at the heart of the DASH diet...

TRUE or FALSE:  One of the most successful ways to reduce blood pressure is through diet.
___ ___ ___ ___.   And yes, it is a good time to ask yourself  'Did I Eat That?' !!  

Just this week several good friends of ours have been in a serious place with their high blood pressure and they did more than 'dash' to the ER. Phone calls with prayer requests like this only spur me on to get the message out there more and not cower back into a " i don't want them to think I'm trying to sell something" mindset.  I sure was thankful for the tips I received from a friend to help on my iphone 6  or on a recipe I was working on.  These messages are truly matters of the heart, in more ways than one.  And with   February being Heart Health month, I want to share some tips on helping to prevent these life-threatening moments and find a 'safe' way to live, for you or your loved ones.  Let's start with the DASH diet. ( info and picture from Shaklee Health Science article)

The DASH diet (which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a diet that is low in sodium and emphasizes whole grains, fruits, legumes (beans), vegetables, and low-fat dairy products as the bulk of calories consumed. Some fish, poultry, and red meat are allowed. Sweets and fats are also allowed but only in small amounts.

Following the DASH diet typically results in 11/7 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic) drop in blood pressure, but when combined with a weight-loss program, those numbers are typically even better, with a 16/10 (systolic/diastolic) mm Hg reduction.1

Why does it work?

Scientists have long wondered if there was something in vegetables that might account for the blood pressure lowering effects of the DASH diet. The DASH diet is naturally low in sodium and removing salt can certainly help reduce blood pressure, but so can eating foods high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium.2

Recently, scientists have turned their attention to nitrates and discovered that nitrates may be the main reason the DASH diet works. Nitrates have for a long time been erroneously associated with cancer. A poorly designed study that suggested nitrates were harmful was the root of this belief. The study was debunked rather quickly,3 but the public perception has lingered.

Nitrates can be converted in the body to nitrite, then into a molecule called nitric oxide; and it is nitric oxide that is the endogenous signaling molecule known to relax blood vessels (which can lead to a reduced blood pressure).

Typical intake of nitrate in the United States is around 10-100 milligrams a day, with 85 percent of that intake coming from vegetables.4 That intake is greatly increased to 1,222 milligrams when people participate in the DASH diet.5 Increasing dietary nitrates has been independently shown to reduce blood pressure.6 Nitrates are also thought to increase exercise performance7 and improve blood flow to the brain.8

While scientists are still trying to discover just how much of the DASH diet’s effects are due to nitrates, early studies have suggested that increasing nitric oxide concentration at the artery wall seems to be the key. The benefits of a high-vegetable diet for heart and overall health cannot be understated.

It may take a while to adapt to a lower salt, high-vegetable diet for your own life, but your health is worth it.  

---

1. Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Hinderliter A, et al. Effects of the DASH diet alone and in combination with exercise and weight loss on blood pressure and cardiovascular biomarkers in men and women with high blood pressure: the ENCORE study. Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25;170(2):126-35. PMID: 20101007.
2. Aaron KJ, Sanders PW. Role of dietary salt and potassium intake in cardiovascular health and disease: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Sep;88(9):987-95. PMID: 24001491.
3. van Loon AJ, Botterweck AA, Goldbohm RA, et al. Intake of nitrate and nitrite and the risk of gastric cancer: a prospective cohort study. Br J Cancer. 1998 Jul;78(1):129-35. PMID: 9662263.
4. Gangolli SD, van den Brandt PA, Feron VJ, Janzowsky C, et al. Nitrate, nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. Eur J Pharmacol. 1994 Nov 1;292(1):1-38. PMID: 7867685.
5. Hord NG, Tang Y, Bryan NS. Food sources of nitrates and nitrites: the physiologic context for potential health benefits. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jul;90(1):1-10. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27131. Epub 2009 May 13.PMID: 19439460.
6. Kapil V, Milsom AB, Okorie M, et al. Inorganic nitrate supplementation lowers blood pressure in humans: role for nitrite-derived NO. Hypertension. 2010 Aug;56(2):274-81. PMID: 20585108.
7. Lansley KE, Winyard PG, Bailey SJ, et al. Acute dietary nitrate supplementation improves cycling time trial performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Jun;43(6):1125-31. PMID: 21471821.
8. Presley TD, Morgan AR, Bechtold E, et al. Acute effect of a high nitrate diet on brain perfusion in older adults. Nitric Oxide. 2011 Jan 1;24(1):34-42. PMID: 20951824.

What have you 'herb' about the safety of supplements?

 This blog is all about healthy stuff and living in your safe world.  So, if you are a supplement user, you have most likely seen a lot of the press that tends to generate a negative impression for all supplements. It only pushes me to share more with those who have done their research about the NEED for supplementation, but negated to do their research on the source and purity of the products they got off the shelves.  I did the research over 30 years ago. The Shaklee Difference is more than just a slogan. It's an integral part of everything about this company that we align ourselves to.  This is who I am and this is what I believe in. Here's why. 

 WHAT'S ON THE LABEL IS IN THE PRODUCT:                                  For nearly 60  years, the Shaklee name has been synonymous with products of the utmost quality and integrity. Shaklee consumers know they can trust that what is on the label is in the product; that is the 100% Shaklee Guarantee. We promise purity, potency and performance in each and every bottle, and it’s the Shaklee quality control protocol that delivers on that promise.

For a review of the quality protocols that help create the Shaklee Difference, please visit this article on MyShaklee:http://member.myshaklee.com/…/HowWellDoYouUnderstandShaklee…

Recent news reports have focused on the issuance of “cease and desist” letters to four large retailers  ( Walmart, Target, GNC and Walgreens) for supplements the Attorney General for the State of New York asserts were improperly labeled. Testing commissioned by the New York Attorney General reportedly indicated an absence of labeled botanical ingredients in some cases, or the presence of unlabeled excipients or contaminants in others.

Shaklee scientists are familiar with the DNA barcode testing utilized. Shaklee agrees with the responses of a majority of credible experts in the botanicals and herbal supplement industry. DNA barcode testing technology, which Shaklee has used in appropriate circumstances such as determining identity of raw materials, would not be appropriate for the testing of finished product which has been through various processes that may impact the DNA signature of key nutrients, particularly of products consisting of botanical extracts.

It is really a complex scenerio. Another interesting article  in Prevention Magazine that shares how  DNA might not be as conclusive after all in the testing of herbal supplements. And we don't know that all of the products tested were of the highest purity or quality ( sand and other stuff found in them). However, the find of sand and other ingredients in the products is enough for me to not trust those sources.   Which is just another THANK YOU SHAKLEE  for their strict testing protocol!  

Shaklee guarantees that what is on the label is in the product. Their commitment to the health and well-being of their loyal customers is the foundation of their business. And this year we are celebrating 100 years of INNOVATION!!   Shaklee also believes that sound and well understood scientific protocols should be the basis for assessing the quality and integrity of nutritional and herbal supplements.  Why can't this be the norm?  

This is who I am

This is what I believe.

And I am so thankful that for 60 years our products weren't pulled off the shelves.

Always SAFE. Always work. Always green. 

I invite you to give this company a try. 

More info and ways to get the products are here

Do your homework and choose products that are proven to be safe

TREATMENT CLAIMS. Please take the time to research your products!
Interesting information about treatment claims from the Mayo Clinic*:
When it comes to complementary and alternative medicine, scammers have perfected ways to convince you that their alternative medicine products are the best...Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be alert for these red flags:
• Big promises. Advertisements call the product a "miracle cure" or "revolutionary discovery." If that were true, it would be widely reported in the media and your doctor would recommend it.
• Pseudomedical jargon. Although terms such as "purify," "detoxify" and "energize" may sound impressive and may even have an element of truth, they're generally used to cover up a lack of scientific proof.
• Cure-alls. The manufacturer claims that the product can treat a wide range of symptoms, or cure or prevent a number of diseases. No single product can do all this.
• Testimonials. Anecdotes from individuals who have used the product are no substitute for scientific proof. If the product's claims were backed up with hard evidence, the manufacturer would say so.
• Guarantees and limited offers. These pitches are intended to get you to buy before you can evaluate the product's claims.
(Here is a link to the entire Mayo Clinic article. Even though the article was written back in 2011, it still applies yet today! http://mayocl.in/1f906LC)
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Safetolive is more than just a blog name. It is a standard by which we also choose products for our home and body that are SAFE.  Everyday we see articles about vitamins and energy drinks and foods that are recalled for some reason or another. Good grief!!  Who can you trust?  Well, do your homework!  I did mine!   I  am thankful to be with a company that goes above and beyond industry standards every day to ensure that their products are Always SAFE, Always Work, and are Always Green.
DID YOU KNOW that In addition to testing every new ingredient for over 350 harmful contaminants, they conduct over 100,000 quality tests a year to ensure the greatest purity possible. They've also invested over $250 million in clinical testing, research, and development and are backed by over 100 scientific papers—including the first-ever 20-year Landmark Study, published in Nutrition Journal And more, they've helped fuel seven of Time-Life® Books 25 Greatest Adventures of All Time.
I would love to hear your thoughts about how you choose the products you put into your body and homes every day.

Angel's 180 Story

It's great to see the results of people choose SAFE ways to transform their SHAPE...  So today we congratulate Angel Watts of Marshall, MI for being one of the WINNERS in the Shaklee 180 Healthy Competition and inspiring others to improve their health. Angel has transformed her body and overall health by losing over 100 pounds! Helping others transform their lives has become her passion and career.

Angel’s story started because she decided to make changes in her life. As a single mom, working full-time, and going to school, there was never enough time to spend with her daughter or take care of her health. She got to the point where she was unhealthy and unhappy. In January 2012, Angel made the commitment to lose weight and recapture her health. She joined the gym, changed her lifestyle and lost about 50 pounds. Along the way, she found the Shaklee products. Since discovering Shaklee, she lost an additional 65 pounds bringing her total to 115lbs lost along with improving her health and maintaining her muscle mass

As a Healthy Competition winner, Angel is being flown out to the Shaklee Headquarters in the San Francisco Bay area for a “Once in a Lifetime Trip.” She will stay at the 4-star Hotel Vitale on San Francisco's Embarcadero. Angel will be treated to supermodel status having a photo shoot with a top-notch photographer taking photos of her transformation, enjoying a delicious dinner celebration, and taking an adventurous tour around the city – not to mention new clothes! What a fantastic way to celebrate losing weight and feeling great—way to go Angel!



Angel is still in the running   for other friends of ours for a trip to Paris which includes a 6 night/7 day trip for 2 to Paris, France that includes airfare, hotel, meals, a $2,000 shopping spree with a stylist, a full fashion makeover and a video and photo shoot.

We're so proud of Angel and all of her success. If you, too, would like to lose weight, regain your health and/or help others do the same,  and even enter in the Healthy Competition too, contact us at ahealthyfocus.com

Exploring the Safety of Diet Fads

Thank you Dr. Steve Chaney for telling it like it is for us in this article.  With 92% of resolutions failing, it would be wise to chose a program that is safe and works too, don't you think?  

7 EASY WAYS TO SPOT FAD DIETS

WRITTEN BY DR. STEVE CHANEY ON JANUARY 15, 2014. POSTED IN ISSUES, OBESITY

THE FTC FINALLY TARGETS DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING

AUTHOR: DR. STEPHEN CHANEY

I think it was P. T. Barnum who said “There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute”. That’s particularly true in the diet world where hucksters seem to be all around us – especially this time of year.

You’ve seen the weight loss ads touting:

• Pills or powders that suppress your appetite or magically prevent you from absorbing calories.

• Fat burners that melt the pounds away.

• New discoveries (juices, beans, foods) that make weight loss effortless.

• The one simple thing you can do that will finally banish those extra pounds forever.

You already know that most of those ads can’t be true. You don’t want to be a sucker. But, the ads are so compelling:

• Many of them quote “scientific studies” to “prove” that their product or program works.

• Their testimonials feature people just like you getting fantastic results from their program. [You can do wonders with “computer enhanced” photographs.]

• Many of those products are endorsed by well known doctors on their TV shows or blogs. [It is amazing what money can buy.]

So it is easy to ask yourself: “Could it be true?” “Could this work for me?”

Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped up to the plate to give you some guidance. Just in time for weight loss season, they have issued a list of seven claims that are in fact too good to be true. If you hear any of these claims, you should immediately recognize it as a fad diet and avoid it.

7 EASY WAYS TO SPOT FAD DIETS

Here are the seven statements in ads that the FTC considers as “red flags” for fad diets that should be avoided:

1. Causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without changing your diet and exercise routine.
2. Causes substantial weight loss no matter what or how much you eat.
3. Causes permanent weight loss without lifestyle change even after you stop using the product.
4. Blocks absorption of fat or calories to enable you to lose substantial weight.
5. Safely enables you to lose more than 3 pounds per week for more than 4 weeks.
6. Causes substantial weight loss for all users
7. Causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on your body or rubbing it on your skin.

I’m sure you have heard some of these claims before. You may have actually been tempted to try the products or program. You should know that the FTC said that it considers these to be “Gut Check” claims that simply can’t be true.

OPERATION FAILED RESOLUTION

Unfortunately, the FTC guidelines didn’t exactly make it to the front page of newspapers and blogs. They weren’t featured in the network news shows. So the FTC went one step further. In a program called “Operation Failed Resolution”, the FTC:

• Sent letters to 75 publisher and broadcasters asking them to review the FTC’s “Gut Check” claims when screening ads for publication.  The implication, of course, is that the publishers and broadcasters could be held liable for false advertising if they ignored the FTC guidelines in accepting advertisements.

• On January 7, 2014 they initiated legal action against what they considered the four most outrageous weight loss claims. Those were:

SHAKE, SHAKE, BUSTED

Sensa, the company who’s ads claimed that you could just “shake, shake” their ‘fairy dust’ on your food and lose weight, was required to pay $26 million for unfounded weight loss claims and misleading endorsements (testimonials).

And, as for those clinical studies Sensa claimed to have had, the FTC alleged that one study was based on fabricated data, and the other two studies were equally flawed. The FTC also alleged that Sensa paid people for their testimonials.

ACAI NONSENSE

LeanSpa was fined $7 million for claiming that a mixture acai berry and a colon cleanse could help you lose weight. Among other things, the FTC prohibited LeanSpa from claiming that products were clinically proven to work when they are not.

RUB A DUB, DUB

L’Occitane was fined $450,000 for claiming that a skin cream called Almond Beautiful Shape would slim a person’s body “1.3 inches in just 4 weeks.”

HCG DECEPTION

HCG Diet Direct was fined $3.2 million for claiming that human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) plus a very low calorie diet could help you lose a pound a day. The FTC alleged that HCG had not been proven to provide any more weight loss than the low calorie diet alone. The FTC stated that HCG “has been falsely promoted for decades as a weight loss supplement.”

DON’T WAIT FOR THE FTC TO ACT

You probably recognize that there are a lot of other companies out there hawking similar products. There are lots of similar weight loss ads that seem just too good to be true. The FTC is watching them and will probably try to shut them down one by one. When the actions against these four companies were announced, the FTC said:

“We cannot comment on companies that either we haven’t brought an action against in the past or we aren’t announcing today, because our investigations are non-public. We do have other investigations going on in the health area, but we can’t identify the companies we’re investigating”.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for the FTC to act. They have given you “7 Easy Ways To Spot Fad Diets”. All you need to do is to avoid diets that make those kinds of claims.

THE BOTTOM LINE

• Don’t be a sucker. Don’t fall for those enticing weight loss ads that sound too good to be true. The FTC has given you 7 simple rules for identifying the weight loss products that you should avoid, based on the claims they make. I listed those at the beginning of the article.

• The FTC has taken enforcement action against manufactures of appetite suppressants, acai berry weight loss products, HCG weight loss products and slimming creams for false advertising.

• The Director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection summed up the enforcement actions by saying “The chances of being successful just by sprinkling something on your food, rubbing cream on your thighs, or using a supplement are slim to none. The science just isn’t there.

• There are no magical pills or potions that will make the pounds melt away. You need to change your diet, change your activity level and make significant lifestyle changes if you want to achieve long term weight control.

Bloggers note:  THE GOOD NEWS is that Shaklee180  is a more than products.  It's a program to turn your shape in a whole new direction.  90 days to lose the weight.  90 days to learn to keep it off.  It's more than BEFORE and AFTER.  It takes you to the AFTER-AFTER.  It's more than weight loss.  It's losing inches and fat, while saving the muscle. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Tags: acai berry, fad diets, fat burners, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, HCG, HCG Diet Direct, L'Occitane, LeanSpa,Operation Failed Resolution, Sensa, weight loss

Back to School with a Healthy Start!

It's been a long time since the Back to School has meant something to me or that I had to battle the crowds for that list of school supplies. But, even  if you have all the right notebooks and pencils…and for the teachers, all the right bulletin board materials and grading pens, there are some other necessities that can contribute to a successful year!  

As a teacher, I was always sick with colds, flu and allergies... until my mom introduced me to a company called Shaklee.  And, although we didn't have social media back in the 80's and 90's when I walked my sons to Bostonia Christian Elementary School, I still heard all the moms and teachers commenting in the parking lot on the current illness and ailments of their own, their kids or their classrooms.  I decided to start a  Nutrition Club for moms to meet and talk about solutions to make sure that their kids were part of the percentage that DIDN'T get sick or pick up every cold and flu. I love the way one blogger puts it "Why be satisfied with mediocre"?  That is so true.  We learned to build up their immune systems so that when those germies came, they had sufficient armies of antioxidants in those cells to fight the war!!   You can too!!  Here is a list of SCHOOL SUPPLIES that you won't find on those printed lists or at Target.  

1. Multi-Vitamin: Because of the quality of our food supply, it is very difficult (pretty much impossible) to all the nutrients our bodies need from what we eat. I have heard numerous  health professionals  encourage everyone to add a good one to their daily routine and it can make a big difference in your health and your first line of defense. We choose Vita-Lea with iron for women and Vita-Lea without iron for men). Incredivites  is the first children’s vitamin with lactoferrin—the immune boosting protein found in breast milk. (And no, you can’t get this at Walmart) Another blogger,  Kylie Hinkle gives an amazing explanation  in her post “What You Need to Know about Children’s Vitamins.”  In addition you can take a look at the Shaklee difference and this video for one example).

2. Optiflora probiotics: Have you been reading about probiots lately?  Yes, 80% of our immune system is in our digestive tract, which effects not only how healthy we are, but how the rest of our body functions including our moods and emotions.  Bring it on!!   And don't go out and just purchase any probiotics;  studies have shown that only about 5% get to the colon where it all starts. You can read more on the link. We refer to it as a pearlie and yes, is easily swallowed by even the smallest children.

3.Nutriferon:  I remember seeing world-renowned immunologist Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima speak in Chicago when this life-changing immunity product was introduced to us. He 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 boost the body’s natural production of interferon. Scientists and medical communities have identified interferon as critical to healthy immune function. NutriFeron is the only dietary supplement in the U.S. created by the discoverer of Interferon. I wish I would have had this when I was teaching Jr. High or when my kids were in school.  We take this regularly now, but  I know moms who will find a way to get it into their children when their immune systems have been hit. (crushed and added to a shake or applesauce)Message me for more info. 

4. Vitamin C:  I love the simplicity of having these on hand for a great immune boost.  Children can add a simple chewable Vitamin C (of the highest quality) and  Sustained Release Vita-C for  adults. We also use this in our Healthy Vita-H20.  

5. Shaklee 180 shakes and bars:  As a teacher and also for my children, we never left the house without a good protein shake to help give us the energy and focus we needed, in addition to helping stabilize blood sugar and appetite. Even now I can't keep enough bars on hand for snacks or before and after sporting events. It's just good to know that you can have safe and healthy stuff (These shakes and bars are SAFE and HEALTHY for children of ALL ages). 

EXTRA:  Of course, I will also get up on my soap box and talk about the importance of getting the toxic cleaning and laundry products out of your homes because they can truly compromise the immune system ( especially children who breath them in twice as fast as adults).  

Oh, by the way, I did find myself at Target filling a handwritten list from our neighbor family who  were starting school without the necessities.  (Now to teach them the skills of of thank you) 

Go FISH OIL!! I'm not taking that bait!

Fish oil is the hot topic these days and the recent 'study' that I have seen fly through social media about fish oil and prostate cancer sounds a bit fishy to me. Actually, I would say it is " de-bait-able"!        People need to go to deeper waters to see what is really happening in those studies.  It's like the ones that scare off women from using soy because of some affects toward breast cancer. Many people are falling for that bait. GET THE FACTS.  Search deeper.  What, who, when were these studies done and lets look at some other ones too. Sounds like a fish tale for consumers, if you ask me.  The bottom line is that you just have to be choosy about your source of fish oil. And if this conclusion
 were true, don't you think there would have been a lot of prostate cancer in  Japan and other communities on that Pacific coast?  And soy was so beneficial to the Japanese women that they didn't even have a word for "hot flash".  A great explanation disputing that study is here. http://alturl.com/8tu5f

So if it depends on the source, then let's talk fish oil supplements. Several years ago there was a lawsuit filed against a number of brands ( NOT SHAKLEE) that raised concerns, brands that used cod liver oil.

The lawsuit was filed against some Fish Oil Manufacture because of contaminant concerns.  They were sued by Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation in California for not telling consumers that their products contained levels of PCB's.  Sad that the FDA was not the one that initiated the action to force the manufacturers to remove their contaminated products from the shelves.  They sure them under California prop 65 which requires a warning label whenever a product has toxic ingredients. The defendants in this lawsuit were Omega Protein, a Houston based company that is the world's largest producer of omega-3 fish oil, and the many companies that they produced fish oil for like Rite Aid, CVS, GNC, Now Health Group, Pharmavite, Solgar and Twinlab.  Recognize any of those?  Wait there are more!!!  The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation only tested 10 omega-3 supplements manufactured by Omega Protein and found PCB's in ALL of them.  They plan to continue testing and to add other companies to the lawsuit if the products are contaminated.    It doesn't stop there.  Many of the labels on these products said that the omega-3 supplement was treated to reduce or remove PCB's.  As consumers, we were lead to believe that they were safe. Ouch!  

Dr. Steve Chaney who teaches at UNC Medical School gives these guidelines to consumers. 
1. Get your supplements from an established company with a reputation for quality and integrity, a company that has been around for a number of years so that you know that their reputation is based on their track record over the years rather than just on hype. 
2.  Make sure that they run rigorous quality controls on their products.  I recommend pharmaceutical grade quality  controls on their products.
3.  Make sure they have published clinical studies on their products that prove both safety and effectiveness.  Choose a company that has many published studies on THEIR products rather than just one or two.

Over 30 years ago, our family chose Shaklee company for ALL of our supplements, including Omegas.   There are NOT, and never have there been ANY safety issues with Shaklee's Omegaguard.  WHY?
1.  Shaklee uses pharmaceutical grade fish oil
2.  Shaklee uses a molecular distillation process to remove contaminants like dioxins, mercury and PCB's.
3.  Shaklee's fish oil comes from highly purified whole fish- NOT from the liver of cod or shark ( which the brands in the lawuit used) which tend to accumlulate these harmful compounds.
4.  Shaklee helped create a MONOGRAPH to establish the standard for quality and purity, including defining...limits for contaminants including dioxin, PCB's, lead, arsenic, mercury and cadium.  :)

While  fish oil/omegas offers great health benefits, remember that taking a questionable BRAND can be detrimental to your health.  Thank you Shaklee Vice President Cindy Lathum and Dr. Chaney for info in this article, and the great reminder of the important of  the BRAND/COMPANY we choose.

Quality always triumphs when it comes to our health!
For more info on the clinical studies from Shaklee,  www.clincals.shaklee.com

I love stories

Do you ever take something for granted?  I think I do...like my constant energy, and no aches and pains at ____ years old ( I am a Nana), etc. and sometimes it takes a newbie to come along with all the excitement of how well the products work and blow me away with stories like this and remind me of what it was like 30 years ago before Shaklee and then waking up to realizing how absolutely wonderful it is to find a company and products that are Always SAFE, Always GREEN and Always WORK.  Oh yes!!!   Thank you Elizabeth Lewis ( and family).


  " I am a new distributor - and juggling a lot in my life right now,  but I just needed to share this:
My recent Shaklee miracles (BESIDES the 20 lbs I have lost and kept off!):

* 3 weeks ago: My husband begrudgingly drank a 180 Smoothie for breakfast, and called me 2 hours later to tell me how incredible he felt!  NOW he won't get up in the morning without his smoothie and vitalizer strip!


* 2 weeks ago: My 16yo son who has had asthma his whole life, and pneumonia AND bronchitis in the past 6 months, came down with a mysterious virus that was causing horrible fatigue and headaches, which the doctors did not have a treatment for. So it was suggested to use the supplements, including
 Nutriferon, etc. AND IT WORKED
NOW he faithfully takes his protein shake and supplements every morning as he ENERGETICALLY heads out the door for school, and he is talking about what SPORT he wants to participate in next year!
And the funniest one, esp. if you knew her....
* 1 week ago: My mother-in-law who is chronically ill with COPD, diabetes, fatty liver, and Acromegaly and has been WAY less than enthusiastic about my Shaklee adventures, fell and didn't break anything, but was very sore. Soooo... I brought her a 180 smoothee mixed with Physique, and some supplements. She felt sick to her stomach at first (my sons jokingly said it was too much "healthy" for her body all at one time, lol!), but by the next day she was feeling better and not as sore.
NOW she calls me when I get home from work and says "Shake PLEASE???" !!!!
AND she asked me last night how much "that stuff" costs, because when she gets her next check (she is on a very limited fixed income) she wants to buy some for herself!!!!

* 2 days ago, I woke up with all the signs of one of my seasonal sinus infections, and started on the extra ... vitamins and Nutriferon regime. Yesterday, I woke up tired, but with NO signs of a sinus infection.

* TODAY, I woke up with more energy than I have had in the morning in years - early enough to type this way-too-long Facebook post!"

Sebastian's Story (Leaky Gut & Learning Disability)

Sebastian's Story (Leaky Gut & Learning Disability)

You know how I love stories. Stories about changed lives. Stories that can be passed on and perhaps make a difference in the lives of another family that is struggling with health issues. Leaky Gut Syndrome has been said to be "an invisible thief that steals your health and wellbeing." Imagine a 6 year old having to deal with that and it's many symptons when life should be fun!  Add to that the frustrations of learning disabilities. Moms will do what they need to do and this mom did just that!  Thanks my friend, Suni, for sharing your story ( and not giving in to drugs).  

"In less than 6 months using a consistent Shaklee program my oldest son, Sebastian, overcame a 2-year reading delay and is now reading above average and is no longer plagued by multiple food sensitivities. Below is his story and his nutrition program.

Over a year ago, during our son's Kindergarten year, he suffered almost daily from fatigue, headaches, cramps, constipation/diarrhea, inability to learn/remember, bodyaches. After no real help from the pediatrician, we consulted with a naturopath and she told us our then 6-year old son had a leaky gut likely caused by yeast overgrowth from being given antibiotics as a toddler. IgG antibodies blood tests revealed multiple food sensitivities. He was sensitive to wheat, soy, corn, gluten, dairy, beef, poultry, legumes except lentils, melons, some nuts, mangoes, and more (80 foods out of 100 tested). We eliminated all those 80 foods from his diet for 6 months... not an easy task, as you can imagine. Things improved, but symptoms would return if we would try reintroducing one of those foods. Then we started him on a consistent Shaklee nutrition program, and an amazing health turnaround took place in about 2 months. Now he can enjoy any foods he wants in moderation, although we still avoid all artificial ingredients. His learning disability is gone too. He used to have a 2-year delay in his reading skills (at beginning of his 2nd grade he could read at Kindergarten level) and after a few months with Shaklee supplements, he's now testing at above average, reads at 3rd grade level and he hasn't even finished 2nd grade yet. That's an improvement of 3 grade levels in less than 6 months! We added a number of things, but what helped him the most for repairing his leaky gut was taking Shaklee Optiflora Probiotic pearl daily and gradually adding Shaklee Soy to his diet until he could have a full serving every day. For his optimal learning, we still continue his daily Shaklee whole food supplements routine, which includes the full spectrum of Omega-3s and other essential fatty acids. Below is the nutrition program that helped with my son's learning disability and food sensitivities.

Diet change: Eliminated all inflammatory foods for 6 months, then reintroduced all foods back in moderation after leaky gut healed thanks to gradual introduction of Shaklee Soy (only soy he could tolerate, his worst IgG-tested sensitivity was to soy). We're still gluten-free at home, buy only organic dairy, pastured eggs, free-range chicken, uncured bacon, and avoid all artificial ingredients at all costs. Increased protein at each meal and snack. Limit sugar and sweets, especially on empty stomach. Goal for each day is to include at least 3 different colors of the rainbow from fruits or non-starchy veggies.

Daily Shaklee Supplements (given with breakfast):
Worked up to 1 serving Shaklee Soy (180, ESP, or Instant) - split between 2 meals
1 Vita-Lea Iron or 2 Incredivites
1 Nutriferon
1 OmegaGuard
1 Soy Lecithin
1 B-Complex
1 Vita-D3
1 Optiflora Probiotic Pearl
2 OsteoMatrix or Chewable Cal-Mag (before bed)

Within first 1-2 months of consistent supplementation we saw a huge improvement, increased reading skills by a grade level. After 6 months, increased 3 grade levels and now he's above average! We plan to continue this program throughout his school years. Using Shaklee has been life-changing!"
~ Suni Ferrer (Sebastian's Mom)

NOTE:  Suni also made the switch to Shaklee GET CLEAN in their home, eliminating other toxins from getting in the way of his healing.  

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Celebrate Earth Day and make the switch to some basics

 With Earth Day 2013, I am here to remind you again that there are simple things that you can do that are a win-win for you, your family, your friends and the earth!  It's a matter of switching from products you are using now to safer, LESS EXPENSIVE ones made by a company that really cares about you!  So let me ask you this question? 

Are you living in a healthy home?

You know that good, healthy feeling you get when you've just cleaned house? Sorry to spoil it, but you may have just made your home dirtier.

Think of it this way. You wouldn't let your kids play with toxic
chemicals, so why would you let the baby crawl over a floor that's just been wiped with them? That's much more dangerous than the orange juice that was just there.

How dangerous? Just take a look at these statistics.

• Over 90% of poison exposures happen at home.
• Common bleach is the #1 household chemical involved
  in poisoning.
• Organic pollutants, found in many common cleaners and
  even air fresheners, are 2 to 5 times higher inside your home than out.
• A person who spends 15 minutes cleaning scale off shower walls could inhale three times the "acute one-hour exposure limit" for glycol ether-containing products set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
• Common cleaners give off fumes that have been linked to
  increasing the risk of your kids developing asthma, the most common serious chronic childhood disease.
• 1 in 13 school-aged children has asthma. Rates in children under five have increased more than 160% from 1980 - 1994.
• Children are highly vulnerable to chemical toxicants. Pound for pound of body weight, children drink more water, eat more food and breathe more air than adults. The implication of this is that children will have substantially heavier exposures than adults to any toxicants that are present in water, food or air.
• If your home is anything like the average U.S. home, you
  generate more than 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year (the EPA designates toilet cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, oven cleaners, and bleach as hazardous waste).

SO, are you ready for a TOXIC INTERVENTION?  I suggest to get a big black trash bag and go through the house and put all your cleaners and laundry products in it.  Replace with the products below that are always safe,always work and always green. ALWAYS! Use them for 90 days and see what I mean.  

• Get Clean & Kits	Get Clean® Household	Get Clean® Kitchen
  Get Clean® Laundry	Get Clean® Water	Get Clean® Accessories
  Shaklee® Home Care