My purchasing habits are rarely swayed by products I see on infomercials. Perhaps it’s the long line of silly products, annoying commentators or extensive product demonstrations that bore me. Either way, I have lived my entire life without participating in infomercial shenanigans. So I surprised myself last week when I went to the dark side and make my first infomercial inspired purchase.

I purchased Debbie Meyer’s Green Bags to keep fruit and veggies fresh—20 bags for about $10. As an added bonus, the bags can be used 8 to 10 times each! They are made with the natural mineral “oya” that extends the shelf life of produce by absorbing and removing and the ethylene gases that cause normal deterioration.

According the infomercial and website, you can preserve lettuce for 21+ days, tomatoes for 14+ days and strawberries for 9+ days.

I am only about a week deep into my new purchase, however I can see tremendous improvements in my fruit and veggie preservation process already. Before the Green Bags, I couldn’t purchase more than three bananas each time I went to the store as, they turned brown on me overnight ... not anymore!

Even if you don’t carry produce, this is the type of product you should consider stocking at the checkout stand. What a life saver!

Similar to Subway's Jared, a 42-year-old Virginia man dropped 80 pounds in six month eating two meals a day at McDonald's restaurants, but this is not some magical fast-food cure for overweight. The then 278-pound man ate two meals per day at the burger joint, but limited himself to salads, wraps and apple sides. Sounds like portion control to me.

While this is some proof the "healthy" menus at these greaseries offer some hope for the frequent fryers, his daily intake of fewer than 1,400 calories is far below what his body required. Calorie restriction will lead to weight-loss, as the simple relationship in weight-loss is calories in vs. calorie out (burned).

Yes, weight-loss products are heavy sellers, but they also are one of the greatest sources of frustration for people who have "tried everything" to lose weight to, and no avail. Natural products retailers want to help their consumers and communities get solid results, whether in decreased heart disease risk factors or decreased fat pounds.

The drive to lose weight is a good thing, but shedding pounds in healthy way is the ideal. Brand aside, it's not about McDonald's vs. Natural Foods as much as it is about balancing caloric intake, the types of foods eaten and exercise. A crash diet at McDonald's or anywhere else is never a good idea. It might seem to work for some people, but it doesn't necessarily lead to long term weight management goals—keeping the weight off and living a healthier lifestyle. At the end of such a crash diet, one would have to thank chance or genetics for surviving the diet and losing the large amount of weight, but immediately would need to make permanent lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) to ensure long term results.

Your weight-loss clientele might drag these tales into your stores and chat with you about it, but be sure to remind them of the basics in healthy weight management.

I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite vitamin manufacturers this last week. At the end of our lovely visit, they offered to take me on a facility tour.

However, I was stopped short at the door. My well-manicured, size 9, sassy shoe-wearing feet were unable to go into the actual production facility. Apparently, one of the many GMP (good manufacturing practice) requirements they must abide by includes no open-toed shoes.

Sadly, I didn’t get the official tour. However, I was pleased to know that GMP regulations are strictly being enforced. After all who wants a side of Toe Jam with their vitamin C?

Next time around, I will be sure to wear some closed-toed shoes. I am also guessing a hairnet won’t be far behind either! Sexy.

In effort to offer your customers the best product available, remember to ask your favorite manufactures about their GMP compliance.