• food,  Health,  Las Vegas,  Los Angeles,  San Diego

    Mightylicious Cookies: The Allergen-Friendly, Kid-Approved Snack for Back-to-School Season

    As the back-to-school season kicks off, finding snacks that are both kid-approved and allergen-friendly can feel like a challenge. But don’t worry—Mightylicious cookies are here to save snack time with a delicious twist.

    Mightylicious isn’t just another gluten-free cookie; it’s a game-changer. These hand-crafted treats are loaded with amazing flavor and perfect texture, made from clean, all-natural ingredients. Whether your kids have dietary restrictions or you’re just looking for a healthier snack option, Mightylicious is the go-to choice that everyone will love.

    Created by Carolyn Haeler, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012, Mightylicious was born out of the need for a gluten-free cookie that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. Carolyn’s mission was simple: to create cookies that are not only safe for those with gluten sensitivities but are also irresistibly delicious for everyone.

    Mightylicious offers seven scrumptious varieties, including Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Double Dutch Chocolate Chip, and Vegan Chocolate Chip—perfect for slipping into lunchboxes or enjoying as an after-school treat. Each cookie is 100% gluten-free, and the entire line is made without wheat, rye, barley, or RBST, so you can feel good about what you’re giving your kids.

    Introducing my spiced-up twist on a classic favorite: Oatmeal Raisin cookies with a warm, comforting blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Inspired by an old family recipe and crafted with love, this cookie has quickly become our most requested flavor.

    Vegan, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free—it’s the perfect treat for everyone, no matter their dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack or a cozy bite with your coffee, our Oatmeal Raisin cookie is here to satisfy your cravings with every chewy, spiced bite.

    Available online and in major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Costco, Mightylicious cookies are just what you need to keep snack time fun and flavorful this school year. Stock up today and give your kids a snack that’s as delicious as it is wholesome.

    This back-to-school season, make Mightylicious your new family favorite!

  • food,  Health,  San Diego

    Finally, Gluten-Free Bakers Can Bake Like a Pro: Introducing Mightylicious’ All-New Flour Blends

    For those navigating the world of gluten-free baking, finding the perfect flour blend has often been a challenge. But now, Mightylicious is changing the game with their new line of gluten-free flour blends. Known for their delectable gluten-free cookies, Mightylicious is expanding their offerings to make home baking a breeze with three innovative flour blends: All-Purpose, Vegan All-Purpose, and Vegan Chocolate Brownie Mix.

    Mightylicious, celebrated for their scrumptious handcrafted cookies—hailed as a 2023 Top Pick by Food & Beverage Magazine—has made a name for itself in the gluten-free world. Their cookies are lauded for their incredible flavor and texture, avoiding the usual crumbles and disappointments. Building on this success, Mightylicious now brings the same quality and attention to detail to their flour blends, promising to elevate your baking experience.

    Why Mightylicious Flour Blends?

    The new Mightylicious flour blends stand out for their superior quality and versatility. Unlike other gluten-free flours that use grains like buckwheat and amaranth, which can impart a gritty texture and strong flavor, Mightylicious flour blends are milled from superfine rice flour. This ensures a neutral flavor and a soft, airy texture, making them perfect for baking a wide range of treats, from fluffy pancakes to rich brownies.

    Here’s what you need to know about the new Mightylicious flour blends:

    • All-Purpose Flour (MSRP $8.99): Ideal for everyday baking needs, this versatile blend works well in a variety of recipes, ensuring excellent texture and taste.
    • Vegan All-Purpose Flour (MSRP $8.99): This blend caters to those following a vegan lifestyle, maintaining the same high standards of quality and performance as the original all-purpose flour.
    • Vegan Chocolate Brownie Mix (MSRP $8.99): For chocolate lovers, this mix delivers decadent, gooey brownies that are both vegan and gluten-free.

    All Mightylicious flour blends are certified gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO verified. They are also free from key allergens, making them a safe choice for those with dietary restrictions.

    Where to Buy

    Mightylicious flour blends are available online at www.mightylicious.com. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their full range of handcrafted cookies, including popular flavors like Peanut Butter, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, and Grandma Arline’s Oatmeal Coconut. Each cookie is made in small batches from clean ingredients, ensuring that you get the best in every bite.

    About Mightylicious

    Founded by Carolyn Haeler, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012, Mightylicious began out of a need for delicious gluten-free cookies. Frustrated by the lack of tasty options and the frequent crumbling of gluten-free products, Carolyn left a lucrative career at JP Morgan to start Mightylicious. Her mission was to create cookies that were not only safe for those with gluten sensitivities but also irresistible to everyone. Mightylicious is an LGBT-owned startup committed to using the finest ingredients and innovative baking techniques to deliver products that are pure, clean, and exceptionally delicious.

    This back-to-school season, let Mightylicious be your go-to source for all your gluten-free baking needs. With their new flour blends and scrumptious cookies, you’ll be well-equipped to create treats that are both wholesome and mouthwatering.

  • Books,  Health,  New York

    5 Reasons Why You Should Play Pickleball

    Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport with more than 48 million players nationwide! The largest player demographic is 18–34-year-olds. Nineteen percent of Americans have played at least once in the past year!

    Below are five great reasons why you should join the party and not be left behind while all your friends are having such a good time.

    1. It’s great exercise. Although pickleball is not as physically demanding as sports like basketball or tennis, it’s also not as high impact and can provide an excellent workout. Pickleball players are constantly moving and often display bursts of quick movements which elevate their heart rates, improves flexibility, balance, and agility. Also, the rapid back-and-forth ball exchanges near the net challenge hand-eye coordination and improve fast reflexes.

    2. It boosts your mental health. Smacking a ball across the net is a great stress-reliever and can help lower blood pressure. The game’s fast pace and strategizing can also sharpen the brain’s ability to think more quickly. Winning games or just individual shots releases those “feel-good” endorphins, too.

    3. It’s easy. Unlike for golf and tennis, you won’t need lessons to play pickleball at a respectable level. In fact, the serve, which is the hardest shot to master in tennis, is the easiest shot to make in pickleball. If you can hit a ball back and forth on your home’s ping-pong table, you can play pickleball.

    4. It’s not expensive. More and more parks today have pickleball courts available for free play. Even indoor pickleball facilities usually charge less than ten dollars for two-to-three hours of play. Beginners can buy a paddle for $50 or less and balls cost little more than tennis balls. Portable nets are around $110. With paddles, balls, a net, and a piece of chalk to draw lines, you can be play “driveway pickleball” in about 10 minutes!

    5. It’s friendly, accessible competition. What other sport offers the chance for parents, grandparents, young adults, and children to compete together? Pickleball may be the only sport where an older player can legitimately defeat a younger, more agile player. Also, women can successfully compete against men.

    Bottom line: Play pickleball because it’s flat-out fun! It’s also a sport you can play for the rest of your life. Search online for a pickleball club in your area or call your local YMCA to find a game near you. See you on the court!

    For tips and strategies on pickleball, check out my book Winning Pickleball, available wherever you buy books.

    9781578269952.jpg

    Winning Pickleball
    Written by David Satka
    Foreword by Leigh Waters & Anna Leigh Waters
    978-1-57826-995-2, $15.95 paperback
    978-1-961293-02-1, $9.99 ebook

    Published by Hatherleigh Press.
    Distributed through Penguin Random House.
    Available wherever books are sold.
    www.hatherleighpress.com

  • Books,  Health

    Enhancing Lives: The Transformative Power of Exercise for Parkinson’s Patients with Expert William Smith

    Studies have shown that regular exercise can significantly improve fitness, energy levels, and pain management in Parkinson’s patients, helping them retain control over their daily lives. Renowned medical fitness expert William Smith, MS, NSCA-CSCS, MEPD, is available for your audience. Smith is author of the highly acclaimed book Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease: The Complete Fitness Guide to Improve Mobility, Strength and Balance and brings a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to the Parkinson’s community.

    William Smith is available for interviews, webinars, and speaking engagements to discuss the benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s patients. His expertise and practical insights developed over 25 years working in fitness, healthcare, and medical settings make him a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease.

    Key Takeaways from Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease:

    • Holistic Approach: Smith emphasizes a complete fitness approach, integrating resistance training, mobility movements, and light strength exercises to restore functionality and improve overall well-being.
    • Practical Guidance: Clear, informative pictures and step-by-step instructions make it easy for patients to perform exercises safely and effectively.
    • Lifestyle Tips: Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease offers valuable advice on how to structure daily routines to maximize energy levels and maintain motivation.

    Praise for Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease:

    Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease has received positive feedback from both readers and healthcare professionals. One reviewer noted, “This guide is unreservedly recommended for use with Parkinson’s patients and will prove to be an enduringly valued addition to community, hospital, and university library collections.” Another reader highlighted the book’s practical approach, stating, “The detailed instructions and clear pictures make it easy to follow, even for those new to exercise.”

    EXERCISES FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE
    Written by William Smith, MS
    978-1-57826-766-8, $15.00 paperback
    978-1-57826-767-5, $9.99 eBook

    Published by Hatherleigh Press.
    Distributed through Penguin Random House.
    Available wherever books are sold.
    www.hatherleighpress.com

  • food,  Health

    FoodTrients Showcases Antioxidant Foods That Fight Aging at a Cellular Level

    Antioxidants have multiple roles in the body and one of the most studied is the ability to reduce oxidative stress. Antioxidants are one of our body’s best weapons when it comes to aging, because they fight aging at a cellular level and help keep cells from “rusting.”
    Research has demonstrated that antioxidants can slow down aging by reducing oxidative stress, a natural byproduct of essential cellular activities such as energy production, detoxification, digestion, respiration, cognition, and exercise. These processes generate free radicals, unstable molecules that initiate oxidation. The insights from this research form the foundation of Grace O’s FoodTrients philosophy, which promotes the concept of food as medicine to promote healthy aging.
    Free radicals play a vital role in stimulating important physiological processes, including immune system function and cellular signaling pathways. However, an excess of free radicals leads to an imbalance that triggers a chain reaction of electron theft, resulting in tissue damage. Antioxidants help mitigate this damage by neutralizing free radicals, thereby maintaining cellular health and slowing the aging process.
    Grace says that if the balance of oxidative stress gets too high, it can cause damage and “aging” to cells. This is where antioxidants come in; they protect your cells, preventing and repairing damage caused by oxidative stress. This balance is what keeps cells healthy and prevents damage that comes along naturally with living and aging.
    Image
    Luckily for us, there are many delicious foods that are natural antioxidants that we can incorporate into our diet, which will counter the stress our cells encounter. You probably already know that deeply colored fruits and vegetables like berries and red cabbage contain generous amounts of antioxidants.
    Here are some antioxidant super foods Grace recommends we should focus on:
    • Almonds: are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant which helps protect both brain and skin health.
    • Beans: are rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. Look for colored beans including black, pinto, and kidney, for even more antioxidant compounds. Beans are also high in fiber which can help improve digestion and support detoxification.
    • Berries: blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are rich in flavonoids and antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C. Many experts recommend including berries in the diet daily.
    • Dark Chocolate: varieties over 70% cocoa are rich in flavonoids which are a potent antioxidant found in cocoa. That’s right: chocolate is part of a healthy diet because it’s so right in antioxidants!
    • Sweet Potatoes: these orange vegetables are rich in beta-carotene, which helps protect vision and skin from early aging and cellular damage. Orange and red foods should be a regular part of your diet because of their antioxidant compounds.
    What drives Grace’s program of healthy aging are nine elements she calls FoodTrients®Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Beauty, Detox, Disease Prevention, Gut Health, Immune Boosters, Mind, and Strength.  “The inspiration for me starting my FoodTrients program—the website and my cookbooks—really came from my father.  He was a physician, and he had a way of looking at food as though it could heal us,” Grace explains.  “He understood the value of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh foods and how those elements could influence our health.  Foods like organic fruits and vegetables, wild fish, and humanely raised animals have so many good things in it: antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory agents, fiber, and anti-bacterial compounds.”
    To read the entire article and see more recipes click here.
    Aztec Berry Salad with Lemon Chia Dressing
    SERVES 4 
    Gluten-Free; Vegan if using maple syrup
    Vegetarian
    The Aztecs recorded using chia seeds as far back as 1540. This colorful and refreshing salad is perfect for summer afternoons and evenings. Serve this salad as a starter, side dish, or light summer meal.
    Benefits: Chia seeds provide energy in the form of healthy fats (including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids) and plant-based protein. Fresh, seasonal berries provide a concentrated source of beneficial antioxidants such as vitamin C and anthocyanins, which improve capillary function in the brain, eyes, and skin.
    Image
    Ingredients
    For the salad
    2 cups (packed) roughly chopped baby spinach
    1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
    1 cup fresh blueberries
    1 cucumber, diced
    ½ cup sunflower kernels
    ¼ cup (loosely packed) chopped fresh basil leaves
    For the dressing
    2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
    Juice and zest of 1 lemon
    1 tsp. minced garlic
    1 Tbs. chia seeds
    1 tsp. honey or maple syrup
    1 Tbs. water
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    Procedure
    1. Combine salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
    2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
    3. Toss the salad with the dressing immediately before serving.
    FoodTrients
    Anthocyanins
    Fiber
    Flavonols
    Manganese
    Omega-3 fatty acids
    Vitamin C
    Vitamin E
    Vitamin K
    About FoodTrients
    FoodTrients® is a philosophy and a resource dedicated to the foods and rejuvenating nutrients that help us fight the diseases of aging and promote longevity. All of the recipes combine modern scientific research and medicinal herbs and ingredients from cultures around the world. They’re loaded with flavor and superfoods, which promote wellness, increase energy and vitality, improve skin, and help people look and feel younger.
    About Grace O
    Image
    Over a span of 30 years, Grace O has built an impressive record of business achievement, community building, philanthropy, and community service in California. Guided by her spirit of entrepreneurship and building on a model of generosity learned from her family, Grace has spent a lifetime helping people heal through food and medicine. Grace launched FoodTrients.com in 2010 where she shares age-defying superfoods from around the world and creates delicious recipes with them. Grace is the author of three award-winning cookbooks—The Age GRACEfully Cookbook: The Power of FOODTRIENTS to Promote Health and Well-being for a Joyful and Sustainable LifeThe Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, and the multi-award-winning Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World.
    For more information and recipes visit www.FoodTrients.com.
  • Beauty,  Gift Guide,  Health,  New York,  San Diego

    Dive into Summer Bliss with The Herbal Zen’s Limited-Time Sea Breeze Shower Steamers

    As summer approaches, The Herbal Zen introduces a limited-time offer that promises to bring the essence of a beach day right to your shower. The all-new Sea Breeze Shower Steamers are here to revitalize and refresh your daily routine, capturing the liberating sensation of a leisurely beach escape with every use.

    A Revitalizing Escape

    The creative minds at The Herbal Zen have crafted the Sea Breeze Shower Steamers to celebrate the arrival of summer. For only $24.99, these luxurious steamers immerse you in a blend of essential oils designed to evoke the carefree spirit of the ocean. Each tablet is infused with a harmonious combination of lavender, lime, and spearmint, creating a refreshing and invigorating experience that transports you to your personal seaside retreat.

    Essential Oils that Captivate

    With each use, you’ll inhale the calming embrace of lavender, the zesty kick of lime, and the cool refreshment of spearmint. This exclusive aroma profile – oceanic, clean, and mildly sweet – perfectly complements your daily wellness practice, helping you to slow down and savor moments of pure seaside bliss. The blend is thoughtfully designed by a certified, registered pharmacist, ensuring a high-quality experience with every steamer.

    Convenient and Clean

    The Sea Breeze Shower Steamers come in a pack of 10 invigorating tablets, each dissolving cleanly without leaving any residue behind. Simply place a tablet in your shower, and let the steam release the essential oils, transforming your bathroom into an aromatic oasis. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day or to start your morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

    Pair with a Refreshing Mocktail

    To enhance your beachside experience, consider pairing your Sea Breeze Shower Steamer with a refreshing mocktail. The combination of the steamer’s invigorating scent and a cool, fruity drink will transport you to an endless beach vacation, all from the comfort of your own home.

    Don’t Miss Out

    The Herbal Zen’s Sea Breeze Shower Steamers are available for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this chance to transform your shower into a seaside sanctuary. Dive into the refreshing bliss of summer with these luxurious steamers and let the calming scents of lavender, lime, and spearmint wash over you.

    Indulge in the ultimate summer escape with The Herbal Zen’s Sea Breeze Shower Steamers – your ticket to an endless beach vacation in the comfort of your own home.