Day 21: My Favorite Things…

To conclude my series for Living Healthier and Happier, I am sharing a few of my favorite things that have helped my family and me over the years to live a healthier and happier life.

For our family, making the transition to all natural and organic wasn't always smooth. I don't know about your kids, but at times ours were pretty picky about certain foods. They've since acquired a taste for the many things that they once griped and complained about.

I wanted to keep this series simple and practical; especially for those like me who can get overwhelmed at starting a big change. At the time of when I was a stay at home mom I didn't own a computer and would have to borrow my husband's laptop whenever he brought it home from work. I practically had to force myself to learn how to use the computer because of all health resources that were becoming available online. This was a little over eight years ago, so if you are reading this post, you are already ahead of me. Most women and moms I know today own a laptop!

1. Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC., was my Health Bible when I first began my health journey.


It’s now it it’s 5th edition, but when I discovered this amazing resource, it was the third edition. Prescription for Nutritional Healing is a practical guide to drug-free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements.





2. Jason Bath products for kids:

*No Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
*Concentrated and Moisturizing
*Never Dries your skin
*Natural Ingredients

Using some big name brands consisted of unhealthy chemicals; hence, I found Jason Natural bath and body products for my kids when they were young and it’s still a favorite. Jason Natural Shower Wash in Apricot is one of our favorites.

3. Derma E Skin Care Products:

Healthy skin is beautiful. Derma E's skin care line is a natural and organic therapeutic skin and hair care formulation that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and botanicals. Derma E is Paraben-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free.

4. Stonyfield Farms Organic Yogurt: Stonyfileds Farms even makes yogurt for babies. Yokids yogurt is an alternative to a lot of the famous brands, but does not contain:

*No icky gelatin
*No phony colors
*No use of toxic pesticides, antibiotics and hormones
*No artificial anything

5. GTS Kombucha Synergy Tea: An alternative to soda, lattes, Kombucha’s health benefits has been a favorite weekly drink. Kombucha story is amazing and can found on the website.
My kids are very limited on when they can have soda. It’s usually on very rare occasions, but a couple of my kids love Kombucha. Here are just a few benefits, all of which are good enough reasons for me to drink Kombucha! GTS Kombucha supports…

*Digestion
*Metabolism
*Immune System
*Appetite Control
*Liver Function
*Body Alkalinity
*Anti-Aging
*Cell Integrity
*Healthy Skin & Hair

6. Laura’s Lean Beef fully cooked dinners: This is for a “mom on the run” and some nights you just have to throw something in quick and know that you are still feeding your family a healthy meal. These meals are delicious and all you need is a simple side dish! You can find Laura’s Lean Beef at Super Target and other super markets. Check their website for a listing of stores in your area. Below are our favorites:
*Beef Pot Roast Au Jus
*Shredded Beef with Barbecue Sauce (great for quick sandwiches, like healthy Sloppy Joe's)
*Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce




7. Seventh Generation Household Products:Non-toxic & biodegradable

*Hypo-allergenic
*Does not create harsh fumes
*Not tested on animals
*Kosher-certified

8. Jack La Lanne Juicer: If you read my post on Day 16,
I shared the benefits of juicing. Jack La Lanne Juicer is one of favorite things to use that helps me to stay healthy! Nothing like drinking your greens and adding some great fruit and colorful vegetables to the bitterness. It makes greens go down quite smooth and tasty too!


9. Whirley Pop (Popcorn Maker) Healthy alternative to microwave popcorn.
I am not a big fan of the microwave and use it very sparingly. A friend gave us the Whirly Pop as a gift, and we love it. Whirley Pop makes good old homemade popcorn that's healthy!

10. The Scottsdale Princess Resort: Rest and Relaxation is one of the secrets to living healthier and happier.


There is nothing wrong with getting away and enjoying a little 'ME TIME" with a girlfriend or spouse. The Scottsdale Princess Resort (Scottsdale, Arizona) is one of the nicest place to sneak away to.



Please feel free to check out the links that interest you for more details about the products that I've shared. Thank you for following me on this journey to living healthier and happier!

"May Your Spirit, Your Soul, and Your Body be kep complete." ~1Thessalonians 5:23

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 20: Be Your Own Health Advocate

Medical mistakes account for 100,000 deaths a year. I read this a couple of years ago and was astounded by such statistics. For the first time I heard it revealed on television by America’s favorite doctor; Dr. Oz on Oprah.

We need doctors and good doctors are a gift, saving lives every day. However, there are certain cases where we need to be our own health advocate. Too many people take the doctor’s diagnosis as a final word without any second opinions or doing their own research.

My health journey began 8 years ago when my youngest son was having asthma symptoms, an illness that runs in my family. Asthma affects 14 million children a year.

After a couple of trips to the Emergency Room, our pediatrician suggested that he received a drug that could help with preventing asthma. While I was grateful for the option, after reading a list of more than 10 different side effects, I was not at peace with having him rely on drugs if there were some things that I could do naturally to prevent these asthma triggers.

I’m in awe of constant medical advances, but I believe that certain illnesses can be reduced by preventative care. I began researching ways to prevent asthma from triggering. I spent quite a bit of time online researching and learning about asthma as well as found natural health books that were helpful. I discovered that there are certain things that can trigger asthma and some things that can help with prevention.

Immediately, I removed the things that were potential triggers of asthma (ei: household chemicals, dust), and added things that would help prevent asthma attacks. For ei; something as simple as increasing water helps to improve the airways.

Diet choices are a large factor in preventing a lot of common ailments. Thank God for alternative options. Being your own health advocate may not only save your life from medical mistakes, but can also prevent you from having to rely on drugs with harmful side effects. My son is living healthier and happier; he has not had an asthma attack or a visit to the Emergency Room in years!

Please Note: I do not recommend ignoring medical treatment. That is not what this message is about; it’s about options and what you feel is best for your situation. As I always recommend, please consult with your physician or health expert before making any changes to your health.

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 19: Living Healthier With MAGNESIUM

Like my host, Duong, My mission for over 35 years has been to help people lead healthier and happier lives. One simple way to take charge of your health is to use magnesium. It’s important for stress relief, weight control, bone health, heart health, blood sugar balance, a healthy pregnancy and more!

1. Magnesium is a cofactor assisting enzymes in catalyzing most chemical reactions in the body, including temperature regulation.
2. Magnesium produces and transports energy.
3. Magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of protein.
4. Magnesium helps to transmit nerve signals.
5. Magnesium helps to relax muscles.

STRESS
There are many possible stress triggers. You may have no identifiable or consistent trigger, or have several obvious ones. Potential triggers include:

Stress can cause magnesium depletion and a lack of magnesium magnifies stress. Magnesium supports our adrenals, which are overworked by stress. A strain on the adrenal glands puts a strain on the magnesium-dependent energy system of the body, which further promotes energy depletion and leads to a vicious cycle of decreased ability to manage stress.

Feelings of nervousness, irritability, twitching, muscle spasms, and being unable to relax are signs of needing magnesium. The stress response involves the influx of calcium into cells, resulting in a temporary, drastic change in the internal magnesium-to-calcium ratio inside the cells.

Magnesium is the anti-stress mineral and is known to alleviate depression, anxiety and insomnia. Additional symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency include anxious behavior, hyperemotionality, apprehension, confusion, anger, nervousness, insomnia, and hysteria.

Stress is so prevalent in our daily lives that we have become desensitized to it and the message it is trying to give us, which is to slow down.


HYPOGLYCEMIA
Anxiety is a chemical reaction created when the adrenal glands respond to a stressful event, such as low blood sugar, by releasing adrenaline.

When you are hungry or skip meals, you lower your blood sugar. The brain becomes extremely vulnerable to excitotoxins during episodes of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Pound for pound, the brain uses more blood sugar than any other part of the body. Low blood sugar occurs when you are malnourished or even when you skip meals. Magnesium is responsible for balancing blood sugar. With sufficient magnesium and balanced meals to prevent low blood sugar, you can protect yourself against paranoia, anxiety and mood disorders.

High blood sugar, or diabetes is also a sign of magnesium deficiency. Unfortunately, diabetic drugs can lower magnesium levels in the body. Simply taking magnesium can balance blood sugar and even relieve symptoms of nerve damage caused by diabetes.

WEIGHT GAIN:
Magnesium produces energy--if you don't have energy you don't exercise and you gain weight. Magnesium activates the enzymes that digest food--if you don't metabolize your carbs properly they end up being stored as fat. Magnesium is an important detoxifying mineral and supports liver detoxification.

HEART HEALTH
The heart is a very large muscle. Calcium causes muscles to contract and magnesium causes them to relax. Magnesium prevents muscle spasms of the peripheral blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure, another risk factor of heart disease.

Magnesium is a natural statin (anticholesterol medication). It is necessary for the activity of an enzyme that lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and raises good cholesterol (HDL). It does all this without any side effects that are so common with statin drugs.

RESTLESS LEGS
Magnesium deficiency symptoms include restless leg syndrome, leg cramps, eye twitching, fatigue, constipation, insomnia, anxiety, racing heart, and chest pain. Magnesium known as the anti-stress mineral alleviates these symptoms and helps you get a good night’s sleep.

CONSTIPATION
Magnesium is an extremely safe supplement; its main side effect of loose bowel movements is actually a benefit to 60% of the population that is constipated. It acts to pull fluid into the bowel to cause a gentle laxative effect but also relaxes the intestinal muscles.

BACK PAIN
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. Back pain is associated with muscle spasms and inflammation. Immediate relief from back pain can be accomplished with nutritional magnesium supplementation. Magnesium naturally relaxes muscles and alleviates muscle cramping and spasms related to back pain.

Research has shown that aging body's tissues have three times more calcium than magnesium. Calcium deposits in tissues that have a deficiency in magnesium. Excess calcium in tissues has a toxic effect and a bone loss effect.

HEADACHES
Tension headaches and can migraine headaches can significantly disrupt your life.
Most people who get regular headaches report that they felt stressed or hungry before their headache began.

Magnesium relaxes the head and neck muscle tension that makes tension headaches worse. Magnesium, vitamin B2, and the herb feverfew are an important migraine headache treatment combination.

Magnesium is a simple, inexpensive solution to many health problems. It can jump start your energy and help you sleep giving you the focus you need to take charge of your health. You can take it as a magnesium citrate powder in water, which means you don’t even have to swallow a pill!

Dr. Carolyn Dean is a Medical Doctor and Naturopathic Doctor, author and coauthor of 16 books, including The Magnesium Miracle, and Medical Director of The Nutritional Magnesium Association www.nutritionalmagnesium.org. Proficient in both conventional and alternative medicine Dr. Dean offers Customized Consultations for Health by Phone. For more information, please visit Dr. Dean's website: www.drcarolyndean.com where you can sign up for a free health newsletter.

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 18: Three Easy Healthy Recipes

Healthy Mini Pizzas

Serving: 4

8 Sprouted grain English Muffins
1 Jar of organic pasta sauce
Shredded Cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
your favorite healthy toppings ei: spinach, tomatoes, onions, artichoke, olives,

Directions:

Preheat oven 400F. Spoon pasta sauce over English muffins. Add your favorite toppings, sprinkle with cheese. Bake in oven for 400F for approximately 8-10 minutes.

Recipe: Adapted from personal interview with Nicki Rubin (Wife of NYT best selling author, Jordan Rubin of the Maker’s Diet and Perfect Weight America)

Cruciferous Vegetables & Chicken Soup (anti-cancer veggies)

Ingredients: Serving 6-8

1 cartons of organic free range chicken broth
1 carton of organic vegetable broth
1 whole garlic minced and onion sauteed in extra virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
1/8 teaspoon of crushed black pepper
1/2 head of brocolli
1/2 head of cauliflower
1/2 cabbage
1 stalk of bok choy
1 cup of organic baby carrots cut up
10 cherrie tomatoes cut in halves.
Optional Additionals:
a bunch of green onions finely sliced
a bunch of cilantro finely sliced
spicy chili pepper

Directions:
Cut up all vegetables into edible pieces, ei: broccoli cut each flower, cabbage into squares

Pour chicken broth into a large pot and add all seasons: garlic, pepper, fish sauce. Put on stove and let heat up medium high heat.
Put all vegetables into pot when broth begins to bubble. (Leave out tomatoes until end)
Let soup simmer for approximately 15 minutes on med to low heat. Put in tomato halves when soup is done and let sit to wilt.

Optional Additions:

Top with onion & cilantro with a little splash of hot chili pepper for those who like a little spice.

You can add meat for something a little hardier. (Sometimes, I cube chicken breast up and add into broth along with vegetables).

Baked Halibut with Asian Ginger Sauce
(4 servings)

4 pieces of halibut
1 teaspoon of ginger finely minced
3 tablespoon of Asian Fish Sauce (can be purchased at Asian supermarket)
1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper
¼ wedge of lemon or lime
4 tablespoons of coconut oil or may use olive oil

Preheat oven to 375F.

Mix all ingredients in bowl and set aside. Rinse halibut fish in cold water and use paper toil to soak up any access water. Brush oil on bottom of pan
Place halibut in pan
Pour mixture over each of the halibut fish and brush remaining sauce on fish
Bake in oven for 25 minutes

Sautéed Fresh Spinach
1 bag of organic spinach leaves
4 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil
2 crushed garlic
1/8 teaspoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of soy sauce

Heat oil on med-high. Add crushed or minced garlic and pepper and sauté for approx 2 minutes. Add one bag of spinach leaves and stir until leaves wilt. Add soy sauce, stir for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside covered until fish is finished.

When fish is done cooking, place spinach on plates and add fish on top of spinach. Serve with brown rice.

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 17: Secret Hazards in Processed Foods

Life is just busy as ever and when it comes to meal time, most Americans are conveniently cooking it up. When I say conveniently cooking it up, I am talking about pulling out a box meal or popping a frozen entrée into the microwave. A typical family where both parents are working outside of the home at 8 hours a day with added commute time, and dropping off the children at daycare, takes up a full day. You may be familiar with this routine. Not to mention, after a long day, you have to get the kids to different activities or sports. Where does a healthy cooked meal fit into this type of schedule? Sadly, it doesn’t for most people.

This is where most of the American diet is tailored around processed food or fast food chains. Although convenience is a nice option for the busy family, it also comes with a price, and that is a price of good health. Why are processed foods not a healthy option? For one, processed foods are loaded with trans fats, saturated fats, and a lot of sodium and sugar.

I used buy canned soups from famous brands, and after reading the label, I was shocked by the amount of sodium in one small can. A 10 ¾ oz can of soup may contain 750 mg of sodium per serving! That’s per serving! I was on a search for some healthier options with much lower sodium. Eating foods that are loaded with these ingredients should be avoided or eaten very little if we are going to live healthier.

About.com gives a general list of processed foods that may not be as healthy below: (see link for full article)

• canned foods loaded with sodium
• refined white flour, in most breads and pastas
• snack packs ei: chips
• frozen dinners entrees
• packaged boxed meal
• processed meats ei: lunch meats, deli meats

Not only are processes foods made with trans fats, saturated fats, a lot of sodium and sugar, but there are also chemicals and preservatives that are used to keep them lasting longer. Let’s take processed meats for example. Processed meat uses sodium nitrite or nitrate to help preserve, so it looks more pleasing to the eyes and longer shelf life. It sounds all good, right? Of course, however, what it does to your body is far from GOOD!

What is sodium nitrite? American Institute for Cancer Report defines this chemical in their glossary:

Nitrite: A salt containing the nitrite ion, which contains nitrogen and oxygen in proportion
1:2 (NO2). Sodium nitrite is added to many processed meats. Nitrites are also formed in the body from nitrates in plant foods that are eaten. When consumed, nitrites can lead to the generation of N-nitroso compounds, some of which are known carcinogens (see box 4.3.2) Please see the glossary term or nitrate (it's shocking).

Carcinogens are cancer causing chemicals! A lot of deli meats we use for lunches contain nitrite or nitrate. I went on a search several years ago for healthier lunch meats that are nitrite or nitrate free. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market carries nitrite and nitrate free lunch meat. One of my favorite brands is Applegate Farms. They have a great selection lunch meat that is wholesome.

As a busy mom, it’s difficult to whip up healthy meals every night; however, with a bit of advance meal planning it’s possible! I was not a fan of the slow cooker;it reminded me of certain meals that I've had at potluck dinners that didn't taste very good. I've found that when days are busy, the good old slow cookeris one way to provide my family with a wholesome meal at the end of the day.

I found a great cookbook for slow cookers years ago full of easy recipes and I would improvised for organic ingredients whenever possible. If you need some simple ideas to help you with your slow cooker, you can purchase Fix It and Forget It Cookbook-#1 best selling cookbook, to get some ideas for preparing meals using a slow cooker. I still believe in a 90/10 rule, that's to eat healthy 90% of the time and allow the 10% of the time to be for rare occasions like, vacations and parties, etc. The point is, the more we can decrease the amount of processed foods in our life the greater chances we have of reducing the risks for various cancers and illness that rob us from living healthier and happier!

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 16: Juicing- One Secret to Living Healthier & Longer

Mom was right when she told you to eat your fruit and vegetables. Health experts and organizations like the National Cancer Institute have also been promoting more fruits and vegetables to help you stay healthy. As a matter of fact, NCI recently published an article that reveals those who consume a good amount of fruits and vegetables decrease their risks of cancer ranging from, lung, stomach, colon, pancreas and others that you can find listed in the link.

It’s recommended that we consume from 4-13 servings daily of fruits and vegetables in order to receive the benefits. The fact is, I don’t believe that most people are consuming the daily recommendations. The average American consumes 1 ½ servings of vegetables, and no fruits in their daily diets.

Juicing raw fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to deliver nutrients right to your cells. Juicing has a host of benefits and comes as a result of fresh juice getting enzymes into your system. When we cook our vegetables at high heat, we are killing enzymes. Enzymes are a critical aid in digestion and helps with your metabolism every day.

Another major reason juicing is incredibly healthy is, when juicing raw vegetables from green plants, you get the benefits of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has the amazing ability to detoxify your liver, and restore and cleanse your blood cells.

Also, since our body is made of primarily water, fruits and vegetables gives our body the liquids it needs to stay hydrated and healthy. Most people consume soda, coffee, or tea all day, which dehydrates our body.

I invested in a juicera couple of years ago and would juice raw fruits and vegetables at least 3-4 times a week. For that season of juicing, I felt amazing. My skin looked amazing and although I use very good skin care products and have a very healthy diet, drink tons of water, and all that I do to stay healthy, I believe that juicing really enhanced my health from the inside out. Health experts have certainly touted the benefits of juicing for the past several years.

I used the juicer quite frequently, resulting in burning out the motor; hence, I’ve bought the Jack La Lanne Juicer. I was inspired to take out my friend Jack La Lanne and start adding it to my weekly health regimen again. In this photo, I am juicing: collard greens, kale, arugula, alf-alfa sprouts, red bell pepper, carrots, and threw in an apple to tone down the bitter greens just a little. It was absolutely delicious, extremely healthy and I bet my cells are dancing with excitement!

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 15: What’s in Your Makeup? (Living Healthier & Happier)

Yesterday, Elissa Kalver, Founder and Owner of SALUS® Bath and Body shared with us how she lives healthier and happier by using natural and organic bath and body products that is safe for her and her family.

Today, we are looking into makeup. Do you know what's in our makeup? Women love cosmetics; blush, bronzers, lipstick, and eye shadows in an array of colors. But, are all cosmetics created equal and there health concerns that we should be aware of? I'm always amazed at the amount of money that is spent in this industry alone; a multi-billion dollar business that markets to women and teen girls constantly promoting the newest lines. I won't deny the fact that I love makeup and it's like eye candy when I walk through the cosmetic department at a department store.

Over the years, I have become more aware of the dangers of some of ingredients that are in certain cosmetics that has caused a great concern. I have since replaced all of my products for those that are more natural and healthier for the skin.
While it’s difficult to avoid everything that is a health risk, we can do a great deal to minimize our exposure in our day to day lives.

We are exposed to toxins everyday just from breathing, so I understand that we just can't get away from chemicals and toxins, etc. My goal is to educate women to look for ways to reduce as much exposure to chemicals as possible. The more pro-active we are in caring for our health, the more we can decrease the risks of various disease and cancers.

When it comes to makeup, there are several chemicals that we need to stay away from, but the three primary ingredients that we should look to avoid are:

• Parabens, preservatives that have been linked to cancer
• Phthalates, found in ¾ of beauty products (birth defects, reproductive problems, and more)
• Talc known to cause cancer in animals

I have discovered a very resourceful website called The Cosmetics Database and it's been beneficial in helping me to keep up with the cosmetic industry, especially now that I have a teenage daughter who loves to wear makeup. I am even more cautious about what goes on her face and skin.
There is a recent concern that certain chemicals in makeup alter teen girls hormones. I would encourage mothers with teenage daughters who experimenting with makeup and skin to read this article: Teen Girls' Body Burden of Hormone-Altering Cosmetics Chemicals.

You can find products that rate between 0-10 (0= low hazard, 10= high hazardous). You would be surprised by some of the multi-million dollar products that rate in the 9-10 categories for harmful chemicals.

Click to see if your make up is listed in the health hazard rating: Makeup
You can also select any of the categories above to find out whether the products you are using are low hazard to high hazard.

The latest marketing campaign seems to be promoting natural makeup. I see all sorts of makeup in the cosmetics isle at retails stores claiming to be “natural”. Beware of the ads that claims that beauty in the bottle or jar has is natural.

Find out what’s in your makeup here.

If you see any of the ingredients listed and the health hazards associated with it, I would encourage you to take the necessary steps to replace it with something that not only enhances your beauty already, but will help you to live healthier and happier in the long run.

**Check for hundreds of makeup and skincare products in The Cosmetics Database that are in the low hazard zone.

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 14: Healthier & Happier with SALUS® Bath & Body

Like many women when I had my first child I took a serious look into what I was eating, drinking, and what I was putting on my skin. I started paying attention to ingredients in everything and I wanted to know what was this methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (Methylparaben) was. But, seriously? Why was I putting this on my skin with my own history of cancer and cancer in my family. Why was I taking unnecessary risks with chemicals (such as parabens) linked to such a horrible disease as breast cancer? Even natural food stores’ bath and body care products have funny chemicals in them. So, what’s a girl to do? I created my own business!

The SALUS® concept for custom bath and body care is revolved around unscented, natural and organic products that are customized by the true expert… you! Many people have skin allergies, cannot wear scents in their work environment, or simply do not want a product’s scent to conflict with their perfume. Others live for fragrance and for those folks we carry over 300 fragrances, essential oils and blends.


Since creating SALUS® I have truly led a happier and healthier lifestyle in so many ways. First and foremost, our family is able to spend every day together! We’ve lived the corporate life before; where my husband was gone from the time the children woke till the time they went to bed… no thanks! Owning our own business is definitely a challenge, but it has been an incredible blessing to build a successful business from scratch, and live the family life that we wanted.

Through our research in developing SALUS® we discovered that natural products really are amazing for your skin! There’s a reason why big name brands use buzz words like “Shea Butter” on their labels. Though their products are far from being natural, people see “Shea Butter” and flock. I didn’t want to just use buzz words though. I wanted SALUS® to be truly great products that people would feel good about using on their skin. Then, if they choose to do so, add their favorite scent to design their perfect product!

Some of my favorite bath and body care products for living happier and healthier are our Organic Artisan Soaps, made with organic vegetable oils and essential oils; our Moisture Fizz™ Bath Bombs – a fun, fizzy and natural alternative to bubble bath; any of our creams and lotions for taking care of winter dryness; and our Muscle Relief Gel™ which is the natural and organic alternative to Biofreeze®!

/>

And, because I believe in our products so strongly, I invite you to try our products today with a special promo code for 20% just for Healthy Beauty Secret readers – good through the end of March! Visit SALUS® and use Coupon Code: HBS20

I want to say thank you to Duong, who is such a beautiful person. I am so happy to have met you through Twitter. Thank you for inviting me to share my story for living a healthier and happier life!

Elissa Klaver is the Founder & Owner of SALUS®, custom natural and organic, bath & body care. She is happily married to Jerell Klaver and have four children, the newest addition to the Klavers is just months old!


21 Days to Living Healthier & Happier Archives
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 13: Making Fitness Fun (Guest Post- Laura Kelly-Pifer)

When Duong asked me to guest post “How do you live healthier and happier with your fitness? Since not everyone shares the same excitement as I do about working out, I wanted to share my story of how I found how fun fitness can be and how I have incorporated it into my life. It’s taken me an eternity to get here it seems but I’m finally on board and I’m not leaving!

Last Spring, a friend mentioned to me Ten Minute Trainer (http://www.exercise2day.com) and the infomercial that she had seen. She was in awe of how fast the workouts could be and the results of the folks who had used it had. I checked it out online and decided to give it a try; it came with a 30 day money back guarantee so it was worth a try. I used it for a few weeks and saw how it could help me but at that time, my heart wasn’t into it. It seemed like I always found an excuse. I put it away until last fall. Within the first 3 weeks, I lost a total of 7.5 pounds. That was an awesome feeling! I had actually accomplished something and I wanted more.

After using Ten Minute Trainer, I then purchased Turbo Jam (http://www.exercise2day.com). What a great workout that was. It was completely different than what I had before and I must admit, is my favorite! Every time I put that DVD in, push play and start moving, I end up out of breath with a smile on my face. No need to worry though, I maximize my workouts that my heart rate is up and that I can still breathe…lol! What fun I have.

I got hooked on the exercise and I decided to help folks who were looking for help and motivation. It’s when I decided to be an online fitness coach. By becoming a coach, I must set an example for those that I work with. I keep myself in line and make sure that I too, log my workouts into WOWY (Work Out With You)(http://www.exercise2day.com), a virtual gym, and meet up with friends. My own coach, my online friends and my job as a coach have helped me maintain my loss, even with illness this winter. I am so thankful for having their support!

I think some of the best advice that I can give folks is to find something you enjoy. It can be walking, weight lifting, taking a class somewhere, etc. You have to want to do this. It has to come from within. I can’t make you but I can help you!!

Laura Kelly-Pifer, aka Coach Laura. I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. She is married and has 2 girls. Laura loves make up and fashion and anything fun. She enjoys meeting new people. You can learn more about Coach Laura by following her blog at http://www.exercise2dayinfo.blogspot.com




21 Days to Living Healthier & Happier Archives
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 12: So What is Raw Food? (Pamela Reilly)

So what is a raw foods diet? In its simplest form, it’s a diet consisting of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains. Many raw foodists also eat “superfoods” including various seaweeds and algaes, green powders, sprouts, maca, raw cacao, and others.

Some raw foodists choose to eat some cooked foods that may or may not include meat and eggs. Others include raw dairy products. Deciding how much raw food to eat and whether or not to eat a strictly vegan diet is a very personal choice. Many raw foodists start slowly and continually perfect their diet to meet their personal needs. The raw food diet focuses on raw foods because cooking kills the enzymes foods contain and changes the chemical composition of the food.

Every chemical reaction in our body is stimulated by or requires an enzyme. You can’t think a thought, squint in the bright sunlight, or chew a delicious apple without the help of enzymes. Enzymes are also essential to digesting the food we eat. Cooked foods contain no enzymes and therefore cause the body to “donate” enzymes to the digestive process. The enzymes the body donates to digestion could have otherwise been used for other body functions such as the regeneration of healthy cells. Our body's pool of enzymes slowly diminishes when we eat large amounts of "dead" foods containing no enzymes. Enzyme depletion is often blamed for common signs of aging such as fatigue, skin problems, arthritis, etc.

Cooking also changes a food’s chemical composition in ways that can actually harm the body. A great example of this is that cooked proteins often contain rancid fats (which are toxic to the body) and are in a form that takes an exceptionally long time to digest. Raw proteins, on the other hand, are very easily absorbed and digested by the body and require much less energy to be processed. Eating raw foods containing living enzymes is vital for delaying the aging process and for helping our bodies heal themselves. Live foods give life to the body. It’s just that simple.

If the thought of giving up your current dietary habits seems overwhelming, don't worry! Transitioning to a raw foods lifestyle can be done very gradually in a variety of ways. Some people choose to start by identifying the foods they want to eliminate from their diet and then selecting one food to avoid each week. I encourage my clients to substitute one healthy food for every unhealthy food they eliminate.

In my Living Foods Life Coaching Program, I use a set of worksheets to help my clients examine their current diet and form a strong plan for transitioning to raw foods at a steady, comfortable rate. One of the simplest means of adding more raw foods to the diet is to add a fresh, organic salad to every meal. After slowly eliminating unhealthy foods from the diet, some people then choose to substitute one raw meal per day for a week or month. For example, raw foodists may start by having raw breakfasts for a few weeks, then adding raw snacks, then raw or partially raw lunches, and ultimately raw or partially raw dinners. This gradual transition not only allows people to transition their emotional eating habits gradually, but also causes the body’s detoxification process to be more gradual.

When a person transitions to a raw food diet and stops putting foods into their body that are filled with toxins, their body begins cleansing itself and eliminating toxins. The cleansing process, often called "detoxification" or "detox", is a sure sign the body is starting to achieve higher levels of health. As the toxins are eliminated, some people may experience symptoms that could include headaches, a runny nose, excess mucous, rashes, achiness, diarrhea, light-headedness, lowered body temperature with a feeling of being cold, pimples, fatigue, moodiness, food cravings, and others.

Don't be discouraged by that list of symptoms! The key is to remember that your body is ridding itself of harmful pollutants that have negatively affected your health. Detoxification is a beautiful thing that should be celebrated!

You can help the detox process along by drinking plenty of purified water, getting more rest, transitioning more slowly, using enemas or colon hydrotherapy, and other methods. I also recommend finding others who eat a raw food diet to help guide you and answer questions. One great resource for finding raw food support groups near you is Meetup.com.

Many people are concerned that the raw foods lifestyle requires expensive equipment, but that is not true. You can go raw with nothing more than a knife, and even that's optional! You can make most raw food recipes using a standard blender, food processor, or juicer, but those appliances are not a necessity. You can still eat a wide variety of wonderful foods and get the complete nutrition you need without having expensive equipment. If you have concerns about getting enough nutrition from eating a variety of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes, please put your mind at rest. The truth is that a raw food diet usually provides greater nutrition than the SAD. The combination of many colors of raw fruits and veggies, raw nuts, seeds, legumes and grains provides an abundance of healthy protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
This is, of course, a very brief summary of the raw and living foods lifestyle. I encourage you to Contact Me if you have any questions or would like additional information. I can also be found at Good Works Wellness Research, LLC; my blog, Rawvolutionary Healing; and Twitter, via RawHealer. I am excited to announce that I will launch a 30-day coaching program in April that will provide 30 days of personalized coaching and instruction on the Living Foods Lifestyle. Please visit www.goodworkswellness.com/rawfoods.html for more information and to put your name on the waiting list. I look forward to hearing from you.


21 Days to Living Healthier & Happier Archives
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Live Healthier & Happier,

Former High School Teacher Makes an Impact

I had the opportunity to reconnect with one of my favorite high school teachers from Beloit Memorial High School this week, when I was a guest speaker at the former church I grew up in, First Baptist Church, Beloit, Wisconsin. Mr. Gene Van Galder is now the Reverend of that church.

Mr. Van Galder had a certain presence about him that drew respect and honor from his students. He was genuine teacher who always showed concern and was active in helping his students to be successful in school. Teachers like him are remembered because of what they do in their day to day profession that makes an impact in the heart of a student. He has certainly made an impact on mine and has been remembered for that.

Mr. VanGalder's authenticity hasn't changed a bit and his youth has been renewed like the eagles. If I had more time with him, I would certainly have asked him what he is doing to live so healthy and happy as he looks ageless! However, I think might already know! Mind you, he was my high school teacher over twenty years ago, and has since retired!

He wrote a column about me on the day that I saw him in the E-Messenger that he sends out weekly to his congregation. I was so blessed and honored by his kind words below:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God prepares for those who love him.” I Corinthians 2:9 (Duong’s favorite)

From Rev. Gene’s Perspective:

An American Story

Today is Sharing of the Breads in which women from many churches come to our church. The speaker for today is Duong Sheahan and she is sharing her story from Vietnam to America. When the communists started to take control of South Vietnam, Vietnamese who had been resisting communism were in great danger of execution. They realized that their only real hope was to get to America and to know the gift that is freedom. Congress passed legislation that allowed Vietnamese refugees to come to America.

The immigration process brought the Vietnamese to camps where they would be processed. A part of the system was to find sponsors for families. Our church with its mission focus and with the tireless efforts of the Floreys became a sponsor for Vietnamese families. In 1975, our families arrived.

One family was the Duongs- parents Kein and Da Le with their four children and two brothers. They lived in the Baptist House (a building that use to be located in what is now our parking lot). The biggest challenge was centered around language – somehow each side found a way to communicate until English was learned.

When I was teaching at Beloit Memorial, I had Duong Duong as a student. She was a bright, energetic, and beautiful young lady. She had such a great smile and was universally liked by both faculty and her peers. She has forged a great life for herself- a great husband (Kevin) and three children. She has her own business- health and beauty in the Chicago area. At the core of all that she does however, is the love of the Lord.

Her story is an American story – people from many lands come here to start a new life and to enjoy the liberties of a free land. In the process, they help to write the story that is America.

May God Bless You,
Rev. Gene

“The ladder of success doesn’t care who climbs it." ~Frank Tyger

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Related Posts: Beloit Daily News Cover Story (March 19, 2009)

Honor With a Grateful Heart

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 11: Rawvolutionary Healing (Pamela Reilly)

My name is Pamela Reilly. I’m a Naturopath and Living Foods Life Coach who lives in Indianapolis. I want to warmly thank Duong for allowing me to participate in the 21 Days to Living Healthier and Happier adventure!

My journey to natural health started when I was diagnosed at the age of two (42 years ago) with diabetes. As I grew, I heavily researched health and wellness, poring over medical journals and reading research reports. Not finding the answers I needed, I changed my research focus to natural healing remedies such as nutrition and herbalism.

As the years progressed, my health steadily declined in spite of doing everything my mainstream doctors told me to do. I began experiencing debilitating fatigue in my late twenties and was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My thyroid gland then completely died, I had severe neurological symptoms that caused me to be incorrectly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three times, my blood pressure skyrocketed.

I had frequent chest pains, my speech became slurred, I frequently gained and lost large amounts of weight, I had extreme clinical depression with thoughts of suicide, I developed numerous environmental allergies and allergies to more than twelve different foods, and had a host of other health issues. I was a mess! Mainstream medical professionals did everything they could, but nothing helped.

By early 2001, at the "young" age of 36, I was on sixteen different prescription medications and was almost completely bedridden. I became a widow in November of that year, which only added to my emotional and physical challenges. As a single mom with two young children who desperately needed my strength, I was desperate to find answers to my health problems.

Knowing that my healing came directly from God, I continued researching natural remedies. I also received multiple certifications to further equip me to help others, and began studying to become a Naturopathic Doctor. My health conditions gradually improved as I made positive lifestyle changes, but I still had bouts of extreme fatigue that interfered with daily living. I praise God that by mid-2007 I was off all medications except for insulin and a natural thyroid hormone replacement.

In late 2005, I heard about a biblical “diet plan” that included nothing but raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I didn’t think anyone in their right mind could eat such a diet! God, however, knew better. From then on, every time I turned around I was presented with new information about raw foods and their effect on health. I researched the raw foods or "living foods" lifestyle and decided to give it a try. I began experimenting with varying degrees of eating raw in 2006.

I wasn’t yet ready to make a full transition and hadn’t prepared myself emotionally or spiritually, so my entry into the raw food lifestyle came very slowly and with frequent returns to unhealthy foods. Old habits die hard! When I finally decided to go 100% raw, by the grace of God, I experienced truly miraculous healing in many different body systems. My husband joined me in eating raw foods in early 2009 and has already experienced improved health.

To date, the healing I've experienced includes: a reduction in daily insulin intake from 70 units per day down to around 12; total regeneration of my thyroid gland and elimination of hormone supplementation; a constant blood pressure of 90/70; Adhesive Capsulitis ("frozen shoulder") in both shoulders spontaneously healed; my resting heart rate dropped 25 beats per minute without adding additional exercise; tendon damage I'd been told was "permanent" healed; I only need about six hours of sleep to feel rested; I have no PMS or negative menstrual symptoms; and I have a mental clarity and joy that truly exceeds all understanding.

As I began researching the raw foods lifestyle, I read testimony after testimony of raw foodists who were spontaneously healed of cancer, AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, chronic migraines, arthritis, heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, Diabetic Retinopathy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and a host of other diseases.
Learn more about Pamela Reilly, Naturopath & Living Foods Life Coach, CNHP, CPH
Good Works Wellness Research, LLC

http://www.goodworkswellness.com
http://rawvolutionaryhealing.blogspot.com
Other Guest Post by Pamela Reilly: What is Raw Foods

Please Note: Blog is for educational purpose only. Consult a physician for your condition.

21 Days to Living Healthier & Happier Archives
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Live Healthier & Happier,

Day 10: Honor with a Grateful Heart

“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart” ~Seneca

I had the wonderful privilege of speaking at a Women’s Conference at the church grew up in yesterday, and publicly honoring two very significant women in my life: Mrs. Helen Olsen, widow of the late Reverend Kermit Olsen of First Baptist Church and Mrs. Caroline Florey, widow of the late Mr. Robert Florey.

Reverend Olsen and Mr. Florey, along with several church families set out on a mission to organize the sponsorship of my family in 1975, after the fall of Vietnam. Having escaped by boat, we made it to a refugee camp in California where we awaited sponsorship. This process involved detailed paper work, finances, and a team of volunteers assigned to our family around the clock for many, many months to help us acclimate to this new country.

My family and I are forever so grateful to the late Reverend Olsen, the late Mr. Florey and their widows as well as the church families who joined together and provided all the essentials that my family needed to start a new life. From letting us live in their church house that the church owned for the first several months, to furnishing our entire home and even spent time teaching everyone some Basic English.
I have some vivid memories of this season in my life and am in awe when I reflect on all that they did.

At the end of my speaking, I took some time to honor the two precious women who are now in their 80s and 90s. This may be one of the last times that would be with both of them together. Mrs. Florey does not leave the house any longer due to her conditions, but she made every effort to be there to hear me speak (that was the most precious thing to me). I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to thank the two women and acknowledge them publicly for all that they’ve done for my family and me, for the tireless service to our family as well as share some of the stories that I remembered about each of them.

I have so many more people to honor in my life and I am waiting for those opportunities to come. It makes me happy and blessed to honor those so deserving!

“In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you.” ~1Thessalonians 5:18 NAS

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9

Live Healthier & Happier,