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AI 101: AI Explained
Do you struggle with AI? Have parents, friends, and others who struggle with terminology and understanding what AI is good for?
The guide defines basics terms that are often mentioned in numerous online videos and definitely can be confusing to a new user.
Check out my guide, free to use, no data collected.
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Which supplement should I take? #Supplement Explorer
Are you always on your phone looking at which supplements you should take? Do you look at reviews? How do you decide what to buy?
As someone who has been in the nutraceutical industry for over 10 years, I’ve worked with many suppliers and companies to understand why an ingredient is chosen, what research is behind it, and how to sell it to a consumer, so if you are looking for some answers to questions you may have, drop a comment, or even better check out the Supplement Explorer on the site. It is free to use, 3 questions, and a simple output. No info is stored.I made the Supplement Explorer purely for my use and then thought, well, if it is useful for me, maybe it is useful for others. The tool is not affiliated with any company or brand, but was just a way for me to showcase what I find useful. If you use it, do give me feedback as to what you’d like to see it on too.
Stay well and remember, before taking any supplements, check with your doctor if it is a good fit for you or not!
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Do you shop at Aldi for Christmas gifts?
If you have an Aldi near you, I encourage you to visit. I’m sure you must be wondering what can I get there? Do they have meat that is good? Do they carry brand names that I know of? Are there any healthy items there that I can buy? How’s the produce section? Is it true that I need to pay for bags and a cart? Well, all these questions will be answered below.
I’m sure you have seen the TV ad that shows a receipt comparison of shopping at Aldi and your nearby grocery store with Aldi being cheaper–well, Aldi is cheaper. How do I know this? Well, multiple trips to Aldi has resulted in me getting at least 15 items in $20 while at various other stores like ShopRite and Stop and Shop, I’ve got more like 10-12 of the same items. Also, when I was given $100 to shop for charity, my go-to shopping place was Aldi. I was able to hit exactly $100 and not go over and have an entirely full food cart for donation…impressive right? How does Aldi manage to keep the price low? Well, it starts by carrying fewer products. A typical Aldi store has fewer of the same items so choices are limited. Some brand names are there but if you aren’t specifically looking for that name then you can find great-tasting healthier options. Since the store footprint is smaller, more of what you want and need is there without having to cater to all the products for a particular item.
Produce and deli meats are there too but again you have to know when to get them..sale ads are wonderful for this! The quality is good if you are on a budget but by no means is it yet Wholefoods quality but pricing reflects this too. They also carry many gluten-free (LiveG) products and now are carrying organic ones too. My favorite section is the one in the middle (yes, we are told not to shop in the middle sections of the store as the not so nutritious stuff is there) but here the middle section has products that change weekly from pillows to gardening tools to shower curtains to athletic apparel to what not. Go here for great gift ideas, right now—from scarves to slippers to cozy socks! This section isn’t huge but definitely worth browsing. The other part of the middle section has your basic household items like cleaners, paper towels, etc. Also, you can pay with debit and credit too. The cashiers are fast though often only three are there. It is definitely not hard to find healthy items at Aldi as they are constantly growing to include items that will attract you.
The cons for some include that you can’t find your traditional deli counter or brand name products but you’re shopping to save money and good quality stuff right so this becomes secondary in my opinion. Currently, Aldi does not take manufacturer’s coupons but they do take store coupons so you might want to consider this if you like your coupons for shopping. Also, many don’t like paying for bags and carts. I think paying for bags is a great idea as even California has banned plastic bags and requires you to carry your own or purchase reusable bags; thus, eliminating waste. Since you are using reusable bags, you have to bag them yourself–another way prices are kept low. As far as carts go, yes, you need to pay $0.25 to get a cart but as soon as you return it you get the money bag. This too is smart because Aldi doesn’t have to hire people to bring carts back from the parking lot and thus this savings is passed on to the consumer in the product’s price..Yeah for us!
Don’t hesitate, give a spin by your local Aldi to save some money on your groceries!
Your favorite grocery store that you haven’t visited yet!
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Do you check reviews before buying?
With the Christmas shopping season underway, I’m sure you are doing some online shopping. If you are anything like me, before you buy a new product—supplement, fitness equipment, or even clothes—you tend to look at the reviews for that product—be it on Amazon, Google, or your favorite shopping app/website? Why do we do that and what does the review actually tell us?
I look at reviews mostly to determine if the shipping takes time or does it deliver fast, as well as to see if something fits true to size. Other reasons that I might look at the review is to see the quality of the items and how long will it hold up or maybe I’m looking at it to see the pics of how it arrives or how someone else views it since it isn’t what the seller wants you to see. So are there reasons you shouldn’t use a review?
I wouldn’t use a review to determine if a supplement or food item will work for yourself individually because everyone’s body chemistry is different as what works for one person may not work for the other. Same with fits true to size—unless, you know that brand from previous purchases, you should know that sizing varies and can vary within the same brand too. Another reason not to use the review is if the review states “in exchange for this review, I received a free product” as this leads me to skeptically view the recommended product.
Finally, reviews are exactly that—a recommendation or not for an item at certain point in time. Sometimes products improve and other times, they get worse so check back often on a product of interest. Manufacturers often find ways to make their products more appealing as time goes on so though you may not like the taste of something when it was launched, there could be formulation improvements 6 months later. Furthermore, reviews often boost (or negate) the rating of the product as more people do them so if you like a product don’t be deterred from purchasing it.
Remember, a review is a person’s opinion (positive or negative bias could be present) and no guarantee that the product is not right for you.
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Short on time? Need Christmas gift ideas?
Still looking for gift ideas?
Interested in products or items that I have talked about in my posts..visit the link below on Amazon and my fave products are there for you to browse:
Check back frequently for updates!
https://www.amazon.com/shop/2howyalldoing
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Keto: Still trendy?
A trend that grew in 2018 and continued to show growth in 2019 was the keto trend and it looks like it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
If you have committed to following the keto diet, then the one thing you must be watching is how you eat. Going low-carb may be trendy but it really is difficult to follow especially when you are busy with work or family life or social life so what can you do?
One of the first things that I did when I started the keto diet was to seek out meal delivery options that were available. I didn’t want a Blue Apron style meal kit where I had to follow a recipe and make it but rather one where I could just heat it up and eat. I was hoping those existed. A simple Google search later and I found two. My favorite one is Keto Fridge (https://www.ketofridge.com/) as their choices are amazing and the fat content is super high. They have even high-fat pizza, raspberry scones, and everything bagels. I especially liked them when I first started the keto diet because it is so hard to give up foods that you like and this made it easier to transition to the lower-carb, high-fat items. I still continue to use them but as I went from 80g carbs to 30-40g carbs, I can only eat one of their products a day to meet my low carb numbers. I guess I could eat two too but I chose to eat one so that I could have some healthy snacks like cheese slices, cheese chips, or cucumbers. The other company that I found that I like is Ketoned Bodies (https://ketonedbodies.com/). The nice thing about their menu items is that I am able to eat two a day without going over in my carbs amount. They tend to have lower fats and lower carbs in their meals compared to Keto Fridge but that’s ok because it gives me more options to find keto worthy snacks.
Snack options are plenty on the keto diet so don’t let that fool you. If you go Thrive Market (see earlier post), you will be able to search by keto products. My favorite is Asiago Cheese Crisps (https://thrivemarket.com/p/cello-whisps-asiago-pepper-jack-cheese-crisps) as 23 crisps only have 1g carb and 11g fat! Also, of course, you can enjoy cheeses, bacon, and avocado for snacks too but I don’t really snack that much during the day due to the previous meals that I’m eating. I also take a chicken bone broth collagen protein shake with peanut butter in the morning followed by a bulletproof coffee and am pretty full until lunchtime so this plan works for me well. The challenge, however, is what to do when you have to eat out?
Eating out shouldn’t have to be burdensome. My favorite cuisines include Mexican and Thai food so what can I eat while I’m on keto at both of these places? For Mexican food, you definitely want to avoid the chips and salsa no matter how tempting it is (and no matter how much I love them) and load up on fajitas minus the tortillas or have a taco salad without the rice and beans or even have ceviche. You can also load up on lettuce-wrapped tacos or guacamole and cheese so the options are plenty. For Thai food, you can have coconut curries (no rice) and basil chicken stir-fries but avoid the pad thai and pad see ew as noodles can throw you off your low carb diet. If you are still unsure about what to eat when out, you could always eat something at home and then head out (ensuring you save money and don’t break the diet) but while there socialize and enjoy some light keto appetizers for the meal.
What about what should I eat at home while on the keto diet, especially if I can’t afford the meal kits or I like to cook? Tomorrow, I’ll lay out some simple keto recipes to make at home.
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CBD and full-spectrum hemp extract continue to trend!
CBD oil is here and it is going to show up in more and more places but how do you know if it is something you should be taking? Just because it is a kiosk at the mall, it must mean that it is safe and legal to take right? Unfortunately, the answer is not yes. Not to mention, companies can also sell full-spectrum hemp extract which has all the cannabinoids including CBD. So how do you decide what to buy?
Even with the latest update from the FDA in November 2019, CBD is still not regulated by the FDA because it was for the longest time on the drug list and only recently due the Farm Bill was it removed from the list. There is still no guidance on effective dose to take and what it helps once taken so buyer beware. Plus, the latest FDA data release and warning letters to CBD companies must mean that some guidance is coming right? I don’t if the answer is yes or no but as products continue to fill the stores, something needs to be done fast so consumers’ health is not jeopardized.
Not all supplements are created equal so please do your research and decide if CBD is for you as I’m pretty sure that even doctors know very little about this supplement currently.
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Straws: Trend or Environmental Waste?
Having traveled quite a bit this year, one thing that I noticed is that environmental impact is important to both the consumer and the manufacturer (including restaurants). Have you been to a restaurant lately and asked for a straw? Was the straw from recycled material or plastic? Simple changes like this can have a huge impact on our environment.
Consumers typically now have smart phones and are well aware about a company that is doing something good for the environment versus one that is not. Remember those little beads in your body wash? Those beads don’t dissolve and end up in our lakes and rivers so a company that is able to find a way to break them down is likely going to get more money from everyday consumers who are environmentally conscious.
Would you be willing to pay more for something if it was environmentally friendly? That is a question that most food manufacturers have to answer when developing their product. The cost benefit analysis is often overwritten if the consumer is demanding change. If you like a product and feel that it can be modified to help the environment, reach out to that manufacturer and see what they can do about it.
Let’s face it, most of us use Amazon and often wonder is there no solution to avoiding so much packaging waste? What is Amazon doing about it? Lots of questions and few answers regarding Amazon’s packaging situation but there are several companies that are currently environmentally friendly and this trend will continue to impact a consumer’s purchasing decision.
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Is plant-based still trendy?
With so many diets to choose from today including Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Atkins, and more, another one that is gaining traction is plant-based. Do you consider this trend of eating plant-based foods a fad or one that is here to stay?
If you are on Twitter (follow @iatmnow for interesting articles) and notice that on Mondays there is usually a #MeatlessMonday trend, that must mean that people are wanting to incorporate no meat in their diet at least once a week, right? Perhaps. We may not know all the reasons people are turning towards plant-based foods but some of those reasons include trying to be more health conscious or environmentally friendly.
I know that if I am doing any diet changes, I tend to alter one thing at a time, either cut out dairy or gluten or whatever it is that I think that will help me achieve my goals so I’m guessing people are looking at plant-based similarly in the sense that if I don’t have to eat meat and can satisfy that craving with a product like Beyond Meat or Impossible burger then I don’t really have much to lose. The fault in this thought process is that if you are eating healthier and exercising, would that actual burger really cause that many issues for you? Another thing to pay attention to is, these plant-based products have a lot of ingredients to make it taste like the real thing so if you aren’t a fan of chemical sounding names on your label, should you be eating it? Not all plant-based trends have to have a downside, for example, there are companies that are doing it right. Think of cauliflower pizza crust. It actually tastes good and companies who can make it without adding too many chemical sounding ingredients are likely going to win more customers.
The plant-based diet can be for anyone so that’s the nice thing about this diet because no matter what your goal, your diet doesn’t have to be radically shifted to accommodate this lifestyle.
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Did you fall for these color food trends in 2019?
No matter what you read today, you are most likely seeing a list of trends either for this year or next year. From Spotify lists to best restaurants or places to visit, the trend list is big everywhere including in the food industry.
I’ll talk about one trend that is likely going to continue next year and you may already be aware of it—colors. Drinks and beverages that have colors that pop and are Instagram-worthy are likely to benefit from the exposure, no matter how bad they taste. Do you remember the unicorn drink or mango dragonfruit refresher that was launched at Starbucks? Did you buy it for how it tastes or more because everyone had to have a pic of it. I fell into the latter category and I will admit the unicorn drink pic was nice, the drink not so much. If there were so many people like me out there, think of all the food waste that was occurring, not good, right?
What can you do about it? If you must buy that colorful drink, look at what’s in it and see if it will help your goals? For me, I really like the color of dragon fruit and if it is part of a smoothie that doesn’t have added sugar, then I’ll definitely look into picking it up. I also like the yellow, turmeric color so knowing that I’m taking in a healthy drink without a lot of cons would be something that I might gravitate towards.
Remember, the food industry knows people want to share and have Instagram-worthy pics so don’t be surprised to see more products with beet color or blue algae as those ingredients will result in that product standing out!
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Mindless food temptations
With Christmas a little less than three weeks away, weight gain is likely possible but can it be prevented? I don’t know about you but food temptations are everywhere. From co-workers bringing you homemade treats to office parties to holiday parties, this is the season to lose control of what you eat. Indulging in social activities is great but watching your waistline expand, not so much!
Somethings that I recommend is sticking with your routine as it is easy to lose sight of your routine with so much activity. Get up at the same time, workout, eat healthy, and indulge as needed. If you guilt yourself by saying I cheated on this meal so I can cheat on my next meal, then most likely your body will reward you with an expanding waistline so make smart decisions and not impulse decisions—the path to healthy living is in your hands (mouth?).
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Zero calorie waters
I’ve written about various zero calorie waters before but La Croix seems to be staple in my fridge. Why so?
I think it tends to be one that I return to because it has the flavors that I crave plus it has none of the extras that make it unhealthy. If you read food news online then likely you will see the up and down swing in zero calorie waters but that up and down swing doesn’t affect my purchase decision because if I like the taste of the product and the price stays affordable, I’ll likely keep buying it.
What would sway me away from La Croix, not much unless they basically become too expensive to buy which I don’t see happening right now since I can buy it on sale in most stores.
Sometimes you buy things because you like them and you stick with them if they have that healthy halo too. I’m sure there is something like this product in your home too, which is it for you?
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