HOLIDAY 2016: Top Picks from NOW Foods

As part of the Ambassador Program I received product samples and compensation from NOW Foods to thank me for my participation, but the product selection and all opinions are genuinely my own. #NOWWellness

I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I started my collaboration with NOW Foods! After 11 months of partnership, my pantry, vitamin shelf, and skincare stash have been completely overtaken by NOW products, that I use daily. I tried literally hundreds of items, so I had this idea to share my top picks with you at the end of the year. My resolutions always include something along the lines of eating better food, using cleaner skincare, and working out regularly, so the timing of this post is perfect! All of the products below have been personally vetted by yours truly after using them throughout 2016. There are no surprises here, everything on this list you’ve already seen mentioned in reviews, favorite roundups, as well as on my Snapchat and Instagram channels.

Without further ado, here are my top picks from NOW Foods!

You probably know this one already, I pretty much talk about NOW Sports Eggwhite Protein Powder all the time. I’ve been experimenting with protein powders from other sources, but my own body responds the best to this one. This was the first eggwhite protein I’ve tried, and after sampling several others, it still remains the best in my opinion. Obviously, eggwhite protein is not for everyone, because it’s not vegan, but if you are an omnivore, you have to try it! One small scoop contains 16g, which is equivalent to a generous slice of pork tenderloin. NOW recommends consuming a variety of plant-based and animal-based proteins for a balanced diet [including protein powders], but if I could only pick one, I’d stick with my big orange jar of eggy happiness 🙂

If you walk into my kitchen, you’ll immediately spot a neat row of Ellyndale Naturals cooking oils. My love for these started with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I have since expanded my collection to accommodate for any cooking occasion. The most unexpected discovery turned out to be Avocado Cooking Oil, which I now use exclusively for stir-frying and cooking at high temperatures in general. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, and the flavor never overpowers the flavor of the food I’m making. I might be in the minority here, but every time a recipe calls for frying something with olive oil, I often look for a substitute, and avocado oil provided the perfect solution. Other oils I am loving right now include Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil, which I use in my homemade salad dressings, and Extra Virgin Organic Sesame Seed Oil to enhance the Asian dishes.

NOW offers a wide range of supplements, and after trying many of them, there are three I keep coming back to. Wrinkle Rescue is my go-to antiaging supplement; it contains a blend of potent fat-soluble antioxidants, including Vitamins A and E, that help protect the skin cells from oxidative damage. I am on my third bottle! My other favorite is Neptune Krill Oil, an Omega-3 supplement that meets all of my current Omega needs. NKO contains Astaxanthin, a powerful free radical scavenger that protects the cells from damage and supports your immune system. I also heard that krill oil works wonders for joint health, so I originally started using it on the days when I exercise, and now I take it daily. Last but not least, Berry Dophilus is my probiotic of choice. A while back I made a conscious decision to remove dairy products from my diet, so I had to find a good probiotic supplement that will promote healthy digestion. If I have a choice between traditional pills/capsules/tablets and something fun, like gummies and chewables, I will always pick the latter. Berry Dophilus tablets are marketed for children, but do any of us ever really grow up? 😉 If you still remember Pez candy, that’s what these kind of taste like, except they are actually good for you, haha! The thing with these supplements is that I don’t quite know how they work, but I always feel their absence if I stop taking them. Disclaimer: Don’t forget to consult with your physician before taking any new supplements.

Naturally, I have a lot of favorites among NOW Solutions personal care products, so I had to pick my top 5 to keep this list from being 10 pages long. In no particular order, the first product that came to mind is Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Lotion, which was one of the first lotions I tried from NOW, and it turned out to be the best one for me after I sampled the others. The texture is creamy and spreads over my skin like silk, but it never feels too heavy or sticky. It provides just the right amount of moisture and nourishment, plus it smells like ripe oranges. I especially love using it during the cold months! My favorite skincare duo – CoQ10 Antioxidant Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer – is another winning combination that worked wonders for my face. I requested both of these from my PR contact so many times, I lost count already! Every time I apply the serum, my facial contour immediately looks more lifted. The moisturizer thoroughly quenches every inch of my combination/dehydrated skin without leaving a trace of residue, thanks to Hyaluronic Acid, natural plant butters, and fatty alcohols in the formula. If you asked me which one NOW product is best for giving the skin that coveted youthful glow, it would be Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, without doubt.

I decided to also include XyliWhite Neem & Tea Tree Mouthwash on my list of favorites. I originally tried it out of curiosity because it seemed like a novelty product, but it proved to be an awesome healthy alternative to traditional mouthwashes. Thing is, I have sensitive gums, so a lot of drugstore mouthwashes I bought before would burn really badly, which totally kills the experience for me. XyliWhite mouthwash did not! It was very gentle on my gums and teeth, and I am now using it daily after each meal to stabilize the pH level in my mouth. Unlike traditional mouthwash, XyliWhite is a fluoride-free rinse that gets its cleansing properties from naturally occurring sugar alcohol Xylitol. Clinical studies show that xylitol helps promote dental health and protects the enamel surface from decay. I chose Neem & Tea Tree variety for their antibacterial properties. I don’t know how I manage to do it all the time, but when I eat something that can poke a hole in your gums [chips, fish with bones, etc], it always happens. I used both neem and tea tree oils for my facial breakouts, so naturally I figured they can keep the bacteria at bay in my mouth, too. So far this mouthwash worked like a charm, and I will continue using it!

Finally, last but not least, I figured I’d share something from the DIY section. NOW offers a wide range of clay powders that you can mix and blend to create your own unique mask. All you need to do is mix a tablespoon of powder with some water, or oil, or even yogurt to enjoy an effective and luxurious SPA treatment at home. Previously my favorite was the European Clay Powder, but for the past several months I found myself using Moroccan Red Clay Powder exclusively. It’s very gentle so it works really well for sensitive skin, and I just basically used it as a light scrub. It never irritated my skin even when I accidentally used it two days after a chemical peel, and it always makes my face feel petal fresh.

I hope you enjoyed my top picks from NOW Foods! You can find these products at local health stores and online at NowFoods.com.

Have you tried NOW Foods products before? Are you making any healthy resolutions this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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