Healthy Holiday Tip #6 – Make a Healthier Cocktail
January 1st, 2012 • Uncategorized • No comments
In honor of New Years, here’s a healthy low calorie cocktail that won’t break your resolution. Weighing in at just 75 calories (the vodka making up seventy calories, and the bai5 just five). With a low calorie cocktail, that’s all natural, high in antioxidants and actually good for you –you can’t go wrong. Kick off 2012 right, and try something healthier for you. Cheers to a new year, and enjoy responsibly.
Healthy Holiday Tip #5 – Burn Calories While Shopping
December 27th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
With the rising popularity in gift cards, there’s a good chance you were gifted at least one this season –which is nothing to complain about. But for many of us, gift cards translate into surfing online to decide the best (and easiest) way to spend it. And while we understand the simplicity and convenience of shopping online, didn’t you just take in a lot more calories than usual for the past few weeks? Maybe justifying shopping from the comfort of your couch, is better left for another time of year.
So don’t let your giftcards keep you lazing around the house. Instead, head to the stores. Studies show that on average adults burn between 80-120 calories per hour while shopping, and bonus points if you take the stairs instead of the mall escalator. And what’s more, you can make it a social experience. Get your family out of the house (if they’re still visiting) or meet up with your friends. While we’re not promising you’ll get a better deal in store than you would online, you might burn off that second helping of pie you knew you shouldn’t have had. And not to mention, shipping is free with every purchase.
Healthy Holiday Tip #4 – Don’t Eat Because You’re Bored
December 27th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
Eating is a social experience that we tend to do more of during the holidays. And as you may have seen, overeating can cause harm to your skin, your health, and obviously your weight. But we’re not just eating because we’re with family. Frequently we’re eating more and more, because we’re bored.
Think about it. Your Great-Aunt Susan comes over with a platter of her delicious homemade cookies. You eat a couple, and think that’s enough. But once she’s retold that funny story about her cat for the 4th time, you’re dying to reach for another to distract you (she may not be a good story teller but she’s certainly a shark in the kitchen). This type of scenario is all too common. The best way to combat this boredom? The board game.
Listen, no matter how cheesy gaming nights might be, they are in no way boring. And a good game of Taboo or Pictionary with your random relatives can make for a more interactive experience, and keep you from getting another round of leftovers. If your whole family isn’t up for a game of Monopoly, maybe you can find a little cousin who will challenge you at go-fish. Or better yet, download Words with Friends and keep yourself occupied. Whatever you do, try to find something entertaining that doesn’t involve empty calories. The last time we checked, Angry Birds is low calorie and 100% fat free (beware though, this game can be addicting).
Healthy Holiday Tip #3 Ditch the Movie Marathon –at least for an hour
December 25th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
There’s only one time of year that A Christmas Story, Santa Clause, and Miracle on 34th Street play on repeat for days in a row. And by the time this happens, we’re so deprived of holiday movies we would never consider not catching up on these stories… right?
Or maybe you’re wise to the fact that the story always ends the same. And like the nature of any marathon, it will play again, and again, and again for the rest of the day. So while you’re family is frozen in front of the TV giggling at jokes you’ve heard before, it’s the perfect time for you to escape and get some much needed exercise (working off all those sweet treats you’ve been eating).
They won’t miss you for an hour (A Christmas Story runs for 93 minutes!). Get outside, do some yoga, or go on a jog and do some crunches. Take the time for yourself to get a quick break from your family –we’re guessing your awkward in laws may already be driving you crazy. While they’re sitting on the edge of their seats, hoping Ralphie doesn’t shoot his eye out with his Red Ryder BB Gun, you’ll be doing something good for you and your body. And remember, it’s never to early (or late) to take care of yourself. A little exercise goes a long way in keeping your body and mind sharp.
Healthy Holiday Tip #2: Choose the Lesser of Two Evils
December 24th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
Peppermint Bark or Pumpkin Pie? Sugar Cookie or Gingerbread? Listen, life is short. We’re definitely not going to suggest you to abstain (completely) from eating sweets. And we have a hunch that there are few people who will swear off the delicious treats for life, especially around the holidays. But there are easy ways to choose which sweets will do you less harm when it comes to watching your figure. So for our second Healthy Holiday Tip, let’s consider just what’s inside all of these dangerously delicious treats.
First, be aware that foods high in sugar and butter (hence why they’re so delicious) are more fattening. That’s why sticking to the basics can keep you thinner. Candy canes for example have only 60 calories, and a wedge of peppermint bark the same size as a slice of pie has just 120 calories. The most heavy hitting desserts? On average, Pumpkin pie weighs in at a whopping 400 calories per slice, and Pecan Pie is at 490 calories (and that’s not including the vanilla ice cream you might add on top).
So like we said, while we aren’t suggesting that you completely swear off sweets, be aware of what your options are and where they fall in line.
Popular Holiday Treats Nutrition Content:
Pumpkin Pie: 400 calories, 18.9 g fat
Pecan Pie: 490 calories, 22.1 g fat
Chocolate Chip Cookie: 108 calories, 6.2 g fat
Gingersnap: 124 calories, 5.4 g fat
Sugar Cookie: 72 calories, 3.2 g fat
Candy Cane: 60 calories, 0 g fat
Peppermint Bark: 120 calories, 4.8 g fat
Healthy Holiday Tip # 1 – Travel Smart
December 23rd, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
On average, Americans gain up to 5 lbs during the holidays, and then swear to work it off in the new year (of course). Unfortunately, new year’s resolutions don’t always actually bring weight loss, and studies show that this holiday weight gain frequently sticks around for longer than expected (‘til the next year). But don’t worry, there are some pretty simple tricks that you can implement into your holiday strategy that will keep your body healthy and happy.
So to kick this off right, with Holiday Tip of the Day #1, let’s talk travel food. A muffin, a bag of chips, an overpriced turkey sandwich, squished in cellophane that was made sometime in the last few days…hopefully? C’mon you’re smart. You know just as well as we do that the food options while traveling are slim, but they’re certainly not slimming.
So when headed to the airport or train station, start your healthy holiday season off right, and plan ahead. If you’re making dinner or lunch the day before, cook an extra serving, and take your healthy leftovers. And think of easy, throw-in-your bag snack options like mixed nuts, hummus and carrots, fruit and nut bars, ready-to-eat fruit (apple, pear, banana, or cut up another one of your favorite fruits). While TSA won’t let you go through security with bottled drinks, they don’t turn away a well-balanced meal or snack. And not to mention, your waistline {and your wallet} will thank you.
Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Oxidation…huh?
December 19th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
Let’s Clear the Air. Oxygen is good right? Fresh, crisp, and healthy –we breathe it. Our bodies seem to like it, and our cells need it too. So how can oxygen be harmful?
Well, like chocolate and exercise, too much of a good thing can be harmful to your body. Similar to the rusting (or oxidizing) of metal, too much exposure to oxygen causes your body to produce harmful free radicals that damage healthy cells, and can cause premature aging and a host of other health issues.
But don’t worry, that’s where antioxidants come in. Get it? Antioxidant…anti-oxidation. These tiny little guys have a big job to do: fighting the free radicals that over-exposure to oxygen can create. That way your body doesn’t rust (or oxidize)!
Seriously. We know how great antioxidants are, which is why we pack so many into each bottle of bai –the same amount you get from eating a bowl of blueberries. But don’t take our word on antioxidants, check out the video above to learn more about these little molecules that pack a lot of punch.
In the infamous words of Bill Nye the Science Guy: Science Rules!
Cue “The Girl from Ipanema”
October 24th, 2011 • Ipanema Pomegranate, antioxidants, coffeefruit • No comments
Ipanema, Brazil– A horizon of glittering water meets a rolling stretch of powdery white sand. Silently punctuated by two towering mountains, and flecked with gorgeous people boasting sun-kissed glows, that most only dream of having. Ipanema is home to one of the most popular beaches in Rio de Janiero. Known for uniting a diverse crowd of romantics, sports enthusiasts, socialites and surfers, Ipanema has a magnetic beach culture, inspiring awe into the hearts of many –including our own. So inspired are we that it is from here we’ve hailed our latest member to the bai5 flavor family: Ipanema Pomegrante.
Packed with the super antioxidant power of the coffee fruit, Ipanema Pomegranate also has the added antioxidant boost of the pomegranate, and still just five low calories per serving –making this lightweight a real heavy hitter in the fight against free radicals. Antioxidants on the inside, keeping you beautiful on the outside –and ready to mingle with the fresh-faces of Ipanema Beach. That’s right, the Girl From Ipanema just got a friendly rival: bai5 Ipanema Pomegranate. And while we haven’t been told the classic Sinatra song will be renamed in our honor (yet), we haven’t ruled it out either.
Riders with a cause
June 18th, 2011 • Uncategorized, antioxidants, coffeefruit • No comments
The Team Bai presence out on the street got a little bigger this month — in this case, not through new salespeople or distributors, but through a group of cyclists who were pedaling for an important cause.
Bai5 was the official beverage sponsor of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Tour de Cure races in New Jersey on June 5 and 12. In addition to partnering with ADA on these events, Bai also sponsored individual riders — including one special young man who worked extremely hard to raise money for diabetes research.
Ben Amon, a friend and baseball teammate of my son, and his dad Joe were part of the Team Bai crew that rode 100 kilometers (63 miles) throughout Central Jersey on June 12. Ben and Joe began training for the ride in March, increasing the distance of their rides from 10 to 50 miles over the course of three months — riding some 325 miles in total.
Joe and Ben
In addition to his cycling training, Ben pounded the pavement to raise $900 in donations, a total that we happily matched when he asked Bai to sponsor him. We were on the scene as Ben, Joe and some family friends trekked through several towns over the course of four hours, representing Team Bai.
Bai5 also served as the official beverage of the Red Riders, a team of cyclists with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who participate in Tour de Cure events. It is a natural connection, as Bai5 (made with the organic sweetener Stevia) has a low glycemic index (GCI) that is ideal for diabetics and others who are following low-carbohydrate diets. Also, Bai5 is known as our “red cap” line, which made it a perfect sponsor for the Red Riders.
Seeing Ben and the other Team Bai riders cross the finish line was a wonderful moment, and I am proud that we could support not only their efforts but all of the riders who made the Tour de Cure a great success.
Congratulating Ben after a great ride
Energizing with Bai5
Ray "The Bai Guy" Schlaefer greets a member of Team Bai
Team Bai riders ready to hit the road
Making the grade in the Bai-vy League
May 20th, 2011 • Uncategorized, antioxidants, coffeefruit • 1 comment
Team Bai recently joined in “town-gown” festivals in a pair of intellectual hotspots, our hometown of Princeton, N.J., and Cambridge, Mass., where we discovered that what we’ve always suspected is true: Smart people love Bai!
Members of Team Bai were among the 40,000-strong at Princeton’s Communiversity celebration on April 30, a joint effort between Princeton University and the local Arts Council. Bai was a huge hit among the Princeton Tigers and local residents who prowled the campus and downtown area on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
The next day, we were off to the Mayfair event at Harvard Square, surrounded 
by 100,000 happy festival-goers. Many of the Mayfair attendees enjoyed a frosty Bai while trying not to turn Crimson in the Cambridge sunshine.
College towns have proven to be very receptive communities for Bai, with many health-conscious consumers — college students, young professionals, active parents — who are enthusiastic about getting Bai. After experiencing the great responses at these recent festivals at Princeton and Harvard, we are certainly proud to be making the grade!
