In my experience, there are a few items that offer superior nutrition to other brands. This is not to say that there are not others out there, but these are the ones I’ve have used which consistently offered the best nutrition.

Celtic Sea Salt – begin to replace your table salt, kosher, iodized or other sea salts with this brand. Tastes good and maximizes the many benefits of good salt.

Braggs [private_Member][private_LifeMember] Liquid Aminos – replaces soy sauce or salt in dressings, marinades, etc.  Tastes great and is so versatile for cooking and marinating.

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar – great taste, versatile, and high quality.

Udo’s Oil (capsules or oil) – You may choose to incorporate an Omega Fatty Acid supplement.  In my personal experience and research, I do not recommend fish oil.  Instead, try a plant based choice like Udo’s oil. Udo’s is a wonderful blend of fatty acids 3-6-9. It can be used in non-heated dressings or drizzled on foods and mixed in salad dressings. *Remember to refrigerate it.

Food for Life Brand Sprouted Grain Products – Flourless yumminess is what I say! Sprouted grains and hearty satisfaction.  Not like traditional breads and muffins, better nutrition and digestibility in many ways! Look in the freezer section of your grocery store. You’ll need to refrigerate or freeze them when you bring them home.  I suggest toasting them before eating.

Chicken Sausages – You can eat any variety of lean organic wild game or chicken sausage with NO added nitrates or nitrites. I like Buddy’s Chicken Sausage and Applegate Farms products. They are both really good, but can be hard to find. Here in Central Texas, I find mine at Whole foods, Newflower Market, HEB, and Central Market. Caution: The Applegate Farms has no preservatives and will not last more than a few days after you open the package.  I pre-portion it out and freeze mine so that I don’t risk the meats going bad.

Nuts and Seeds – All nuts and nut butters must be raw (or made from raw organic nuts)

Oils for cooking- Expeller Pressed Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best.

Meats and Poultry – All of the animal protein you choose should be hormone- and antibiotic-free, organic, and preferably grass-fed. Wild game (if you know the source and processing technique) is fine.

Dairy products – When and if you must, choose raw organic dairy products.

Sweeteners - Use Stevia, small amounts of agave nectar, raw honey, or sucanat. Liquid Stevia extract drops come in different flavors that can make drinking water a joy, not a chore. My kids love their grape flavored water, and mom is happy to eliminate sodas and sugary drinks. Look for the drops in whole foods or online. Powdered stevia, agave nectar and Sucanat can be used for cooking and baking, but be aware that it is NOT a one to one ratio for refined sugar substitution in recipes.

Super Greens – I recommend and use Juice Plus+ Garden Blend Capsules and Green Vibrance Blend Powder. I add the powder to my daily smoothie and eat the capsules with a meal. There are many green food products at your local health food market, but, after trying many, Green Vibrance has a blend of many great greens plus more and actually tastes good when added to a smoothie or juice.  Some other products simply taste horrible. It’s hard to make “yucky” a habit.

Juice Plus+ Products – Juice Plus+ is 17-22 Whole, Raw, Pesticide-Free Fruits and Veggies with Whole Grains dehydrated in a capsule.  It’s not a vitamin, it’s whole food.  I like to think of it as my additional daily salad bar in a convenient capsule.

I haven’t met ANYONE who eats enough RAW fruits and veggies on their own to counteract the strenuous process of daily life, let alone when you are attempting to create a healthier body and lose weight. I have personally experienced tremendous benefits to myself as well as my children while on Juice Plus+.  Even though I eat well, I could never get enough fruits and veggies to combat my stressful lifestyle.  It’s affordable and the best value addition to my grocery budget. [/private_Member][/private_LifeMember]