Crazy, isn't it?! Banana chips are what I call "food fakers," meaning they seem innocent and guilt-free yet are really loaded with fat and calories. Those chips may be made from bananas, but they're usually deep-fried in oil and sweetened
with sugar. Half a cup has around 200 calories and 12 grams of fat! That's... BANANAS! A much better option? Freeze-dried banana bits! When fruit is freeze-dried, it's just zapped of all its moisture nothing is added. OR dehydrate them, is what I prefer and can be done at home! It's light and crispy and awesome. And an entire cup has only about 100 calories!
Reference: Question of the day "Hungry Girl"

Okay, see that colourful bowl of your favorite "fat-free" cereal called Fruit Loops there. Ditch it! Quick, that sugar rush will get to you quicker than any cereal, what does that mean? Sugar ultimately can cause fat gain. The seasonal summer fruit, that we all love to eat in the summer... ouch! That is a diabetics dream for cravings BUT a death-wish for insulin travels. The BBQs burgers, processed meat, dogs... there, a popular one, ditch the 'wonderbread' 'wasteoftime' bun & focus on the quality protein instead, not the mystery processed kind either.

These quick, colourful foods send us into a blood-sugar roller coaster ride, and for some means ups n downs, weight gain, energy yo-yos, and vicious cravings.  My advise, ditch it! 

 Weight loss! Increased energy levels (energy slumps can disappear) Brighter whites of the eyes better sleep and amount of hours needed lessens.
Concentration increased
Clearer focus. Sensation of calmness and more grounded. Detoxification of the body/system. Possibility of healing ailments has been proven!
Go ahead get to the RAWness of your health regime!! With all the benefits mentioned why wouldnt you considering ditching your microwave!

 A raw food is, quite simply, any food that is unprocessed and uncooked. Typically a raw food has not been heated above 116 degrees F in an effort to retain vital enzymes that assist in digestion and assimilation.
There are different variations of the raw food diet. Some choose to only eat raw foods that are plant based, while others eat raw animal products. It is a
personal decision, and depends on your individual dietary needs. The most important thing to remember is you don’t need to eat a 100% raw food diet unless you’re ready to make that leap. After eating a 100% raw food diet for several months, even years, one might get to a point where they feel totally cleansed and ready to incorporate some organic, cooked foods back into their diet. We
like to maintain a 60-75% raw food diet primarily consisting of
superfoods, fruit, vegetables, cold-pressed oils, and nuts/seeds. 
WHY RAW FOODS?
 The human body was meant to consume food in its raw, organic state. An appreciation to void of synthetic hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified foods. The earth’s vegetation was meant to be picked wild, fresh, and free of chemicals. Raw foods are rich with natural enzymes, which aid the body in digestion and assimilation.Today our diets have changed tremendously. Our food is cooked at extremely high temperatures, killing any vital nutrients and enzymes that would normally exist. Our pancreas must workover time to produce the enzymes needed to break down the foods we eat. Our digestive systems lack the beneficial bacteria needed to assist with breaking down food particles and assimilating the nutrients. Our kidneys and livers work at alarming rates to rid the body of all the chemicals ingested. Raw, organic foods give the body a rest. Your organs can breathe a sigh of relief as the food is easily broken down and nutrients glide through the body without leaving an ashy residue. Old, diseased tissue is washed away and senses are heightened. Wrinkles are reversed, energy is gained, and toxins are gone. You will feel a youthful vitality that you never thought possible. Raw, organic foods and herbs have amazing superpowers! 
WHAT IS A SUPERFOOD?
 A superfood is any food that has tons of unique healing benefits compiled into one little food. Basically it packs a whole lotta punch! Examples of some amazing superfoods do include goji berries, bee pollen, maca root, spirulina, coconuts, and aloe vera. For in-depth information and a complete list of superfoods available, I like to recommend you read an amazing book entitled Superfoods by David Wolfe (www.sunfood.com).

Eating RAW CACAO Health Benefits Ok, I am convinced that people in history have found chocolate to be an aphrodisiac, but why? Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring amino-acid which some consider to have aphrodisiacal effects and is even said to be able to “cure” hangovers. Phenylethylamine is a substance which is released naturally in the human body when you’re in love. Other stimulants present in chocolate are dopamine and serotonin, which alleviate pain and encourage a good mood. Serotonin produces feelings of pleasure in a similar way to sunlight. Chocolate also contains theobromine, a chemical stimulant frequently confused with caffeine, but has very different effects on the human body. It is a mild, lasting stimulant with a mood improving effect. Its presence is one of the causes for chocolate’s mood-elevating effects. (Note – In chocolate, theobromine exists in doses that are safe for humans to consume in large quantities, but can be lethal for animals such as dogs and horses, as they metabolize theobromine more slowly.) Wow, no wonder I love it so much! What more does a person need than a mood elevating, stimulating, pleasurable, not to mention, great tasting, experience? I must mention, however, that some sources state that there is no evidence of chocolate having a true aphrodisiac effect. My opinion, who cares? With all that happening, if it doesn’t put you in the mood, it won’t take much encouragement to get you there. Excuse me, I seem to be craving some chocolate…… Oh here is some healthy dinner trivia for your next dessert; “A pharmacist and professor of experimental therapeutics, Corder studied the diets of some of the longest-living humans — inhabitants of the French wine-producing region of Madiran and the islands of Crete and Sardinia — and concluded that although they eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries, it’s actually their consumption of tannic red wine and dark chocolate that’s a significant factor in their longevity. Corder says that both contain high concentrations of pigments known as flavonoids, the most significant being proanthocyanidin, which has a beneficial physiological effect on our hearts. Any time a health expert prescribes wine and chocolate, it’s a great day!” Oh and I will tell you the connection with woman, chocolate, and wine being a nutritionalist I studied it all; fascinating I call it the State of O. Let me explain; Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring amino-acid which some consider to have aphrodisiacal effects. Phenylethylamine is a substance which is released naturally in the human body when you’re in love. I call it the pleasure centre. Other stimulants present in chocolate are dopamine and serotonin, which alleviate pain and encourage a good mood. Serotonin produces feelings of pleasure in a similar way to sunlight or a warm bath. Chocolate also contains theobromine, a chemical stimulant frequently confused with caffeine, but has very different effects on the human body. It is a mild, lasting stimulant with a mood improving effect it is the State of O for chocolate’s mood-elevating effects is like the RAW orgasmic delight.

There are great moments in life when you are refreshed and delighted by an old love--when a old song finds its way back into your modern taste and you find
yourself touched with a new appreciation and grasp of its beauty. Everyone knows the beauty and wonder of Coconut: electrolized water, oil so smooth and safe it can be used as lotion, and the protien rich meat. Artisana has defined their Coconut Butter with a signature blend of coconut meat and coconut oil, yeilding a fibrous, densely nutritious spread and a wonderful ingredient in raw desserts,
smoothies, savory dishes and snacks. We couldn't keep our spoons out of our sample jar, and for a limited time, enjoy it at a discounted price. Find a new love in an old favorite. Mix Artisana Coconut Spread with Agave Nectar, Vanilla, and a pinch of Sea Salt for a fantastic raw frosting (we sandwiched it between two cookies!).
Guess, it's RAW!
 Ingredients: 100% Organic, Raw Coconut Notably absent: pesticides, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, stabilizers, added oils, GMO's. Contains absolutely no Peanuts, Gluten, or Dairy No Refrigeration Necessary!
This is IT. The most divine food ever. If you like coconut and you haven't tried Artisana's Raw Organic Coconut Butter, you are in for the most sublime treat. You can eat it right out of the jar, put it in smoothies, spread it on toast, put it on veggies instead of butter, make frosting, put it in your curry, mix it up in raw food bars--perfect for kids' breakfasts or lunch boxes...there are so many things you can do with this stuff. It's the perfect food. I love coconut in any form, so I am going to be partial to this. But I've tried other coconut butters and this is the best I've had. This is not to be confused with
coconut oil, it's thick, fibrous and has a sweet flavor and you don't cook with it like you do the oil. Coconut oil is great too, but I would not eat it with a spoon. Artisana's coconut butter is nutritious and deeply satisfying. It's one of my top favorite foods on earth. Premier Organics, the makers of Artisana, is an environmentally responsible company, so you can also feel great about supporting them.

 

Lace up your sneakers! This week is National Running and Fitness Week, and we know that quite a few of our customers use NutsOnline products to fuel up for exercise. We offer many tasty treats that give you the nutrients you need to make it through your workout.

The chia seed is a fantastic functional food to consume before and after exercise because they keep you hydrated. The seeds can absorb 10 times their weight in liquid, and they slowly release this liquid back into your body as you run. The best way to consume chia seeds for this purpose is to make a gel out of them. Mix 1/3 cup of chia seeds with two cups of cool water in a jar, screw on the lid tightly and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for several hours. When you’re preparing for your workout, take several tablespoons of the chia gel. You can mix the gel into juice or water, add it to yogurt or just swallow it down as-is.

1. Increases energy and stamina
2. Aids digestion and elimination
   
3. Balances blood sugar
4. Complete sustainable food
5. High nutritional content
6. Weight management

Purica's Aztec Chia is an ancient high-nutrient whole food that is native to Mexico. From the genus Salvia in the mint family and nutty in flavor, its name means ‘oily’, as it is rich in short chain Omega-3 fatty acids. The higher elevations and cooler growing conditions produce optimal crops with higher ALA content. Aztec Chia’s well-earned reputation comes from its dense nutritional profile, which includes an average of 20% protein, 34% oil and 25% both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.

        Once upon a time, your choice for a sugar substitute was pretty much limited to one product—saccharin, commonly sold as Sweet'N Low. Twenty-four years after "the pink one" debuted in 1957, aspartame (Equal and NutraSweet) was introduced, and 17 years after that, sucralose (Splenda) gained the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other sugar substitute has ever come close to the popularity of the Big Three. But now, a number of natural sweeteners may give those familiar packets a run for their money.

The mainstays

Before we get to the new guys on the block, let's take a look at old pink, blue, and yellow. The FDA has given its stamp of approval to saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. The Center for Science in the Public Interest—a health advocacy group—disagrees about saccharin and aspartame, citing studies that indicate those sweeteners increase the risk of cancer, and advises people to choose sucralose. I don't think it matters which product you choose if you consume less than two artificially sweetened items a day. Or you could ditch artificial sweeteners altogether and switch to one of the new natural sugar substitutes.

Sweeteners based on a sugar alcohol

Erythritol-based products like ZSweet and Zerose have been receiving a lot of buzz lately. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in many familiar foods. Unlike other sugar alcohols used in dietetic foods—such as sorbitol, maltitol, and xylitol—erythritol doesn't lead to gassiness or bloating and does not have a laxative effect. Erythritol is 60 percent to 70 percent as sweet as table sugar, so you may need to use more of it in beverages and baked goods. Though made from sugar, the new erythritol sweeteners are calorie-free.

Sweeteners from Stevia –low glycemic(my personal favorite)

PureVia and Truvia are both made from an extract of the stevia plant. Stevia has been consumed for centuries in South America but until recently could be marketed in the U.S. only as a dietary supplement. It was relegated to health-food stores and vitamin shops, where it was sold as a stand-alone sugar substitute. Now that the FDA has approved its use in food, it's only a matter of time before stevia shows up in cookies, cake, candy, and beverages.

Stevia extracts are up to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. They lack some of sugar's physical characteristics, so keep this in mind before you dump a boatload into your coffee or tea. Truvia and PureVia "cut" their products with erythritol, so it's a lot less sweet than pure stevia. Other brands use more concentrated stevia. Recipe and conversion charts can be found online.

Sweeteners from Agave – low glycemic

Products such as Xagave derive from a plant native to Mexico and are sold in syrup form—usually referred to as "nectar." Unlike stevia and erythritol, agave nectar is not calorie-free; in fact, Xagave contains a few more calories than sugar (56 calories per tablespoon of Xagave vs. 50 for sugar). However, Xagave is sweeter than sugar, so you save calories by using less of it. You may need to make other ad-justments when cooking or baking with agave nectar.

Agave's advantage is that it is less likely than sugar to lead to erratic blood-sugar levels. However, if you have irritable bowel syndrome or are at risk for heart disease, you may be better off with stevia, erythritol, or those pink, blue, or yellow packets. Then again, you may prefer to use a small amount of plain old sugar—at only 16 calories per packet.

 


 

Bowel Restorative

Ingredients: Psyllium Seed, Licorice root, Marshmallow root, Cascara Sagrada, Eleuthro, Hibiscus flower, Peppermint and Cornsilk.

Usage/Description: Eliminate is a gentle herbal laxative, intestinal detox and bowel rebuilder. Take as needed, up to twice per day, morning or evening without food. 1 level tablespoon in a ½ glass of water or orange juice, stir and drink immediately, followed by a full glass of water directly after.

2/3’s of North Americans are obese, have an average of 7-25 lbs of old fecal matter impacted in their intestinal tract and require laxatives to have regular bowel movements. This is the main area for pathogenic bacteria, virus and parasite proliferation and the key cause of acidosis and all disease symptoms. Eliminate™ supports to break down and move out impacted waste materials, draws toxins out from all over the body, stimulates our own parastaltic /muscle action and repairs the bowel wall as it travels through our intestinal tract.