SmartGroceries: Wild Harvest Natural Foods

For those of you in New England and living near a Shaw's supermarket, they have a solid, and usually affordable, line of natural foods under the Wild Harvest brand.

You can't go wrong when choosing any of these products because they are sold under the following conditions:

With the highest standards for taste, quality and health, our Wild Harvest department brings you natural grocery, dairy and frozen food sections that are both easy to navigate and chock full of your favorite brands.

• NO artificial preservatives, colorings or flavorings
• NO hydrogenated or cottonseed oils
• NO artificial sweeteners
• NO phosphates or chlorine

Some of the TLN house favorites: Salad Dressings, Tortilla Chips, Cereals, Frozen Pizza, Maple Syrup, Kethup, Mustard, Fruit Juices and Crackers

You can learn more about the Wild Harvest product line at the Shaw's website.

I recommend signing up for their monthly mailer. Not only does it contain informative food and nutrition articles, but the coupons are great. They offer some nice savings on your grocery bill.

Check it out!

Supplements 411: SmartForme Nutrition Products

If you happened on this post, I can let you in on a little insider perk just for TLN readers!

Back in 2004, I co-founded Smart Nutrtion Company, distributor of SmartForme Nutrition Products.

These products are sold primarily to individuals that have undergone gastric bypass (weight loss) surgery. But SmartForme products can also benefit anybody looking for high-protein snacks and meal replacement options.

If you wish to order from SmartForme, I appreciate it if you enter the following code into the special instructions box during checkout: TLN-VT. This identifies you as a member of Tough Love Nutrition and not a gastric bypass patient.

SmartForme runs regular specials, so I recommend signing up on their homepage to receive a monthly "e-Memo". It will keep you notified of current and upcoming sales.

When you go to the SmartForme website, prepare to be blown away by the wide selection of products and flavors. All of these products are formulated and manufactured under the supervision of SmartForme's Director of Research and Development.

Here's a few of the SmartForme products used in my household: Snack Bars, Meal Replacement Shakes and Bari-EFA.

Enjoy!

TLN Phil

TLN Health News Heads Up: Are you going to eat that?

7 foods you may think are healthy, but aren't

By Susan Moores, R.D.

MSNBC contributor

Pick a fruit, any fruit, and you know it’s good for you. It’s the same with vegetables and many whole grain foods. They deserve their nutritional halos.

Some foods, however, have gotten the healthy nod, when they’re actually laden with fat, sugar or both.

TLN Editor Comments: This article reinforces that fact that people are under the false impression that they are replacing the more obvious bad food choice with something comparably unfavorable. Read and be enlightned why the likes of Granola Bars, Tea Drinks and Fruit Gummies aren't that great for you at MSNBC.com!

TLN Health News Heads Up: The 10 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

WebMD Feature from "Men's Health" Magazine

Want to do your body a world of good? It's as easy as expanding your grocery list

Although some guys aren't opposed to smoking some weed, most wouldn't think of eating one. It's a shame, really, since a succulent weed named purslane is not only delicious but also among the world's healthiest foods.

Of course, there are many superfoods that never see the inside of a shopping cart. Some you've never heard of, and others you've simply forgotten about. That's why we've rounded up the best of the bunch. Make a place for them on your table and you'll instantly upgrade your health -- without a prescription.

[TLN Editor] In spirit of the season...

#10 Pumpkin Seeds

These jack-o'-lantern waste products are the most nutritious part of the pumpkin.

Why they're healthy: Downing pumpkin seeds is the easiest way to consume more magnesium. That's important because French researchers recently determined that men with the highest levels of magnesium in their blood have a 40 percent lower risk of early death than those with the lowest levels. And on average, men consume 353 mg of the mineral daily, well under the 420 mg minimum recommended by the USDA.

How to eat them: Whole, shells and all. (The shells provide extra fiber.) Roasted pumpkin seeds contain 150 mg of magnesium per ounce; add them to your regular diet and you'll easily hit your daily target of 420 mg. Look for them in the snack or health-food section of your grocery store, next to the peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.

Read Best Foods You Aren't Eating 1-9 at Web MD Health!

TLN Press: TOUGH LOVE NUTRITION FOUNDER GIVES PEACE CEREAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Nutrition industry veteran and TLN founder Phil LeClair recently stated the following on Peace Cereal:

“No goofy cartoon characters on the box. No junky toys in the box. Peace Cereal is simply good tasting and contains no artificial ingredients or ridiculous amounts of processed sugars. Vanilla Almond Crunch is the family favorite in our house. The traditional bowl of cereal with milk is served as a breakfast or midday snack option, but we also mix Peace Cereal with yogurt, oatmeal or eat it dry as a snack when traveling or for recess. "

Tough Love Nutrition was started by LeClair in 2006 as a compilation of his professional and personal experiences with nutrition and fitness. TLN is his crusade for good health and implores individuals to shake hype and appreciate the effectiveness of making intelligent food, fitness and supplement choices. TLN’s "matter-of-fact" information educates the finer points of nutrition, fitness and wellness without over-the-top and usually pointless technical jargon.

The Tough Love Nutrition blog site and discussion group are located via: www.TLNutrition.com.

See more TLN Approved Products at SmartGroceries!

TLN Press: TOUGH LOVE NUTRITION FOUNDER GIVES MADHOUSE MUNCHIES SEAL OF APPROVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Nutrition industry veteran and TLN founder Phil LeClair recently stated the following on Madhouse Munchies Snack Chips:

“Madhouse Munchies Chips are absolutely addictive! Eat reasonable servings from a small bowl and put the bag back in a hard-to-reach area of the pantry. Eating from the bag will leave you defenseless in trying to stop from consuming crumbs and all! Ingredient integrity, company story, people and passion behind this brand are pretty special too. Solid products inside and out.”

Tough Love Nutrition was started by LeClair in 2006 as a compilation of his professional and personal experiences with nutrition and fitness. TLN is his crusade for good health and implores individuals to shake hype and appreciate the effectiveness of making intelligent food, fitness and supplement choices. TLN’s "matter-of-fact" information educates the finer points of nutrition, fitness and wellness without over-the-top and usually pointless technical jargon.

The Tough Love Nutrition blog site and online store are located at: www.TLNutrition.com.

See more TLN Approved Products at SmartGroceries!

TLN Press: TOUGH LOVE NUTRITION FOUNDER GIVES THE COUNTRY HEN EGGS SEAL OF APPROVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Nutrition industry veteran and TLN founder Phil LeClair recently stated the following on The Country Hen Eggs:

“One look at the golden yellow yolk on a Country Hen egg and it quite obvious that they are produced with the highest quality standards (and this is an understatement!). Country Hens live in spacious sunlit barns and even have "porches" for outdoor access in good weather. They eat certified organic feed produced by Country Hen and their eggs yield tremendous levels of Omega -3 Essential Fatty Acids, Selenium, Lutein, Choline and Lecithin.”

Tough Love Nutrition was started by LeClair in 2006 as a compilation of his professional and personal experiences with nutrition and fitness. TLN is his crusade for good health and implores individuals to shake hype and appreciate the effectiveness of making intelligent food, fitness and supplement choices. TLN’s "matter-of-fact" information educates the finer points of nutrition, fitness and wellness without over-the-top and usually pointless technical jargon.

Tough Love Nutrition is located at: www.TLNutrition.com.

See more TLN Approved Products at SmartGroceries!

TLN Press: TOUGH LOVE NUTRITION FOUNDER GIVES BARILLA PLUS PASTA SEAL OF APPROVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Nutrition industry veteran and TLN founder Phil LeClair recently stated the following on Barilla Plus Pasta:

“Here's a great happy medium for those looking for a more nutrient-dense pasta, yet are not big fans of the texture of whole wheat pasta. In addition to cooking up al dente like traditional white pasta, Barilla Plus offers a more nutritious alternative to the latter. Made with a combination of protein and fiber-rich ingredients like egg whites, lentils and flaxseed, its nutritional composition is a more favorable balance of carbs, proteins and beneficial dietary fats.”

Tough Love Nutrition was started by LeClair in 2006 as a compilation of his professional and personal experiences with nutrition and fitness. TLN is his crusade for good health and implores individuals to shake hype and appreciate the effectiveness of making intelligent food, fitness and supplement choices. TLN’s "matter-of-fact" information educates the finer points of nutrition, fitness and wellness without over-the-top and usually pointless technical jargon.

Tough Love Nutrition is located at: www.TLNutrition.com.

See more TLN Approved Products at SmartGroceries!

Supplements 411: FRS Healthy Energy Drink

One might think that you can get enough antioxidants in the foods we eat (esp. colorful fruits and vegetables), but in this age of food processing and increased mental, physical and environmental stresses, our bodies are taxed and can definitely benefit from a variety of well-developed antioxidant products.

FRS is one such brand I hold in high regard. I was privileged to work with several of their executive and management team members during my years at Balance Bar Company. I know these guys and gals have a passion in developing a product with credibility and functionality (that’s why it was a no-brainer to carry it online at the Tough Love Nutrition Store!).

Initially offered a liquid concentrate, FRS is available as a Ready-To-Drink (RTD) and very convenient Chews. FRS is scientifically formulated with the powerful combination of flavonoids from quercitin (found in skins of apples, onions and grapes) and catechins from green tea.
FRS RTD is my ally when my body is more worn down than usual and hints of a cold are looming. I also use is as a coffee alternative in late afternoon to get me over the workday hump, sparing me from the “can’t sleep” caffeine buzz.

More supplement recomendations at SmartGroceries!

SmartGroceries: Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats

The true “breakfast of champions”, a bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal can be prepared in a microwave in less than two minutes—roughly the same time as its nutrient-challenged cousin, instant oatmeal. Quaker’s Old-Fashioned Oats contains minimally processed “rolled oats”. Quick oats or instant packets (and cold cereals, for that matter) are excessively milled to the point that they resemble sawdust and retain very little of their nutrient value and require fortification. Flavored instant oatmeal packets are also loaded with sugar, sodium and a host of other unfavorable additives.

See more SmartGROCERIES