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Feel More Gooder, Nutrition Reviews

Teatulia Organic Tea Review: January Edition

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This is a review of Teatulia organic teas.

Teatulia Organic Tea

Overall Rating: 5-stars

About Teatulia:

“We are delighted to introduce our range of twenty organic Teatulia teas, each offering a unique flavor profile, with one or more that will satisfy every palate.

Our totally unique packaging communicates Teatulia’s sustainability message: compostable cannisters, labels made from post-consumer paper, water-based inks & dyes and biodegradable silken pyramids conveniently house our exquisite organic whole-leaf teas.

SINGLE-GARDEN DIRECT

All Teatulia Teas come directly to you from the first USDA-certified Organic tea garden in Bangladesh. No middleman, no long-term warehousing and no waiting around to be bulk-blended by a third-party trader. What does this mean to you? Fresh, delicious, single-garden purity.

MORE ORGANIC THAN ORGANIC

Teatulia’s mission is to sustain the land and the people while producing top-quality organic tea.

Established on virgin soil and grown following Masanobu Fukuoka’s “natural farming” method, Teatulia is the only tea garden in Bangladesh to be USDA certified organic and the only garden we know of that has approached tea cultivation this way.

At Teatulia we:

Do virtually no tilling, weeding, etc.

Develop the soil with cover crops and mulch

Utilize water bodies & herbal shade trees to restore the eco-balance to the area

Use only natural pest & weed controls

Nourish the land with bio-fertilizers

Protect wildlife

Process the tea in bio-gas plants

SUSTAINABLE

Yes, it’s Organic. But that’s just the beginning. Our approach to farming is truly revolutionary and very different from what any other tea-grower is doing (to our knowledge). In the Teatulia gardens, we have implemented “natural farming” practices espoused by the Japanese Master Masanobu Fukuoka, resulting in a closed-loop eco and social system. We use no pesticides, machinery or unnatural irrigation in the cultivation of our teas – we trust mother nature to establish the perfect balance. Consequently, eight years since its inception, our “virgin” garden, developed on fallow land, is now a thriving ecosystem teeming with once endangered Flora and Fauna.”

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My Experience:

You guys, I’m pretty hyped on tea right now. So, here’s another Teatulia experience I’d like to share with you. I’m thankful to be an ambassador for this brand (just a fancy way of saying–I genuinely love what they are doing and want more people to know about them).

Here’s what makes this teas different and why you would look to them to ramp up your health:

Neem:

Teeth + Gum Health + Overall Cleansing

Detoxing and cleansing are two words that we’ve all heard at some point. They are crucial to overall health because a clean body is a thriving body. A body that accrued a toxic build up will experience slacking performance across the board. This can manifest itself in poor sleep, low energy, issues with integumentary system (hair + skin + nails), moodiness and chronic illness. The upside is that if you regularly perform detoxifying + cleansing protocols (like drinking this tea), you can prevent a lot of that and calibrate your body to be a beaming conglomerate of bumping energy.

Tulsi:

Adaptogen (Helps body cope with stress)

Stressors surround us every. single. day. What we CAN control is how beefy we make our immune response + body’s resiliency in order to deal with this stress. Pretty cool that we can put things into our body that help diminish the negative effects of stress.

Black Tea

Brain Function + Memory

Commonly and anciently (sure, that’s a word), black tea is used as the base for brewing kombucha, a fermented + naturally effervescent tea that aids digestions and boasts probiotics and gut-healing benefits.

Black tea is neat because it ramps up + stimulates brain function and contains half the amount of caffeine than a cup of coffee. This makes it the perfect compliment to that morning cup of coffee (think: mid-day tea break!)

Drinking these teas makes me feel: Naturally energized + balanced + detoxified + clean inside + ready to perform + peppy. Yep. Gimme mo-of-that!

Their instagram account is my particular favorite; you can find them @teatuliateas!

Use the code runonorganic for 25% off your entire purchase at Teatulia.com

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Feel More Gooder, Nutrition Reviews

Jay Robb Organic Psyllium Husk Powder Review

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Jay Robb Organic Psyllium Seed Husks

Overall Rating: images

About Jay Rob Psyllium Husks:

“Jay Robb Organic Non-GMO Psyllium Seed Husks are a great addition to your protein shakes as a means to get organic fiber into your diet.

Made With 100% Organic Non-GMO Psyllium Seed Husks (steam purified) 

Jay Robb Organic Non-GMO Psyllium Seed Husks are a great addition to your protein shakes as a means to get organic fiber into your diet.

Psyllium seed husks, also known as ispaghula, isabgol, or psyllium, are portions of the seeds of the plant Platago ovata, (genus Plantago), grows worldwide but is primarily grown and harvested in India. They are soluble in water, expanding and becoming mucilaginous when wet.

Psyllium seed husks are indigestible in human beings and are often used as a source of dietary fiber. They can be used as a dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI (gastrointestinal) transit. The inert bulk of the husks helps provide a constant volume of solid material.

Jay Robb Psyllium Seed Husks are Non-GMO, ORGANICALLY GROWN, fumigated with CO2, and STEAM purified. Conventionally grown psyllium (most psyllium that is on the market) is often sprayed with malithion, chlorethoxyfos, endosulfan, parathion-methyl, and /or triazophos and fumigated with methyl bromide. Jay Robb Non-GMO Organic Psyllium Seed Husks are naturally grown without chemical sprays, artificial fertilizers, or toxic fumigation chemicals.

Suggested Use: Add 1 rounded tablespoon to your daily protein shake, or mix in 8 ounces of pure water.”

In regards to the products being raw, I’ve learned this:

“The psyllium in the raw is a powder and it would not handle the same as the husk. Psyllium in the raw is the seed portion that is powdered and doesn’t expand the same way that the husk would. The husk expands and becomes “gelatinous” thus giving you the full benefit of what psyllium is, a fiber. The husk offers a better dietary solution when used to treat constipation as a bulk-forming laxative. It absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells, and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass.

While the seed (raw form) can do the same thing, the husk does this process a little more efficiently. Psyllium fiber is not broken down as it passes down the gastrointestinal tract and so psyllium has no nutritive value other than as a source of fiber.”

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My Thoughts:

In addition to doing full-on cleanses every so often, I like to do things daily that help facilitate my body’s natural detoxification process. Keeping my fiber intake high is a big part of that.

I like to incorporate this psyllium seed husk powder (it’s in a coarse, powder-like form) by simply adding it to smoothies to make them more filling and satisfying. I have also found it handy to make a drink with a tablespoon of this powder + water in the evenings to help fend off late night “cravings.”

There is virtually no taste to it, making it perfect to mix into smoothies of any flavor.

I love the fact that this product is organic, & non-gmo and can appreciate the explanation provided by Jay Robb about why the fiber is not raw. I suppose it makes sense that fiber (providing simply a means of aiding detoxification) doesn’t need to be raw to be effective in doing it’s job. It’s not meant to provide a nutritional value, which is the main reason for desiring a raw product. However, knowing that this product was once unheated, I can’t help but think: why not leave it that raw? It seems like there must be some benefit to consuming it raw–just like any other plant. I’m assuming it’s not raw mainly to increase the shelf life of it.

I’d recommend this to someone looking for a doable way to aid detoxification. It’s a small, simple change you can make that will help you clear the “digestive fog” from your system and get your body back on track.

 

 

 

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Camelbak Mantra Powder Drink Mix Review

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Camelbak Mantra

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

About Camelbak Mantra:

“NATURAL INGREDIENTS: No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

ZERO CALORIES: Made with the natural sweetener stevia

LESS WASTE: Great tasting drink mix is designed for reusable bottles

CONVENIENT: Powder stick packs are great for hydrating on-the-go

ENHANCING: Antioxidants, vitamins and electrolytes replenish as you hydrate

FULL INGREDIENT LIST for Blueberry Pomegranate (for example): Monopotassium Phosphate, Calcium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Lactate, Citric Acid, Stevia Leaf Extract, Fruit and Vegetable Juice for Color, Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinol Acetate, Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, and Cyanocobalamin.”

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My Thoughts:

The Camelbak brand is invaluable to my family’s vigor for nature and being outdoors. We love all of our Camelbak backpacks as well as the water bottles–of course, I’m a big fan of the fact that they are all BPA-free. This large purple Eddy bottle is perfect for our little girl her fluid capacity gradually increases. It’s a bit bigger than the kid’s Eddy and is great for long days or trips away from our home water filter.

As far as electrolyte replacement and hydration goes, I’m very easily to please. Water does it for me. I drink only water before and after activity, with the occasional squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon essential oil into my water bottle. I don’t naturally gravitate towards sports drinks or mixes. If I try them, my standards are pretty high. I want the ingredient list to be chock full of recognizable, whole food ingredients.

In the case of Mantra, it’s tough for me to stand behind a product that does not use organic ingredients. I do believe it to be a large step in the right direction (and better than the big lines of sports drinks–not naming names) for these Camelbak Mantra powder mixes to be free of artificial ingredients, colors and sweeteners– & I like the choice to use stevia in these mixes. However, to make it into my daily routine, these ingredient lists would have to look much more appealing and recognizable.

I appreciate the idea of this product, but in actuality–the ingredients are not up to par for this running girl.

 

Feel More Gooder, Nutrition Reviews

Health Ade Kombucha Review

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This is a review of Health Ade Kombucha.

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Health Ade

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

About Health Ade:

“Health-Ade was formed by 3 very close friends, all looking to bring a BETTER kombucha to the Southern California market. Founded in Los Angeles, Health-Ade is made the “old-fashioned” way–as nature intended–dedicated to offering the highest quality and best tasting kombucha one can buy. They do this by committing to things like: pulling out all the stops to ensure the culture is healthy and strong, using only local and seasonal farmers’ market fruit for flavor, and keeping harmful plastic and UVs away from the entire fermentation and bottling process.

Origins

Made 100% in Los Angeles, Health-Ade also works hard to support the local community, as demonstrated by their efforts in growing Farmers’ Markets, their collaboration with regional non-profits such as Home-Boy Industries, and their drive to increase understanding and importance of health and wellness.

Health-Ade kombucha comes in our original formula, as well as 4 other tasty seasonal flavors. Remember, for the highest quality, we only use local seasonal, and organic produce for flavoring. Take your pick and make it a habit!

Why Drink Health-Ade?

Though different brands of kombucha are somewhat prevalent in health food stores today, most of these interpretations have a compromised quality due to efforts in mass production and hastening fermentation. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many products falling short of the real deal, often higher in sugar than ever intended.

Health-Ade Is

  • made using only organic and whole ingredients
  • produced by using the original recipe
  • 100% naturally fermented
  • flavored with local and seasonal farmers’ market fruit
  • made in small batches right here in LA
  • fermented and produced only in glass
  • manufactured and bottled in UV-sensitive environments
  • 100% raw, vegan, natural, and gluten-free
  • made, down to the bottle, in the USA

Health-Ade Is Not

  • made with genetically engineered sugars or powdered teas
  • made using concentrates, dilutions, dyes, or powders
  • hastening fermentation with added chemicals and powders
  • mass-produced and / or outsourced
  • fermented in plastic, potentially causing leaching
  • exposed to harmful UV light, potentially depleting its probiotic count
  • pasteurized (kills 50%+ of the probiotic) or unnatural
  • made and bottled overseas, impacting our Earth and economy.”

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My Thoughts:

Ahhhh… Kombucha. Bubbly, delicious, a bit sweet, satisfying. I can’t get enough. I love the ritual of opening a new bottle and taking the first gulp of effervescent splendor. I’ve found this drink can also help you to curb cravings and feel fill, as this bubbly drink temporarily creates the illusion that your stomach is full.

At this point, I’ve tried several brands of Kombucha–some great and some not quite as great. I have a few specs that I look for when I try a new kind.

My Preferred Kombucha Specs

-Bubbly, packs a punch

-Delicious and unique flavors

-Organic ingredients

Health Ade Kombucha meets all three of those qualifications, AND to top it off–the icing on the cake; they use and support local ingredients. To me, that is huge and it sets them apart from the other brands. Not only do they value organic, pure ingredients but they also see the importance of supporting local farmers and harvests. I just love that.

These flavors are all very tasty, interesting and unique in their own right. The newest kombucha flavor (to my palate) was the Cayenne Cleanse. As you can imagine, this one is zippy and heats up your mouth right away. It has just the right amount of heat–any more and it might be a bit too much for me.

But, I love that they use cayenne, as this pepper offers metabolism boosting benefits! If I had to pick one flavor as my favorite, it would have to be Pomegranate. It’s tart and fruity with a kick of sweetness. It’s delicious. I’d pick the California Grape as my runner up.

New to Kombucha?

If you have yet to try Kombucha, dive in! Especially if you are still a soda drinker, Kombucha is a MUCH healthier alternative to other carbonated beverages. I’d recommend these to anyone who is looking to enhance their digestion and overall health.

Check Healthade out here to get Free Shipping on all orders!