Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays, not only because America remembers the heroes who have served our country, but because it's a tradition that I spend it with my family. The weekend also kicks summer into high gear, and that calls for refreshing, fruity drinks! My fam gets together to make good food, drink, and have a good time!

It's hard to believe that strawberry season is right around the corner. We’re all quite familiar with these sweet, tangy, and bright red berries. But did you know that on top of being naturally delicious, they’re also a rockstar superfood?

I have a confession to make—I'm one of those people who sneaks food into the movie theatre. I know, I know, bad girl! It's not about the money, in fact, I'd happily pony up some of my hard-earned cash if the movie theatre concession stands provided healthier snack options. All that I've seen is buttered popcorn, soda, candy, and hot dogs. Until they get on the healthy eating bandwagon, I'm going to keep on keeping on with my large snack-filled purse.

The expectation for college students is to eat whatever you can, whenever you can, as long as it's cheap. But I didn't. I started meal planning sophomore year. Sundays were spent seeking out deals in the local ads, creating a meal plan and shopping list, grocery shopping, and finally, preparing food for the week. Meal planning may seem like a hassle, but it actually comes with a lot of benefits.

A lot of people feel they have to give up comfort food when they transition to a healthier diet. Wrong! And it's my personal mission to squash this myth. Most comfort foods can be made healthy (or, at least, healthier) and the truth is, some of the classic comfort foods are way healthier than you might expect.

Have you ever wondered whether or not you should spend the extra money on organic foods? I know I have. With summer quickly approaching, many of us will soon have access to a plethora of fruits and vegetables. Let's talk about the ones you should buy organic.

Growing up, pretty much my only experience with peas were the sad, mushy guys found in the canned goods aisle of the grocery store. They were okay (and a cheap and easy way to make sure my parents could get some veggies into us kids), but it wasn't until I had farm-fresh peas for the first time that I realized a fresh, sweet, bright green pea in the spring can almost be a religious experience! They are bursting with flavor and nutrients and can be used in so many ways—I encourage you to hop on the pea train!

Grain bowls are one of my favorite meals. A perfect balance of carbs, fats, and protein, they're the best way to get a lot of flavor and nutrients in one dish. Plus, they're hearty and filling. There's nothing better on a cool spring day.

So what are we waiting for? Let's build a bowl!