"It all starts with what's on your fork!"

This is how Karen Malkin, National Board-certified Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Karen Malkin Health Counseling, opened our first KX3 AM Coffee Chat this morning. We were ready to take in every bit of healthy inspiration we could in our 45 minutes with Karen, and boy did she deliver a plethora of goodness and insightful guidance in response to everyone's questions. Also a Certified Eating Psychology Coach and Teacher, and a Certified Brain Health Coach (among her many other credentials), Karen emphasized the importance of establishing a healthy relationship with food, and then elaborated on the importance of phytonutrients, seasonal produce, and so much more.

I've wrapped up some of the key takeaways below, and included a few links to resources recommended by Karen. I encourage you to watch the video if you can—there are tasty little nuggets (pun intended)...

Several years ago I was introduced to the "morning margarita," and I haven't looked back! It's easy peasy, and may soon become your best friend to jumpstart your hydration.

32 oz cold water + juice of 1/2 lime + 1/4 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt*

I usually make it a point to drink mine on the way to work, or before I dive into my coffee for the day. Using a 32 oz Nalgene bottle or similar makes it quick and easy to fill, squeeze, measure, shake and go! I've found that it promotes further hydration throughout the day, I know it's providing me with key electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, along with vitamins A, B, C and D. Oh, and antioxidants.

And did I mention it's refreshingly tasty? So tasty in fact, that I sometimes put it in my water bottles for shorter rides when I don't want the sugar, and the electrolytes serve their purpose in helping keep me hydrated. It's a win-win! 

Note: the first few times you drink this, you may taste the salt a...