-
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.
-
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!
-
Renewed health focus
Often, life gets in the way and sometimes fast food is convenient and what turned into a one night option slowly became a daily option. Perhaps, skipping the gym one day became a daily habit as life got in the way but there is a solution! Remember, how you felt when you were eating better or exercising, those feelings can return again!
Simply planning a new routine is all that is needed. I often tell those that I train, don’t beat yourself up because you ate a bad meal or missed a workout, when they become habits and excuses is when the problem occurs.
Starting with establishing your new routine is best way to start it or restart your healthy journey again!
image from pixabay
-
Self help via supplements
I’m sure you’ve heard from many and even me to check with your doctor before taking a supplement especially if you’re not sure about its effects but if you’ve reached that step in the purchase decision making then you’re probably looking at a way to avoid some issue or avoid going to the doctor to get meds but do supplements help in this scenario?
Research for and against supplements is plenty, just Google it and you’ll see both sides and can decide if something is worth taking. I do find that if you are going to buy something, typically, GNC sales clerks are very knowledgeable about their products so I appreciate that they can answer questions for me and therefore I like to buy items from them. But does taking supplements allow you to avoid taking meds? No, some things can’t be cured by just supplements and you need your doctor’s help.
What can help you though is clean eating, exercise, and fitness. Remember, on the sickness (left side) to fitness (right side) bell curve continum with wellness being the middle of the curve, the fitter and healthier you are, closer to fitness on the bell curve, then when you get sick, you’ll be able to recover faster (as you’ll move closer to wellness on the curve) so supplementation is just a tool to help you stay healthier!
image from pixabay
-
Instant Gratification
Today, with technology permeating most of our lives, we are all used to getting something fast. For some even 2-day Amazon prime delivery is too long a wait and hence Amazon has introduced one-day delivery and same delivery depending on where you live. Why are we becoming consumers that need instant gratification?
The best example of instant gratification is if you eat fast food. Nothing comes quicker and cheaper than fast food but at what cost, your health? Supplement purchases are also being made due to the instant gratification that we seek. I don’t feel well so by taking a few days of Vitamin C or CBD oil, my ailments will disappear? True? Highly unlikely. Remember, mom’s good old saying that if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Health and wellness are parts of life that can be enhanced by products and items you purchase but those products cannot provide instant gratification. Why? Your body chemistry is changing daily and that is based on many environmental factors including what you ate that particular day. Hence, a typical rule of thumb to see if a product is working for you is to use it at least one month or more. If you don’t see an improvement, it could be due to the supplement not working or other lifestyle factors but only you would know which case it is. Nothing works overnight so any supplement or product that says see results in one week or drop 20 pounds in one week by taking this product, probably isn’t going to help you.
Your best friend today is indeed technology. You can always look up via Google or various company sites if the product hold up to what it claims as well as learn about the company’s practices. Good companies tend to want to share and be transparent with the consumer so do your research and your journey to a healthy and well life will be easier.
image fancycrave.com
-
CBD for pets?
With even Walgreens and CVS joining in to sell CBD products (though not supplements), a growing question that some consumers are having is it safe for pets?
There are mixed messages out there regarding effectiveness and dosage but one recurring theme is that vertebrates including dogs and cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is why CBD is effective in helping people feel well! The question is are you feeling well because of the placebo effect, you took a pill, or because the amount of CBD in that product is actually effective in helping you?
Similar to having doubts about taking it for yourself, do your research and then decide if CBD is something you want to give your pet. At this point, even vets can’t properly say yes or not so know this that you will be experimenting on your pet when you give them CBD. There are tons of FB groups and forums to discuss this matter so do Google and visit them but take those comments as anecdotal instead of being the truth.
Make smart decisions for yourself and your loved pet as you don’t want to have the false hope that CBD is going to cure the ailment when research has yet to catch up to show where it and how it can be used effectively.
Image from leafly
-
Recycled Materials
One trend that I keep seeing is that more and more companies are promoting on their packaging that they are using recycled plant fibers or a portion of their packaging is from recycled materials but who is this information for and does it impact purchase decision?
Personally, I think the price is always going to be the driver of my purchase decision as well as the the quality of the food (how good is it for me) then comes everything else-the social message, the transparency, the marketing, the packaging, etc. I never go specifically shopping looking for an item that is made from recycled fibers but I do go look for an item based on what does it do and is it good for me? I definitely appreciate companies that do call our this environmentally friendly initiative as it shows me they care about the future but please don’t tell me that it’s a trend for Millennial purchase decisions, it may be for some but I doubt most are seeking this info out.
I think a better place for recycled materials would be in home delivery services. So much waste comes every day from Amazon, meal kit services, and home delivery items but there really is no one finding a way to reduce the waste. Many have tried but one size solution does not fit all. I would guess the benefit would be here long term rather than on the item that I am buying at the store. Let’s face it, shopping habits are changing and people want more stuff delivered to them as not everything is a rush so why isn’t there more recycled packaging and materials being used for these items?
To protect our environment, recycled materials are definitely the way to go but implementing this on large scale will be tough but not impossible!
image from pixabay
-
Orange Vanilla Coke
One of the first posts that I wrote was about Ace-K a type of sweetner being used in sodas so it only makes sense that I cover the latest soda being launched by Coke—Orange Vanilla Coke (and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar). What an interesting combo but are you really surprised?
Coke recently launched multiple flavors under Diet Coke so why should regular Coke and Coke Zero Sugar be left out? Orange vanilla Coke is supposed to help increase soda sales for the company just like the new flavors in Diet Coke did. I don’t ever pick soda as my beverage of choice but I do try the new items, so what did I think of the Orange Vanilla flavor?
I get it that Coke is introducing this flavor combo to appeal to some sort of nostalgia but I don’t have any connections in the past to this flavor combo so it better taste good! The taste to me was outstanding! I always choose Coke Zero Sugar as my go to soda when I need soda but this new twist of flavoring was pleasantly surprising. Too bad movie theaters don’t offer it yet! If you must go with a soda, go with a zero sugar or a diet soda product to make sure you aren’t consuming too much sugar but always remember that diet or not, sugar or no sugar, Coke is never going to help you lose weight or achieve your fitness goals.
On a parting thought, the orange vanilla coke zero sugar that I had is composed of aspartame and Ace-K to name just two of the ingredients. You already know how I feel about sweeteners so choose wisely your drink of choice!
Stay well!
image from Target, where you can buy this sleek can
-
Daily Harvest Meals
With so many options as to which meal delivery service to try and I mean, the fully cooked meals, one that stood out for me is Daily Harvest!
Depending on the plan and the frequency you choose, one cup is between $6.99 to 7.75 per cup! I’m sure you’re skeptical looking at the pic below, don’t worry it is filling and every cup has fresh ingredients like fruits and veggies. The cups arrive frozen via dry ice and definitely go straight into the freezer once you get home.
The cups can be searched for on their website based on any dietary restrictions you may have so if you want something that is keto, it is there and if you want something paleo, that’s there too.
Another thing that I like about these cups is they are so easy to make, no matter which you take from smoothies to lattes to soups to rice. Just add water and heat in microwave or blend. Max 4 mins and you’re eating a healthy meal on your busy day.
The only negative for me is that they don’t have a lot of protein so if you’re eating this after working out, you’ll need to add some chicken or eggs to it but even that isn’t too much cooking so to speak.
I currently get the 12 meal plan and have it delivered weekly which is great because I’m always eating healthy and the results are noticeable when I workout!
-
CBD oil capsules
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.
Right now, CBD is not regulated by the FDA because it was for the longest time on the drug list and only recently due the 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.
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.
-
Vegan pre-workout powder
Since you workout, I’m sure you’ve looked at supplements that can help you give a boost while working out. You’ve looked at creatine or caffeine or even pre-workout powder but how do you decide and which do you try?
There is no easy answer to the above question as you know what works for your body but if you’re looking for a cleaner pre-workout option, check out Ora’s pre-workout powder that is organic and vegan.
What I like about this product is that it gives you that whole foods and clean label feeling. I haven’t taken it enough to know that it works everytime but I did feel more energetic while working out. Also, it is loaded with adaptogens along with beet juice (remember, nitrates give you that nitrogen oxide rush). Plus, the product is gluten free too!
When looking for pre-workout, be aware there are many options out there other than the ones you always see at the store!
-
Melting supplements
I have written about biotin before and its health benefits for hair, skin, and nails so I wanted to share another product that I found recently.
This is a small melt in your mouth supplement. It basically dissolves in your mouth when it comes in contact with your saliva. As can be seen from below, there are two tablets in each sachet. With each tablet having 5000 mcg of biotin! That’s a lot in one of these small melts.
From gummies to pills to now melts, remembering to take your vitamins doesn’t have to be hard as long as you find a version that you like taking!
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
