Target's New Line Good And Gather

Target is always a fun place especially for foodies.  It's one of the most exciting places for finding different and new brands. Now the store has introduced a new line Good & Gather, which features tasty and organic foods.

The line was actually brought out in September however I discovered it when I bought their pretzels about a week ago on my annual Thanksgiving run.

This new line has 650 (!) new products and six categories from beverages to pantry. What is good about the line is that the products are made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors and no synthetic colors. It's a perfect brand for parents wanting their kids to have healthier foods without any harmful side effects. There's also enough variety that little ones - and big ones won't get bored. Good and Gather has some fun choices. It can provide you with a whole meal and dessert to boot. You can buy the basics like their butter and milk along with fresh fruit and veggies to create wholesome dishes.

As with anything Target I love it. The pretzels' ingredients are all organic and they're a bit chunkier than the average pretzel stick, perfect for the crunch factor. Other crunchy snacks I want to try is Good and Gather's  unsweetened mango strips and coconut chips. I think their baked pita chips and sea salt veggie straws will be making an appearance at my holiday party table.Their chocolate infused almond butter is definitely on my radar as is their strawberry-rhubarb jam, both perfect on toasted brioche bread. Good and Gather has lunch and dinner choices too. I want to try their  burrata lemon zest ravioli, a combination of lemon and four cheeses. I can see serving them with a lemon butter sauce for  a lighter take on a traditional dish. The ravioli also come stuffed with tomato , mozzarella and basil for a classic flavor.  The shredded chicken looks interesting and too good to pass up too.Another must try is their sparkling water. Target has put together some interesting pairings such as cranberry -citrus and blackberry-raspberry along with ginger peach and coconut pineapple. Their watermelon sparkling water looks refreshing too.

Check out Good and Gather while you're holiday shopping. Target's new brand can supply you with your Christmas dinner and holiday party fare. They are yet another in house brand to love.

The Alkaline Diet

Could a diet not only change your life but revitalize it? According to some homeopaths and nutritionists  it could. Ridding your diet of acids is supposedly beneficial . It's an interesting mix of veggies and fruits, that anyone can follow.

What is alkalinity? It's  defined as less acidity in the body, relating to pH levels.The higher the pH the lower the acidity. According to some doctors, this works in favor It supposedly can reduce the threat of cancer along with helping with arthritis and losing weight. The body should always maintain a  level of 7.4 Testing for acidity  is easy thanks to saliva strips from Hydrion (these can be bought from Micro Essential Labs).There are physical signs, too, such as shortness of breath, frequent sighing, muscle pain or cramping, especially after walking and feeling like you're not getting enough air.many people are more acidic thanks to their diets yet there are some that are purely alkaline. Like any diet, there are restrictions. The drinks everybody loves , soda and coffee are off limits dues to their high acidity along with artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly black tea is also on the list however all herbal teas are alkaline so they're a nice fall back. Tap water is neutral along with some spring waters such as Fiji and Evian.Milk also falls in this category however adding chocolate syrup or mix will amp up the acidity. Buttermilk, though, is very alkalizing so think about adding it to your drinking, baking and cooking.

The best bet for a more alkaline diet is to go completely vegan. Many meats are pure acid along with seafood. Beef, lobster and shrimp are restricted as are crab, lamb, pork and veal. Poultry, from chicken to turkey are in this category too, but not as bad as red meats. . For those who dread the idea of going cold turkey vegetarian there are slightly acidifying meats such as some breeds of  fish and liver, for those who can stand it. Salmon, sole, trout and flounder are the least and can be made into a variety of tasty dishes. The best bets for a truly alkalized diet are anything soy, namely beans , nuts and sprouts along with both navy and white beans, Red beans and chickpeas or garbanzos are slightly acidifying but allowed. Luckily there is a whole gamut of veggies to choose from, with avocados being the most alkaline.Tomatoes and sour pickles are in the strange category of being acidic but alkalizing.. Veggies that have some acidity are artichokes, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce along with cauliflower onions and peas. Most fruits are slightly acidic thanks to their fructose levels however there's no reason to give them up..The truly non acidic ones are watermelons, bananas, sour cherries and fresh coconut. Try to mix up this last to get all the health benefits they offer.

Alkaline diets are restrictive but the benefits are worth all the restrictions. It 's just eating more fish and veggies and cutting  out all the bad stuff. Doing this will drop acid levels, making for a better life.