When the weather warms up we start making lots of salads of all kinds. They are easy to prepare, and can do double duty as a full meal or a single course. Spring brings a special assortment of lovely ingredients like asparagus and sugar snaps that lend themselves to being incorporated into salads. Whole Foods Spring Salads will give you some ideas -ranging from plants to seafood to grains-for making a simple salad into a pleasurable meal.

On May 14th and 15th, HBO is hosting The Weight of the Nation, a dramatic and compelling documentary series on the obesity epidemic in America. HBO created an unparalleled partnership with the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, the Institute of Medicine, Kaiser and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation to bring this health campaign into being. The program is in four segments; Part 1: Consequences, looks at the obesity epidemic while examining health consequences; Part 2: Choices, looks at medicine's role; Part 3: Children in Crisis, takes a long look at the food systems and marketing geared toward children, and the disastrous state of our nation's school lunch program; Part 4: Challenges, looks at how the epidemic came about, and the ways that families and communities can take a proactive role in fighting back. In addition, the Great Cafeteria Takeover kicks off a special family segment called the Weight of the Nation for Kids and airs May 16th. For my review of the program, read on.

Did you ever make breakfast for your mom on Mother's Day? Most of us have stories and memories of doing just that, and as a mom I can remember my daughter taking the project very seriously and doing an amazing job of it at 8 years old. Mother's Day Brunch will give you some ideas -many of which are kid friendly-for a healthy and yummy, pampering and delicious meal for the woman who brought us here. Love you Mom!

I often recommend that my clients carry some sort of nutrient dense energy bar or snack with them so if they are stuck in a meeting, traveling or have to work late they can avoid making bad food choices. How often have you found yourself ravenously hungry and reaching for anything edible in sight? Processed food snacks can undo great habits, and they are available everywhere. If you are inclined, you can make your own delicious, nutrient rich food bars at home in about 10 minutes. My recipe for Raw Energy Bars offers 4 variations on the original theme and is chock full of superfoods like lucuma, maca and chia seeds. Raw Lemon Coconut Bars are lighter on the superfoods and more coconutty. Both are great for kids, great for grown-ups, and super easy to prepare.