We’re having a fantastic Labor Day Sale that you won’t want to miss! From now until Monday, September 6, you receive an extra $10 off your order of $10 or more. The discount is applied automatically; no need for a special code. Shop all our fantastic products at www.NutraOrigin.com. And remember, you still get buy one get two free on all Omega Store products. So the $10 off is on top of that order!

Many of our community members have asked us why certain supplements need to be refrigerated while others are fine on the shelf. Here’s the scoop:  It’s all about the form of the supplement.

Most supplements in liquid form need to be refrigerated to combat oxidation (i.e., spoiling) since the liquid is exposed to light and air. Supplements in capsules are protected from oxidation by the casing and do not need refrigeration.

In the case of fish oil in particular, any liquid form of the supplement should be refrigerated after opening. Liquid formulas are sensitive to light and oxygen and can become rancid if left out to spoil. You may notice many liquid fish oil products contain Vitamin E and come in opaque containers. Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant and manufacturers of high-quality fish oil products know that blocking light keeps their product fresh longer.

On the other hand, if the fish oil is in a capsule it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. When NutraOrigin produces its Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules, freshly-made fish oil is placed inside sterile casings. The casings protect the oil from light and oxygen, keeping it fresh for months. The bottle’s dark color also prevents light from spoiling the oil. Be sure to always put the cap on tightly to prevent exposure to oxygen. Some people say refrigerating fish oil pills reduces “fish burps” but this is inaccurate. If you are experiencing issues with “fish burps” try enteric-coated capsules or krill oil, which is Omega-3 rich without having any fish taste.

“Probiotics” are an exception to this rule. Acidophilus and other live bacteria supplements contain active cultures that can die if exposed to too much heat, whether or not they are in capsules. The number of live bacteria in the product indicated on the label is taken from the time of manufacturing; exposure to heat in storage can significantly reduce the product’s effectiveness. It is generally best to refrigerate probiotics.

As with all supplement use and care, be sure to follow the instructions on all product labels to maximize your health benefits!

They say a body in motion stays in motion. But what happens when you stop for a breather? A vacation or change of schedule in summer can really derail your healthy habits. Vacations equal eating out, enjoying treats normally off the menu and letting dust gather on your running shoes. We wanted to offer some tips for getting back on track. As always, it’s about both the calories you’re ingesting as well as the calories you’re burning.

The Input

I. Eat frequently

Starving yourself to atone for past sins is actually counter-productive. Your body will try to keep calories rather than using them when it thinks there are limited resources. Instead, focus on controlling your appetite with frequent small meals. Eating a light, nutrient-rich meal (300-400 calories) every few hours regulates your metabolism and blood sugar, keeping you from binging because you’re starving.

II. Watch what you’re drinking

Alcohol, coffee drinks and soft drinks add hundreds of daily calories to your diet. Cutting out beer, large blended coffees and soda is a small sacrifice that makes a big difference in your health goals. Replace them with more water, which helps your overall health in countless ways.

III. No more elephant ears

Cut out processed sugar and anything fried. The pervasiveness of sugar in Americans’ diets is a major contributor to weight problems. Women especially will notice a difference in their mid-section when they make the conscious decision to reduce sugar intake. Try fruit yogurt if a sweets craving rears its head. We all know fried foods aren’t good for us. Steer clear of greasy appetizers, and choose the grilled chicken or fish rather than breaded. You will reach your goals more quickly.

The Output

I. Make plans to work out

Schedule your time in advance, put workouts on your calendar and make dates to break a sweat with friends. Everyone has a busy life, and it is always easy to bump a workout to the bottom of your to-do list if you don’t think about it in advance. A good schedule for getting back into a routine is to plan for 30-45 minutes of exercise each day, with the understanding that one or two days a week you may not be able to do it.

II. Get moving

A great way to get back into a regular workout routine is the run-walk. If you are starting from scratch, try running 30 seconds, then walking at a quick pace for two minutes. Alternate for 25 minutes with a warm up and cool down, and increase running time gradually as you start to feel the improvement. If you can start with a more intense workout, alternate running for 5 minutes and walking for 5 minutes, with a warm up and cool down over 60 minutes.

III. Mix it up

Cardio is great for burning calories, but adding some form of strength training will build calorie-eating muscles. Work in a weight training or yoga session two times a week and your cardio sessions will be more effective. Plus, alternating your workouts makes it easier to stay motivated over time.

Follow this helpful fitness tips to get yourself back on track and back in shape after a much-needed vacation. And if you have any other helpful tips you’d like to share, please do in the comment section below.

The last few weeks of summer are upon us. Already the days are getting shorter and cooler. There’s only so much time left to enjoy the sunny days, warm night and those delicious and healthy foods that complement this weather so well. Soon our meals will be full of comforting oatmeals, filling tubers and hardy stews. To celebrate these final weeks of summers, we wanted to provide you with recipes for a healthy, light and refreshing summer meal that won’t require the use of your sweltering oven.

Appetizer

Tomato and Avocado Salad

Simply, light and delicious–this salad is a fantastic start to your healthy summer meal. It’s tasty enough to stand alone as individually-served salads, or can be served in a large bowl with tortilla chips for a tasty and crunchy appetizer.

Ingredients

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro, or mixture of both
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 white onion, chopped
2 avocados, chopped
High quality sea salt

Preparation

In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, parsley, oil, lemon juice, and onions. Add avocados and salt and toss gently. Now dig in! Or place in the refrigerator if not serving immediately. Serves 3.

Nutrition

Per serving (212g-wt.):
Calories: 190 (73.68% from fat)
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated: 2.5g
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 210mg

From Whole Foods Market.

Entree

Grilled Salmon with Roasted Corn Relish

We’re big fans of fish, if you didn’t know! In supplement form and the real stuff. And this grilled salmon with roasted corn relish is fantastic. Lime juice and cilantro give it a fresh summer taste, and the grilled preparation infusions a smoky and quintessentially summer flavor into the entire dish.

Ingredients

• 4  Anaheim chiles
• Cooking spray
• 2  shucked ears corn
• 1  cup  diced tomato
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh cilantro
• 6  tablespoons  fresh lime juice
• 1  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 4  (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets

Preparation

Prepare grill. Place chiles on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until blackened. Place chiles in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel chiles; cut in half lengthwise. Discard seeds and membranes. Cut chiles into 1/4-inch strips.

Place corn on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 10 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Cut kernels from cobs.

Combine chiles, corn, tomato, cilantro, and juice; toss gently. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cumin, stirring well. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of salmon. Place salmon on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with relish.

Nutrition

Calories: 304 (33% from fat)
Fat: 11.3g
Saturated: 2.6g
Protein: 33.9g
Carbohydrate: 18.1g
Fiber: 2.7g
Cholesterol: 80mg
Iron: 1.7mg
Sodium: 671mg
Calcium: 39mg

From Cooking Light.

Beverage

Honey Limeade

Nothing’s better than an ice cold limeade on a hot summer day! The honey adds some smooth sweetness to the tart limes. And it doesn’t get much simpler than this recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lime juice
• 5 cups water
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill in refrigerator. Serve over ice. Easy as limeade! Serves 6.

Nutrition

Calories: 118
Fat: 0g
Saturated: 0
Protein: 0.2g
Carbohydrate: 31.4g
Fiber: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 80mg
Sodium: 7mg
From All Recipes.

Dessert

Grilled Fruit with Balsamic Vinegar Syrup

Grilled fruit is a fantastic way to satisfy that after dinner sweet tooth without going overboard. Heat from the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in fruit, making them delightfully sticky and extra sweet tasting. And the balsamic drizzle provides a nice balance by adding a semi-sweet, semi-tart flavor.

Ingredients

1 small pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into wedges
2 large mangoes, cored and cut in half
2 large peaches, cored and cut in half
Nonstick, butter-flavored cooking spray
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Mint or basil leaves, for garnish

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, mangoes and peaches. Spray generously with cooking spray. Toss and spray again to ensure the fruit is well-coated. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Toss to coat evenly. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat the balsamic vinegar over low heat. Simmer until the liquid is reduced in half, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

Place the fruit on the grill racks or broiler pan. Grill or broil over medium heat until the sugar caramelizes, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove the fruit from the grill and arrange onto individual serving plates. Drizzle with balsamic syrup and garnish with mint or basil. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

(for one serving of each item)

Calories: 120
Fat: 0 g
Saturated: 0g
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrate: 29g
Fiber: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg

From Mayo Clinic.

Enjoy! And let us know how your meal turns out.

We’re happy to announce that our new fruit-flavored shakes and liquid Omega-3 supplements are now available from The Omega Store by NutraOrigin! If you have difficultly swallowing big pills or can’t stand the taste of fishy supplements, these shakes and liquids are a great way to get the Omega-3 fatty acids you need for optimal health.* All of our shakes are pharmaceutical grade and molecularly distilled to provide easy to digest, high-quality EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids.* Our Orange Liquid Fish Oil is high potency and molecularly distilled, providing 850 mg EPA and 540 mg DHA, in a pleasant-tasting, orange-flavored liquid.*

Our new shakes come in three fruity flavors: Pina Colada, Mango Peach and Vegan Berry (yes, it’s truly vegan!). They’re all free of major allergens such as wheat, gluten, corn, yeast, soy, and dairy, and contain no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. Flavored with natural fruit flavors and sweetened with non-caloric natural sweeteners, these shakes help make taking Omega-3 a breeze.* And don’t forget about our Kids Lemonade Omega Shake.

The Vegan Berry Omega Shake is unique in that contains two Omega-3 fatty acids: LNA and DHA. Because LNA must first be converted into DHA and EPA before it can be used by the body, some people have trouble making the conversion. Adding a pre-formed, vegetarian source of DHA ensures you get enough of this vital fat. We’ve also included pure borage oil, a source of the scarce and highly beneficial Omega-6 fatty acid known as GLA. The result is a complete and balanced vegan source of Omega nutrition!*

Visit our site to check out all of our new Omega-3 products and place your order today! And don’t forget, we’re offering a fantastic Grand Opening special: Buy 1, get 2 free plus free shipping! Can’t beat that deal! Learn more.

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

Is there really an app for everything? When it comes to health and fitness, it seems to be true- and many of the most popular ones are free! Check out our Top 6 weight loss and fitness apps and download one or all of them to help you hit your goals and lead a healthier lifestyle.

4. StepTrak Lite

The StepTrak Lite app has gotten rave reviews from users who wanted to accurately track their everyday exercise. The free pedometer app not only counts steps but also shows what percent of the activity was “vigorous” with an adjustable classification bias that ensures the program properly differentiates between an individual’s walking and running speeds.

A senior engineer at Aware Technologies pointed out the majority of the development process was focused on making the step counting and classification accurate, rather than making the graphic output pretty. The result is a visually unexciting but precise tool to track your every step. One downside many users mentioned was the lack of a conversion from steps into miles. The app does connect to Twitter, so you can keep your friends updated on all the steps you’re taking towards a healthier life!

3. SparkPeople

The SparkPeople Food & Fitness Tracker app is similar to DailyBurn, in that it syncs nutrition and workout logs to a more extensive website. SparkPeople.com claims to have over 6 million users, and a truly extensive library of healthy-living articles, fitness videos, and recipes. The advantages over DailyBurn include optional daily food plans, daily healthy living tips, and a database of over 1 million food items. The fitness tracker includes a wide variety of activities, inside the gym and out.

One complaint found in user reviews is that the app lacks some of the more functional website features, including the ability to copy meals from one day to the next. However, you can still save any item to your favorites list to reduce data entry time. SparkPeople also offers a Healthy Recipes app for BlackBerry, allowing users to browse and search 200,000+ recipes with nutrition information.

2. Fit Deck

FitDeck is a unique set of physical playing cards that feature a single exercise diagram and instructions on each card. If any fitness product was destined to be made into an app, this is it. The FitDeck Mobile app is only free for a trial period, but test drive the no-equipment, quick motion exercises and if you see results, it may be worth the paid download for all 50 cards. Either arrange the cards into body region groups or shuffle them like an iPod, keeping your body guessing. Since you don’t need any equipment it’s easy to run through a few cards anywhere.

The site suggests using it on your coffee break at work; do five cards twice a day and you fit in an extra workout over the work week without having to change into gym clothes. Bonus: you can set reminders on your phone’s calendar and when the alarm goes off you have your workout in hand!

1. Lose It!

Lose It! lives up to its name and tops our list as the most user-friendly and effective free app. Using the Mifflin equation, the app takes your current weight, age, height gender and goal weight, and determines your target daily calorie intake. Users search for meal items, enter  portion size, and get a detailed breakdown of their food intake. The database is extensive, including brand name foods and popular restaurant items. It takes a while to enter a recipe with multiple ingredients, but you can save favorites to enter them more quickly.

The fitness tracking is equally detailed with options to modify intensity levels and listings for a wide variety of activities. The new version allows you to update past days and set up helpful reminders to update the log. The online reports are very detailed, allowing you to track your progress incrementally. If you are dedicated to following a routine and tracking yourself, Lose It! will inform you of exactly how close you are to reaching your goals.

As more and more apps are developed, it becomes easier to understand exactly how we’re impacting our bodies. The important thing to remember about weight loss and fitness apps is no matter how convenient the tracking, you still have to put in the work to see results!

Consumer Reports recently released an article regarding dietary supplements and the adverse affects that some ingredients may have on your body. The article discusses the “dirty dozen”–12 ingredients that they warn consumers not to consume due to cardiovascular, liver and kidney health risks. The article also goes on to list 11 supplements you should consider taking, as they have been shown to likely be safe for most people and possibly or likely be effective in appropriate does for certain conditions. Omega-3 fish oil is one of these likely safe supplements and is listed effective for reducing triglyceride levels, decreasing risk of heart attack, stroke and progression of artery hardening in people with existing heart disease.

The dirty dozen includes such ingredients as aconite, bitter orange, colloidal silver and several more. Rather than memorizing this entire list, they recommend steering clear of any supplements that promote weight loss, sexual enhancement and bodybuilding as they are often problematic and some contain steroids or prescription drugs.

Steve Mister, president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, provided a counterpoint article on USA Today last week, stating that the risk of supplements was grossly overstated by Consumer Reports. He said that, “The dietary supplement industry has been a strong supporter of more resources and muscle at the agency [FDA].” He went on to say, “We prodded FDA for 14 years to get higher manufacturing requirements for our products, and we strongly support mandatory recall authority for the agency.”

The debate on whether or not these dirty dozen are truly that dirty still rages on. However, no one has questioned the  efficacy of the 11 supplements that you should consider. What do you think about this Consumer Report and the debate surrounding it? Please leave your comments below.

We’re pleased to announce that our Kids Omega-3 Gummies are now available in our new Omega Store! If your kids are picky eaters or just have trouble swallowing softgels, these Gummies are your answer. They’re the fruity and delicious way to give your kids the EPA and DHA fatty acids that they need. But they’re not just for kids; adults who struggle with fishy supplements will enjoy these, too!

Our Omega-3 Gummies contain no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives and they’re free of major allergens, including wheat, gluten, soy, yeast, corn and dairy. A two-gummy serving provides 20 mg of DHA and 10 mg of EPA.*

Why have your kids take fish oil supplements? Omega-3 may help promote healthy aging, boost mood, improve bone mineral density, support joint health, comfort and mobility, support a normal heart rhythm and more.* Why are our Omega-3 gummies great? They have a great-tasting fruit flavor and fun fish shape. They contain no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. And they are molecularly distilled for purity.

Visit our site to learn more about our Kids Omega-3 Gummies and place your order today.

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

A few weeks ago, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center reported findings from a study about the effect of Omega-3 fish oil on breast cancer. They found that women who regularly used fish oil supplements had a 32% reduced risk of developing the most common breast cancer form. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has committed to researching this further and invested $7.5 million in a study at Pennsylvania State University.

This study, the findings of which are said to have a “huge impact” by Dr. Marie Savard, a “Good Morning America” medical contributor, has set in motion a wave of other positive news about Omega-3 and its health benefits. Other recent news items include:

Vision Benefits

A recent feature in Real Simple magazine titled, “7 Ways to Protect Your Vision,” cites the use of Omega-3 in vision health. Ruth D. Williams, M.D., a spokesperson for The American Academy of Ophthalmology, was quoted as saying, “Evidence suggests omega-3 fatty acids found in certain fish, such as salmon, halibut, and tuna, can help maintain the eyes’ protective tear film, minimize dry eyes, and even prevent cataracts.” Read more.

Mood Enhancement

A recent study by the Journal of Psychiatry found that Omega-3 was effective in patients with major depression unaccompanied by an anxiety disorder. Efficacy for these patients was comparable to that generally observed with conventional antidepressants. Read through all of the findings.

Joint and Back Pain

A recent article on Natural News related the benefits of Omega-3 on joint and back pain. EPA and DHA, two fatty acids commonly found in Omega-3 fish oil supplements, stimulate the body’s anti-inflammatory processes and help relieve joint pain. Additionally, recent research quoted in the article stated that EPA fish oil may help reduce back pain in more than 50% of sufferers. Read more.

These findings are great news for Omega-3 advocates everywhere! We’re pleased to see others discovering and talking about the benefits of fish oil, and that the positive news continues. As more studies and research arise, we’ll keep you posted on the findings.

A new day has dawned at NutraOrigin.  (Drumroll, please.)  I am happy to announce the opening of our new online store, The Omega Store by NutraOrigin!  Here you’ll see the first wave of a new line of exciting products, all providing beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids.  I don’t have to tell you how important Omega-3 fatty acids are to your health.  You have told us.  You also told us what Omega-3 products you want.  Amazingly, after scouring the Internet we didn’t see any merchant offering all the products you’ve been looking for in one place.  Sure, I could give you a list of ten Websites, each with a couple good Omega-3 products, but who wants to go to ten sites to get what they need?  Our goal is to be the one-stop-Omega-shop for you and your family.  We’re adding products for your kids, too. Even your pets.  Exciting, right?  Let me lay it all out for you.

Our most coveted product has long been our extremely potent, high DHA/EPA Omega-3 fish oil – it is made from pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil and is so superior to the competition that it was selected for a clinical study on sleep deprivation.  And, of course, our fish oil showed compelling results.  Our customers have responded to this product, making it far-and-away our best seller.  We can barely keep it in stock.  Our customers have also told us what they want from us next:  Omega-3 fish oil supplements and products for kids, for pets, in liquid form and flavored.  How could we say no?

NutraOrigin has been known as the leader in advanced nutritional supplements, and we thank you for your loyal business. Don’t worry, we won’t ruin a good thing; all the formulas you know and trust will remain.  But The Omega Store is what’s next, and we have delivered it.   Lori Olsen, my Senior Director, Marketing, and I have been hard at work in the Omega Lab (or something like that!), looking to have the best Omega products on the market.  After months of hard work, this first round includes:  Enteric Coated Softgels to eliminate that fishy taste; Orange Softgels for a bit o’ flava; Pina Colada Omega Shakes to make Happy Hour into Healthy Hour (there’s no alcohol, don’t worry!); Krill Oil and Salmon Oil, for some additional Omega options; Kids’ Lemonade Omega Shake and Kids Omega Gummies, to make being healthy more fun; Vegan Berry Omega Shake, with plant-based oils; and Flax Oil for Pets, good for your kitty, your doggy, even your horse!

As a special Grand Opening Offer to you, all our new products will be Buy 1 Get 2 Free when you go on Auto Ship.  Get huge savings now, and always free shipping – you can pause or change the frequency of your shipments or cancel without a hassle at any time (although the canceling would make me sad).  Here’s a special code, Gomega5, to get an additional $5 off any order!  Share it with your family and friends, spread the wealth, spread the health.

Visit our Store, come back to this blog, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or sign up for our email newsletter just stay in touch. There’s much more to come from The Omega Store!

-Cheers, Tim