Optimize Reproductive Health: April 2014 Challenge

For those of you trying to conceive, or considering trying within the year, this month is for you. In honor of the upcoming National Infertility Awareness Week we will be discussing nutrition and lifestyle factors that influence reproductive health.For those of you that are not interested in healthy conception, please continue to read along. Reproductive nutrition focuses on improving nutritional status on a cellular level, and that is something we all need to consider.First Quarter Check-InApril is also a great time to check in with your self. In January, you set a workout goal...how are you doing? Have you met your goal so far? Do you need to revise your goals? In February, we talked about optimizing heart health...how many risk factors have you addressed? Last month was an opportunity to focus on one SMARTER goal...how did that go? What was your goal? What progress have you made?An Update On HanaFor those of you that follow this blog, you probably noticed fewer posts in recent months. March flew by and before I realized it, the month was over. I started March with a new e-cookbook, Roasted Vegetable Obsession. This was a really fun e-book to create and I hope that you have been enjoying the recipes! Our family has roasted vegetables of some sort at least three times a week and we all enjoy vegetables prepared this way. Get your e-cookbook today!After I published Roasted Vegetable Obsession, I quickly moved on to develop two presentations that I am honored to tell you about. One focuses on motivational interviewing and the anti-inflammatory diet for the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine iHelp Workshop, and another is a comprehensive approach to management of irritable bowel syndrome for the Northern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Conference.At home, our oldest daughter is turning 5! Unbelievable. Clients often ask what I do personally for parties, so I thought I'd share what we are making for sweet birthday treats. We are having Cherry-Date Ice Cream (dairy-free and no added sugar) and cupcakes from Cupcake Wars winner Kyra Bussanich's cookbook, Sweet Cravings. I try my best to avoid synthetic food dyes, so we will use beet juice to make pink frosting and I'm going to experiment with using blackberry juice and spinach juice for blue and green frosting...the beet juice works beautifully for pink frosting but I haven't tried other colors. If you have, please let me know!This time of year is busy and I'm reminded of the need to focus and set realistic expectations. Stay tuned for more. Happy Spring!Links Disclaimer: The inclusion of links to other sites does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates, or any information, content, products, services, advertising or other materials presented on or through such web sites. I am not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or any information, content, products or services accessible from such sites. Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for personalized nutrition or health advice or healthcare. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read or accessed through this website.