Blog Posts by DietsInReview

By Maris Callahan - DietsInReview.com

We have all heard that colorful fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and phytonutrients. If you're used to eating a palette of colors that include orange carrots, purple potatoes and dark, leafy greens, know that you can eat just as colorfully this Fourth of July with a festive menu designed around your favorite red, white and blue foods.

While a lot of patriotic recipes use artificial dyes and colors to add festivity and fun to your holiday menu, grocery stores and farm stands are chock full of fresh fruits and vegetables that will not only add these patriotic colors to your plate, but important nutrients to your diet.

RED RECIPES

Raspberry, Lime & Mint Smoothie from The Perfect Pantry: Raspberries contain almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwis, and ten times that of tomatoes. Try them in a refreshing summer smoothie to cool off on The Fourth.

Strawberry-Vanilla Lemonade from Veganess Eats:

By Brandi Koskie - DietsInReview.com

With July rolling in and the first full month of summer in front of us, there is a lot to be excited about. Namely - fruits and vegetables! Some of our favorite seasonal produce is coming in to its peak of freshness and flavor right now, which means there are weeks of delicious eating ahead.

Eating seasonally means you're eating food when it's supposed to be eaten. As with eating locally, it can greatly diminish the carbon footprint your meals are leaving behind because the distance it travels from plant to plate is reduced. It can also be very cost effective. Try to get a tomato from Florida during the winter and check out how scarce the availability is and how the price increases.

Just in time to celebrate The Fourth, July's in-season produce is red, white, and blue and ripe for the picking!

Fruits: Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Red and White Currants, Gooseberries

Vegetables: Peas, Green Beans, Cucumbers, Lettuce Varieties, Radishes,

By Brandi Koskie - DietsInReview.com

With the summer travel season fully underway, you might think that there's not much room in your suitcase for your healthy lifestyle alongside all the sunblock, portable DVD players, and camera gear. But guess again!

You can easily fit a pair of running or gym shoes into all of the luggage your family is loading up for summer vacation, and even stuff an outfit for the gym in there too. Heck, it might even be some shorts and a tee you were already planning to take with you, killing two birds with one stone.

The other daunting part of managing your fitness routine, or even penchant for healthy eating while away from home, is not knowing where to go or what to do. That's the confusion we want to clarify now. There are a lot of resources available to you on the road that are often free or incredibly affordable.

Don't let your healthy habits take a vacation, instead, make sure one or some of the following find a spot on your itinerary.

MapMyRun -

By Brandi Koskie - DietsInReview.com

Do you and your family make time to just be together during the week? Whether it's dinner, activities, or events, it's important to make one another a regular part of the schedule. This wouldn't have been a novel idea a few decades ago, but in today's hectic world, it's unfortunately true that we have to pencil in time for our families.

That's why we're encouraging families to dedicate one evening a week to Family Play Night. Have your family get up and move together while getting reacquainted in your own back yard. Or the front yard, or the park, or wherever it is that you want to play!

"Play is a way for families to connect. Children connect and learn primarily through play," says DietsInReview's mental health expert, Brooke Randolph, LMHC. "Play helps build healthy attachment and positive relationships. Families who play together will be healthier, happier, enjoy each other more, and work together more effectively." Brooke adds that "Play helps

By Maris Callahan - DietsInReview.com

When the sun is shining you might be tempted to turn to tanning in order to refresh your skin. We all know that the sun can increase your risk for skin cancer so we want to recommend a better way to let your complexion shine this season.

We already know that water helps flush toxins from you skin cells to create a glowing complexion. In addition to H20, there are plenty of delicious foods you can eat to help your skin to feel and look fresh.

According to Dr. Brooke Jackson, board certified dermatologist and founder of The Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, fresh fruits and vegetables found at farmers markets not only taste delicious, but are great for improving your skin condition and overall beauty.

Not only does fresh produce help improve your complexion, but consuming it can be a great way to manage your diet, meet daily requirements for fruits and vegetables and of course, keep your beauty treatment budget in check.

Berries: Blueberries,

By Carmen Staicer - Chief Mom at DietsInReview.com

It's that time of year - the kids are out of school, and for many families, that means one thing - Road trip! There's something deeply American about loading the family into the car and striking out for the great unknown. Exploring the country by car is exciting and fulfilling, but it also takes time. Spend a lot of time in the car, and pretty soon, you'll get the munchies. Fail to pack snacks and you'll end up stopping in drive-thrus and convenience stores snacking on French fries, potato chips, and candy. Take time to plan for your foods for your trip and you won't arrive at your destination bloated and five pounds heavier.

Here are ten of my top choices for healthy, easy to pack travel foods that kid- and parent-friendly! These are easily transported and filling enough to help fuel an all day trip. Freeze water bottles, insert them into a cooler with ice, and add your snacks. The water bottles will stay cool and the snacks will

By Nicole Brewer - DietsInReview.com

Swimsuit season is here, and with it, the oftentimes frantic quest for the right suit for your body type. Celebrity stylist and former Biggest Loser Contestant (Season 7) Nicole Brewer offers simple tips for shopping for swimwear that fit your lifestyle and your curves!

Real women have curves, so choose your swimsuits like you would your clothes. Look for silhouettes that flatter your body. Think about your shape first, your size second - that way you'll be drawn to suits that will accentuate your assets and downplay the rest. If you're plus size, shop for swimwear like you would your shape wear. You may not want to cut corners - there's too much at stake. Consider making the investment in supportive fabrics with Lycra® and Spandex, as well as built-in bras that work to shape your body beautifully. You'll quickly discover that it's totally worth it!

Whether you're top heavy, bottom heavy, or have a full midsection in between, view the

By Jennipher Walters - DietsInReview.com

Now that summer has unofficially begun, it's time to sit back and relax -- with a book. Leisurely reading a book on the beach or at the pool is a fantastic way to de-stress and learn something new. We rounded up the best health- and nutrition-related books that will keep your interest and maybe even inspire you to be just a little bit fitter and happier!

1. Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life. This book is penned by Jillian Michaels and is a deep-dive into helping you figure out what's holding you back -- be it with your weight, your inability to stick to a workout program, or even relationships issues. This is the closest you can get to talking to the former Biggest Loser trainer herself!

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. This title is a tale of what we eat, where it comes from and, really, why we should care. Author Michael Pollan takes you on a fascinating adventure into what's really on your plate. For