In December, I had a fun get-together with a former co-worker.  Adrienne and I decided to meet at the beach for a much needed restful weekend.  Adrienne wanted to share with me her new juicing machine and how she was enjoying the juicing experience.

When we got to the resort, her car was filled with this huge juicing machine, a large cooler with organic fruits & vegetables, cutting boards, colander and knife. We lugged all this stuff up to our room which fortunately had a small kitchen area with a good size refrigerator.

Adrienne was excited to show me how she was making her shakes each morning.  She began cleaning and chopping fruits & veggies, adding protein powder and soy milk.  The small kitchen was a mess from preparing all the different items, then all the washing-up and drying of the machine and other tools.

As I was watching her make this shake, I was asking questions about why she was wanting to add juicing to her routine.  Adrienne said she was interested in adding more anti-oxidants to her diet, more fiber along with readily available vitamins & minerals. Made sense, but the process was too involved for me, and really for Adrienne too since she was a bit overwhelmed with the whole lengthy process.

Wanting to help Adrienne achieve her goals easier, we explored some of the Shaklee products that I use daily.  To get all the vitamins and minerals she was wanting I suggested using Shaklee’s Vitalizer, Vitalizer Gold for her since she is over 50 yrs old.  Vitalizer is the most advanced multinutrient supplement in the marketplace today with 80 bio-optimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life.* Vitalizer is the powerful and convenient approach to complete supplementation providing the best spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-aging phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics*, all in one daily serving.
Custom formula created specifically for today’s healthy active adult
Patent-pending delivery system designed to enhance absorption of key nutrients
Based on 12 clinical studies and a first-of-its-kind Landmark Study.

So Vitalizer met her needs for antioxidants, vitamins & minerals that were readily available and easily absorbed, plus added omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics.

Now to meet her need for protein and even more fruit, I had her use Shaklee 180 Smoothees.  She liked the Vanilla Smoothee since she can add apples with cinnamon for an apple pie flavor or add oranges for an “Orange Julius” taste. Make them to your taste for the season you are in. Great protein, easily absorbed, with the right kinds of fiber for healthy digestion.  Perfect!  

24 grams of hunger fighting protein when Mixed in 1 cup of nonfat milk or light soymilk
6 grams of fiber
Powered by Leucine TM to signals body to retain muscles
23 vitamins and minerals
Non-GMO soy protein
Low glycemic. GI Value: 31
No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives added
Gluten free, lactose free

Now her days are filled with good protein, easily absorbed vitamins and more free time! Shaklee 180 Smoothees, fresh fruit and Shaklee Vitalizer fill the bill! Wow, “juicing” is now simple and easy for Adrienne and others who want to have a healthy start to the day without all the mess and bother.  For more information on Shaklee products mentioned here, visit my Shaklee website  Elise.MyShaklee.com    Stay well, Elise

It is that time of year when we are accosted with ads for candy, diamonds and more candy.  This year is the year to throw away that Heart Shaped Box and do something Out of the Box!

Now what could that be, you might be asking yourself since you were wanting to have a few choice pieces from that heart shaped box.  Well, thinking of new and fun things to do just takes a few minutes of looking around your local area to see what opportunities await your senses.

Look for a cooking class, something fun that you two can do together.  Cooking a fun, different meal together can lead to a whole new side to your relationship.   Who knows what talents you both might have when working together in the kitchen.  Experiment with different spices, different vegetables, different recipes.  Have fun and laugh.  This could be the start of many new traditions.

Volunteer in your area or the surrounding areas.  There have been so many storms and fires this past year that many people are still struggling with repairs to homes and businesses.  Reach out to one of the local churches or Habitat for Humanity for their volunteer programs.  You may have talents in building or painting that would be of help, or you could partner with others to move much needed supplies to a stricken area.  Bringing a hot cup of coffee and a hot meal to those working to repair their lives can make a big difference in the day of a survivor.  And the benefits to yourself are immense. 

Plan a day trip to one of the local “tourist sites” that most locals never visit.  Many people live in a town with a wonderful museum, park, factory or historic site that they have never visited.  So “play tourist” for a day and visit something local.  Tour that dairy farm outside of town that makes that wonderful cheese you both love.  Wineries and Vineyards are popular tours, look for a new wine to share with that meal you cooked from your cooking class!  Our area is full of Revolutionary and Civil War battle grounds, so if you are a history enthusiast, visit your local historic sites.  Have fun doing something out of the ordinary!

Get creative, have fun, plan the budget so you don’t get in trouble with the costs, laugh as you explore new things together!  Elise

Saying “No” can be a good thing!  It is hard to say “No” at times, especially when you like to please people and you are good at the task you are asked to fulfill.  But often we take on additional tasks that others can do as well or even better, leaving us with less stress and more time to really enjoy the event.  So look carefully at your schedule and don’t be afraid to say “No” to some of those many requests for help you get each year.

Delegate!  Alright, you don’t want to say “No” to some things, but you don’t really have the time to fully accomplish that task either without going sleepless for several night.  Rather than show up sleep-deprived, delegate the task to another member of your family or your office staff.  Look around and see who has been waiting in the wings to learn a new skill and show what they are made of!  You will be pleasantly surprised at the talent that is around you waiting to grow and learn new skills.  From your spouse to your children to your mother-in-law, there are many hands available to help if you will only ask.  Teaching someone else is fun, rewarding and less stressful than always doing it yourself.

Watch your spending!  Again, saying “no” to a present is often hard.  Reality is cold and not always filled with boxes of presents for everyone in your life.  Avoid buying gifts because you feel obligated.  Have a frank discussion with friends and close family about gift giving to limit the amount spent or even eliminate gift giving all together.  Some larger family/friend groups often draw names so they are buying for only one in a large extended family/friend group.  Others do a “Dirty Santa” gift swap where each person purchases one gift of a certain dollar amount, not gender specific, for a gift swap game. It is a fun time, with lots of stealing of gifts as the game progresses, with everyone having fun and getting a nice gift.

Gifts that Keep on Giving!  Most of us have more “stuff” than we need or want.  Why not purchase gifts for the little ones, something small and fun, while making donations to your favorite charity in the names of those on your gift giving list.  Supporting the local Women’s Shelter, Orphanage, Children’s Hospital or a Scholarship fund for a deserving graduating High School Senior are just some of the many options.  Writing a personal note of Thanksgiving for someone in your life and letting them know about the donation you made in their honor is a special way to give gifts that keep on giving.

Keep focused on the reason for the season.  Don’t get so caught up in the must-dos and ought-to-dos that you loose sight of the reason you are getting together with family and friends.  Enjoy the time with them and forget the fact that the Christmas tree is not totally full of decorations or that the ham was cooked by the local deli and not you! 

Over the years, the memories created during these celebrations are more valuable than any store bought gift.  Time is a gift you can give everyone on your list if you plan well and forget the “shoulds and oughts” of life.  Enjoy where you are and who you are with at each event, remain in the present and forget about presents!  And if you need a little help winding down after the parties, take a Shaklee Stress Relief Complex like I do and you will release the stress naturally without negative side effects.  Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!

As I was talking about the need to boost our natural immune system’s production of Interferon, I thought about the flu shots that several of the group had taken.  Then the image of playing tennis with a golf ball came to mind. Think of all the many games that involve some type of ball.  Football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, ping-pong, bowling, hand-ball, soccer, volleyball and more.  The list is long.  Each of the games requires a specific ball with specific qualities and properties to successfully complete the game.

Now imagine trying to play a game of tennis with a golf ball instead of a tennis ball.  The balls are similar in several properties such as size, with the golf ball being a bit smaller.  They both bounce well and are easily seen on grass or dirt.  But there is where the similarities end.  The tennis ball is soft to the touch, lighter and filled with a gas to help with the bounce.  Golf balls are hard to the touch, dimpled on the surface and filled with a special, hard core that allows for distance travel through the air and certain behaviors on the greens after they land. Similar but different doesn’t really work here now does it.

Playing a game of tennis with a golf ball would be a bit dangerous.  The golf ball would probably break the strings on the racket when hit.  And the bounce from the golf ball would be fierce and erratic since the dimples are not meant for the hard court surfaces.  The match would be short and probably dangerous!

Now how does all this connect with flu shots?  Well the flu shots created by the pharmaceutical companies are targeted to a few specific strains of the flu.  A guess as to which strains will be the active ones in a certain season.  An educated guess, but still a guess.  There are many types of flu that mutate as they move from population to population.  So what is made to work on one type of a specific strain might not work in a few weeks as the strain mutates. I realize that this is a simplistic explanation, but without getting into complicated science, this will suffice. Read more on this in a article about the University of Minnesota study on the flu vaccines and how ineffective they are, especially to the population who needs the protection the most.

So back to our tennis game with the golf ball.  The flu shots that we are offered each year sometimes is a effective as playing tennis with a golf ball.  The shots are aimed a specific flues but you may be infected with a entirely different stain of flu that is not covered by the vaccine.  So it is much like playing tennis with a golf ball.  It just won’t work!

How can you increase your odds of having a healthy flu season? Want to have a full arsenal of appropriate “balls” to use for the”game” you will play?  If you choose to take the vaccination or not is your choice.  I choose not to for many reasons.  Boosting the natural production of the interferon in our bodies is important.  Scientists and medical communities have identified interferon as critical to healthy immune function.  World-renowned immunologist Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima first discovered interferon in 1954, while he was conducting research at Tokyo University. After 40 years of painstaking research, testing hundreds of natural compounds, he developed a unique blend of four powerful plant extracts that boosts the body’s natural production of interferon.*

Interferon signals neighboring cells into action and also interferes with how foreign cells grow and multiply.  Interferon is also considered essential for optimal health because it can boost the immune system’s ability to recognize foreign invaders. It is because of this special role that interferon is used in drug form as an anti-viral agent to treat many different diseases.  Researchers have shown that interferon, given by nasal spray in daily doses, can prevent infection and illness. However, pharmaceutical forms of interferon cause side effects such as nosebleeds, fatigue, headache and aches, and may not be useful in treating established colds.

I don’t want nosebleeds or headaches on top of the flu or a cold, so I use a natural way to boost my natural production of interferon from Dr Kojima.  His discovery of the blend of 4 powerful plant extracts that boosts the body’s natural production of interferon has given the world a product called NutriFeron from Shaklee.  I take at least 2 of the caplets each day and have found them to be of great help in staying healthy throughout cold & flu season!  Try it yourself to all more options in staying healthy so you won’t have to play tennis with a golf ball!  Stay well.

Vegetables

strains of who-knows-what could be living in your refrigerator right now.

Refrigerators are convenient since they allow us to store foods at the proper temperatures and humidities.  Keeping your refrigerator at 40degrees Fahrenheit will keep bacteria from growing on your food.  According to the USDA FactSheet on Refrigeration, ” Bacteria exist everywhere in nature. They are in the soil, air, water, and the foods we eat. When they have nutrients (food), moisture, and favorable temperatures, they grow rapidly, increasing in numbers to the point where some types of bacteria can cause illness. Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 and 140 °F, the “Danger Zone,” some doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. A refrigerator set at 40 °F or below will protect most foods.”

The doors of newer refrigerators are made with all kinds of storage.  However, every time the door is open, these shelves are blasted with the warm air of the house! So place more stable items on these shelves such as condiments, not leftovers or beverages such as milk. 

Put milk and raw meat (well packaged) on the shelves close to the freezer unit or in the coldest part of the refrigerator.   Store raw meat in covered containers such as glass, and no more than a few days.  Below is a list from the USDA concerning food storage times so you and your family will stay healthier.  Don’t waste food and money by improperly storing your food!

It made a wonderful cracking noise when you finally got the ice to release.  The lever was attached to a grid section of metal leaves that was separate from the tray.  The grid section was put in the tray, water was added, tray with grid was placed in the freezer section, hours went by and the frozen tray was removed.

Now the fun part was getting the lever to release the ice. If you put a bit too much water in the tray, as I always managed to do, the ice was up and over the grid, making it hard to release the ice cubes.  After much tugging, groaning and maybe a little run under some water, the lever would move, ice would shatter from the top of the cubes and drinking cool water and iced tea would begin.  Wonderful time!

Now that we have automatic ice makers, we have almost forgotten how wonderful ice cube trays are.  When we were kids, Mother would add orange juice or apple juice and occasionally Kool-Aid to the trays for a cold summery addition to water, juice or sweet iced tea.  Remembering those flavored cold additions to our beverages as a child got me to thinking about what we could do today.  Kids are still kids when it comes to liking cold drinks after play.

I went to the store, found some plastic ice cube trays, and have been making my own filtered ice all summer!  I had forgotten the fun of popping the ice from the tray, even in plastic.  My favorite benefit of not using the in-freezer ice maker is the taste of the ice, or should I say, the lack of taste of the ice.  I use a Shaklee Get Clean Water Pitcher which is an amazing filter system, getting out a multitude of pesticides, herbicides, 99% of the lead and more, leaving me with water as it should be, clean and “taste free”.  The automatic ice maker, with the puny in-refrigerator filter always gave the ice a “whang” (Southern for icky taste!).

Now that I make my own ice, with my 3 ice cube trays, I fill the dispenser each day and let the crusher on the freezer do it’s magic as I really like crushed ice.  The true flavor of my iced water,  iced tea and iced coffee come through each time.  Yummy!

But even more fun are the additions to the clean, filtered water in the trays!  Mother was always adding juice to the trays so her punches for parties would not water down.  Same thing with iced tea.  Now I suggest that you make a pot of your favorite tea and then make several trays of frozen tea cubes for use in your iced tea.  Make tea, freeze, remove from trays to store in a freezer bag or container with air-tight lid.  Makes the tea even better.

Freeze your favorite lemonade to add to iced tea or other beverages.  Think of all those “adult” beverages that are make in the fall and winter at the various tailgate, harvest and holiday parties we throw.  That little extra touch makes the drink that much more special and the ice cube tray an essential in any kitchen!

Just think of all the things you can freeze in the ice cube trays!  Cut little pieces of strawberries and blueberries in orange juice for use in morning protein shakes or other beverages.  For a savory cube for some of those adult beverages you could add celery or small onions, yellow & red peppers.  And for those fall stews, fill those trays with you chicken, beef or vegetable stocks for a quick infusion of flavor in future meals.  Freeze and store most any liquid for use at a later date in convenient, easy to use cubes!  Just label the containers since frozen broth in iced tea would not be ideal.

Let your imagination run wild!  What will you freeze for your next party?  Your next family reunion?  Your Thanksgiving dinner?  Miniature frozen salads?  Miniature ice creams?  Miniature pop-icicles?  You can find the metal trays from my childhood online at several retailers.  Or look in your favorite kitchen shop or variety store for the plastic versions.  Enjoy the Wonders of the Ice Cube Tray!

Well, if it isn’t enough that NSAIDs cause enough problems as it was, now there are studies showing NASIDs are responsible for hearing loss in women!  From an article written earlier this month, I found that NSAIDs can cause many serious problems which include: • heart attack • stroke • high blood pressure • heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention) • kidney problems including kidney failure • bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestine • life-threatening allergic reactions and more. All this for an anti-inflammatory! Yuck.

Now in a study published on September 15, 2012 in the American Journal of Epidemiology,  “In this study, use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (but not aspirin) 2 or more days per week was associated with an increased risk of hearing loss in women.”  It has already been established that “Use of analgesics is common and is associated with increased risk of hearing loss in men.”

From the Harvard Gazette:  “More than 50 percent of American adults suffer from high-frequency hearing loss by the time they reach 60 years old. One-third of women in their 50s and nearly two-thirds in their 60s have experienced hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization, adult-onset hearing loss is the sixth most common disease burden in high-income countries.”

Use this safe link to find Alternatives to NSAIDs that work without causing hearing loss, stomach issues, heart problem and more.  Anti-inflammatory options work well and the side effect is better health!

For the past 30 years or more, statins have been the go-to drug of choice for most physicians when CVD is found.  Lowering “bad” cholesterol, LDL,  with the use of statin drugs has turned into a big business.  It is estimated that 24 Million Americans take statin drugs each year.  And yet,  CVD is now the nation’s #1 Killer!

“It’s well-established that statins can lower the risk of [CVD],” says Robert Rountree, MD, holistic physician and Delicious Living’s medical editor. He continues with new research that “indicates the primary mechanism by which statins lower risk is not by reducing LDL cholesterol but instead by decreasing systemic inflammation.”  Reducing Inflammation.  Wow, I have been on that band-wagon for a while now. This is exciting news to me and I had to share it with you.

Fortunately there are many natural ways to reduce systemic or chronic inflammation besides statin

drugs. As you know, I don’t particularly like prescription drug side effects. Now, don’t get all up in arms, there are good reasons to take a prescription drug. However, when prescription drugs have more negative side effects than the original problem, I am not a fan! So when I read about new research that is showing that natural alternatives to statin drugs were working well and getting traction in the medical community, I was excited.   Dr Houston says of stains:  “And although statins are considered safe drugs, their use can have downsides. Potential adverse effects include muscle weakness and breakdown, liver dysfunction, and possible links to memory loss and nerve damage.”

Of course, you don’t want to give up the statins without help and advice of your physician.  But, if you are willing to make the diet, exercise and supplement modifications, over the course of time you may be able to say good-bye to the statins and hello to better health, naturally.

To follow a healthy lifestyle, follow this tips and ask for help from a functional physician.

Exercise is a must for help with cardiovascular issues.  Walk each day, stretch, join a gym or fitness center to have supervised assistance with your exercise program.  But move you must!

Increase your Omega 3′s.  Eat more Omega-3 rich foods.  Research shows EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish such as salmon, and sardines, reduce triglycerides. They also lower inflammation; scientists believe they counteract the effects of inflammatory substances and cells in the body.  Add in a high quality Omega-3 supplement each day.

Avoid simple carbohydrates and sugar.  Again research has found that eating high-glycemic foods such as potatoes, sugar, white rice and white bread increases the risk of CVD.  Eat around the edges of the grocery store, avoiding processed foods and empty calories.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are your friends!

Add anti-inflammatory supplements such as Resveratrol, Alfalfa Complex, CoQ10, Vitamin D3, Vitamin C and others.  Move towards a more alkaline body, away from acidic and enjoy a healthier life! 

Good health is a choice.  What choice will you make today?

And are you prepared? Just what does “prepared” mean when we talk about hurricanes and other severe weather during the summer and early fall? Can we truly prepare for a disaster? Well, yes we can and it is that preparation that often makes a difference in how we survive the storm and then cope the following days.

Severe storms come in different forms all over the world. From Hurricanes to Tornadoes to Severe Thunder Storms to Ice Storms and Blizzards, severe weather affects everyone at some time in the year. And let us not forget wild fires and forest fires along with earthquakes. All of these are catalysts for changes in our behavior and lifestyle for a few days to months. How well you are prepared for these changes ahead of time affects how well you manage after the event.

Every Severe Weather Event is different.Having been through 4 Hurricanes in a row, each 3 weeks apart, in 2004, I can tell you from experience that each storm was very different.Starting with Charley, who banged on my home with 100+ MPH winds for over 30 minutes and dumped more rain than I can imagine in the two days of him being around the state. Each storm hit from a different direction, bring winds at different speeds and angles, hitting the house. Rain came in at unusual places, like down drainpipes and air vents.

I was not as prepared as I should have been, but I had the basics down even then:

My vehicle was fueled and ready to roll should I have to evacuate. Back into your garage so exiting will be easier should you need to leave.

I had cat carriers ready for the trip along with cat food, litter and their Vet papers.

My important papers were together in a water proof box in my safe place (interior powder room on the ground floor).

Food and water were ready as were clothing should we need to move quickly.  Protein Shakes, snack bars, peanut butter, crackers, apples, bananas and utensils were packed. I also had cleaning supplies in small quantities.

I even had plastic buckets for putting the furniture up high off the floor should flooding become an issue. Soft goods were moved to the top floor in plastic Space Bags when possible.

Doors and windows were covered as much as I could by myself, and the garage door was secured and braced.

I had a portable battery operated TV (now useless since the Digital Revolution has taken over, so much for progress!) along with flash lights and extra batteries. Now I even have a wind-up radio with weather band and AM/FM channels.

Cell phones were charged since you can text if voice is down.  Have a car charger too, just in case the power is off for more than a few days.  Solar charges are great to have, more expensive, but very useful in an emergency.

NOAA radios are a must. You need to know the changes in the path of the storm, since they do wobble around, not on a straight path.

Have tarps, plastic sheeting, ropes, duck tape, hammer and nails, ladder and anything else that might help you secure your home after the storm has passed. Be Careful.

So my main message is to be prepared for those coming storms whether they are cold weather or hot weather storms, fires or earthquakes. It takes a few hours each year to update your food and water supply, refresh your clothing, add paperwork as necessary and refresh your plan!

Be Smart: Get ready and be safe. You can survive if you think and act ahead of the storm.

The first questions to ask are What is SPF? and how do I use SPF  to my advantage?

WHAT IS SPF? SPF means sun protection factor. If you wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, you have 15 times the protection from the sun than you’d have if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all.   In other words,if you would burn after 10 minutes in the sun with no protection, an SPF of 15 would allow you to stay in the sun for two and a half hours (10 minutes times SPF 15 = 150 minutes or two and a half hours) before burning.

Keep in mind that you would still receive a burn! Sunscreens don’t give you license to stay forever in the sun. Also remember that sunscreens aren’t cumulative: if you combine a moisturizer with SPF 15 with a sunscreen product with SPF 15, your sun protection factor is still 15, not 30. Virtually all sunscreens protect against UVB radiation — in addition, some products screen out a small part of the UVA spectrum.

Apply UVA/UVB protection every day, indoors and out. Statistics prove that most UV exposure occurs when we’re not even thinking about it. Be sure to cover ALL areas of your body that will be exposed to the sun: remember the top of ears and forehead, bald spot, tops of feet when wearing sandals, and the back of neck and hands. The recommended daily precaution is SPF 15; use a higher SPF if you’ll be outdoors for two hours or longer.

How do I Minimize UV Exposure Risks?

1.  Avoid exposure between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. when the sun is most intense.

2.  Count time spent in the water or out on hazy days as time in the sun. Water lets nearly all UV rays through, and even on cloudy days nearly 80% of the sun’s rays can reach you.

3.  Don’t depend on clothing or shade for protection. Wet and light-colored clothing offer little or no UV protection. Also remember that light reflects: sitting under a beach umbrella can create the same UV exposure as direct sun.

What can I do daily to help my skin?

Apply UVA/UVB protection every day, indoors and out. Statistics prove that most UV exposure occurs when we’re not even thinking about it. Be sure to cover ALL areas of your body that will be exposed to the sun: remember the top of ears and forehead, bald spot, tops of feet when wearing sandals, and the back of neck and hands. The recommended daily precaution is SPF 15; use a higher SPF if you’ll be outdoors for two hours or longer.

Boost your skin’s natural defenses against environmental pollutants. Researchers agree that the same nutrients which protect your health also play a vital role in the vitality and appearance of your skin. Look for products that provide nutrients for the skin to help reverse the effects of sun damage.

So enjoy the sun and be aware of the ways to stay safe while having fun in the sun!