If you’re looking for a way to add to your joy, look no farther than spending some extra time with the relationships that matter most in your life!

Convincing evidence of this comes from Martin Seligman, a leading expert in the field of happiness research. He said, "Research has shown that daily support from those closest to us is a key factor in cultivating a positive outlook."

We’ve all experienced such a prolonged season of increased isolation over the past two years, so it’s a very inviting invitation to focus outward and deepen the relationships in our lives. 

Check out a couple other compelling reasons why investing in deep connections are vital.

Close Relationships Make Us Feel Optimistic
A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showed that when we have social support, our perception of challenges changes. And the social support paves a way for optimism to grow, increasing overall satisfaction with life while lowering the risk of...

1 cup of mango chunks

1 sliced banana

3 pcs strawberries

1/2 cup of coconut milk

Food is fuel but there are times you may find yourself having your own personal energy crisis, and this often occurs in those mid-day moments.

Having a great selection of delicious snacks on hand as well as optimizing your ratio of slow burning carbs to healthy protein and fat is key to keeping your energy peaked! 

Instead of getting a 3 p.m. sugar rush with nutritionally empty snacks, look to fuel instead with foods that provide a steady flow of energy without the sugar high that is quickly followed by the evitable crash. 

Load up on these foods that give you energy, and you’ll find yourself recharged - even in the midst of a high stress day!

4 Go-To Foods that Give You Energy

1. An apple with your favorite butter
A medium apple has about 25 grams of carbohydrates and four grams of fiber. The latter stabilizes the effect of all those carbs on blood glucose levels, which means digestion happens at a steady rate. And combining that with a little protein and fat from...

If you want dinner in minutes, here's an easy dish to serve. In her blog, Chef Sally Cameron tells us that scallops cook quickly and can be served with many different sauces for a variety of flavor options. With a simple technique and the right pan, seared scallops are ready in minutes. And for this dish you can opt out of the wine and choose a light broth or just plain water. Check out the recipe here!

In his book, Finding the Life You’ve Always Wanted, best-selling author John Ortberg uses a sports metaphor to explain a tried and true method to maximizing your motivation.

He says, “Suppose you woke up tomorrow morning and decided to run a marathon. You put on some running shoes, don the right apparel, and head out the door to begin your 26.2 mile run. Could you do it? What if you tried hard? Really, really hard? If you gave it the ole’ 110%? The obvious answer is, for most of us would be no, of course not.”  

“Too often, we “try to do better” in an area of life. The problem is that trying won’t get us any closer to our goals. Only training will do that.”

No matter how hard we try, most of us couldn’t simply head out the door and run 26.2 miles. If we want to run a marathon, we’re going to have to train for it. Effort alone just won’t cut it.

But what if you woke up each morning and trained to run...

Spring is one of our favorite seasons with all the signs of new life, energy and growth. It’s the perfect time for a spring detox to revitalize, refresh and renew. Practiced by cultures around the world, incorporating a detox into your self-care routine is all about resting, cleansing and nourishing your body from the inside out.

By removing and eliminating toxins, while feeding your body with healthy nutrients, a detox is the quickest way to feel better, invigorate your health and supercharge your weight loss.

Three times a year we offer a time to come together and revitalize our health with a 21-day guided detox. If you’ve been considering trying one but aren’t sure, check out just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy...

1. Weight Loss and Improved Metabolism
There are many reasons to do a detox besides losing weight. But if weight loss is one of your goals, a detox diet can be a great way to jumpstart your progress.

2. Increased Energy
An energy boost is...

Happy Monday!

We wanted to kick-off the week with some goodness from our dear friend Dr. Daniel Amen. In his newest book, You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type he reveals how to improve your overall brain health to consistently enhance your mood and elevate your happiness. We love this excerpt on creating more micro-moments of happiness…

“The big “H”— happiness—doesn’t require major life-changing events, accomplishments, or milestones. Start finding joy in the smallest things you can: hearing a bird sing outside your window, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face when you step outside, petting your dog or cat, taking that first sip of your favorite brain healthy smoothie, or cracking open a new book.

I call these micro-moments of happiness.

Most of us gloss over these little things, searching instead for the big experiences. I want you to savor these precious times because, when your brain...

We thought it would be encouraging to check-in with our RISE Expert Faculty, Dr. Mark Hyman and glean a few of his favorite ways to strengthen and fortify your health for the journey ahead. Here are a few recommendations he prioritizes to support your immunity and energize your life…

1. A whole-foods, nutrient-dense diet.
Our immune system relies on nutrient-dense whole foods to function well. Vegetables are the foundation of a nourishing diet, and they provide so many immune-supporting nutrients like vitamin C (red bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach) and carotenoids (carrots, sweet potatoes, and kale). Aim for two servings of fruits and eight or more servings of vegetables a day! (A serving is half a cup.)

Berries, pasture-raised meats, and nuts and seeds are also nutritional powerhouses that will hold up great in the freezer, so you can stay stocked without going out.

2. Cut out sugars and refined starches.
There has never been a better time for a sugar and junk food detox....