Shop Jungle Jim’s for all Your Grocery Needs

Does it really matter where you buy your groceries? With multiple grocers available to most of us, we have our preferences where we choose to shop. We go to certain stores for certain items – for example, I like to get fresh meat and seafood at Giant Eagle and we get our basics from Aldi – a discounted grocer in our area. I like to get fresh produce from the farm or a farmer’s market when I can, but also like the produce section at Kroger. I like the International section at Meijer. For items we use in bulk like rice, pasta, dog food and some spices we shop at Sam’s Club.  So yes, for me it does matter where I buy my groceries.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Jungle Jim’s International Market, located in Fairfield, Ohio just outside of Cincinnati. It was glorious, to say the least. I wish I lived closer than two hours away so I could shop there on a regular basis because I would! Jungle Jim’s began as a local farmer’s market in 1971 and has only grown from there. What makes Jungle Jim’s special (besides the size, variety, freshness, local fare, international selections)? Jungle Jim’s is much more than a grocery store, it’s a whole destination! There are over 200,000 square feet (that’s about six acres) of shopping space in and over 150,000 products from which to choose. You could get lost there.

But, there’s more – Jungle Jim’s also offers tours of the store, food demonstrations, cooking classes and special events like the Weekend of Fire.

The store also offers demos on a regular basis so you can try the products the offer – including produce, gluten-free, seafood, cheese and international food. They also offer gift shops, specialized boutiques (where you can find clothing, accessories and gifts) and places to eat inside the store.

So what exactly can you find at Jungle Jim’s? Prepare to be amazed.

Fresh Food

  • Produce
  • Deli Cheese
  • Bakery
  • Seafood
  • Meat
  • Olive Pit

What I loved about the Fresh Food: I love seafood and we eat it regularly in our house. The seafood department is so fresh, you can pick out live fish for dinner to take home with you. Jungle Jim’s will take care of everything for you (but, I still feel bad for the fish, I think). The produce section is second to none – they had so much variety! I also liked the reduced section where I found some great prices on produce like peppers.

Specialty Food

  • Hot Sauce
  • Gourmet Galleria (pots, pans, specialty cookware, gadgets, small appliances, etc.)
  • Natural Foods
  • Herb ‘N Jungle (herbal supplements, sports nutrition, vitamins, minerals, etc.)
  • Honey
  • Coffee Bar
  • Gift Baskets
  • Greenhouse (everything plants and growing)

What I loved about the Specialty Food: Um, if you have to ask, it is the HOT SAUCE! You can read more about that here. I have never seen a bigger hot sauce display anywhere. I was also impressed with the gigantic selection of honey, much of it locally harvested.

American Grocery Food

  • Grocery
  • Dairy
  • Frozen
  • Health and Beauty
  • Pets

What I loved about the American Grocery Food: The pets section! There was a large variety of foods, treats and products, many reasonably priced or even cheaper than my local grocers. You can even purchase natural treats for your canines there. My two got pigs’ ears, which they love. Grace didn’t even wait for me to take her picture, it was gone within a minute or two.

International Food

  • Asian
  • Indian
  • Hispanic
  • European
  • Eastern Europen
  • Middle Eastern
  • African

What I loved about the International Food: This is my favorite part of the store. I love cooking international and ethnic foods, and I can find  everything I need in this store. It is clearly labeled and easy to navigate the large aisles. I even found my favorite Asian hot sauce there – and purchased it in an extra large size (seriously, I need to buy stock in this company). Asian cooking is my favorite and there are over ten Asian countries alone represented here as well as a huge selection of Indian curries.

Beer and Wine (Food)

  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Cigars
  • State Store
  • Glassware
  • Home Brewing

What I loved about Beer and Wine (Food): They have an incredibly unique selection of products here, including my newly discovered favorite Woodchuck Cider.

And, don’t forget, you can also find things like chocolate-covered insects and bacon ketchup (which they apparently sold out of before) at Jungle Jim’s.

I will be visiting Jungle Jim’s again – and possibly taking a cooler to purchase meats and dairy for my deep-freezer at home. This store has certainly become my favorite grocer!

What about you? Have you been to Jungle Jim’s? Did you like it? What do you look for in a grocery store? Tell me in the comments below?

Until the next mile marker,

FruitFast: What’s It All About Anyway?

It’s easy to get caught up in – if not completely confused by – all of the food and beverage trends of today. Instead of making simple, wholesome choices when it comes to what we put in our mouths, we are sometimes quick to jump on the bandwagon of what science claims is the most recently beneficial product. It can become complicated and overwhelming enough to stay on top of health and nutritional research that we may lose sight of what is really important – eating and drinking for health. Sometimes, the answer is right before our very eyes, plain and simple.

Take for example, tart cherries. After years of being in the shadow of other fruits, tart cherries are quickly emerging as a super fruit of today and yet, they are homegrown and a rich part of America’s history (Source: Washington State University Tart Cherry Research). Cherries were first brought to America by ship with early settlers in the 1600’s. French colonists began planting down into the Great Lakes area as they established such cities as Detroit, Vincennes, and other Midwestern settlements. Cherry gardens were also cultivated in the Northwestern part of the United States.

And, the orchards are still producing today. Located in Northwest Michigan, Brownwood Acres and FruitFast are as much a part of the rolling orchards of today as the very fruit they use in their line of healthy fruit snacks, drinks and supplements. What began as a roadside fruit stand in 1945, has now developed an internationally recognized product line that is based in this regional area of harvest of Montmorency Tart Cherries.

I was recently given the opportunity to review Brownwood Acres’ CherryFlex Products, which is how I began learning more about cherries. 


Follow Me on Pinterest

I had previously heard they were good for you because of their rich color as with many other fruits, but soon discovered tart cherries actually provide a multitude of health benefits:

  • Supports Cardiovascular Function*
  • Speeds Relief From Muscle Fatigue Post Exercise*
  • Supports Healthy Joint Function*
  • Helps Maintain a Healthy Sleep Cycle* (contains natural melatonin)
  • Supports a Healthy Immune System*

( * The FDA requires that CherryFlex put an asterisk next to those facts with the statement: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)

So, what makes tart cherries so healthy? They contain a unique package of antioxidants and beneficial phytonutrients, including anthocyanins – the pigments that give cherries their bright red color.

You can definitely see the rich color in the CherryFlex FruitFast Fruit Supplement Bars:

 

These bars have 103 calories, 20 carbs, 6 grams of sugar and 18 grams of fiber.One bar provides two of your five recommended daily fruits. The ingredients are 100 percent fruit and no additives or extra sugars.

It took me a few times to get used to the bars. They are very tart and if you are expecting a sweet cherry (which apparently I was) the tartness will make you pucker. I especially like the texture – it reminds me of a condensed fruit rollup, but with a lot more flavor and slightly moist. I’ve been carrying them in my bag as a quick go-to snack that is healthy and provides great nutritional benefits.

And even though I am not training right now, I also tried the CherryFlex ProSport Shot, which is a Tart Cherry Gel. This product is my favorite as far as taste goes, and I only wish I could also test out how it makes me feel on a run. What I love about this gel (compared to others that I usually take, such as GU) is that it does not have a bunch of things I can’t pronounce added to it to preserve it. It contains Tart Cherries and glycerin. That’s it. It is 30 calories with only 3 grams of sugar and 7 carbs for one shot. I love the taste too. It is still tart, but I think I would find it completely refreshing on a run and not so overladen with sugar that I also feel like I have to guzzle a gallon of water to stomach it.


So, what exactly is CherryFlex and what makes it different than other cherry products that are currently available?

Per FruitFast, when they make their products they use a proprietary process that captures the goodness of the entire fruit. CherryFlex is a super-concentrated paste made the skin and pulp of tart cherries – which are both very good things for your body because it is where most of the nutrients are. It allows you to get your daily dose of cherries in a super convenient form, and is a much more cost-effective than having to drink Tart Cherry Concentrate every day.

CherryFlex Paste is the main ingredient in the Fruit Bars and ProSport Shots that I tried as well as the Softgels, Liquid Supplement, and CherryFlex Whole Fruit Gel, which are other products they offer as well. And, they carry Pomegranate and Blueberry supplements that they use the same process to make as CherryFlex to create a concentrated, all-natural, whole-fruit paste.

CherryFlex is different because:

  • CherryFlex use the whole fruit of the cherry –  skin and the pulp included.
  • Whole-fruit paste is easier for your body to digest than a powder pill
  •  It’s not a freeze-dried powder. Powder-filled capsules contain freeze dried bits of Cherries which are difficult for the body to digest before passing. They also contain additives such as silicon dioxide or magnesium stearate, both of which are known to be toxic.
  • 100% pure and all-natural
  • No artificial colors or flavorings
  • The fruit is not exposed to high temperatures that can deplete nutritional value
  • Only CherryFlex’s specialized process gets more nutritional value from the cherry
  • Made in (the U.S.A.!) Traverse City from Michigan Montmorency Tart Cherries

In addition, FruitFast provides a Certificate of Nutritional Analysis for their CherryFlex products, which some other companies don’t (or simply won’t) provide. I personally look for this kind of thing when I a shopping for new products because I want to know exactly what I am putting in my mouth. I am more inclined to pay a little more for good nutrition to know exactly what I am fueling my body with. The cost of the shots is comparable to GU and the bars run at about $14 for a box of eight. Don’t forget shipping too.

Emerging research is showing that tart Cherries are good for us for other reasons besides the rich antioxidants and fruit-based nutrition they provide. There have been specific studies done about CherryFlex benefits for runners. CherryFlex supplementation used prior to and during eccentric exercise may have a protective effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, range of motion, contractile force loss, and perceived pain. This is especially interesting to me since not only do I have ongoing problems with my knee, but right now my body is battling inflammation in a major way. Part of diagnosing what is actually wrong with me is figuring out what I am experiencing all of this inflammation in my lungs. Sure, steroids are great for the short term because I can breath and get some sleep, but it is not a permanent solution. I would like to try the CherryFlex juices or soft gels as a regular supplement and see if I notice any changes in my body.

While FruitFast and Brownwood Acres may be internationally known, they still remain a family business today, which is more than evident in their customer service. I first got involved with FruitFast when they were hosting their Run Into Summer Giveaway of a Garmin 305. I was interested in their products then because I had heard about the health benefits of fruit, specifically dark fruits like cherries, and was thinking about trying it specifically for my knees. Now, I think it would be a good supplement to take for overall health joint and tissue health. I was more than impressed with the customer service I received when inquiring about the products  including prompt response times to my emails and detailed product information, some of which I have included in this review. I was also advised that I could call FruitFast anytime to ask more questions or request additional information for my review, which is something that has previously been unheard of to me when I given a product to review. Typically, I am given a specific set of information, which is helpful of course, but not much beyond that. I find the information provided to me by FruitFast is exactly what I needed to provide all of you with this review.

Please check out FruitFast on Facebook and Twitter too. I have had great interactions with them on these social medial platforms as well and find helpful running and nutritional information as well as customer comments through the FruitFast Twitter feed. The website is literally packed with information, easy to navigate and aesthetically pleasing (like now I want to eat cherries) and I would highly recommend doing some of your own reading about these products. I have found myself going back to the website numerous times to find out more.

I hope you will consider FruitFast CherryFlex as an wholesome and alternative supplement to help your joints (and your body) get the nutritional and health benefits that each deserve.

Until the next mile marker,

 

*Please note, I was not compensated in any manner for this review. FruitFast Fruit Bars and ProSport Shots were given to me in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed in this review are solely my own.

Where Roses Bloom

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. 

-Dale Carnegie

Sometimes life gets in the way. It happens to all of us. We get busy with work, school, cleaning, running errands, taking care of children and families and start to forget to enjoy the small things. Dinner with a friend, a walk in the park, a solitary run or a lazy afternoon spent on the couch with loved ones.

Ever since I got sick, life has been nothing but in the way. Just as things were starting to look up for me with a new job and a fresh start, I was suddenly hospitalized for ten days and potentially lifelong complications after that. I am constantly worried about my health, medical bills, what the next blood test will reveal and when I will be able to return to “normal,” including running and working out. My days start running together with work, worry, doctor’s appointments and on and on. I think about what I “should have,” “could have,” or “would have” done before I got sick.

I momentarily forgot there was life beyond the life I am living. I still need to take the time to enjoy the things that made me happy before. It has been so long since I have seen so many of my running friends – primarily because I am not running right now – that I forgot what it was like to be in the company of another human being that wasn’t a family member or colleague. It was nice, comforting and a gentle reminder that even in the midst of my medical crisis, I do need to “stop and smell the roses” once in awhile, if you will.

Last night I went to dinner at Northstar Cafe(Hello-my-new-favorite-place-and-why-didn’t-I-find-you-earlier!) with my friend and co-coach, Judi. Northstar is a local café that “recognizes that every decision we make affects the health of our community and the environment on a local and on a global scale.” I especially like that Northstar is extremely careful about the ingredients they use. Per their website, “We choose locally grown, organic, and artisan produced foods not only to protect the environment and to support producers whose values are aligned with ours but also so that we are serving the most wholesome and delicious food we can.”

We ordered chips and salsa for starters:



And the best ginger ale I have ever had:



For dinner, we had the Buddha Bowl (Pan seared organic tofu or roasted chicken, long-grain organic brown rice with peanut sauce and bright veggies). I had the tofu, which was absolutely delicious:



Judy agrees: 



Afterwards, we drove over to the Park of Roses and surprisingly, there were still plenty of beautiful roses in bloom for us to look at. The Park features three rose gardens, a herb garden, perennial garden, and prairie.

Here is part of one of the rose gardens: 



And so many beautiful roses, the orange ones are among my favorites. I can’t imagine what the park looks like in the spring when it is in full bloom:


We grabbed a bench and sat and talked until the sun went down (and-it-was-near-dark-and-we-don’t-have-the-best-luck-so-why-test-it-we-better-leave-NOW) and we decided it was time to go. It was truly a great night, and I am thankful to be reminded of what a wonderful friend I have in Judi. I can be myself, laugh, cry and talk about all of my craziness and she doesn’t judge me or treat me differently. In fact, she understands more than a lot of people do. It’s nice to be able to relate to someone on more than one level and just enjoy each other’s company and friendship.

I’m truly thankful I took some time last night to smell the roses blooming right outside my very window and enjoy life for what it is, instead of what it could be.



Until the next mile marker,

Lazy Memorial Day: Gardens, Ducks, Strawberries and Beans!

This weekend was pretty low-key (hey, remember when this was an exciting running blog?). We did some gardening (are we a boring married couple, now?)

And I had a complete photo session with the baby ducks (as I have said before, my neighbors already think I am weird…)

Which turned into my avoiding these little guys’…

parent…

He (or she) is very protective.

They all got revenge for the photo shoot by eating my strawberries.

Speaking of strawberries (as in Strawberry Fields, that is), I happened to catch Across the Universe on TV and I loved it.

Source

I have heard it called “the worst movie of all time,” but I disagree. It was pretty cool in my opinion and had some great artistic and musical elements to it! Across the Universe is a 2007 musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor. The film’s plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. I highly recommend it.


I ran some errands and scored a major deal at Big Lots! Who knew!? All of Bob’s Red Mill products were on sale. 



Yesterday, I made the Quick Cooking Oats with a little bit of the Natural Granola and Ground Flaxseed with a touch of Almond Milk. It was so good.


In my attempt to get back to eating clean, I picked up the June edition of Clean Eating and came up with a clean creation of my own. It was delicious, as a matter of fact. My body was really craving the spinach most of all. It was super quick, super easy, super good.  


Sara’s Healthy Bean Blend 

Ingredients:
  • 1 Can Organic Tri-Bean Mix (or any type of beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and stems removed (I personally do not like them)
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (or healthy oil of your choice)
  • Pinch of Kosher salt 
  • 1 teaspoon of toasted Sesame Seeds
  • 2 cups whole grain brown rice, cooked
Recipe:
  • Cook the beans and rice accordingly and set aside. 
  • Heat oil in a skillet and add spinach leaves. Saute until slightly wilted, but sill vibrant in color. I cooked them for 2-3 minutes. 
  • Add a pinch of salt and mix well with spinach leaves.
  • Remove spinach leaves from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  • Serve with rice and beans. 

According to the rice and bean serving sizes, this dish has 309 calories. I saved the leftover rice and beans for the next day and just sauteed more fresh spinach when I was ready to eat it. I was surprisingly content and satisfied after eating this meal. It has quickly become one of my favorites.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Do you have any favorite, fast and simple clean eating recipes to share? Tell me in the comments!

Until the next mile marker,