Thrive Market - Access to Healthy Food

http://thrv.me/shestolemyhart

Access to healthy food is a major problem facing our society, especially in rural areas where geographic isolation is a top risk factor. Where I currently live, it takes 15-20 minutes on average to get to the nearest grocery store, which typically do not carry some of the healthier brands or products I have been trying to incorporate into our lifestyle. I started using Thrive Market in March and love it! They take out the retail middle-man and deliver healthy food and natural products to members at wholesale prices right to your door. They also sponsor free memberships for low-income American families. Something else that is cool about Thrive Market is that their packaging is all made of recycled paper - another win!

Below are some of my favorite Thrive Market products:

1. Prime Kitchen Avocado Oil: $9.79/16.9 oz bottle

Avocado Oil is considered to be a healthy fat as it is a monounsaturated fat, which has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity and lower LDL cholesterol – they’re heart healthy, too (Hyman, 2018). Avocado oil is great for salad dressings, sautéing, and is full of vitamins and antioxidants. It also a high-smoke point, meaning it is safe to cook at higher temperatures.

2. Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo: $7.49/12 oz jar

Primal Kitchen makes some yummy avocado oil products. Their mayo is gluten free, dairy free, Whole 30 and Paleo Approved! I substitute it for regular mayo in recipes and it's delish! I love to add the chipotle lime mayo to turkey burgers with onions and a half an avocado!

3. Simple Mills Almond Flour Pizza Dough: $6.39/9.8 oz box

Simple Mills is one of my favorite companies for crackers, pizza dough mix, pancake/waffle mix, chocolate chip cookies, banana muffin/bread mix, pumpkin muffin/bread mix, and organic frostings! Fun Fact: Simple Mills was founded in Chicago in 2013 with the goal to provide a cleaner alternative to natural baking mixes. Their products are all Non-GMO Project Verified, certified gluten-free, paleo friendly, free of grain, soy, artificial flavors and fillers! Their ingredients are clean and simple!

4. Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers: $4.19/4.25 oz box

As I stated earlier, the ingredients are simple. Almond Flour, Cassava, Flax, Arrowroot, and Coconut Sugar.

• Almond Flour: alternative to other nutrient-void flours - made from almonds grown in the US

• Cassava: made from woody shrub that is ground to mimic gluten flours

• Flax: protein packed and full of fiber – added for nutrient value and crunch

• Arrowroot: “iconic” herb – used to aid digestion in Asia – gives baked goods fluffy texture

• Coconut sugar: lowest glycemic index sweetener & production of coconut sugar is more environmentally friendly as it uses less resources and makes more sugar

5. Siete Foods Tortilla Chips: $4.39/5 oz bag

Chips and Salsa are my favorite snack! I love the story of this family of seven that came together to help their teenage daughter suffering with autoimmune conditions. They started Siete Family Foods to create delicious tortillas that are free of grains, gluten, soy, and dairy. Their chips are made with Cassava Flour, Avocado Oil, Coconut Flour, Ground Chia Seed, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Lime Oil. My husband LOVES the Nacho blend, but Lime is my favorite!

6. Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter: $11.29/16 oz jar

Justin's almond butters have no artificial ingredients or extra sugars. I’m always looking for products with ingredients that have simple ingredients without the confusing chemistry list! Justin’s ingredients are organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla powder, sustainably sourced palm fruit oil, and sea salt. I enjoy putting a spoonful of this almond butter in my smoothies, yogurt, or by the spoon. Justin's peanut butter cups are another delicious snack!

• I also like the Thrive Market Creamy Almond Butter to be used in recipes, but I don't find it to be otherwise not spoon-worthy!

7. Thrive Market Plantain Chips: $1.99/5 oz bag

Plaintain's are my favorite snack as of right now - I crave them over french fries! I'm working on trying to make them in our air-fryer from scratch, so stay tuned!

8. Tolerant Organic Red Lentil Penne: $4.99/8 oz box

Many gluten-free pastas are made from corn and rice, which more people find sensitivities to. Next time you’re in the store, check out a “gluten free” pasta and see what the main ingredients are, in addition to their fiber and protein content! You’ll find that many are lacking in the fiber and protein content! Tolerant's Organic Red Lentil Penne has a full serving of vegetables, tons of fiber (42% of your daily fiber needs), and 20 grams of protein.

9. Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti: $3.99/7.5 oz box

If you’re looking for another easy-to-prep gluten free pasta alternative with 11 grams of fiber (46% of your daily needs) and 25 grams of protein then the Explore brand is for you!

10. Thrive Market Coconut Aminos: $5.69/10 oz glass bottle

I recently added this to my pantry in place of soy sauce – It is 100% free of soy, gluten free, and lower on the glycemic index (65% less sodium than soy or other tamari sauces). This is also great to add to your diet those of you that don’t get a lot of meat, eggs, and dairy, which are foods with highest amino acid content. The human body can only produce 10 of the 20 amino acids that our body needs, which means we have to obtain the rest through the absorption of food. Amino acids play a role in muscle repair, brain and nervous system functions, immunity, and energy levels. Coconut aminos also contain B vitamins and Vitamin C!

• B Vitamins – helps body process food (carbs in particular) and convert into energy; plays a key role in red blood cell formation and supporting the immune system

• Vitamin C – important for immune system defense

11. Fourth & Heart Grass Fed Ghee: $11.99/9 oz jar

Ghee is clarified butter that does not have processes margarines & has a high smoke point

Ghee is rich in butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid, which helps your gut to digest food. For those with Chron's disease, Gout, and other autoimmune diseases that may be following a FODMAP diet, Ghee is a great alternative as it doesn't allow for processed oils of any kind. Ghee is dairy free and lactose free and Whole30 and Paleo approved! It's similar to coconut oil, but with the buttery taste!!

As I stated early, an overall access to healthy foods, and geographic isolation, are issues facing many Americans. Every once in a while, I can snag these products at the commissary on base for about ten cents cheaper, but not consistently. Without a Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or Costco here, I struggle to find some of these products. I have included sponsored links to order these products through Amazon or to simply use for comparison. I use Thrive Market to stock up on these healthier options of my favorite foods!

You can sign up using my link for 25% off your first order! You will also get a free 30 day trial – after that the annual membership is $59.95. All orders over $49 are free shipping and you get daily deals and free items. I have already saved $170.07 and made back my membership.

http://thrv.me/shestolemyhart