Nutritious Feast

New Schwartz Bioresearch Holiday Giveaway for Moms - With Over $2,000 In Prizes!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:29:00 +0000

Schwartz Bioresearch launched a huge December Giveaway for moms, who deserve a great holiday because of all they do for their families.

This health-focused giveaway is worth over $2000, with the following prizes:

1st prize: A Vitamix and a 1-year supply of their choice of our vitamins for wellness or beauty. (1 winner)

2nd prize: 1 year supply of winner’s choice of our vitamins for wellness or beauty (5 winners)

3rd prize: 3 months supply of winner’s choice of our vitamins for wellness or beauty (5 winners)

Enter here: https://gleam.io/Sqp7v/holiday-giveaway-for-moms-2200-worth-of-prizes

Good luck!

#MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes and Staying Active in Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 00:45:00 +0000

Attention Detroit Lions fans! Your kids could be a “Turkey Day VIP” just for sharing what motivates them to stay active for 60 minutes a day! The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes is an exciting contest for Lions fans and the winning child will receive a once-in-a-lifetime prize package which includes a ride on the Blue Cross float in America’s Thanksgiving Parade, delivering the game ball to Ford Field for the Lions’ Thanksgiving game, taking home cool souvenirs after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner AND watching the Lions game from club-level seats! The contest is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Lions.

Parents can enter children between the ages of 10-18 in the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes by visiting http://www.detroitlions.com/mikidscan.html through November 13th.

Learn more about the contest here: http://miblues.co/1GW84e9

The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes supports Blue Cross’s ongoing commitment to children’s health and its #MIKidsCan campaign – an initiative focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits early in life that are more likely to be carried into adulthood. Over the last 10 years, Blue Cross has given more than $6 million in support of kids’ health and wellness initiatives across the state, reaching more than 100,000 children. For more information on the sweepstakes or Blue Cross’s ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/mikidscan or follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.

How I Stay Active in Michigan

Let's face it – fitness and nutrition go hand in hand! I often find that it’s easier for me to follow a healthy diet plan than get enough exercise. I have to remind myself to stay active on a daily basis. Thankfully I have a fitness tracker that helps me stay accountable and motivated.

My husband and I try exercise for at least 60 minutes a day. When the weather is cooperating in Michigan, we go for walks in our neighborhood or head to the local park. We also enjoy taking my dad’s Standard Poodle for a walk at the park or around the block. She has a lot of energy for a 12 year old dog and keeps us on our toes! When it gets cooler outside, we use the treadmill, stream yoga shows or play fun games on our Nintendo Wii and Xbox One! Digital fitness games make exercising more interactive and fun! It’s especially helpful when there’s 5 feet of snow outside. We also have free weights and exercise bands in the family room that we use while watching our favorite shows. Additionally, we find it important to keep our 3 spoiled cats active. We play with them for at least 30 minutes a day. They love chasing toy mice on strings around the house and jumping in the air. Running around with the cats burns a few extra calories and tires me out a bit!

How do you and your kids stay active for 60 minutes a day? Feel free to comment below!

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market opens 3 locations in Metro Detroit

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:27:00 +0000

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market opened 3 stores in Northville, Troy and Rochester Hills on Wednesday, July 22nd. I went to the Northville Grand Opening and had a very healthy shopping experience!

About Fresh Thyme Farmers Market:

“At Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets we believe you shouldn’t have to give away the farm to feed your body nutritious food. We’re on a mission to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at amazing values -all in a vibrant and fun shopping environment, with smiling friendly faces. Our stores don’t follow traditional grocery store design, nor do they have tall aisles or glitzy fixtures. In fact, our stores are so simple and easy to navigate that we don’t number our aisles or hand out store maps. We believe shopping for fresh and healthy food should be easy and enjoyable.”

I was greeted by friendly employees who handed me a Fresh Thyme circular ad with outstanding deals!

When you arrive at Fresh Thyme, you’ll see their produce department and it’s impressive! Fresh Thyme believes that fresh fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, so their stores are always overflowing with colorful produce.

I was excited to see that Fresh Thyme Farmers Market offers high quality produce from local farms and a large selection of quality organic items! Check out all the healthy values!

There are over 400 bins of natural and organic self-serve bulk items at Fresh Thyme. You'll also find locally roasted coffee and bulk oils! Buying bulk is earth friendly and economical. It just makes cents!

There are over 450 local items in every Fresh Thyme Michigan store! I love the local wine and craft beer selections. You can also find wine and beer from all over the world in the Hops & Grapes department.

There are over 7000 varieties of high quality products available in the Vitamins & Body Care Department. I especially love the all natural cosmetics!

Artisan bread, rolls and delicious treats are baked every day in the Fresh Thyme Bakery! You can also build your own pizzas, order fresh salads and enjoy made to order healthy sandwiches.

The Fresh Thyme Kitchen offers a variety of healthy meals on the go like pot pies, pasta dishes, tamales, healthy wraps and pizza. Everything looks delicious!

There is an extensive selection of products available at Fresh Thyme for those who have special dietary needs. There are over 1,600 Gluten Free products in every store!

You can order natural custom-cut meats & hand made sausage that's made fresh daily at Fresh Thyme.

You can find a wide variety of fresh seafood at great values in Fish Market.

Check out the aisles of nutritious and delicious groceries at Fresh Thyme. You can find many familiar brands in the refrigerated and frozen sections. The prices are affordable, so you'll leave with a little extra money in your bank.

The soup and salad bar offers many healthy options. It would be perfect for a quick lunch. There is also an olive and antipasti bar.

"Healthy Food. Healthy Values."

The majority of the store is dedicated to fresh, organic and natural foods. What I love most about Fresh Thyme is the affordable prices. I try my best to buy healthy food, but it can be expensive. I'm very happy that I found Fresh Thyme because I can now buy food that's pure, simple, nutritious and delicious without emptying my entire wallet!

Website: Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Follow on Twitter: @FreshThymeFM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshThymeFarmersMarkets

New Store Locations:
Open 7 am - 10pm daily

Fresh Thyme Market Northville
15480 Sheldon Road Northville, MI 48168

Fresh Thyme Market Troy
901 E. Big Beaver Road Troy, MI 48083

Fresh Thyme Market Rochester Hills
2025 S. Rochester Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48037

*This is a sponsored post and I have been compensated.

Join the Fresh Thyme Twitter Party to Celebrate the Grand Opening of Their 3 Stores in Metro Detroit on Thursday, July 23rd from 8-9pm EST

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 01:33:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce the Grand Opening of 3 Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the Metro Detroit area on July 22nd. To celebrate the Grand Openings in Northville, Troy and Rochester Hills, there will be a Twitter Party on Thursday, July 23th from 8:00-9:00pm EST. The party will be hosted by @HireInfluence along with panelists @KendallRayburn @TheHungryDudes and @dadofdivas

They will be giving away 3-$50 gift cards, 2-$100 gift cards, and 1-$250 gift card! Please join the party so you can learn more about Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and make sure to use the hashtag #FreshThymeMI.

Fresh Thyme Grand Opening Celebration Details:

On Wednesday, July 22nd at 7 am, each location will have a grand opening celebration with grocery giveaways, samplings, kids' activities, live entertainment and more! The first 250 customers will receive a FREE bag of groceries valued at $50 or more. Be sure to get in line early!

Fresh Thyme will also donate $15,000 to local non-profit organizations with check presentations and ribbon cutting ceremonies prior to the 7 am door openings.

About Fresh Thyme Farmers Market:

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a specialty grocery store that features fresh, healthy and organic food at amazing values. Fresh Thyme is especially passionate about fresh produce, so they made it the nucleus of the store. Their bounty of fruits and vegetables will always be visible from all other departments! You’ll find locally grown produce fresh from the farm and much of it will be organic.

Fresh Thyme will offer over 450 local items, from fresh produce to grocery products in every Michigan location. There will be a natural meat department, healthy prepared foods to go, a full salad bar, natural and organic bulk foods, locally roasted organic coffee beans, bakery items, wine and local craft beers, over 7000 varieties of health supplements and more.

Website: Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Follow on Twitter: @FreshThymeFM
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshThymeFarmersMarkets

New Store Locations:
Open 7 am - 10pm daily

Fresh Thyme Market Northville
15480 Sheldon Road Northville, MI 48168

Fresh Thyme Market Troy
901 E. Big Beaver Road Troy, MI 48083

Fresh Thyme Market Rochester Hills
2025 S. Rochester Road Rochester Hills, MI 48037

This is a sponsored post and I have been compensated.

Tropical Chia Pudding with DOLE Frozen Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 06:30:00 +0000

As a Team Dole advocate, I have the opportunity to test products and help spread the word about my favorite delicious Dole frozen treats!
You can learn more about being a top Team Dole advocate here: Team Dole consumer advocate program

Dole has a wide variety of frozen fruit products that are perfect for smoothies, recipes, desserts and snacking. I love to defrost my Dole Frozen Fruit at room temperature for 30 minutes and add some to my yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast. It adds an extra boost of nutrients and fiber, plus it tastes great!

Find more Dole products here: DOLE

Tropical Chia Pudding with DOLE Frozen Fruit

I wanted to come up with a simple, yet unique recipe using DOLE Frozen Fruit. I love making chia pudding and the addition of fruit makes it a very healthy dessert full of fiber and disease fighting antioxidants.

What are chia seeds?

Yes, they are the same seeds used to grow greens on the terracotta Chia plant! The chia seed is very tiny, but it's a nutritional powerhouse. Chia seeds are rich in plant omega 3-fatty acids, high in fiber (about 10 grams of fiber in 2 tablespoons) and are an excellent source of protein. They are easily digested, so they don't need to be ground like flaxseed.

Chia seeds absorb 10 times their weight in water! When you mix the seeds in liquid, they swell and form a gel. It not only makes a great pudding, but it also helps you feel full!

Preparation

Chia pudding is so simple to prepare. You can use regular milk, almond or other nut milk, rice milk or coconut milk. Add chia seeds to the milk and add some honey, maple syrup, agave or sugar. Vanilla extract adds an extra dose of flavor. You can mix it all with a spoon or even put the pudding in a mason jar and shake it up.

Quick and easy ingredients!

The mixture will be thin at first, but the chia seeds will expand after a few hours in the refrigerator.

The chia mixture before refrigeration.

Chill the chia pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight. Your chia "pudding" should be thick and creamy. The chia seeds will look like tapioca. Spoon the pudding into serving dishes and add a layer of DOLE Frozen Fruit in the middle and top it off with more fruit! I added some shredded coconut as a garnish.

Dole sells Wildly Nutritious Tropical Fruit with a colorful mix of pineapple, mango, golden kiwi, papaya and strawberries. I went to 2 stores, but they were both sold out. I improvised with DOLE Wildly Nutritious Mandarin Sunshine Blend and DOLE Mango Chunks.

Tropical Chia Pudding with DOLE Frozen Fruit

Yield: 2 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

DOLE Frozen Fruit (I used DOLE Wildly Nutritious Mandarin Sunshine Blend and DOLE Mango Chunks)
12 oz light coconut milk, almond milk or other nut milk. (I used canned light coconut milk)
1/3 cup chia seeds (you can use white or black chia seeds)
1-2 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup (I used honey)
1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Stir together the light coconut milk, chia seeds, honey and vanilla in a bowl or mason jar. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. The chia seeds will swell up and make a thick and creamy pudding.

Once your chia pudding is thickened, spoon into a serving dish and layer with DOLE Frozen Fruit. Garnish with shredded coconut flakes.

This post was created in partnership with Dole. I have received compensation for this post.

It's Kiwi Season!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:00:00 +0000

Did you know that two kiwifruit have more vitamin C than an orange and as much potassium as a banana? And, SunGold, a new variety of kiwifruit with tangy, tropical flavors, has four times the USRDA of vitamin C in one fruit.

Kiwifruit are nutritional powerhouses and are also a great source of micronutrients like Vitamin E and antioxidants. They’re high in fiber, have a low glycemic index, and two fruit have fewer than 100 calories.

According to Rebecca Scritchfield, registered dietitian, nearly 70 percent of Americans don’t eat the daily recommended amount of fruit. Says Scritchfield, “Kiwifruit packs a nutritional punch and is a delicious and healthy way to boost fresh fruit consumption.”

An infograph highlighting the many nutritional benefits of kiwifruit can be viewed and downloaded at zesprikiwifruitmediakit.com. Along with the infograph, you’ll find tasty recipes, a news release, product fact sheets and downloadable images.

Zespri® Kiwifruit are available in the United States and Canada for a limited time, from June through October.

Article provided by Zespri® Kiwifruit.

Michigan Tart Cherry Gift Basket Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 20:10:00 +0000

I'm excited because this is my very first giveaway! The Cherry Marketing Institute sent me a tart cherry gift basket filled with a bag of Michigan dried tart cherries and a bottle of tart cherry concentrate. Cherries are my favorite fruit, so I'm pretty happy. One of my readers will also have a chance to win a tart cherry gift basket!

A few years ago, The Cherry Marketing Institute invited me to attend an educational cherry immersion event in Traverse City, Michigan - The Cherry Capital of the World. The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) is a nonprofit national promotion organization that's funded by U.S. tart cherry growers.

You can read about my tart cherry experience here: The Elusive Tart Cherry of Northern Michigan

Cherry Facts

Tart or sour cherries are recognized as the key ingredient in decadent desserts, but their potential health benefits are promising! There are over 1,000 varieties of cherries, but the two main types are sweet and tart. Both sweet and tart cherries are high in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, iron, folate and fiber. However, tart cherries have been found to contain more beta carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and the pigments responsible for the bright red color of cherries. If a fruit or vegetable has color, then anthocyanins are present. Tart cherries are the richest source of anthocyanins 1 and 2, which may reduce inflammation associated with heart disease, arthritis, and assist with muscle recovery after strenuous exercise. Anthocyanins may also inhibit the growth of colon cancer tumors.

Fresh tart cherries are very delicate, so they're rarely shipped fresh. Therefore, the cherries are frozen, dried or made into a juice or concentrate.

Cherries May Help Relieve Muscle Pain Associated with Exercise!

Oregon Health & Science University discovered that tart cherry juice may relieve muscle pain and inflammation associated with running. Runners who drank 10½ ounces of Montmorency tart cherry juice twice a day for a week before their race and on the day of their race had considerably less pain than runners who used a placebo. The researchers concluded that tart cherry juice may be being a safer way to treat muscle pain and inflammation than over the counter pain relievers.

Get More Rest with Cherries

The University of Texas Health Science Center found that tart cherries contain substantial levels of melatonin, an antioxidant. Melatonin may help regulate sleep and maintain the body’s circadian rhythm. Melatonin has also been said to fight jet lag and may even prevent cancer. Since the body contains melatonin in very small amounts, even a slight increase in melatonin can have very promising results.

Quick and Easy Ways to Add Cherries to Your Diet

Fresh tart cherries are hard to find, but they are available frozen, dried and as a juice or concentrate. (Your other option is the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, in early July every year!)

- Dried tart cherries are delicious in salads, quinoa, yogurt or on top of your oatmeal.

- Mix dried tart cherries into low fat muffin or bread batter.

- Create your own granola or trail mix with dried tart cherries.

- Add an ounce of tart cherry concentrate to your water or sparkling water, or in your next smoothie, for a refreshing drink full of antioxidants.

Find delicious recipes at The Cherry Marketing Institute's Recipe Database

The Cherry Marketing Institute generously sent me 2 gift baskets, so a Nutritious Feast reader will win a bag of delicious dried tart cherries and a bottle of concentrated tart cherry juice!

Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional, but you'll have a better chance of winning if you submit more entries. A random winner will be chosen on or around August 9th! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mom Among Chaos: Detroit Zoo GreenFest with Door to Door Organics G...

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 03:06:00 +0000

Mom Among Chaos: Detroit Zoo GreenFest with Door to Door Organics G...: In observance of the global holiday celebrating life on our planet, the Detroit Zoo hosts its annual #DZgreenfest celebration. Green...

March is National Nutrition Month! Make sure to celebrate!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:48:00 +0000

National Nutrition Month Interactive Games from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:47:00 +0000

Check out some interactive games for National Nutrition Month! Have fun!

Nutrion Sudoku

Fact or Fiction

Word Search

Rate Your Plate

Fad Diet Timeline

Quick and Easy: Daytime Makeup Look from SOHO!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:50:00 +0000

Feeling beautiful is just as important as nourishing your body with healthy food. Check out the video above from SOHO and learn how to get the perfect daytime makeup look!

How to find Organic and Natural Food Coupons Online - Updated!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of MamboSprouts.com

The best way to find coupons is to go directly to the manufacturer's website or to their Facebook/Twitter pages. Some sites will offer printable coupons while other sites may have mailing lists. Don't be afraid to join a mailing list or subscribe to a newsletter. Many times the newsletter will offer great coupons, discounts and coupon links. Create a separate email address just for newsletters if you're worried about getting too much mail in your main inbox.

Links to Organic and Natural Food Coupons

Online Organic Food Coupons - A comprehensive list of companies who offer online coupons!

All Organic Links -.You can locate organic food companies through All Organic Links and see if they offer coupons.

EatingWell.com offers valuable printable coupons from natural brands for food, groceries, and other natural products. I signed up for their newsletter and get the same coupons in an email.

Mambo Sprouts Online Coupons - You can print organic and natural coupons for free from their site

Mambo Sprouts Messenger & Sprout e-news - Sign up to get FREE articles, product information, e-coupons and more! The sprout E-news monthly newsletter shares their latest giveaways, recipes, e-coupons and more!

Publix GreenWise Market Magazine - A monthly magazine that can be found inside Publix stores. The magazine has both Publix coupons and other manufacturer's coupons. You can also sign up online to get a free subscription delivered to your house.

Whole Foods "The Whole Deal" - A value guide that you can pick up inside your local Whole Foods. You'll find more than $30 in coupons, budget recipes, money saving tips and more.

Whole Foods "The Whole Deal" Printable Coupons - Print out coupons from the latest issue of "The Whole Deal"

Manufacturer's Sites

Alexia Foods - Register and print out a coupon for $.75 off their new Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Julienne Fries!

Arrowhead Mills - Sometimes have coupons on their site.

Barbara's Bakery - Their site sometimes offers online coupons.

Read more »

Coconut Water Chatter

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Coconut water is one of the hottest food trends. Is it all hype, or is coconut water worth trying?

Coconut water is the thin liquid found inside young green coconuts. A freshly opened young coconut is a refreshing drink when you’re under the hot tropical sun. If you’re far away from the tropics, pasteurized coconut water can be found at your local grocery or health food store.

Pure coconut water has no cholesterol, is very low in fat and calories, and naturally contains the essential electrolytes potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.

An 11 ounce serving of coconut water has about 60 calories and 700 milligrams of potassium, more than a banana. Potassium helps regulate fluid and mineral balance, controls normal blood pressure and helps your muscles contract. Coconut water is considered isotonic, which means that the electrolyte balance is similar to our blood. Fresh coconut water was used for emergency plasma transfusions during World War II.

A Substitute for Sports Drinks?

Many consider coconut water a natural sports drink. Traditional sports drinks are formulated with the right balance of electrolytes and carbohydrates for athletes and others who exercise vigorously. Sports drinks are recommended if you exercise 60 minutes or longer or when you’re exercising in extreme heat. Water is effective for light to moderate exercise. Some experts say that coconut water doesn’t contain enough sodium or carbohydrates to effectively replace sweat or fuel energy during strenuous exercise. Since sodium is the primary electrolyte that’s lost in sweat, an adequate amount is needed for rehydration. However, there are a few studies that have tested coconut water and found it to rehydrate just as well as traditional sports drinks. Coconut water definitely shows potential, but there needs to be further scientific research before any conclusions are made.

The Jury is Still Out

Coconut water can be pricey, but it’s a healthy replacement for sugary, high calorie drinks and may help rehydrate during illness and after exercise. More scientific research is needed to fully recommend using it during and after exercise, though. I have encountered several athletes who believe coconut water works just as well or better than sports drinks. They say coconut water doesn’t cause nausea or bloating and replenishes their bodies efficiently after exercise. People with kidney disease should discuss using coconut with their doctor or dietitian first, since the potassium content is high. Just a note: flavored coconut water may contain added sugar and be higher in calories.

Quick and Easy Ways to Add Coconut Water to Your Diet

- Make your oatmeal with coconut water for an added boost of potassium.

- Add cold coconut water to your fruit smoothies after a workout.

- Freeze a tetra pack of coconut water for 30 minutes for a refreshing slush.

- Use coconut water instead of regular water to make rice. It will boost nutrients and add a little flavor.

Images: gameanna / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Am J Emerg Med. 2000 Jan;18(1):108-11.
J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002 Mar;21(2):93-104.

A Handy Chobani Kitchen Conversion Chart!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:17:00 +0000

Understanding Antioxidants and Free Radicals

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:38:00 +0000

Everyone talks about antioxidants and free radicals, but what are they and how do they really work? Oxidation occurs when oxygen is exposed to cells and causes them to change. A real life example would be when oxygen hits an apple slice and it turns brown. Our bodies typically use oxygen in an efficient way, but sometimes cells get harmed in the process and free radicals are created.

Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that often collide with other cells and cause interference with normal cell functioning. They are considered free because they are missing an important molecule (electron) which sends them on a desperate journey to gain stability with nearby stable molecules. This sometimes causes a chain reaction and can result in the disruption of a living cell and ultimately cause DNA damage. Free radicals are also created from environmental pollution, smoke from cigarettes, radiation and other chemicals. The resulting oxidation is linked to a variety of health problems such as cancer, diabetes, macular degeneration and heart disease.

How Antioxidants Work

Burgers Going Bollywood & Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Wed, 25 May 2011 20:56:00 +0000

With Americans collectively eating more than 39 million hamburgers every day, it’s no wonder
that May is National Hamburger Month. The $75 billion beef burger industry has come a long
way in recent years, evolving into an edible platform for introducing new spices such as ginger
and coriander, reinventing what is arguable the country’s favorite sandwich.

Although a relative newcomer to the scene, veggie burgers continue to grow in U.S. popularity,
as indicated by its significant presence in popular culture. Television shows such as Man V.
Food, restaurants such as Red Robin and freezer aisle brands such as Tandoor Chef are
bringing the alternative burger further into the mainstream.

Some brands are even taking it one step further by embracing the burger evolution with
consumer-friendly events. “Everyone deserves to enjoy the deliciousness of a good burger hot
off the grill,” explains Mike Ryan, VP Sales & Marketing, Tandoor Chef. “That’s why we’re
putting an exciting twist on National Hamburger Month by celebrating 30 Days of Masala
Burgers with consumers, both meat lovers and vegetarians alike, across the country.”

Read more »

True Lemon - Crystallized Lemon

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:50:00 +0000

Water is one of your body's most essential nutrients. Every cell, tissue and organ needs water to function. Sadly, I never liked the taste of plain water unless there was bit of fresh lemon or lime juice squeezed into it. I was excited when I discovered True Lemon about 6 years ago. Fresh lemons spoil easily and it's hard to carry them around in your purse! Well, True Lemon packets are the perfect solution! The packets are small, portable and taste like fresh lemons!

Visit True Lemon's website and learn about the importance of water and how True Lemon can help you enjoy drinking more water!

True Lemon – What is it?

True Lemon is crystallized lemon made with 100% all natural ingredients. The True Citrus company starts off with freshly picked lemons and then uses a cold-pressing process. This process doesn't use heat, so the lemons maintain their optimal flavor. During cold-pressing, lemon oils and juices are extracted and then crystallized. This entire process actually locks in the flavor of freshly picked lemons! True Lemon believes that their product tastes better than any lemon you'll find in the store. That is probably true for people who don't have lemon trees in their yard!

My New Blog Design

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000

I'm so excited about my new design. It's not done yet, but it looks great already. I have the best designer ever! :)

What is the ORAC Scale?

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:09:00 +0000

The oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC scale measures a food’s ability to protect against free radicals. A high ORAC score means that a food or other compound is high in antioxidants. The ORAC scale was first developed by Dr. Guohua Cao at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Health professionals recommend that we eat at least 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC points each day. Research reveals that eating a diet rich in antioxidants may protect cells from oxidative damage and therefore prevent cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

You can check out the current database: USDA Database for the Oxygen RadicalAbsorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2

Example: 100 grams (3.5 oz) of blueberries ranks at around 2,400 points on the ORAC scale and a ½ cup of cooked broccoli is about 1,900 points. I have a feeling we’ll hear more about the ORAC scale in the near future!

The Elusive Tart Cherry of Northern Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:33:00 +0000

Picture taken with my Blackberry Storm (I'm not talented like Matt Armendariz)

When he was by, the birds such pleasure took
That some would sing, some other in their bills
Would bring him mulberries and ripe-red cherries
--Shakespeare, "Venus and Adonis," ll. 1101-3

The Cherry Marketing Institute invited me to attend an educational cherry immersion event in Traverse City, Michigan. The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) is a nonprofit national promotion organization that is funded by U.S. tart cherry growers. I was joined by some pretty amazing bloggers, photographers, professional chefs and dietitians. I loved that we were there during the National Cherry Festival.

We all learned a great deal about cherries from our guide Phil Korson, President of the Cherry Marketing Institute. The wonderful team from Weber Shandwick enriched our time in Traverse City by being generous hosts who took us to the most beautiful places in Northern Michigan. I am very grateful to them all.

The Boathouse Restaurant

Our table at the Boathouse Restaurant overlooking Bower's Harbor

Our welcome dinner was at the Boathouse Restaurant. Owner Doug Kosch makes sure his restaurant uses the "farm to table" concept. He grows most of the restaurant's vegetables, fruits and herbs with his wife on their farm .

We were treated like royalty by Chef Eric Nittolo. Every dish he created had a cherry theme. It was exquisite and something I will never forget! It was after 8 pm and the sun was still shining above Bower's Harbor.

My cherry martini

We began with cherry cocktails and I had the perfect cherry martini. We then started our four course dinner! The servers brought out plates with duck, cheese and a fresh salad with goat cheese, walnuts, apples, spinach, beets and cherry vinaigrette dressing. Then, we had a main course choice of ahi tuna or filet mignon. I selected the filet mignon even though I rarely eat red meat! It was so tender and had a tart, but slightly sweet cherry sauce.

Filet Mignon

Chef Eric made cherries jubilee for dessert. It was like a work of art, plus it tasted so good! (Remember - Everything in moderation! Yes, you can eat it.)

Cherries Jubilee

Cherries Have a Wide Array of Health Benefits

Dr Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD talks about the health benefits of cherries

Dr. Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, helped us understand the science behind the succulent red fruit. Her presentation taught us that cherries are a homegrown super fruit with a wide array of health benefits.

I will post about the health benefits of cherries soon, but here are a few quick facts:

- Tart cherries contain at least 17 antioxidants.

- Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are important antioxidants found in cherries. They can block enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that are involved with the pain and inflammation of arthritis and gout.

- Anthocyanins are the plant pigments that give cherries their rich red color.

- Anthocyanins also have anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit the growth of colon cancer tumors.

- There are 30 to 40 mg of anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 grams of fruit. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are not found in blueberries or cranberries.

- Tart cherries also are rich in the antioxidants kaempferol and quercetin.

- Research shows that tart cherries contain high levels of melatonin, a powerful antioxidant that can eliminate free radicals. (free radicals are toxins involved in diseases such as cancer, heart disease, etc.) Melatonin also helps regulate natural sleep patterns!

- Montmorency cherries contain almost 6 times more melatonin than Balaton cherries.

- Tart cherries contain 19 times the beta carotene of blueberries and strawberries.

- Cherries are also rich in fiber, vitamin C, iron, folate. potassium and magnesium.

*I'll also talk about ways to add tart cherries and tart cherry juice to your diet in a future post.

Read more »

Pure Bar Review –Delicious and Nutritious Organic Fruit and Nut Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:42:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to try Pure Bars a few months ago and I’ll admit that I’m now a Pure Bar addict!

The Facts About Pure Bars:

- USDA certified organic – All ingredients are free of pesticides and herbicides

- Vegan

- Raw – Made with cold-processed fruits and nuts, which retains most of their antioxidant content, vitamins and minerals.

- Dairy free

- Certified gluten free

- No refined sugar or preservatives

- 4-5 grams of organic fiber

- 6-7 grams of organic protein

- 1 ½ servings of fruit

- 400 mg Omega-3 - Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke

- GMO free

- Kosher

The Pure Bar was created by Veronica Bosgraaf for vegetarians. (For everyone else too!) It took her a few hundred hours in the kitchen to concoct the Pure bar. She wanted to use only organic and whole ingredients. Vernoica achieved her goal because Pure bars are pure and delicious!

The 6 Flavors:

Apple Cinnamon – Tastes like apple pie! Yum!

Chocolate Brownie – Rich and decadent. You won’t believe it’s healthy!

Trail Mix - Nutty and full of fruit with a little chocolate

Cherry Cashew – Tart, sweet and decadent. One of my favorites!

Cranberry Orange – Tart cranberries with a nutty and citrus flair

Wild Blueberry – Wild Oregon Blueberries make it taste fresh and satisfying!

The bars taste purely decadent! All 6 flavors are naturally sweet, moist and have a satisfying crunchiness due to the natural nuts. I really enjoy the overall texture of the bars. The bars are sweetened with Agave nectar. Agave nectar is the sweet sap from succulent plants. Agave is low on the glycemic index, which means it won’t raise blood sugar as fast as regular sugar. I haven’t come across any clinical studies as to agave’s safety in Diabetes.

Pure Bars are a great snack that will keep you full and energized. I recommend them!

Nutritional Values

Pure Bar Store Locator

Organic. It's Worth It in Schools!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 03:09:00 +0000

“Organic. It’s Worth It In Schools.”

Want to join Nutritious Feast in helping schools access and offer students more organic food? The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is calling on teachers, parents, students, educators and others to join the “Organic. It’s Worth It In Schools.” initiative and vote for their favorite school to win an organic garden complete with seeds, soil and expert gardening support; or a fully stocked vending machine, featuring items like milk, fruit, cheese, yogurt and organic snacks.

Through May 1, 2010, when you visit www.OrganicItsWorthIt.org you can “vote” for a school by signing up for an electronic newsletter featuring organic tips, recipes, news and more. Your school must receive a minimum 1,000 votes (or newsletter sign-ups) to win. Full details on rules and regulations are available at http://www.organicitsworthit.org/join/current-campaigns.

I will be guest tweeting for PureVia tomorrow at 12 PM CST/ 1 PM EST!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0000

Please join @PureVia and @NutritiousFeast on Twitter on March 30th 2010! We are celebrating National Nutrition Month and will answer all your nutrition questions.

Get the new Mambo Sprouts coupon book!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Here's what you will receive when you sign-up with Mambo Sprouts:

Photo courtesy of mambosprouts.com

FREE! Coupon books for natural & organic products mailed directly to your home (only mailed 3 times a year). This mailer also includes the Mambo Messenger (an educational and informative printed newsletter) and free product samples sent occasionally. NOTE: The next issue is scheduled to arrive in homes by Februrary 2010.

FREE! E-Coupon alerts, special offers and chances to win great products and prizes.

FREE! Monthly E-Newsletter with healthy living tips and recipes

A Long Hiatus!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:34:00 +0000

I have to apologize again for being away from my blog for so long. I've been a little sick for the past few months and just lost my Father in Law last week.

I plan to start posting very soon. Thank you all for being patient. :-)

~Dina