It’s hard to believe that five years ago today we published the first edition of The Dorm Room Diet! So much has happened since – starting with so many wonderful comments from readers about how the book has impacted their lives… On this day, I’m especially happy and proud to have been able to share my message of good health and well-being with so many of you!

My favorite part of this process has always been getting to explore all the easy ways we can learn to prioritize–but not obsess over–healthy living. I like to keep it simple, inexpensive, and above all, fun! Watch as I raid the pantries of the co-hosts of Good Morning America Weekend, and grade how well they do on stocking their fridges and cupboards. Then read my latest Food for Life column on how to improvise a healthy lifestyle on the go!

Marking this special occasion, I took time to answer some of the questions that readers of Dormify – a fantastic site for all of you dorm room decorators looking for some fresh inspiration– sent in about healthy living and eating on campus, juggling studies and proper exercise, and the challenges posed by parties and dining halls.

For many of you, it’s back-to-school time (so jealous!), so revisit the Five Principles of Healthy Eating on this site, and delve back into your copy of The Dorm Room Diet for renewed inspiration and advice! (Oh, and remember that the book is now available for your iPad, Kindle, Nook, or other e-reading device!)

Finally, if you’ve been curious about going vegan, check out the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program online. It’s free, and includes meal plans, nutrition webcasts, and a lot more… Look for my guest coach tips late next week!

Here’s to a very happy and healthy start to the Fall! And for those of …

I had a great time yesterday returning to Good Morning America and sharing my tips for great snacks under 150 calories with Robin Roberts and the rest of the GMA team, with everyone joining in to taste test! (Watch the video above.) You can check out the GMA website for these great, easy-to-prep recipes: Healthy Herbal Popcorn, Spicy Fruit Popsicles, Banana Whip, Baked Pizza Pita Chips, and Broiled Dates.

Robin Roberts, Josh Elliott, Daphne Oz and Sam Champion on "Good Morning America" (Photo courtesy of ABC)

Earlier this summer, I traveled to Turkey to visit my paternal grandparents at their home in Istanbul. Visit the Creators.com syndicate website to read my columns on this memorable trip, sharing time and tradition in the kitchen, and bargaining in the Turkish bazaar!

I’ll be traveling again this weekend, heading to Los Angeles for the ABC presentation of The Chew to the Television Critics Association and hopefully get them as excited about the show as we are! I can’t wait to share our hard work for the show with you all very soon: The Chew will premiere on Monday, September 26 – mark your calendars!

Happy summer, everyone!

xx

Daphne

Summer is in full swing, and for many of us it means it’s time to hit the beach! Being home from school for the summer, you might find it a bit easier to take control of when and what you are eating, and have a more flexible schedule for fitting in some exercise. You should definitely take advantage of that, but I know that sometimes it can be hard to adjust to a new routine.

One way to keep in shape and take advantage of the warmer weather is to exercise outside! A morning jog is a great way to wake up and be ready to take on the day. Or, you can get some friends together to go play a game of soccer or shoot some hoops at the park. If it’s too hot to run around outside, head to the local pool for a dip! Swimming laps burns tons of calories and is gentle on your joints, which take a pounding during running. Plus, you’ll get to show off your swimsuit-ready physique!

Some of my favorite perks of summer are the yummy berries that come into season. Fruits and veggies are an important part of your diet, and are great for snacking on between meals. A smoothie done right can be a the snack to help you keep cool, or a light breakfast to start the morning. Blend together some of your favorite raw or frozen fruits with ice and some real fruit juice and/or plain yogurt for a delicious summer snack! It’s a yummy way to get lots of vitamins and minerals, just be careful to use 100% real fruit juice if you decide to go the smoothie route; the other stuff from concentrate is loaded with extra sugars, preservatives, and possibly chemicals and dyes that you …