'Cause Your Body Needs an Oil Change Every Now and Then


Cleansing is trendy these days.

Who hasn’t seen a co-worker chugging that nasty lemon juice-cayenne pepper-maple syrup crap?

Starving yourself is one option, but we believe in feeding our bodies solid foods, thankyouverymuch. Plus, who has time to juice fast when you've got a client meeting, a sick kid or any other kind of commitment that requires, uh, energy?

Oil Change

Our bodies are able to eliminate most toxins naturally, but sometimes a girl needs a helping hand. You accumulate toxins from the food you eat, the products you put on your skin, the medications you take and even the air you breathe. If this crap gets stuck in your body and starts messing with your shit, water retention, premature aging, cancer and even obesity can ensue. Yep, toxins contribute to the extra junk in your trunk. The body attacks toxins by sequestering and diluting toxins with fat, so as toxin levels rise, so do fat levels.

Cleanse Benefits

Throughout history, humans have turned to cleansing for both physical and spiritual reasons. Today we know that cleanses can have many health benefits: increased energy, improved mood, weight loss, fewer colds and less sinus congestion, clearer skin and reduced menstrual pain. You might even want to try a liver cleanse to ramp up your sex life — a healthy liver is essential for a strong libido. Meow.

Cleanse Risks

So what can’t a cleanse do? For starters, it’s not going to help you lose 10 pounds in a week. And if it does, it’s dangerous and unhealthy. Steer clear of any cleanse that makes wildly outlandish claims, restricts you to liquids only or doesn’t let you have any protein. If you’re not getting protein, your body will consume the protein in your muscles, which can diminish your muscle mass and mess up your metabolism.

What's worse? Many cleanses on the market severely deprive the body of the nutrients it needs to function. Some colon cleanses work by drawing fluid into the colon from surrounding tissues. This can create an imbalance of electrolytes, like sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. And that kind of imbalance can put you in danger of dehydration and low blood sugar.

Options, Baby

Always check with a medical professional before beginning a cleanse, as even some herbal cleanses can cause allergic reactions. And be sure to drink plenty of water. All of the cleanses below are designed to be combined with a healthy, organic diet. That means no booze, caffeine or tons of sugar, missy.

Kaeng Raeng. Our favorite cleanse on the market, this all-natural, non-GMO, gluten-free detox program will help remove toxins, bolster your immune system and improve your digestive health. It's one of the highest-quality cleanses available, so you know you're getting the good stuff. $64.99 at kaengraeng.com




Renew Life First Cleanse. Designed for first-time cleansers, it’s made of 29 organic whole herbs, which are gentler than the herbal extracts found in the line’s more advanced cleanses. It's 15 days and consists of two pills in the morning and two pills at night. Vegetarian capsules support normal cleansing and organ detox. I’ve been doing this cleanse for the past seven years and love it. $26.99 at renewlife.com




Garden of Life Raw Cleanse. Vegan and raw, this cleanse works by stopping toxins in the mouth, drawing them from organs and then removing them from the liver through digestion and elimination. One packet mixed with water in the morning, some capsules with breakfast and lunch and another packet mixed with water at night. $29 at luckyvitamin.com


Flor Essence Tea Beginner 30-Day Cleanse. A blend of eight herbs, this tonic originated from a formula used by medicine men from the Ojibwa tribe in Canada for generations. The Native American cure was turned into a healing tonic by a nurse in the 1920s. Today it's available in several forms, including a tea taken twice a day for 30 days. $92 at floressencetea.com



The Verdict

Pros: Safe, convenient cleansing that won’t disrupt your lifestyle or starve you.

Cons: Because these detox programs are extremely gentle, results may not be immediately apparent.
 
Want to know the deets on what else to buy? Click here to browse through our "What the Hell Do I Buy" category!

Is there a category you want us to cover? Email info@healthybitchdaily.com and we’ll add it to the list.


Liz Farrington, Features Editor
A vegetarian who wishes she could stay vegan, Liz is a media professional and former editor at several fitness and lifestyle publications throughout Southern California. Now principal in Farrington Communications, she does sales, marketing, writing and editing for a range of clients. When she’s not shopping for leather-free handbags or deciding which companies to boycott, the Las Vegas resident enjoys following liberal politics, detoxing at the co-op, scoping farmers’ markets and volunteering for animal rescue.

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How One Woman is Bringing Veganism, Yoga and Hope to Africa's Poorest Communities

Sometimes we meet people who remind us to stop bitching about our lives.
 
Amidst unemployment, factory farming, poverty, global warming and all the other awful shit going on in the world, there are still people who believe change is possible.
 
Paige Elenson is one of those people.
 
Africa Yoga Project

In 2007 Paige moved to Africa where she created the Africa Yoga Project, an organization that employs local Kenyan youth to teach yoga classes in their own communities. In a country where millions live on less than $2 a day and unemployment rates are at nearly 50 percent, this is no small feat.
 
The project takes youth from a life in the slums (literally), to a life of empowerment and liberation. Paige teaches lifestyle tools, such as adopting a vegan diet and learning power yoga, to more than 3,000 students per week -- at no cost to them. Most of these individuals are struggling to survive, living in unstable environments and have little food to eat.

New York to Nairobi
 
A native New Yorker and former Wall Street consultant, Paige seems an unlikely candidate for life in one of the poorest areas of Africa, but as I accompanied her on the bumpy dirt roads outside Nairobi to visit a school she had built, it was clear from the joy in her eyes that she is living her dharma and not looking back.
 
Philanthropy in Practice
 
Her school was filled with a swarm of giddy children awaiting their weekly yoga class. In a room smaller than most American bedrooms, they stood on tattered mats that had been donated from around the world.

At one point, a little girl rose up to teach part of the class. As she spoke with the poise and command of a seasoned professional, calling out updogs and downdogs like nobody's business, I realized that she would grow up with the grace, confidence and skills to express herself that every little girl deserves.
 
Inspiration Time
 
Becoming healthy -- both in mind and body -- isn’t always an easy path. When we become conscious of our choices, we also become painfully aware of what's still broken. A new vegan feels discouraged in a family of meat-eaters. An overweight mom realizes how hard it is to squeeze in time for exercise. A hopeful environmentalist gets discouraged by the reality of disappearing rainforests.

In the slums of Africa, people like Paige remind us of one core truth about personal transformation and social change: no pain, no gain.

Following our dreams, whether they're big or small, is often the most radical and fabulous thing we can do with our time on this planet. It's the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others. If you need some further inspiration, you can volunteer in Kenya with Paige or support Africa Yoga Project by visiting www.africayogaproject.org.

Like this article? Tell us in the comments section below!


Beth Doane, Contributing Writer
Beth is a fashion designer, author and environmentalist who went from launching high-end European fashion lines to creating her own philanthropic fashion collection, Rain Tees. Her line of tees funds school supplies for children in Central and South America and plants a tree in a tropical rainforest for every item sold. Beth’s consulting agency, Andira International, helps brands build sustainable ideas into products, events and campaigns. Visit raintees.com for more information.


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You Might Have Seasonal Affective Disorder

You're depressed, moody and just can’t get your butt out of bed.

It’s not time for a visit from your monthly friend, things are great at work and your boyfriend is behaving. So what the hell is going on?
 
Winter Blues

You may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes when Old Man Winter rears his ugly head. SAD affects women more than men, and it can start in the teens or early adulthood. People who live in areas where winter is long and days are short are at greater risk, as are those that have a family history of SAD. Thanks, Mom!

It's rare, but some people even experience SAD in the spring and early summer. (And no, we’re not referring to the sinking feeling you get when you don a bikini for the first time in eight months.)
 
SAD Symptoms

Symptoms of SAD are very similar to those of depression, but they usually build up slowly in the fall and winter months. Common symptoms include:

- Feeling sad, grumpy or anxious
- A constant craving for carbs (and, not suprisingly, weight gain)
- Being tired during the day even after 9-10 hours of sleep
- Losing interest in your usual activities
- Wanting to be alone (which shouldn’t be a problem since you're probably acting like an irritable bitch to your friends and fam)

What Causes SAD?

The answer is that no one really knows. The prevailing theory is that lack of sunlight affects your circadian rhythms, as well as your level of the feel-good hormone, serotonin. Your hormones, sleep-wake cycle and melatonin levels are all affected by winter's longer nights and gray skies.

I Want to be Happy

The good news for SAD sufferers is that a number of treatments can help banish the blues. One easy option is light treatment, which entails sitting in front of a special light box that mimics outdoor light. The only downside to light therapy is that you have to do it every single day for the entire winter season to prevent the depression from returning. Other treatments for SAD include antidepressants, counseling and morning exercise. What else can you do? Eat right, exercise and try to avoid happy hour --  alcohol and other "downers" can send SAD sufferers even further down the depression bunny hole.

SAD can be a serious disorder, so make sure to visit your doc if you can't kick the winter blues with some simple behavioral/lifestyle changes.

Have you ever suffered from seasonal depression? How did you cope? Let us know in the comments section below!

Susan Emmer, FOOD Feature Editor
Susan is an eco-lifestyle expert, certified whole health educator, and refugee from the corporate media world. Earning an environmental studies degree before green was the new black, Susan is the owner of Farmacy Agency, a sustainability marketing, social media, and PR firm. Susan works hard to keep her two dogs in the life they’ve grown accustomed to, and dreams of someday living on a ranch. Follow her on Twitter @wellnewsnetwork.

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Are Products and Potions The Answer to Aging Beautifully? We Think Not.

It’s time to give the mainstream beauty industry a swift kick in the ass. 
 
For more years than we can count, they’ve been telling us we’re not good enough. Our skin's not tight, our teeth aren't white and our boobs most certainly need to be bigger.

But that’s OK – they've got a product, pill or procedure that will help.

As a result of this assault on natural beauty, our culture has a fanatical obsession with youth. We’re fighting aging with the same fervor that we’re fighting poverty, drugs or terrorism.

What does this war-like approach to obliterating imperfections with products do to a modern gal? It makes loving herself a bitch.

Slow Beauty
 
You’ve heard of the Slow Food movement. Now we’d like to introduce you to Slow Beauty – the idea that joy, spontaneity, love, authenticity and inner peace are the hallmarks of beauty. Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual and pioneer of the Slow Beauty movement, is inspiring women to slow down, shed the crap and make lifestyle choices that help cultivate true beauty, from the inside out.
 
Here are Shel's seven “outposts” of slow beauty. Her advice? Visit them often, kick off your heels and stay awhile.
 
Spa Tradition. Visit the spa on a regular basis. Stress reduction and relaxation not only make you feel good, but they keep you healthy. About 46 percent of Americans still believe the spa is about pampering and indulgence. We call bullshit. Spa treatments have proven health benefits, like lowering your blood pressure and relieving anxiety. Schedule that massage and don’t think twice about it.
 
Meditation. This is the secret ingredient to a youthful and radiant appearance. Studies have shown that a regular meditation practice can help you look 7-13 years younger. Think you don’t have time for zen? Swap five minutes of TV for meditation every day. It adds up. 
 
Nourished Mind.  Cultivate a passion for learning and pursuing your interests. Nourishing your inner life, your mind and your soul will increase your ability to engage in the world and your relationships in a deeper, more meaningful way.
 
Renewal. That whole “your body is your temple” cliché is true. Listen to the natural rhythms of your body and give it the rest and attention it requires. Seasonal cleanses, sleep and nourishing food are your best friends.
 
Self-Expression. Madonna said it best: express yourself. Practice your personal art, whether it’s singing in the shower, gardening or running marathons. It will increase your creativity and boost your self-confidence.
 
Mindful Consumption. Read labels, educate yourself and consume mindfully. There are wonderful brands out there that actually care about you and the planet. Support them. Minimize your ecological footprint and you'll feel lighter.
 
Rituals. Expand your beauty routine beyond products, lotions and potions.  Incorporate ancient healing traditions into your daily routine, like those that come from ayurveda or Native American culture. Light candles, sing, dance naked or pray -- whatever floats your boat, babe.
 
To learn how to incorporate Slow Beauty into your life, visit Shel’s blog, Slow Beauty.com, when it launches on March 21 at 7:21 p.m. (the vernal equinox). Together we can usher in a new era of beauty.
 
What bugs you about the mainstream beauty industry? Leave us your rants in the comments section below!

Shel Pink, Guest Blogger
Shel captured the attention of the spa industry when she founded SpaRitual in 2004, launching a brand that fuses the mind, body and spirit connection with healing spa traditions. Keeping in mind the ideals of conscious beauty and sustainability issues, Shel has led the brand, developing a collection of eco-friendly products.Decades before a holistic lifestyle became mainstream, an organic diet, the importance of regular massage, alternative healing, and minimizing exposure to toxins in the environment were emphasized by Shel’s mother. Continuing on this holistic path, Shel discovered yoga, meditation and Ayurveda while attending college and maintains the practice to this day. Shel’s previous professional endeavors included a stint at Motown Records, photography art director, co-founder of the clothing brand LOBA and Orly executive.

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Beans Get the Boot With This Gluten-Free Hummus

Get your veggies and essential fatty acids in one fell swoop...

What You Need

1 large head cauliflower, chopped (about 3 cups)
1 small white onion, diced
1 scallion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/6 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed white pepper
2 teaspoon flax oil (we like Barlean's)
2 tablespoons flax seeds

How to Make It

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth; remove and transfer to a serving dish. Serve atop a salad or as a dip with gluten-free crackers and crudites. Enjoy!

Want more recipes like this one? Browse through our vegan recipes to find something yummy!

Amie Valpone, Nutritionist and Personal Chef

The gal behind The Healthy Apple, Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP is a Manhattan-based culinary nutritionist specializing in gluten-free "clean" eating. Amie is also a personal chef, spending time with clients as a Food Allergy Concierge and Pantry Stylist in the big apple of Manhattan, and publisher of the all-new gluten-free online magazine, Easyeats.com.





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Fish Are Acting Drunk, Confused and Showing Up Dead All Over the World. What Gives?

Our fish friends are in deep shit.

If you think breathing the nasty crap in our air from pollution is bad, try swimming in it.

Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions appear to be affecting sea fish in a big-ass way: Some species can't smell, hear or change directions in order to avoid predators the way they used to.

Marine Research

For several years, a team at James Cook University has been studying fish who live in waters with high levels of CO2. Their groundbreaking research has recently shown that key neurotransmitters in fishes’ brains are negatively altered in this kind of highly-acidic environment.

Drunk and Crazy

What's so bad about a few loose-cannon neurons? Scientists say the fish are acting flat-out drunk and crazy -- they can’t remember to avoid dangerous places or carry out the most basic survival patterns, like sticking together in a school. What’s worse? Baby fish seem to be the most vulnerable to these hazardous conditions.

Let’s do the math: dead babies = endangered species.

Blame the People

Where do humans come in? Rising CO2 levels are directly linked to industrial emissions, automobiles, deforestation and the combustion of fossil fuels - all that fun shit.

About 2.3 billion tons of human CO2 emissions are dissolved into the ocean every year. This crapload of pollution is drastically changing the chemical environment of the sea and threatening many species of marine life. While we may be a long way from shutting down factory farms and switching everyone to electric cars, we can make a difference to help our ocean creatures. Here are some ways you can reduce CO2 emissions and save our shiny, pretty fish friends:

1. Recycle. Recycling aluminum cans, glass bottles and newspapers can reduce your CO2 emissions by up to 850 pounds a year.

2. Unplug. If you ain’t using it, unplug it. Unplugging all your appliances that aren’t in use can reduce a typical household’s emissions by 10 percent.

3. Walk. Walk, carpool or use public transit. Seriously. There’s no excuse to be lazy about this anymore.

4. Don’t eat meat. Factory farming produces around 90 million tons of CO2 every year - another reason to ditch the meat if you haven't already.

5. Banish bottled water. Bottled water has a huge carbon footprint. Get a BPA-free Nalgene and call it a day, girl.

6. Use cold water. OK, maybe not in the shower, but your ass can wash dishes or do laundry without piping-hot H2O. Even swapping just one hot wash for a cold one helps.

7. Avoid plastic bags. You really don’t need to put produce (or any other stuff, for that matter) in a plastic bag when you go grocery shopping. Just bring a separate cloth bag for your fruits and veggies, and you could reduce your CO2 emissions by 5 percent a year.

What do you do to reduce your carbon footprint? Give us your ideas in the comments section below!

Mara Tyler, Managing Editor of HealthyBitchDaily.com

Mara Tyler is a health and wellness die-hard with a penchant for sarcasm. A former public relations and marketing professional, she's helped grow bleeding-heart health and fitness startups into successful companies with the wave of her magic wand. When she’s not berating her friends for eating Big Macs or preaching to her family about the wonders of green smoothies, she can be found reading bad chick lit, scouting out new indie bands or attempting to find bliss in yoga. Mara lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.


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Heal Yourself The Holistic Way

Dr. Steve Bae, medical director of YB Clinic Los Angeles Acupuncture, is proud to help us stay healthy bitches.

We picked his brain for some awesome health tips and remedies, as well as information about holistic healing with acupuncture.  

“Eat locally whenever you can,” says Dr. Bae. “How long a food takes to get from the farm to the table is extremely important. Vital nutrients are lost during a veggie’s journey. More time on the road means less nutrients once it reaches your plate. Eating local, organic foods in conjunction with the holistic healing of acupuncture will increase your energy levels, lower your stress and make you feel terrific overall.”

Stick needles in me, you say?  Attach cups, too?  Don’t run away screaming just yet. Not only can acupuncture and cupping help you lose weight and relieve stress, but it’s also especially helpful for problems associated with back pain, a condition that slows down many of us on a daily basis. If you suffer from chronic back pain, you may have wondered if acupuncture and cupping is an effective (i.e., not hokey) form of therapy. For people just like you, Beverly Hills back pain acupuncture and holistic healing provider YB Clinic aims to educate the public about the connection between acupuncture and pain management.

Following a series of treatments with Dr. Bae and his team, your arthritic pain or other chronic aches should be significantly reduced.

Imagine going about your day without pain making you a tired and cranky mess.

The YB Clinic also accepts many forms of insurance, so the cost to you could be minimal.

And now HBD readers from Los Angeles who “Like” the YB Clinic on Facebook and comment on this post will be entered to win one free cupping therapy and one free liver detox treatment.

The YB Clinic is located in Beverly Hills and Downtown Los Angeles. If you don’t live in Los Angeles, you can “Like” the YB Clinic on Facebook for access to tips and information. Ask Dr. Bae direct questions about Chinese medicine or any issues you’re having!

To learn more about the YB Clinic, visit their website. Los Angeles residents: Be sure to become a fan on Facebook and comment on the post below for your chance to win free treatments!

Make sure to leave a comment below for a chance to win! Contest ends January 31, 2012 at 11:59PM PST.

*Update: We've chosen our winner! Congrats Lora!*

Today’s post is proudly sponsored by

Need Some New Vegan Snack Ideas? Yeah, We Thought So.

You keep whining about wanting more recipes.

We hear you. So we asked Veronica  Bosgraaf, owner of Pure Bar and smokin' hot mompreneur, to help a bitch out.

Snack Secrets

It can be tough to dream up new snack ideas, whether it's for the kiddos or your monthly dinner parties. And, if you’re like us, you love sneaking in vegan snacks to wow unsuspecting carnivores with how flavorful and satisfying meat-free treats can be. For the newbies and the die-hards, here are two of Veronica's simple and delicious recipes that you can whip up in less than 15 minutes:

Pesto Tortilla Pizza

Mmm... pine nuts. These blend perfectly with the tart, flavorful tomatoes in this simple recipe. Tortillas are the perfect thin and crunchy pizza crust. Let your creative juices flow with different toppings of your choice!

What You Need

1 package small flour tortillas (the 5-inch tortillas work well)
1 jar basil pesto (or make your own with this fabulous recipe)
1 jar sun-dried tomatoes
1 package pine nuts (or about 1 cup)
Olive oil, for drizzling

How to Make It

Spread each tortilla with pesto, top with 3 sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle with pine nuts. Bake on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until tortilla is crispy. Drizzle with olive oil before serving. Makes up to about 10 mini pizzas.

Jicama with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Dulse

This recipe is one of our favs because it proves that you don’t need meat, butter, cream, sugar or salt to make a flavorful and hearty snack. Plus, how many people have even heard of jicama? It's a great alternative to crackers and sounds exotic (so it will help you one-up that food snob bitch at your next book club meeting).

What You Need

1 jicama, peeled and sliced into cracker-size pieces
1 container of roasted red pepper hummus (or make your own)
1 package dulse seaweed leaves (most natural food stores will carry this)
Cayenne pepper

How to Make It

Spoon a dollop of hummus on each jicama slice. Top with a dulse leaf and sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Makes about 12 single servings.

Want more snack ideas? Browse through our vegan recipes section!

Veronica Bosgraaf, Guest Blogger
In 2006, Veronica Bosgraaf founded a company born out of a desire to feed her family right. The trigger came when her oldest daughter declared herself a vegetarian at the age of 6, propelling Veronica into the kitchen to create healthy, balanced, vegetarian fare. A result of this newfound creativity was Pure Bar: a wholesome snack bar packed with vegan protein that her children actually thought was a treat. As a recipe developer, Veronica has created dozens of healthy, simple recipes for newsletters, blogs and television appearances. As a writer, she has contributed to The Wellness Advisor magazine and the book "Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged." When she's not busy being a mom/wife or running her company, Veronica likes to paddleboard, practice yoga and play the piano. Follow Veronica on Facebook or on Twitter @thepurebar.

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It's Time to Manage Your Sugar Addiction, Sweetcheeks

Damn that sweet tooth.

As the stores start rolling out all that Valentine’s Day crap, the urge for candy becomes like an itch you can't scratch.

But you’re no fool.

You know that sugar rots your teeth and sends your blood sugar on one hell of a ride.

Still, humans needs sugar like a car needs gasoline. In fact, it's your body's preferred source of energy. So if sugar is necessary, why does it get such a bad rap?

Sweet Sensations

Sugar comes into your body in the form of carbohydrates. That’s right, say it with me: carbs = sugar. Any carbohydrate is a sugar, whether it's starchy vegetables, non-dairy milks, beans (even tofu and hummus), fruit or grains. It's no wonder carb-free diets seem restricting. You can't eat shit.

Modern Sugar

Today we consume sugar that has little or no resemblance to a nutrient-rich, natural form. We’ve got GMOs, chemically-produced artificial sweeteners and highly-processed carbs, which rob the body of vitamins, minerals, fats and antioxidants. What happens when your body gets shocked with all this crap? It tries its best to function, but it typically ends up running on short spurts of energy and eventually eats shit. Hello, sugar crash.

How do you manage your sugar addiction? Consider these five tips to help curb your cravings and keep your energy stabilized:

1. Go natural. When consuming carbohydrates, choose organic, whole-food forms instead of highly-processed versions. You'll feed the body's sugar craving without risking a crash. An organic waffle (we love Nature's Path) with nut butter or dark chocolate with a high-cacao content are good options.

2. Read labels. Look for “plain” or “unsweetened” versions of your basic carbs (cereal, non-dairy milks, waffles) that you can dress up yourself. Cereal can pack as much sugar as a Twinkie, so be smart about what you're eating for breakfast.

3. Invest in high-quality sweeteners. When you use your own sweeteners, go for taste and nutrient density. Choose coconut palm sugar and nectar, molasses and organic cane sugar. They may be more expensive than the processed stuff, but you're worth it, damnit.

4. Choose spices over sauces. We consume so much added sugar in sauces. Try using spices during the preparation of food for added flavor that’s naturally sugar-free. Be especially wary of salad dressings and tomato sauce - these suckers are often loaded with extra sugar (and salt).

5. Monitor your carbs. Take note of your carb count every time you eat, instead of aiming for a daily amount. At each eating occasion, try to stay within 15-30 grams. Fifteen grams is more ideal for less-active types or those looking to lose weight.

Did you learn something new in this article? Still have questions? Leave us your feedback in the comments section below!

Have a question for Ashley? Email us at info@healthybitchdaily.com and we'll get your questions answered. 

Ashley Koff, R.D., Resident Dietitian

Named among the Top 10 Registered Dietitians in the U.S. by Today’s Dietitian Magazine, Koff appears regularly on national media outlets, including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, Good Morning America Health, CNN, AOL and E!. Koff is also the dietitian for espnW, and the featured dietitian on the CW’s “Shedding for the Wedding” and Lifetime’s “Love Handles.” Koff maintains a private practice, regularly lectures, and works to improve the quality of food choices on the sets of popular shows such as Private Practice, CSI: New York, Big Love, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Bones. Her book, Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged (Hay House, 2011), hits stands later this summer. For more information please visit AshleyKoffRd.com.

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