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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.

Earnest Eats From Vitacost.com

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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 Cereal (640x480)

Earnest Eats Bar1(640x480)

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!!

Earnest Eats Cereal Prepared (640x480)

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 with Pea Protein(640x480)

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.

Earnest Eats Bar(640x480)

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

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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.

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:

Country Life Omega-3 (640x480)

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!