it’s time to talk about fat! Fats are another vital nutrient in our bodies, and it’s important to include fats in our diets. However, not all fats are created equal. Some should definitely be consumed more often than others. […]

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March 17, 2021

Alex Harris, certified trainer and registered dietitian at New Leaf Nutrition, teaches a spin class

At-home movement ideas

Let’s face it, most of us have not been the most active people this past year. That’s completely understandable, of course. Gyms closed, which inhibited a lot of our exercise. Even now that they’re open, many people are still opting to stay away. It’s cold out, so we don’t want to be outside as much. […]

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February 5, 2021

Alex Harris, dietitian at New Leaf Nutrition, cuts an orange

#goals

Ah, 2021. A new year. It’s hard to believe we made it here after what felt like the longest year ever. For many, the start of a new year is the time for setting new goals and planning for the next 12 months. Hundreds of thousands of people every year design some sort of goal […]

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January 22, 2021

Managing Stress with Food

We all experience stress at some point in our lives. Whether it’s physical or mental it’s important to take care of yourself by eating well. Your stomach and your brain work together, and when you are stressed, it can really throw off this important cycle.  How your gut is working can change the neurotransmitters that […]

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January 15, 2021

Eat Like My Dogs

That title may feel a little bit rude to you but rest assured that I love my dogs more I love than a lot of things (and people). Case in point: I’m taking them next week to go get professional doggy portraits done and could not be more excited about it. Mackenzie is going to […]

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May 21, 2020

Man from Ancel Keys's Minnesota Starvation Experiment licking his plate

Minnesota Starvation Experiment

Today I want to tell you, my precious sweet potatoes, about the Minnesota Starvation Experiment. The experiment was held at Minnesota State University in 1945. Men were asked to volunteer so that Ancel Keys, a physiologist who did research on how food changes the body, and his colleagues could learn how to best re-feed people […]

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April 9, 2020

Hand placing grapefruit into a pile of fruits and vegetables

Ten Ways to Support Your Immune System

Okay, first I want to say a disclaimer that supporting your immune system is not the same as boosting your immune system. There aren’t significant ways to “boost” your immune system, because that’d mean that you’re making it better and stronger than is naturally possible. We’re not going for superhuman, it’s not possible, but we ARE trying […]

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April 2, 2020

Gabe Wilkinson, before and after losing over one hundred pounds

Gabe’s Story

“At my heaviest I was 315 pounds and I felt trapped.”  This is from an interview I did with Gabe, a friend who has not only lost 135 pounds, but has kept it off for three years. I haven’t personally experienced large weight changes, so I was really thankful to Gabe for very patiently explaining […]

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March 19, 2020

Jen Lyman stands in a well-lit kitchen reaching for a muffin

Is Sugar a Drug?

Have you ever had a meal that just doesn’t live up to your expectations? It seems like it should be amazing and the description sounds really satisfying and then it’s just…not. That’s how I feel about cake. It’s beautiful and everyone else seems to really like it, but it just always falls short of my […]

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March 7, 2020