Total Health Counseling

Healthy Tips From Vitacost: Organic Shopping 101

April 6, 2013/4 Comments/in Beneficial Foods, Guest Post, Resources, Tips, Vitacost, Vitacost /by phiggins

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.

Review: Feel Beautiful With Products From Vitacost.com

January 5, 2013/in Product, Review, Tips, Vitacost /by phiggins

Vitacost.com sent me a few of their new products to review for you. I posted about Earnest Eats and now I’ve got some amazing body care products to share with you!

Healthy eating makes us beautiful on the inside and outside. Allergen friendly lotions and soaps make us feel pretty on the outside too! Winking smile

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Andalou Naturals Clementine Ginger Shower Gel is a glorious shower gel to add to your cleansing routine. It smells just like clementine with a hint of ginger and it lathers easily while rinsing off just as nicely without leaving a soapy film. This is an allergen friendly cleanser, a must for those with sensitive skin, like me. Many commercial cleaners are off limits for me, I typically use Kiss My Face Olive Oil bar soap because it’s ultra gentle and leaves my skin moisturized without irritating it. Andalou Naturals does the same, but it lathers up easier since it’s a gel and smells wonderful, fragranced by natural oils instead of chemicals. It’s also Gluten Free, Cruelty Free, non-GMO, Free of Parabens and Sulfates. It’s important to know that if you need to follow a gluten free diet, your self care products also need to be gluten free. I didn’t know until a few years ago that self care products could contain gluten. Check labels of all products to ensure they are safe for you to use.

As always, please read the ingredients list to ensure you are not allergic to the natural ingredients used to make this product.

After a refreshing shower, a good lotion can help seal in the moisture – lotion up 2 minutes post bathing on slightly damp skin to lock in moisture. Many lotions on the market are full of chemicals and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. BWC: Beauty Without Cruelty, is a line of products that is great for sensitive skin, it’s vegan as well as free of parabens and fragrance. It’s also not tested on animals, so it’s ethically produced – a product you can feel good about using!

BWC lotion blends into skin well and is not greasy. Your skin feels moisturized without that greasy, wait to get dressed feeling. I like to use it at night as well to lock in moisture and replenish my skin on especially dry days. On the bottle, there is a recommendation to add 12 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 ounces of the lotion. I think this is a great idea if you have a favorite essential oil; suggested oils are lavender, sandalwood, rose, or geranium.

As always, please read the ingredients list to ensure you are not allergic to the natural ingredients used to make this product.

Feeling beautiful on the outside sometimes means freshening up breath when it feels a little stale. If you’ve got fresh parsley or mint leaves to chew those are great options. They are both antibacterial and antimicrobial to freshen breath. I don’t often carry those herbs in my purse so Vitacare is the perfect option!

I stopped using gum regularly since most of them are made with artificial sweeteners and I’ve made a commitment to avoid those. Vitacare uses Xylitol, a more natural sugar alcohol, which has also been proven to prevent cavities. Too much xylitol can cause digestive upset, a few pieces of gum in moderation should not cause an upset. Vitacare gum also has the added benefit of a few vitamins per 2 piece serving: 20%DV of Vitamins A, C, D, E.

What are your favorite natural products?

Thank you again Vitacost.com, I’m honored you selected me to sample and review these amazing products!

Earnest Eats From Vitacost.com

December 15, 2012/1 Comment/in Product, Resources, Review, Vitacost /by phiggins

Vitacost.com contacted me and asked if I would like to review a few products they recently added to their online catalog. I happily accepted and an honored to share with you my review of the products. I will write a few posts to share my reviews, first up – Earnest Eats!

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

I received the hot & fit cereal and baked whole food snack bar:

Earnest Eats makes a variety of hot cereals, bars, and planks (crunchy bars). I’ve been eager to try this brand, it looks so wholesome, like something you would make at home. The Earnest Eats Hot Cereal is perfect for grabbing and taking to the office or even bringing to the airport. All you need to do is add hot water and you’ve got a hot, wholesome meal ready in a few minutes!

Earnest Eat hot & fit ready to eat! Yummy cranberries and pumpkin seeds jazz up standard oats plus added grains amaranth and quinoa thicken it up and boost the nutritional profile. I love my superfood grains amaranth & quinoa!!

I decided to pump up the protein with my favorite pea protein: Plant Fusion. I had just worked out at the gym so I needed some extra protein for muscle recovery. This was a good grain based breakfast, I like the addition of some dried fruit and nuts to give it a pleasing change in consistency. All you do is add hot water to the cup, stir, and let it stand for a few minutes. You can eat it straight from the cup if you desire, so it’s perfect to grab and take to the office or for traveling.

Earnest Eats snack bar, this one was dark chocolate espresso. All good things in my book! This bar was dense and moist with a rich chocolate flavor and hint of espresso. A great snack, not too light, it’s got some staying power to it. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend for consumption Smile .

I hope you check out Earnest Eats for delicious whole food eats!

Thank you again Vitacost.com for the delicious Earnest Eats products to try.

Vitacost: Your One-Stop Holiday Gift Shop

December 3, 2012/in Guest Post, Resources, Vitacost, Vitacost /by phiggins

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.

Childhood Nutrition Day 2012

October 22, 2012/in Event, Local /by phiggins

The American Culinary Federation sponsors Childhood Nutrition Day every year on October 16. Since 2005, this event has been held at Meadow Park Elementary School at their after care program. The kids helped decorate the room with Food Truck posters for this year’s theme and even made mini food truck floats and cakes that were displayed on the front stage.

Here’s a clip from this fantastic event:

I had the honor of giving the educational presentation to kick-off the event. I shared with the children the idea of eating high performance foods for brain power, better energy, and healthy immune systems. Afterward, they got to try several different high performance foods from the food truck stations, including: healthy burgers, juices and smoothies, bbq, veggies and mexican, fruit and chocolate, and healthy asian cuisine. Each station had one or two professional chefs and student chefs from ACF who prepared and were sharing the food with the children. A wonderful, educational, and delicious event!