rss

Happy to Help Any Way We Can

1

Posted on 11-16-2010 | By: Almond Doctor

Category : Community Involvement, Company, Featured, Nutrition

Tags: , ,

We like to put people at the top of our priority list here at Awesome Almonds®.  Our loyal customers and our faithful employees are a huge part of our success and that’s why it makes us feel so good whenever we get to give something back to them.

A comment on a recent blog post helped to let us know that it’s not only the healthy snacks that we offer that are making a difference… 

“Thanks a lot for the informative posts guys, have been following your blog for the past several months while trying to lose weight on the Cambridge diet and it’s going really well. I’ve lost about 25 lbs in the past few months and your site has really inspired me to keep going. Fantastic work.”

Losing weight and keeping it off requires a multi dimensional approach for most people.  Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or potion that can instantly melt away excess pounds.  You’ve got to be willing to make necessary adjustments to your diet and institute a regular exercise program   and you’ve got to have the will power to stick with those lifestyle changes.

We started this blog a few months back in order to try and provide our loyal customers with the information and inspiration that they needed to help them lose weight.  It’s receiving comments like the one quoted above that let us know that our efforts are working – and we at Awesome Almonds® couldn’t be happier about that.

Beverage Concerns at Elementary Schools

1

Posted on 11-09-2010 | By: Almond Doctor

Category : Featured, Nutrition

Tags: , ,

Despite recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, a recent research study revealed that the number of schools offering high calorie, high fat and high sugar beverages is actually on the rise.  During the ’08-’09 school year, researchers determined that more than 60% of elementary school students nationwide had easy access to sugar laden, high calorie drinks from cafeterias and vending machines.

The research, which contained information from both public and private schools, wasn’t entirely negative.  The percentage of schools who offered only the Institute of Medicine recommended beverage is rising and fewer schools seem to be offering high fat milk as a selection for lunches, but there is a lot more work that needs to be done.

Some kids are eating breakfast, lunch and one or more snacks at school per day.  Easy access to a wide variety of unhealthy beverages and empty calorie foods on a daily basis certainly can’t be helping to thwart the obesity epidemic among the nation’s youth.

In addition to offering healthy snacks, drinks and meals at home, a push needs to be made for schools to follow suit.  If public and private schools can get into the act of eliminating unhealthy drinks and snacks in favor of healthier options we could start to make serious strides in the war against childhood obesity.

Knowing is Half the Battle

Posted on 11-02-2010 | By: Almond Doctor

Category : Featured, Nutrition

Tags: , , ,

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more Americans are now aware that they have high blood pressure.  While the instances of high blood pressure among Americans are still startlingly high, the fact that awareness is increasing means that more people can work to get the condition under control.

The percentage of people who are aware that they have high blood pressure has increased more than ten percent since the beginning of the decade.  Along with the overall increased awareness, the instances of people treating their conditions with medication has gone up as well.

High blood pressure is a large problem in the US and we need to attack that problem with a two fold strategy.  We already seem to be succeeding with the first step, which is identification and control in people who are already affected.  Now we need to put more focus on the second step, which is prevention through education for a healthier lifestyle.

Parents need to focus on providing healthier foods and healthier snacks for their families and schools need to work on eliminating vending machines with sugary and high fat foods from their hallways and lunch rooms.  A greater emphasis also needs to be put on physical activity as an important part of everyday life; kids need to be running and playing more than they need to be rooted in front of the TV.

Instilling positive behaviors in young people now with better eating and exercise habits will have plenty of benefits on their lives moving forward.

School May Come Too Late for Obesity Education

1

Posted on 10-26-2010 | By: Almond Doctor

Category : Featured, Nutrition

Tags: , , ,

Awesome Almonds come in three great flavors

A recent study by the World Health Organization reveals that percentage of obese children has increased by more than sixty percent over the course of the last two decades.  According to the World Health Organization more than forty million kids worldwide are overweight and if current trends continue they expect that number to be close to sixty million within ten years.

Information and education provided directly to families is the best method of slowing down the freight train that is the obesity epidemic.  Researchers from the World Health Organization caution that childhood obesity can begin at as early as six months of age, so it’s critical that parents have a solid understanding of a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.

School can provide health education and the opportunity for regular activity, but it shouldn’t be a first line of defense against obesity.  If parents aren’t encouraging physical activity and providing nutritious meals and healthy snacks kids could already be overweight by the time they hit school age.

Lead by example when beginning your family’s journey toward a healthier lifestyle.  Turn off the TV, computer and video game system and suggest a walk or trip to the playground.  When you’re at the supermarket, walk past the cookies and chips to look for some healthier options and load up on fresh fruits and vegetables.   Starting as early as possible with good habits is a good way to help ensure that they will stick.