The past 18 months of COVID-19 have taken a toll on our psyche, our reserves. And now, upheaval from a storm reminds us, once again, that we as humans truly are no match against the forces of mother nature.

Almonds are on nearly every ‘superfood’ list, and for good reason: they are rich in vitamin E and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and they’re a good source of fiber and antioxidants.

Bread is in my top five favorite foods on the planet. At home, it’s often a whole grain or sprouted grain bread, or one of the nutrient-rich gluten-free varieties that I talk about below.

Cow’s milk has ample competition these days, surrounded by an every-growing array of ‘milks’ made from almonds, cashews, peas, oats, hemp and more.

Looking for budget-friendly finds that are fast, easy, and – yes – still good for you? You’ll want to check out these Trader Joe’s finds that make it easier than ever to squeeze nutritional goodness into meals and snacks on the fly.

Looking for budget-friendly finds that are fast, easy, and – yes – still good for you? You’ll want to check out these Trader Joe’s finds that make it easier than ever to squeeze nutritional goodness into meals and snacks on the fly.

Let’s start by saying, if ice cream is an occasional treat here and there, just have what you love, and savor every bit of it. But if ice cream is an everyday thing, it makes sense to find a better-for-you option that you also really enjoy.

Ashwagandha is having a moment. It’s been around as a dietary supplement for decades, but only recently has it received such attention, thanks to an abundance of research published over the last few years.

Every now and then, a certain food will catch fire. It’s all over social, featured on magazine covers, passed along by word of mouth at our gym or workout studio.

For the energy drink enthusiasts (addicts?) out there, I’ll jump straight to the good news: There are now a few decent energy drinks on the market, including one that I would even say is actually good for us.

So here’s the deal: Sports drinks aren’t always our best option for hydration, even when we’re exercising.

There’s a good bit of debate among health professionals about whether or not we really need a multivitamin. However, I do typically recommend a multivitamin to clients, even for those who feel that they have a nutritious, well-balanced diet, looking at it as nutritional insurance.

Loaded tea is having its moment. Featuring a rainbow of brightly-hued teas with names like Tiger Tea, Sweet Tart and Wonder Woman with promises of energy, focus and revved metabolism, stores selling loaded tea have been popping up across the country.

Our annual #AlcoholFreeFor40 challenge, hosted by our Eat Fit team with Ochsner Health, is truly a way to make going alcohol-free your own little self experiment.

With just a little bit of thought and planning, wellness-focused gifts can be tailored to suit anyone on your list.

The following is a guest post by Melanie Warner Spencer, an award-winning lifestyle reporter, editor and photographer.

For more on anti-aging and post-workout recovery strategies, check out my FUELED Wellness + Nutrition podcast where I’m joined by Nicholas Goyeneche, MD, triple board-certified physician who specializes in the unique field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Ochsner Health.

Ben McLauchlin of Swerve Sweetener recently joined me for a FUELED Wellness + Nutrition podcast, Giving the Gift of Wellness. He’s incredibly talented at creating gorgeous – and delicious – DIY gifts and he reminded me about Swerve’s recipe for Candied Pecans.

From how we manage our to-do list to where we charge our phones at night, these strategies will help you find the peace and serenity we’re all craving this season.

After the year we’ve all experienced, let’s just say we can all benefit from giving (or receiving) the gift of healthy. And from food to fitness to relaxing and recharging, wellness-focused gifts can be tailored to suit anyone on your list.