Education

There are no regulations that exist for CBD brands. We do not operate under FDA guidelines. Which EVERY brand that currently exists with any presence has on all of their labels that essentially, “the FDA does not approve this message.” Coincidentally, they still do not, but that also means there is no uniform regulation amongst Hemp processing.

Which is that YOU MUST read your labels. The following five items are the top five items you should look for when you read your labels. Of course, there is always more to know, and over the next couple of weeks, I will discuss this in various ways.

1 – Dosage-How much are you taking?

This is easy to miss as it is often a hidden attribute by some of the more prominent brands. Due to poor suggestions, we do not get the recommended amount of CBD. The average person should take 50-75mg of CBD daily. Even twice a day, anything less will leave you with no effect at all. 

2 – Barcode-Leads to COAs (Certificates of Analysis)

Where does your CBD actually come from, and what is in it? That is a pretty important question considering you are literally ingesting this product. The COA or Certificate of Analysis shows that what you enjoy is safe and third-party tested. Every product that you have should have a COA attached and available. 

3 – Ingredients-Essential Ingredients/What to avoid

It is essential for anyone who creates a product with integrity to show their customers how excellent their ingredients are. Like great chefs, you should be excited to explore wonderful juices and sugars with natural preservatives that are often seen in pastries or confections in the daily market. This is where you must look to see what you are eating. Are there artificial sweeteners? Are there even ingredients listed? Can I read the label? There are some pretty tell-tale signs just from seeking this information out.

4 – Brand-Pop culture/National brands are only sometimes better.

The jig is up, and everyone with an accountant and money is jumping on board to create a CBD brand. This frequently comes with beautiful marketing campaigns that cost a fortune. There is an issue with building a hemp company and access to funds. Check it out; even the President is talking about it. If you see someone blowing up all over the media, making hemp gummies shaped like bitten ears, it doesn’t mean you should buy what they are selling. At least read the labels and realize that the best products come from handmade goods.

5 – Price-How to identify if you are overpaying.

This seems incredibly obvious. It is deceivingly tricky because the market for CBD is changing rapidly, and it depends on which cannabinoid and at what time in its popularity you are purchasing it. CBD isolate used to be incredibly expensive and hard to find. Now it is very popular, and the actual cost to produce it is pretty low. So, when you see a CBD isolate brand that is 5mg per gummy that costs more than $2 per gummy, understand that you are overpaying.

A couple of last thoughts…

There are many other attributes to be aware of when it comes to labels and what is in their contents. This will continue to be discussed in this blog/vlog series on labels. With all this said, we only make crafted products at Rivera Gourmets, and the third party is tested with the absolute best ingredients. Truly, made by chefs.

A study published in Circulation, the leading journal of the American Heart Association, reported that more cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than on any other day of the year; the second largest number of cardiac deaths occurs on December 26, and the third largest number occurs on January 1. Experts are unsure why more people suffer heart attacks this week than others, as several factors are at play.

Factors like cold temperatures, holiday stress, overeating, increased salt intake and lack of sleep can all contribute to cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. For these reasons, you should be mindful when planning your holidays and taking the time for rest this week between two major holidays.

This week we would like you to focus on health and relaxation. Here are our top 5 things to focus on this week:

1 – Drink plenty of water. Yes, the egg nog was good, and the cocktails were delicious, but it is time to focus on hydration. Get at least 8 glasses of water daily to flush out the toxins and keep hydrated.

2 – Rest. The presents have been unwrapped; the families returned to their homes. Take this time to rest and relax. Do not rush from one-holiday celebration to the other. Plan to sleep in or go to bed earlier than usual.

3 – Exercise. You don’t need to go crazy at the gym; a 20-30 min walk on the treadmill or around the indoor track is enough to keep the blood pumping and stress levels down.

4 – Reduce salt intake. All the holiday eating can lead to salty snacks. Salt can have a significant impact on heart function. Read your labels and choose lower sodium options.

5 – Practice Gratitude. Focusing on all the good things, reminiscing about good times and journaling about all the things you are thankful for can help put things into a better perspective and give you a sense of optimism. Being optimistic helps reduce stress levels and lowers blood pressure.

You should always listen to your body regardless of age or current health condition. Call your doctor or seek medical attention if something doesn’t feel right. Many people do not want to “ruin” the holidays or seem “dramatic,” so they neglect the warning signs and do not seek medical attention when they need it most. If you are experiencing chest pain, numbness, or shortness of breath, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not try to ‘sleep it off”. You know your body better than anyone; if something doesn’t seem right, get attention.

It is always better to be safe than sorry. Your loved ones would rather you be a little dramatic versus not having you for the same holidays next year.

If you need more ideas to reduce stress, don’t forget to download our free “De-Stress your December” guidebook. Check out our new calm gummies for a little extra calm this New Year.