Calorie Bargain: LifeStraw
The Why: OK. This isn't one of my traditional calorie bargains – but it's something I think is worth your attention. Especially if you're a hiker, biker or traveler. LifeStraw is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. Specifically, it’s an inexpensive way to solve a major public health problem. According to LifeStraw, an estimated 884 million people in the world, 37% of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa, still use unimproved sources of drinking water. "Lack of access to safe drinking water contributes to the staggering burden of diarrheal diseases worldwide, particularly affecting the young, the immunocompromised and the poor. Nearly one in five child deaths – about 1.5 million each year – is due to diarrhea. Diarrhea kills more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined."
Thorough laboratory testing of LifeStraw conducted by the University of Arizona found that its performance exceeded U.S. EPA water-filtration requirements for bacteria and parasites, including Escherichia coli. The filtering tube measures about 9 inches long and 1 inch in diameter, and weighs less than 2 ounces. It removes virtually all bacteria (99.9999 percent) and protozoa parasites (99.9 percent) that can contaminate water, and it reduces turbidity (muddiness) by filtering out particulate matter. So drinking through this straw can save many lives.
The Health Bonus: When used properly, each LifeStraw will filter at least 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water.
What We Liked Best: Vestergaard Frandsen Inc., maker of LifeStraw, is an incredible company that focuses on creating products to improve the public health of our society. What an incredible business model.
The Price: $19.95 plus tax, shipping and handling.
Where to Buy: Consumers can purchase LifeStraw exclusively through online e-tailers Eartheasy for the U.S. and Canada and Green Beetle for the U.S.
Calorie Bargain: Treadmill and Elliptical Trainers
The Why: Home treadmills and elliptical trainers can help keep you fit all year round - no more excuses.
The Health Bonus: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exercise can:
- Control your weight
- Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Reduce your risk of some cancers
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve your mental health and mood
- Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you're an older adult
- Increase your chances of living longer
What We Liked Best: Actually, it's not what "we" liked best, but what
Consumer Reports liked best! "
Consumer Reports put 35 treadmills and 18 elliptical exercisers through the paces. The top-rated non-folding treadmill, the Precor 9.31, costs a cool $4,000 and offers excellent construction. But consumers on tighter budgets can find solid choices in the non-folding Sole S77 at $1,900 and the folding ProForm Performance 600 and Horizon T202, both $800. All three are
Consumer Reports Best Buys. The top-scoring elliptical, the Octane Fitness Q37ci, costs $3,100 and is solidly built, has four heart-rate programs, comes with a chest-strap heart-rate monitor, and earned very high marks for safety. If you don’t need the heart rate monitoring and can forgo certain other features,
Consumer Reports recommends the Octane Fitness Q37c for $500 less.”
The Price: Varies.
Where to Buy: Amazon.com, Dick's Sporting Goods, sportsauthority.com.
Calorie Bargain: Fudgy Chocolate mini VitaCakes
The Why: They’re only 50 calories and real tasty treats. Everyone in my family loves these mini VitaCakes with low-calorie whipped cream and strawberries.
The Health Bonus: The primary ingredients are water, white whole-wheat flour, organic sugar, egg whites.
What We Liked Best: The chocolate drops in each cake. 50 calories,1 gram fat, 6 grams fiber, 2 grams protein, 14 grams carbs.
The Price: $21 plus shipping for 24 cakes.
Where to Buy: Vitalicious.com.
Calorie Bargain: Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream Bars
The Why: I have to say these are so good they’re addictive. Aside from being great-tasting, these ice cream treats are only 80 calories.
The Health Bonus: Low-cal satisfying treats — much better than scooping out premium-calorie ice cream.
What We Liked Best: The dark chocolate and raspberry combination - it just tastes right.
The Price: $4.99.
Where to Buy: Most supermarkets.
Calorie Bargain: Bean By Bean: A Cookbook: More than 200 Recipes for Fresh Beans, Dried Beans, Cool Beans, Hot Beans, Savory Beans...Even Sweet Beans! by Crescent Dragonwagon (Workman Publishing Co., 2012)
The Why: What a cool book with great recipes.
The Health Bonus: Beans are high in protein and fiber as well as rich in vitamins and minerals specifically folate, magnesium, iron and potassium.
What We Liked Best: The breadth of recipes.
The Price: $10.85 (on Amazon.com).
Where to Buy: Amazon.com, bn.com and other book retailers.
Calorie Bargain: The Healthy Green Drink Diet: Advice and Recipes to Energize, Alkalize, Lose Weight, and Feel Great by Jason Manheim (Skyhorse Publishing, 2012)
The Why: While the book is not written by a health expert, it is very well done. Jason Manheim is a nerd/techie who fell in love with daily green juicing. You can't go wrong drinking a pure green vegetable drink each morning. The book is filled with great photos that really bring the drinks to life. The recipes have creative names such as Mintal Melon, made with cantaloupe, mint leaves and other goodies. Other recipes include American Pie, which uses green apples and coconut flesh, and Crazy Cran, with cranberries, oranges and baby greens.
The Health Bonus: Green veggies are phenomenal nutrition powerhouses.
What We Liked Best: The creative recipes and the author’s fantastic website
The Price: $9.85 (on Amazon.com).
Where to Buy: Amazon.com and bn.com.