The night hours can seem endless: These past couple of months have been particularly difficult for me on a personal and professional level. As I was doing my best to manage a crushing amount of stress, I was losing the ability to turn my mind off at the end of the day. This led to many sleepless nights that ultimately exacerbated the stress. It became a vicious cycle difficult to break. One of the key teachings at the Integrative Institute for Nutrition is that consuming organic, whole foods, will not suffice to achieve well-being and homeostasis if we are too stressed; stress will always disrupt the balance. Thanks to the practical techniques I learned, and a bit of trial and error, I successfully restored a healthy sleeping routine. Experiencing firsthand the consequences of sleep deprivation has provided me with a fresh understanding of the great importance of a restful night's sleep. For me it was a brief period in time, however for most people who have fast-paced and busy l...
My favorite type of salad The saying "you are what you eat" is true when it comes to our overall well-being. Over the years I have learned about the importance of food and nutrition and have experienced firsthand how what I eat impacts my health. I have tried most diets and eating trends. From gluten-free, to vegetarian to calorie-restricting diets, paleo, etc. The journey has been a mix of enjoyment and frustration. I'd like to mention that I've never been able to commit to a particular diet…ever. Perhaps it's because I believe that many diets are driven by excessive marketing and passing trends. However, I've come to realize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Now, I follow my own personalized diet, which has only a few key guidelines. I adhere to these rules diligently because they align with what works best for me and my body. While at times it seems impossible to fit a healthy diet into our busy schedules (particularly for New Yorkers) i...