YoNaturals Organic Vending

 Author: Bethany Cox for YoNaturals

It’s true that both children and adults need vitamins—but growing children in particular have a special need for them. Unfortunately, with the rise of obesity, the truth is that many children may not be getting the vitamins they need. But what vitamins do they need? And how should they be getting them? With all of the information out there, it’s sometimes hard to tell. Luckily, the following guide to vitamins will give you—and your kids—an overview of the different types of vitamins as well as some of the great and delicious ways to get them.

The following information was collected by the author on behalf of Mark Trotter.

Vitamin A

If your mother ever told you to eat your carrots in order to see better, it’s because they’re packed with Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with your eyesight and skin. It’s found in carrots—but it’s also found in fortified milk and egg yolks, among other tasty foods.

B Vitamins

There are a variety of B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, and so on. B vitamins are involved in making red blood cells in addition to assisting in metabolic function. Some great ways to get B vitamins include eating whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and eggs, among others.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your immune system in addition to producing collagen and keeping your gums healthy. Vitamin C is particularly important for kids to stay healthy and strong. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of fruits, like oranges, strawberries, and kiwi.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is good for the bones—an important part of a growing body. Vitamin D can be found in a variety of things, including fortified milk, cereal, salmon and eggs.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the name for a set of 8 fat-soluble vitamins. It prevents a breakdown of body tissues by protecting fatty acids from oxidation. Almonds, avocado, and peanuts are all high in Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K plays a role in both blood clotting and bone metabolism. It can be found in leafy green vegetables and dairy products, like yogurt and milk.

Ensuring that children get a healthy amount of each type of vitamin will protect their current—as well as their future—health. Although the best way to get your vitamins is through nutrient and antioxidant rich foods, there are multi-vitamins available for children who might not get them otherwise. The vitamins listed are all an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so make sure you and your kids get the recommended amount in one form or another.

 How many times has a mother told her child that if they eat their carrots they will be able to see in the dark?   Well, this is not a mother’s tale but is actually true, although eyesight is not the only thing that carrots are good for. At YoNaturals, we know the benefits of snacking healthy, and carrots are one of the super foods you should consider.

Carrots contain the antioxidant carotenes, vitamin C and folic acid.   The beta-carotene that is found in carrots is converted to vitamin A in the body.  The vitamin A helps to form a pigment called rhodopsin which is what your eyes need to see in dim light, so your mother was right!   Not getting enough vitamin A can actually lead to night blindness.

Beta carotene and alpha-carotene (another carotene found in carrots) are also helpful in the fight against cancer.   Combine that with the vitamin C content in carrots and you have your own little anti-cancer pill disguised as a carrot.   Several medical studies have backed this up including a study in Bethesda which concluded that men who consumed high amounts of alpha carotene had a lower incidence of lung cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institutes scientists have found that a high carotenoid intake can cause a 20% decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer and up to 50% decrease in cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon and esophagus.   Carrots are one of richest source of carotenoids on the planet so their suggestion is to include as little as one carrot a day in your diet for optimum health.

Antioxidants are also linked to helping reduce heart disease, could the humble carrot help here as well?   According the a study in Massachusetts the answer is yes.   The study examined the diets of 1,300 elderly people and came to the conclusion that they ones who had at least one serving of carrots every day had a 60% reduction in their risk of heart attacks compared to those who ate less than one serving of carrots.

It is not just our culture that has discovered reasons to eat carrots, Chinese practitioners have long revered the simple vegetable.   They believe that it can help with a number of disorders including impotence and the 100 day cough.   They also believe that eating carrots will help to strengthen your kidneys, spleen and stomach.

So the next time you feel like reaching for some potato chips, why not do your body a favor and grab some carrot sticks instead.   If the research is anything to go by, you may even be saving your own life. Be sure to find healthy food items such as carrots in a YoNaturals vending machine!

Author: Louanne Cox

Author: Michelle Bery

With more and more attention being given to the effect diet can have on our bodies, it is inevitable that the question should arise as to whether or not there is a particular advantage of organic food. Organic food enthusiasts will report – without hesitation – of their increased energy and overall health and vitality. As we explore the correlation between our diets and our longevity and health, it stands to reason that we must also explore the possible advantage of organic food.

The definition of organic food lies in the manner in which the food is grown and processed. Organic food is that food which is not exposed to chemicals of any kind during its growing, manufacturing, processing, or packaging. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides and are preservative-free on every level. Organic farming has emerged as one of the industries of the future as more and more people are demanding the most natural and nutritious choices for their families.

In the case of animal products, such as meat and dairy, animals are given only organic feed. Traditional agricultural farmers are in the practice of administering a myriad of chemicals to dairy cows in an effort to increase their size and milk output. Organic agricultural farmers – under stringent government guidelines – are forbidden from using such chemicals; chemicals, that should be noted, that have not been studied thoroughly enough to determine their long-term effects.

Another advantage of organic food is its positive impact on our environment as a whole. Traditionally grown fruits and vegetables are chemically treated while still in the ground, exposing the soil to a chemical cocktail that forever changes its properties – and possibly seeps into our water supply. Growing organically keeps soil in its natural state and protects the ground as well as our water.

Author:  Michelle Bery

In today’s society – with an ever vigilant eye towards health consciousness – we are forever in search of those factors that will give us the edge in achieving maximum health. As we’ve learned, a healthy diet, a consistent regime of physical activity, and plenty of rest all has a profound impact on our overall vitality. Subsequently, there has been an overwhelming group of people that swear by the benefit of organic food.

Produced by organic farms, organic food is grown under strict government supervision. Under these guidelines, organic produce is grown and packaged without the use of any chemicals or pesticides. Traditionally grown, non-organic produce is subjected to a myriad of chemicals – most of which are have not been studied thoroughly enough to understand or contemplate their long-term effects on the human body. Researchers are still undecided as to whether or not these chemicals can be linked to everything from food allergies to certain types of cancer. The benefit of organic food is that they are not subjected to these unreliable substances.

Meat and dairy produced under organic guidelines are also chemical free. Traditional agricultural farmers often subject livestock to a bevy of chemical supplements designed to speed their growth and weight. Further, dairy cows are often given chemicals to increase their milk production. The benefit of organic food is that livestock is given only organic feed that is chemical and supplement free.

Another benefit of organic food is its advantage to the environment. Traditionally grown produce are treated with chemicals; naturally the chemicals are then in the soil, changing the landscape and contaminating the ground and surrounding water supplies. The benefit of organic food is the ground in which it is grown is left unchanged.

Author: Clara Nolt

Growing your own organic food is a good choice. Growing organic foods is better for both the environment and also healthier for our bodies. However, it is not an easy task. It is a standard known fact that the land we use to grow organic produce should be at least three years without pesticides.

Health benefits include higher nutrient levels and lower pesticide residue. Also you can be assured that there are no additives, such as, preservatives and food colorings which cause chemical imbalance in the body. The soil, water and air are likewise benefited.

During animal feeding trials, it was discovered that animals that were fed with organically grown food had noticeable improvement in overall health and recovery from illness. It would be very beneficial to have more organically grown food as an option in our stores to choose from, which would provide for a much healthier lifestyle for many people.

As people are becoming more and more conscious of their health, organically grown foods are becoming more available. An organic diet will improve overall health in more ways than one. You will have the benefit of extra fiber in a natural diet of unrefined foods which helps the digestive system and the complete body to function more naturally. Organic grown produce has greater nutritional value than those grown commercially.

It can often get more expensive to eat healthy organic foods in the short term, but in the long term it could save from expensive hospital and doctor bills and you will more than likely experience a longer, healthier life span. By changing your lifestyle and eating healthy foods, you will improve on your health, giving your body the ability to enhance the immune system, which in turn, helps to ward off illness and disease caused by toxins in the body.

Organic food is natural and very delicious to the taste, without all the pesticides that are present in commercially grown foods. You should choose to eat mostly fruits and vegetables, as there is much nutritional content that will work together to keep a clean and healthy colon. We are constantly surrounded with environment of fast and processed foods which are so lacking in the nutrition that is found in nature. It is also considered that obesity may be caused in great part by a lack of good nutrition. Those that are concerned with fighting against diseases already know that the human body was designed to fight off diseases before they establish themselves.

Consumers,by a large part, are not aware of all the chemicals and pesticides that are in commercially grown foods. Therefore, they are not aware of the enormous benefits of organically grown food. There are more and more horror stories that should cause people to be aware of the danger of the poisonous chemicals that are killing our children and families.