Healthy Habits Santa Cruz

02/04/2026

This month’s seasonal lineup leans heavily into deep greens and bright citrus — which makes a lot of sense for this time of year.

Think arugula, spinach, kale, broccoli, leeks, onions, and plenty of lemons and citrus.

Seasonal foods naturally support the body in different ways throughout the year:

• Mineral-rich greens support digestion, detox pathways, and steady energy
• Vitamin C–packed citrus helps support immune health and iron absorption
• Naturally anti-inflammatory foods help balance winter sluggishness
• Simple, affordable staples that work in soups, salads, sautés, and sheet-pan meals
• Easy “eat the rainbow” wins — even when the palette is mostly green + orange

Save this post to reference at the grocery store — it’s a simple way to spot what’s in season and build meals from there.

What green or citrus produce are you reaching for most this February? 🍋🥦

01/29/2026

Kids get less than 8 hours of nutrition education a year — and yet food impacts their energy, focus, mood, and long-term health every single day.

What started as a short podcast series for parents (Raising Healthy Habits) is evolving into something bigger.

📝 Healthy Habits is now developing an elementary school nutrition curriculum.

If you’re a parent, educator, or part of a school and want to learn more or get your school involved, you can sign up on my website (HealthyHabitsSC.com)

And if you have ideas or things you wish kids were learning about food — leave a comment. I’m building this in real time 🤍

12/11/2025

So many of us grew up hearing that fat was dangerous — avoid butter, choose low-fat everything, stick with vegetable oil.
But that story wasn’t actually true… and in this episode, I explain why.

This clip is a small piece of Episode 5: The Truth About Fat, where I break down the history, the myths, and what kids’ growing brains actually need.

And honestly?
This is information everyone can benefit from — parents, non-parents, anyone who eats food and wants to understand what really supports their body.

Listen to the full episode through the link in my bio or on Spotify under Raising Healthy Habits. 🤍🎧

12/02/2025

So many great colors of produce this month!

December is one of my favorite times to lean into seasonal fruits and vegetables — think pomegranates, kiwis, citrus, artichokes, winter greens, and more.

Eating seasonally isn’t just trendy… it’s smart functional nutrition:

• More nutrients — produce picked in-season is richer in flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• Better for your gut — seasonal variety naturally supports microbial diversity (hello, happy digestion!).
• Budget-friendly — fruits and vegetables grown locally and in-season are often more affordable.
• Environmentally supportive — lower travel distance = lower environmental impact.
• More fun + flavorful — seasonal colors make it easy to “eat the rainbow” without even trying.

This month, bring home a few seasonal picks and let them inspire your meals — add bright citrus to a salad dressing, roast artichokes, or snack on fresh kiwi for a burst of vitamin C.

Which December produce is your favorite? 🍋🍊🥝

11/27/2025

This story is why I have the passion to start a philanthropic part of Healthy Habits Santa Cruz called “Every Plate Counts”. Because quality food should be a right, not a privilege. 🤍

Imagine finding out a company feeding millions of families… a company that has cans sitting in your cabinet and mine right now… had an executive caught on a secret recording saying their products are basically “sht for fcking poor people.”
Saying the meat was “bioengineered” and comparing it to chicken from a 3-D printer.
Like quality doesn’t matter because of who they think is buying it.

Because this isn’t just about soup.
It’s about how companies talk about us when they think we won’t hear them.
It’s about the quiet belief that poor people don’t deserve quality… or honesty… or real food on the shelves our kids choose from.

And I’m sorry… but when did we stop being people.
When did feeding struggling families become an open invitation to cut corners.
When did it become acceptable to hide ingredients and shrug because “they’ll eat it anyway”.

We are not disposable.
We are not less deserving.
We are not bodies to be filled with whatever is cheapest to produce.
We are parents and workers and caretakers trying to survive a world that already makes every basic human need feel like a luxury.

This isn’t about being poor.
This is about being human.
Because the second a company decides one group is worth less and the second they decide transparency doesn’t apply to “those people” it becomes inhumane.

Enough.
Enough acting like people with less money somehow deserve less food, less truth, less dignity.

I’ll never buy Campbell's again and either should you because THIS is what we stand for.

11/20/2025

Functional nutritionist here 👋✨

One of the simplest and most effective ways to build a balanced meal is the fat + fiber + protein framework. It supports steady energy, mood, focus, blood sugar, and overall metabolic health — for everyone.

To make this easier for you, I created a set of handouts you can save or print:

• a Fat + Fiber + Protein Whole-Food Cheat Sheet
• Balanced meal + snack ideas to use in real life
• a Fill-In-Your-Own Meal Guide you can keep on your fridge

Swipe through, download what you need, and make everyday eating feel lighter and more doable.
If you want the full breakdown of how FFP works, Episode 3 of my Raising Healthy Habits podcast series walks you through all of it. LINK IN BIO!!!

10/30/2025

🌈 Kids naturally connect with food through color, curiosity, and play — long before they ever learn “healthy vs. unhealthy.”

Episode 1 of Raising Healthy Habits is now live — and we’re talking about how “Eat the Rainbow” helps kids build a positive relationship with food from the inside out.

Listen to the full episode + get the free Eat the Rainbow printable here:
healthyhabitssc.com/podcast
or listen on Spotify 🎙️

10/09/2025

Fats aren’t the enemy — they’re the fuel. 💪
From butter to avocado oil, it’s all about knowing when to turn up the heat (and when to chill).
Swipe to cook smarter. 🌿

10/08/2025

Five years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar — and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
I’m sharing my story because I believe openness breaks stigma and helps us all see mental health in a more human, hopeful way.

If you or someone you love lives with bipolar disorder, I hope this reminds you that balance, understanding, and growth are all possible. 🤍