Ashley is a Nutritionist at SAS Institute in Cary, NC. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, Certified Biofeedback Instructor and also has a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys crafting, cooking, walking and spending as much time as possible at the beach. Follow @abaileyRD on Twitter.
Each year, the SAS Health Center Center and VETS Employee Inclusion Group gather leftover Halloween candy and put it to good use. This year marked the 13th annual candy drive, and SAS families once again showed up with their candy-coated generosity – tipping the scales at 480 pounds of candy. That
Coffee fuels mornings around the world, with more than 60% of American adults reaching for a cup (or three) each day. Yet as coffee culture thrives, more people are rethinking their caffeine intake and turning to decaf as an alternative. But decaf often raises questions: How is it made? Is
The human body functions like a finely tuned system, where even the smallest components can have outsized effects. One of those small but mighty components is the gut microbiome – an ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites living inside your intestines. These microscopic powerhouses influence how food is digested and absorbed,
Every year, millions roll up their sleeves for the flu shot—but how can we ensure those vaccinations pack the strongest punch? While vaccine effectiveness varies by season and circulating strain (which we can’t control), lifestyle factors can actively enhance the body’s immune response to the flu vaccine.
Many popular products from brightly colored candies and cereals to neon pickles to vibrant drinks get their eye-catching appeal from synthetic food dyes. But beneath their dazzling hues lies a complex, controversial web of science, regulation and risk. So, let’s explore the history of synthetic food dyes and uncover potential
Our eyes are a key sensory organ, allowing us to see and perceive the world around us. But, just like any other organ, they need proper care to stay healthy. In addition to regular eye exams and good hygiene, proper nutrition also plays a crucial role in maintaining vision and
Since 2012, the SAS Health Center Center and VETS Employee Inclusion Group have been collecting and donating leftover and excess Halloween candy. This year marked the 12th annual candy drive, and SAS families showed up with their candy-coated generosity once again, tipping the scales at 400 pounds of candy.
The human body is often described as a well-oiled machine, where each part has a specialized function that contributes to the overall function of the machine. But when one part is damaged, the entire machine can stop working – and it’s often the smallest piece that has the biggest impact.
In this previous post, we discussed what insulin resistance is and how to recognize it…and then you were left hanging wondering how to prevent, manage or reverse it! No fear, part two is here where we we’ll cover lifestyle interventions to help “fix the doorbell,” allowing normal insulin signaling to
Millions of people worldwide struggle with a silent blood sugar problem known as insulin resistance. Unfortunately, our fast-paced, high-stress, inactive lifestyles contribute to this unwanted, complex condition. However, insulin resistance can be prevented and sometimes reversed with diet and lifestyle changes. So, what is insulin resistance and how do you
Microgreens have been growing in popularity due to their impressive nutritional profile and versality in the kitchen. Often sought out by high-end chefs to enhance the visual appeal of dishes, these little green confetti are way more than a cute garnish!
Mocktails are drinks that have all the flavor of traditional cocktails minus the alcohol. Whether you’re the designated driver, a non-drinker, looking to improve your health or simply seeking a refreshing sip, mocktails offer an elevated alternative for more conscious consumption.
Charcuterie (pronounced shaar-koo-tuh-ree) boards are a great way to bring people together and spark conversation. Whether served as a causal snack, an upscale appetizer or part of a lavish feast, the charcuterie board is a beloved culinary tradition. With a little planning, you can create a healthy and delicious charcuterie
When I was recently introduced to pineberries, I thought they were an under-ripe strawberry, but boy, was I wrong! These blushing berries are surprisingly sweet with a hint of tropical tartness.
Well SAS, you outdid yourselves once again! For 11 years, we've been collecting and donating leftover and excess Halloween candy. This year, the SAS Health Center Center and VETS Employee Inclusion Group challenged SAS families to raise the {candy} bar once again...and boy did you do that! We tipped the
I love a good viral food hack (especially one that actually works!). While I’ve had plenty fails, the #trendingtortillahack did not disappoint. The trending tortilla hack is a spin on traditional quesadillas, creating multiple layers of fillings instead of just one. The way it’s folded in on itself creates a
Cancer is scary and affects most of us, either directly or indirectly. It is a complex condition with possible causes including poor diet, environmental toxins, genetics, infections, viruses, stress, tobacco use, lack of exercise and more. While no one knows the exact cause of cancer, the World Health Organization states that
We’re taught the rainbow has 7 primary colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet - and in this occasional series, we’ve discussed the unique set of nutrients and health benefits each of these colors provide. But what about the other colors that exist in nature?
By now, you know that each color of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple – provides a unique set of nutrients and health benefits. No one color is superior to another which is why it’s important to paint your plate with as many colors as possible. As
Each color of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple – provides a unique set of nutrients and health benefits that allow our bodies to function more optimally. As we continue to work our way through the rainbow in this occasional series, let’s go for green. Remember, our
When you eat the rainbow, you get a rainbow of nutrients and health benefits. In this occasional series, we’ve been discussing what each color of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple – has to offer and how you can incorporate more of these colorful foods into your
Pi Day is upon us! Every year on March 14, math-lovers unite to celebrate all things pi because the date (written 3/14 in the US) matches the first three digits of pi, 3.14.
Well SAS, you outdid yourselves once again! For 10 years, we've been collecting and donating leftover and excess Halloween candy from SAS families. We challenged you to raise the {candy} bar once again this year...and man did you do that, tipping the scales at 480 pounds of candy which brings
Shopping at an Asian grocery store can be intimidating. Hopefully the fruits and vegetables guide has helped you gain some confidence in navigating Asian markets. As you continue to explore and expand your selections, try these pantry essentials and snacks.
Shopping at an Asian grocery store can be intimidating. Even I still get overwhelmed by all the choices. It helps to have a few staples to stick to, which is why I’ve narrowed down the fruit and vegetable essentials – plus a few of my personal favorites. H Mart places
Colorful fruits and vegetables paint beautiful images of health and wellness. The compounds that give each color its rich hue contain a unique blend of nutrients that protect us from certain diseases and keep our body’s working in tip-top shape. Throughout the day, aim to eat a rainbow of colors
Think about your typical weekday morning. Do you leisurely sip a hot cup of tea or coffee while savoring a healthy, satisfying breakfast? Or are you frantically running around trying to get out of the house on time with barely a second to decide what to grab for breakfast? With
Trader Joe's has grown to become a grocery store staple. However, with the constant rotation of new products, it's tough to weed out what is or isn't healthy. Cooking from scratch is the gold standard, but sometimes we need those quick and easy buys. As you incorporate healthier swaps into
Jarred roasted red peppers and their sweet and sunny disposition always catch my eye at the grocery store. They have a bright, cheerful taste with a hint of smokiness that adds depth to pretty much any dish, but I often keep walking because I don’t know what to do with
“Eat the rainbow” is a central nutrition message (and no, I’m not talking about those artificially colored treats, sorry!). But why is it so important? Our bodies thrive on variety, and each color in fruits and vegetables contains a unique blend of nutrients that help protect us from certain diseases
