Elliott's Natural Foods

Toxic Fruits and Veggies

All the pesticides used to create higher crop yields on America’s farmlands are finding their way into the food we eat. Whenever you eat non-organic fruits and vegetables, you can be pretty sure you’re eating pesticide residue, as well. It is imperative to ensure that the natural foods you are eating are helping and nourishing your body, not harming you.

Watch this video from CNN to get the facts about the dirty dozen: 12 fruits and vegetables with notoriously high amounts of pesticide residue. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes you on a tour of an average supermarket and explains how pesticides in your food may be detrimental to your health. Check out this video to learn more.

If you’re interested in eating pesticide-free food that you can be confident in, visit Elliott’s Natural Foods in Sacramento. We pride ourselves on offering products that put our customers on the path to wellness. Call us today at (888) 851-1693 for more information.

New Yelp Review for Elliott's Natural Foods on 4.28.2012

The Benefits of Healthy Living and Buying Natural Foods

Living a healthier life starts with the decisions we make each day. Learn about the benefits of healthy living and buying natural foods by exploring these links and news articles:

• Processed food is often very high in sodium. Check out the link between health problems and salt by reading this information from the Mayo Clinic.
• The CDC says a poor diet can increase the risk of childhood obesity. Learn more about kids’ nutrition by checking out this link.
• The chaga mushroom is known as “the diamond of the forest” to the Japanese. Find out about the anti-aging benefits of this unique mushroom at this website.
• If you’re looking to lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease, all-natural nuts may be your solution. Check out this article from the Huffington Post to learn more.
• You can celebrate Earth Day from your very own kitchen. Check out these tips for buying locally from The Courier-Journal.

Natural and Wholesome Snack Ideas for Kids

Every step towards healthy eating is a step towards a healthier life, and the earlier you start, the better. According to studies by the CDC, healthy eating improves children’s mental and physical performance and reduces their risk of developing diseases in the short- and long-term. With junk food so readily available in public schools, gas stations, movie theatres, and pretty much everywhere, your kid deserves the chance to eat something healthy once in a while. That’s where you step in. Consider replacing the junk food in your home with some healthier snack alternatives to help get your kids on the path to healthy living.

• Baked and Organic Potato and Soy Crisps

According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s a strong link between health problems and salt intake. Give your kids a healthier option than your everyday salt-packed and greasy potato chips. Consider chip alternatives with a fraction of the sodium and calories, like an organic baked potato chips or soy crisps.

• Organic Juice and Fruit Teas

Take a second to look at the nutritional facts on a soda can the next time your child asks for one. There’s basically no nutritional value in the average soda pop. Try giving your kids an ice-cold organic fruit drink instead. Many companies package these healthier drinks in ways that are familiar to kids, like the classic juice box design. Fruity teas are a great way to get the sweetness of a soda without the calories.

• Organic Fruit Snacks

Let’s face it: You’ll never get rid of a child’s sweet tooth. But for even the worst sugar fiends, there are healthier, yet still sweet, alternatives. Fruit crisps and stretched organic fruit “leather” products are all natural and nutritious. Consider trying these out on your kids the next time they ask for candy.

Elliott’s Natural Foods is your body’s destination to heal itself through nutritious food at competitive prices. Visit our Sacramento store for organic products, vitamin supplements, and natural foods to put you on the path to wellness. Call us today at  (888) 851-1693 for more information.

Understanding the Anti-Aging Power of the Chaga Mushroom

The chaga mushroom is known as “the mushroom of immortality” in Siberia and the “diamond of the forest” in Japan. Its anti-aging properties stem from its high levels of antioxidants that ward off free radical oxygen molecules and help fight inflammation at the cellular level.

• Rich in Antioxidants

The chaga mushroom has one of the highest antioxidant levels found in nature—more than 45 times that of blueberries! The phytonutrients found in these antioxidants battle free radical molecules, which play a part in the onset of conditions like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis.

• Antioxidants Slow Aging

As people age, they become more susceptible to the effects of inflammation at the cellular level. Antioxidants, like those found in the chaga mushroom, protect your cells from damage and minimize the impact of aging. The chaga mushroom also prevents the formation of peroxide lipids.

• Exceeds Recommended Daily ORAC Consumption

Foods can be evaluated by their oxygen radical absorbance capacity, or ORAC. The FDA recommends you consume four to 13 ORAC units a day. The chaga mushroom has an ORAC of 1,104 units per gram, meaning its antioxidant levels and capacity to fight cell damage from free radicals is quite impressive.

• Chaga Mushrooms are Adaptogens

The chaga mushroom belongs to a class of herbs called adaptogens. Adaptogens help your body maintain optimal homeostasis and adapt to synthetic living conditions. Adaptogens also promote restful sleep, sustained energy, and nerve and muscle functions.

• Dense in Nutrients and Available in Several Forms

Scores of nutrients can be found in the chaga mushroom, including B vitamins, flavonoids, phenols, pantothenic acid, niacin, and others. You can experience the benefits of chaga mushrooms in several forms. Chaga mushrooms are available as extract drops, chaga-birch bark tea, or a face or body cream.