So many of you have told me how much you enjoy the delicious recipes featured in my Fiber35 Diet and Detox Strategy books and in my Healthy Living online newsletter, and now there’s one simple place where you can find them all—plus new recipes you haven’t seen before!

Just visit the brand new Recipes & Diet section in the ReNew Life Blog to view more than 100 healthful and great-tasting recipes compiled by our expert nutrition team to help you lose weight, improve digestion and live healthier every day. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering options the whole family will enjoy, like Quick & Easy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins, Chipotle Oven Fried Chicken, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dip, and more—so be sure to visit soon!

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breakfast, chicken, chipotle, delicious, detox strategy, diet, digestion, dinner, fiber35, great-tasting, healthy, hummus, lose weight, muffins, nutrition, pumpkin, Recipes, roasted red pepper, whole wheat

Are there days when you feel sluggish and tired, and you just don’t have the energy to do the things you enjoy? Do digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea or even gas and bloating seem to weigh you down? Or do you sometimes feel more scatterbrained and forgetful than usual and wish there was a way to feel like yourself again? It’s time to discover the natural solution that will bring back the vibrant health and energy you deserve.

Tomorrow on the Poop Scoop I’ll share with you the secret to better digestion and a clearer mind and body, and it all begins with High fiber, Omega oils, Probiotics and Enzymes. These four nutritional supplements are the key to my H.O.P.E. Formula, and they have helped millions of people just like you live healthier every day. But where should you start? And how much do you need every day to get the most benefit? Join me and learn everything you need to know!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive.

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bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dietary Fiber, digestion, energy, Enzymes, gas, Health, high-fiber, HOPE formula, nutrition, Omega oils, Probiotics

So summer is right around the corner, and I know a lot of folks are looking for the best way to shed some pounds as they shed the clothes in time for the pool or beach. So why is it so hard to lose those unwanted pounds? Well, a lot of it has to do with how you’re trying to lose weight, and tomorrow on the Poop Scoop I’ll be talking about the proven solution that will help you not only reach your goal weight, but keep the weight off once and for all.

My special guests will be Bonnie Cooper and Cedric Baldwin—two weight loss success stories with plenty of tips on how to lose weight in a healthy way. Plus, I’ll help you understand the science behind successful weight loss, including the miracle nutrient that will help curb your appetite, reduce cravings and eliminate calories. Believe me, if you’ve ever struggled with your weight, this is the one show you can’t afford to miss!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

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Diets, Health, nutrition, obesity, Weight Loss

Did you know that a healthy gut can help you fight back against colds and flu? This week on the Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with renowned medical doctor and nutrition expert Leonard Smith about the importance of a strong digestive tract for boosting immunity and warding off harmful bacteria and viruses. After all, more than 70 percent of your body’s natural immune defenses live in your gut!

Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon, as well as an expert on nutrition and natural supplementation. For the past 25 years, Dr. Smith has studied countless holistic medical programs, including those focusing on immunity, longevity, nutrition, exercise, chelation, stress management and the relevance of mental and spiritual attitude with regard to healing. Acknowledging the effectiveness of whole organic foods and nutritional supplementation, Dr. Smith strives to stay on the cutting edge of research and keep pace with the latest advances in the field of functional nutrition.

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

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boosting immunity, digestion, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon, gut health, harmful bacteria, immunity, Leonard Smith, natural immune defenses, nutrition, viruses

Every parent knows it’s not always easy getting kids to eat healthy, especially since we can’t be with them every second of the day. But teaching children early on about the benefits of good nutrition is one of the most important things we as parents can do to help them grow into healthy adults, and the good news? It may not be as hard as you think!

On this week’s Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with Dr. Tara Garlitz about simple and effective ways to helps kids make smart choices when it comes to food. Tara is a mom of three who’s been working with children and families for more than 10 years to help them understand the important connection between diet, digestive health and overall wellness, including the role of good bacteria in the gut and why daily probiotics are a must. So parents—don’t miss out on this valuable advice!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

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children's diet, children's health, digestive system, growing kids, nutrition, Poop Scoop, Probiotics, Tara Garlitz, Wellness

I know, I know, you hear it all the time – eat at least 5 servings (some natural health practitioners recommend 9!) of fruits and vegetables every day. So if you keep hearing it, then why aren’t you doing it? I mean really!

No excuses – this is about what you can eat! Your challenge this week is to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day. And remember, there is so much exotic produce available these days, don’t be afraid to try something different! Mix it up – and let me know what you tried this week that you have never eaten before.

Here are a couple simple tips for incorporating more fruits and veggies into your day:

Double Your Serving – If you are already having a side of veggies, double up. Eating an apple? Follow it with a plum. Even better – substitute a starch like white rice, potatoes or pasta with more veggies!

Prepare Healthy Snacks Beforehand – Keep snack bags or containers of fresh fruit and veggies always on hand and very visible in the fridge – like front and center! That way, when you go looking for something to eat, they’ll be the first things you see.

Form a Habit  – They say to form a habit you have to do something at least twelve times, so why not make it a good habit? Choose a certain time each day (it doesn’t have to be exact) to start a fruit or veggie habit. It could be as easy as adding fresh fruit to your morning oatmeal or making your own vegetable juice in the afternoons. Whatever it is, stick with it until it becomes part of your day – your body will thank you!

Let Me Know How it’s Going – Was it easy to double up on your fruit and veggie servings? Did you make a habit of including more fruits and vegetables in your day? What did you do to help get 5 or more servings each day? Do you have a tip of your own?

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5 servings, fiber, fresh fruit, Fruit, fruits, fruits and vegetables, natural health, nutrition, Vegetable, vegetable juice, veggies

“Renew You” Challenge – Here it comes, the dreaded question… how good is your diet???  No, not your weight loss plan—I mean the food you eat every day!

Most of the time we don’t even think about it, but the truth is that our diets reveal a lot about our overall health. Not only that, but a diet that we think is healthy might actually be anything but. For example, you might eat a wholesome salad with grilled salmon for dinner, but what about the breakfast you skipped or the drive-thru burger you had for lunch? 

Now believe me, I know nobody’s perfect, which is why I recommend becoming a diet detective! Starting today, write down everything you eat and drink for a whole week, and at the end of the week you’ll be able to reevaluate your diet and see what changes you need to make!

Ready to start investigating your eating habits? Here are a few things to consider to help you on your way: 

• Did you eat enough fiber? I recommend 35+ grams daily!
• Are the carbohydrates that you eat complex or refined?
• Did you eat enough protein? How about Omega-3s?
• Did you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables?
• Did you drink at least half your weight in ounces of water each day?
• How many times did you eat something you probably shouldn’t have?

Also, be sure to keep track of any digestive issues you might have—like heartburn, gas and bloating, or even constipation. And write down any changes in your mood or energy level during the day. Do any of these changes seem to be affected by your diet? 

Being a diet detective can tell us a lot of things about our health, so start sleuthing and have fun—I can’t wait to hear your results!

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bloating, Constipation, diet, diet journal, Diets, digestive issues, eating habits, energy level, fiber, food, gas, Heartburn, nutrition

Renew You Challenge

Be a part of my Weekly Challenge (I mean, opportunity!) to help set you off on the right foot and in the right direction for bringing better health to your week. Add it to your calendar and  join us every Monday! 

Pay Attention to Your Food!  Be honest – how many times have you found yourself standing at the kitchen counter or over the sink just popping stuff in your mouth without even thinking about it? Or do you do things like read the newspaper, surf the net or watch TV during meals? I’ll give you a second to wipe that guilty look off your face…

The truth is, most of the time we’re so distracted that we never even take the time to chew our food let alone taste it, and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how bad that is! So this week’s challenge is all about getting rid of those pesky distractions when you’re about to eat.

It’s called mindful eating, and I want you to eat at least one meal every day without distractions – just you and your food. That means sitting down, and yes, chewing your food thoroughly so those helpful enzymes in your saliva have time to start the digestive process.(And don’t even get me started about how important healthy digestion is!)

Also when you’re eating, try to really taste your food. Think about how it breaks down in your digestive tract and gives nourishment to your body. You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s worth repeating – you really are what you eat!

Let Me Know How it’s Going!  What opportunities has this challenge opened up for you? Was it easy? Any revelations?  Did you enjoy your food more?

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chewing your food, digestion, digestive process, Enzymes, food, Food science, Health, mindful eating, nourishment, nutrition, saliva, Self-care, Taste

This morning, as I was watching the Today show, a segment came on about Detox Diets and whether they were good for you. The guest was Madelyn Fernstrom, the Today Show Diet and Nutrition Editor and frequent contributor to segments and iVillage content.

My first thought was “Oh no, they’re going to bash the concept of detox”. But I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, I felt the segment was very complementary and fair. Madelyn Fernstrom stated that a detox diet done right, such as getting away from processed foods, eating clean vegetables, drinking more water can be helpful support to your natural detoxification process. She also mentioned that on the other hand doing something to extreme, like not eating at all could be damaging to some people.

A question was posed by the host about juice fasting and Madelyn agreed, as I do as well, that doing a juice fast for 2 to 3 days, for a healthy person, should not be a problem and in fact could make them feel good. But again, to the extreme, and doing a fast when you are on medication, have major health issues or for long periods could be harmful.

The Master Cleanse, a 10 day fasting program of water, some lemon juice and maple syrup, was addressed. Again, I agree with Ms. Fernstrom on her comments that this type of fasting may give you some calories, but no nutrients. And to go without nutrients for 10 days could be harmful to many people. She also reminded us that most celebrities who tout these extreme cleanses are under the supervision of their physician when they do them.

In my book, The Detox Strategy, I explain about the different types of cleansing and detox programs available, when, why and how to do them correctly. The reason most people do a detox program is to help support the body’s organs that are responsible for this function. For example, the liver and the body’s largest detoxification organ, can become sluggish, which slows the body’s natural ability to detoxify. Herbs, like dandelion, artichoke and milk thistle can work to increase the bile flow from the liver, one of it’s means to rid the body of toxins. Herbs are important because they can help support all of the body’s 7 channels of elimination, including the lungs, kidneys, skin, lymph, blood, colon and liver. Fiber can also be an important part of a detoxification program, as it absorbs the toxins the body is trying to get rid of.

I also explain in my book that helping your body to detoxify is not only about diet, but about your daily environment, from your home to your office. I give suggestions about how to clean up your food, your water, your home, even the air you breathe. I explain how to nourish your body so that you support your body’s natural detoxification process, ongoing. In The Detox Strategy, I give you a full spectrum approach to cleansing and detoxifying your body.

Everyone deserves to feel as alive and energetic as possible, and The Detox Strategy can help you do just that.

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Cleansing, detox strategy, detoxification, diet, fiber foods, madelyn fernstom, Master Cleanse, nutrition, Today Show