Holli Thompson

When I was 13 years old and visiting my best friend in Florida, I got a terrible, blistering sunburn. It was pretty scary, and I watched my nose swell like a small potato, and my cheeks flamed with heat. My friend’s mother went outside, cut a leaf from the aloe plant, sliced it open, and instructed me to apply the sap inside to my skin. I watched in awe as the aloe healed my tender, blistered face. When I arrived back home, I swore to never burn again. I was in my early teens when I began using sunscreen and aloe, and I’m happy to say that I’m still a huge fan. Lavender and Roman chamomile are both soothing and anti-inflammatory. If you want a spray instead of a gel, use aloe vera juice and keep refrigerated in a glass spray bottle. Aloe vera gel and juice are found in health food stores. Try to find an organic brand. It’s always best to store aloe in a glass container, rather than plastic as chemicals from the plastic can leach into your juice. Ingredients 1 c pure aloe vera gel 40 drops lavender essential oil 20 drops Roman chamomile essential oil…

I spoke recently about superfoods and smoothies at an event in Washington, DC, and I was surprised at how many people had never tried, or even heard of chia seeds. Is that you? Chia seeds benefit us with anti-inflammatory properties; they’re a healthy source of Omega 3 fatty acids, high in fiber and protein, and smoothie lovers appreciate how they thicken naturally when these tiny seeds are added to liquid. They taste almost like old school tapioca pudding. Here’s my latest version of chia pudding. I prefer using liquid stevia to keep my sugar intake in check, but you can use whatever healthy sweetener you have in the cupboard. Fresh raspberries are abundant right now, and southern pecans make me feel like summer. Here’s hoping you love it! Ingredients 2 cup coconut milk 15 drops liquid vanilla stevia (note: you can substitute 2 tsp of maple syrup or honey if you desire) 1/2 cup whole chia seeds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch sea salt 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder 1 cup fresh raspberries plus extra for topping 1/4 cup chopped pecans for topping 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping Preparation 1. In a 1-quart mason jar or other container with…

Whether you’re spending long days at the beach, or grilling on your back patio, summer brings good times you’ll want to savor. For me, they almost always involve food, and parties with friends. The problem is that most of those summer foods can leave you feeling and looking puffy. So many of my clients say that summer is their hardest time to maintain their weight! Ice cream, hamburgers on a bun, frozen margaritas, chips and guacamole, pizza on the boardwalk. The list is deliciously long. And hard to resist, right? Yet the added salt and sugars in many of those classic summer foods can wreak havoc with your weight, and how you feel. Ugh. This summer, try to focus on foods and drinks that will cool you down and help detoxify you. Fresh, seasonal produce and light summer recipes will delight your senses, and kill the cravings for heavy, weighty foods. And you’ll naturally get rid of the puff and bloat. Mother Nature knew her stuff; there’s a reason we have all that fresh fruit right now. Keep your fridge and fruit bowl stocked with summers bounty. Here’s a list of my favorites and how to use them! And why!…

  I talk and write about women, but the truth is I work with men too, and often (I got a lot of grief from the guys on the little black dress analogy in my book). So, gentlemen, and the ladies who take care of you, this is for you. Here are my top 5 tips on how to live your best men’s Nutritional Style. 1) Movement A healthy heart and cardiovascular system is the key to living a long and healthy life, so regular movement is important. You know that, right? Movement also helps with stress, and boosts your fat burning while building muscle which then burns more calories. And burning more calories helps you keep your weight down, where it should be. Guys tend to carry extra weight in the middle, and extra fat in that area in particular contributes to heart disease and puts your health at risk. SO move…more. Run, walk fast, lift weights, order Beach Body, go to Zumba…Whatever it is that floats your boat, (mountain biking, anyone?) do it. Now. 2) Stress Stress promotes free radicals that lead to aging; it lowers your immunity and creates inflammation that can then also lead to a…