Healthy Tips From Vitacost: Organic Shopping 101

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We hear about Organic foods a lot these days and it can be confusing when to spend a little extra and what you are really getting for your hard earned cash. Vitacost.com sent me an excellent guest post to share with you the 411 on how to decipher organics when you’re filling your cart to feed yourself and family. Thank you Vitacost!!

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

The organic versus non-organic decision is still a cart-stopper in the grocery store. Which fruits are healthier when grown organically? Which vegetables? What about that box of crackers? Trying to pick the cream of the crop becomes a chore within a chore when you don’t know the ”why” and “what” factors. All you need is a quick, Organic Shopping 101 course to narrow the selection and get you to the check-out line in record time.

First, determine why you are shopping organic so your selection doesn’t feel so fruitless. If you need to justify (to yourself or your budget-conscious significant other) why you’re spending a little more on certain items, then consider these reasons:

  • Organic means farmers use no antibiotics and no growth hormones, grow produce within sanitary and spacious facilities and use the fewest conventional pesticides
  • No GMOs– organic foods are not genetically modified in any way
  • A smaller carbon footprint–organic farms use the most sustainable methods to promote biodiversity and a healthy eco-system
  • Cleaner water, soil and air–pesticides from conventional farming can intoxicate the water supply, wildlife and the atmosphere

If these reasons don’t inspire you to go organic for every single purchase, consider that it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation. Just keep in mind that certain conventional fruits and veggies are produced with a high number of pesticides– these, you should buy organic.

Fruit:

– Apples

– Any berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

– Nectarines

– Peaches

– Pears

– Cherries

– Grapes (imported variety)

Veggies:

– Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce)

– Bell peppers

– Carrots

– Celery

Meat, eggs and dairy: The organic options ensure animals are provided healthy living conditions, organic feed and adequate treatment for injuries or illness. When buying organic in the refrigerated aisles, select “all of the above.”

Crackers, cookies, cereals, coffee and anything else in a box or bag: This is an open-ended question, which means you can pick and choose which of these are better organic based on your preferences of taste, brand, price and/or variety. The same rules apply, though: organic cereals must contain all organic ingredients. If your mixed berry granola claims it’s organic, then it was made with organic berries. (Hint: buy only as much as you need. Packaged goods usually find a place in the pantry for many months, but organic versions have a shorter shelf-life due to their lack of artificial preservatives.)

Your final exam: Make your shopping list and match the items on it with the groceries above. If you study the organic foods and brands you prefer, then you won’t second-guess yourself!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com who has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. They have grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! They sell everything from Coq10 to Raspberry Ketones. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, health foods and sports nutrition toarticles on the benefits of probiotics. Be sure to check out Vitacost Coupons for discounts. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Raising Healthy Kids: Creative Ways to Encourage Physical Fitness

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I have a wonderful guest post from Vitacost.com to share with you! These days kids are in the spotlight when it comes to keeping our families healthy and making sure they get enough physical activity. Here are some great tips for you!

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

When it comes to getting your kids physically fit, think outside of the sandbox. It’s been ingrained in us that our children need to play ball games: football, basketball, baseball, volleyball…These are all great activities for budding jocks, but not everyone’s a sports fan. No sweat. There’s an activity for every personality.

Here is a guide for finding the best fit for keeping your child fit.

1. Does your child like playing music (i.e. beating your pots and pans with kitchen spoons)?

Look into activities that let your child be expressive, such as:

§ Hip-hop dance lessons – it’s like Zumba for kids!

§ Cheerleading/ tumbling/gymnastics – great strength and confidence-builders

2. Does your child have a hard time focusing?

Developing a mind-body-balance can help kids understand how to respect their bodies while cultivating important mental skills, too. They’ll stretch their bodies’ limits with these:

§ Kid yoga – holding each pose takes mental and physical strength

§ Martial arts – very disciplined and requires full attention

3. Do you notice your child holding back in big groups?

Help your little one break out of her shell by finding activities that don’t require teams, like:

§ Kid-tailored triathlon training – extremely rewarding when she realizes she can do not only one sport, but three!

§ Horseback riding – expensive, yes, but the value of learning how to care for an animal will go far, instilling self-confidence, responsibility and independence

4. Is your child very scientific and inquisitive?

Play up their love for discovery with outdoor adventures. Some ideas to consider:

§ Spelunking – a.k.a. cave exploration that can dig up a slew of history lessons

§ Scavenger hunts – create your own clue-driven obstacle course in the backyard or a local park

Some of these activities overlap and can work for several different personalities. The idea is not to limit your kids’ imagination or skill-set. Join in the fun and games to lead by example; you’ll get some exercise, and your kids will benefit from your support. For total health and well-being, let your kids have fun and enjoy whatever activity they choose.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. They know that a healthy lifestyle is more than organic vitamins and natural supplements.  That’s why Vitacost.com offers essentials for your home, your baby, your pantry, your beauty routine – even your furry, four-legged friends! Since 1994, Vitacost.com has been taking the cost out of healthy living. Vitacost has specialty shops that include Kosher Foods to a Vegan lifestyle. You can shop over 35,000 products from your computer, tablet or smartphone with just a click of a button. Some might say Vitacost.com is the silver platter of healthy living, take a look at Vitacost Coupons for discounts and savings – let them serve you. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Top 3 Reasons To Crack Open A Coconut

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Vitacost.com offered to share a guest post with me about coconuts. You may have heard a lot about coconuts in the news lately. Katie from Vitacost gives you 3 reasons to give coconut oil a try. Thanks Katie!!

If you have tried coconut oil, what are your favorite ways to enjoy them?

By: +Katie Kaleita, writer for Vitacost.com

More and more, people are going coo-coo for coconuts – and not because they had one too many piña coladas. Coconuts are breaking out of their shells and into the spotlight for their array of health benefits. You have probably used coconut flakes in desserts or coconut milk in curry dishes. And maybe you lathered your skin in coconut-scented tanning oil, trying to achieve that “I-live-on-an-island” look. But what do you know about pure coconut oil?

Coconut oil is extracted from the flesh, or meat, of the coconut. Depending on the oil’s end-use, coconut oil can be extracted through various methods. One important thing to note: coconut oil is naturally rich with antioxidants and fatty acids. In many cultures, coconut oil has long been used in recipes, hair care concoctions and natural medicines. Luckily, word is spreading that coconut oil is truly all that it’s cracked open to be. Here are the top three ways to benefit from this island staple:

1. Balanced eating – Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs); whereas, other triglycerides contain long-chain fatty acids that your body stores as fat. Coconut oil’s MCTs make it a comparable substitute for butter or vegetable oil. Try baking with coconut oil for a healthier sweet treat, or add it to your post-workout smoothie to give your muscles the nutrients they need.

2. Skin health – Coconut oil’s antioxidants make it a natural skin-nourishing moisturizer. Adding virgin coconut oil to your daily beauty regimen may help your skin maintain its supple, youthful quality. Transport yourself to a spa everyday by whipping up an all-natural moisturizing mask with coconut oil, melted beeswax and water.

3. Hair care – The protein and nutrients of coconut oil’s fatty acids help protect hair from damaging free radicals. Pure coconut oil can be massaged directly onto your scalp and through hair for regular conditioning and salon-style strands.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. They know that a healthy lifestyle is more than organic vitamins and natural supplements.  That’s why Vitacost.com offers essentials for your home, your baby, your pantry, your beauty routine – even your furry, four-legged friends! Since 1994, Vitacost.com has been taking the cost out of healthy living. Today, you can shop over 35,000 products like elderberries to reishi mushrooms from your computer, tablet or smartphone with just a click of a button. Some might say Vitacost.com is the silver platter of healthy living – let them serve you. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Healthy Eating Trends in Restaurant Menus

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Bridget Sandorford is a freelance writer and researcher for CulinarySchools.org. She contacted me to write a guest post and I happily accepted. I asked Bridget to share about healthy eating trends in restaurants drawing from her culinary expertise. Thank you Bridget!!

Restaurant meals aren’t known for being health food. Most restaurant meals are two or three times the proper portion size and are loaded with extra fat, sugar, and salt to make the food taste good and stay fresh. However, with a growing focus on healthier eating, many restaurants have adapted to the demands of the marketplace and are starting to give their menus a healthy makeover.

Here are just a few of the healthy eating trends in restaurant menus you may have already begun to notice:

Lighter Fare Options

Many restaurants have begun to offer their health-conscious consumers more options for lighter fare. This can include smaller portions of popular dishes or lower-fat or lower-calorie versions of those dishes. For example, you might be able to order that pasta alfredo in a half-portion, or simply order a version that’s made with half the fat.

Look for these options under a special section for healthier fare in menus at the restaurants that offer them.

More Natural, Local Ingredients

The local food movement is growing, and the restaurant industry is responding. More and more restaurants are sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, and they are advertising the practice on their menus. There is also a greater focus on using organic ingredients and on eliminating additives and other artificial ingredients from recipes.

Recognition of Food Allergies

Gluten intolerance has gotten a lot of press in the last few years, and more and more restaurants are now either offering more dishes that are gluten-free or are making note of the dishes on the menu that are naturally gluten-free. Other common allergens are beginning to get similar treatment, including allergies or sensitivities to dairy, eggs, shellfish and peanuts.

More “Healthy” Indicators

As many television shows have pointed out again and again, a dish that seems healthy may actually be hiding a lot of calories and fat. There have been countless stories of a popular salad that has more fat and calories than the steak dinner. To help you quickly understand which options are the healthiest on the menu, many restaurants are now including small pictures indicators next to the items, such as a “GF” for gluten-free or a leaf for vegetarian. Other symbols may also denote heart-healthy or low-fat option.

More Nutritional Information

Some restaurants have gone so far as to list the nutritional content right on the menu, including counts for calories, carbohydrates, fat and more. Even fast-food restaurants are getting in on the practice. While it may discourage you from ordering that giant pasta dish or the heaping slice of cheesecake, it will help you to make healthier choices and to only splurge when you intend to (not because you didn’t realize what you were putting into your body).

The healthy trends in restaurant menus are a reflection of a move toward greater health across our society. As we become better informed about the food choices we make and how they affect us, we can start improving our health and the quality of our lives.

What other healthy trends would you like to see reflected on restaurant menus? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance writer and researcher for Culinaryschools.org, where recently she’s been researching garde mangers. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

Vitacost: Your One-Stop Holiday Gift Shop

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December is upon us and now is the time to buckle down and get to your holiday shopping list. Thankfully, there’s Vitacost.com. Read on for a wonderful guest post from Vitacost on how to handle your holiday shopping list with less stress!

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

The crowds, the lines, the lists…the prices! Gift shopping can end up giving you nothing but a headache. Don’t let holidays and special occasions be drained of all their spirit. Instead, check out Vitacost.com, where you can shop in the peace and quiet of your home. (Disclaimer: for actual peace and quiet, you may need to lock your bedroom door.) Here are five good reasons to take your family’s wish lists to Vitacost:

1. Everyday low prices that will give you peace of mind you won’t blow the budget. This time of year usually means sales at all sites and stores, and Vitacost is no different. Be on the lookout for special holiday promotions, or sign up to receive email alerts with exclusive discount codes. You can always save money at Vitacost through their Set & Save program. If you find something you just can’t live without (like multi-vitamins), put it on Set & Save and you’ll never run out – of the best products at the lowest prices, that is.

2. Find something for everyone. There’s no need to run to a million stores in a frantic, free-for-all when Vitacost is well-stocked with “stuff” for the whole family. For the man in your life that buys everything himself, Vitacost has men’s gifts he would never think of, or is maybe too embarrassed to shop for, like unscented wrinkle cream and hair-thickening supplements. Women aren’t much easier, which is why you’ll find ample ammo for a beauty bombshell, sporty spice and anything in between. Not to mention, Vitacost has a wide selection of organic, hypoallergenic and chemical-free toys for all of mommy’s little angels.

3. Free shipping! Spend $49 or more on your gift shopping at Vitacost and enjoy free standard shipping to any state in the continental U.S. When you’re buying for a significant other, the kids, mom and dad, a few friends and your four-legged family members, you could probably hit the free shipping threshold. Plus, you’ll have everyone accounted for in one simple order. That brings us to…

4. Skip the lines and keep your sanity. What’s better than free shipping, you ask? Free time to soak in a tub, hit the gym or maybe even [gasp!] read a book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for months. By shopping Vitacost, you can sit back and relax as the gifts make their way to you. No waking up early for super-duper, in-store specials, no elbow-throwing crowds and no waiting in line for hours. With just a few clicks on the computer, your gift shopping is done in one!

5. A healthy helping of healthy gift ideas. Not only can you get gifts for men, women, kids and pets, you can get ones that are good for them. That means items such as organic nut butters, whole-food supplements, cruelty-free nail polish, soy candles and more! It’s hard to top a present that helps your loved ones live a healthy, happy life (though, a big red bow might be nice).

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. They know that a healthy lifestyle is more than organic vitamins and natural supplements.  That’s why Vitacost.com offers essentials for your home, your baby, your pantry, your beauty routine – even your furry, four-legged friends! Since 1994, Vitacost.com has been taking the cost out of healthy living. Today, you can shop over 35,000 products from your computer, tablet or smartphone with just a click of a button, products such as pet supplies to diet supplements. Some might say Vitacost.com is the silver platter of healthy living – let them serve you. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.