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.
The first few months with a newborn are a whirlwind of sleepless nights, diaper changes and feedings (all wrapped up in lots of baby snuggles though😊). After spending 9+ months focusing on eating the right foods and getting certain nutrients, new moms often shift this energy to taking care of
The basic sheet pan never ceases to amaze me. It’s a kitchen essential I couldn’t live without and continues to revolutionize the way I prepare meals for my family. Yes, it’s great for one pan meals (hands-off cooking and simple clean up, sign me up!) but it can also do some
Minimize processed foods, cook more meals from scratch…we know, we know. But let’s be honest, making the transition away from packaged, processed foods is tough - they’re convenient and comfortable, I get it. However, homemade versions are often cheaper, almost always taste better and really aren’t difficult to make.
If you could only eat one food the rest of your life, what would it be? Quite the loaded question, I know. Pizza, spaghetti, ice cream, chicken and burgers make the list but what about sweet potatoes? This versatile spud has countless preparation possibilities that’ll keep your taste buds intrigued
Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away! I grew up chanting this popular nursery rhyme and now recite it to my children, but it wasn’t until I started making Greek
When I purchased my Instant Pot a few years ago I didn’t think twice about having the Yogurt function included because I knew I would never make homemade yogurt. Bacteria, fermentation, boil, cool, incubate…so much potential room for error…no thanks. However, I finally got up the nerve to give it
The holidays are just around the corner! Avoid wasting hours walking around the mall or browsing endless online retailers trying to figure out what to get the people in your life that have everything. Instead, treat your loved ones to homemade gifts from your kitchen. These unique and thoughtful gifts
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house; Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of persimmons danced in their heads! Known as the forgotten winter fruit, persimmons hang from their trees like bright
After 6 months of staying at home, limiting grocery store trips and cooking with what you have due to the COVID-19 pandemic, do you sigh at the thought of another rice, beans or pasta meal? Are you tired of preparing the same go-to meals time and time again? Do you
When my son started kindergarten last year, I was excited to embark on the lunchbox packing adventure. The year started out strong but about a month or two in, the novelty wore off. Sound familiar? While this school year looks very different for most of us, the dreaded school lunchbox
Planning balanced meals that everyone in the house will eat, grocery shopping, cooking mostly from scratch, teasing through the latest superfoods and fad diets…it’s all overwhelming. We get it! For starters, there is no perfect meal or snack. Don’t try to aim for perfection- it’s a recipe for disaster! Everyone’s
Our food choices not only impact our health, they also have far-reaching impacts on our environment, economy and politics. Dining with the planet in mind can be a daunting task. Do what you can and remember that every small change adds up to big differences! Start with something simple like
Trail mix isn’t just for outdoor adventures. It’s a great snack anyone can keep on hand that doesn’t require refrigeration and can go with you anywhere. Plus, it provides loads of long-lasting energy and is fully customizable to your wants and needs.
Do you struggle to consume the recommended 2 servings of seafood per week? Well, you’re not alone. Research shows that 80-90% of Americans do not eat enough seafood each week. Some people simply don’t like seafood. Others can’t stand that fishy smell (or even the thought of it!). A lot
In just minutes a day you can minimize stress, manage pain, control anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve emotional resiliency and productivity. You’re wondering what the catch is right? Well, there isn’t one. I know it might sound too good to be true, but what have you got to lose?
Well SAS, you outdid yourselves once again! For 8 years running, we've been collecting and donating leftover and excess Halloween candy from SAS families. After last year's record breaking 680 pounds of donated candy, we challenged you to raise the {candy} bar even higher this year...and man did you do
If you’re like me, you have a random assortment of mason jars around the house in all shapes and sizes. While I use them on a fairly regular basis, some of them are forgotten in the bottom of the cabinet. However, this clever kitchen hack will help you upcycle those
With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us have quite a bit of travel ahead and/or overall increased busyness running around from here to there. When you’re on the go, it can be difficult to continue to eat nutrient dense, healthy foods. However, with a little planning (and patience!) you
It’s time to knock the dust off your toaster oven and bring it back to life! This small appliance isn’t just for cooking frozen pizza and re-heating leftovers and can perform way more kitchen wonders than you may think.
What comes to mind when you think of college living? Pulling an all-nighter in the library with a bag of chips and an energy drink? Late night pizza runs? Partying until the wee hours of the morning on any given night of the week? Living off cheap and easy microwavable
Cold brew coffee is taking over the nation, popping up in coffee shops and stores large and small. This slowed-down, relaxed version of hot coffee yields an incredibly smooth, more palatable and well-rounded tasting coffee that appeals to coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers alike.  It’s no surprise why it’s taking
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Many believe it’s simply an ovarian condition, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Instead, PCOS is a whole-body hormone condition that affects the ovaries. Hormones are the problem, ovaries are the victims.
Have you ever wondered what exactly is diabetes? Does it affect me or my loved ones? What’s the big deal anyways? Can’t I just ignore it and go on with my life? For Diabetes Alert Day, we’re going to (hopefully!) convince you why it is important to know if you
Today is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day- a day to celebrate the dedication of dietitians as advocates for advancing the nutritional health of people around the world. I personally chose to become a Dietitian so that I could empower people by giving them knowledge and tools to optimize their total
With or without food? Morning, midday or evening? How should I take my supplements? How and when you take supplements is just as important as which supplements you take. The timing and quality of supplements determine how many nutrients your body is actually able to absorb and use.
Everyone loves pancakes. But who has time to slave over a hot griddle flipping pancake, after pancake, after pancake while listening to hungry, grumbling family members waiting impatiently for the next batch of pancakes to be ready? Well, sheet pan pancakes are here to save the day!
Well SAS, you outdid yourselves once again! For 7 years running, we've been collecting and donating leftover and excess Halloween candy from SAS families. After last year's record breaking 580 pounds of donated candy, we challenged you to raise the {candy} bar even higher this year...and man did you do that,
The holidays are upon us which brings mile long shopping lists, end-of-year work deadlines and continual social obligations…all on top of normal day-to-day tasks including meal preparation. Add some time back into your day and keep healthy eating at the top of your priority list this holiday season by letting
Move over salad, grain bowls have entered the room! Google ‘grain bowls’ and you’ll have a whopping 21,900,000 search results at your fingertips. Popular food trend? I’d say yes, and for good reason! Grain bowls are extremely versatile, quick to prepare, super satisfying and nutrient dense. They encourage mixing and
Trying to clean up your snacks but struggling to decipher which store-bought options are truly clean and nutritious? We scoured the stores and web and came up with this list of travel-friendly, no refrigeration required snack discoveries (tasted tested and approved!) as well as a few recommendations to help you
