Being a huge proponent of liquid vitamins and nutritional supplements I am thrilled beyond belief that my favorite brand of liquid supplements are adding a convenient dosage cup to the top of their bottles.   I think they just listened to their consumers and their need to make sure they are getting the right amount – and added it to the bottle.

It is widely known that if you are, for example a Glucosamine supplement user, the dose does matter.  If you are not getting enough in your daily dose you are cutting yourself short on a vital supplement that could be making the difference for how much discomfort you feel in your daily activities.  If you are a digestive health supplement user, the difference could mean heartburn one evening after eating a phenomenal Thai Food dinner that was as you love it - four heated starts of spice.  Or what if you give your kids a liquid multivitamin every day?  You would be concerned that too much would not be a good thing?

It has been in the news that dosing can often times be off when using a spoon from the drawer in your kitchen.  I have commented before that I like to use a shot glass for measuring out one once of liquid supplements.  I also said that when it comes to dosing kids I do prefer to use a measuring cup for a reliable dose.  So, this new addition of a graduated dosage cup included with my liquid supplements gives me peace of mind. 

I came across NPR’s Health Blog on January 5, 2010 by Scott Hensley discussing “A Spoonful of Medicine Can Lead to Dosage Errors.”  What I found most useful is the comparison of the average Tablespoon and the average Teaspoon in your silverware drawer in your kitchen.   I was shocked to find out at on average when people were pouring into a spoon they came up 8% short when using the average teaspoon and went overboard by 12% when using a larger spoon†.  While the blog post states that, “the errors may seem minor, the researchers say they could add up over many days taking medicine, leading to either systematic overdosing or underdosing, depending on the spoon.”  It also states that, “your spoons may not be the size you think.  Common teaspoons can hold from 2 to 10 milliliters of liquid.” 

The new liquid supplement measuring cup I am so fond of includes 1 tsp, 2 tsp, 1 TBSP, 4tsp, and 2 TBSP, 1 FL OZ and 2 FL OZ.  All have the corresponding ml measurements for those that like using milliliters.  The really cool part is that when you are done using it all you have to do is rinse/wash the cup and then it snaps right back on the lid of the bottle so it is stored in a safe place for its next use.  Now I can use one dosage cup for my supplements that are 2 TBSP/1oz per day and also the 2 tsp/10 ml per day doses.

Does it come any easier than that?  Liquid supplements that are fast absorbing, no pills to swallow, and a convenient dosage cup all in one. Brilliant.

†www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/01/how_a_spoonful_of_medicine_can.html

Seriously….why do you have to add to the overall holiday pressures with digestive issue?  I try really hard most of the year to eat well, drink lots of water and take my vitamins.  Then comes Thanksgiving and December and I lose my mind.  I start eating the ‘not so healthy’ choices and eating and drinking at gatherings that offer the same not so healthy choices.  I eat on the run as I do holiday errands and I also grab for that extra cup of coffee to try and stay awake through it all as well.

So what does all that mean – one heck of a case of heartburn or upset digestive system for me.  I found something that helps like you would not believe.  It is a new Liquid Digestive Health supplement.  It combines all the healthy things I need right now to balance my digestive system and the bonus is, it is sweetened with stevia so no extra sugar and no yucky artificial sweeteners.  It includes a natural soluble fiber that promotes gentle regularity and healthy colon, a prebiotic blend to maintain healthy intestinal flora and aloe to provide greater digestive comfort and balance stomach acidity.
  
I keep it in the refrigerator for an extra tasty treat in the evening after dinner.  Did I mention it is a really good tasting vanilla citrus flavor?  I know I should just make wiser choices, but when I don’t it really helps settle my stomach, I never get heartburn and I sleep really well.  I think that this holiday season I am thankful for my new Digestive Health supplement.  It is helping me through this stressful exciting time of the year.

Check out the 30 Day Challenge – if you don’t like it they will give you your money back!

 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis with nearly 27 million Americans living with it today.  One way to stay fit and healthy when living with arthritis is to learn how you can protect your joints and how to relieve joint pain. 

1. Maintain your ideal body weight.  Every pound you lose takes 4 pounds of pressure off your knees.
2. Move your body!  Exercise protects joints by strengthening the muscles round them.
3. Stand up straight.  Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips, and knees.
4. Use the big joints of your body.  When lifting or carrying, use the largest strongest joints and muscles to avoid injury.
5. Pace yourself.  Alternate periods of heavy activity with periods of rest.  Repetitive stress can accelerate the wear and tear that causes Arthritis.
6. Listen to your body.  If you are in pain, don't ignore it.  Pain after activity can be from overstress of your joints.
7. Don't be static.  Changing positions regularly will decrease stiffness in muscles & joints.
8. Forget the weekend warrior scenario.  Don't do activities your body isn't ready for.  Start slowly and safely until you know how your body will react to them.  This will reduce the chance of injury.
9. Wear proper safety equipment.  Use helmets, wrist pads, & knee pads to protect yourself during activities that need extra protection.
10. Ask for help.  Don't try and do a big job by yourself. Get another pair of hands to help you out.
11. Supplement.  Check with your holistic health care practitioner since there are many supplements that can also help manage OA.  A liquid vitamin D3 supplement or a joint health Glucosamine and chondroitin supplement might be right for you.

 

 

 

Do you always get the flu each year? Try these steps for prevention. 

No matter what side of the fence you sit on regarding the yearly flu shot there are some natural ways to keep your immune system healthy for this flu season.  I am sure you have heard all of these before but the reminder is always good.  Sometimes we fall into bad habits that our busy lives seem to encourage so we just need to be reminded to come back to the basics.

Years ago one knee and one big toe bothered me every time I would go jogging.  Call it old age or call it Arthritis, either way they just plain bothered me.  After popping the ibuprofen before and after going for a jog I realized I was going to lose my stomach lining if I didn’t find an alternative for my joint pain.  Adding a great knee wrap helped insulate my knee and reduce the effects from it getting cold but I still had the pain. 

That is when I found out about a liquid glucosamine and chondroitin supplement  for joint health that you take daily.  With only 1oz. needed per day and no big pills to swallow it seemed like an easy thing to do.  I was thrilled that there was another option besides pain killers.  So I started taking it every day.  Because it wasn’t a big pill I thought I could actually do it every day and not just walk by the pills thinking, “Hmm, maybe not today. I don’t feel like swallowing that!”

I kept taking this new liquid glucosamine and was not really paying attention to how much better my joint pain felt.  One day after going jogging I was gulping down my usual water and I realized that I had not been taking ibuprofen anymore.  I looked at my bottle of liquid glucosamine and it was nearly gone.  I guess I had been taking it for awhile.  Wow, when did that happen?  My knee seriously felt so much better.  Bending it back and forth I smiled – this stuff works!  Then I bent my toe.  It still didn’t bend very well but same thing – it felt better.

Years later, I still continue to take my liquid glucosamine every day.  I may miss a day or two here and there and don’t notice much but when I travel for more than a week at a time and don’t take it with me that is when I feel it.  First the toe gets stiff and the knee gets tight and then the pain comes back.  It is a good reminder for me to keep taking it on a daily basis.  No need to convince me - I am sold on this stuff.  So to anyone that hasn’t tried it I say give it a whirl for managing arthritis joint pain.  Your knees, or even a big toe, will thank you and keep you moving.

Did I mention the side effects it may have?  This stuff can make you do things you normally would not do.  I signed up to run a Marathon for a national charity and I had never done that before.  It was an amazing experience.*

*Individual experiences may vary.  Yours may not be a marathon but it maybe another tennis match, an added 5 minutes when you walk the dog, going up stairs to get something you forgot because you can, or even going dancing!

 

I hear the call from the other room, “Mama, can I have my vitamins please?”  

I am scurrying to gather all the needed items together for our day.  With all of us heading in different directions it is surely a morning where multitasking is my top priority.  When I hear the call from the other room it makes me smile.  My preschooler never lets me forget morning vitamin time.  I love it - it helps me remember my daily dose as well. 

On busy mornings we have the normal run of the mill cold breakfast and then our daily vitamins.  My husband and I take a few different additions to our multivitamin, such as, calcium, a liquid joint health formula, prebiotic, omega blend, and the ever important vitamin D liquid.  My preschooler takes a multivitamin and the same liquid vitamin D we take.  She loves the flavor so all I have to do is sit it on the counter and she will grab it, drink it up, and say “thank you Mama!” 

When I was a little girl my Dad was the vitamin man.  He always stressed eating healthy and taking our vitamins.  I couldn’t swallow pills as a kid so our only options were the tart vitamin discs that we would chew up.  As a mother, I am thrilled with all the new delivery forms for dosing kids!  My favorite by far is liquid.  I know it absorbs fast, it is easy for a child to take, and before I could just had over a small dosage cup - I could add it to a dropper or tippy cup and down it went other liquid.  The added bonus it a liquid passes by their teeth quickly and doesn’t stick and it isn’t full of nasty artificial colors.  I prefer liquid supplements for myself so it seemed to be a logical choice to try liquid vitamins for my daughter.  It is the best way to supplement vitamin D for kids.  Our routine is one of the fun interactive times in our morning routine – surely beats the “time to get dressed” part of our day!

I am happy to be following my Dad’s preventative footsteps and making this an important part of my daughter’s life.  This year we are in a good habit taking our vitamins and doing what we can to stay active and eat a balanced diet.  We are hopeful we are not just setting the foundation for a healthy school year but a healthy lifetime for our family.

 

 

Fall is here and so is fall harvest time!

Falls is upon us and as the days get shorter and the mornings are dark, my mind closes the door on the days of flip flops and summer breezes coming through the windows.  It is time to welcome Fall and its chill in the air.  The dark mornings mean a slower pace and more cuddle time with my kiddo before getting ready for school in the morning.  The leaves are beginning to change color, it is the time of harvest for our local farms and time to slow down and spend more time at home with the family.

With fall also comes all the fun new options for the kitchen.  If you have not before, make sure you find time to enjoy your local harvest from the Farmers Market and cook up some warm stews, soups and baked squash.  To celebrate the season, our family enjoys a trip to a local farm with a pumpkin patch to enjoy all the fall harvest colors.  Pumpkin and squash then becomes a staple at our dinner table.   A personal seasonal favorite is the smell of hot apple cider simmering on the stove on a chilly day while doing household chores, carving pumpkins or just resting at home.   Try adding cooked pumpkin or squash to smoothies instead of the summer berries for a new tasty treat.

For keeping your family healthy this Fall, if you don’t normally take nutritional supplements, this is a good time to add for essential vitamins and minerals to your family’s daily routine.  You will likely be spending more time indoors and by taking a good multivitamin and an added liquid Vitamin D supplement for children and Vitamin C, you can help keep your immune system healthy. This small daily addition with plenty of rest and a good diet may give your kids that extra support they need as they head back to school. 

Fall can be a time for new beginnings as the kids are back in school and the weather is changing.  Utilize your local Farmers Market to enhance your diet and stay healthy, get on track with a nutritional supplement plan to keep your kids immune system strong.

Happy Harvest!

 

There are many ways you can take a liquid supplement.  Most people just take them straight using a measuring spoon or dosage cup.  However, did you know that you can also mix them in just about anything?  Water or juice works very well, especially apple or orange juice.  Some people put them in their protein shakes each morning.  One great way to take them for a little change of pace is putting it in a smoothie drink.  It really does not matter what smoothie recipe you use because you won't even taste the supplement once you mix it in!  Here are a couple to try using fall harvest time ingredients.

Avocado Smoothie
This drink has to be tasted to be believed.  Not only is it rich and creamy - and out tasters love the flavor - but it's also a good source of vitamins, fiber, potassium, and a good-for-you fats.

In a blender, combine a peeled and pitted avocado with 1 cup each milk and ice cubes, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, then blend until smooth.  Makes 3 servings. 

(I bet you could even use honey instead of the sugar and soy or rice milk instead of the milk if you wanted to.)  

Try it and let us know what you think. 

Did you know?  Avocados are commonly used in drinks and desserts - including ice cream - throughout Asia and South America.


Pumpkin Smoothie
Happy harvest time!  What can you do when you are in the mood for homemade pumpkin pie, but you are “squashed” for time?  Whip up a batch of these thick and tasty pumpkin smoothies!

Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe Ingredients:
1/2 Cup canned or prebaked pumpkin puree
3/4 Cup milk, vanilla yogurt, soy milk or almond milk
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. brown sugar
4 ice cubes

Directions:  Combine ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.
Pour the smoothies into small glasses (this drink is rich) and garnish each with a dollop of vanilla yogurt or whipped topping.  For a fun touch, add a pinch of cinnamon or sprinkled shaved white chocolate.
Serves 2 or 3.


Try your liquid nutritional supplements in a smoothie today to get your essential nutrients.  This is a great way to take calcium and vitamin D which are so important for bone health and for managing osteoporosis, especially if you are tired of taking pills or chewing chalky tablets.

Send us your favorite smoothie recipe! 

For most families the end of summer means shorter days and cooler temperatures.  If you have children at home it also means Back to School season and that mad dash to try and buy all the anticipated school supplies and clothing before school starts.

As the times change and being sustainable and making wise purchasing choices becomes important how can you and your family make wise Back to School purchases this year?  Even a few changes will make a big difference this year.

I have come across a number of ideas and resources I would like to share with you.
First of all, take stock in what you have that is either left from the year before that you can use again.  You may have left over supplies or clothing that can be handed down or reused this year. 

School Clothes:
Organize a clothing swap with friends or neighbors and trade clothing for bigger sizes or something different.   Second hand stores can be a great way to find clothing at excellent prices extending the life of the garment.

Healthy lunches:
Studies tell us that healthy school lunches start with getting the kids involved in packing their lunch.  By offering healthy choices for the lunch box and loading the boxes together they are more likely to eat what they pack.   Green that lunch box by using:

• Reusable lunch bags & containers
• Reusable utensils
• Cloth Napkins
• Reusable water bottle

Keeping Kids healthy by helping their immune system stay strong:
Make sure the kids have an opportunity to eat a healthy breakfast before school each day to get them off to the right start so they get essential vitamins.  Don’t forget their daily dose of a children’s multivitamin and giving them a Vitamin D Supplement or calcium supplements with vitamin d, like a liquid that is safe for children, since they will be spending less time outdoors.  Remind kids to cough and sneeze into their elbow slowing the transfer of the common cold and flu exposure.  Don’t forget to wash hands regularly and before meals.  Liquid supplements are the perfect choice for vitamins safe for children - they are easy to swallow!

School supplies:
Purchase eco-friendly school supplies such as canvas instead of plastic binders and use refillable pens instead of disposable.   Recycled paper products, etc.  You can even find backpacks made out of recycled juice pouches!

Save in Transportation Costs:
Ride a bike or walk when it is safe to do so and plan carpools to sporting events.

Here’s to a healthy, safe and fun school year!

 

These are so good!

It is hot out there and the kids want treats to keep them cool and you want it to be a healthy.  I just came across an easy recipe that not only is a healthy fun but doubles as a great activity to keep them entertained as well.  There is some waiting involved so they will have to run through the sprinkler during the wait times.  Enjoy!

Blueberry and Lemon Ices

Blueberry Ice Ingredients: 
• 4 cups blueberries
• 3/4 cup white grape juice
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
1.  In a blender or food processor, combine the blueberries and grape juice and pulse until mixed, about 30 seconds.

2. Working in batches, strain the mixture into a medium-size bowl through a mesh strainer.  Add the maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl and stir to combine.

3. Transfer the mixture to a 9 by 13-inch pan, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze it for 1 hour.  Remove the pan and scrape the mixture’s frozen edges into the center with a fork.  Freeze it another hour, then scrape the ice crystals into the center again.  Return the pan to the freezer for at least 1 more hour, or overnight.  If the mixture is too firm to scoop when you’re ready to serve, scrape it to loosen the crystals.  Make 4 cups.

Lemon Ice Ingredients:
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2/3 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons)

1. Bring the water, sugar, and salt to a simmer over high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

2. Pour the liquid into a 9 by 13-inch pan and let it cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

3. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap, the freeze and scrape as you did for the Blueberry Ice.  Makes 3 cups.

*FamilyFun.com/magazine (August 2010 issue)

 

Convert your yard, garden and kitchen waste into soil building compost for essential nutrients for your garden.

If you have never tired composing here are some quick tips to get you started:

1.  If your local community offers a compost option to your local garbage pickup service this is an easy option to get you started.  Sign up for the service and they will pick up all your yard debris and kitchen compost and compost them for you at a community compost area.

a. All your yard clippings can go into a compost bin

b. All your kitchen waste can go into a compost bin

c. If your area allows you can also put all soiled paper, pizza boxes, paper cups, paper napkins, and waxed paper in the compost bin

2. If your community does not offer a curb side composting program you can start your own backyard composting.  The Groundwater Foundation has some good tips.

a. Buy a small kitchen compost bin or use a bucket.  Fill it with your kitchen food scraps.  Designate a space in your yard or community area that can be used for a compost pile.  Begin dumping your compost there or in a large compost receptacle.  Find ideas at Clean Air Gardening.

b. If you choose this route find tips for tools used to rotate the compost and how long the compost needs to sit and decompose before using it for your garden and plants for fertilizer at Composting101.com.   Note:  Keep meat and dairy scraps out of your backyard compost so you don’t invite unwanted animals to your backyard compost pile.
 

Once you have achieved finished compost, you can add it to the soil any time of year without the fear of burning plants or polluting water. The benefits of compost are numerous. It builds good soil structure; enables soil to retain nutrients, water, and air; protects against drought; helps maintain a neutral pH, and protects plants from many diseases commonly found in the garden.  It also feeds earthworms and other microbial life in the soil. In general, it doesn't matter what kind of soil you have. All soils can be improved with the addition of compost. 1

Send us your composting tips and inspiration to help those just starting to compost for the first time.

1 www.composting101.com

 

Have fun with these summer nutrition tips:

Summer is a great time to add a vast variety of available fruits and veggies to your diet while they are plentiful and easily accessible.  Our family just signed up for a Workplace CSA (community supported agriculture) offered through our place of employment.  We get a box of fresh fruits and veggies delivered to our workplace one time per week.  Most communities have some type of local farm offering where you can purchase fresh fruit and veggies right from the local farmer.  Check out www.localharvest.org  for options.

Along with supporting our local farms, we are adding in fresh organic fruits and veggies to our meals that we did not have available this winter.   We are making more fresh smoothies, making snacks that include less processed items - replacing them with fresh items, and adding fun color and flavor to our meals.

Tip 1:  Try a smoothie that includes berries, ice, protein powder, fresh greens (like kale and spinach), yogurt and even your liquid vitamin supplements or liquid glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, for a great morning, afternoon meal or snack.  Have a picky eater?  Smoothies are a fun way to add new items into their diet.  At your evening meal try adding fresh berries and nuts to a fresh green salad.   Fresh herbs such as basil, make a great addition to roasted chicken, baked tofu, sauces and fresh wraps or salads.

Tip 2:  Try sitting out a variety of cut fresh veggies and fruit at your office this summer instead of the notoriously popular candy dish. Watch the energy level change from eating something good for you and from getting rid of that ugly sugar crash you and your coworkers get after the candy high wears off.

Tip 3:  If you have left over fruit and veggies you know won’t be used before they go bad, consider chopping them up in to smaller pieces and freezing them for a time when they are not readily available and then add them to a sauce or smoothie straight from the freezer!  

What do you like about the changes in your summer diet?

The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the kids have more time to play outside now that school is out. 

With all the current news about vitamin D deficiency and sensible sun exposure how is a parent to balance this out with the known risks of sun exposure?

The American Academy of Pediatrics increased their recommended daily dose of vitamin D for children as published studies show 6 million American children are deficient1.  They also recommend children exposed to the sun to wear sunscreen.  How does a parent balance this out?  As a mother, I choose to supplement my children’s vitamin D intake with a liquid vitamin D supplement.  We supplement daily to make sure they are getting their daily requirement.  This takes the worry out of it as I know they are getting this vital addition to their daily diet.

As for the sun exposure topic, at my house we do what we can to be sensible.  We love to play outdoors so we cover up exposed areas after initial 10-15 min of exposure or we use sunscreen when it is not practical to cover up.   Time on the beach and water sports require us to wear sunscreen or we all burn to a red crisp, so finding a safe sunscreen is important to me.

Sunscreen use is definitely more of a hot topic this summer than in years past – that or I am just more aware of it.  I found a useful site that breaks down the ingredients of sunscreen and helps parents make informed decisions about which product to buy.  You can visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG).   They rank the sunscreens so you know which brands you might want to stay away from, to the most chemical free sunscreens available on the market.

The goal this summer is to get out and stay active with your family and friends.  This means making the balance work for your family:  sensible sun exposure, covering up exposed skin when possible, using a safe sunscreen and continuing to take a vitamin D supplement.  

Make sure to enjoy your summer!

Share with us ways you make the balance work in your home!



1 http://healthfinder.gov/news/printnewsstory.aspx?docID=632306