Good, Wednesday, morning! Today we focus on another place we frequently have our hands and may not think to disinfect. Though we don’t need to be OCD about it, it helps to wipe it down once in a while.
Make it a GREAT day!
The Basic G wipes can be found here.
Other articles on Green Cleaners:
What is causing us to “be sick?”
Clean, Protect your Kids, Reduce Asthma
I have a girlfriend who doesn’t need vitamins. She meets all of the criteria needed to avoid the need for supplementation due to her chosen lifestyle and how she chooses to eat every day.
Like you, I have NO stress, I only breathe clean air, no one in my family has ever had any kind of breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, arthritis, I never eat processed foods or junk foods, and I always get plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in my daily diet.
WHAT>??? YOU DON’T MEET ALL THE CRITERIA???
Okay, lets get real. No one, or very few people in the US, meet all of these criteria to be sure they are not stressing their bodies, their health, their cellular make-up.
So what do you do to make up for the deficiencies from household cleaners, the toxic body care products, the processed and junk food consumption, the STRESS???
The main reasons for needing supplementation are:
Yet, when someone suggests we actually invest in better health we tend to balk and think… Whhhhaaaaattt?
I’ve been investing in my personal health for over 8 years now. Purposefully spending money on health promoting foods, supplements and products. What do I have to show for it?
Enough of what I think. How about some clinically based research? How about a study done by UC Berkley on long term supplement usage, specifically using the brand I choose? Here are some images from the study’s findings.
Personally, I use the Shaklee Lean & Healthy Kit daily. This allows me to begin with a sound, solid foundation as I provide the daily nutrition necessary to allow healthy cells to continue multiplying and my body to provide sick cells what they need to recover.
For more information, feel free to contact me or visit my product website at http://healthygreasemonkey.myshaklee.com.
I am happy to work with you to guide you in what could be the best fit for your needs!
I’ll repeat something Jenni Oates and many others have said, which makes perfect sense…your cells are made up of Vitamins, Minerals, and Proteins…it needs those three things to be healthy and function properly, not short-term remedies/drugs that temporarily take care of the symptoms… disease has one cause, malfunctioning cells. ~Suni Ferrer
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Resources used for this piece:
“Build a Better You” by Dr. Richard Brouse
“Why Do I Feel This Way?” by Christine Graber, RHN & Charlene Day, RDC
“Treasures of Health Nutrition Manual” by Annette Reeder & Dr. Richard Couey
“The Landmark Study” http://landmarkstudy.com
“The Landmark Study by Dr. Stephen Chaney” http://betterhealthin31days.com/healthygreasemonkey/vp/LandmarkStudy-DrStephenChaney
I have a confession to make. I dislike working out! I AM a health coach, but I struggle with the couch. I love to walk but it takes so much time. Some days I am so busy that there is not time, others I pretend like I am busy so there is no time…
Enter the BURSTclub workout!
I’ll admit, when I first tried these a year ago I was overwhelmed. I tried to do the workouts EXACTLY as the Oates’ did them… WRONG… They are professionals, they do it daily, they are in shape – I. WAS. NOT.
Now, 12 days ago, I looked at my cushy tummy with the “baby flab” still there after 7 years. (Don’t get me wrong, after losing 55 pounds 7 years ago I am proud of my physique.) I had taken a 12 day hiatus from nutrient dense foods, from exercise, from routine, and from my healthy lifestyle. – How easy is it to form a NEW BAD habit???
I was feeling sluggish, bloated, unhealthy, and when I attempted to wear heals my feet hurt again. So, I committed, once again to working the BURSTclub workouts. (These come FREE with my 180 Lean & Healthy kit as a way to give me a full system.)
On day one I could hardly make it through the warm-up. I was SO happy when the warm-up stretching began. I was NOT able to finish out the 3 minutes of burst completely – but I kept moving. I kept doing the “exercise” of the minute in a “lesser” way. Its only 20 seconds, then you get a break!
Day two was similar.
Day three – the saboteur stepped in. I felt a bit sore from the first two days of effort. (okay, quite a bit sore in places) A friend posted a motivational image on Facebook and I went in and DID IT – its only TWELVE minutes… The muscle soreness subsided quite a bit after the workout, too.
Day four – I rested – I still did stretching (egosque) and I kept moving, walking, shopping, playing with my daughter, and rearranged the furniture in her room.
Day 5 – Now I’m feeling really good. There was one of the exercises I physically could not do, so instead of giving up, I modified it to one, similar, that I could do and finished my workout.
Day 6-11 – Same general thing. I take a day off to rest about every 4-5 days, but I still stretch and move.
Day 12
FINALLY, the proof that something is happening…
Before photo 7/12/14 After photo 7/23/14
As Zig Ziglar frequently said, “Keep on, keepin’ on”
For more information on the Shaklee 180 system and tools, contact me. I am here to be a resource for you!
SUGAR-FREE, FAT-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, BANANA-FREE…
Marketing experts have figured out that the typical American will purchase anything with the word “FREE” on it. And as consumers, most of us have proven them right.
Besides the fact that we are already programmed to pick up any package that says “NATURAL” on it and assume it is and it will be healthy… the marketers have turned other word combinations against us as well!
Sugar-Free
This leads us to believe a sweet utopian experience is on the horizon. Yet, our body is about to be assaulted if we consume such toxic poisons!
It is VERY well known, in many circles, that Aspartame, Saccharine, & Splenda can cause serious side effects. They are chemicals with side effects.
In fact, studies are showing that people who consume Diet Soda’s actually WEIGH MORE than those who drink regular sodas. (do NOT imply that I am condoning soda pop!) 
In my book it is raw, organic sugar, honey, or fruit to sweeten whatever it is!
Fat-Free
“The problem is that sometimes “fat free” is also, well, taste free. And to make up for that lack of taste, food manufacturers tend to pour other ingredients — especially sugar, flour, thickeners and salt — into the products. That may boost the calorie content.
“Plus, if the foods aren’t that appealing, they may lead to overeating to make up for the lack of satisfaction.” (WebMD)
INSTEAD: Think GOOD FATS and NOT fat free! Our brains actually NEED good fats to function properly…
Gluten-Free
Manufacturers have figured out that “Gluten-FREE” is the latest buzz word! Heck, they are even labeling things that NEVER HAD GLUTEN… as gluten free! Many people are jumping on the gluten free band wagon. Many people DO have a gluten intolerance and eliminating it can eliminate symptoms and pain.
Nowhere else in the world is there such a large percentage of people who are gluten intolerant. Many other places in the world have outlawed the use of it. A study released this past month looks at the question of “Is it gluten or glyphosate?”
My main gripe about the whole gluten-free issue is that so many manufacturers are using the term “gluten-free” as a synonym to “healthy” and people are buying it. 
Highly processed food is Highly processed food! My rule of thumb is whole foods made in the home. Ideally, foods that come from sources/people I know and use farming practices that match my desires. We buy local and organic and I make all of our bread.
Banana-Free
Yeah, I just thought it sounded funny and would grab your attention! Did it work?
Take it easy, have a GREAT week! Enjoy your life, your family, your food, and take time to INVEST in your health.
For more information or to schedule a personal coaching session, contact me!
So many people frequently tell me they Don’t have Time to work out, their schedule is just so full. People work many hours, several jobs, have kids activities to attend… so an exercise that they can do anywhere would be very helpful! Enter stretching AND THE SQUAT!
Last year, at one of our Feel Good Fast Support Group meeting, we heard from Dr. Christopher Green, of the Chiropractic Care and Rehab Center in Estero, Florida, about movement and the importance of movement in daily life.
Dr. Green shared stretches with us and a simple exercise that can be done anywhere to assist with and allow continued mobility in most anyone. He explained how he believes the perfect exercise is running, (I’m still walking.) and a close follow-up is the squat.
So, here is how Dr. Green explained the proper technique to the squat. (50 per day is idea – you don’t have to do them all at once) You can do these, literally anywhere. These are beginner squats – as you become more comfortable, stronger and balanced, you can do these squats without a chair!
Begin by sitting in a chair, then sit up straight and stand up. (Do NOT lean forward to stand up, just stand straight up.)Congratulations, you are half done!
Next, hold your hands out in front of you and look up! (This helps you keep your head back and your back straight) And sit back down, gently and controlled.
You have successfully completed 1 squat! Now only 49 more to go. 
(Start off small – maybe 25 a day – 5 at a time, 5 times throughout the day. Then begin to work up to that magical number of 50)
Yes, I AM holding a magic wand from the movie FROZEN. It was a stipulation for my amazing photographer, CLB. If I would hold the wand in my hand during the shots, she would capture them for me. You have to compromise sometimes to work with the best! (She is after all… almost 7)
This amazing exercise is GREAT for your core, AND to assist in bladder control as well. (Just a handy little side note for you.)
For more information on simple exercises to make a big impact on your health or for personal coaching, please, feel free to contact me!
With so many having issues with gluten these days, it is getting easier to find gluten free options. I have many clients who ARE gluten free due to intolerance issues, and feel as if the “task at hand” is just too daunting for them.
I wanted to share a school mate’s journey over this past year as HOPE to those of you just embarking on the path as means of inspiration. I will attach a link for information regarding a Living Gluten & Wheat Free-First Steps Teleconference to be held monthly at the end of this blog. Enjoy!
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One year ago today, if you told me I would be where I am today, I would have thought you were crazy. February 10, 2013 began my gluten free journey; one that I thought there was no way I could survive. But when you feel as miserable as I did, I was willing to do whatever I had to in order to feel better again.
My first step was to research what had gluten in it and get it out of my house. I was shocked when all I had left was half of one cabinet shelf with food on it and two things in my freezer. If I had thought it was going to be hard to cut out gluten before that, I was very overwhelmed now. It was time to restock the kitchen so I did some more research and found what I COULD eat and made a list. I started with simple things that I knew I would enjoy and started there. Trying to restock and entire kitchen in one step is not only overwhelming, but costly. Over time, I was able to replenish what was lost with gluten free options.
By the time I was at the point where gluten free was next on the list to try, I was beyond miserable. My body was trying to tell me something that I did not understand, nor wanted to hear. The thought or smell of food made me nauseous, my belly was bloated and painful to the touch, and the only thing I could stomach to eat was Cheerios (which doesn’t make sense since they are full of gluten). So what I was eating to feel better was only making it worse. I was looking for instant relief, only to find out that switching to gluten free was not a quick fix. The first week without gluten seemed to last forever but I made it to the end, yet still felt miserable. I didn’t realize it would take a couple weeks to get the bad out of my system, but I kept pressing on. And finally, day 16, I felt like a brand new person. I couldn’t remember that last time I had felt so good but it was definitely the motivation I needed to keep moving forward. How could I go back to putting that poison in my body, knowing how bad it made me feel?
My doctor had told me to eliminate gluten for 30 days then eat something that had gluten in it to see how I felt. That was going to determine if that was the issue. Well, after 30 days, I thought she was crazy. I already had my answer at day 16 so I was not about to put anything back in my body. I was just going to continue living gluten free and feeling great. If only it were that easy. Time passes and cravings happen. It began to get harder and harder to resist the gluten goodness that I once loved. So began a new group of struggles.
After a couple of months, I couldn’t resist things that I was craving. I would allow myself to eat a gluten “treat” now and then. Sometimes, I would feel fine and other times, I’d be sick before I even finished it. I’ve learned what I can and cannot put in my body through trial and error. I’m human though and sometimes, I just want what I want. However, I’ve learned in the last year there are ways to have the things that I crave but in a gluten free version.
Thankfully, gluten free items are popping up almost everywhere!!! Even in the short one year since I made the switch, it’s so much easier to go to the store (and slowly they are getting cheaper too) or to your favorite restaurant and find gluten free options. This makes it easier to still enjoy a meal out of the house without stress, something I really dreaded at first because I didn’t feel I could go out to eat with friends and still be able to eat a real meal. As time passes and the more common gluten free eating is, the easier it is to stay on track!
With such a significant change in life does not come without challenges and struggles. How could it not when so much of what we once knew, grew up loving, or craved now had to be removed? Change is hard, no matter the reasoning behind it, but nothing is impossible! Personally, I struggled with knowing what to eat, not wanting to spend time cooking, and not being able to eat my favorite foods. But knowing this was going to be my new life, I had to find ways to be successful.
Looking back over the year, it was with the help of 3 P’s that I was able to succeed: planning, perseverance, and Pinterest. Without these three, I might be right back where I started.
Planning is crucial to most anything in life, and key to the gluten free life. This is most important from day one. I was lost when I went to the grocery store if I hadn’t planned out ahead of time what brands I could buy or what ingredients to look for. I found an application for my phone that was able to scan barcodes and tell me if there was gluten in it; this helped tremendously as reading labels can be tricky. The more I went, the easier it was to find what I could eat, rather than what I couldn’t.
Meal planning also helps me to succeed. After a long day at work, the last thing I want to think about when I get home is what I can eat. Having those decisions made ahead of time helps deter me from wanting to grab something I shouldn’t be eating. I often cook meals on the weekend and put them in the freezer for my lunches during the week or have things started for quick prep on a week night. I have a lot of room for improvement here but it’s definitely a work in progress. I’m always learning new ways to plan ahead.
The second P, perseverance, is key in any aspect in life. There are going to be days that are more challenging than others, and there have been plenty in the last year, but if I give in and eat something gluten, I try to think about what I could have done to prevent it and move forward. I could beat myself up about what I ate (sometimes my body does that for me), or I can learn from it and keep on going. I’ve learned that this is not just a sprint; it’s a marathon for a lifetime of health. I haven’t had my last slip up, but I know I will not give up; I will persevere!
And lastly, the final P, Pinterest. Where would I be without this amazing tool full of gluten free goodness? I had never used it prior to becoming gluten free but it’s been a lifesaver! We all know cookbooks can be helpful but they are usually full of more of what we don’t like versus what we do. I’d much rather go to the internet or Pinterest to find a recipe than a cookbook. Plus, we tend to have them at our fingertips more often than not. I use Pinterest the most to satisfy my cravings typically, but it is handy for crock pot meals and new ideas to add to my meal planning. My first search was for donuts, a weakness of mine, and I have since tried a couple recipes that I love. I am not sure I could have made it through the fall without all the pumpkin goodness recipes I found and tried. Birthday and holiday treats are other hot topics to search for ideas. I’ve learned too that finding these recipes to satisfy the cravings I have for foods I once thought I could not eat again has lessened my cravings for them. Knowing I can’t have something naturally makes me want it more, but now I know there are alternatives I can have, which allow me to just eat them every once in a while, as I’m not deprived.
Looking back over the last year, I can see how far I’ve come. My health has dramatically improved and I’ve begun to see food in a new light. I spent so many years using food as comfort and enjoyment, rather than a means to fuel my body to live and be healthy. I still have much room for improvement and am constantly looking for ways to eat better. Becoming gluten free once seemed truly impossible to me, just thinking about the possibility of having to eliminate it from my life was overwhelming. However, taking the process one meal at a time, one day at a time made it much more manageable. As with anything, there will be setbacks, but that just sets me up for an opportunity to persevere and comeback! And my one final tip before I sign off, positive thinking is a POWERFUL tool! Believe you can, and you will! ~Jess
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The Living Gluten & Wheat Free – First Steps is offered the 2nd Thursday of each month as a way for those just learning to be Gluten Free to get information and strategies for success! Suzie Sunkel is an amazing woman who is an EXPERT on GLUTEN FREE!
For additional information, please feel free to contact me!
Friends, our society has become very confused! We have been led to believe we must have the “latest gadget,” the “newest product,” or the “latest discovery” in order to get healthy, lose weight/inches, or both!
They LIE! You do NOT need:
You just need to know where you are now, that it is NOT too late, commit and begin to make a difference.
Advertising today says “DO THIS” “TAKE THAT” and you will immediately be thinner/happier/healthier… Remember, it isn’t a race, there is no “destination” it is a journey.
When we begin with “Where you are now, and where you want to be, then the process can begin!
I am NOT saying DON’T join a gym, I AM saying there are alternatives to paying to use someone else’s exercise equipment or even buying your own gym!
When we set up a firm foundation, strong roots, then we begin to grow healthier and our energy increases. Simple steps taken one at a time can be easy, and begin to compound and make the journey very enjoyable.
Remember, this is NOT the end of the road. It is merely the beginning of a happy journey of healthy choices, directions, and new found joy and energy!
If you are in the Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers area and are looking for a personal trainer who is interested in YOUR SUCCESS, who focuses on YOUR NEEDS, and designs a specific plan to assist you in moving that journey onto the path of improved health, increased quality of life and increased energy, contact me. I specialize in a holistic approach to better health and in decreasing your waist size!
THANK YOU!
I would like to give a special SHOUT OUT to my friend, Chris Griffith who took all of these amazing shots and allowed me to use them in my blog!
When building anything, the quality of the materials determine the quality of the structure, the maintenance required, and the longevity of that structure’s life. Humans aren’t any different. Garbage in = compromised health… Without quality building materials it is impossible to build a strong temple that can endure and weather the storms thrown at it.
If the body doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to build a healthy body, it will do the best it can with what it has, and may open you up to more sickness or degenerative diseases like cancer, stroke, diabetes, heart attack & arthritis.
People frequently ask me, “Where do I begin?” when wanting to improve their current health issues/state. My answer is almost always the same – with a healthy foundation of healthier choices.
The issues:
Your body NEEDS many different nutrients & vitamins to build or rebuild a healthy body.
Very few people actually consume the right foods in the correct amounts to provide the body with that “complete” fuel. For this reason, I usually recommend to begin with a solid supplement base/foundation.
An option to correct:
Today, I will outline three levels of foundational nutrition supplementation. “Good – Better – Best” My personal use of supplements goes beyond the “Best” outlined here as I have discovered I have specific needs – so I work to keep those holes filled. These are packages that most of my clients use on a daily basis.
Good: (the most basic)
VitaLea – Multivitamin
Energizing Soy Protein – Protein Smoothee mix
Nutriferon – Immunity Booster
My father uses this combination to stay healthy in the Northern climates, after years of being sick multiple times per year – he’s been healthy since beginning this. ($3.18/day) I’ve seen results without the Nutriferon, but so many of my clients swear by it and it is a necessity in my household!
Better:
Lean & Healthy Kit
Nutriferon
The L&H kit offers the most comprehensive supplement package money can buy. ($6.29/day) I like that different nutrients are delivered where your body needs them so other parts don’t destroy them before they arrive where needed.
Best:
This is the most complete foundation. ($8.13/day) This is my daily start. Even if I am way behind schedule and running crazy late in the morning, I am SURE I get this foundation into my body for the day.
I’ve seen people spend more than this on sodas, junk, and other bad habits all my life. I just decided it was time to invest in my own health rather than the destructive habits of my past. 
In the long run, I’ve saved tons of cash because I am not needing to run to the doctor all the time with colds and sickness. Those office & prescription co-pays add up quick. I pay less for my supplements now than I used to pay monthly on my prescriptions.
I recommend this line of products. After much research and personal experience I’ve had better results, and I trust the company more than other companies who have suffered mandatory recalls and reports of tainted products.
This brand has Never had a recall and is not afraid to pull a product from their line if the quality it demands cannot be met.
I’ve tried other brands and could not tell a difference. When I use the Shaklee supplements I feel better… and I’ve seen others notice significant improvements in as little as 48 hours of starting them. I’ve seen RLS dramatically improve within 48 hours, energy levels of a thyroid patient skyrocket in the same amount of time, type 2 diabetes quickly eliminated and so much more..
The company provides plenty of evidence based research and a lot of peer reviewed journal articles, but that didn’t have the same impact as seeing my family and friends feel good that fast!
Contact me to start firming up your foundation for a Healthier Life!!!
(church photo is an Uncle Walt Haste image – thank you, Uncle Walt!)
Happy New Year!
Like most others, I have been focusing on the new year, my goals and plans for the year, and strategies for making it all work together.
I was drawn to scripture, this morning, regarding new beginnings. I began to think about how everything in the United States seems to focus on the New Year as sort of a baptism into better choices.
Many of you know that I look upon 1 Cor 3:16-17 as my inspiration for life, food, and activity choices.
While many people I know are waking up this morning wishing the sun wasn’t so bright, the dogs didn’t bark quite so loud, and wondering where the bottle of asprin is, I woke up refreshed, ready to greet the new year and make a difference, due to the choices I made.
This morning, I thought how fitting Romans 6:1-6 is to the whole “theory” of New Year’s in our country.
6 1-3 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!
3-5 That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.
I’ve been baptized twice in my life. The first time was when I was 13 or 14. My friends and cousin were all doing it and I didn’t want to be left out. I took the classes, understood what it all meant, but didn’t really accept Him into my heart. Didn’t make choices to support Him.
In 2006, while teaching kids at Church Camp, I came to the realization that I DO ACCEPT Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I DO want to be HIS hands and feet. My father baptized me in the lake at the camp, and I accepted Him as I should, because I wanted Him in my heart, rather than doing because everyone else was.
Five years ago, I also realized my desire to listen to His calling for me and to reach out and help others who also are ready to listen to his call.
Many of my goals for 2014 involve reaching more people and assisting them in learning to care for their Temple. Just as I knew all about the process of baptism and what was involved, I wasn’t ready to accept it and follow His path until a later realization.
Many of clients feel the same way about their failing health. They KNOW, or they think they know, what needs to be done to improve their health, yet when they have tried to “implement” the steps in the past, they found they weren’t ready or something caused them to stumble.
Today, we work together, to get over and past the road blocks, to understand our thought processes, the correct steps for each person, the love for yourself and Him, and it all begins to fall into place.
Thank you, to all my current and past clients!
To those of you ready to begin your own journey to a Temple with a stronger foundation that allows you the opportunity and even desire to be His hands and feet, I am here, ready to serve, guide, coach, and celebrate your successes with you!
HAPPY NEW YEAR – Make the choice, Make the change, Be the difference!
~Tess
For more information on Estero Weight Loss, Bonita Springs Weight Loss, Fort Myers Weight Loss, or Simple steps to improve your health and quality of life, contact me here!
Many people ask me why I take so many different supplements. I wanted to answer that question as well as why I no longer take any prescriptions. My Rx for health is different these days.
Years ago, I took SIX prescriptions a day which accounted for 11 dosage pills a day AND an inhalation 2-3 times a day to control asthma.
I thought nothing of the fact that I was taking this many meds until I stopped to think about the fact that ONE of those prescriptions was to counteract the side effects of the others. Overall, I was miserable with no energy and I kept gaining weight.
These “helper” drugs had horrible side effects, in fact, I had to have blood tests regularly to monitor my liver functions because one of them could kill my liver. None of them were “curing” any of my issues, they just covered them up and caused me to need more meds. I was on track to be like my grandparents with cabinets full of prescription meds.
TODAY, I take many supplements a day, to fill in for what I miss in my diet and have found can help me with my specific issues. I know that my system has holes and issues that can cause symptoms to pop up and as long as I keep those holes filled my body will function properly.
I begin with a solid foundation, a “Rx for Life” type attitude.
I also take a few other supplements & made a couple other changes to target issues I know my body deals with on occasion.
SUPPLEMENTS
NOT A SUPPLEMENT – I switched to the Get Clean line of household cleaners. Eliminating all the toxins, especially phthalates, made a huge impact on my asthma. I haven’t needed an inhalant in years.
I choose this particular brand of supplement, because they have NEVER had a negative market incident (recall) and I know the testing involved for quality control. I AM PICKY, and I use specific criteria to choose what supplements and other products my family use.
Have a GREAT day!
Healthy Grease Monkey 
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