We are so lucky to live in a time when health is moving towards the forefront of consumers’ minds. Because of the simple notion of Supply and Demand, there are health-related products being created and sold constantly (thank you Alfred Marshall). My favorite, most trusted companies are releasing products that have help me and my loved ones stay on track, but it can be hard to keep up with them all. That is why I have decided to start a periodic round up of my current favorite obsessions – so all of my readers (like you!) can benefit from them, too. So, without further adieu, here are my favorite health obsessions for November.
1. MCT Oil
If you follow me on Instagram (pssst my handle is @ElissaGoodman), my obsession with Nutiva’s Organic MCT Oil is probably nothing new to you; I am so obsessed with it that I post about it whenever I can! I am practically addicted to the boost of all-natural, caffeine-free energy that I get when I add a little of this miracle oil to my morning smoothies. MCT oil is packed with plant-based medium-chain triglycerides, which help to increase energy levels. Nutiva’s MCT Oil is made entirely from organic coconuts and has a light flavor so you never feel like you are consuming anything that your body does not want.
2. Chickpea Tofu
Chickpea tofu is a soy-free alternative to traditional tofu. It has a similar, creamy texture but it boasts a nutty chickpea flavor. This is a great option for anyone who has a sensitivity to soy or anyone who is fully plant-based and feels they get enough soy elsewhere in their diet. It is a fully vegan source of high-quality protein without the cholesterol that comes with animal protein. To all my California people: the next time you are in Beverly Hills, stop by Café Gratitude and try my new signature salad “Cleansed!” It has chickpea tofu on top of the fresh watercress along with cleansing spinach, dandelion greens, blistered cherry tomatoes, roasted oyster mushrooms and caramelized onions. The salad is finished with green goddess dressing and an herbed hempseed crumble. It is a balanced meal with healthy fats, vegan protein, complex cards, and fiber. The real star of the show though is the chickpea tofu, so be sure to try it out!
3. Cold-Pressed Juicer
I fall more in love with juicing every single day. It is such an easy way to consume all of the incredible nutrients that veggies and fruit have to offer. But one mistake people make when juicing is not buying the right machine for what they are looking for. Masticating juicers are typically super heavy duty and are found in most professional settings like restaurants and smoothie bars. Centrifugal juicers are usually much easier to handle and clean, but they come at a price. They use more heat in the juicing process, which destroys some of the enzymes in the produce that is being juiced. The heat also oxidizes the nutrients in the juice, making it less nutrient-dense. All of this to say, you usually need to choose between convenience and quality when it comes to juicers. But that is not the case with Breville’s Juice Fountain Cold. The machine uses cold spin technology to minimize heat during the juicing process. As an extra plus, it also has a super wide chute feed, so I can throw my fruits and veggies in whole without having to chop them up #lazy. The clean up is just as easy and quick as every centrifugal juicer I have ever owned. Even though there is less concern about oxidizing produce with the Juice Fountain Cold, I still recommend drinking juice right away to get the most benefit.
4. The Unplug Meditation App
This app is a complete lifesaver. There are times in my life, and I am sure you can relate, when I feel anxiety creeping in. Sometimes it is simply because I am so busy, but other times there is just no explanation for it. Stress is a strange beast that comes with no rhyme or reason. It is in times of stress that I am so grateful for the Unplug Meditation App. It comes with guided meditations from world famous teachers so there is no hokey-ness to it. There are guided meditations for all different kinds of scenarios. Depending on what I am feeling, I love starting my day off with a quick ten-minute guided meditation to get my mind centered. Or, if my pesky thoughts are keeping me up at night, I pop onto the app and one of the soothing voices helps lull me into serenity before I fall asleep. Everyone can benefit from meditating more and there is science to prove that. This app is a fantastic and simple way to start.
5. Hallstein Water
Whether you consider yourself a water snob or you could not tell tap water from spring water if your life depended on it, I can almost promise that you will be just as obsessed with Hallstein water as I am. It can be a bit of a splurge, but for big events with large drinking water requirements, I love Hallstein water, because there is no need to fuss over filter changing or worry about the quality of the water that you are drinking. Their alkaline water comes from an aquifer in the Austrian Alps, where it is protected from many of the typical environmental contaminants. The company delivers it straight to your door in 5 gallon BPA-free bottles (which is SO important if you are buying water in plastic bottles). Clean, fresh, and filtered water is not only better for your health and has an improved taste (because yes, water has a taste!). So you want to make sure you are getting the best at all times to keep feeling refreshed and replenished.
6. Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you have probably heard of the craze around Trader Joe’s’ Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. You know that sauce commercial where the grandma says ‘I put that sh*t on everything!” Well, the phrase fully applies here. As you would expect, the seasoning is made up of sesame seeds, sea salt, garlic and onion – so simple, but so yummy. Not only have I added this seasoning to dishes you may expect, like gluten-free avocado toast, but I am so obsessed with the seasoning right now that I have been throwing it on top of some more unique plates too. The other day, I made myself a veggie grain bowl and sprinkled some of this on top and it was so delicious that I wanted to cry. I took it a step further and added a pinch to some of my Vegan Mushroom Wild Rice Soup recently and now I never want to have soup without it again. Seriously, with this seasoning on hand, you will not even miss the bagel.
I hope you enjoy these obsessions as much as I do!
