Glucomannan Fiber and Green Coffee Bean Extract - Evolutionary!

Back in 2010 my blood sugar numbers were borderline - but I resolved that with a big change in my eating habits. This was not easy to do, it took a lot of discipline. I want to share specifically two new products Arbonne came out with two weeks ago that have ingredients to help control blood sugar, insulin production, and increase metabolism.

A brochure is available which I would be happy to email details and ingredient list - feel free to contact me!

The new Evolution product line are listed in the new catalog for weight management. Arbonne paid the Mayo Clinic to test both products in clinical trials on patients...and Dr. Brent Bauer of the Mayo Holistic & Alternative Medicine Department reported positive benefits to the patients that tried these products, when I attended the training conference in Vegas May 7-9.

The first product is Evolution ThermoBooster. It promotes THERMOGENESIS - which the Mayo Clinic refers to in this non-Arbonne related article, as NEAT (non-excercise activity thermogenesis). Simply put, from my understanding, thermogenesis increases heat in the body to promote an increase in metabolism and the body's ability to burn fat.  

The Evolution Full Control product contains the fiber glucomannan - and in this article blood sugar expert, Dr. Mark Hyman, writes, "soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin, prevent cancer, balance hormone levels, remove excess estrogen and reduce the risk of breast cancer, make vitamins and minerals, provide food for the colon cells, and more. So it’s easy to see just how crucial soluble fiber is to good heath!"

"Glucomannan is an ancient fiber source that can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol, reduce your appetite, and lower your blood sugar more effectively than ANY other fiber."

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with maintaining blood sugar levels at acceptable, healthy levels - please feel free to pass along the information on these two new products. I encourage anyone to scrutinize and discern for themselves, the information provided in the linked articles and this blog. 

Many people have already been reaping the benefits of weight loss, lowering cholesterol,and reversing type 2 diabetes with Arbonne Essentials...and Arbonne has raised the bar in health and wellness by provoiding these new EVOLUTIONary pure, safe and beneficial products.

If you want to work on lowering blood sugar on your own - my biggest tip, that worked for me, is to CUT THE GLUTEN/WHEAT and eat lots of green plant based foods! Eliminating most processed foods from your diet is also key to reestablishing healthy blood sugar numbers.  

Wishing you the best of health so you can feel great, look great and live great!

Rita S.

Does Gluten Make You Feel Bloated & Moody

Myself and a number of others started a 30 Day Summer Slimdown this past Sunday. Several have already lost 5 lbs.! I am super proud of them.
Our challenge eliminates the top 7 allergenic foods and does not allow artificial ingredients of any kind.
What are we eating? Well, right now I am having a paleo strawberry rhubarb crumble which I made with coconut palm sugar - which keeps the glycemic level low. YUM!   My lunch started, however, with a plate FILLED with organic spinach, cucumber, red bell pepper, some purple cabbage and sunflower seeds, with an organic grilled chicken breast - all dirzzled with a squirt of lemon and bit of olive oil.  I am FULL! And the best part is I am full of nutrient dense whole foods.
Today I thought I would call out gluten.  You don't have to eliminate 7 allergenic foods at one time...seriously. To lose my first 62 lbs. I actually cut way back on two things - GLUTEN and we stopped buying jugs of pasteurized milk and low-fat yogurt (made to taste good with artificial ingredients).
Do you feel bloated, moody, maybe your brain is in a fog half the time? Do you have chronic pain in the joints? Acne or eczema? High cholesterol?  What if I told you that eliminating gluten for just 28 days could change your life forever? Wouldn't it be worth it?

Yes, you can get tested for gluten allergies, but these tests do not pick up on sensitivities.
Self-diagnosed gluten sensitive - 3 years ago I lost 85 lbs and have kept 80 of it off. I started my own journey cutting back on gluten (even gluten free skin care) - first 50%, 70% and not missing it...to nearly 100%, but once in a while I have  a piece of wedding cake or special occasion cave. If someone asks me how I know I am gluten sensitive - I explain I don't eat it for 28 days. Bring gluten back in and tune in to my body...the nose immediately runs, the knees ache and creak...yep, that is gluten's immediate effect on my system.
I did not exercise to lose the weight, however, I also cut pasteurized dairy milk and we have gone 80/20 with an alkaline -based, anti inflammatory lifestyle.
I am no longer borderline type 2 diabetic, joint pain is gone, no acid reflux - beyond the age of 50 I feel anything BUT over the hill.  I am not on a single med and my doctor said I took 30 years off my age when I dropped that 85 - yes, I feel like a new woman and am thankful for my regained health everyday!
I want people to know you don't need to have Celiac to cut the gluten...if you just want to feel better - CUT the gluten. And seriously look at the over processed dairy and incorporate more and more fresh foods into your new way of eating.
If you are in such poor health that you can't walk, I want to encourage you in adopting a gluten free lifestyle, as it can definitely transform their life. Learn to listen to your body...you have the power to reclaim your health if you make up your mind to do so. And it certainly helps to be in prayer and ask God to help give you the willpower and stick-to-it-ness to stay with the journey.  Getting healthy is one of the most unselfish things you can do for a loved one..I wish you the best, and pray you will be sustained.

May you feel great, look great and live great!
Rita S.

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothies!

It's rhubarb time!!! I am not a fan of rhubarb. I have never warmed to its sour taste, but when the neighbor offered I accepted because I know it is good for you. High in vitamin C and dietary fiber, and a great source of calcium!
As I was contemplating what I could do with my bag of rhubarb - seeing that I am on a gluten/sugar free (and more) elimination diet for 30 days, I was going to look for a clean-eating recipe idea for rhubarb.Then I realized - I could add rhubarb to my low glycemic Arbonne smoothie, as the raw organic stevia extract used as the sweetener in my vegan/soy free protein powder will naturally sweeten the rhubarb as well.
 As I drink my breakfast meal replacement shake, I must say ...today's smoothie experiment is excellent! Fast and simple to make - here are the ingredients for this new twist on a strawberry smoothie, in the order in which I placed them in my Ninja Pro Blender.

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie 
1/2 cup water
2 cups of washed, chopped rhubarb
2 scoops Arbonne vanilla protein
1/2 scoop Arbonne Fiber Boost
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
4 frozen strawberreis
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

If you have a powerful blender - Vitamix or Blendtec your machine will puree the fresh rhubarb no problem. Know your equipment - try using the rhubarb fresh, but you may have to cook it slightly to soften. Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

I will note that I added a couple leaves of lemon balm simply because I visited an organic grower friend of mine this morning to get vegetable plants for my garden, and she sent me home some lemon balm. I can't taste it - but there are health benefits to lemon balm as well!

As I type this and finish my smoothie I can BARELY get it all down. I feel SO FULL!! Before my shake I tried Arbonne's new Evolution Full Control product....which contains glucomannan - a plant fiber that expands in your stomach to make you feel full. I used as directed, about 20 min. before my shake. I don't feel like I can eat another bite all day!!

I have two clients who have already lost several pounds just days into our 30 Day Summer Slimdown challenge... I need to stay on track - so glad I could find a low glycemic use for fresh rhubarb!

May you feel great, look great and live great - let healthy be your new happy!
Rita S.

Why does skin care matter?

Why bother with pure, safe and beneficial skin care?
"Simply put, healthy skin is vital for our survival both emotionally and physically. To boost these capabilities, we need to understand its role and importance in our overall health and learn how to better care for our skin. What we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our body; both affect the well being of our entire body (skin included!). The next time you slather on that chemical laden lotion or soak in a toxic tub, remember that your skin absorbs a large percentage of what you put on it."  I put these sentences in quotations as I found it on several sites, and am therefore not sure whom originally penned the words. Nonetheless, it is an absolute truth that I believe in and felt worth repeating.

The skin, as the largest organ, covers about 20 square feet of the human body. It is our...

Protective Barrier - it is our defender from a host of daily threats of bacteria and more. It helps preserve our internal fluids and organs. With everything from chemicals in the skin care products we slather on, environmental toxins and pollutants, harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, pathogens, antigens and UV radiation attacking it, skin needs to be in tip top shape to ward off illness and keep us healthy.

Waste Remover.  Skin is a passageway that rids our body of toxins and helps prevent chemical and waste build-up. Clean pores enable your body to eliminate waste; and keeping your pores clean provides a clear exit strategy for all kinds of yucky toxins that accumulate in our bodies. Pores that are congested and blocked with chemicals and pollutants prevent skin from functioning properly and removing toxins.

Protection from injury - Our skin is the first communicator to the brain when we are injured. Whether from a sharp object that bodes us to retreat,  heat from a fire that warns us away...healthy skin increases the sensitivity to outside threats and allows us to react more quickly.

The skin, as our largest organ, does so much more. It is a diagnostic tool, with breakouts and lesions an indicator that something is amiss on the inside. Natural oils of the skin provide an anti-bacterial defense, which is why hygiene products that strip the skin of its natural oils break down our defenses. Its an emotion indicator...flare ups of rosecea, acne, and other ailments reflect the body is under stress, etc.

Healthy skin is important for overall wellness. So the next time you reach for your shampoo, or bottle of lotion, you may want to ask yourself, is this pure and safe to use,or am I promoting a build up of toxins in my body and causing harm to the largest organ of my body...the skin?"

May you feel great, look great and live great - by taking care of your skin!

Rita S.

Elimination Diet - Sesame Sticky Green Beans

On a mission to make HEALTHY DELICIOUS - I found a couple of recipes and made it my own using ingredients I have on hand.

A healthy switch from the traditional holiday gathering green bean casserole swimming in condensed cream of mushroom soup...if you don't already know what's in that canned product you probably don't want to know, unless you are trying to take steps towards getting more healthy.

Sesame Sticky Green Beans
1.5 - 2 lbs. fresh green beans
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted

2 tsp. sesame oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1" fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

1 T. raw, organic Wholesome agave nectar (or honey)
2 tsp. nutritional yeast

Prep ahead of time for a fast dish on a holiday morning.
Green Beans: Trim off the vine end, cut in half. Wash beans and allow to dry in metal mesh colander overnight.
Sesame Seeds: toast the sesame seeds in a dry, small stainless steel pan the night prior and set aside.

30 minutes before serving.

Saute the onion, garlic and ginger in a large, covered skillet until onions are translucent and your kitchen smells heavenly! Stir in agave nectar, honey may be substituted.

Add in the green beans, and pour 2 T. of Bragg's Liquid Aminos over the top. Add nutritional yeast. Stirring to coat the beans with onion mixture and honey. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove lid to allow the liquid to evaporate. Continue to simmer until beans are al dente.  Toss sesame seeds gently with the beans, and transfer to a platter or bowl to serve. Enjoy!

These beans had rave reviews at Easter dinner, and I am sure your famly will enjoy green beans with a taste of the East.

May you feel great, look great, and live great!
Rita S.

Last Words "It Is Finished"

TRINITY by Greg Landretti

For the past several weeks our place of worship has been doing a series of a messages on the Last Words of Christ. One message in particular, on March 23rd, was especially moving. Pastor Matt Metzger talked about the true meaning of GRACE, and the ultimate victory that the crucifixion of Jesus brings to mankind.
As Matt described what the words, "IT IS FINISHED", uttered by Jesus, and what those words mean for us, I doodled on my church bulletin. I had hoped to create an Easter greeting card, but that didn't  happen.
However, a new display of art by Black Earth artist Greg Landretti at Crossroads Coffeehouse in Cross Plains, WI is a wonderful illustration of grace.The outstretched arms of Christ...the wash of red symbolizing the blood of the Lamb being shed for our transgressions. Jesus' death gives all believers atonement, so that we can move forward and onward from our past. It gives us VICTORY over death!

What is FINISHED?
S in
P ain
A gony
R emorse
E mbarrassment/Shame
D espair

When we ask Christ into our hearts, return to the Father Creator, and allow the Spirit to work within us...we experience the Trinity. God is not dead, He is most definitely alive in each of us, once we make the decision and ask Him to be present.
Greg named his sculpture "Trinity". Inspired by a twig Greg found while hiking...how many times do we see a Y shaped twig and think of Jesus dying on the cross for our transgressions? Me... not once. God was at work here.   I absolutely love this sculpture...check it out if you visit Crossroads. (Greg has a series on steel metal sculptures, unique and interesting, depicting emotions, challenges, etc.)
"It Is Finished"  (John 19:30) declares from the cross that DEATH is finished. It has lost its sting for VICTORY over death is the hope that all believers hang onto, it is what brings us true joy...no matter what life throws at us.
On this, my favorite of all holidays, it is my wish that you find true joy in your heart...because like that broken twig, God the Father is ready to heal the broken pieces of your life when you accept the gift of grace that Jesus gave for not only all people, but YOU.

Blessings this Easter,
Rita S.

Cancer Cure - Discovered in 1931?

I find all kinds of interesting notes when I purge...just came across this one and don't want to risk losing it, so figured I would take a spring cleaning break and post this revelation made over 80 years ago.

 "Low levels of cellular oxygen breed cancer- increasing oxygen levels kills cancerous cells. In 1931 Dr. Warburg won a Nobel Prize for proving cancer is caused by lack of oxygen respiration in the cells."

As I read this (no doubt from one of the research papers/books I studied prior to presenting the October cancer prevention workshop)  I can't help but think that if this was realized in 1931, why in the world haven't we made huge leaps and bounds in cancer prevention/cure?

Although the answer is pretty obvious to me...there is no money in finding a cure....cancer is BIG business. But I won't get into that....

There are a couple of easy, natural ways to add oxygen to your cells. Top and foremost in my mind is 
1. Consume PLANT based foods. Increasing alkaline, or plant based foods
2. Reduce acidic levels, restoring proper pH to the body. An acidic body lacks oxygen.

Other tips:

• Stay away from processed foods as much as possible.
• Sugar and artificial sweeteners, as well as refined process flours deplete oxygen from cells.
• Animal derived foods fall below neutral pH, i.e. acidic based. Ensure you consume much more plant based foods than animal. (I don't advocate soy, btw, as it has its own issues in regards to promoting health issues.)

An easy way to add oxygen rich foods to your eating plan is by consuming freshly extracted juices and blending smoothies.  If you want to learn more and live in the Cross Plains, Wisconsin area you can come learn more about each method of consuming vegetables and fruits on Sunday, May 4th at 4 p.m. at Crossroads Coffeehouse, 2080 Main St., for the first ever VEGI THROW DOWN.  Bring washed fruits and vegetables and we will make a healthy style wapatui in the juice extractors and blenders we have on hand. The goal is to get the community and peoples from the surrounding area in tune with the benefits of eating healthy. 

If you like to hike, meet in the parking lot at 2:30 for a choice of an easy hike alongside the creek, or a more vigourous, but wild flower enhanced hike, at Swamp Lovers, also known as the Table Bluff Segment of the Ice Age Trail. To find it take Hwy. 14 west out of Cross Plains, turn right on KP, and take a left on Scheele Rd. Swamp Lovers/IATA will be on your right side...park alongside the the gravel drive before the gate. Meet on location at 2:45 or car pool from the Crossroads parking lot at 2:30, after dropping your vegis/fruits off inside.

Take a DEEP BREATH for and to your health!

Rita S.