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With our ‘new normal’ becoming more ‘normal,’ all the time, many of us are experiencing a lot of change and unpredictability in our lives—leading to feelings of stress and anxiety. As many parents face a Back-to-School season this year that looks a bit different than what we’re used to, the extra demands of getting through the tasks of the day, while possibly working from home and also providing education for children, can add up to an exhausting schedule.

Taking time to make your physical and mental health needs a priority is more important than ever. With the comforting routines of day-to-day life disrupted, most experts suggest creating new routines. Making healthy eating habits and and regular physical fitness part of your new routine can greatly help when it comes to handling stress.

In addition to diet and exercise, many people have indicated that adding the right vitamins, minerals and supplements into their daily routines has become more of a priority now than ever before.

A recent survey¹ found that 47% of people are now taking dietary supplements to manage their health, making it the third most common approach to health management (behind eating a balanced diet and physical exercise.)

THE PURE DIFFERENCE
PURE offers a number of go-to products that can help fight stress and keep you feeling your best, including SleepTrim, GoYin, Goji and Immune+.

SleepTrim: Get those ZZZs
We all know that not sleeping well can lead to irritability. It’s also a major contributor when it comes to how we handle stress. Additionally, if you are not getting the recommended seven-to-eight hours of sleep every night, you may be eating more, exercising less and gaining weight. PURE’s SleepTrim is a daily answer to keeping your sleep habits on track.

SleepTrim features a microencapsulated, extended-release technology that slowly delivers a blend of melatonin and blend of capsaicin and red pepper extract to help the body burn calories while you sleep.*

Here’s how:

• Extended-Release Technology gently delivers melatonin in stages so you can fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed.*
• Relaxation Blend of botanicals (chamomile and passionflower), magnesium and L-theanine help the body relax mentally and physically.*
• Metabolic-Boosting Pepper Blend of capsaicin and red pepper extract helps the body burn calories naturally as you sleep.*

GoYin: Finding Balance

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Creating harmony and balance in our lives is another key to staying one step ahead of stress. A proprietary and balancing blend of fruits and adaptogenic herbs including astragalus root, gac, hawthorn, rhodiola, schisandra, tangerine and ginger, GoYin was created on the premise of 5,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As part of the CORE4, GoYin helps set the stage for overall health and wellness when consumed as part of a balanced diet. In a preliminary study† of 100 healthy, stressed individuals, GoYin improved overall feelings of vigor and well-being, and decreased feelings of nervousness, tension and fatigue in all people studied.*

GoYin also includes vitamin B6, which is essential for the production of energy in the body from the food we eat; and B12, necessary for building important cell structures in the body.

Goji: The “Happy Berry”
Grown in the Himalayan regions of Tibet and Mongolia for centuries, goji berries are celebrated by native people for their ability to promote longevity. Historically named the “happy berry” because of the sense of well-being they can help provide, these “red diamonds” have been recognized for centuries in Asia for their high nutrient content, carotenoids, essential fatty acids, and powerful antioxidant properties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the whole berry and its extracts have shown numerous health benefits.

Loaded with protective phytonutrients for health and well-being*, Goji superfruit is a dark, delicious juice with a tinge of sweetness. As a natural source of vitamin C and polysaccharides, Goji provides nutrition to help support healthy functions of the immune system. Goji is also is a source of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help enhance eye health.* Reports have also shown that goji contains high levels of antioxidants, important for protecting the body from oxidative stress, or destructive free radicals.

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The Immune+ Advantage

Whether kids are learning from home or heading back to school this fall, safeguarding your family’s health is top of mind for every parent right now. PURE’s Immune+ can give you that added peace of mind. The immune system is the primary line of defense against common health challenges. Safe for all ages, Immune+ is proven to bolster the immune system’s defenses, providing an added layer of protection and confidence you can count on every day.

It’s safe for everyday use to improve general immune health, and the main ingredient, Wellmune®, is supported by over a dozen clinical studies. These clinical trials have consistently demonstrated:

• The ability to support healthy human immune responses to stress in a variety of populations*.
• Enhance key immune functions*.
• Improves an overall sense of well-being in people of all ages experiencing physical or lifestyle stress*.

So, don’t let stress take you down! By combining a good diet, regular exercise and stay-healthy PURE supplements, you’ll be coasting with calm and working toward being the best YOU you can be.

Source:
1 GlobalData, Global Consumer Survey, Q3 2016

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Walk into any big-box store, pick up an item at random off the shelf, and look at the label. Chances are you’ll see the same three words on the tag: “Made in China.” Depending on the product, it might read “Made in Mexico” or “Made in Taiwan” – but it will rarely say “Made in the USA.”

It wasn’t always this way. Decades ago, many or even most products on store shelves were American made. But since the late 1990s, American manufacturing has seen a steady decline. Many U.S. companies have moved their factories – and the jobs they provided – to other countries where labor is cheaper, such as China and Mexico.

However, there are some signs this trend is starting to reverse itself. Since 2010, reports cite that more than 300 companies have moved production back to the United States, creating about 240,000 new jobs. As a result, that “Made in USA” label – though still rare – is slowly making its way back onto more products.

One of those companies is PURE. All PURE products are manufactured in America, and the benefits for the company, the consumer and our country hit home when you take a look.

Darin Blackhurst, PURE’s Director of Research and Development, weighs in on what sets PURE goods ahead of others not produced in the U.S.A. “Knowing that our products are made here gives me a lot of confidence in their superior quality,” he says. “Some of the PURE ingredients are sourced from foreign markets because they are naturally derived from those places, but each ingredient, regardless of origin, goes through rigorous testing to ensure its safety and purity. Being made in America also ensures that each finished product is free of contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria and other harmful substances.”

This puts PURE products ahead of the game when it comes to quality and safety. But there are so many other great benefits to manufacturing goods here at home. Let’s dive in!

Reasons to Buy American-Made Products

According to a 2015 report by Consumer Reports, 80% of American shoppers say they prefer to buy goods made in the United States. More than 60% say they’d even be willing to pay 10% more for an American-made product.

Shoppers have many different reasons for choosing American-made goods, including the following:

• Jobs. The most common reason shoppers give for buying American is to help save or create jobs in the United States. According to a 2015 report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)the U.S. lost a total of 5.7 million manufacturing jobs between 1998 and 2013 – partly because of the Great Recession, but mostly because of trade imbalances with foreign nations like China and Mexico. In addition to our products being made in America, PURE is adding to this list of homegrown jobs, as all of our IBOs (Independent Business Owners) are small business owners here.
• Lower Carbon Footprint. Products made overseas have a higher carbon footprintthan U.S.-made goods. Goods made in China or India have to be shipped all the way across the ocean to reach American stores, burning fossil fuel and spewing out greenhouse gases with every mile they travel.
• Less Pollution. One reason it’s cheaper to make goods in developing countries is that many of them have few or no regulations to protect the health of the air and water. Many factories overseas that produce goods for export to the United States also produce large amounts of hazardous chemicals that pollute the air, water, and soil. A 2014 paper by a team of Chinese researchers, published in the Journal of the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that the U.S. has effectively “outsourced” much of its air pollution to China, where more than 33% of sulfur dioxide emissions and around 25% of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide come from the production of goods for export.
• Human Rights. In addition to having weaker environmental regulations, the countries that produce the goods Americans buy often have no laws to protect the rights of workers. A 2015 report from the Institute for Global Labor and Human Rightsdocuments how Chinese workers who produce toys for American brands such as Hasbro, Mattel, and Disney work 12- to 13-hour days and sleep on plywood bunk beds in crowded, dirty, and freezing dormitories. An earlier report from 2006 uncovered child labor at a factory in Bangladesh that produced clothing sold by Walmart and JCPenney. Conditions in these foreign sweatshops can even turn deadly, as in the 2013 collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,000 employees.
• Health. The lack of environmental and safety regulations overseas doesn’t just put foreign workers at risk – it can also threaten the health of American consumers. In 2007, dozens of types of children’s toys made in China were recalled because they were unsafe. Some posed a choking hazard, while others contained dangerous chemicals like lead paint and kerosene, according to The New York Times.
• A Stronger Economy. Buying American-made goods doesn’t just support the workers who make those goods. Its benefits also ripple out through the entire economy. So, when you buy from a PURE IBO, you are not only shopping ‘local’ because all of our goods made in America, but you are boosting the economy by choosing to buy from an American small business owner. So buy American, buy PURE!

This one is for the dudes—the men in our lives. June is all about the men that we love and care about; it’s also Men’s Health Month. Celebrate what makes you amazingly you. Since 1994, sponsored by a congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the United States with health fairs, screenings, and other health education/outreach activities.

Why Men’s Health Month?

Despite amazing medical advances, men still have a 7-year average shorter lifespan than women do.

Prostate cancer has grown to an alarming rate of 1 in 9 (in 2015), with many men reluctant to visit their health care provider for regular exams. They may have related problems for many reasons, including, but not limited to fear, lack of information, and cost factors.

So, what do we do? Well, if you’re a female reading this, encourage the men in your life to schedule (and actually go!) to their check-up. If you’re a male: Pick up your phone. Dial your physician’s phone number. Schedule the check-up; physically put your appointment in whatever scheduling device you use. Actually, go to your appointment. This will be different from other age appropriate exams. If you’re between the ages of 20-39 you can schedule your exam every 3 years, 40-49 every 2 years, and over 50— head to the doctor every year.

But every guy should get his blood pressure checked yearly. Hypertension is a serious issue amongst men, as heart disease is the leading cause of death. There are no physical signs of hypertension and at the same time can cause permanent damage to body organs.

MEN’S HEALTH FOR SENIORS
It’s important as a senior man to brush up on your health facts, listen to your body and be sure to get regular checkups. Not only will you live longer, but you’ll have a better quality of life.

General Health. Even if you don’t feel sick, if it important to see your doctor regularly and schedule annual exams. Some of the screening tests recommended by Johns Hopkins for men 65+ are:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Blood pressure
• Colorectal Cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes mellitus, type 2
• Lipid disorders

Illness. It seems simple but if you’re sick, see your doctor. According to the Health in Aging Foundation, 40% of men said that when sick, they delay seeking medical care for a few days; and 17%  percent said they would wait “at least a week.” Don’t wait. Prompt medical care can be the difference between life and death.

Medications. It’s important to take medications as directed, and especially for seniors to keep a complete list of medications and dosages handy.  Always inform any doctor you visit about your medications. The more they know about your meds, the better they can look out for potentially life-threatening drug interactions.

Vaccines and Inoculations. Keep up with recommended shots, including for flu, shingles, pneumonia and diphtheria/tetanus, is vitally important — especially for the elderly men in our lives.

Healthy Eating & Exercise. Older men have specific dietary needs. They need more calcium, vitamin D, fiber and potassium. Experts recommend limiting fat calories to 20 to 35 percent of your diet and suggest the following guidelines for daily calorie needs for men 50 and over:

• Not active: 2,000
• Moderately active: 2,200 to 2,400
• Active: 2,400 to 2,800.

Additionally, it is recommended that senior men try to incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity, 5 times a week into their daily schedule (physical limitations, permitting.)

Sunscreen. Up to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have at least one skin cancer, and Caucasian men are particularly at risk. It’s never too late to take steps to prevent further damage from the sun. Try to avoid the sun during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear a hat and sunglasses, and liberally apply SPF 30 or greater sunscreen to all exposed skin.

What else should you get every year? Well, a rectal exam, PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test, and hem-occult screening (screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first signs of polyps or colon cancer).

Prostate Cancer is drastic—it’s the second leading cause of cancer death for males only behind lung cancer. We are also seeing a rise in melanoma (skin cancer) diagnosis, killing twice as many men as women. When you visit the doctor, take a journal with you, jot down questions or symptoms you have been feeling.

This is your month, gentlemen—so stay healthy. These are just a few ways for men to stay healthy as they age, and there’s no better time to commit to better health than during Men’s Health Month! Do it for yourself—and your family.

And, if you do end up going to the doctor after reading this, feel free to reach out to us at livepure.com. We’re here for your Whole Health, always.

For more information and resources, go to http://www.menshealthresourcecenter.com/aging-seniors/

Do you ever find yourself reading the ingredient label on the back of the bottle or package and wonder, ‘what the heck does all this stuff really do?’ Well, you’re not alone, and we can help. We’re going to take a closer look at L-theanine, an effective amino acid found in a number of PURE products that can aid in mental focus, improved sleep, relaxation, cognition and weight management.

Let’s dive right in.

What IS L-theanine?
It is a water-soluble amino acid naturally found in black tea leaves, green tea leaves and Bay Bolete mushrooms.

What does it do? Research shows that consuming L-theanine promotes an “alert calm” feeling. It also supports non-drowsy relaxation for cooler, calmer and more collected you.

Where can I find it? L-theanine is an active ingredient in PURE’s Daily Build, Metabolic One, and SleepTrim.

Here’s a look at each of these Whole Health products in the PURE line-up and exactly what L-theanine, in combination with other key ingredients, brings to the table.

Are you making sure you get all of the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to perform at its best? PURE’s Daily Build (in both liquid or capsule form) offers the delivery of antioxidants, methylated (readily absorbed) B vitamins, and Phyto-vegetable and Phyto-fruit blends that help fight free radicals.

It also offers immune and cardiovascular support from eight different forms of vitamin E. Additionally, a combination of L-theanine, inositol, choline, PABA, vitamin D and resveratrol support brain and nervous system health.

Daily Build’s all-inclusive formula consists of twenty-three essential vitamins and minerals, vegetable extracts, antioxidants, phytonutrients, amino acids, trace minerals, neuro-protectors, cell defenders, and a host of other body-beneficial ingredients to support immune, nervous system, cardiovascular health and more. *

Are you a stress eater? Most of us have been guilty of this at some point, and we can end up frustrated after working so hard to stay on track with our health and fitness routines. But, PURE’s Metabolic One offers an effective way to help supercharge a sluggish metabolism. L-theanine, combined with adaptogen herbs, can produce a calming effect, helping to alleviate stress—and who can’t use a little less stress?

A unique blend of naturally occurring amino acids, nutrients, herbs, botanicals and caffeine work together to help support your weight management goals. Metabolic One also helps the body adjust to physical and emotional pressures that can lead to stress eating. In addition, it allows your body to utilize insulin more effectively, helping to curb appetite. *

Burning calories while you sleep? Sounds like a dream, right? With everyone’s new ‘at-home’ routine having become the new normal, quality sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle, and PURE’s SleepTrim can help you stay on track. If you are not getting the recommended seven-to-eight hours of sleep every night, you may be eating more, exercising less and gaining weight.

With a calming blend of botanicals (chamomile and passionflower), magnesium and L-theanine, SleepTrim helps the body relax mentally and physically.
SleepTrim’s Extended-Release Technology gently delivers melatonin in stages so you can fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed. It’s formula also features a microencapsulated, extended-release technology that slowly delivers a blend of melatonin and blend of capsaicin and red pepper extract to help the body burn calories while you sleep. *

So, there you have it, the mystery behind L-theanine uncovered. We hope the next time you’re reading yet another complex label and spot this ingredient, you can rest easy knowing—you’re in the know on this one.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Summer is here, and there is something about an ice pop that makes a hot day a-okay.  It harkens back to a time when we were kids and would hear that familiar ice cream truck song coming from a mile down the road.  We would instantly start hunting for change in the couch as fast as we could, or running around looking for our mom’s purse—all the while trying to figure out what we would choose. Even now when I hear that tune I immediately get excited and start looking around for loose change.

As we get older and transition into a healthier lifestyle, we tend to give up things like ice pops.  They are generally full of sugar, food coloring and empty calories. NOT TODAY FRIENDS!  With PURE products, I have discovered  ENDLESS possibilities for making a healthier version of the beloved ice pop.  It’s just what you need after an intense workout or maybe just a little something in the afternoon to get over that pre-dinner 4 p.m. hump. Give these recipes for fruit ice pops, protein-powder-based smoothie pops and a  “fudge-sicle” a try while temps outside go up. They’re so good (and healthy), you may even be tempted to have one for breakfast! 

Each of these recipes makes 8 ice pops in my mold, but feel free to adjust the measurements for the ones you have. (Amazon is a great place to find all kinds of molds.)

PURE ENERGY ICE POPS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 packets of PURE ENERGY powdered energy drink mix (flavor of your choice)
• 2 cups of distilled water

Any fruit of your choice, chopped (my personal fave is ENERGY Mixed Berry, adding blackberries*)

DIRECTIONS
Dissolve the powdered juice mix in the water and add to the ice pop molds.  Freeze for an hour or so and then add the chopped fruit.  Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

360  CHOCOLATE VEGAN SHAKE “FUDGE-SICLES”

INGREDIENTS  (makes 8 ice pops in my mold)

• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 1 ripe banana
• 6 tablespoons of PURE Vegan 360 Protein Shake
• 1/4 cup carob chips

DIRECTIONS
Blend all of the ingredients and pour into the ice pop molds. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

SMOOTHIE POPS

INGREDIENTS (Makes 8 pops in my ice molds)

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 1 scoop of PURE Vanilla Shake
• Any fruit of your choice (chopped)* or choc chips

Remember, creativity is key here! The combination of fruits, the different flavored ENERGY packets, the various types of milk, and the protein powders allow you to come up with dozens of flavor combos.

These are super fast to make—all you need is patience and a few ingredients. A few tips when you are making these:  When you freeze water it can taste a little different, so I highly recommend using distilled water if possible. Your ENERGY pops will turn out less cloudy and taste much better. I recommend using coconut milk because it freezes nicely (with fewer crystals), and gives you that creamy, milk-based texture.  So, there you have it. You get to feel like a kid again minus the any guilt. And not to worry…the smoothie recipes are kid-tested and highly approved!

*Note: I used frozen fruit. It gives a better texture and won’t brown while you’re waiting for the liquid to freeze.

Hey guys!  Before I get started on giving you all my secrets, I thought I would take the time to introduce myself!  My name is Elizabeth aka BB Cooks.  I am an Advertising Art Director, by day, and a wanna be chef in every other minute of spare time I have. My boyfriend, Jason, and I live in Easton PA with his son (9), daughter (7) and a precious puppy (3). Needless to say, our lives are pretty crazy!  No matter how insane it is around here we always make time to sit and have dinner together.  Food is where we come together and share our stories, our problems, our wins and lots and lots of laughs.

I have 2 very good friends that work at PURE corporate and once they introduced me to the products they carry I felt my brain start churning with ideas and we decided this would be a great way for me to share my love for food and my passion healthy living!  Whole health is at the forefront of my cooking and I can’t wait to share how PURE products have influenced my recipes.

Follow my instagram @BB_Cooks where you can find all the recipes from this blog as well as tons more drool worthy creations from my little kitchen.