With all of the excitement and buzz surrounding the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) coupled with the fact that the fall and winter flu, holiday survival and New Year resolution seasons are all on fast approach, now is the perfect time to explore some innovations—gadgets, appliances and other science-based solutions aimed at improving our F&B-driven well-being. A great number of those solutions are brought to market thanks to technological advancements relative to the materials utilized, the engineering employed, breakthrough science and, in many cases, all three of these aspects.
With this in mind, here are a few representative, technologically-advanced solutions helping folks achieve the great benefits in the health and wellness realm:
*** Portable Wellness ***
GermAwayUV Junior Surface Sterilizer Wand (www.CureUV.com)
I found a nifty portable light-based technology solution that can keep you healthy while dining out at restaurants and other “on-the-go” activities. The GermAwayUV Surface Sterilizer Wand is a travel-friendly handheld wand that uses natural UV-C light to sanitize and disinfect surfaces no matter where you are: at home in the kitchen, a restaurant, at the supermarket pushing a grungy cart–anywhere germs are sure to lurk (which is pretty much everywhere)! This device uses the same advanced UV-C light technology that hospitals have been using to sterilize equipment for over 30 years—but now the technology is available to everyone at economical price points. This wand will actually kill up to 99% of bacteria, viruses, fungus, molds and a host of other pathogens! The Ultraviolet (UV-C) light technology is a really efficient and effective way to keep things germ free, and it’s certainly a better option than using harmful and messy chemicals to keep things sanitary. Oh, and I should also mention that in addition to its germicidal usefulness, this UV wand also fights unwanted odors and allergens such as mold and dust mites. So, use it on that stinky garbage can in the kitchen! Its miniature size and portability makes it convenient for daily life and for travel.
SteriPEN Traveler Portable UV Water Purifier (www.CureUV.com)
Whether relaxing in a tropical paradise or hiking through the backcountry, SteriPEN has you covered. This Traveler destroys over 99.9% of disease-causing microbes in a liter of water in just 90 seconds (99.9999% of Bacteria, 99.99% of Viruses, 99.9% of Protozoa). Cities around the world have been using UV light to make water safe to drink for over 100 years, since this kind of light destroys germs’ ability to reproduce and make you sick. This SteriPEN will give you Up to 100 treatments per set of disposable batteries and a full 3,000 treatments for the life of the UV lamp! Just stick it into the liquid to be purified with the light on for just a minute or so and it’ll be perfectly purified. This is pretty killer tech…literally!
*** Nutrition ***
bmiSMART BioTech-Driven Weight-Loss Solutions (www.iRemoveWorks.com)
Science and biotechnology have completely changed the weight loss equation. Innovative and non-invasive biotech is now benefiting dieters seeking to safely supplement their weight loss efforts with plant-based and stimulant-free fat binding products that are clinically tested to accelerate weight loss. So this year forget the fads offered by unproven diet products. bmiSMART provides effective weight loss solutions through patented technologies that’ll accelerate healthy, sustainable weight loss when combined with a sensible diet regime. For one, the company’s I-REMOVE Fat Binder product—the #1 weight loss seller in Europe for the past 5 years—has been shown in clinical trials to result in up to 3X more weight loss than would be achieved through diet alone. How does this fat-binding biotech work? I-REMOVE contains Litramine™, a patented fiber complex made from prickly pear cactus—manufactured using a proprietary technology—that allows the ingredients to bind to fat molecules from ingested food and makes them too large to be absorbed, so the body absorbs fewer calories from fat. Taken right after a healthy, calorie-controlled meal, I-REMOVE is easy to incorporate into a busy lifestyle and does not require time-consuming meal planning or adherence to rigid, highly restrictive diets. Of course, everyone is familiar with caffeine and similar stimulant-laden oral solutions that jack up metabolism and energy levels only to cause the dreaded crash-and-burn an hour or so later. With I-REMOVE Fat Binder that is no longer a concern. This technology leverages a physiological process that can radically increase weight loss by reducing the amount of dietary fat absorbed but without the caffeine crash and other unwanted side effects. So you can start losing up to 3X more weight!
Alkaline88 Water (www.Alkaline88.com)
Here’s another great tech-driven water option—one that Beyoncé, Miranda Kerr, Elton John, Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Kelly Ripa, Janet Jackson and Ray Kurzweil all have in common. They’ve all gone on the record to say that they drink alkaline water. I’ll officially add my name to that A-list. Because why not? Alkaline water is also my own go-to. Many athletes, celebrities and regular health-minded folks are attracted to the benefits of an alkaline diet, since a balanced body pH results in greater energy, more restful sleep, improved digestion and fewer colds according to some medical authorities. The Alkaline Water Company, Inc. has developed Alkaline88 for the convenience-driven alkaline water drinker who understands the benefits of electrolysis and who is looking to save money. Enhanced with 84 trace Himalayan minerals and electrolytes, Alkaline88 is premier alkaline water that achieves its 8.8 pH level through a state-of-the-art, completely chemical-free process. The product offers consumers the unique opportunity to purchase alkaline water in usefully packaged and economical 500ml, 700ml, 1-liter, 3-liter and 1-gallon sizes.
*** Fitness ***
xocial Online Community Fostering Healthy ‘Competitive Kindness’ (www.xocial.com)
One online community called xocial (pronounced soh-shuhl) is gamifying goodness, calculating and curating “competitive kindness” to help cause-conscious and otherwise kindhearted restaurant and other hospitality industry professionals, and others, out-nice each other and make the world a better place. It connects official or unofficial groups, organizations and other people to health-related causes they care about, charitable and otherwise, and inspires them to take action amid friendly competition. Also notable is the fact that the xocial platform measures the impact of a participant’s efforts, continually building what’s called an “XO score”—a representation of one’s overall positive social impact. Folks build their score by completing fitness, foodie and other challenges as well as engaging with others in the xocial community. This XO score methodology provides a benchmark that helps spur the spirit of competition—the favorable kind where everyone ultimately wins. The numerical measurements allow users to compete with each other to see who can do the most good. The XO score also puts the phenomenon of social media to more productive use. Instead of measuring popularity, xocial measures an individual or organization’s positive social impact as they compete to benefit health and wellness-related causes. While traditional philanthropy focuses on financial giving or attending singular or one-off events, with the xocial platform anyone can benefit social causes regardless of their level of fitness or skill, special interest or financial donation. Simple campaigns can be built online for free, and anyone can create one or join one already underway.
*** Cooking & Kitchenware ***
T-fal ActiFry (www.BedBathandBeyond.com)
Here’s something useful and weight-wise for the kitchen; The T-fal ActiFry. This is a super versatile, time-saving kitchen gadget that allows you to prepare and enjoy all your favorite dishes hands-free and healthfully by using little to no oil. So, the word Fry in the product name is a little misleading, because it actually uses unique hot air circulation technology and stirring paddle to make tasty low fat meals ranging from meats and chicken to seafood or even vegetables and side dishes. Aside from the fact that you can cook so many things without any oil, I also love this appliance because I’m a super busy mom and it cooks things fast. Because food is always cooked at precisely 338°, there’s no preheating necessary and meals are cooked very quickly and evenly since the paddle keeps the ingredients moving and stirring as the hot air circulates all around it. Clean up is also a breeze as the pan, lid, paddle, and filter are removable and dishwasher safe. Most importantly, the ActiFry is designed to be safe and family-friendly. My kids use it all the time to make everything from chicken nuggets and chicken wings to much healthier french fries.
SPT Professional Juicer (www.Wayfair.com)
And finally, with eating healthier among the more popular New Year resolutions, committing to those fruits and veggies is far easier with the SPT Professional Juicer. Housed in attractive die cast aluminum, this powerful 850-watt juicer will add beauty and function to your kitchen…and your body with all of the nutrients you’ll benefit from. The unit’s extra-large 3″ feed tube makes it easy to process all types of whole fruits and vegetables without pre-cutting or peeling. The juicer includes two speed settings and an automatic pulp collecting container. Stainless steel elements and dishwasher-safe parts provide quick cleanup. Also included are a juice jug with froth separator, a cleaning brush, and a pulp container.
Branding and consumer product trends pundit Merilee Kern, MBA is a wellness industry veteran, health advocate and influential media voice. Her ground-breaking, award-winning “Kids Making Healthy Choices” Smartphone APP for children, parents/caregivers and educators (iTunes) is based on her award-winning, illustrated fictional children’s book, “Making Healthy Choices – A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids” (Amazon). She may be reached online at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost or otherwise arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
