Happy Labor Day, everyone! I hope you all had a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday. And for those of you who don’t celebrate Labor Day…well, happy Monday š If there is such a thing…
I want to kick off today’s Mish Mosh with some links I found today. One of the most interesting things I read was about a process called hormesis. You know the phrase, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”? I definitely think that can apply to many areas of life – I mean, we couldn’t appreciate success without a little bit of failure mixed in there somewhere, right? Although I’ll be the first to admit that failure doesn’t exactly feel good š Anyway, back to the topic at hand! I came across this article which talks about this issue in terms of nutrients for the body.
The article talks about a bunch of interesting – and possibly controversial – ideas, such as exposing our cells to stress to actually reduce the effects of aging – crazy! It also mentions the idea of calorie restriction with a diet high in omega-3 fats in order to live longer (?!?!?!) and secondly, eating according to our nutritional types. I thought these last two issues would be most relevant for discussion here – if you’re interested, check out the article and let me know what your thoughts are in the comment section!
This next link is more of a “FYI” for those of us who are always trying to make sure we are drinking enough water. Instead of getting caught up in drinking fluid, the article goes into detail about ways to eat fluids to stay hydrated.
Quick fact: did you know that on average, food “provides 20 percent of the fluid we need – and far more if you choose water-rich fare”? Pretty snazzy!
But perhaps my favorite part of the article is the paragraph that discusses the caffeine issue. It has long been rumored that caffeine is a source of dehydration but, according to this article, “the Institute of Medicine reports caffeinated beverages contribute to our daily water needs as much as noncaffeinated drinks.” I know this is just one article’s perspective, but I’m sold š Anything for my Coffee Cocoa!!
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Finally, I want to share something new I found at Whole Foods that is very tasty!
These Organic Just Fruit Munchies came highly recommended by my cousin Lisa. While they are on the pricey side – a 3 oz. tub is roughly $5.50! – they do last a while and I decided that I had to try them at least just this once per her recommendation š I looked up the company online and came up with Just-Good-Stuff. The company makes a lot of different tubs – from Just Apples or Just Bananas to Just Veggies and Just Carrots…you get the idea! Freeze dried fruits and veggies galore!
Obviously, I took this picture after trying some š But I couldn’t contain myself – they are really good! This version has freeze dried apples, raisins, blueberries, sour cherries, mango, pineapple and raspberries. They taste great over oatmeal or mixed in with cereal and a little almond milk, or simply by the handful, as I clearly demonstrate here:
Each 1 oz. serving has 100 calories and is nutritionally equivalent to eating real fruit. I definitely can see myself buying a container again as a special occasion treat. I am also very curious as to how the veggies might taste?!
Has anyone else had these or any of the other versions before?
I hope everyone has a great night and a Terrific Tuesday 
i somehow couldn’t get to the nutrtients type article – have to register or something? – but, i’ve read something similar about caffeine – and i’m glad (if this is true)because i’m becoming more of a coffee drinker every day! i do also agree with the “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger” theory, but only if you’re strong enough to hold it together – some people are a lot more sensitive than others, and if you’re not the type to be able to thicken your skin, then i guess anything that is too much is too much… sorry i am so vague and can’t think of the right words! it’s morning here!!
those fruit sprinkles look great – if i could get my hands on them, i would go for the carrots!!! i love them, and would love to use them in a carrot cake variation of oatmeal, or something. mmm.
although i really do hate the fact that dried fruits diminish SO much and you can only have a tiny amount for the same calories compared to fresh fruit!!
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wholefoodswholeme ~ I totally agree with everything you said – it’s important to take into account people’s sensitivity when applying that theory! And I like your idea for the carrot cake oatmeal!
Any article that states caffine can be beneficial sounds good to me š I will never give up coffee! I heart dried fruit and that mixture looks awesome! Thanks for all the fun finds!
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Erica ~ I will never give it up either! And you’re welcome š
thanks for the articles Jenn! I don’t have time to read them now, but I’ll definitely be coming back to them!!! And those freeze dried fruits look interesting. I wonder how they’d be in oatS?
Happy Tuesday girly!
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glidingcalm ~ That’s what I’m wondering, too! I will have to try it soon!
Thanks for the article i have to read through it more preciely.. i am rushing to school! I have good info on caffeien that i learned in sports nutrition this summer so i will post on that. Have a good day!
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Christie ~ Hope you had a good day at school! Can’t wait to hear about the caffeine!
I’ve actually never heard of hormesis before – great information and articles, thanks you!!
Even though I drink TONS of water, and eat LOADS of high-water-content produce, I still don’t think that I get enough fluids while dancing – I need to work on that…
****Take my advice and do NOT try the Just Cranberries variety of that brand – IIIIICCCCCKKKKK (in my opinion, haha š ).
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VeggieGirl ~ You’re welcome! I need to work on it, too. And I will take your advice on those cranberries!
I’ve wondered if those “Just” products are good. I think I saw a container of corn that looked interesting. Thanks for the review!
I’m relieved, given the information you shared on caffeine! Now I don’t have to drink a million bottles of water to cancel out all the iced tea/diet nasto/etc.
Looking forward to reading those articles in my downtime. š
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Erin ~ I think the corn looks good, too! Hope you enjoy the articles!
I have had the blueberries in the “Just” products. They are a little dry, so they are best in oatmeal. I also tried the corn several years ago and remember it being pretty good. The fruit mix looks yummy and would definitely be great in oatmeal.
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Megan ~ Thanks for sharing – I will definitely need to try them in oatmeal soon!
I loooooooveeee freeze dried fruit. Mmmm. I can’t imagine what veggies would taste like, though. =
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Jordan ~ Haha, I don’t know – some of the veggies would be good, some not so much…
I’m pretty excited about that caffeine article š
The freeze dried fruits look great! I’ve tried the Just Veggies before, and they were… weird. I couldn’t figure out what to do with them other than just eating them straight.
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HeatherBakes ~ Haha I know – I’m not sure what I would do with the veggies other than eat them straight, either. Maybe add them to a bowl of savory oats?
I have tried those (and a few other flavors) and I have LOVED them all. They are very addictive! I love mixing them in with Fage or homemade trail mix.
sweets&sweats.wordpress.com
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Fitzalan ~ Ooh mixed with Greek yogurt, eh? Nice!!
i am OBSESSED with dried fruit! that looks/sounds sooooooo yummy – i’ll try to look for it! happy tuesday š
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Andrea ~ Yay! I hope you can find ’em!
Just Fruit Munchies look too cute. I’m a sucker for smiling veggies. š
Also, I had read that caffienated beverages counted for your water intake — such, SUCH good news!!!
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Fit Bottomed Girls ~ Smiling veggies are pretty darn cute!
Loving the dried fruit. There is such a great variety in there! But I’m going to try not to get too excited about it since I know the odds of me ever being able to get my hands on those cute little Fruit Munchies are pretty much zilch. Oh well.
Great news about the caffeine in that article. I’ve always tried to ignore the claims that it makes you dehydrated. I like it too much to bother trying not to drink a cup of coffee (or iced coffee!). Heck, it’s made with mostly water anyway! I highly doubt those little coffee grounds would ever be able to cancel out all the water that goes into such a great and comfort drink. Mmm coffee.
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Kristie ~ Aw, I hate that – I wish we could do some sort of trade! And yes…Mmm coffee sounds about right š
I have passed by the Just Fruit and Just Veggies before at whole foods. I’m always weirded out by the Just Veggies, I love veggies, but something about them being dried seems strange to me. The fruit looks great though!
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Aimee ~ Haha yeah – I think it depends what veggies you get. But can’t go wrong with fruit!
Those look really yummy!
Great blog bender!
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VeganCowGirl ~ Thank you for reading!! š
I thought that article on hormesis was pretty interesting. The point it made about “what doesn’t kill you…” reminds me of the concept of vaccinations. Afterall, a vaccination is a small dose of a dangerous virus administered to our immune system that jump starts its response, so it sort of makes sense that this could be applied to other areas.
I’m glad that when referring to calorie restriction, they pointed out that it is a lowering of insulin levels that produces the effect, and NOT just the restriction of caloric intake (people could definitely go crazy with that one). Overall, pretty interesting stuff, thanks!
Hope you are having an awesome week Jenn! š
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jenngirl ~ Thanks for your thoughts! I’m glad you enjoyed the articles – and I completely agree with you with regard to the calorie restriction. It kinda scared me to see them promoting it at first, but at least they do talk about insulin.
i could easily eat an entire container of those little fruit things- thats why i like whol fruit so much, it keeps me super full. take the water out and its just like candy to me- cant stop eating it.
http://www.groundedfitness.com
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Grounded Fitness ~ Yeah, whole fruit is definitely the best of the best!
Iām really loving you blog. It has such a variety of stuff and GREAT info!
I was wondering though if anybody would be willing to send me a spooky smores or honey graham flavor of the Clif Z bars. I can only by them in boxes for more money then Iād like to spend but I heard they are cheap to by single ones. Iād be glad to send back a dollar or two to repay anyone! Just let me know. Thank you!
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Laura ~ Thanks so much! I think I may have written this on my last post, but I actually haven’t seen those flavors near me yet! I really hope they show up soon – but until they do, I don’t think I can help ya out. Hopefully someone else can!
I really like every variety of the Just ___ that I’ve tried thus far. My absolute fave is the organic cherries (they are yummy tart). My husband gobbles up (literally) the Just Peaches and Just Strawberries.
I also enjoy the mixed veggies (the combo of carrots, sweet peppers, corn and peas is a nice alternative to nuts or popcorn). The Just Tomatoes are good…but, in my opinion, are better mixed with something like a salad.
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Lisa ~ Thanks again for the fab recommendation š I will definitely look forward to trying some of the other fruit varieties – and perhaps some of those veggies, too!
“Just” to chime in, (sorry I couldn’t resist), I have also tried the Just products–I especially like the pineapple.
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Caroline ~ Haha, definitely something I would say š I love puns. And the pineapple sounds great – I love dried pineapple, so I’m sure I’d love freeze dried, too!