New Organic Juice Directory Finds Fresh-Pressed Options Near You

There are few things in life more refreshing than a freshly pressed glass of fruit or veggie juice -- and these days, we've got way more options than your typical orange or tomato varieties. (Just try this Ginger and Green drink and your life will never be the same. I'm serious.) The problem is, DIY juicers are super expensive -- and it's not always easy to find a juice bar that's serving up truly healthy bevvies, without tons of sugary add-ins or residual pesticides from non-organic ingredients.

That's where this amazing new resource, PressedJuiceDirectory.com, comes in. Recently launched by organic food blogger Max Goldberg, the site has curated listings (more than 700 so far, with new locations being added daily) of the best places to get your juice on by city and state. To be listed, a location must (1) use organic ingredients, (2) serve pressed juices (i.e. not from concentrate or other extraction methods, which provide fewer nutrients), and (3) offer a green juice on the menu.

And it's not just traditional food-and-drink venues that make the list; you may discover that a nearby gym, retail store, or Pilates studio serves up the good stuff, too. And if you happen to live in or be visiting a city where juice bars just haven't caught on yet, there's also a directory of companies that will overnight organic pressed juices and deliver 'em straight to your door. I think we can all drink to that!  

What's your favorite fresh juice recipe -- and where do you get it? Tweet us at@amandaemac and @SELFmagazine.

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High calorie liquid options?

What else can be used to supplement calorie intake besides drinks like Ensure and Boost? Right now I'm using baked treats to supplement my calorie intake.

I am about to start a new part-time job and I don't want to look like a greedy person by munching on pastries or baked treats at work. That just wouldn't make a good impression on my colleagues.

There is also lack of availability of Ensure-type drinks where I live. There is a GNC that sells the mass-gaining drinks...but yuck!

Can I drink little packs of chocolate milk instead? I don't like fruit juice or plain whole milk. I know the calorie-dense snack options like nuts and PB sandwiches that I can take to work, but I'm looking for suggestions for drinks.

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#MeatlessMonday: 3 New Heat and Eat Options

If you're like me, some days you have every intention of doing something good for yourself when dinner time rolls around, but after a killer day at work, doing anything but vegging on the couch sounds less than ideal. For those very days, I like to keep some healthier heat-and-eat options on hand, and since Mondays are often the busiest of all, I always make sure I have something on hand for a quick fix. If you're having a manic #MeatlessMonday or are just looking to see the latest frozen goods on the market, good news: I've got 'em for you.

MorningStar Farms Mediterranean Chickpea Veggie Burger: You have probably had your share of soybean burgers and black bean burgers, but have you ever had a heat-and-eat chickpea burger? This brand-new meatless option for MorningStar Famrs is jam-packed with hearty chickpeas and bold flavors from garlic, red onion and spinach, offering an authentic Mediterranean flavor. They're great on a bun but just as good breadless, served with a side of this amazing couscous salad. They're lean, too, with 70 percent less fat than regular ground beef burgers. Holy cow.

Gardein Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick'n: Craving Chinese takeout? Try this meatless option instead. It's hard to believe that these crispy flavorful nuggets are meat-free because they're delicious, not to mention they have the perfect texture for serving stir-fry-style over brown rice with veggies. Heat them up while your rice is cooking and dinner is on the table in 8 minutes flat.

Dr. Praeger's Buffalo Chickenless Nuggets: When you first bite into these crispy morsels you'll probably think that they are deep-fried, but it's actually broiling that creates the texture. Serve with a side of Blue Cheese Dressing and some carrot and celery sticks when your friends come over to watch the game, and they'll never know March Madness just went meatless.

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Childbirth Options: What's Best?

Find the childbirth option that’s right for you.By Brenda Conaway
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS

Your baby's kicks and stretches are a daily reminder that you'll soon get to see your little one's smile. The type of birth experience you want is a very personal decision. Do you want a natural childbirth in a home-like setting? Or would you feel more comfortable with all the conveniences of modern medicine close at hand?

While today's mom's-to-be have more options than ever before, you may be limited by certain factors that include:

Where your provider practicesWhat your insurance coversWhether you have a high-risk pregnancyWhere you live and what hospitals are close by

The vast majority of women in the U.S. give birth in a hospital. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or want to try having a vaginal birth after a cesarean delivery (VBAC), then a hospital is the safest -- and often the only -- place you can deliver your baby. Even if you have a low-risk pregnancy, you may want to give birth in a hospital where you have ready access to the latest in medical technology.

Fortunately, the old stereotype of delivering your baby in a cold hospital room with your feet up in stirrups is long gone. Now, many hospitals provide options that range from practical to plush in order to make the labor and delivery experience more comfortable.

Traditional hospital birth. In some hospitals, you may move from one room to another depending on what stage of labor you are in. For example, you may go through labor and delivery in one room, recover in another, and then move to a semiprivate room. Your baby may be brought to your room for feedings and visits but stay in the hospital nursery the rest of the time. Not all hospitals follow the same routine, so ask what you can expect during your stay.

Family-centered care. Many hospitals now offer private rooms where you can go through labor, delivery, and recovery all in the same room. Often your partner can stay with you. These rooms are often decorated with pictures on the walls, soothing colors, and cabinets that hide medical equipment when it's not in use. After birth, your baby stays in your room with you.

In-hospital birthing center. These centers are either within a hospital or next to a hospital. They offer natural childbirth in a home-like setting. If problems occur during labor, you are just steps away from expert staff and medical equipment to help you and your baby.

Many hospitals also offer:

Childbirth and parenting classes and lactation consultantsCertified nurse-midwives on staffThe ability to have an unmedicated, "natural" deliveryBirthing pools or tubs for water birthsBirthing stools, birthing balls, and other equipment to help you feel comfortable during laborThe option to wear your own clothes during labor and deliveryThe option to have friends and family attend the birth and to videotape your delivery

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Trips and Temporary Exercise Options

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it yet, but I’m going back to America for two months at the end of the month.  USA Trip 2012 is happening after all, just not how I was hoping!

It wasn’t planned at all but I’m going back for work reasons  (I still work for a memphis web design company) and will be staying in Memphis for two months. I’m both excited and bummed out for a variety of reasons but overall I think the trip will be great. At the very least I’ll get to take care of that changing my last name business!

However since I’m only going to be in Memphis for two months I’m not sure what I want to do regarding exercise. I don’t think I want to join a gym as I’m feeling very anti-gym right now soit wouldn’t be worth the expense. Here are the options I’m considering:

Biking and or walking to work. I’m going to be living 3 ish miles from my work and borrowing a bike from my boss. If I can find a safe route into downtown I’d love to bike to work. Or walk but that would take longer. ;)Workout DVDs. I have several including some that I actually really enjoy and know can kick my butt.YouTube Videos. Similar to DVDs these videos can get me working out on my own at home. Plus there are tons to choose from now.Gym visits. I could pay a couple dollars and just visit a local gym as a guest.Class visits. There are random fitness classes like Zumba held all over in community centers and churches. I could jump into one of these a couple times.Bootcamp class. This one is the most expensive option by far but I’m considering doing a twice weekly bootcamp class by the river. It’s close enough to my work to be possible and would help me really keep up my fitness level while not committing to too much.

What would you do in this situation?

Most likely I’ll probably use some or all of these and mix and match them. Two months isn’t too long but I don’t want to go into sedentary mode and lose my awesome fitness I built up with LiveFit. I like my muscles and still want to keep them while losing more weight.

I like these ideas because it will be something different. I seem to get bored of focusing on one fitness activity after a couple months so the change will be nice. So will being in the US again, though I’ll miss my husband and puppy. Maybe some of you can come for a visit and cheer me up? ;)

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