Drugstore.com Coupon Code: Best Vitamins for Safe, Healthy Weight Control

For anyone trying to control their weight, sticking to a long-term lifestyle change can be hard at times. We may all wish for a “magic pill” that will solve our problems without the diet, exercise, and vegetables. I hate to report there is no such pill out there yet (or else Oprah would have it).

The good news is that there are some vitamins at Drugstore.com Promo Code and nutrients that can help ensure you are on the path to weight control success, and may play important role in helping you achieve an ideal weight.

Vitamin B12 for Weight Control

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays several roles in the body including the creation of red blood cells and how well your body uses calories.* It is usually found bound to protein in animal foods such as fish, chicken, and beef. Severe vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to anemia, is generally only found in people who are vegetarian or vegan, and those who have had some type of stomach surgery (such as weight loss surgery).

Some weight loss clinics give patients B12 shots claiming that the vitamin itself causes weight loss. Although this practice is not completely misguided and probably harmless, vitamin B12 via shots or pills will NOT cause weight loss. But vitamin B12 does play a role in how your body uses calories.  Vitamin B12 may support energy production by helping the body convert food into energy.* More energy will hopefully result in more exercise and greater motivation which will lead to safe and healthy weight control.

Fish Oil for Weight Control

Fish Oil (also called omega 3s) has gotten a lot of press lately because of its manybenefits.  Omega 3 fish oil may contribute to healthy weight management, by helping to promote the metabolism of dietary fat and cholesterol, while also aiding the immune system and protecting nerve and brain cells from oxidative stress and damage.*   Fish oil may also assist in joint mobility and flexibility, enhancing exercise performance, endurance and recovery, which may ultimately help us to reach our weight management goals.*

Fiber for Weight Control

While technically not a vitamin, Dietary Fiber may benefit both weight management.  Fiber achieves this in a few different ways:

It fills you up and reduces your appetite, leading to fewer calories consumed.  A 2001 study performed at Tufts University found that by increasing fiber consumption by 14 grams per day, subjects consumed on average 10% fewer calories, and lost more than 4 pounds over a 4 month period – just by increasing their fiber intake.  Subjects who were classified as obese ate as much as 18% fewer calories, and lost nearly 5 1/2 pounds over the same period.   The researchers ultimately concluded that subjects following high-fiber, low fat diet lost three times as much weight as subjects who consumed a low-fat diet only.

Fiber also helps with weight control by stimulating friendly, healthy, beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Sadly, Americans don’t consume nearly as much Fiber as experts suggest we should take.  While the Institute of Medicine recommends adult women and men get 25 grams and 38 grams of fiber per day, respectively, the average person consumes around 13 grams of fiber per day.

It’s quite clear from these numbers that our diets alone simply aren’t doing the job.

Although there is no magic weight loss “pill”, there are some vitamins and nutrients that may influence your body’s ability to manage weight. When starting any weight program, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and take a daily multivitamin to give your body all the nutrition it needs to function properly. If you are worried about vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency and omega 3 deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test to identify any potential problem areas before taking high doses of supplements.

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: Top 10 Foods to Eat This Summer

Sometimes eating healthy can feel like an uphill battle. First, you have to find time to shop, then pick the “right” foods – which seem to change every day – and now those foods have to be in season? Really!?

Well, eating seasonally isn’t something made up to cause you more anxiety. Eating seasonally ensures that you get foods when they have the most nutrients. The flavors are richer, the colors are brighter (which means more antioxidants) and the whole eating experience is much better. Anyone who’s bitten into an off-season, mealy apple knows this to be true.

Seasonal foods are naturally going to be more abundant in grocery stores and at farmers’ markets – so you won’t have to look too hard to find them. Lucky for you, we’re going to tell you exactly what they are, why they’re good for you, and a few ways you can easily incorporate them into your routine.

Here are our top picks for the best summer foods:

1. CHERRIES

Although you need a pit strategy, cherries are definitely worth the extra effort. In addition to satisfying your sweet tooth, cherries act as a natural painkiller. Like traditional NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) cherry juice contains flavonoid compounds that inhibit the action of enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that cause pain. But unlike NSAIDs, which can damage the lining of the stomach when taken too often, the flavonoids and the high level of antioxidants in cherries actually help protect the stomach.

Cherries may also help you sleep. Tart cherries are one of the only foods that contain melatonin – the hormone that helps get us to sleep and stay asleep. One small study found drinking tart cherry juice improved sleep duration and quality in adults suffering from insomnia. Additionally, unlike most other fruits, cherries are higher in glucose than fructose. Glucose is our brain’s preferred source of fuel, so popping a few cherries before bed will also help keep our blood sugar from crashing and our brain happy all night long.

Recipe tip: blend cherries, water, a little stevia and lime juice in a blender. Pour into ice molds and freeze for an after dinner treat that will help you catch some z’s.

2. TOMATOES

Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene – the phytochemical that makes them red and has significant antioxidant properties. Unlike some other vegetables that lose their nutritional value when cooked, tomatoes get more nutritious! Research from Cornell University showed that cooking tomatoes increases their levels of phytochemicals, although it reduces their vitamin C content. But that’s okay. You’ve got all the other foods on this list to make up the difference.

Recipe tip: The research found that cooking tomatoes at about 190 degrees (medium heat) for 30 minutes produced the most increase in antioxidants. We recommend simply sautéing with olive oil and a few leaves of fresh basil, and pairing with your noodle (zucchini, rice, gluten-free, gluten-full) of choice.

3. SUMMER SQUASH

This one is kind of obvious. Summer is in the name. But this catchall moniker includes many varieties: Yellow, zucchini, and patty pan are all summer squashes. Unlike winter squashes (Hubbard, acorn, and butternut) summer squashes are much quicker to prepare. You can even eat them raw, skin and all. One cup has 35% of your RDV of vitamin C and 14% of your B6. Squash is also a great source of manganese, a mineral that’s needed to make collagen in our skin and protect us from ultraviolet (UV) light damage – particularly handy in the summertime. Yet another reason why it’s important to eat in season!

Recipe tip: Since heat degrades vitamin C (and eating steaming hot vegetables in the summer isn’t all that appetizing anyway) try slicing up some squash and eating with your favorite dips for a slightly healthier happy hour snack.

4. BLACKBERRIES

When it comes to berries, blueberries and strawberries seem to get all the love, but this summer black is the new black. In addition to having some of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits, one cup of blackberries has a huge amount of fiber – 31% of your RDV. By helping you eliminate waste, blackberries aid your body in detoxification and hormonal regulation. Blackberries also contain 50% of your RDV of vitamin C and 36% of your vitamin K, which helps blood clotting and can help regulate menstruation. More good news for the ladies: Eating blackberries may help tighten tissue, meaning younger, firmer looking skin!

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Recipe tip: swap your blueberries for blackberries in your morning smoothie or over top of Greek yogurt or overnight oats.

5. BEETS

Perhaps more than any other food on this list I LOVE BEETS! They’re packed with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and one cup has 37% your RDV of folate, which our bodies need to make new cells. It’s especially important for pregnant women, as it has been shown to help prevent serious birth defects of the spinal cord and brain.* The beetroot also contains betaine, which helps protect the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol and helps our bodies flush out toxins by stimulating bile flow. On top of all that, beets can also take your workout to the next level. Researchers found beet juice allows muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, so much so, that it’s been used by several Olympic athletes as an alternative to performance-enhancing drugs!

What makes beets even better is that they’re a nutritional BOGO – the greens are just as nutrient-dense as the roots, containing protein, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese, in addition to significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. In fact, beet greens have even more iron than spinach! So definitely don’t toss these!

Recipe tip: Wash and dry your greens and use them in a salad along with the root. Top with a little feta cheese, a sprinkle of pine nuts, and a drizzle of EVOO and balsamic vinegar.

6. GREEN BEANS

As the old saying goes, “Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart,” and that they are. Green beans contain levels of carotenoids similar to those in carrots and tomatoes. These pigments are what gives the vegetables their color, and are thought to decrease risk of heart disease, certain cancers and eye disease. The reason why green beans aren’t called red or orange beans is because they also contain chlorophyll, which has been said to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

Green beans also contain resistant starch. This kind of starch passes through the stomach and small intestine undigested (it’s resistant) and winds up in the colon where it acts like soluble fiber, feeding our good gut bacteria. This helps with everything from regularity to weight loss to improving immunity.

Lastly, eating green beans is not only seasonal, but sustainable. More than 50% of all commercially grown green beans are “Boooooorn in the USA!” So get out your jorts, turn on some Bruce and bust out the beans.

Recipe tip: If you can’t get them fresh, go for frozen. When beans are first frozen (rather than canned) they can retain up to 90% of their B vitamins.

7. CUCUMBERS

When it comes to craveable foods you dream about, cucumbers might not be top of the list. But these veggies are anything but boring. Although their taste may be inconspicuous, their vitamin content is not. Cucumbers are packed with B vitamins and are 95% water, which means they’re hydrating and energizing. So instead of making a b-line for the coffee maker in the afternoon, try some cuckes.

Or, perhaps you have a little too much fun one of these summer nights? Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins, and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, and their water content helps flush toxins, taking your hangover from a 10 to a 6.

Recipe idea: Head off the “morning after” headache sooner rather than later. Try adding some cucumbers to your cocktails with this great recipe from The Minimalist Baker.

Muddle mint, lime juice, gin and sugar (or stevia) in a shaker. Add cucumber slices and shake. Pour mixture over ice and top with tonic or sparkling water. Bottoms up!

8. CORN

There is quite possibly nothing better than that first bite of summer corn on the cob, fresh off the grill, slathered in butter. But corn has gotten a pretty bad rap as of late: it’s GMO; it’s hard to digest, and it has no nutritional value. But it tastes so good! Can it really be all that bad?

In terms of vitamin content, many other veggies have corn beat. Corn is mostly starch, which, in the anti-carb mania, has become a nutritional public enemy, but our bodies need starch and other sources of carbohydrate for our thyroids to function properly. If we don’t get enough carbs, our thyroids can slow down and actually cause us to gain weight! Additionally, corn is a good source of insoluble fiber. It passes through your system undigested, sweeping the sides of your colon like a broom. If you’ve got digestive issues you might want to stay away from corn and other vegetables high in insoluble fiber like raw broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, but people with healthy digestive systems do just fine with a little insoluble fiber.

As for all corn being GMO, that’s not really the case. Most sweet corn available in your grocery store’s produce section is not GMO corn. Field corn, which is harvested later and processed into oil, high-fructose corn syrup, or other products, is more likely to be GMO. But you can avoid this by buying organic or from your local farmers’ market.

Recipe tip: Grill + butter + sea salt = enjoy.

9. APRICOTS

These little fruits are rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and are a good source of soluble fiber, yet their standout characteristic is that they’re an excellent source of potassium. This mineral is an electrolyte that helps you stay hydrated. If you suffer from headaches, it could be because you’re getting too much sodium and not enough potassium. Try popping a couple of apricots and see if it helps. Additionally, when paired with protein, they make a great post-workout snack. The potassium will help you rehydrate, while the natural sugar in the fruit helps shuttle protein to your muscles for better repair and recovery.

Recipe idea: If you’ve been having fun outside in the sun all day long, refuel with this in-season smoothie:

• One scoop of your favorite protein powder
• 1-2 apricots
• 1 whole banana
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
• 1/2 cup water

10. MELON

When you get a good piece of melon, the super sweet taste and crisp texture puts any high-fructose popsicle to shame. But more than satisfy your sweet tooth, all melons are a great source of vitamin C – which can help you fight that summer cold that always comes at the most inopportune moment. Additionally, watermelon, like tomatoes, is also a great source of lycopene.

But there’s nothing worse than cracking into a bad melon. Here’s how to make sure you’ve got a good one:

Ripe cantaloupes will smell slightly sweet. If it’s sickeningly sweet it’s probably overripe and yuck. Cantaloupes continue to ripen after being picked, so you want to buy and eat these bad boys.

As you probably know, picking a watermelon can be trickier, but when you get a good one, it’s better than birthday cake. The best sign of ripeness is a firm underside with a yellowish color. If it’s white or green, the melon isn’t ready yet. A whole watermelon will keep in the refrigerator up to a week, but a cut watermelon should be eaten ASAP.

You can tell a ripe honeydew by a yellowish-white color. Avoid those that are paper-white or greenish white; they’ll never ripen. If the skin is smooth, it’s under ripe. The skin should have a slightly sticky feel, indicating the natural sugars are seeping through. Cut it within four to five days and leave the seeds in place until you’re ready to eat it – they’ll keep the fruit moist.

Recipe tip: For a quick, refreshing drink that looks as gorgeous as it tastes, use melon in place of ice cubes. Just ball up your favorite kinds of melon, add sparkling water or soda water, a squeeze of lime juice, and a mint leaf to garnish.

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: The Top 5 Healthy Foods to Take Camping

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This summer, SmartyPants will be hitting the great outdoors at the Outessa Summit women’s events in Kirkwood, CA and Powder Mountain, UT. In addition to the paddle boarding, rock climbing, outdoor cooking, and fireside wine-sipping, we’ll be teaching a few workshops on, what else, nutrition. After all, one of the best things about a camping trip or hiking excursion are the delicious snacks, treats, and cook-ups you get to enjoy along the trail or at the end of a nature-packed day. While there are a few campfire classics that aren’t exactly the pinnacle of “healthy” cuisine (*cough* smores, *cough* beer), we’d never say not to treat yo’ self! But there are tons of other camp-friendly options you can throw in the mix that not only taste good, but will keep you feeling good, too.

Baked Potatoes

Potatoes sometimes get a bad rap, but we’re not entirely sure why. The inside, or “meat,” is a great source of soluble fiber, which helps feed our good gut bacteria, while the skin contains 5 grams of insoluble fiber, which helps keep things “moving along.” (You can read more about the wondrous powers of fiber here.) One whole baked potato has 7 grams of protein, 46 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, 48 percent of vitamin C, 46 percent of potassium, 21 percent of phosphorous and magnesium, and 33 percent of manganese.

Why are these vitamins and minerals important when on the trail? B6 helps to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite – three things that definitely need some extra TLC when surviving in the wilderness. Magnesium (a nutrient that’s pretty difficult to get from most foods) can help muscles relax, improve sleep, and reduce stress – great for after a long day making those #elevationgains. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports your adrenal glands, which is also crucial after days of hiking and strenuous outdoor activities. But perhaps the best part about the potato is how incredibly easy they are to pack and cook. They require no refrigeration; just throw them in your bag. When you’re ready to eat, poke some holes into the skin with a fork, wrap in tin foil, and place on a hot bed of coals or on a rock next to a low fire. They’ll be ready in about half an hour. We recommend slathering with grass-fed butter and sea salt.

Trail Mix

This one might come as no surprise, but have you ever thought about why this snack is so popular amongst trail trekkers? It tastes amazing, true, but, both nutritionally and logistically, trail mix is exactly what you need when heading out into the wild blue yonder. One cup of trail mix can contain anywhere from 500-700 calories. If you’re couch surfing all day, this might not be ideal, but when you’re on the trail, you need a dense source of fuel that’s not going to weigh down your pack or your body. Contained in those calories is more than 20 grams of protein, 40 grams of (healthy) fats, 60 grams of carbs, and nearly a third of your daily value for 14 different vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, the salt from the nuts and the glucose from the dried fruits help replenish electrolytes and keep you hydrated.

To ensure you get the healthiest mix, go for kinds that include just fruit and nuts. Salted nuts are good, but make sure the fruit doesn’t come coated in extra sugar. We like mixes that include a majority of nuts such as almonds and macadamia nuts (rather than peanuts), dried bananas for potassium, and pumpkin or sunflower seeds for zinc. Bonus points for dried blueberries, which are low in sugar and high in antioxidants. TIP: If you can’t find all these goodies in one bag, make your own. Many grocery stores have bins of dried fruit and nuts you can mix and match. Whole Foods even has soaked and sprouted nut and seed options – double bonus!

Canned Fish

If you’re thinking “Ew, gross,” you can skip this one, but, before you go, you might be interested to know that canned fish is one of the healthiest, most affordable, convenient, camp-friendly foods on the face of the planet. Wild-caught sardines have more calcium and phosphorous than milk, more iron than spinach, more potassium than coconut water, and as much protein as steak. Plus, they pack over 300 mg of omega 3 EPA and 650 mg of omega 3 DHA (part of the reason why we use fish oil from sardines in SmartyPants). If you’re not into sardines, (you should try them, they taste just like tuna, we swear!) try wild-caught salmon. We recommend opting for varieties that include the bones. You can’t taste them, and bones are one of the best sources of easily absorbable minerals that can be hard to get through diet otherwise. Our favorite brands are Wild Plant and Trader Joe’s BPA-free options.

 Chili

Chili is the definition of maximum return, minimum investment. Everything you’d want or need to put in chili you can find in a can (or you can get it pre-made – we love Amy’s brand), it can be modified to suit almost any taste and dietary preference, and it’s incredibly nutrient dense. A simple vegetarian chili made out of beans, veggies, and tomato paste contains 10 grams of protein, a whopping 16 grams of fiber, and only 4 grams of sugar. In addition, you’re also getting a sizeable serving of lycopene – the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and is in our new SmartyPants Men’s Complete. Unlike many antioxidants that are destroyed by heat, lycopene content is actually enhanced by cooking (read more about the best ways to eat antioxidants here). Add in some grass-fed beef or bison meat for extra protein, vitamin A, iron, and a hefty dose of B vitamins, which will keep you energized all day.

 Jerky

For camping and hiking aficionados, jerky may be old news – dried meats have been a staple of outdoorsmen and women for hundreds of years, as they’re an almost perfect balance between fat and protein, a good source of B vitamins, and zinc. The good news is, jerky is so popular now you can find it almost anywhere, from health food stores to airport gift shops. But all jerkies are not created equal. We recommend opting for brands that are 100% grass-fed – an important thing to look for when buying animal products, as grass-fed products are often more sustainable, raised in a more humane manner, and have been shown to have higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 3 fatty acids.

5-Star Campfire Recipes  

If you want to go beyond the basics, we recommend checking out our friends over at Dirty Gourmet – a blog dedicated to teaching people how to make restaurant-quality food in the wilderness. Here are our favorite DG family camping recipes:

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: 5 TIPS TO ROCK A BOLD LIP

Can you believe summer is coming to an end? I feel like it has gone by so fast but after the multiple heat waves we have had in New Jersey I have to say that I am actually quite alright with this season passing because that means we are heading into fall. I love the Fall season, the nail polish shades, the eye shades but my very favorite: BOLD LIPS.  It’s incredibly easy to update your look with a bold lip. I’m celebrating the upcoming season and trying out some on Revlon’s Fall shades and giving you some tips and tricks on how to rock the perfect bold lip this Fall. All you have to do is visit Walgreens and make sure you lip color will be on trend with Revlon Super Lustrous Liptsticks and glosses. Then sit back and relax and enjoy the tips!

Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Spicy Cinnamon is my go to shade. It’s vampy, gorgeous, and jaw droppingly perfect for fall. It’s a gorgeous creamy shade.  This shade definitely makes me #FallForBold over and over again.

TIP 1: Start with prepped lips. Before applying a bold lipstick you’re going to want to make sure your lips are smooth. Use the head of a tooth brush and a lip scrub to exfoliate any dead skin you may have on your lips.

The trend report is in. It’s all about rich, bold shade for Fall. Deep reds, rich marsalas, dramatic bronzed nudes and dusty pinks. Let Revlon help you to make a dramatic statement. You can load up on Revlon Super Lustrous, and all of your favorite Revlon products at Walgreens. Get all of these great products at hot prices, only at Walgreens.

TIP 2: Prime your lips. For a bold lip to really take on the bright vampy look you want to moisturize your lips. Apply a lip balm first to get your lips ready for color.

TIP 3: Shiny is better. To really rock a bold lip for Fall, find something that is super shiny and will really stand out.

I’m wearing HD Smoky Quartz above from the Revlon Ultra HD Lip Laquer line and the gorgeous lacquer shine is to die for. It’s lightweight color in a completely non-sticky formula and would be an awesome addition to your Fall beauty bag. You can grab this at Walgreens too from  where all Revlon Lip, Face and Eye products will be Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!

Rosy Future is a gorgeous shade straight out of the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss line and a clear front runner for Fall. I just can’t get enough.

TIP 4: Set! Take a tissue, makeup brush, and some translucent setting powder. Apply the powder to your lips over the tissues with a fluffy makeup brush to help the color set in and last longer.  

TIP 5: Rock it! Yes, rock that bold lip. Don’t be afraid of color, try something new and #FallForBold this season!

Super Lustrous Lipstick is is Revlon’s most iconic lipstick and a proven best-seller.

Best Super Lustrous Lipsticks for Fall:

• Deep Reds: Certainly Red, Love That Red

• Rich Marsalas: Black Honey, Wine With Everything

• Bronzed Nude: Spicy Cinnamon, Champagne on Ice

• Dusty Pink: Fuchsia Fusion, Soft Silver Rose

Super Lustrous Lipgloss is a silk gloass that boosts hydration and plumps lips with moisture for a colorful, glamorous shine.

Best Super Lustrous lipglosses for Fall:

• Deep Reds: Fatal Apple
• Rich Marsalas: Desert Spice
• Bronzed Nude: Rosy Future, Super Natural
• Dusty Pink: Pink Pop

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: Medical Marijuana Might Not Be a Safe Nausea Solution for Pregnant Women

Medical marijuana is becoming more widely accepted and it is being used for a wide range of conditions. Scientific evidence of its effectiveness for most indications is still slim or nonexistent, but one of the few that are actually well supported is nausea (emesis) from cancer chemotherapy. Marijuana has been used to treat nausea for thousands of years, and there are even FDA-approved THC-based drugs for this purpose. Thus, it is not surprising that pregnant women are using marijuana to control the nausea that often accompanies pregnancy (including the common “morning sickness” and the less common severe nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum). For example, according to a recent analysis, 2.6 percent of women who gave birth in Hawaii between 2009 and 2011 reported using marijuana during their pregnancy, and women who reported severe nausea during pregnancy were significantly more likely to use marijuana.

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While it may seem logical to treat the nausea of pregnancy with marijuana, women who do this could be putting their child at risk of neurodevelopmental and other problems. Prenatal exposure to marijuana has long been implicated in possible adverse health outcomes and behavioral abnormalities in childhood and later in life. A recent review and meta-analysis found that babies of women who used marijuana during their pregnancy were more likely to be anemic, to have lower birth weight, and to require placement in neonatal intensive care than babies of mothers who did not use marijuana. Past studies have also shown links—albeit not consistently—to altered neurodevelopment and to later problems with memory, attention, and problem solving during the school years.

More research to clarify these risks is badly needed. The evidence for brain changes or birth defects is not as extensive or as clear for marijuana as it is for alcohol and tobacco, and it is often impossible in studies to separate out the potential effects of these substances, since many marijuana users also smoke cigarettes and/or drink. Other factors in the environment may also confound the associations. But marijuana’s potential to interfere with cognitive development has theoretical as well as empirical justification. The endocannabinoid system, with which THC interacts, is known to play a significant role in the proper formation of synapses during early brain development. Any substance that interferes with this system could have an impact on how the fetal brain is wiring itself.

Also increasingly popular are synthetic cannabinoids (often called “Spice” or “K2” or “herbal incense”), which are chemically similar to THC and interact with the same cannabinoid receptors, but are often much more potent. Studies of the effects of prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoids in animals are showing even clearer signs of neurotoxicity and ability to cause birth defects. A recent study of one potent synthetic cannabinoid showed brain abnormalities, deformations of the eyes, and facial disfigurement (cleft palate) in significant portions of mouse fetuses exposed to a range of dosages of the cannabinoid at day 8 of gestation—roughly equivalent to the third or fourth week of embryonic development in humans (which is before many mothers even know they are pregnant). Even at the lowest dose given, over a quarter of the fetuses had deformed eyes, and the percentage of fetuses with birth defects rose linearly with dose. It is not yet clear how or whether these kinds of effects could translate to humans.

Given what is at stake, it would be inadvisable for pregnant women (or those considering becoming pregnant) to use marijuana or other cannabinoids either recreationally or to treat their nausea. And even though we do not yet have enough data to prove that THC and other cannabinoids interfere with human fetal development, doctors in a position to recommend medical marijuana should be mindful of its potential developmental impacts and not recommend it to treat nausea associated with pregnancy. Future research will be needed to clarify the nature and extent of marijuana’s effects during prenatal development, but at this point, any benefit in reducing nausea is not worth the risks.

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: Should Schools Be Ready for Opioid Overdoses

We’ve mentioned before that teens’ misuse of opioids—either prescription pain relievers or heroin—is declining. That’s terrific! But those who do misuse opioids put themselves at risk for an overdose, and unfortunately, overdoses for teens 15 and older are on the rise. In 2014, 76 young people died from prescription opioid overdoses.

Because the drug naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, some people want to make it available where a lot of young people can be found: public schools. In most schools in the U.S., if a teen has an overdose, nurses can call 911 and perform rescue breathing until EMS arrives—but when it comes to reversing an opioid overdose, seconds count.

So lawmakers in some states have started to authorize schools to have naloxone handy if they need it. The National Association of School Nurses has endorsed the idea.

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Myths vs. Facts

Increasing the availability of naloxone means overcoming misunderstandings about the drug and other measures that can reduce the harm caused by opioid misuse.

For example, some people claim that naloxone might give those who are addicted to opioids a false sense of security, so having it at school might actually make some students more willing to use opioids there. However, studies where naloxone has been made more available found no increase in opioid misuse. For instance, a study that distributed naloxone to actual opioid users and their friends and families in Massachusetts ended up reversing 237 overdoses, without increasing opioid misuse.

Some critics also claim that even if naloxone can reverse an overdose, it doesn’t help the person deal with their underlying addiction. That’s like saying that you shouldn’t revive a person who had a heart attack because a defibrillator doesn’t address their underlying heart disease.

Naloxone is a life-saving measure, not a treatment; saving a life with naloxone enables the person to go on living and hopefully enter treatment to address their addiction. For a person to deal with their addiction, they have to be alive, right?

Easier to Use

Others have said that nurses might not administer the drug correctly because they aren’t trained paramedics or emergency doctors. But naloxone now comes in easy-to-use nasal sprays and auto-injectors that non-medically trained people can use. So there’s no reason to think trained school personnel couldn’t administer it safely.

The American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association both have supported making naloxone available even to family members who can, if necessary, reverse an overdose for a family member who’s taking opioids.

As clear as the case seems to be for making naloxone available in schools, the debate seems likely to go on for a while. What do you think? Should all schools be allowed to have naloxone on hand in case a student overdoses on opioids? What’s your school doing to address the issue?

Drugstore.com Coupon Code: 10 Healthy Food That Truly Satisfy

LAST UPDATED: MAR 02, 2016

With endless Instagrams of dinner plates and tweets about fad diets, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the nutrition noise online. Relax, and bookmark these 10 smart reads about good food and healthy eating.

Best RD Blog
Nutrition Wow
"Healthy living, hold the boring": That's the motto of Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN. She delivers digestible advice (like tips for dropping weight without being calorie-obsessed) and wholesome recipes.
Words of Wisdom: "We all have an inner food ninja who can confidently make food decisions—all we need to do is slow down and listen."
Best Weight Loss Blog
Can You Stay for Dinner?
Andie Mitchell has lost (and kept off ) more than 100 pounds—while eating treats like chocolate pumpkin doughnuts. Come for the hearty recipes, stay for the deeply personal posts about her dieting struggles. 
Words of Wisdom: "I swear by eating salad for lunch (almost) every day...I don't have to spend any energy deciding on a healthy lunch, or testing my willpower thinking about those amazing $2 slices of pizza on the corner."
Best Myth Buster
Nutrition Unplugged
Janet Helm, a registered dietitian and journalist, casts a critical eye on hot topics, from saturated fat (is it really OK?) to the rise of Frankenfoods. You'll find a lot on trendy eats (like kombucha) and diet hypes.
Words of Wisdom: Fresh isn't always best. Frozen produce can be just as nutritious: "If you tend to leave your fresh veggies a little too long in the crisper drawer, the nutrient content can plummet."
Best Vegan Blog
Sweet Potato Soul
Growing up as a picky eater, Jenné Claiborne hated most healthy foods, except for sweet potatoes. Now, as a vegan chef, she's widened her repertoire, offering recipes so indulgent she could make the most die-hard of carnivores go plant-based. 
Words of Wisdom: "Even though I didn't give up animal products for my health or happiness, both have greatly improved."
Best Gluten-Free Blog
Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef
Shauna Ahern is the Web's expert on a no-gluten existence; her husband is the chef. You'll find a clear guide to baking, video tutorials and answers to questions like "Can you make homemade pasta without eggs?" (Yes!)
Words of Wisdom: "It's natural to focus first on what you can't eat... So much of the food you already love is naturally gluten-free. Focus on that."
Best Seasonal-Eating Blog
Sprouted Kitchen
Sara Forte does the cooking and blogging, while husband Hugh handles the photos of delicious creations like pumpkin bread with walnut-cinnamon swirl. Each recipe uses whole foods that are in season—a reminder that it doesn't take much to make fresh foods taste good.
Words of Wisdom: It's always easier to eat well when you have healthy foods on hand. Plan ahead and make a few things that will keep, like kale salad and granola.

Best Paleo Blog
Nom Nom Paleo
Michelle Tam may be the only blogger with her own action figure, but don't let that fool you: She has a degree in nutrition and food science. The recipes aren't as heavy on the meat as you might expect (she used to be a vegetarian), and you'll even find Paleo takes on Chinese dishes. 
Words of Wisdom: "I actually eat more vegetables than I did when I was a vegetarian—mostly because all that real estate in my stomach was taken up by pasta, bread, and baked treats."
Best Vegetarian Blog
Naturally Ella
When her dad had a heart attack her sophomore year of college, Erin Alderson (initials E.L.L.A.) swapped her fast-food diet for veggie fare and has been eating smart ever since. Her recipes are inspiring but practical— she always gives easier-to- find alternatives to unusual ingredients like amaranth.
Words of Wisdom: Keep whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices in your pantry and all you have to add is fresh produce for a complete meal.
Best Buffet of Topics
NPR's The Salt
Clicking on NPR's blog is like falling down the deepest Google rabbit hole ever—you can't stop reading their take on what's on your plate. Among the offerings: the science behind the ultimate chocolate chip cookie and what to do with weird farmers market vegetables. 
Words of Wisdom: Save the breadbasket until after you've finished your meal to keep eating in check. "Bite into that bread before your main meal, and you'll spike your blood sugar and amp up your appetite."
Best for Parents
Real Mom Nutrition
From tricks for tackling finicky eaters to advice on navigating food allergies, busy mom-of-two Sally Kuzemchak, RD, has got it covered with a voice that's reassuring and relatable. 
Words of Wisdom: "Our eating habits are works in progress, just like we are."

Top Tweeters
Five of our favorite feeds (and don't forget our contributing nutrition editor's handle,@cynthiasass!).
An NYU professor of nutrition, food studies and public health, Marion Nestle, PhD, shares the news you need to know—like what's really behind the rising cost of school lunches.
Las Vegas dietitian Andy Bellatti tweets about food politics, sustainability and—perhaps his favorite topic—deceptive marketing.
Follow sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, RD, for sneaky diet tips, links to important studies and even advice on how to find healthy food at gas stations.

Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules and Cooked, approaches eating as an ethical act, tweeting about our broken-down industrial food system as well as highlighting top nutrition news.