If you had to guess what the most common nutritional deficiency in the United States is, what would your guess be?
Calcium? Iron? Vitamin C?
How about water?
That’s right. Good ole’ h2O is the most common nutritional deficiency. Many people don’t even look at water as a necessity. When I was a practicing nutritionist, I would have clients who would go an entire day without taking a sip of water.
WHY IS WATER SO IMPORTANT?
Your body is 70-75% water. Every tissue, every cell, and every muscle in your body depends on water to function properly. Water lubricates and cushions joints, moistens oxygen for easier breathing, regulates body temperature, flushes toxins, improves cell-to-cell communication and keeps the blood and lymph free flowing. You can go 3 weeks without food but only 3-5 days without water.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?
The problem isn’t lack of symptoms. The problem is that no one ever associates those symptoms with dehydration. Headaches, migraines, depression, joint pain, fibromyalgia, colitis, constipation, cramps, heartburn, anxiety – all symptoms of dehydration. The problem is that headaches are treated with tylenol, joint pain is treated with aspirin, constipation is treated with laxatives (which causes the body to lose even more water), heartburn is treated with calcium carbonate and anxiety is treated with pharmaceuticals. Most of the time, dehydration isn’t even looked at as an option.
LET’S BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE LIST WE JUST WENT OVER…
Headaches and migraines are often a result of the bodies inability to regulate body temperature. One of the roles of water is to help the body maintain an appropriate temperature.
Another role of water within the body is to cushion and lubricate joints. A person who suffers from chronic joint pain can see pain relief by increasing their water intake. Dehydration causes tissues to stick together and reduces the water cushion between joints – that friction can lead to severe pain and discomfort.
The symptoms of heartburn, ulcers and acid reflux can often times be alleviated with water. The stomach layer is made up of different parts – one of those important parts being mucus, which acts as the protective barrier of the stomach. Mucus protects the delicate stomach tissue from the acid it secretes to breakdown food and is made up of 98% water. When a person is dehydrated the body cannot produce mucus. No mucus means no protection or neutralization of stomach acid. Acid + Delicate Tissue = pain.
Chronic Constipation is the body's last resort of recycling any water or nutrients out of your food. One of the main jobs of the large intestine is to remove water out of digested food so not too much water is lost in waste matter. When a person is dehydrated, the digested food is not only lacking the normal amount of water for easier passage but the body tries to extract every last ounce of water in order to hydrate which leads to even more severe bouts of constipation.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU BE DRINKING?
A good rule is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. I weigh 116 pounds. I should be drinking 58-60 ounces of water a day to stay well hydrated. It seems like a lot, but it really isn’t. It is what your body needs.
This is just the base equation though. If you are a person who drinks teas, coffees, soda (NO!) or other diuretic beverages, add 12-16 ounces for every diuretic drink you consume.
So I should be drinking 58 ounces a day without any dieuretic. But if I decide to have a cup of coffee and a glass of iced tea – I need to drink an additional 24 ounces of water to compensate for those diuretic beverages. That means 82 ounces a day.
Note – water consumption should not exceed 100 ounces a day. Too much water can cause electrolyte flushing and overload the kidneys.
If water is hard for you to get down then there are a couple different options. You can add small amounts of fruit or vegetables to spruce up your h2o. Cucumbers, raspberries, lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries and mint can all be added to water to give it some flavor.
The easiest way to drink this much water is to keep it with you at all times. Grab yourself a hydroflask and stay hydrated!
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Originally published by: 52 Hike Challenge
Did you know that getting outside has been proven to improve your wellbeing?
Regular “nature therapy,” as we like to call it at 52 Hike Challenge, is proven to help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and feel happier in your everyday life.
If you’re new to hiking or the great outdoors, we’re here to help you get started.
(The Pitfall: Lack of Motivation)
You know that getting outdoors is good for you, but you’re struggling to get off the couch and onto the hiking trail. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. Once you get outside, you will be glad you did - we promise!
Stay accountable and committed by finding a hiking partner that will motivate you to get outside. Ask your immediate family and friends to join you. Want to take it a step further? Join a hiking community! Sign up for the 52 Hike Challenge and join thousands of new and experienced hikers who commit to hiking once a week for a year.
We have lots of resources to keep you motivated on your journey.
(The Pitfall: The Wilderness Scares You)
You're intrigued by venturing into the unknown, but you also feel a little uneasy about it. What if you get lost or injured on the trail? Don’t sweat it: more often than not, you will have an amazing experience in nature. But in the off-chance that you experience a trailside emergency, it’s best to be prepared.
The more prepared you are, the more comfortable you will feel getting outside.
(The Pitfall: You Want To Stay Safe During Covid-19)
Especially now, while we’re experiencing a pandemic, it’s important to protect yourself and your family and be mindful of others while you’re out hiking.
How To Recreate Responsibly During Covid-19:
(The Pitfall: You Don’t Know The General Rules Of The Trail)
There aren’t many restrictions to getting outside, but there are a few rules you should be aware of.
First and foremost, please learn and practice the 7 Leave No Trace Principles. This way, you can keep nature wild and beautiful for all of us to enjoy for many years to come.
In addition to the LNT principles, it’s nice to know general rules of the trail so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable hike.
General Rules Of The Trail:
(The Pitfall: There Is None! This Is A Win-Win)
When you’re an awesome trail visitor, you set a great example for others.
How To Set A Great Example On The Trail:
Time To Start Hiking!
Sign Up For The 52 Hike Challenge Now + Bonus
Now you are well prepared to set out into the great outdoors safely and responsibly. You will love the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of getting outside.
Click here to sign up for the 52 Hike Challenge now and commit to taking 52 hikes in a year!
Also, as a little thank you, we are offering you 10% off any merchandise you purchase to help you stay motivated on your challenge!
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The journey to better health starts now! In our years of walking alongside people who were looking to make a change in their health, we've found the most important key to success is to identify your why. What is motivating you? What changes in your health do you hope to see? On a scale of 1 to 10, how high would you rate your level of commitment? What can we do to increase your level of commitment and help get you to where you want to be?
Our 10 day RESET includes 4 Tosi products that are a super important part in helping you reach your goals: SuperBites, Probiotics, SuperGreens, and Digestive Enzymes. These will play a big part in your success!
Keep an eye out for daily practical emails from our team that will focus on the 5 key pillars of optimal health.
Don't forget to Download your 10 Day Reset Guide for daily motivation and healthy hacks.
We also believe in the “buddy” system. Having a support system is another crucial element of making positive health changes! We highly encourage you to invite a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker to do this 10-day Reset alongside you. Extra encouragement, support, and accountability can make all of the difference and we will be here for you every step of the way!
Let's do this!
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Most people think digestion starts in the stomach, but it actually starts in the brain! When you smell food, the brain triggers salivary production in preparation for chewing. Making sure you chew your food well (at least 30 times per bite) is the first step in improving your digestion. It might seem silly, but the first step to good digestion is thoroughly chewing your food. Be mindful to chew your food WELL, at least 30 chews!
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The best way to resist temptation is to avoid it all together. Spend some time today cleaning out your fridge and pantry, paying careful attention to getting rid of products that contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, processed oils and artificial sweeteners. Set yourself up for success by cutting and portioning out chopped vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, celery, zucchini, and broccoli and grab a handful to throw into any meal you’re making for a quick nutrient-dense upgrade. Pre-wash fruits and keep SuperBites within reach for snack-time!
Here's to eating your leafy greens!
]]>We are SUPER excited to be a part of the next 10 days with you. Our first pillar: HYDRATE! Today’s RESET goal is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water (if you weigh 150 lbs = drink 75 ounces of water daily). This can be more difficult in the Winter time when you're indoors and not staying as active, so keep a refillable water bottle close! If plain water isn't your jam, try adding sliced lemon, lime, oranges, cucumbers, or even berries to change it up!
One of our favorite health hacks is to keep a glass of water by the bed and make that the first thing you drink when you wakeup. After 8+ hours of no water, it's the perfect way to get a boost of hydration in, kickstart your metabolism, form healthy habits, and get on track to reach your goal. Carry this habit with you throughout the rest of the 10 day challenge!
Cheers!
]]>Here's a little tip for getting in that 20 minutes of physical activity today: text a friend to do it with you! Whether virtually or in-person, having a friend as a workout buddy can help keep you accountable and on-track. Plus, working out alone can be a little bit boring. We all need accountability and having a friend there to support you can make all the difference.
Also, here are The 3 Virtual Workouts We are Sweating to this Season
HEALTHY HACK: One of the best ways to keep each other accountable is to put it a calendar. Schedule out your workouts a few weeks ahead of time so no matter what, that time is blocked out for you and your buddy's workout session!
]]>Today's goal is to keep a food journal to track everything you consume. Anytime you feel any bloating, heartburn, or upset stomach make a note and see if it correlates to something you ate. Tracking your food allows you to create awareness around "trigger foods" so you can remove those foods from your diet. Food journals can help you track the foods you’re consuming and seemingly “random” symptoms you’re experiencing.
HEALTHY HACK: Use a phone app to make tracking your food as easy as possible! We love the FOODILITY app!
]]>Discover some new fruits and veggies and enjoy them as a snack or new recipe. Keep your plate colorful (think ROYGBIV from The Home Edit). Commit to trying 4 new vegetables this week. Need some inspiration? We have been loving charred broccolini as a side dish, fresh shaved radishes in our salads, a handful of arugula in our pasta, and kale chips as a snack.
Commit to only drinking water today. Drinks that contain caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are dehydrating. Make sure you are still drinking half your body weight in ounces and skip the caffeine today!
Proper hydration is also key to achieving your weight loss goals. If you drink more water, you’re less likely to drink other sugary beverages like soda, fruit juices and energy drinks. Studies have also found that drinking 1 cup of water prior to meals resulted in the loss of an additional 4 to 9 pounds of weight over three months compared to not drinking water before meals. So fill that water cup and cheers to hydration.
HEALTHY HACK: Need to keep track of your water intake? Use the "hair tie" method. Fill your reusable water bottle and secure 2-3 hair ties or rubber bands around the bottle. Every time you finish the bottle, remove a hair tie and refill. The goal is to end the day with no hair ties on your water bottle.
]]>We take over 20,000 breaths every day, make a few more of them memorable! Spend 2 minutes practicing mindful breathing today. Take slow breaths in through your nose for 6 seconds and out through your mouth for 6 seconds. Repeating this process for two minutes will immediately help to calm your stress levels, reduce anxiety and improve oxygenation.
HEALTHY HACK: Practice this breathing method when you are in stressful situations or feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on breath will help snap you out of fight or flight mode and bring calm to any situation!
]]>The best exercise is the one you will actually do. Find some time today to go for a walk, a quick hike, a bike ride, enjoy some yoga or do a quick workout in your living room. The goal is at least 20 minutes of physical activity, bonus points if it's outdoors (YAY VITAMIN D!). Need some inspiration? Check out the 3 at-home workout apps we are loving! The goal is to continue this habit of 20 minutes of activity for the remainder of the RESET.
HEALTHY HACK: Do 3 minutes of burpees to REALLY get your heart rate going!
]]>Continue to practice your 2 minute breathing routine whenever you’re feeling stressed or need a mini reset. Take slow breaths in through your nose for 6 seconds and out through your mouth for 6 seconds. Another important component of a reset is quality rest. Experts say humans need a minimum of 7 hours per night to function at optimal levels. Take it one step further this week and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep tonight. Experts agree that going to bed and waking up at the same time, having a bedtime routine and avoiding screen-time before bed are important to optimal sleep. Level up your bedtime self-care routine with journaling, a good face-mask or some podcast listening time and make bedtime something you look forward to.
HEALTH HACK: Set an alarm for your bedtime. We can waste hours vegging out in front of the TV, not realizing just how late it is. Setting an alarm every night 30 minutes before your desired bedtime is a good way to jolt you out of the TV zombie mode and get you into bed.
]]>Before we say peace out to 2020 (what a year it’s been) we wanted to take a look back at all the bright spots from this past year!
We love when we can share new places for you to find Tosi! This year Tosi made it into stores across the U.S. including Publix, Jewel, more Whole Foods, Sprouts nationally and we even made it on TV for a QVC show. Be sure to visit our Store Locator so you can always know where to find Tosi near you.
We know that variety is the spice of life – so we had fun creating new variety packs and bundles! From the Almond Lovers and Cashew Lovers Variety Packs to our Wellness Bundle – there’s always a new mix to add to your cart.
If it wasn’t on Zoom, it didn’t happen. We quickly learned to embrace the power of virtual connections for meetings, parties and even happy hours. Our Woman-Owned Happiness Hour in October was probably one of our most fun nights connecting with other women founders and our consumers to share a night of great dialogue and awesome company.
We are sprinting to the finish of 2020 because we CANNOT WAIT to share what 2021 has in store!!! You will not want to miss what comes ahead. As the saying goes – we don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when things are hard. Over here at Tosi, we grew a lot in 2020 and we look forward to charging into 2021 with hope, mind & body reset and even more snacks!
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For the snack-lover in your life. Skip the socks and give the gift of snacks! Our 8-flavor sampler is the perfect way to find your favorite flavor!
BALEEN JEWELRY
Well-designed, thoughtful and beautiful objects by a husband and wife duo. Perfect for the sustainable fashion-lover in your life!
When good vibes + good food collide. This fun, foodie founded brand donates 10% of every purchase to the charity of your choice!
Chic, luxurious, care for your hair! The self-care guru in your life will love the satin + microfiber combo.
LOVING CULTURE HAIRCARE
Female-founded, truly non-toxic, and crafted to work for everyone. We are stocking up for the clean-beauty lovers in our life!
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Ingredients
Instructions
Photo Credit: Half Baked Harvest
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat a large pot over medium high heat, add the chickpeas, olive oil, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, fennel, mustard seeds, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Toss well to evenly combine. Cook, stirring often until the chickpeas are warmed through and golden crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the chickpeas from the pot to a plate and set aside.
2. To the same pot, add the tomatoes - crushing them by hand as you add them, add the pesto, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cook stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to packages directions until al dente. Drain and then toss the pasta in the red sauce.
4. Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with chickpeas and burrata. Garnish with basil.
Photo Credit: Feasting at Home
Ingredients
Instructions
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Prepare to feel the BURN. We all love Rachael for her insanely delicious recipes (hello, clean-ingredient TWIX BARS), but since COVID hit and gyms closed their doors, she has invited her followers into her daily workouts in the form of IG Live sweat sessions. We love that she does the workout with you, so you’re basically getting a virtual workout buddy. Her movements get our heart rates up and our sweat dripping. Her classes are perfect for someone who may not have access to a full garage of gym equipment. She once used jugs of water for her weighted movements...BRILLIANT.
The darling of 2020 workouts. Peloton was popular pre-COVID, but nobody realized just how much owning one would come in handy once gyms closed down. We love that you get to sweat alongside thousands of other riders, and there is a class tailored to every fitness level. Whether you want to ride to country music or Top 40 hits, the Peloton is the self-care splurge to keep your sweat sessions on point. Our co-founder, Chels loves to take Cody Rigsby’s classes, “He’s the closest thing to being at a party during the pandemic.” Best description ever; sign us up!
If you’re outdoorsy, this app is for you. We LOVE to hike, but sometimes we could use a little push out of our usual route. AllTrails is the ultimate resource for finding the perfect adventure. The app offers more than 100,000 hiking, mountain biking, and trail-running map and includes reviews and photos from users who have actually experienced them. We love that you can search with filters to find the best dog, kid, or wheelchair friendly adventure. Plus, we could all use a little more nature in 2020.
]]>If you’re like us, you’ve spent the better part of 2020 at home, in your sweatpants, taking full advantage of your Netflix subscription. We’ve made our way through plenty of series’ but none quite as inspiring and motivating as The Home Edit (ROYGBIV for life). After watching (and rewatching) Clea and Joanna transform closets and pantries across the nation, these are the top 3 things we learned from their organization masterclasses.
The Home Edit is known for its signature ROYGBIV method. ROYGBIV stands for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. It’s the sequence of colors that make up a rainbow, and it is REALLY pretty when used as an organizational tool. It’s also super functional! The brain often uses colors or patterns to store and organize information, and ROYGBIV is the natural spectrum of color. According to researchers, “By consciously thinking about each of the ROY G. BIV colors in this order, one automatically activates these areas of the brain in a very orderly fashion. The result is a calming or centering effect which counteracts the agitating or scattering effects of stress.” So, organizing your pantry, closet, and fridge in the ROYGBIV colorway is stress-reducing and beautiful; SIGN US UP!
Have you ever looked in the very back of a pantry for something only to discover 3 of the same item sitting there unopened? Yep, us too. We learned from The Home Edit that if you don’t see it, you don’t remember you have it. The perk of clearing out clutter and organizing your belongings is that you no longer have to wonder where all of your stuff is. It’s not hiding in the back of a pantry or smushed into the back of a closet. Their method of paring down what you own to only the things you love the most helps remove physical and mental clutter and keeps you seeing the items and keepsakes you actually love.
There is a reason grandma told you to make your bed every day. Not only is it a good exercise in tidiness, but it just *feels* good to come home to a room that is orderly and ready for your next night of rest. It *feels* good to cook a meal in a clean kitchen and where everything is easy to find. Physical clutter = mental clutter. There’s no way around it. Research shows clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance behaviors that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (like the Home Edit). So, yeah, an organized pantry is totally pretty, but it’s also good for your brain.
Did you watch The Home Edit on Netflix? We’d love to hear the tips and tricks you learned too! Leave a comment below with your favorite takeaways!
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I'm going to spare you the long, drawn out pre-recipe life story and just tell you the facts -- this banana bread is so delicious, so easy and you most likely already have everything you need to make it, including those bananas you forgot you bought last week. It can very easily be made vegan and gluten-free!
PREP TIME: 15 Minutes
COOK TIME: 1 Hour
SERVES: 1-6
AUTHOR: Debbie Gjersvold, my godmother
Pro-tip: Let it cool for a few minutes before you enjoy so you don't ruin your mouth!
]]>PREP TIME: 5 Minutes
COOK TIME: 2 Hours
SERVES: 4
AUTHOR: Mary Mammoliti / Kitchen Confession / kitchenconfession.com (adapted for Tosi)
The summer is all about treating yourself but making it nutrient-dense! These yogurt + berry SuperBites bars are no exception. This recipe was inspired by the Granola Yogurt bars by Wellness by Kay. We used SuperBites instead of granola and it was so delicious. It's a must-try!
SuperBites Crust
Berry Filling
Yogurt Layer
In light of the ongoing global health concerns, wellness is top of mind for people around the world. While one should never disregard their health, it is now more critical than ever to ensure we take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Our bodies are naturally equipped to fight off disease, and while no one is invincible, we can significantly lower our risk of infection by strengthening our immune system. At times like these—when our travel is impacted, major events are canceled, and the news fails to offer any glimmer of hope—it can seem like we don’t have any control. But we do. We can choose what goes into our bodies, and we have the power to protect ourselves in this way. Keep reading to learn how you can take control, strengthen your immune system, and remain strong and healthy through these uncertain times.
How to Build a Strong Immune System
Humans are not defenseless. Our bodies are naturally equipped with a complex and powerful immune system to fend off disease. Both to its credit and detriment, our immune system can be compromised depending on one’s lifestyle. Treat your body right, and you can give your cells a fighting chance of fending off infections. Here are five basic steps to strengthen your system:
We get it—all of these are common sense practices that should be incorporated into any healthy lifestyle, but that’s the key: a healthy lifestyle. The immune system is based on the constant creation and death of cells. When we keep these cells in a steady state of health, we can take charge and defend our bodies to the best of our ability.
Dr. Angie Sadeghi, our Switch4Good resident gastroenterologist, confirms, “COVID-19 has been one of the most devastating zoonotic infections in the history of the United States. If there is a lesson from the recent past, be it SARS, COVID-19, or any other viral infections which don’t respond to antibiotics, is that these outbreaks should be treated proactively by focusing on prevention rather than treatment.”
According to Dr. Michael Klaper, “When we are stressed or anxious, we release the hormone cortisol and this makes it much harder for the lymphocytes to put out antibodies to fight a virus, illness, or bacteria.” So as much as you can, take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and let any unnecessary stress slip away. We’re going to get through this, and no doubt develop a stronger appreciation for the little things in life. Get outside, practice basic yoga, and keep up (digital) communication with loved ones to help with stress management.
Food and the Immune System
Professors at Harvard School of Public Health have noted that those who are malnourished—even micronutrient malnourished—tend to be more prone to disease. Those in developing countries and the elderly tend to be most at risk, as these two populations either don’t get enough food or decrease the variety in their diets, but young, affluent, and seemingly healthy people can also experience micronutrient malnourishment. To function at full capacity, cells need the essential nutrients—not just carbs, proteins, and fats, but vitamins A-K, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, boron, and more.
The Standard American Diet—along with popular diet trends such as Keto and Paleo—relies on foods such as meat and dairy that are severely lacking in these micronutrients. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, tend to be extremely high in these essential nutrients that support healthy cell function. Think of it this way: when one consumes a dairy product, such as cows’ milk, they are likely opting out of a more nutrient-dense option, such as pea milk.
While it’s true dairy does contain some nutrients—mainly calcium, protein, potassium, and fortified vitamin D—it also contains harmful trans and saturated fats, artery-constricting cholesterol, natural bovine hormones that may stimulate unregulated cell growth (increasing the risk for hormone-dependent cancers), and inflammatory properties. When there are ample amounts of foods that offer the same nutrients without the side harmful side effects, there is no reason to consume dairy for the sake of meeting nutrition needs.
Foods That Support a Strong Immune System
In addition to micronutrients, antioxidants are key. These compounds are mostly found in plant foods and help fight inflammation—the nexus for disease. In fact, a whole foods, plant-based diet contains 64-times the amount of immune-boosting antioxidants compared to a diet that includes meat and dairy. Cut out the antioxidant-depleted animal foods and incorporate these nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich plant foods into your diet.
How Inflammation Hinders the Immune System
Inflammation is part of our immune system’s toolkit. When we scrape our knee, break down our muscles via exercise, or become infected with a pathogen, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response to help the body heal. Cells rush to the injury or infection site and work to destroy the pathogen or heal the wound. Temporary, or acute inflammation, is perfectly natural. You might experience some site-specific swelling, soreness, or redness, but it will go away within a few days. Long-term, or chronic inflammation, however, can compromise your immune system. Essentially, the immune system goes into overdrive, and over time it simply cannot keep up. Because chronic inflammation overtaxes the immune system, researchers have definitively stated that chronic inflammation is malignant and sets the stage for disease.
Dr. Vivian Chen, MD, explains the link between inflammation and immunity further: “When we encounter threats like a virus, acute inflammation is a tool our body uses to fight the infection. However, when this inflammation does not shut off following the infection or if it is overwhelming and starts to cause tissue damage, that’s when we can see the harmful side of inflammation, for example, the acute respiratory distress syndrome we witness in some patients in the second phase of viral infections, where inflammation causes an exudate in the lungs, making it difficult for patients to breath. So a balanced immune system that responds to environmental threats in a timely way without causing tissue damage is key in keeping us health.”
Certain foods are known to cause inflammation, and when one consumes these foods regularly, they can lead to chronic inflammation. Food should not be a stress to the body—it should be purely supportive and healing.
Dairy—from plain cows’ milk to yogurt—is a highly inflammatory food. Researchers believe a number of its compounds trigger an inflammatory response, including its unbalanced ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s, high levels of trans and saturated fats, the sugar molecule D-galactose, and foreign compounds the human body doesn’t recognize such as Neu5gc (a simple sugar molecule the human body does not make or need—thus mounting an immune response to fight this “foreign invader”).
Inflammatory Foods to Avoid
Inflammation-Fighting and Immune-System-Building Foods
For recipes that incorporate all these feel-good foods, check out Around the World GoodBowls and Switch4Good’s recipe pages for inflammation-fighting, family-friendly meals that will delight your taste buds and support your immune system.
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Here's what you'll need:
Credit: @lunchwiththeseaons
Here's what you'll need:
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Credit: @lunchwiththeseaons
Here's what you'll need:
Chels, we know you’re insanely busy running Tosi with your mom Stef! How do you make time to eat breakfast in the morning when you have early calls or meetings?
Amazing! What about lunch? It’s a meal so many people skip or skimp on because they are busy. How do you make sure you get a decent meal in the middle of a busy workday?
For summer lunches, I love big salads! I like to prep everything at the beginning of the week: dice all of my vegetables, make a jar of salad dressing, and portion out my proteins. For work, I’ll take all of my pre-prepped ingredients and put my salad the night before. I love a good spinach base with bell peppers, apples, heirloom tomatoes, kalamata olives, chicken and sunflower seeds. It’s light but filling enough to keep me going. I also like that it’s easy to switch up ingredients. One of my FAVORITE salad hacks is using SuperBites as croutons. It adds a little crunch and a little sweetness. It’s seriously delicious.
Love that SuperBites Crouton Hack. What about dinner? If you get home at 7 PM, how do you avoid the temptation of just grabbing take-out?
Talk to us about dessert. What’s your favorite thing to indulge in right now?
I have been loving a little scoop of mango sorbet sprinkled with maldon sea salt. I dream about this some nights! So refreshing. Sometimes I get crazy and add some crushed SuperBites on top. SuperBites make *everything* better.
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Chelsea Hults’ childhood food allergies provided her mom, Stefanie, with an education in healthful food and clean eating that ultimately led to the business the mother-and-daughter team run today.
Tosi, which means “true” in Finnish, began in 2012 as a clean-food-supplement business focused on gut health and weight management. The nut-based snacks dubbed “SuperBites” were launched as a little sideline. But as they sometimes do in startups, the sideline quickly became the star.
The plant-based snack bars are low in sugar and made with almonds, cashews and other nuts, chia and flax seeds, for a mix of fiber and healthy fats, the partners say. They’re vegan, gluten-free, certified organic and free of artificial additives.
“We wanted a snack that you could taste the ingredients in, that was really important to us. These had a great mouthfeel and the benefits of really great nutrients.”
“Our first year in SuperBites were about 98% of our sales,” Stefanie says. “We were like ‘Wow, we seem to be in the snack industry.”
]]>1. Drink Extra Water- We need to drink half our body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 140 lbs then drink at least 70 ounces every day. Try adding lemon or cucumber to your water for better taste.
2. Work on Your Fitness- We all start at different fitness levels but the key is to make it a priority. Remember, the best exercise is the one you will do... so get moving!
3. Replace a Meal with Tosi- Whether is it breakfast, lunch or dinner our Complete Meal Chocolate or Vanilla are perfect to cut calories and increase nutrition.
4. Keep SuperBites Close- We all make poor eating decisions when we are stressed or rushed. Keep our tasty Cashew or Almond SuperBites at home, your desk, your car and in your gym bag.