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Great Products From Vitacost.com!

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Vitacost.com contacted me and asked if I would like to review a bunch of products of my choosing. This is a HUGE honor for me, I love Vitacost.com!! I am thrilled to share with you what I selected and my personal review. I hope this helps you determine new products to try. I chose a variety of items from snacks to tea as well as supplements.

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.Vitacost loot (640x480)

Vitacost Certified Organic Hemp Seeds:

Hemp seeds are nutrient packed little seeds that look like teeny hearts. In fact, they are great for heart health with their Omega-3 fatty acid content. They are an excellent source of Calcium (25%), Iron (25%), Phosphorus (43%), Magnesium (48%), and Zinc (22%). These are important nutrients for your heart, bones, joints, skin, and immune system. I often pair these with dried goji berries or use in smoothies in place of protein powder. I made a fantastic hemp seed pesto the other day with fresh basil I grew on my patio. Hemp seeds can be sprinkled on salads, whipped into hemp seed butter, spread on toast with honey. There are many ways to enjoy these nutritional gems.

Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Dry Roasted:

Pumpkin seeds are a wonderful alternative to nuts. They are rich in Magnesium (50%), Phosphorus (20%), Zinc (15%) and a good source of Iron (10%). A 1/4 cup serving provides 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, no sugar, and 16 grams of healthy fats. I like to make pumpkin seed butter or eat with Annie’s ginger snap bunnies. Women can reach for pumpkin seeds for a dose of magnesium –  an essential nutrient for pregnancy, hormonal balance, bone health and heart health.

Freeze Dried Raspberry Crunchies:

These are delicious and simply freeze dried raspberries, no other ingredients! They naturally do not contain any sugar, but do have 3 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup serving along with 20% Vitamin C. Pretty great for 25 calories. The freeze dried method removes water without adding sugar, unlike typical dried fruits which tend to be quite high in sugar. This is great for diabetics or those watching their sugar intake. Great to sprinkle on top of oatmeal, cereal, toss into my favorite bunny mix (see below) or on a fresh salad.

Annie’s HomeGrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies:

These gluten free ginger snap mini bunnies are crunchy and have a light ginger flavor. I like to eat a handful of these for crunch alongside a creamy green smoothie. They are also great to create what I call bunny mix with pumpkin seeds or nuts with dried fruit or freeze dried fruit. Bunny mix is a great snack to bring on the go when running errands or when you travel. These bunnies are gluten free, made with rice and corn flour. No artificial ingredients or preservatives are added and the bunnies are made in a peanut free and tree nut free facility for those with allergy concerns. These are not whole grain, there is only 1 gram of fiber per serving, that’s why I like to pair with seeds and dried fruit or smoothies. They are also great to sprinkle of top of oatmeal or coconut milk ice cream Winking smile.

Bunny Mix: Annie’s Homegrown GF Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies, Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds, and Freeze Dried Raspberry Crunchies!

bunny mix

Betty Lou’s Gluten Free Fruit Bars:

These remind me of old school Nutri-Grain Bars I used to eat as a kid. However, Betty Lou goes the extra mile and uses a lot of real fruit – it’s bursting at the seams with blueberry filling! What this lacks is artificial flavors, food dyes (Red 40 and Blue 1), and corn syrup (most likely GMO), which makes me happy. Gluten free oats and gluten free flours along with blueberry filling made with real blueberries along with apples and sweetened with fruit juice concentrate deliver a moist and delicious fruit bar. It’s low in fat and contains 5 grams of fiber. The sugar count is a little high at 23 grams, mostly from the fruit juice concentrate, blueberries, and apples. This is a wonderful treat for afternoon tea or after dinner dessert. You could even enjoy for breakfast with a handful of nuts or nosh on pre-run. I loved the blueberry, I’m sure the other varieties (apple, apricot, strawberry, cherry) are just as divine.

George’s Aloe Vera Water:

Georges Aloe (480x640)

Aloe Vera Water typically has a very bitter taste, but George’s Aloe removes the components of the plant that are bitter for a smooth more pure flavor. George’s Aloe is great for cooling the body, reducing inflammation, and calming stomach acid and reducing reflux. You can enjoy 2 ounces in the morning and 2 at night. This is especially great in the summer time or when you are experiencing high stress. I like to add a couple drops of liquid Chlorophyll for an enhanced alkalizing effect.

Country Life Omega-3:

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We are all encouraged to eat more fatty fish for the healthy Omega-3 fats. These days there are many concerns about the sources of fish and what contaminants we may be ingesting along with our fish dinner or perhaps you don’t eat fish often enough. Country Life brand delivers 1000mg of Omega-3 fatty acids: 180mg EPA and 120mg of DHA. This is a moderate dosage, recommendation ranges are based on each condition. Fish oil is beneficial for many conditions including: high blood pressure, ADHD, stroke, kidney problems, osteoporosis, and menstrual pain.

This product is molecularly distilled and third party tested so you can feel confident about the purity and safety of this supplement. Country Life Omega-3 is GMP Certified and Gluten Free. No wheat, corn, yeast, gluten, milk, preservatives, or artificial flavors are added to this product. As always, please discuss with your doctor before taking any supplements. Do not take if you are allergic to fish.

Alvita Dandelion Tea:

Dandelion Tea (640x480)

I consider myself a tea drinker and Alvita brand teas are my favorite. Dandelion tea has a rich flavor, similar to coffee, so if you want to cut back on coffee, give Dandelion tea a try. This tea is caffeine free, so no jitters and is also beneficial for your kidney and liver. These two organs are responsible for cleaning house so anything as easy as drinking healthy tea to strengthen the kidney and liver is a great idea. Dandelion Root is rich in several vitamins and minerals as well.

Alvita Ginger Root Tea:

Ginger Root Tea (640x480)

Ginger Root tea is great for calming the stomach. Most people reach for ginger ale soda if they have upset stomach, but ginger root tea has a higher concentration of this beneficial herb and does not contain high fructose corn syrup like most sodas. You can add a teaspoon of local honey to warm tea after meals or in between. It has a pleasant ginger flavor that is soothing and enjoyable!

Many thanks to Vitacost for this wonderful opportunity to review some of my favorite products and a few new ones to share with my readers!

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

Information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or serve as a substitute for advice from your own physician or medical provider. I encourage you to seek medical attention from your doctor and do research on conditions specific to you. I appreciate you reading my blog posts!

Pulling the Blinds on Sleepy Misperceptions

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Think you can skimp on sleep during the week and make up for it later? The answer is, No, and my guest post courtesy of Vitacost.com explains why. Read on to learn more!

Sleep is an interesting paradox. Some people treasure their nightly eight hours, while others treat it like a guilty pleasure, enjoyed only in small “dozes.” As sleep deprivation becomes the norm, it’s rationalized by notions like, “I’ll sleep in tomorrow to catch up.” It’s time to quit dreaming and open your eyes to the importance of a good night’s sleep.

The Dream: “I’m out like a light.”

Reality: Ironically, the body is not completely inactive during sleep. It’s true that muscles in the limbs become temporarily paralyzed; but eyelids are jerking rapidly, heart rate increases and breathing becomes shallow. You may feel “dead to the world” or “out like a light,” but your brain technically is still turned on.

The Dream: “I can catch up on sleep this weekend.”

Reality: The body needs adequate, consistent rest in order to maintain a healthy immune system. Sleep is not like a savings account – you can’t add more when you have time. Sleeping until 2 p.m. on Sunday throws the balance of your circadian rhythm (internal clock), which throws off your mental and physical fitness. Stop running on the hamster wheel and start a routine of balanced sleep, healthy eating and regular exercise.

The Dream: “My body can adjust to sleeping during the day.”

Reality: A grave-shift worker may be able to coax his body to adjust, but his brain knows best. At night, the eyes send a signal to the brain that there is less light, and the internal clock will produce more melatonin to induce sleepiness. Sleeping after sunrise does not generate enough melatonin, making it difficult to fall asleep – and stay asleep.

The Dream: “I function better on less sleep.”

Reality: Sleep deprivation negatively affects the areas of the brain associated with motivation and desire. A sleep-deprived brain will seek food as a reward, because food is the most accessible treat, leading to weight gain. Lack of sleep has also been linked to depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.

The Dream: “I never dream.”

Reality: We sleep in stages: stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the fifth stage is rapid eye movement (REM). The brain cycles through these five stages over and over throughout the night, with REM being the deep sleep and dreams stage. Any time the brain reaches REM, you dream – if you don’t remember them, then that’s your own reality.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Since 1994 Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins and supplements and has grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with many other helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins, nutritional supplements, health foods and gluten free diet products.

Vitacost.com sells everything from Vitamin D to Raspberry Ketones. Vitacost.com offers nearly 2,000 of the top, most-trusted natural brands, diet foods and healthy living essentials-the very best nutritional supplements, whole foods and sports nutrition-at discount prices, up to 50% off.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

Ooops, You’re Doing It Wrong! Here’s When to Take Fish Oil

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I am happy to share with you a guest post from Vitacost! I love Vitacost because of the care they take with their customers, the amazing selection of products they sell, and of course their super low prices. Read on for great information about when to take fish oil and why you should be taking it! Remember to get your fish oil from Vitacost for great products at the best prices!

Article Courtesy of Vitacost.com:

If you roll out of bed, brush your teeth, then chug a big glass of water to wash down all of your daily supplements—you’re doing it wrong. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin D, CoQ10 and the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil, are better absorbed when taken with a meal, especially one cushioned with a little fat.

For many Americans, taking fish oil is high on the supplement priority list. A 2010 survey of U.S. adults who regularly use dietary supplements found that 75 percent take fish oil daily, making it the most popular supplement—ahead of calcium, vitamin D, CoQ10 and even multivitamins.

Strongly recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) for its heart-healthy benefits, and increasingly recognized for its role in other aspects of good health (including brain development and mood), fish oil provides two fatty acids—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—that the body needs, but can’t make on its own. Although the AHA encourages people to obtain these nutrients by eating fresh, whole fish, most Americans fall short when it comes to meeting the twice-weekly recommendation.

Fish oil supplements are a convenient way to obtain more omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also a way to obtain higher levels of DHA and EPA, which are sometimes advised when cardiovascular health issues are present. The AHA recommends one gram daily for those with documented coronary heart disease, and notes that those with elevated triglyceride levels may take two to four grams daily, if directed by a physician.

To get the most from fish oil supplements, keep the following in mind:

• Always take fish oil supplements with a meal, preferably one containing fat. This promotes better absorption of nutrients and helps eliminate unpleasant side effects such as stomach upset, heartburn, belching (“fish burps”) and bad breath. (Note: Enteric-coated supplements, which dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach, can also help minimize discomfort.)

• Divide fish oil doses throughout the day, especially if you’re taking large amounts. Unlike some vitamins and minerals, which may last only several hours in the bloodstream, essential fatty acids can stay present for several days. “Essential” means they’re used by every cell in the body, but are not produced internally—so it’s important to keep levels steady with regular intake.

• Do not take fish oil supplements if you’re taking blood-thinning medication unless directed by a physician. High doses can cause an increased risk of bleeding. Taking fish oil with herbs that slow clotting, such as Panax ginseng, turmeric, gingko biloba, garlic and ginger, may also cause bleeding in some people.

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! Get the best price on vitamins, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition 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: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com

Fish Oil: How To Choose The Best And Safest

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Fish oil is one of those supplements that we constantly hear about. “Get your Omega-3s, take fish oil!”

So you run to the store, where you are faced with a wall of supplements and 20+ options for fish oil. Go online and there are hundreds of choices. So what is the best choice and how do you narrow down the right one for you and stay within your budget?

There are a few key phrases to look for on your bottle of fish oil. Check for the statement, “molecularly distilled”. This is a process by which the oil is spun rapidly to separate toxic metals and other impurities from the fish oil, making it safe for consumption. Some manufacturer’s also state their product is FREE of PCBs and heavy toxic metals.

You can also look for the NSF quality seal on the supplement label. This label means the product was tested and is clear of heavy metals, which include, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury. NSF created an independent testing standard and product certification program for dietary supplements. Choosing products with this seal will ensure the product meets high industry standards to protect your safety. This is a voluntary program, so not all products will have this particular label, this just provides you with one more way to achieve peace of mind.

NSF_cert_logo

You want your fish oil to contain at least 1000mg of combined EPA and DHA. Check the label for other ingredients and review the fish oil source, such as anchovy, mackerel, sardine, or salmon. Avoid products that contain titanium dioxide, this goes for any dietary supplement. Scan label to ensure you are not sensitive to other ingredients, such as soy, wheat, or nuts.