My Daddy. My "WHY".

Sure enough, the dreaded anniversary of my father's death is approaching and will be here before I know it (in 4 days to be exact).  I haven't written a blog post in a while, and he's been on my mind a lot lately, so I thought I should start typing.

Ever since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the YOUNG age of 55, something in me shifted.  My world was rocked.  I started to get more aware of the connection with our diets and our health. Although, he was truly relatively healthy.  He was an avid runner, enjoyed good food + wine, but truly never had any health issues, aside from some dental work that would pop up from time to time. 

This year I will be 45. And I think so often... 
If my Dad knew at my age he only had 10 more years on this earth... would he EVER have believed you!  No way!  And neither would I.  

Sadly, he lost his 10-month battle February 5th, 2001, when I was only 29, a few months before my 30th birthday.  He was 56 years YOUNG! It has been FIFTEEN YEARS. That is how long I haven't been able to look into his sweet blue eyes. FIFTEEN. And I visualize him lying in that hospital bed, before taking his last breath, more than I would like to.  

I'm often asked to think of my "why", in regard to what drives me to succeed in the health + wellness industry I am in.  And it finally clicked that my amazing Dad is my "why". He's the reason I'm so passionate about educating people about all of the garbage in our food supply (especially when it comes to feeding our children).  Why we need to question things that medical doctors suggest, as they aren't educated in nutrition.  Period. Yes, there is a time and a place for everything, but I think we are too quick to pop that pill, instead of make some tweaks to our lifestyles and diets.  It's MUCH MUCH easier to just take a drug, and keep on keeping on, as we were.  Doctors are mostly paid by pharmaceutical company's to push their drugs, which are a part of a BILLION dollar industry.  They (and we) aren't taught that there are so many herbs + plants + spices + fruits + vegetables that can actually HEAL us- that don't have a laundry list of "side effects", 10 times worse than the ailment that you are trying to cure (like ALL pharmaceutical drugs do). 

My Daddy is my "WHY" because I am married to the love of my life, and although we met later than we would have liked- I want to spend 100 more years with him!!!  He showed me, while being married to my Mom for 32 years, what TRUE LOVE looks like, and that there are people out there who you actually CAN spend the rest of your life with, if you are lucky enough to find them. And my 4 precious + beautiful children, none of who ever got a chance to meet their "Pop Pop", are my WORLD, and I want to be here for as LONG as I can for THEM!  I want to watch them grow + learn + cherish them every single minute, of every single day.  

And I can guarantee, that my Dad wanted all of these things too!  And sadly, that was all cut WAY too short.  

The fact is, cancer runs in BOTH sides of my family...so chances are pretty high that my brother and I will more than likely be next.  And that fact SUCKS.  So, you can rest assured that I will do what I can NOW to prevent that from happening sooner than later. FOOD will be my medicine, NOT some pill or shot that is sold to a doctor.  LUCKILY, I found an AMAZING Naturopath doctor about 9 years ago, who had been my primary doctor ever since.  Where HEALING occurs WITHOUT drugs or surgery!  That is what it is all about.  

YES, I may be known to share some not so exciting facts from time to time.  Facts that people may choose to believe are untrue.  Because you know, ignorance is bliss after all. But in the end.  I'm NOT trying to be annoying.  I'm NOT trying to be a know it all.   I'm NOT perfect.  I'm NOT a doctor.  BUT I do want to help prevent ANYONE and EVERYONE the heartbreak of losing their hero, their Daddy, LONG before they should have to.  As THAT Is what happened to me.  Not only did my Dad never meet his grandchildren (zero out of 7), he never got to retire.  He never got to celebrate this 33rd wedding anniversary with my beautiful Mom.  He never got to know that I attended massage school. Or that I started my own business making aromatherapy products. That I finally found my true other half, that reminds me of him in many ways, and ended up marrying him.    That I am knee deep in helping others, young and old, new friends and old, transform their lives through my superfood nutrition business.  That I kind of (proudly) turned into that "rebellious, stubborn, question-everything, tree-hugging, hippie" that he would jokingly refer to me as.  That I found a home, surrounded by trees, just like our home was in New Jersey. That I took up running, just like him, and how badly I would have loved to run a race with him. That I still can't believe he made us move across the country, in the middle of my freshman year of high school (although, I know he did it for a reason, his family was everything to him). That he affects all that I do in my life today, and that I AM who I AM because of him.  His drive.  His motivation. His energy. It was contagious.   Ask anyone and everyone who knew him, personally or professionally.  He was adored by ALL who came into contact with him. THIS is what I (and my mom + brother) LOST. Because of cancer.  

I still hope to get certified as a holistic nutritionist, to expand my knowledge even further.  It's truly my passion now- all holistic living is actually.  And while I'm thankful my life has turned down this incredibly beautiful path... I wish there was a different reason I became this way.

Remember, sugar feeds cancer cells (and makes you fat, and is 7 times more addicting than cocaine), and (healthy) FAT is your FRIEND. 

I care, so I share. That's all. 

Thank you for reading, and learning more about my "why".

30 day results

I have officially completed my 30 day fat burn & cleansing system with Isagenix. I wanted to summarize some of the benefits of my personal experience. 

Keep in mind, my primary goal was to lose weight before our family vacation to New Jersey. I also had planned on keeping this a secret until my 30 days was up, to see what happened. After 2 days, I couldn't hold back & had to share. 

So that being said, I would have to say that the biggest & most unexpected change is my ENERGY!! Granted, prior to Isagenix I truly felt my energy, for the most part, was just fine. Of course, I had my typical "monthly" slumps, and my typical mid-day "I want a nap, I need to crash, give me more caffeine" feeling. Within 2 days, the best way to describe this change is to say my eyes felt wide open!! The word alert comes to mind. Just an overall sense of "wow, I really do feel great. And I feel great all day long". 

Next, would obviously be the added bonus & primary goal of pounds being released. And it's not just pounds. It's inches too. And it wasn't until my 3rd week in that the inches lost clicked, and realized I was already down 2 sizes & just getting started. I am typically a size 10 and have been my entire adult life, even in high school. It's my clothing size, and I'm fine with that. Well, 3 weeks in I go to grab my fave size 10 shorts, thinking in my head "these probably won't fit YET, but I am going to try them anyway". And guess what? They fit!!  My weight hasn't changed much in the last week either, but I am clearly losing inches because the weight that I am at currently is my size 12 weight. So, I grab a pair of size 12 shorts that hadn't fit 3 weeks prior. And guess what? Those fit too!! This was my ah-ha moment. And I realized my body composition was shifting. Fat was burning & I was gaining lean muscle. And this is why...

I've said before, I was already drinking daily shakes with whey protein powder. So making the change to this, where 2 of my meals are a balanced whey meal replacement shake, (instead of only whey protein), EASY. But what I didn't know is not all whey is created equal. And that most whey on the market is actually just junk (think myoplex, pure protein or muscle milk- they are cheap because they use cheap ingredients. Period.)  Now enter Isagenix whey. And mind you, I had never heard of Isagenix until now, had you?? Guess what? Awesome company!! The whey used in Isagenix products is UNdenatured. Most whey in other protein powders is denatured. But first, the milk come from grass fed cows in New Zealand. Bonus right there. No antibiotics. No growth hormones. Yay. 

So what does denatured mean?

When whey is extracted from milk-acids, salts, & heat are typically used which denatures the whey. This breaks down the protein and strips the whey of its high quality benefits. It also destroys it's bio-active compounds. Undenatured whey contains numerous amino acid pairs & triples, that specifically fit genetic locks in the body to turn on protein functions. Isagenix uses an ultrafiltration process that keeps the whey in tact (undenatured). This superior amino acid profile & high concentration of branch chain amino acids supports lean muscle growth. 

A few fun whey facts: 

* whey protein helps support your immune system by raising glutathione levels, a powerful antioxidant, helping the immune system & supporting cell integrity & reducing oxidative stress

* repairs body cells

* curbs cravings

* helps metabolism

* helps prevent age related muscle loss

* boosts fat burning, especially visceral fat

* maximizes lean muscle gain 

* stimulates production of heat in body to burn more calories

Back to my results. A few days in Bryan commented on how he thought my perioral dermatitis was improving. I didn't agree at the time. But I'm a harsh critic and have had this skin "issue" since mid-December and looked at it very closely daily. The skin around my eyes is now near perfect. You would never know how puffy & inflamed & red & flaky it once was for months. But then came the rash around my mouth a few months after my eyes. Yuck. Now I see how it has greatly improved, but isn't 100% gone. I bet it will be soon. And the rest of my face seems super smooth & dewy. 

Running. When I met Bryan in 2008, I was training for 1/2 marathon & was running 4-5 times a week to train. And I ran a 2:22 half in February 2009. Since then, I have started & stopped & started & stopped training programs on Runkeeper and just haven't stuck with it. Now, I have this CRAZY urge to run. Like, I go from going on a nice leisurely walk, to while on that walk HAVING to run. That's never happened. Ever. Hope it sticks. Not a bad problem to have. 

I'm caffeine free!!! I was a tea drinker forever, love me my earl gray. Then, drank coffee even though I never fully loved it as much as tea {until Portola Coffee Lab rocked our world with their coffe AND introduction to Strauss creamery}. I mean you have to admit coffee breath is downright nasty. Then I became an organic whole milk latte a day girl. Everyday. Sometimes I would have an americano. Or coffee & organic cream. But mostly lattes. The day I started my 30 day system, I stopped and haven't had one iota of coffe, tea or caffeine since. None. And I have had NO headaches or withdrawal symptoms. None. 

Joints & muscles. Quite regularly, maybe even daily, I would feel a pulling/soreness at my ischial tuberosity (here comes the massage therapist in me), aka your sit bones, or the spot where your hamstrings attach to your bum. Guess what, I haven't felt it at all. Kind of crazy. This was one of those "things" that never quite went away. Also, almost daily I had tight/pulled spots in my upper left back/shoulder area. Just another spot of  very "regular" discomfort, and would go quite often, almost weekly or every 2 weeks for chiropractic adjustments. Again, noticed too, no tension going on in that spot either. Things that make you go hmmmmm. Both of these issues were always "there". Bonus! And a benefit I never would have expected at all. 

Tummy! I haven't had any "6 months pregnant" look ONCE during this entire process. My belly is mellow happy. And this is huge. I've always had tummy issues for as long as I can remember. Must be the twice daily dose of digestive enzymes in my shakes. I do take digestive enzymes regularly as it is (and probiotics too, everyone should), and have for years, but the enzymes have never been mixed in with my food, as it is in my shakes. Maybe that's the difference? Whatever the reason for happy belly, I'll take it!

Sorry boys, but this one is a nice one for us women. I've had zero cramps or discomfort this time around. Which is odd, because a month ago and most months, I certainly do. 

Drumroll please. Here are my final results:

Pounds released: 12.5!!!!!

Inches lost: 19.25!!!!!

I have certainly have taken my time to do my due diligence on Isagenix. After all, I am an avid label & ingredient expert. And I keep getting more & more excited & more & more impressed with all that the company is about. Their tag line says it all "solutions to transform lives". From safe weight loss, to performance & energy, healthy aging & wealth creation. All 4 of these are what the company prides themselves on. There are a few private Facebook groups, one in particular, Body By Design, is flooded with posts daily of inspirational stories & before + after pix. Anyone interested in being added to this group just let me know. For me, the benefit of feeling great myself. Awesome. But to be able to finally help others reach their health/weight or financial goals. Now that's a game changer for me. I'm super excited about the future... Who's coming along on this fun ride with me??

A new path

I sent out an e-mail to some friends + family last night, and figured this would make a great blog post too!

I'm always up to something, aren't I??

Well, this time, I keep telling myself I need to wait to share, but I'm so pumped up about it I can't wait!

So we all know I'm queen of ingredients + organic whole food, clean eating, etc. It's my thang. Well, we also know I've had some ups and downs with my weight and keeping it off since Layne, and even before that- trying pretty much everything. From HCG (3 times) to Weight Watchers to 21 Day Sugar Detox to Paleo, low carb- you name it! For me, and my lifestyle and the way my life is at this point in time with 3 kids, and focusing so much on feeding them clean + healthy, nutritious meals - I needed something convenient AND healthy for myself.

A few weeks ago, a good friend sent me a link to this company I knew nothing about, Isagenix. It was for their 30 day cleansing and fat burning system. I clicked away at each and every item incuded in this pack (4 cans of IsaLean shakes, 2 Cleanse for Life, 1 Ionix Supreme, Natual Accelerator, Isa Flush + Snacks, plus Want More Energy electrolyte drink mix, PLUS samples of other goodies). And I was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered. The ONLY questionable ingredient, for me personally, was maltilol because it gives me a tummy ache when I have had foods that included this in the past. And this ingredient was found in all of their bars, and a few other items. When I questioned this ingredient, I was told it came from non-GMO tapioca, so maybe this would make a difference since most comes from GMO corn. We shall see.

I took the plunge and ordered the 30 day system and received it last Tuesday (5/20/14). Today is day 7, and all I can say is I feel super awesome, have TONS of energy and have lost a few pounds (7.2 to be exact). The thing with Isagenix is they have this 30 day "kit", but also so much more. The company is all about fueling your body + healthy aging- whether you need to lose weight, GAIN weight, or want to increase your performance and build more muscle. Kind of like when I did Juice Plus- high antioxidants, reduce oxidative stress, slow the aging process. Things we can all use a little bit more of, no matter how clean we eat.

With this 30 day system, I replace 2 meals a day with an IsaLean shake- it's a complete meal- and it's balanced. Then, I eat two 100 calorie snacks of my choice (greek yogurt + berries, rice cake + smoked salmon, hard boiled egg + some nuts), and either for lunch or dinner a balanced 400-600 calorie meal (including protein, fat, grains, veggies + fruit). You also include a tonic (Ionix Supreme) each morning that is loaded with good stuff like berries + herbs. And an accelerator capsule, to help the fat burn + boost your metabolism. THEN, you have the option of the DEEP CLEANSE where you follow a specific schedule for 4 days out of the 30 for DEEP fat burning + cleansing. OR, you can simply take the Cleanse for Life daily.

Needless to day, I completed my 2 days of DEEP cleansing yesterday and was AMAZED how I felt, and how I wasn't really hungry at all. Today, I'm back to my shake day, and feel so satisfied and ready to keep going. Keep in mind, I have had ZERO coffee or caffeine in a week- and I truly feel like my eyes are beyond wide open all day long. I have never experienced this before.

For me, I was always SO worried about what I was eating and when, that it drove me a little nuts, to be honest. This simplifies things. If I want to meet someone for lunch, then I wil shift my 2nd shake to dinner time. Or, I can enjoy nightly dinners with my family by having my shake for lunch. AFTER I get to my goal weight, then I will continue with ONE meal replacement shake a day and take it from there for the maintenance phase.

I know this kind of seems out of the norm for me, perhaps. But I'm just truly amazed at how I'm feeling so far. And Bryan even jumped on board (super supportive as always!) with the performance and energy pack , then will follow it up with the 9 day cleanse. There is so much to pick and choose from: digestive enzymes (which I take daily currently), omegas, kids vitamins, sleep aids, skin care, greens powder (similar to Juice Plus), NATURAL caffeine energy shots (bye bye red bull), electrolyte powder (bye bye gatorade), even chocolates! As much as I "think" I know about nutrition, I've learned so much more in the last week just reading up on the company and what all of the products are about. The chocolate has green tea extract, amino acids, antioxidants, b vitamins + minerals. Crazy, right?? And this sample I got of t+ chai - has adaptogens which reduce stress + calm your nerves. I hadn't heard of an adaptogen until now.

What I have also learned is that not all whey is "made" the same, and the whey in IsaLean is 99% lactose-free AND is UNdenatured keeping the protein structure intact, where most whey protein is denatured (using acids, salt + heat). What is available is IsaLean meal replacement (24 grams of protein per serving), IsaLean PRO meal replacement (with 36 grams of protein per serving), for even greater fat burn, or if you are an athlete; or IsaPro, with 18 grams of straight up whey protein, not a meal replacement. And the Isagenix whey comes from "happy grass fed cows" in New Zealand, not treated with any bad stuff. Best of all, there is a NON-dairy whey protein powder option, and Kosher as well.

If you break it down, it comes to $11/day for the 30 days-but you are also replacing 2 meals a day AND getting other tonics and supplements to help you along. Best thing of all, there is a ...
30 day money back guarantee! 

So, you have NOTHING to lose, and only a ton to gain.

I've been obsessed with the success stories- I am part of a private Facebook page of 13,000+ members, who just talk all day long about their lives and the lives of others that are changing. If you are curious, I can add you to the group to check it out. Or you can just ask me questions. For example, I literally just found out that my neighbor has a friend who has lost 200 pounds on Isagenix, has tried EVERYTHING, and only this worked, and he has a whole new life!!!

If you have 6 minutes to spare, watch the ARE YOU TOXIC? video on my site here: http://jodybarton.isagenix.com/?sc_lang=en-US

As you may or may not know, alex+von is coming to an end in a few short days after two great years, and I'm excited this fell into my lap just at the right time. The stars were aligned. YES, this is also an MLM (just like Juice Plus was), and you know what? I scream from the roof tops when I love ANY produts, and share share share- and have made many other businesses more money with my "referrals". I see nothing wrong with social selling, to people you love and care about, when I am passionate about something. And we all know how passionate about I am about nutrition and health. It's a win-win for me on so many levels. My goal is to one day be a certified holistic nutritionist, and if I can help even ONE person reach some personal health + fitness goals, then I will be SO happy!  The reality is, even though this may be "packaged" food, it's a lot better than what the majority of people eat most days, I'm guessing. It's a nice transition, and/or addition to whatever you are doing currently to lose weight, gain muscle, and slow down the aging process, which eventually leads to disease.

Thanks for listening... and I will share my 30 day results in a few weeks! I may even sign up for the IsaBody 90 day challenge, you never know! xoxo

100% Pure: Top 10 Must Haves

It's been a little while since I have posted... bad me.  I thought it was time to share my list of my TOP 10 favorites from the 100% Pure line.  I have been a consultant for alex+von for over a year- and LOVE IT!  It's my passion- educating people about the importance of not only what goes IN our bodies but ON our bodies as well.  

Having been a fan of 100% Pure for many years, it was a natural fit for me to join the alex+von team of consultants to enable me to share this (and other amazing lines) with my family & friends.  Not only is this line VERY reasonably priced, it is CLEAN, and since our skin absorbs all that we put onto it, therefore entering our bloodstream- well, that is HUGE! 

100% Pure truly is a wonderful company, for many reasons.  But I wanted to share something that came from a recent email they sent out to their customers this week. This will give you an idea of what it means to be "clean" & what their testing process entails:
1- each ingredient is tested for purity= any chemical pesticides, chemicals or contamination?
2- cohesive testing= do all of the ingredients work well together?
3- package testing= tested for toxins like BPA + pthalates
4- formula in packaging= some ingredients/formulas degrade the packaging
5- stability= rigorous testing to ensure the natural preservatives prevent bacterial mold growth
6- effectiveness testing= test to make sure each product does what it claims
7- scratch testing= formulas applied to human test subjects to ensure formulas are gentle & non-irritating
8- cruelty free= against animal testing & more formulas are vegan

Now for my list of Top 10 MUST HAVES:
1- Body Scrub in Vanilla Bean- having never really used scrubs before, I now see why they are so popular.  This "flavor" smells like fresh baked cookies.  If you are in a hurry, it's so emollient that you don't need lotion, as it keeps your skin super hydrated.  
2- Cruelty Free Kabuki Brush- when 100% Pure says cruelty-free, they mean it.  I got rid of ALL of my old brushes after getting a few of theirs.  The idea of brushing my face with animal hair didn't sit well with me.  Do you know what your current brushes are made of? If not, I suggest you find out and/or give these a try.  I didn't realize how soft a make up brush could be, until I got mine.  Another bonus, the fibers are anti-bacterial.
3- Facial Scrub + Mask Super Fruits- This 2-in-1 product is great!  Super creamy, and not too rough on your the delicate skin on your face.  Smells wonderful as well.  I keep this in my shower and use a few times a week.  
4- Fruit Pigmented Pot Rouge in Blush- Creamy & so natural looking, I never knew what I was missing until I started using this "type" of blush.  Just a tiny dab on the apples of you cheeks adds a nice dewy glow.
5- Fruit Pigmented Lip Butter in Cherry- Not only do I love all things cherry, but this color is perfect.  It makes your lips stay super hydrated & moist, added a perfect "just bitten" look.  This is one product I can't live without and will use always.  I even keep one in my car.  
6- Fruit Pigmented Lip Gloss Tube- I'm a lip gloss girl 100%.  And since we pretty much eat whatever we put on our lips, might as well make sure you recognize all of the ingredients & have it taste subtly fruity.  The colors are super natural looking, not too goopy & I've loved every color I have gotten so far.  My 2 faves are Popsicle (super sheer & glittery) and Sugar Plum Sheer (plummy).  
7- Fruit Pigmented Mascara- I have pretty much tried every "natural" mascara out there, and haven't been happy with any, to be honest.  That is until I tried the mascara by 100% Pure.  Black was my first purchase, but Blackberry quick became my favorite- dark purple! I had to get the blueberry, just to revisit the good old 80's and dark brown completed my set.  I alternate between the 4 daily, as mascara is the one make up item I always wear. The best part is the SMELL!  Every time I put on the blueberry & get in the car with my husband, he asks if I just ate some berries.  Without fail.  It's hilarious.  And the dark chocolate, smells like chocolate & coffee- the 2 very items that give it the warm brown hue.  MUST HAVE FOR SURE.
8- Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer- This is probably a product I wouldn't have tried on my own.  But it came in my starter kit, and I'm so thrilled it did!  I'm not a huge foundation fan, never have been.  It just doesn't look right on me, nor did it ever feel right.  This, however, is a perfect mix of a light moisturizer & light coverage.  It's great when you want a dewy look, and don't want the matte look of powder.  Again, one product I will continue to use always.  Oh yeah, and it's SPF 20.
9- Healthy Flawless Skin Foundation Powder- For days when I want more coverage, and not look so dewy- I love this powder!  In the past, when I used bare minerals, I wanted to wash my face as soon as I put that product on.  I felt like my skin couldn't breathe & was all itchy.  Not with this powder- it's super light feeling & also has SPF 20.  Another score!
10- Hydrating Body Wash in coconut- want to feel like you are instantly transported to a tropical island?  Then this product is for you.   These huge bottles last forever.  3 pumps of this foamy goodness, and you are covered from head to toe, literally.  
11- Lip & Cheek Tint- Ooops it seems I couldn't stop at my top 10.  I have 3 different colors of these.  Again, may not have been something I normally would have purchased & the strawberry came in my started kit.  I have since purchased shimmery cocoa berry & sugar plum sheer.  One word - LOVE.  Sheer & shimmery & moist- and for both lips & cheeks, can't beat this one.  Definitely a product I use on a very regular basis.
12- Nourishing Body Cream in Cabernet Grape- Remember grape Bubble Yum from when you were a kid?  That's what this smells like.  At first, I thought it was a it odd- but now I LOVE IT.  It smells super grapey- but the reason I really like this cream is the consistency.  It's perfect, really.  Not too watery, not too thick - it's just right.  

So there you have it- I could have added a few more BUT I think 12 is a good place to stop.  

Which one sounds good to you?? 

RIGHT NOW, via my alex+von site, the ENTIRE 100% Pure line is 20% off through Tuesday 7/23/13 just visit www.alexandvon.com/JodyBarton & select me as your consultant at check out.

Recipe: refrigerator oatmeal

I cannot explain my obsession with this new recipe I literally just made last night. If you love oatmeal, fruit + yogurt this is for you!!! My 13-month old even gobbled it up!  It truly does not get more simple than this. Ready??

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
• 1 cup whole milk, rice, soy or almond milk
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons honey

Preparation

1. 1. In a bowl, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt and honey. Pour into small mason jars and stir in desired accompaniments.
2. 2. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. Serve chilled.

Accompaniments: 1/2 a banana, mashed or sliced, mashed or chopped berries (this works great with frozen berries too) ,flax seeds, chia seeds, a teaspoon of peanut or almond butter, dried fruits, chopped, almonds, walnut, cashew or pumpkin or sunflower seeds

As always thanks to Weelicious for always feeding my family well. 

If you make this, tell me what accompaniments you use. I used banana the1st time. Next time, I may try vanilla yogurt which is already sweetened & omit the honey. 

Shots, the non-alcoholic kind

The topic of vaccines is VERY controversial & I'm going to try and keep this post as unbiased as possible. Please read with an open mind :)   At the end of the day, I just want people to do their research, then decide what is best for them.

Vaccinating yourself or your children is completely 100% a personal choice. We all want to protect our babies (and our own health), in every possible way. It is the "way" of a parent. It's innate. It's primal. It's powerful.   

When the twins were first born, I didn't know what I know NOW about alternative medicine & holistic living (unfortunately).  Being preemies especially, I did whatever the doctors told me to do.  No questions asked, really. They are doctors after all, and should be trusted and have your child's best interest in mind. Not the interest of pharmaceutical company's, right???  As a result, the twins have received all scheduled vaccines up until age 5.  They will not be receiving anymore.  Now.  I'm different.  I question EVERYTHING.  

Our pediatrician for Layne is the one-and-only AMAZING Dr. Bob Sears.  Funny thing about the Sears family- is that they are also huge Juice Plus advocates.  When I was a Juice Plus distributor, the patriarch of the family, Dr. Bill and actually, Bill's brother Jim both spoke at Juice Plus events and conferences I had attended. This family of doctors knows first hand, the very strong connection between what we eat and how it affects our health.  They are still huge supporters, as they should be.  It's great stuff!  We still take it, even though I'm no longer a distributor.

Not vaccinating Layne was a pretty easy decision for my husband and I.  Dr. Bob has written a great unbiased factual book titled The Vaccine Book.  It's something I feel every parent should read prior to having their baby, so that they can make a fully informed decision about vaccines.  Again, just my opinion.  He provides alternative vaccine schedules (instead of all at once) and has clients who fully vaccinate, don't vaccinate, spread out vaccines, only do a few- you name it.  He will never turn a family away for not vaccinating their children, which I am finding out is commonplace (and strange, to me).

One thing that has stuck with me that I read recently, is that when I was a kid, I think there were 6-10 vaccines.  Today, children in the United States get 49 doses of 14 vaccines by age 6.  That is A LOT for a little developing and growing body to be bombarded with, in my opinion.  

Our family has NEVER gotten a flu shot.  And guess what?  We also have never gotten the flu- especially this past winter when everyone we knew was hit HARD.  Literally, people who received the flu shot especially, were dropping like flies. And sometimes they got the flu more than once (since, after all, the "flu shot of the season" can never protect you from all strains). Not our family.  We use healthy food, increasing our supplements (elderberry syrup, vitamin d drops - adults, vitamin d drops - baby, vitamin c, juice plus, etc.), staying hydrated and rest as our defense.  We don't feel the need to inject our bodies with foreign substances to stay healthy.  

On Facebook, I'm a "fan"of many vaccine pages and get to read a lot of information on the subject quite regularly, so I can stay informed.  Have you heard of the National  Vaccine Advocacy Group?  If you haven't, and have children I think you should check them out.  Do you know what ingredients are found in some vaccines?  Formaldehyde is one.  This is highly toxic in ALL animals, humans included.  

NOTHING infuriates me more, than government thinking they can force a family to vaccinate their child against their will.  NOTHING!  It is completely 100% wrong, in my opinion.  Do we live in a communist country?  Nope! It is our right, as a parent to make this decision for our babies!! 

The funniest experience ever was a few days after our son was born last year via an unplanned emergency c-section (our goal was a drug-free hypnobabies hospital birth). On my second to last night in the hospital, a night nurse strolls into my room with a syringe in her hand. I shockingly ask what it is for. She informs me that it's a whooping cough vaccine for ME, since I just have birth to a newborn.  The look of horror on my face must have confused her. I said, "I didn't ask for that not are you injecting me with it." Of course she got all huffy & puffy stating "well, I ordered it for you". Yeah? Well guess what lady, just because you ordered it for me sure as heck doesn't mean you are putting that substance in my body. You never even ASKED ME!!! No way!!! Sure enough, I had to sign a waiver stating I was declining this (to me) unnecessary vaccine. Unreal!! And scary (in my opinion). 

One vaccine in particular has 3 vaccines in one.  According to our doctor, one of the diseases (Diphtheria) is no longer prevalent in the US .  Should this part of the vaccine be removed?  Perhaps.  Will it?  Nope, because it would cost too  much money for the pharmaceutical company's to reformulate. DTaP is what it is called, with Pertussis (whooping cough) being the disease to worry about, the other 2 not so much   But there is no single Pertussis vaccine so you instead get all 3.

Did you know that if you DO choose to vaccinate, you can not only spread them out (and not follow the schedule of your pediatrician), delay them, or even purchase them from Canada where a lot of the bad added ingredients aren't allowed?  This way, the baby isn't getting bombarded all at once.  This is a good option too, if you choose to vaccinate   

Did you know you can get an exemption for your unvaccinated child to enter school? Check here to see where your state stands. 

I believe strongly in the amazing healing our bodies are capable of. I also believe strongly in living a holistic life, and that the mind-body connection is so real. You cannot deny it! Prime example, when you get upset about something what usually happens? You lose your appetite. Or when you are nervous you feel butterflies in your tummy. The BEST defense against illness is a clean & healthy & natural diet (whatever that may mean to you i.e. with or without dairy, meat, etc). Something like 90% of our immunity is in our gut, which is why foods with probiotics or supplements are so VITAL to our health. 

Again, such a personal choice & you must do what is right for you and your family!  Thanks for reading :)

*All I want to do is share.  I'm not here to judge or say you are wrong and I am right.  That is never my intention.  Perhaps by learning something new, I have helped you in some way, shape or form. 

Recipe: frozen banana bites

Usually, when I have over ripe bananas I slice them up & freeze them for smoothies. 

This time, I tried something I have wanted to for a while- frozen banana bites!!

I have been seeing over & over a simple, clean & healthy version of "magic shell", which I LOVED as a kid. Remember? You squirt some on your ice cream & it hardens instantly. Kind of like the dipped cones at Dairy Queen. 

The recipe for the "shell" could NOT be simpler. Melt some chocolate chips with some coconut oil (double boiler) and once the creamy concoction touches frozen bananas it gets hard. You could also use this to dollop over your favorite ice cream too. Lately, my favorite is Larry & Luna's coconut milk ice cream. It's delicious!!

The next time you have some bananas that may be too ripe, slice them up & freeze on parchment lined cookie sheet for a few hours. Then, start melting & dip away & refreeze. 

When I make these again (asap according to my family), I'm making peanut butter banana sandwiches first, then freezing. And maybe I will even roll in some unsweetened coconut. How YOU doing?!?!?

Recipe: Vanilla Wafers

One of my ALL time favorite snacks as a kid. Vanilla wafers. Of course, I found a simple & clean recipe on one of my favorite websites, Weelicious. I literally just took them out of the oven. The consensus. Tastes JUST like the original. I even used whole wheat pastry flour, you'd never know.  SUCCESS!

Happy mommy!!

http://weelicious.com/2011/11/09/vanilla-wafers/

Recipe: DELISH & Healthy Dip

I recently discovered this EASY & DELISH recipe while shopping at Trader Joe's. For the most part, I love all of the creative concoctions they create with their food. Since my discovery of this particular dish, I've made it every few weeks. It's an amazing & healthy after school snack. It's a crowd pleasing appetizer for your guests. Are you ready?? Everything is found at Trader Joe's.

1 package cooked lentils (in refrigerator section)

1 tub Mediterranean herb feta cheese

1 tub bruschetta 

These next 2 items were not in the original sample but add CRUNCH (thanks to a friends suggestion), and I am a crunchy girl, in more ways than one. 

1/2 organic tri color bell peppers, chopped small 

1 organic Persian cucumber 

I usually use half of each package/container at a time, that way there is enough for once everyone gobbles it up. 

Enjoy!!!

Recipe: Roasted Kabocha Squash

Here is another recipe I wanted to share from a website called Nom Nom Paleo.   I CANNOT tell you how much I LOVE this!  Seriously,  I can eat a whole squash in one sitting (my daughter & I actually did one day).  I'm used to making butternut squash pretty regularly.  Kabocha have always intrigued me, and let me tell you- once you try this recipe I guarantee you will keep making it on a very regular basis.  

I don't "subscribe" to being paleo, or vegan, or gluten-free but I do LOVE exploring all different cookbooks & websites for new ideas.  There are SO many recipes I am waiting to try, and once I do and if they are post worthy, I will share with you as well.

Now, go get yourself a squash & get roasting!  Oh, and my new obsession is coconut oil used in this recipe- I use it for EVERYTHING now.  YUMMMMM!  I am trying this brand, Tropical Traditions,  for the first time.  I have heard very good things about them, and they had buy 1, get 1 free PLUS free shipping this weekend so I couldn't resist.  My last huge jar came from CostCo which was also organic.  

http://nomnompaleo.com/post/11136213353/roasted-kabocha-squash

Recipe: To Die For Blueberry Muffins

Today I found this recipe today on All Recipes.  Having never used this website before, I really liked how you can create an account and save recipes that you like or want to try.  

I have been looking for a muffin recipe to use with the pound of organic blueberries I bought at the farmers market on Sunday.  The crumble on top was extra intriguing, since we all love coffee cake so much!  For the crumble, I used coconut sugar for the first time.  

Thought I would share this one- I can't try one of these myself just yet- but everyone loved them so far, even the baby!  My GOAL is to make at least one homemade snack food per week for everyone to indulge in.  We are also going to get back on track with our homemade bread making, and I'm trying out a hemp milk recipe for the first time.  

ENJOY!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/to-die-for-blueberry-muffins/

Sugar-Free Frenzy

Yes, I did post recently about sugar & how much should be consumed daily. A HUGE thing with me is the "sugar-free frenzy" that seems to be still going on. In the end, I have to say any day that sugar from cane (a plant) is way better for you than "sugar" created in a lab and that is a harmful chemical. Period. And I feel strongly about this, especially in regard to kids. I do not find it necessary for kids to eat or drink anything that is sweetened with the liking of Splenda or NutraSweet. Again, just my (humble) opinion. There are SO many other natural and safe sweeteners your can try- raw, organic honey (even better, have it be manuka honey) or organic maple syrup for starters, or how about coconut sugar or maple sugar? Ever try them? YUM! Heck, even Oprah has a short list.  And yet another helpful list from Whole Living.    

My newest discovery (literally today), a party pack from SweetLeaf stevia company- coconut, cinnamon & peppermint.  All my favorite flavors, to be kept in my diaper bag for when I'm out and about and need to drop some sweetness into my iced americano.  If you haven't heard of stevia before, or know what it is, here is a fact sheet from their website.  NO calories & from a PLANT (not a manufacturing plant silly, one that grows in the ground), not a chemical.  AMAZING!

The twins had STAR testing at school recently. This is what was sent out to all parents from one of the teachers:

"In the past we have also allowed the students to chew peppermint gum before taking the test. Studies have shown that it gives the children a burst that helps them recall things from their memory. They also get really excited over the novelty of it. I will be providing the gum and of course it will be sugarless. This is optional. If your child is unable to chew gum (braces, retainer, etc.), you may provide mints."

The "of course it will be sugarless" part is hilarious to me. This isn't the first of many unhealthy & confusing things done at this particular school (which thankfully, this is the last year my kids will have to be there). Here are the ingredients in the Dentyne Ice which some kids were given to chew: SORBITOL, GUM BASE, MALTITOL, MANNITOL, ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVORING, GLYCERIN; LESS THAN 2% OF: ACACIA, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ASPARTAME, BHT (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS), CANDELILLA WAX, SOY LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR). PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE

Not one, but two of the top 4 most dangerous artificial sweeteners are in this gum.  If you are even more curious, here is list of the top 10 food ingredients you should avoid, from The Huffington Post. This A to Z list is also pretty helpful if you want more information, from Natural News.

I love the saying "If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it". Simple & to the point. Do you know what half those ingredients are? I sure don't. And the thing with gum- you are chewing it over & over & over. All of the ingredients are being swished around & absorbed & forced onto your teeth, tongue (strongest muscle in your body, btw), gums & saliva & you are swallowing it all for as long as you chew that gum.

I'm very aware of which foods should be avoided or eaten rarely.  I feel sugar-free gum is one of them. First and foremost, ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. There are 2 main offenders in the list above- Acesulfame Potassium (aka Acesulfame-K) and Sucralose (aka Splenda). Here are a few reasons why they should be avoided (source: Life With Greens)-

• An artificial sweetener 180 times sweeter than sugar and was created in a lab making your body unable to recognize it. 
• An excitotoxin that encourages free radical growth which accelerates aging and health problems. 
• Common reported symptoms from artificial sweeteners include: brain cancer, headaches, migraines, sleep problems, hallucinations, memory loss, nausea, dizziness, hives, seizures, cramps, rash, fatigue, diarrhea, joint pain and more! 
• Stimulates the release of insulin and leptin — hormones which instruct your body to store fat. 
• Chemicals in artificial sweeteners break down into formaldehyde and get absorbed by your small intestine. 

Needless to say, for the STAR testing I mentioned above I sent the twins to school with gum sweetened with Xylitol called, Spry. A sweetener with no harmful side effects. WE have been chewing it for years. Yes, it loses it's flavor quicker than most gum, but then again, I don't think it was meant to be chewed all day. Xylitol is actually GOOD for your teeth!

I find this interesting and you may too! Did you know that NON sugar-free gum usually contains both sugar AND artificial sweeteners??  Bet you didn't! I mean, I didn't until I started reading the ingredients while waiting at the check out line at Target. 
For example, Wrigley's Doublemint Gum contains the following: 

Sugar, Gum Base, Dextrose, Corn Syrup, Flavor(s) Natural & Artificial, Contains less than 22% of Glycerol, Aspartame, Arabic Gum, Soy Lecithin, Acesulfame K, Color(s), Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake, Beta Carotene, BHT.

6 of those ingredients being controversial. My question is, if sugar is the main ingredient (ingredients are listed in order of quantity in the product), why is it necessary to add not one but two artificial sweeteners (aspartame & acesulfame k) to this gum, that is NOT labeled as sugar-free???


The best was when my daughter wanted to chew Big League Chew this softball season, because all of the other girls on her team were. Well, here are the ingredients for this very popular gum too:
Sugar, Gum Base, Corn Syrup, Glycerol, Less than 2% of: Natural and Artificial Flavors, Tartaric Acid, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid, Colors (Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake), Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Corn Starch, BHT (to Maintain Freshness).

Another place where not so good ingredients & artificial ingredients are lurking-Children's Tylenol! Yup. Read the back of the box or bottle if you have some. We keep some on hand for EXTREME circumstances, but try to avoid at all costs. We never give this sort of "medicine" for a fever, as a fever is the body's way of killing the very germs that are invading your body (see here)! Yup, its true. Granted, use caution. A HIGH fever must be addressed, but there are many natural ways to lower a fever without the use of Tylenol.

list of ingredients here:
anhydrous citric acid, butylparaben, FD&C Red no.40, flavors, glycerin, high fructose corn syrup, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, propylene glycol (yes, the same ingredient in your anti-freeze folks), purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol solution, sucralose, xanthan gum.

See how they snuck that sucralose (aka splenda) there??? Can't get one past me! Not to mention, have you read the list of "warnings" that come with this type of product?

Long story short, it saddens me that so many products marketed to & for kids, like Big League Chew & Children's Tylenol contain such potentially harmful ingredients. Oh and you can't forget to add children's toothpaste to the list.  (side note: I searched & searched online for a list of ingredients in Colgate kids toothpaste, or one similar.  None to be found. If I want an ingredient list, I have to submit a request.  For me, if a company does not have FULL DISCLOSURE about that is included in their products, I will never, ever purchase them. Period.)  

How does all of this make you feel??

*All I want to do is share.  I'm not here to judge or say you are wrong and I am right.  That is never my intention.  Perhaps by learning something new, I have helped you in some way, shape or form.  

Spinach Ricotta Bites

I have shared this recipe NUMEROUS times, but they are SO tasty & it's SO easy I must share again~ SPINACH RICOTTA BITES!

Weelicious is a website I have been following for quite a number of years now.  I even won her cookbook when it came out last year.  I really love everything about Catherine & what she is all about.  

If you are stuck and don't know what to make for lunch (I should follow my own advice more often) she posts the most gorgeous photos of hundreds of ideas, all perfectly packed into a PlanetBox lunch box. You can become a fan of her page on Facebook and check out her photos, or just sign up for her daily emails.  Trust me, if you have kids, you won't regret it!

I made these yesterday again for the twins- they gobbled them up!!!  High in protein with some yummy healthy spinach thrown in!  ENJOY!

It is 7:48 am

I walked to our local bagel shop to grab some for the family. Digging my daily walks, by the way.

So I poured a coffee for myself. I turn around to fill my cup with ice. Low and behold, there is a girl barely tall enough to dispense the ice filling her medium sized cup with Coke, to the rim. And I'm pretty certain this was even a refill. She was maybe 5 or 6. 

5 or 6 years old sipping her caffeine and high fructose corn syrup and caramel color and carbonation and sodium benzoate. 

This is when I want to scream and shout and educate. This is when I want to run over to her mother to ask if she is aware her beautiful daughter is ingesting a stimulating sugary concoction that very may well cause her to be obese or suffer type 2 diabetes. But I didn't. 

Instead I'm using this blog post as an outlet. 

But wait. There's more.  I'm waiting at the cross walk. A cute boy is waiting on his bike to cross too. In hand, a brown paper bag with the Del Taco label. This is the food he is using to fuel his brain at 7:58 am (yes, I'm walking & typing. Cheers modern technology). 

This is why I worry about not only my own kids, but the future of all kids in America. If things like this don't change, I hate to say... Their future ain't looking so bright.

The ONE beverage I wish was never created & I wish would disappear ... soda.  What good does it do for your body?  Tell me one thing, and I'll go away... kidding!  But really, aside from keeping you awake if you drink the caffeinated kind, I'd love to hear one single solitary benefit to adding this to your diet. 

When somebody drinks a Coke watch what happens…

• In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
• 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment)
• 40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.
• 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
• >60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
• >60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.
• >60 minutes: As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like even having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth. *source: nutrition research center

*All I want to do is share. I'm not here to judge or say you are wrong and I am right. That is never my intention. Perhaps by learning something new, I have helped you in some way, shape or form.

Dirty vs. Clean

Have you heard of the Dirty Dozen+ & Clean Fifteen?

Basically, the dirty dozen is a list of the top 12 foods that contain the MOST pesticides & that you should ALWAYS eat organic, if possible.  Remember, the people spraying the crops wear those head to toe protective gear, with a gas mask, as they spray.  There is a reason.

Dirty Dozen+

1. apples
2. celery
3. cherry tomatoes
4. cucumbers
5. grapes
6. hot peppers
7. nectarines (imported)
8. peaches
9. potatoes
10. spinach
11. strawberries
12. sweet bell peppers
13. kale / collard greens
14. summer squash

The Clean Fifteen, are the one's safest to eat non-organic.

1. asparagus
2. avocado
3. cabbage
4. cantaloupe
5. corn
6. eggplant
7. grapefruit
8. kiwi
9. mango
10. mushroom
11. onion
12. papaya
13. pineapple
14. sweet peas (frozen)
15. sweet potatoes

Now go shopping, to your local farmer's market if you can... and get in those 9-13 servings a day!

source: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php

*All I want to do is share. I'm not here to judge or say you are wrong and I am right. That is never my intention. Perhaps by learning something new, I have helped you in some way, shape or form.

I realized...

*All I want to do is share. I'm not here to judge or say you are wrong and I am right. That is never my intention. Perhaps by learning something new, I have helped you in some way, shape or form.

I realized back in the day, when I sold Juice Plus 6+ years ago or so, I sent out monthly newsletters to my customers.  I still have all of these saved on my handy dandy laptop! I figured that here would be a great place to share bits & pieces of what is still relevant & important.

This one in particular about MSG (monosodium glutamate) is interesting because it comes in SO many hidden forms in our food.  See below:

Like aspartame, MSG is an excitotoxin, a substance that overexcites neurons to the poinyt of cell damage and, eventually, cell death. Humans lack a blood-brain barrier in the hypothalamus, which allows excitotoxins to enter the brain and cause damage, according to Dr. Russell L. Blaylock in his book Excitotoxins.  Here is an article written by Dr. Mercola on the subject too.  

HIDDEN FORMS OF MSG:

autolyzed yeast
calcium caseinate
hydrolyzed protein
gelatin
sodium caseinate
yeast extract

textured protein
carrageenan
vegetable gum
seasonings
spices

flavorings

natural flavorings
chicken flavoring
beef flavoring
pork flavoring

smoke flavoring
bouillon
broth
stock

barley malt

soy protein concentrate
soy sauce
soy extract

malt extract
malt flavoring
whey protein
whey protein isolate

whey protein concentrate
soy protein
soy protein isolate

Surprising huh??

Another biggie... partially hydrogenated oils.  Here is info from one of my mailers.

HYDROGENATED OIL (aka Partially Hydrogenated):

Hydrogenated fats contain another kind of fat that falls outside the saturated and unsaturated categories.  It’s called “trans fatty acids”.  For your arteries, trans fats are as bad as (or worse) than saturated fats.  Trans fats raise the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol, while reducing the level of HDL (good) cholesterol.  Trans fats have been shown to decrease the body’s ability to produce natural substances that regulate many of the body’s functions.  Trans fats and hydrogenated fats may interfere with the ability of the cells of the body to metabolize the fats that are good for you.  This may damage cell membranes of vital structures, such as the brain and nerve cells. 

Hydrogenated fats are widely used in restaurants for deep fat frying, so the French-fries so popular with children may be full of cholesterol raising trans fats even if the establishment claims it uses “100% vegetable oil” for cooking. (Source: www.askdrsears.com)

How Can I Recognize "Good" Fats?
Sources of "good fat" include almonds, cashews and omega-3 fats, found in fatty cold-water fish, fortified eggs, soy foods, flax, hemp seeds and walnuts. Extra-virgin olive oil, expeller-pressed canola oil, as well as flaxseed, walnut and hempseed oil are all good choices.

(Source www.drweil.com)

What are "Bad" Fats?

Sources of "bad fat" include animal fat and processed vegetable oils (trans-fats). These are often found in processed foods. Avoid: corn oil, cottonseed oil, anything hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, lard, margarine, palm or palm kernel oil, safflower, sunflower or soybean oil, vegetable oil and vegetable shortening. (Source www.drweil.com)