“Yes, that’s exactly what Mom wants on Mother’s Day: low-fat tuna cakes! I say, give her a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, and let her watch a Project Runway marathon while you clean the house. Now, there’s a present she can get excited about” he posted.

This got us thinking… CAN you celebrate with healthy food, or is the entire point of celebrating pigging out and forgetting about your diet for one day or for just one special meal?

An informal poll around the office yielded mixed results. Some of us feel that you can absolutely celebrate while still sticking to your healthy diet. Healthy foods can be delicious – a healthy diet is not about deprivation. So why not serve a tasty, low-cal dish for Mother’s Day brunch?

Others feel that as long as you stick with a healthy diet most of the time, the occasional splurge is absolutely fine, and in fact beneficial. Maybe not the entire pint of ice cream (you would just feel lousy after consuming so much fat and sugar), but certainly it’s acceptable, for one festive meal, to forget about low-cal, low-fat etc, and to enjoy decadent, fatty, sugary foods.

What do you think? Do you try to prepare healthy food on holidays and celebrations, or do you believe that healthy food is for everyday, and on special occasions it’s OK to indulge? Please share in the comments.

(Sun Valley, California) April 29, 2012 – Voskos has been in the forefront of healthful eating for 5 years, “and because a number of studies have linked the probiotics in yogurt and calcium consumption to cancer prevention, it’s only natural for Voskos Greek Yogurt to support The Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women,” says Susan Randolph, a registered dietitian and contributor to the Voskos Greek Yogurt What’s Fresh blog.

Scheduled on May 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, the annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women has distributed over sixty million dollars to increase awareness, education, research, and diagnostic treatment services in the fight against women’s cancers since its debut in 1994.

Voskos Greek Yogurt is supporting the estimated 50,000 women and men who are taking part in the event by providing each of them with a gift of a 5.3-ounce serving of high-calcium Voskos Greek Yogurt, and a free tote bag.

“As a woman, I appreciate the work the Entertainment Industry Foundation does in presenting the Revlon Run/Walk for Women,” says Randolph. “Knowing that more than 273,000 new cases of womens’ cancers will be diagnosed every year in the U.S. makes this cause that much more compelling. Voskos is honored to support the women and men who are taking part in this important event.”

“Yogurt has often been referred to as a ‘superfood,’” adds Randolph. “Several studies show a correlation between calcium and probiotic intake and a reduction of cancer rates. In the Nurses’ Health Study, women who reported a high-calcium diet reduced their risk of breast cancer by an amazing 33 percent! Another preliminary study has linked consumption of digestion-friendly Acidophilus bacteria to lower cancer risk, apparently because it reduces the conversion of bile acids into carcinogens.” Acidophilus is just one of the active probiotic cultures included in every creamy spoonful of Voskos Greek Yogurt, which is also naturally high in calcium.
Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit the Voskos Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos offers an organic Greek yogurt line and all-natural line in both plain and blended flavors. Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations and other great opportunities visit Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

About Susan Randolph, MS, RD
Susan Randolph is a wellness educator, registered dietitian and wife. Her passion is motivating people to use nutrition to take small, meaningful steps toward a healthier diet and lifestyle. She believes eating ought to be a joyful and delicious experience to be embraced, not dreaded.

About the EIF Revlon Run/Walk
Created in 1994 by Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the EIF Revlon Run/Walks, held annually in Los Angeles and New York, have distributed over 60 million dollars in the fight against women’s cancers.

Photo Credit
Sha in LA

What do you do to help keep Earth clean?

Please share in the comments below. Tonight, at 7pm PDT, we will select five random winners to receive a Voskos reusable tote.

*Voskos Contest Rules apply to this promotion, as to all our promotions.

–
We used random.org to pull the names of five winners and here they are: Jennifer L. , Kristy Boneventre, Molly Dunfee, Karrie Kleba and Val Gates. Congrats! Please email us at social (at) voskos.com with your full name, date of birth (just the year) and full mailing address. Thanks!

(Sun Valley, California) April 18, 2012 – Since the first “National day of observance of environmental problems” in 1970, Americans have gathered on Earth Day to raise awareness of issues affecting the environment. And more than thirty years later, Earth Day has truly become a global phenomenon, uniting hundreds of millions of people in over 175 countries.

As a company with an international heritage and a commitment to the environment, “Every day is Earth Day at Voskos Greek Yogurt,” says Nikko Generales B.S., a writer for the Voskos Greek Yogurt What’s Fresh blog. “Voskos Greek Yogurt offers organic flavors in plain, Greek honey, and vanilla bean. And they make all of their yogurt flavors naturally, with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or preservatives,” says Generales. “Voskos products are also free of gluten, rBST, rBGH, and GMOs.”

There are several things Voskos encourages its customers to do for the environment in honor of Earth Day:

1. Buy locally-grown and sustainable products whenever possible.
“Read the labels on your produce,” says Generales. “If you live in the United States and your plums came from Peru, imagine how much fuel was burned to get that fruit into your local produce department. Shopping locally means less fuel consumption and less pollution.”

2. Buy organic products whenever possible.
While there are a number of different “organic” certification standards, generally “organic” produce is grown without pesticides and other chemicals. “Pesticides, of course, are meant to kill insects,” notes Generales. “So it’s no surprise that they can kill beneficial insects like honeybees and ladybugs along with unwanted pests. And many chemical pesticides contain neurotoxins that can be dangerous (or even deadly) to the people who have to handle them.”

3. Buy products in recyclable packaging and recycle when finished.
“Recycling is a crucial step you can take to help preserve the environment. That’s why all of Voskos yogurt cups are recyclable-so you can still enjoy a tasty and healthy cup of yogurt while being environmentally conscious.”

Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit the Voskos Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos offers an organic Greek yogurt line and all-natural line in both plain and blended flavors. Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations and other great opportunities visit Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

About Nikko Generales
Nikko’s passion for health and fitness stems from his aspiration to become a physician. He earned his B.S. in Physiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is currently working on orphan drug research at the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. He believes that people should be proactive in asking questions and educating themselves on how to live a healthy lifestyle.

The biggest challenge for me as a mom when making the switch was my ten-year-old daughter. She’s a notoriously picky eater, and can spot a “healthified” version of her favorite foods from a mile away. Once she does, it’s very difficult to convince her to give it a try. But even with her, persistence has paid off. Here are some of the snacks she willingly eats these days:

1. Greek yogurt with fruit. The secret here seems to be to whip the yogurt using a hand whisk until it’s light and fluffy. I put it in a pretty bowl, drizzle with a little honey and dot with berries. She loves it, and actually prefers it to the watery, overly-sweet yogurt she used to like.

2. Dips. Dips are fun and interesting for kids, and it’s so easy to make homemade yogurt-based dips. For a savory dip, mix the yogurt with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and cilantro. For a slightly sweet dip, mix it with peanut butter and jelly, or with Nutella. Honey and cinnamon mixed with Greek yogurt also make a great dip, and your child will love dipping fruit, veggies or chips into those healthy dips.

3. Part-whole-wheat baked goods. This took some time, but after a few months of gradually introducing homemade muffins made with half whole-wheat flour, and rice made with half white and half brown rice, my kids now happily eat whole-wheat baked goods, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta. Eating whole-wheat is truly a matter of habit, and in fact, many people (big and small) report that once they got used to the chewy texture and heartiness of whole-wheat, the fluffiness of white flour seemed empty and unsatisfying.

One more tip: When you make your own baked goods, it’s almost always safe to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Most modern recipes contain way too much sugar. So try reducing the amount of sugar by a third, and see what happens. Chances are, no one will ever miss it!

(Sun Valley, California) March 22, 2012 – As swimsuit season approaches, many Americans have weight loss on their minds. But what’s even more important than losing inches? Losing pounds. Losing weight can help lower risk factors for deadly conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes.

“Greek Yogurt is one of the many healthful foods that come from the Mediterranean,” says Nikko Generales B.S., a writer for the Voskos Greek Yogurt What’s Fresh blog. “The Mediterranean diet originated in Greece and has been followed by both Athenians and island villagers for centuries. As a result, these people have lower rates of obesity — and thus lower rates of heart disease and hypertension — than those following the typical American diet.”

The Mediterranean diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, seeds, olive oil, herbs and spices, plus moderate amounts of fish, eggs, and poultry, and small amounts of red meat. Of course, it also includes high-protein Greek yogurt, such as Voskos.

“The benefits of this regimen are clear,” says Generales. “An evaluation of 1.5 million Americans has linked this diet to a decrease in cardiovascular related deaths, a reduction in cancer incidence and mortality rates, as well as a decrease in rates of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.”

The value of Greek yogurt in the Mediterranean diet seems to come from the probiotic bacteria, which have displayed cholesterol-lowering effects in clinical settings. “According to one study,” says Generales, “eating just 200 grams of yogurt containing L. acidophilus, such as that found in Voskos Greek Yogurt, can help decrease serum cholesterol levels by up to 2.9%.” In other studies, Greek yogurt consumption has been linked to loss of belly fat. “This is the kind of metabolically active fat that is linked to heart disease,” says Generales. “So the fact that Greek yogurt helps you lose belly fat can help improve your heart health as well.”

Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit the Voskos Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos offers an organic Greek yogurt line and all-natural line in both plain and blended flavors. Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations visit Voskos.com or Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

About Nikko Generales
Nikko’s passion for health and fitness stems from his aspiration to become a physician. He earned his B.S. in Physiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is currently working on orphan drug research at the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. He believes that people should be proactive in asking questions and educating themselves on how to live a healthy lifestyle.

(Sun Valley, California) March 22, 2012 – For some time, researchers have known about the link between yogurt and losing weight. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that dieters eating a low-calorie, high-calcium diet that included yogurt lost 81% more belly fat than dieters on a low-calcium diet. And their overall weight loss was 22% higher than the control group.

The other good news from that study? The dieters who ate yogurt burned more fat, and lost less lean muscle mass.

In 2011, a graduate student from Texas Women’s University found that the antioxidants in blueberries inhibited the development of fat cells in mouse tissues. The student, Shiwani Moghe, MS, discovered that blueberry polyphenols may actually inhibit fat gain at the molecular level. And the higher the dose of polyphenols, the greater the reduction of fat content in the tissue sample, according to the research presented at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting. Blueberry phytochemicals have also been shown to help alleviate high blood sugar in animal studies. High blood sugar is a risk factor in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

More advantages of blueberries, beyond their high antioxidant content? “Blueberries are relatively low in carbohydrates and high in fiber compared to other fruits,” says registered dietitian Janet R. Mertz.

So, what does this mean? “If you want to lose weight, you can’t go wrong by combining Voskos Greek Yogurt and blueberries,” says registered dietitian Janet R, Mertz. Of course, Voskos offers a pre-mixed non-fat wild Blueberry Greek yogurt flavor, and a Blueberry + Granola variety. “But you can also make your own version by combining Voskos plain Greek yogurt with frozen wild blueberries, found in the fruit section of your grocery’s freezer case,” says Mertz. Wild blueberries are highest in antioxidant capacity per serving, compared with more than 20 other fruits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit the Voskos Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos offers an organic Greek yogurt line and all-natural line in both plain and blended flavors. Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations, visit Voskos.com or Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

About Janet R. Mertz, R.D.
Janet R. Mertz is a diabetes educator, wife of a Type-1 diabetic and mom who believes that healthy eating and health can go together.

But a diet, in the sense of restricting your calories and/or your food choices for several weeks or months until you lose an X amount of pounds? Bad idea.

Dieting is a bad idea for several reasons:
1. It encourages cravings. As soon as you declare a certain food a forbidden food, you start craving it.
2. A too-restrictive diet may cause your body to slow down its metabolism. This will make losing weight even more difficult.
3. Frequent dieting, and especially yo-yo dieting, may mess up your metabolism for life, making it increasingly harder to shed pounds.
4. Many diets lack in terms of nutrition, especially diets that restrict a certain food group such as carbs.
5. Research shows that most dieters eventually fail, gaining what they had lost, and then some.

The bottom line is, our bodies do not react very well to diets. Even though we are surrounded by food, evolution has been slow to catch up, and our bodies are still hardwired to do whatever they can to hold on to food and avoid starvation. Since most diets feel like starvation to our bodies, going on a diet is like declaring a war on your body, and trust us, you don’t want to do that!

If you need to lose weight, especially if you need to do so for medical reasons, a much better bet is to make gradual changes to your lifestyle. Focus on one change each month. For example, in March, lower your soda consumption to one can per day. Weather you’re used to drinking sugared soda or diet soda, both can be bad for your weight and for your health, so this is the first thing you should aim to cut.

Next, in April focus on a new goal, such as eating more servings of fruit and veggies each day, or limiting fast food visits to once a month.

Whatever you do, don’t look at these changes as temporary. Your goal is to rid yourself of bad habits, and adopt healthy habits, for life. Also, don’t look at this as an all-or-nothing resolution! Even if you drink an extra can of soda one day, this is not a “failure” and not a reason to throw away your good habits for the rest of that day (or week, or month). The occasional indulgence is fine – after all, if you’re going to do this for the rest of your life, you have to be flexible.

(Sun Valley, Calif.) February 28, 2012 – Are you suffering from dry winter skin? You can get natural relief without expensive beauty products. “Relief for your dry skin may be as close as your refrigerator,” says Emily Neukircher, the marketing manager for Voskos Greek Yogurt, America’s first nationally-distributed Greek Yogurt brand.

“Many expensive moisturizers and facial creams contain lactic acid, which is found naturally in Greek yogurt,” says Neukircher. “Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant. Adding a natural moisturizer like honey helps rehydrate dry skin.”

This simple face mask recipe contains just two ingredients, and is perfect for soothing dry winter complexions. It’s easy to apply first thing in the morning, and remove in the shower.

Voskos Greek Yogurt Honey Mask

1 Tablespoon Plain Organic Voskos Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Organic Honey

Add honey to a small microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for just a few seconds, until it is warmed to approximately body temperature and becomes runny.

Remove bowl from microwave and stir in Voskos Greek yogurt. Blend until just mixed.

Apply to cleansed face (avoiding eyes) and allow to sit on your skin for 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes, you can get into the shower and allow the steam to help moisturize your skin even more.

Remove mask with a warm, damp washcloth.

“This natural moisturizing mask can help you combat the dull, dry skin that comes from heated indoor air this time of year,” says Neukircher. “And if you eat the rest of the yogurt, from the container, it will help you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside!”

Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, and contains a number of probiotics—naturally occurring friendly bacteria that are present in our digestive systems. Some research has linked probiotics to healthy digestion and regularity.

Eating Greek yogurt may be even more important during “flu season.” In a study, people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt every day for three months produced higher levels of immunity-boosting interferon. The probiotics in yogurt have also been shown to stimulate the production of infection-fighting white blood cells.

Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit Voskos’ Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos is the only brand to offer an organic Greek yogurt line in addition to its all-natural plain and blended flavors and never has “fruit on the bottom.” Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in such stores as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations, and to download a coupon, visit Voskos.com or Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

(Sun Valley, Calif.) February 21, 2012 – According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is America’s number one cause of death. Approximately 2,200 Americans die from cardiovascular disease every day.

During February, Americans are encouraged to emphasize heart health by exercising and eating a healthier diet—and Voskos Greek Yogurt can be a part of that, says personal trainer Nikko Generales.

“The first thing everyone should be doing is making an honest attempt at becoming more physically active,” says Generales. “Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in every day.”
Generales continues, “The second and most obvious measure for heart health is eating smarter. One of the most important things you can do is eliminate empty calories by cutting down on sodas, cakes, cookies, candies, and other sugary desserts. Removing refined carbohydrates from your diet can help you lower your cholesterol, lose weight, and thus lower your risk of heart disease.”

Voskos Greek Yogurt can help with this goal in several ways. “Because it’s high in protein and calcium, Greek yogurt makes you feel full longer, to help you cut down on unhealthy snacking,” says Generales. Unlike most snacks, Voskos Greek Yogurt is nutrient rich. And finally, says Generales, “a diet that includes yogurt has been linked with weight loss in several clinical studies. And obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, so by losing weight, you also reduce your risk of heart disease.”

“My favorite snack is Voskos Greek Yogurt Plus Granola,” Generales continues. It provides the perfect balance of healthy carbohydrates and protein to keep you going. The next time you feel like reaching for that candy bar, try Voskos Greek Yogurt Plus Granola. My favorite flavor is Strawberry Crunch. It really hits the spot after a tough workout or a long day at work. It has zero grams of saturated fat, zero milligrams of cholesterol, and eleven grams of protein! This is a heart-¬‐healthy option that won’t disappoint when it comes to flavor.”
Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit Voskos’ Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos is the only brand to offer an organic Greek yogurt line in addition to its all-natural plain and blended flavors and never has “fruit on the bottom.” Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in such stores as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations, and to download a coupon, visit Voskos.com or Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.