It's nearly the new year, and with the new year comes New Year resolutions. What are yours? If one of your New Year resolutions is to cut sugar from your life, we're here to help! And if you haven't considered a sugar-free lifestyle might we suggest it?

Why dump refined sugar? You already know sugar isn't the healthiest item around but you may not be aware of just how much sugar you're eating. Did you know we average 130 pounds of sugar per person in the United States? All those sugar-y drinks and sweets add up, right? So does all the sugar in things like sauces, condiments, crackers, and more – refined sugars that you may not even be noticing.

Look around and you'll see smoothies everywhere – from smoothie bars to frozen mixes in the freezer section of the grocery store that you just add milk to. There's a reason for that! Turns out, not only are smoothies extremely yum but they're pretty powerful as well. Developing the habit of drinking healthy smoothies on a daily basis is an excellent investment of your time and money!

You've all heard it, right? Eggs are TERRIBLE for your cholesterol and should be avoided at ALL costs. See an egg? RUN AWAY!!! We're here to tell you that the great cholesterol myth is, well, just that – a myth. It's not true. Eggs are pretty much the perfect food. Don't believe us? A 2011 study in the journal, “Food Chemistry”, found that regular egg consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease AND cancer because of eggs high levels of antioxidants. Several studies have shown that eggs help lower blood pressure. And in addition to the antioxidants, eggs pack a wallop of protein and nutrients in one low-calorie, low-carb, cheap, and easy to eat package!

What's summer without the heat? And what's summer without taking advantage of all the fabulous local farmers' markets that pop up throughout the season? While there are SO many ways to use the fresh fruits and veggies you can find during the summer, one of our favorites is homemade salsa. Not only are there a ton of ways to make it – spicy, smoky, sweet – but it's much simpler to create than you might imagine. Plus it's the perfect topping for a plethora of items and an incredible side dish all it's own (not to mention a wonderful ingredient to mix into a few more decadent appetizers!). Have a look at these recipes we've gathered and explore the possibilities!