I have never been one to brag to my friends about my purchases. After starting to use my NutriBullet many of my friends noticed the difference in my appearance and energy level and wanted to know what I was doing differently, especially since I had just completed an aggressive cancer treatment. At the risk of sounding a little conceited, I seemed a lot healthier than most of my friends, even after a battle with cancer.
What better testimonial than to have people actually see the difference in you. That’s when I decided to step out of my comfort zone and encourage my friends to get on the NutriBullet bandwagon. After all, if we know about something that can be a valuable tool in getting those closest to us healthier, shouldn’t we be sharing this information?
One of my very dear friends who has had his share of health issues purchased a NutriBullet at my recommendation. There was never a moment when I did not feel confident that he would be happy with his decision to incorporate the NutriBullet into his daily diet. I knew that this was exactly what he needed to motivate him into changing his eating habits.
Over the past few months, he and I have had some great discussions sharing our results and recipes, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to my friend and share his NutriBullet results.
Since he is not exactly what you’d call a morning person, my friend Miguel starts his day out with a NutriBlast using green tea and ingredients to help stabilize his blood sugar, such as cinnamon. He now consumes at least the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and has lost weight without even trying! Miguel has been feeling great, looking great and has a lot more energy to get through his busy schedule in court as a litigator. Not to mention that he is excited and encouraged to continue his road to better health.
I couldn’t be happier that yet another one of my friends has made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle. Looking forward to growing old together! Thanks NutriBullet!
-Shari Pack
We asked for your help and you were all quick to respond; almost 300 entries later, we’ve finally chosen the 25 members of our NutriLiving focus group! You’ll be the guiding voices of where our member-only sister site NutriLiving.com goes in the future, and you’ll be the first to hear of our latest contests, giveaways, and any new information we have on the latest health trends. Ready for a health revolution? We hope so!
Here are the 25 winners!
(Click here to read the original post and comments.)
- Danielle
- Janelle
- Stephani Lammi
- Lauren Anderson
- Susette
- Tracy Bates
- Kelly Gajewski
- Dina S.
- Kathie Gritton
- Suzanne
- Pat Lawson
- June Fariss
- Robin Salazar
- Crystal H.
- Brenda Daniel
- Jenny Anderson
- April
- Creighton Lovelace
- Sharon T.
- Danielle P.
- Cheryl
- Lori Hoffman
- Eve McGee
- Kelly Goodwin
- Lisa Pauly
Congratulations, winners! Don’t sign up for an account yet – you’ll be hearing from us soon!
-NutriBullet Team
We all know that life gets in the way sometimes and it becomes difficult to eat whole foods at every meal or snack, so unfortunately, we resort to prepackaged products. While these do last longer than your perishable fruits and veggies, they still have a window of opportunity before spoiling and becoming potential causes of illness.
Last week we talked about storing fruits and veggies to maximize their freshness in part 1 of ‘When In Doubt, Throw It Out!‘ Now we move on to storing packaged foods.
Pantry Staples
In general, consider fat content. For example, the germ retained in dry brown rice contains healthy fats that can become rancid if not stored properly. In addition, the oils found in nuts and seeds will oxidize when exposed to air and heat, rendering the food harmful. If you don’t use it up fast, consider placing in your refrigerator.
Bread – Give it a squeeze. If you feel some tenderness, there will still be moisture inside. Make sure it is free of mold. If it’s on one slice, it may be on other slices as well. You could reach back to find a clear slice, but only if absolutely necessary. Use the sell by date as a guide. If you buy more than you can use at one time then consider freezing it. When refrigerated, bread tends to become stale faster, but the cold prevents mold growth. If your bread has a stale taste, pop in the oven or toaster to refresh.
Canned foods – First check the package integrity for dents, holes, puffing, or rust. Discard if any of these are present. Once a can is opened, do not store it in the can; move leftovers to another storage container, preferably glass to avoid any toxins from leaching into the food. Unopened cans can last for about a year or more if properly stored.
Boxed and bagged foods – Again, check package integrity. Notice the sell-by, best-by, or use-by dates and use these as a guide. Once opened be sure to seal properly to prevent moisture and spoilage.
Spices – Store spice containers in a cool, dry place for several months (6-12), but note that over time they will lose strength. Use your nose as a guide.
Refrigerated Items
Most of these foods have already had a long journey before making it to your kitchen. Who knows if proper food handling techniques or temperatures were used prior to your purchase. The temperature range 41-140 degrees Fahrenheit, also known as the “danger zone,” is where most bacteria thrive, so it is best to keep refrigerated items below this range and not sitting out for more than two hours.
Dairy and dairy alternatives – Check the date and keep the product cold. Most guarantee safety of the product 7 – 10 days past the designated date, although dairy tends to spoil much faster. Ultrahigh temperature pasteurized cartons (the ones that are found on the shelves, not in the refrigerator section) last longer and don’t need to be refrigerated until opened. What most people don’t know is that even if the sell by date is not for months and months away – once you open it, you should use it within 7-10 days and keep cold.
Plastic vs. paper containers – Which is best? Plastic tends to develop a flavor change if left exposed to light. Some people compare it to burnt cabbage. In addition, the light-sensitive B vitamin riboflavin is reduced. A few foods that come in this type of package include yogurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream. These may remain safe 7-10 days past the designated date. You may find that liquid separates and this is normal; just stir it back in.
Cheese – Mold ripened cheese, such as blue, brie, camembert, and gorgonzola are the only exceptions where the mold is actually beneficial. For hard cheeses, mold should be cut off (cut deep ¼ – ½ an inch past the mold). Look for dates on pre-grated and packaged cheeses and use within 5-10 days. Keep an eye out for mold. Sometimes there’s a white powder that helps keep the shreds from sticking that may be confused with mold growth.
Leftovers – Eat within 3-5 days from when they were first made. Use proper cooling and storing methods to lengthen shelf life. When reheating, make sure to heat it all the way through and at least to 160 degrees depending on the food item.
Produce – If buying pre-packaged greens or veggies, eat by the date on the bag. If you see moisture, a “slimy” texture, or limp leaves, or if it smells off, then discard. Brown soft spots on citrus represent mold that may have penetrated the entire fruit. Mushy strawberries are usually due to dehydration or densely packed berries that have been squished. Overall, avoid fruits with cuts or bruises as bacteria can get inside.
What Do the Labels Mean?
Product dating is not a federal requirement except for infant formula, although some states require it.
Sell-By Dates – This label tells the store how long to display a food item for sale. Definitely buy the product before this date for maximum time in your kitchen.
Best-By Dates – “Best if Used By” or “Best By” dates are mere suggestions for best flavor or quality. It is not a food safety issue.
Use-By – This is the last date that one cold eat or use the product while at its peak quality. Manufacturers are the ones who determine this date. Even if the date expires, if kept safe and stored in proper conditions, it may still be edible.
-Krista Haynes
NutriBullet RD
Lately, I have been writing about how I used the NutriBullet as a cancer survivor to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy and to accelerate my recovery. I’ve received many requests about how to eat during and after treatment, as well as recipe requests using the NutriBullet. Healthy liquid meals can be a real asset when battling cancer. Each person has different needs and reacts differently depending on their type of cancer, their medication and their treatment course. The common goal is to stay as strong as possible during treatment to successfully fight the illness.
This means that you may have to consider changing your diet to include more protein and calories. During treatment, a person can experience loss of appetite, changes in taste, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and lactose intolerance. While you can refer to a guide book, research on the internet or ask fellow survivors for suggestions (all of which I did), I learned that everyone responds to treatment differently and dietary needs change on almost a daily basis due to the side effects. I learned through trial and error and that’s why I want to share this information. Hopefully, it can help someone avoid the “error” part!
The good news is that many of the side effects can be controlled by what you eat and how you eat it. So here are just a few hints and a recipe that should be easy on your stomach:
- Drink lots of fluids, i.e. water, hot and cold teas (decaf), and juice.
- Drink ginger tea throughout the day or add fresh ginger to some warm water.
- Use your NutriBullet to make healthy, high calorie, high protein liquid meals.
- Avoid fruits and veggies that you cannot scrub really well (like certain berries)
- Be willing to adjust your diet based on your side effects at the time. Some days may require more fiber, while others may require less.
- Eat lots of small meals throughout the day (instead of 3 larger meals).
- Be sure to ask your doctor for a list of foods to avoid during treatment, i.e., citrus.
- Try to do some type of physical activity every day – I chose walking and it helped with fatigue.
Recipe for your NutriBullet that is delicious and high in protein and calories:
- 1 cup of any flavor lactose free full calorie milk
- 1 cup lactose free ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Some chunks of rinsed frozen peaches, pears and/or apricots or fresh scrubbed fruit.
- Vanilla or Almond Extract
- Almonds and or walnuts
Blend in your NutriBullet and if you do not feel like eating it right away, you can chill it for later.
**Most important – Always discuss dietary recommendations and restrictions with your treating physician.
The search is over! Click here to see if you’re one of our lucky winners.
Big things are happening here at NutriBullet Headquarters and we’d love to get your input! We’re looking to invite 25 special people to a focus group for NutriLiving.com, our brand new health and wellness member-only site. If you’re interested in participating, and ARE NOT already a member of NutriLiving, simply leave a comment below with the following information:
- Your name
- Your town
- How long you’ve owned your NutriBullet
- Your favorite NutriBlast Boost
- and 1 sentence explaining why you should be chosen!
Oh, did we mention our special 25 will each receive a month’s supply of David Wolfe’s Superfood Superboost? That’s right, you have until 11:59 p.m. on January 4th, 2013 to submit your comment and we’ll let you know if you’ve been chosen.
Happy Blasting!
-NutriBullet Team
