Whole Foods at a Fraction of the Price

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I am a huge fan of Vitacost.com and I also love whole foods. Read on for more information on what whole foods you can get from Vitacost with just a few key strokes.

Unless you’re talking price, a fraction of something usually isn’t ideal. What is ideal is paying just a fraction of the price for something complete, fulfilling and wholesome. And what could be more wholesome than whole foods?

Whole foods, a term heard frequently these days, are foods that haven’t been processed and contain no added ingredients—colors, flavors, fillers or preservatives. While certainly better for your health, whole foods can strain your budget, especially when they’re organic.

To better satisfy your body—and your bank account—shop at Vitacost.com for whole foods in nearly every grocery category. Though we don’t carry fresh fruits and vegetables, at Vitacost you’ll find a variety of certified organic, all-natural, preservative-free options.

And while you might normally have to run to one store for organic foods and another for your gluten-free items, at Vitacost, you’ll find it all. The best part of the whole shopping experience? You don’t have to leave home to get what you need. And you won’t be tempted by processed cheese balls—because we don’t carry ‘em.

Click your way to the checkout after browsing these go-to grocery sections:

Produce: Just as you would in the supermarket, head straight to the produce section and fill your cart with good-for-you fruits and veggies—the more colorful the better. Vitacost offers a variety of canned, dried and pureed organic fruits and vegetables. Many of our featured natural brands harvest fruits and vegetables at their prime ripeness, ensuring you get the freshest possible products. And choosing organic means your produce is grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals.

Dairy: In the Vitacost (non-) dairy aisle, you’ll find a variety of natural, plant-based milks, derived from nuts (almonds), rice and coconut. You’ll also find goat’s milk, which is naturally rich in vitamin D and easier for some to digest than cow’s milk.

Meat: While Vitacost doesn’t carry fresh meat, we have a great selection of natural, freshly harvested fish, including tuna, salmon, herring, sardines and anchovies—plus crab meat, oysters and clams. There’s also organic beef and chicken stock for soup and other recipes. You can also fulfill your protein needs with beans (we carry just about every kind, from aduki to soy) and lentils.

Breads, Pasta & Grains: Spaghetti night just got a lot more exciting. At Vitacost.com, you’ll find dozens of healthy pastas, from gluten-free and low-carb to whole wheat and brown rice, which can be enjoyed with homemade garlic bread, prepared from one our healthy bread mixes. Or, choose from whole loaves of bread, rolls, or even English muffins, many of which are gluten free. We also carry organic brown rice, wild rice, couscous and other favorite grains.

Baking: If you’re committed to making your own whole foods from scratch, you can choose from natural flours, plant-derived sweeteners and other baking essentials.

Find your inspiration for wholesome cooking by shopping for whole foods at Vitacost.com.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Vitacost.com’s goal is to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods, sports nutrition and products like green coffee bean extract to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

Is Sugar Giving You High Cholesterol?

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Do you have high cholesterol and have tried everything you’ve been told to lower it – eat less cholesterol-rich foods, eat less saturated fat, exercise more? Are you doing all you think you can and yet the numbers won’t budge? Is your doctor starting to talk about cholesterol lowering medications?

Stop before heading down the prescription path. Did you know that the amount of sugar you eat is directly related to your cholesterol levels? In fact, those who consume less than 5% of their calories from sugar have healthy levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, total. However, those who eat more than 15% of their calories from sugar have higher levels of total cholesterol and unhealthy levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.

It’s recommended that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day and men keep it under 9 teaspoons of sugar per day. That may sound like a lot, but your average can of soda contains about 11 teaspoons of sugar. To determine the number of teaspoons in your soda, cereal, juice, or cookies, divide the grams of sugar by 4. For example, a soda with 44 grams of sugar, divided by 4, comes out to 11 teaspoons of sugar. Shocking!

Over the past 40 years, our average sugar consumption has gone from 10.6% in the 1970s to 15.8% in 2012. During this time, our cholesterol levels, along with diabetes, obesity rates, heart disease, and cancer rates, have gone up as well. The problem is portion control, the amount of packaged/processed foods we tend to consume and the amount of sugar that’s added to those products. Pick up a loaf of bread – yes bread – and you will see sugar in the ingredients list – who knew! If you make homemade bread, rarely will you see sugar in the ingredients list, unless of course you are making sweet breads. Yeast-based bread for sandwiches traditionally do not contain added sugars, but take a look at the grocery store bread aisle and you will find sugar added to most loaves of sandwich bread. Read other labels of foods you typically buy and you will see sugar in unsuspected places like soups, sauces, salsa, canned goods, processed meats, crackers, and salad dressings.

Are you ready to make positive changes to lower your cholesterol but don’t know where to start? You can get nutritional counseling from an expert, such as a Health Coach who can show you how to lower your cholesterol with proven techniques you can use for a lifetime!

Start by making small changes:

  • Read more labels and eat foods with less added sugars.
  • Eat more veggies and even roast them for naturally sweet flavors.
  • Add more whole grains and start to crowd out the refined and white flour grains.
  • Use smaller amounts of sugar in your coffee and tea.
  • Create meals that rely less on packaged products that contain a lot of added sugars.
  • Make your own sauces for stir fries, marinades for grilling, and salad dressings.
  • Scale back on sweetened beverages: soda, coffee drinks, juices.
  • Drink more water to hydrate to help cleanse your body.

Turkey Stew

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Crockpot to the rescue with this delicious homemade meal I call turkey stew.

turkey stew (640x480)

These are two turkey thighs, I prefer them over cooking with chicken thighs. These do well when cooked for 10 hrs.

Ingredients:

2 turkey thighs, about 2#

4 small red potatoes

1 cup baby carrots or two carrots cut into 2 inch pieces

1 cup celery, cut into 2 inch pieces

1 medium onion, cut into semi-circles

spices: sea salt, paprika, black pepper, oregano

Method:

1. Peel and cut onion into semi-circle pieces. Place in bottom of crockpot.

2. Rinse well and cut potatoes in half, then half again.

3. Rinse carrots and celery, baby carrots can be tossed right into pot, if using whole carrots, cut carrots and celery sticks into 2 inch pieces.

4. Toss all veggies in crockpot.

5. Remove turkey thighs from packaging and place on top of veggies.

6. Sprinkle on sea salt, paprika, black pepper, and oregano. Feel free to use your favorite spices.

7. Cover and set to Low, cook for 8-10 hours. I typically cook for 10hrs and it comes out great!

8. Pull apart turkey and places meat and veggies in serving bowl.

9. Enjoy!

Dinner is ready in about 10 minutes when you get home, what could be better than that?

Serve with a green salad for some crunch!

Time Saving Tip: Prep and fill your crockpot with ingredients the night before and put into fridge, then you can just pop into crockpot heater, set to Low and head out the door.

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month

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I’ve had the honor of receiving a guest post from Produce for Kids! This wonderful organization stands for healthy family eating and provides great recipes and tips to help your kids eat better so they can have the energy to move more, learn more, and be healthy and strong. Produce for Kids also raises funds for local children’s non-profit organizations, click here to learn more. All recipes and the nutritional tomato tips are credited to Produce for Kids Pop Advisory Board member and Registered Dietician, Estela Schnelle.

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month and in the spirit of this fantastic fruit, we wanted to share the nutritional benefits of tomatoes and some delicious and easy recipes revolving around the nutritional powerhouse from Produce for Kids. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat between 22- 24 pounds of tomatoes per person, per year. (More than half of that consumption is ketchup and tomato sauce.) In addition, the tomato is the fourth most popular fresh-market vegetable behind potatoes, lettuce, and onions in the U.S.

Most people know that tomatoes are good for you, but how many people know why? Here are some fun facts about tomatoes from PFK Pop advisory board member and Registered Dietician, Estela Schnelle:

·Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, & potassium

·Tomatoes are also one of the foods that contain the highest amount of Lycopene, which is the pigment that give tomatoes, and certain fruits and vegetables their color

·Lycopene appears to have antioxidant capabilities and is very good for the eyes

· Research shows that a diet rich in Lycopene may be associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer and heart disease

Produce for Kids is a fantastic resource to help parents and kids learn about the benefits of consuming fresh produce by providing healthful meal solutions, videos, podcasts and much, much more. The site even hosts an advisory board made up of parents with a wide range of expertise who can provide additional tools and resources on how you can easily incorporate fruits and veggies into your family’s daily routine. To celebrate, we thought we would also give you some fantastic tomato recipes from Ideal Meals, provided by Produce for Kids:

Guacamole Tomato Boats

Serves 2

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

Guacamole Tomato Boats (244x216)

Ingredients:

·2 medium tomatoes on the vine

·8 Tbsp. guacamole (liberal tablespoonfuls)

·8 Tbsp. salsa

·4 Tbsp. grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F or turn broiler on High.
2. Wash and dry tomatoes.
3. Slice tomatoes in half, cross section wise, and scoop out the insides, being careful not to puncture/tear the bottom of the tomato half.
4. With open side of tomato facing up, fill with guacamole, then salsa, and garnish with cheddar cheese.
5. Bake/broil until cheese melts, then remove from oven.

Nutrition Information:

Guacamole Tomato Boats Calories 365; Fat ; Protein ; Carbohydrate ; Fiber 7.2g; Cholesterol 1.5mg; Sodium 484mg; Calcium 16%DV; Vitamin A 62%DV; Vitamin C 97%DV; Iron 8%DV

Peach Tomato Salsa

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Peach Salsa (219x231)

Ingredients:

·2 tomatoes

·1 medium nectarine peeled and chopped

·1 medium peach, peeled and chopped

·¼ cup Vidalia® onion, chopped

·2 Tbsp. lime juice

·3 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped

·1/8 tsp. salt

· Additional Meal Items:

·1 seedless cucumber, sliced

·4 corn tortillas, 6-inch diameter, cut into 8 triangles

·Nonstick cooking spray

· 1 cup low-fat milk or juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a medium serving bowl, gently combine the tomatoes, peaches and onion.

3. Gently stir in the lime juice, cilantro and salt.  Let set 15 mins. before serving to allow flavors to meld.

4. While salsa marinates, place tortilla triangles on a baking pan.  Spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake for 5-6 mins. or until lightly browned.

Nutrition Information:

Peach Tomato Salsa Calories Calories 220 (69% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 12% fat); Fat ; Protein ; Carbohydrate ; Fiber 4g; Cholesterol 12mg; Sodium 240mg; Calcium 34% DV; Vitamin A 27% DV; Vitamin C 30% DV; Iron 5% DV

To find other great recipes revolving around fresh produce visit: http://www.produceforkids.com/healthy_eating/ideal_meals.html.

Youfit Now Open At Boca Town Center

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There’s a new gym in town and it’s called, Youfit! The concept is that everyone ‘fits in’, this is a no judgment zone and they try to make working out as approachable and fun as possible. Let’s start with walking thru the door and being warmly welcomed. We took a gym tour and learned so much, there is more than meets the eye. Their second concept besides fitness for You is, ‘Green is our color’. Green happens to be my favorite color too! What they mean is they are committed to the health of our environment just as much as they are committed to helping people get more healthy, happy, lean, and inspired. The floors are made of recycled tires, they recycle all plastic bottles from the club, they use high-powered yet efficient hand dryers that work very well instead of paper towels in the locker rooms, plus energy efficient lighting just to name a few.

The Boca location at Town Center is above Blue Martini and Pinon Grill, you park on the second floor of the parking garage and walk over to Youfit. They have a sign on the opposite side of the parking garage that faces the Terrace at Boca Town Center, we mistakenly thought the entrance was next to The Gap. There were signs to guide us to the right place as we walked up to The Gap, so even if you head the wrong direction, you will be able to find it.

The gym has a ton of cardio machines placed around the perimeter of its 17,000 sq. ft. space. Each machine has its own 15” screen for watching t.v. and includes an apple adapter so you can plug in your ipod, shuffle or other apple device. Cardio machines include treadmills, arc trainer (a cross between an elliptical and a stair climber), and stationary bikes. There is a stretch area called Youstretch which includes mats, exercise balls, bosu balls, assorted medicine balls, along with incline ab benches. The middle of the gym is filled with weight machines and they have a great color code system: purple for upper body and green for lower body. Each machine also has water bottle holder, a nice feature. Members are expected to bring a towel and must wipe off the equipment after using. There are also paper towels and cleaning spray to use for disinfecting equipment available.

If you want to use a workout machine but aren’t quite sure how to make adjustments or use it properly, you can ask any of the staff at Youfit, they are all exercise 101 certified. All staff are trained and will help you out for free. They do not have exercise classes at this gym, that’s part of how they keep the cost down. However, they do have a 30-minute Youfit Express Circuit training area that is led by a Youfit Coach 6 days a week. You can also use this training area any time on your own. There are instructions on the wall and there is a red light/green light to indicate when you are to switch from one exercise to the next. This is great if you want to have a great workout in 30 minutes but aren’t sure where to start.

The back left quadrant of the gym is the free weight area. There is a big rack of dumbbells along with weight plates, smith machines, benches, bars, dip machine, curling station, cable machine. This location does not have squat racks, there are only smith machines since the facility is above Blue Martini and Pinon Grill. They don’t want the sounds of weights dropping to entertain the diners below.

If you want to work with a personal trainer, they have Youfit Coaches on staff.

Gym hours are Monday – Thursday 5am – Midnight; Friday 5am – 10pm; Saturday – Sunday 8am – 8pm.

Phone: 561.367.2326

E-mail: Towncenter@youfithealthclubs.com