Thrive Carolinas, Author at Thrive Carolinas

Eating for optimal gut health cooking demonstration with fresh ingredients at Thrive Carolinas

Cooking Demonstration: Eating for Optimal Gut Health

May 5, 2026

Cooking Demonstration: Eating for Optimal Gut Health Better digestion, steadier energy, and whole-body wellness often start in the gut. In this week's Motivation, Dr. Fletcher highlights the rising prevalence of gut health issues, explores potential drivers, and shares practical ways to support gut health. Join us for our final cooking class of the season and discover how the foods you choose can improve digestion, support a balanced microbiome, and promote overall well-being. Reserve Your Spot What You’ll Learn Which foods support healthy digestion Which foods may contribute to imbalance or inflammation How nutrition influences the gut microbiome Simple ways to build meals that support optimal gut function How to make gut-friendly eating practical and sustainable What’s Included Live cooking demonstration Tastings Take-home recipes Practical nutrition guidance you can use right away This...

Spicy Hummus

May 5, 2026

In The Kitchen

Spicy Hummus This spicy hummus adds bold flavor to a classic staple. Made with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and a kick from hot sauce or sriracha, it’s a simple way to elevate snacks, appetizers, or meals. Smooth, creamy, and customizable in heat level, this hummus is perfect for dipping, spreading, or adding to bowls and wraps. Ingredients 2 cups chickpeas 1/4 cup tahini 4 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 tablespoons hot sauce or sriracha 5 tablespoons avocado oil 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup filtered water (adjust as needed) Directions Add chickpeas, tahini, garlic, tomato paste, onion powder, cumin, hot sauce, avocado oil, and olive oil to a food processor. Blend until smooth. Slowly add filtered water while blending until...

Cover image showing a bowl of chickpeas and the title of this blog

Getting to Know the Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean)

May 5, 2026

Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

Are chickpeas good for gut health? Chickpeas are rich in fiber, prebiotics, and resistant starch, which feed beneficial gut bacteria. This supports digestion, improves bowel regularity, and helps maintain a healthy microbiome. Getting to Know the Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Beans are a great food to include in a gut-healthy diet. One standout is the chickpea, also known as the garbanzo bean. This legume has been a staple in many cuisines for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence dating back roughly 10,000 years in the Middle East. Unlike many other legumes, chickpeas provide a unique combination of nutrients that support blood sugar control, weight management, and gut health. A 2016 review published in Nutrients found that individuals who consume chickpeas and chickpea-based foods, such as hummus,...

Sleep: The Health Priority

April 28, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

Struggling with energy, focus, mood, or recovery? It may come back to one thing: sleep. In this week's Motivation, Dr. Palermo shares why sleep should be treated as a priority, not an afterthought. It is one of the most powerful drivers of overall health, yet it is often the first thing we sacrifice. If you’re not sleeping well, your body isn’t recovering, regulating, or performing the way it should. [mkdf_button size="" type="" text="Reserve Your Spot" custom_class="" icon_pack="font_awesome" fa_icon="" link="https://thrivecarolinas.com/event/yoga-and-learn-menopause-and-hrt-part-2-2/" target="_self" color="" hover_color="" background_color="" hover_background_color="" border_color="" hover_border_color="" font_size="" font_weight="" margin=""] Why Sleep Matters Sleep impacts nearly every system in the body. Poor sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling tired, it can affect: Energy and daily performance Mood and emotional resilience Hormone balance and metabolism Immune function and inflammation Focus, memory, and...

Risotto-style pasta with asparagus, wild mushrooms, lemon zest, and Parmesan

Risotto-Style Pasta with Asparagus and Wild Mushrooms

April 28, 2026

In The Kitchen

This risotto-style pasta brings the comfort of a creamy pasta dish without relying on heavy cream. Instead of boiling pasta in water and draining it, this method slowly cooks the pasta in warm broth, similar to traditional risotto. The result is a flavorful, silky dish in which the pasta absorbs more depth from the broth while developing its own naturally rich texture. Asparagus and wild mushrooms make this a beautiful spring-inspired meal, adding color, texture, and nutrition. Finish with lemon zest and fresh Parmesan for brightness and balance. Fun Food Facts Cooking pasta risotto-style, sometimes called pasta risotto or one-pot pasta, allows the pasta to absorb broth as it cooks. This can enhance flavor without requiring excess fat and may help retain more nutrients than boiling pasta in...

Fiber-rich fruits vegetables and fermented foods that support gut health and the microbiome

Eat for Your Gut: Simple Ways to Support Your Microbiome Naturally

April 28, 2026

Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, In The Kitchen, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition

A diet that supports gut health must also support the microbiome—your community of beneficial gut bacteria. This starts with removing common disruptors and focusing on foods that nourish and protect the gut lining. A gut-friendly diet should minimize processed ingredients such as hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and additives. It should also be low in added sugars and GMO foods that are often exposed to higher levels of pesticides. The more anti-inflammatory the diet, the better it supports the gut mucosa and overall digestive health.If you are actively trying to heal your gut, a structured approach like an elimination diet can be a helpful starting point. From there, the goal is to rebuild with foods that support balance and diversity in the microbiome.A gut-supportive...

Harlee Palmer of Thrive talking about peptides

Peptides: Hype, Hope, and What You Should Know

April 21, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

Motivation with Harlee Palmer If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve likely noticed the growing buzz around peptides. From performance and recovery to weight management and aging, they’re being talked about as a potential game-changer. But with all the attention comes an important question: Are peptides something you should actually consider? Understanding the Conversation Peptides aren’t new, but the spotlight on them is. At their core, peptides are small chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body. They help regulate a wide range of biological processes, from metabolism to tissue repair. What’s changed is how they’re being used and how widely they’re being discussed. Dr. Palmer encourages a thoughtful approach. Just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. But it also...

Sheet-pan breakfast with baked eggs, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, shallots, and chorizo

Sheet-Pan Breakfast (or Brunch)

April 21, 2026

In The Kitchen

This sheet-pan breakfast is one of those simple, flexible meals that work just as well for a weekend brunch as they do for an easy weeknight dinner. Roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, shallots, and chorizo create a savory base, while baked eggs bring everything together for a balanced, protein-rich meal. It’s colorful, satisfying, and ideal for feeding a small group without much fuss or cleanup. Ingredients 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed 2 large shallots, halved and sliced 2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 pound cooked chorizo (optional) 4–6 eggs Additional red pepper flakes or Parmesan cheese, if desired Directions Preheat oven to 425°F. In...

Image showcasing the peptide revolution for thrive

The Peptide Revolution: Understanding the Hype, Risks, and Reality

April 21, 2026

Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

If you've been following health and wellness trends lately, you've likely heard about peptides. Small proteins being promoted as everything from anti-aging solutions to performance enhancers. As interest grows, it’s important to separate fact from fiction and understand what the science actually says What Are Peptides, and are they safe? Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides that act as messengers, helping regulate how your cells function. Many of the peptides gaining attention today are synthetic versions designed to mimic or enhance natural processes, potentially influencing hormone production, tissue repair, immune function, and metabolism. A familiar example is GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide), which mimic natural hormones to regulate appetite and support weight loss. FDA-Approved vs. Unapproved Peptides Some peptides have...

Nutrition, Food Is Medicine, Cooking Demonstration, Anti-Inflammatory Eating, Dr. Palermo, Thrive Events

Motivation: Food Is Medicine 2026 Cooking Demo

April 14, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

What you eat every day can influence inflammation, energy, metabolism, and long-term health. In today’s #MondayMotivation, Dr. Palermo explores how different foods and food substances affect the body and why nutrition remains one of the most powerful tools we have to support wellness. Chronic disease continues to impact millions of Americans, but part of the solution may be closer than we think. Emerging research shows that food can play a meaningful role in both preventing and managing disease. The right ingredients can help support healing, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health often in ways that are practical, sustainable, and deeply satisfying. If you’ve ever wanted a clearer, more approachable way to understand how food affects the body, this event is for you. Don’t delay, these classes have been selling...

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Author: Thrive Carolinas

Cooking Demonstration: Eating for Optimal Gut Health

Spicy Hummus

Getting to Know the Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean)

Sleep: The Health Priority

Risotto-Style Pasta with Asparagus and Wild Mushrooms

Eat for Your Gut: Simple Ways to Support Your Microbiome Naturally

Peptides: Hype, Hope, and What You Should Know

Sheet-Pan Breakfast (or Brunch)

The Peptide Revolution: Understanding the Hype, Risks, and Reality

Motivation: Food Is Medicine 2026 Cooking Demo

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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Author: Thrive Carolinas

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