Hey! I’m not sure if you know this, but the month of September is Fruit and Veggies More Matters Month! I am super excited and you should be too. Why? Because this provides such a great opportunity for us to cultivate physical wellness together, with others around the country by including more fruits and veggies in our diets.  It is recommended that we consume between 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. However, only about 1 in 10 Americans consume these recommended daily serving amounts. Most people only eat about 1-2 pieces of fruit a day and maybe 1 vegetable serving with each meal. That’s a start, but its not even close to giving us the proper nutrients our bodies need. With such high rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in our country, it's time we take charge of our health and do the best we can to keep our bodies well. Let’s set and achieve high goals for ourselves! As an advocate for better eating habits and nutrition, I have decided to join the Produce for Better Health Foundation in motivating Americans to eat more fruit and veggies during the month of September and beyond. Therefore, I would like to introduce you the Cultiv8 Challenge!!!!

Very often I get asked, “where to begin?” My response is usually, “How much water do you drink?”  I’m sure somewhere in the rules of English, it’s improper to answer a question with a question, but drinking more water is truly a great way to kick-start your wellness journey. It sounds like a simple goal, but for many it's difficult due to years of consuming sugary foods and drinks. I find it funny, I always get the " water has no taste" complaint or "does soda count" question!  Whatever the excuse is, water is essential for everything our body needs and must be taken seriously on this wellness journey.

Cost! Cost! Cost! Costs seem to be one of the main culprits in the case of why people don’t eat healthy. I hear this all the time and I definitely believe there is some truth to this, especially if you’re trying to eat organic. However, just like shopping for anything else you want, there are ways to get what you want and not go broke while doing so. You just have to look for those sales and brush up on your savvy shopping skills.