I'm Not A Supermom

One Mother’s Tragedy Is Another Mother’s Lesson

2012-02-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

The other day I was complaining about always having to clean up after my young son and all the messes a young child makes.

I have been over stressed lately and loaded down with extra work and I was feeling the strain. I was just plain worn out.

I complained to God about it and asked for His help in dealing with it all. God has a unique way of putting things back into perspective.

Yesterday I had to call a customer back who was having a bit of trouble with re-ordering. When I called, she was in the middle of helping to put together a photo memory board for a funeral – a funeral for a young boy she knew who had recently passed away from cancer.

Right then and there I felt the sting of the guilt over feeling overwhelmed and stressed from being a mom of a young boy and all the complaining I had done.

After I hung up, I cried. I cried for my son, for that mother and I cried for myself.

My heart broke for a mother I didn’t know. A woman who must be heartbroken beyond belief. A woman who is going through the nightmare I fear the most. A mother whose son may not be suffering anymore, but who would do anything, and give anything to have him back.

I felt the guilt on so many levels.

Guilt for having my healthy son while she had to watch her son die slowly from an evil disease.

Guilt over complaining about the many things my son does while she would give anything to have those troubles back.

Guilt over feeling grateful that I’m not going through that right now – my biggest fear which is losing my son.

And oddly enough, I felt guilty over needing this woman’s tragedy to teach me a lesson on how to be grateful for even the stressors and hardships that children can bring into our lives.

So tonight, as I listen to my son talk about his day, his wants and his toys, I try and soak up every ounce of him. I gaze into his bright, big eyes as if I were in a trance. I try and memorize every feature, every curve of his face even though I know it is constantly changing as he grows. I sit there in peaceful bliss.

As my son rattles off his prayers, I say a silent prayer to God asking for his forgiveness at my complaining about this precious, precious gift he has given me. I should never complain, ever.

I am then sharply reminded that at the same time I feel my son’s little arms wrapped around my neck, a grief stricken mother somewhere wearily leans on her son’s casket for support.

At the same time I sing a lullaby to my son, a broken hearted mother greets people with a forced smile, thanking them for coming.

While I tuck my son safely into bed and kiss him goodnight, another mother kisser her son for the last time.

The tears in my eyes are a mixed set. One of pure joy and gratefulness for my blessings and one of sorrow for another mother. As mothers ourselves, we are all connected to her and feel her pain.

As I remember this lesson I notice I speak a little softer, a little sweeter and my patience is a little longer. I think that may be God’s point.

God reminded me of something I already knew, but in the short term had forgotten – that children are so worth the effort and even when we think we can’t take one more minute of it, just the mere thought of them being taken away from us is enough to jerk us back into the state of extreme gratefulness.

May God always bless us with that jerk back into reality with just the thought of losing them and never with the reality of it.

11 Children Removed from Home in Texas – How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?

2012-02-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

There is a news report from Dayton, Texas where CPS came in and removed 11 children, some tied to beds, from their home. The ages ranged from 5 months to 11 years. They were not attending school, were never outside playing and were obviously living in an overcrowded and unhealthy environment.

You can read the whole story here: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10469420-11-children-some-tied-to-beds-removed-from-texas-home

There were 10 adults living there as well and none of these adults saw anything wrong with the way these children were living. And CPS had been out there before. Why did it take so long for them to discover this and take action? I’m sure there are many details we are not aware of.

The neighbors stated they were shocked to learn that there were even any children living there, let alone that many and who were obviously being mistreated. Some neighbors said, though they noticed some odd behaviors, they never knew what was really going on.

I find that sad and a little shocking. It would be hard to hide that many children and that many adults unless the neighbors constantly kept their heads down and refused to even be a little curious about their secretive neighbors. But we are now living in a “keep-to-ourselves” society.

I know in our neighborhood we mostly all keep to ourselves. Some of the older kids play together, but you rarely see any adults stopping to talk and there are some families who never interact with the other families at all.

We do occasionally stop and exchange pleasantries with some neighbors if we are out walking and we do know most of the kids names. Most all of us wave to each other as we drive by, but I have only been in one other house on this street and just briefly and I think only one neighbor has ever been in ours - once.

We are a busy family neighborhood and there have been some past problems between neighbors so that may contribute to the lack of involvement with each other. We haven’t had many problems ourselves, but there have been a few nasty disagreements between other neighbors. Because we do not wish to have those same problems with the neighbors ourselves, we have decided to stay out of it, not choose sides and remain private as politely as we can.

There is one large, extended family that has several kids who are rarely out playing, but it appears they are always coming home from school, then right back out to what I assume are extracurricular activities. Yes, it’s a little odd and I don’t care for how the children are constantly screamed at when they are out, but is it enough for us to call CPS? I would have to say hesitantly, no.

There is also a single mother on our street who will not speak to you even if you greet her and her children are never allowed to play with the other children. Why is she so secretive?

It is of course, our responsibility to report obvious child abuse. But what is obvious? I’m sure those neighbors in Texas are now thinking back to some odd circumstances they witnessed where things are more clearer now and wished they had called someone sooner.

I have to admit, because we tend to keep to ourselves we don’t really know what’s going on in other homes. Our child is too young to play with most of the children around here, so I couldn’t tell you much about those children and their families.

Now I know there are still neighborhoods where the residents still live and interact well, but I have noticed an ever increasing amount of people who state they really don’t know their neighbors.

How well do you know your neighbors? Do you think they are as normal as you are or do you think they have a dark side? Do you think they mistreat their children? These are some serious questions, but ones that we need to ask ourselves. Would you know if a child on your street was being mistreated? Would you have the guts to make that call if you did?

And what if you made a mistake and called CPS on a good family whose child really did fall off his bike and was not being abused? That missed diagnosis on your part could tear a good family apart and cause an untold amount of emotional damage.

There are so many grey areas that make it so hard to know what to do if you even notice anything to begin with.

It’s a sad fact that our lifestyle has caused many neighborhoods to not gel well and as we remain isolated, we are not only short changing our children on the experience of growing up with other families, but due to our lack of involvement with each other, we may be letting down the children who aren’t so fortunate.

Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas X, NoDoz Recall

2012-02-22T13:24:00.000-05:00

In case you are like me and didn't know that Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas X, NoDoz were recalled due to possible mixing of prescription meds and these meds, you may want to check out the manufacturer's sight http://www.novartisotc.com

I just finished filling out the form and packaging up my Excedrin for the recall.

Of course both bottles are half gone. Makes you wonder if what you took over the last few months was safe.

Scary.

Things We Say To Our Kids That Makes No Sense To Them

2012-02-17T13:35:00.002-05:00

When we are right in the thick of the parenting trenches we often say things out of desperation that makes absolutely no sense to our kids. The confused look on their faces says it all, but we all do it.

Do any of these sound familiar?

> Said to a baby or young child who won’t go to sleep – “Do you have any idea how tired I am?!”

> Often said in the heat of the moment – “If you don’t stop crying, I’m going to give you something to cry about!”

> Said to a child with separation anxieties. I have said this myself more than once – “Trust me honey, there is no back door in the bathroom. I have to come out the same way I went in.”

> Said usually before some type of punishment – “This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you.”

> Said in an attempt to justify your decision that your child does not like – “Because it is for your own good.”

> Said to a child who is learning to wipe himself – “You don’t need all that! Only a third of that will do!” (My husband caught me saying that to our son – like a 3 year old knows what a third is)

> Said with a nervous smile – “I know what I said, but you cannot tell Grandma that I said her hamburgers tasted like hockey pucks.”

> Said to an adolescent wanting to do everything her friends do – “And if your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?”

> And the favorite one is…..drum roll please….. ”Because I said so!”

Cool Video: Healthy Weight

2012-02-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

Check out this short, cool video that shows people who lost weight, but kept 100% of muscle!
Click on the picture below:

Helpful Tips for Better Living

2012-02-15T00:38:00.000-05:00

I’m trying out a new helpful tips newsletter. I hope you like it and will find the information helpful in your quest for better health and an easier life.

Please let me know your thoughts and if there are any subjects you would like to learn more about.

In this issue:

· Recipe – Cinch Strawberry Sorbet

· Get every last drop of your Enfuselle Time Repair A.M. out of the bottle

· Be kind to your heart

· Are you missing out on free money?

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Here is a great recipe to try that sounds yummy and right for you or the Valentine in your life who is trying to watch their waste line:

♥ Cinch Strawberry Sorbet

INGREDIENTS:

6 Scoops Cinch Strawberry Shake Mix

2 cups Nonfat milk or low fat soy milk

1 cup Fresh strawberries, cut into pieces

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Ice cream maker for home use. I don’t have an ice cream maker, but I’m thinking of getting one now! If you don’t either, this would make a delicious smoothie if mixed with some vanilla yogurt!

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Pour contents of blender into an ice cream maker and follow ice cream maker directions until mixture is the consistency of sorbet. Once your frozen treat is ready, scoop half the amount into a bowl or parfait dish to eat now or pour entire contents in a container and freeze for later use.

Makes 2 serving. Serving size is 1 cup

Calories per serving: 310

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

24 g protein

42 g carbohydrates

3 g fat

480 mg sodium

0mg cholesterol

8 g fiber

♥ Get every last drop of your Enfuselle Time Repair A.M. out of the bottle

The AM treatment comes in a great bottle, but when you get down to the bottom, we don’t always have the time in the morning to wait for that last little bit of wonderful lotion to slide down towards the opening. We have to get out the door now! Right? And setting it upside down just makes it all run into the cap then spill all over when you try and open it.

So how do you get the rest of it out without wasting it?

Use a Q-tip. Keep your bottle right side up and just use a Q-tip to swab out what you need and it’s a perfect applicator to dab with around your eyes.

♥ Be kind to your heart

Your heart is an amazing organ. It does so much for us and we barely give it a second thought till we have a problem and often times by then, the damage has been done.

Like a true love, it takes care of us and all it asks in return is for us to take care of it. And like love, it will eventually break if neglected long enough.

So don’t break your own heart – take care of it, be kind to it and love it as if your life depended on it – because it does.

Here are some helpful ways to be kind to your heart:

1. Watch what you eat.

A diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium—but high in fiber— promotes a healthy heart. Don’t think you can give up the fatty foods cold turkey? (pun intended) Even small changes implemented into your lifestyle slowly can make a big difference.

2. Achieve a healthy weight.

Too many calories and not enough exercise can promote weight gain. We all know that. Let’s face it. As much as we all would love to take that magic pill that will melt the fat away, it still comes down to this basic rule for weight loss – more calories burned than eaten will equal weight loss. Just make sure you are losing in such a way as to not lose muscle.

3. Stay Active.

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. An hour is better for losing weight, but 30 minutes is better than none. Even a simple, but brisk walk can make a big difference. Can’t walk or workout for 30 minutes? Try shorter times done more often. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. I bet you watched more than 30 minutes of commercials last night. Take that commercial time and get your heart working.

4. Take time for yourself.

As a busy mom, I know how easy it is to fall into that trap of never having enough time left over to take care of yourself, but you must. If you have everybody counting on you, then when your health fails you, that means they won’t have you anymore. And you know that no one can do all that you do as well as you do. So make sure to do one more thing for everyone else – take care of you! You are worth it, you know.

5. Laugh more.

Studies show laughing can relax blood vessels and contribute to a healthy heart. And besides, who doesn’t love a good laugh every day? Some days make take more effort to find something to laugh at, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find it.

6. Try supplementation. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure diet plays a huge role in getting those numbers lowered and the right supplements can help you achieve that. Contact us we will be happy to share what we have learned has worked for others.

Here are some products that others have had great results with:

Vitalizer – a great foundation made simple

Cholesterol Reduction Complex – Lowers cholesterol naturally

OmegaGuard – pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA.

CoQHeart - CoQ₁₀ is vital for energy production in the heart and promotes and protects healthy arteries

Cinch Weigh Loss – Keep muscle, burn fat, lose inches

♥ Are you missing out on free money?

You are if you aren’t taking advantage of the $25 credit off your order deal. Shaklee offers a $25 credit off of your next order for every person you refer who buys $25 or more. Plus that person you shared the benefits of Shaklee with and who wants to try it for themselves will get it at 15% off!

I wish our local grocery store would do that, don’t you?

Have a great rest of the month and enjoy the extra day we have this year!

Best wishes for good health,

Julie

tobehealthy.myshaklee.com

February Newsletter

2012-02-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

To read our February E-Newsletter click here > February Newsletter

In this issue:

“I used to have it! Where did it go?”

Have you ever set a goal to improve yourself both physically and mentally... only to find that you're slumped in a valley of fatigue?

You've lost it! You've lost your energy!

So... what causes fatigue? And more importantly, how can we banish it forever and regain the energy we used to have...

Also... Symptoms of fatigue...

Fatigue... What causes it? What you can do about it!

Fatigue is the most frequent reason people seek medical help. Around 20% of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with their efforts to live a normal life.

Are you tired just because you're getting older? Most holistic health practitioners don't think so. Most chronic exhaustion is caused by...

Find out the nine major reasons for fatigue and how you can combat them.

Plus... Where are you on the energy scale?

Energy & Vivix...

A new study on resveratrol, just published in Cell Metabolism, demonstrates that Vivix can have a major impact on your energy level. Dr. Jamie McManus reports...

Find out more about fatigue, energy and how Shaklee can help on this page...

As well as... Wow! Amazing new resveratrol study results...

Also featuring…

Can hand-washing dishes harm your health?

The toxins found in everyday household cleaners, such as dish soap, can be harmful to your health. These chemical toxins can cause a plethora of health complications...

So... why worry about the simple chore of hand-washing your dishes? Find out if your dish liquid is harming your health in this article...

Plus... Get Clean Dish Wash Liquid is so-o-o-o powerful!

To read about these important subjects in this edition click here > February Newsletter

Once you've read these articles, it’s easy to order the featured products! Just visit To Be Healthy or email us youtobehealthy@yahoo.com

To learn more about...

health, nutrition and fitness
cleaning products that are safe for you and for our planet
natural skin, personal and beauty care
water filtration
how you can work part-time for a full-time income... from the comfort of your home

...just email me at youtobehealthy@yahoo.com and we can send you free information.

Best wishes for good health,

Julie

P.S. If you know anyone who would like to receive our monthly E-Newsletters, please have them email us at youtobehealthy@yahoo.com and we will make sure they get their FREE COPY each month.

January Newsletter

2012-02-10T12:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, we are a little behind. OK, that may be a bit of an understatement, but we finally have our online newsletter.

If you want to sign up for our free newsletter to be sent to your email, just send us your email to youtobehealthy@yahoo.com and ask to be put our list.

So here is the first of our E-Newsletters!

Click here to read the January E-Newsletter online > January E-Newsletter

In this issue:

The “cleaning” job you can’t ignore...

Gentle detoxifying the Shaklee way...

Winter skin? Soothe it with…

Click here to read the January E-Newsletter online > January E-Newsletter

Once you've read these articles, it’s easy to order the featured products! Just visit our website To Be Healthy or email us at youtobehealthy@yahoo.com

You can learn more about...

health, nutrition and fitness
cleaning products that are safe for you and for our planet
natural skin, personal and beauty care
water filtration
how you can work part-time for a full-time income... from the comfort of your home

...just email me at youtobehealthy@yahoo.com and we would be happy to send you more information.

Best wishes for good health,

Julie

P.S. If you know anyone who would benefit by receiving our Newsletters, just have them send us their email address to youtobehealthy@yahoo.com and we will make sure they get their FREE COPY each month.

Note: This is not a spam but a service to Shaklee friends and family. To remove your name, simply reply to this email and type REMOVE in the subject line.

2012-02-08T13:15:00.000-05:00

If you want to know how to prevent -

60% of all Cancer related deaths
80% of all Heart Disease in women
90% of Type 2 Diabetes

Then watch this short video on how to do that and more: Why Supplement

Want more information? Just email us imnotasupermom@yahoo.com we will be happy to help!

Don't forget to ask for our FREE newsletter!

February Health Update: Ten Lifestyle Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Heart

2012-02-04T12:28:00.001-05:00

February is Heart Month: a reminder to all that heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death.

Although we can’t change some risk factors, such as age and heredity, many factors – including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity – can be modified, thus significantly lowering the risk of heart disease.

And because lifestyle habits (e.g. diet, exercise, and appropriate supplementation) can strongly influence these modifiable risk factors, here are 10 lifestyle strategies you can implement to promote a healthy heart.

See afterwards, how Shaklee can help you achieve these goals.

1. Make more healthful food choices.

One of the best weapons for fighting off heart disease is eating a healthful diet, particularly one rich in whole grains, legumes, fish, nonfat or low-fat dairy products, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and choosing lean meats. And choose organic as much as you can to cut down on chemical intake.

2. Lose the belly fat and keep it off.

This fat, also known as visceral fat, may in fact be the most dangerous fat you can have. It’s been linked to high cholesterol, high insulin, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and other health problems.

Lose the belly fat and keep it off by following a sensible weight-management program designed to preserve muscle mass while promoting fat loss, especially around the waist.

3. Get more of the “sunshine” vitamin.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is made in the body when the rays of the sun are absorbed by the skin. Health care professionals and nutrition research scientists have known for years that this vitamin is needed for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus to help build and maintain strong bones.

Studies also indicate that a vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, above and beyond established cardiovascular risk factors such as blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

4. Go fishing with omega-3 fatty acids.

You need a certain amount of oils and fats in your diet, as they supply calories and help our bodies absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and E.

It's important to choose healthier unsaturated fats – also known as mono- and polyunsaturated fats – because eating too much and the wrong kinds of saturated and trans fats may raise the bad LDL cholesterol and lower the good HDL cholesterol, which can increase your risk of high blood pressure, a narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attack, and stroke.

One type of polyunsaturated fat is omega-3, which can help prevent clotting of blood, reducing the risk of stroke. It can also help lower triglycerides, a type of blood fat linked to heart disease.

5. Protect your body against free radicals and oxidative stress.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease in which plaques build up in the walls of arteries. Over time, these plaques can lead to a complete obstruction to blood flow or suddenly rupture, causing a blood clot to form and leading to a total blockage of the artery.

The development of atherosclerosis is complicated, but the primary event seems to be repeated, subtle injury to the artery‘s wall through various mechanisms.

Some researchers believe that oxidative stress and free radical damage to the walls of blood vessels is the initial insult that causes this disease.

Many nutrients such as vitamins C and E, and the mineral selenium, are potent antioxidants that work to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and scavenge free radicals, so getting adequate amounts of these nutrients is another important strategy for promoting cardiovascular health.

6. Boost your phytonutrient intake.

Eat your fruit and vegetables; they’re good for you! Population studies from around the world suggest that diets rich in fruit and vegetables protect against heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

The goodness of these foods comes not only from the essential nutrients they contain but also from the array of phytonutrients they provide.

These phytonutrients impart the tastes, aromas, and colours of food. They also have profound physiological effects in the body, acting as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, mimicking hormones, and suppressing the development of disease.

Scientific research has revealed that phytonutrients called flavonoids (resveratrol, catechins, and ellagic acid) may act as potent antioxidants, inhibit inflammation, and help slow down cellular aging.

Another class of phytonutrients – the carotenoids lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene – also exerts potent antioxidant activity, possibly helping reduce the risk of heart disease and other conditions such as age-related eye disease and cancer.

7. Fill up on fiber.

Another reason a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with a decreased risk of disease is that these foods are also a great source of dietary fiber.

There are two types of fiber in foods, and we need both. Insoluble fiber, found in the outer layer of grains such as wheat bran, promotes a healthy digestive system and colon health.

Heart health benefits come from soluble fiber, the type of fiber found in oats and apples. Increasing soluble fiber intake helps lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

8. Find a friend in Coenzyme Q10.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance found in every human cell. It's involved in key biochemical reactions that produce energy in cells.

It also acts as an antioxidant, working with vitamins E and C to protect cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage. Although the body is capable of making its own CoQ10, production slows as we age.

Cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g., statins) also block the body’s ability to make CoQ10, and supplementation has been shown in clinical studies to improve cardiac function in people with existing heart conditions such as congestive heart failure.

9. Get moving.

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for developing heart disease, and research studies indicate that more than 60% of adults don’t engage in the recommended amount of regular physical activity.

In fact, 25% of all adults aren't active at all. If you’re one of them, it’s time to get moving.

Regular physical activity promotes a healthy heart in so many ways: it helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, helps control weight, reduces anxiety, and improves blood circulation.

Do your heart a favor and try to get 30 minutes or more of physical activity most days of the week.

If you haven’t been active for some time, or have a chronic health problem such as existing heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, be sure to consult your physician before beginning a new exercise program.

10. Take time to de-stress.

There’s no denying we live in a stressful world, and most of us experience stress on a daily basis.

Whether it’s physical or emotional stress, your body reacts in the same way: it sets off its “fight or flight” response. As a result, stress hormones are released, increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose in an attempt to provide our body with an increased energy supply.

Over time, this chronic stress response wreaks havoc: slowing digestion, weakening immune function, and increasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Take time, then, to de-stress your life. Start by getting more sleep and ending those unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking too much, and overeating.

Think about what you truly must get done, set priorities, and learn to say no.

And, finally, don’t forget to exercise (a great stress reducer) and incorporate relaxation and deep-breathing techniques into your daily routine.

Your heart will love you for it.

Below are some ways Shaklee can help you achieve these goals. Just click on the links for more info:

1. Shaklee’s ingredients are always organic and never contain any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives.

2. Cinch Weight Loss Program is an easy and delicious way to lose those unwanted pounds.

3. Shaklee has increased the amounts of Vitamin D in its multi formulas, but you can also add additional Vitamin D with Vita-D3.

4. Shaklee’s EPA & DHA product, OmegaGuard delivers a full spectrum of ultra-pure, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Arm yourself with the best antioxidants Vitamin C & Vitamin E.

6. Make up for a lack of fruits and vegetables with CarotoMax that has a rare blend of alpha carotene, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin delivering of a broad spectrum of carotenoids; and with FlavoMax that has flavonoids which are powerful water-soluble plant nutrients that deliver potent antioxidant protection to the blood and blood rich tissues, especially the liver and intestines.*

7. Shaklee has some wonderful and easy to take fiber supplements as well as some other great products that help with digestive health.

8. New Triple Strength CoQHeart with Q-Trol™, delivers a powerful 100 mg of CoQ₁₀ plus resveratrol in a bioavailable softgel.

9. Share Shaklee with a walking buddy or a workout partner and help improve the lives of the people you care about.

10. Try Shaklee’s Stress Relief Complex for those really hard days.

There you have it – some ways to help improve your heart health and ways Shaklee can make it easier.

Your heart works hard for you ever second of your life – return the favor by giving it what it needs.

Love your heart and it will love you back.

If you would like more information, please contact us by emailing at imnotasupermom@yahoo.com.

To Your Good Health,

Julie

* 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.

Info from Shaklee Health Sciences Feb 2009 by Dr. Jamie McManus

PROJECT MAHMA SATURDAY OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE CALL

2012-02-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

PROJECT MAHMA SATURDAY OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE CALL
Saturday, February 4, 2012 | 10:00 AM (CT)

	Call Information

	Saturday, February 4, 2012 8 a.m. Pacific \| 9 a.m. Mountain \| 10 a.m. Central \| 11 a.m. Eastern DIAL: 212-990-8000 (PIN: 6262#)

Tune in for an encore presentation of the Best of Project MAHMA Call this Saturday, featuring Tara Dulin, Senior Coordinator from Tennessee, and her team. Tara is a proud wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to two sons -- six and four years old. When her husband's business was negatively impacted by the recent economic downturn, Tara, a former management consultant, turned her family's financial circumstances around in just six months by participating in FastTRACK. She is now driving a brand new Shaklee bonus car, and she also earned two trips with Shaklee this year – the New Directors Conference at Shaklee World Headquarters in Northern California and the Dream 2011 Incentive Trip to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

Tara is passionate about sharing the gift of natural health, and helping others turn their financial dreams into their reality. Tara's ultimate goals include funding her family's (still pending) adoption, and becoming a Master Coordinator.

Heard on the call with Tara are:

Melissa Chernisky (Senior Director, OH). Melissa left a career in the financial services industry to stay home with her two sons, now five and two years old. She is also a first-year homeschooling mom. Shaklee has not only improved her family's overall health, but it has also improved their lifestyle. Melissa's goals include helping others attain financial freedom, while funding her family's passion for travel and serving others philanthropically.

Lucinda Coblentz (Director, MI). Lucinda earned almost $1000, and broke out as a FastTRACK Director in her first full month with Shaklee. She is currently employed as a medical assistant. Lucinda enjoys sharing Shaklee's fantastic income opportunity with others, as the rapid growth of her team indicates. Lucinda is happily married, and her goal is to improve her financial position, thus enabling her to be at home with her future children.

Elizabeth Taylor (Associate, VA). Elizabeth has one daughter, age six. As a single mom, Elizabeth left her financial services career behind to maximize the Dream Plan opportunity, and live her dream of having the freedom to volunteer at her daughter's school, meet her daughter for lunch, and pick her up from school. Elizabeth loves helping others reach their health and financial goals, and she especially enjoys helping other moms who feel stuck, improve their circumstances.

ALTERNATE CALL IN NUMBERS:
In the unlikely event that you experience a busy signal when trying to access the call this weekend, please try one of these alternate call-in numbers: 1-212-990-4000, or 1-212-990-2300. The PIN for both of these lines is the same as the main number: 6262#

What is Project MAHMA?

Project MAHMA(Moms at Home Making A Difference…and a Lot of Money!) is a global coalition of moms (and dads) who are earning an income from home and giving themselves the gift of freedom— including more time with their families—while at the same time offering others the gift of better health and a better life.

We are:

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After the call, if you would like more information or are ready to get started just email me at imnotasupermom@yahoo.com and tell me how I can help you!

Julie

FREE E-Newsletter

2012-02-03T11:34:00.002-05:00

We can send you a free monthly E-Newsletter on Health & Wellness including info on Women's Health, Children's Health, Weight Loss, Sports Nutrition & More!

Just email us at imnotasupermom@yahoo.com with your name and email address and state you want to subscribe to our E-Newsletter.

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2012-01-30T14:10:00.000-05:00

What's as painful as a root canal without anesthesia?
Shoe shopping with a little boy.
Another mom heard me mutter under my breath, "Just shoot me now" and she laughed as her little boy's disgusted look on his face was the same as my son's.

2012-01-24T21:26:00.000-05:00

We are learning opposites here. Up, down; front, back, etc.
3 1/2 year old son: "Look Mama. I have a little hand, you have a big hand."
I said, "Yes. And see my foot is bigger than your foot, but someday your foot will be bigger than mine."
Son: "And I have a cute little butt and you have a great, BIGGGGGG butt!"
My answer: "Gee, nothing gets by you does it?"

All I Really Need to Know I Learned from CandyLand

2012-01-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

Though I secretly moan to myself when my son brings out Candyland to play, it does teach some really good life lessons. Jen from 4tuante has some really great ideas about the game of Candyland.

Check this link out. It may have you re-thinking about dreading the game!

4Tunate - All I Really Need To Know I Learned from Candyland

2012-01-23T08:36:00.000-05:00

A typical start to a day in a house with a little boy like mine.....
"Watch this Mama!" CRASH! BOOM! Then an "OWWWWWWW!!"
Then, an evaluation of whether 911 is going to be the next number I call.
If I could just have an ounce of that energy...just think of all that I could get done!

I Taught My Son the Value of Fixing Over Just Throwing Out & Buying Another One

2012-01-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

My 3 year old son only has 2 pairs of shoes – one pair he wears to school and out to other places and a pair of waterproof work type boots (just like his daddy’s) that he wears outside for playing in the mud and such.

Now before you think he is deprived, he does have a pair of insulated winter boots for the snow season.

Still thinking he’s deprived?

Why does he need 5+ pair shoes? He’s 3 and will be outgrowing them before he wears them out!

I have heard many parents talking about how they just had to get those shoes because they were so cute! After all, retailers have done a pretty good job at brainwashing us to think our kids need to have at least seven different pairs to wear, lest someone else think we were being uncouth for wearing the same pair more than once in a week.

I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that my son’s pre-school doesn’t keep a fashion offense folder. Now I know, little girls have different, often color coordinated outfits that require matching shoes, right? But that leads into another topic of how many outfits does one toddler need?

Back to shoes.

I don’t have that many pairs of shoes myself. I have a pair of athletic shoes, a pair of boots and maybe 2 pairs of dress shoes. Oh wait, I am a little excessive, I bought myself a cheap pair of dress boots recently. Think I am fashionably challenged? Maybe so, but I just choose to spend my money on other things other than multiple pairs of shoes I never wear.

I wonder how many people have not only a closet shoe rack, but also an under the bed shoe organizer in addition to an over the door shoe organizer hidden behind the closet door. There’s a reason why those organizing items are such a hot buy – so many people have a shoe fetish and they are teaching their kids the need to have multiple pairs, too!

When as a country, did we think we needed excessive amounts of anything just to get by?

I remember as a child we only had two maybe three pairs of shoes. One pair for school, one for church and one for playing, which usually were the old pair of school shoes. When they got dirty and scuffed up, we were handed some rags and shoe polish and were instructed in the fine art of shining shoes. Slave labor or a lesson in frugality?

My son’s play boots have laces, but also a zipper making them fit better. His one boot zipper had been pulled too hard and came off the one side. Thinking they may have been broke for good, I sighed as I said we may have to go shoe shopping to buy him another pair. I was disappointed at having to spend money when these hadn’t even worn out.

My son, not caring about the money, but viewing the act of shoe shopping as being on the same level as having a splinter removed, asked the million dollar question, “Mama, can’t you just fix them?”

I thought, why not? I shouldn’t succumb to the notion that once broke, we just throw it away and buy another one. That kind of thinking has contributed to the fact that we have an overabundance of cheap goods, being made outside of this country, contributing to lost jobs and goods that are basically…..well….crap.

What happened to the time when we fixed what was broke, wore things, drove cars and used up stuff till there was nothing left? Then we took the scraps and made something new out of them. That was true recycling and it wasn't just recycling materials, we recycled our money making it stretch further. This ultimately allowed us to get more for our dollar than we do now and it taught us to rely on ourselves more thereby making us collectively stronger.

If I sound a little preachy, well that may be an accurate accusation, but I am proud that I am teaching my son the value of a dollar comes in more than one fashion. I am teaching him that you can learn to fix things yourself, making what you spent your money on last longer.

And I did. I managed to fix the zipper, much to his amazement and mine. But he doesn’t care about that. He’s too busy jumping up and down for joy over the fact he isn’t being drugged to the shoe store.

Oh wait, he now has come to me with a broken toy stating he thinks it’s time we go to the toy store and get a new one………sigh. I have a long way to go.

Oh, I get it now! Women view shoe shopping as therapy!

Julie

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2012-01-06T13:36:00.002-05:00

Before I became a mom, when I would see a child acting up in public, I would say to myself, “Why can’t they control their child?”

Now that I am a mom, when I see a child acting up in public I say, “Gee, I’m glad it’s not my kid this time!”

Possible Cure for Leukemia Found in Fish Oil??

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

My Note: I caution you on the title of this press release as it is a leap from curing leukemia in mice to curing it in humans. However, this is very promising and a glimmer of hope. Human clinical trials will be starting soon, so if you or someone you know is interested, they should contact their doctor to see about getting added to the list.

Fish oil has many benefits and it would be wonderful if this could be added to its long list of health benefits, but of course more research is needed. The great part is, fish oil would not interfere with any medications being taken, allowing the patient to experience a possible successful treatment without having to stop current treatments.

I highly recommend printing this out and taking it to your doctor so he/she can look into this research further and offer to help get you in touch with the those conducting the clinical trials.

Leukemia is such a frightening disease, especially to those of us who are parents. I pray to see a cure for it, wherever it may come from, in my lifetime.

Possible Cure for Leukemia Found in Fish Oil

by Press Release : Dec 29, 2011 : Pennsylvania State University

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222103112.htm

"We have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice. The important thing is that the mice were completely cured of leukemia with no relapse." -Sandeep Prabhu

NOTE FROM FOUNDING EDITOR: I'm sorry for those of you whom this discovery may be coming too late. Though it may take some time before the patent is approved, if it is granted, its value will be beyond comprehension, both in what it will accomplish and its monetary worth. -Steve Shultz

(Pennsylvania) - A compound produced from fish oil that appears to target leukemia stem cells could lead to a cure for the disease, according to Penn State researchers.

The compound - delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3 - targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, in mice, said Sandeep Prabhu, associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology in the Department of Veterinary and Medical Sciences. The compound is produced from EPA - Eicosapentaenoic Acid - an Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and in fish oil, he said. (Photo: The compound shown above is D12-PGJ2, which closely resembles delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3, a compound that targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML in mice. Credit: Sandeep Prabhu)

"Research in the past on fatty acids has shown the health benefits of fatty acids on cardiovascular system and brain development, particularly in infants, but we have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice," said Prabhu. "The important thing is that the mice were completely cured of leukemia with no relapse."

The researchers, who released their findings in the current issue of Blood, said the compound kills cancer-causing stem cells in the mice's spleen and bone marrow. Specifically, it activates a gene - p53 - in the leukemia stem cell that programs the cell's own death.

"p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates the response to DNA damage and maintains genomic stability," Prabhu said.

Killing the stem cells in leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, is important because stem cells can divide and produce more cancer cells, as well as create more stem cells, Prabhu said.

The current therapy for CML extends the patient's life by keeping the number of leukemia cells low, but the drugs fail to completely cure the disease because they do not target leukemia stem cells, said Robert Paulson, associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, who co-directed this research with Prabhu.

"The patients must take the drugs continuously," said Paulson. "If they stop, the disease relapses because the leukemia stem cells are resistant to the drugs."

Current treatments are unable to kill the leukemia stem cells, Paulson said.

"These stem cells can hide from the treatment, and a small population of stem cells give rise to more leukemia cells," said Paulson. "So, targeting the stem cells is essential if you want to cure leukemia."

During the experiments, the researchers injected each mouse with about 600 nanograms of D12-PGJ3 each day for a week. Tests showed that the mice were completely cured of the disease. The blood count was normal, and the spleen returned to normal size. The disease did not relapse.

In previous experiments, the compound also killed the stem cells of Friend Virus-induced leukemia, an experimental model for human leukemia.

The researchers focused on D12-PGJ3 because it killed the leukemia stem cells, but had the least number of side effects. The researchers currently are working to determine whether the compound can be used to treat the terminal stage of CML, referred to as Blast Crisis. There are currently no drugs available that can treat the disease when it progresses to this stage.

The researchers, who applied for a patent, are also preparing to test the compound in human trials.

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Why Do I Take Shaklee Supplements?

2012-01-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

Many people have asked why I take vitamin supplements and why Shaklee’s.

The reason I take vitamin supplements is because even though I try and eat right, it is nearly impossible to do. The guideline is to follow the www.choosemyplate.gov. The Choose My Plate guidelines are good to follow, but it is extremely hard to do so on an everyday basis.

Why? Well, I’m a realist. Trying to find fresh, organic whole foods in the Midwest in the middle of winter that has all the nutrients I need is virtually impossible. Even if I could, I doubt I could afford it. I try and buy fresh, organic food when I can and when it’s on sale, but I can’t do so every day. It’s just too expensive.

Then there’s the fact I admit I don’t live like a purist. I eat refined sugar, though not as much as some. I eat red meat, though again not as much as I used to. I do try to eat right most of the time, but hey, I sometimes eat a hotdog or two with chips and a pop, too. So see, I’m not perfect and I’m not going to “preach” to you either. I just try and do the best I can and fill in the gaps with good supplementation.

I also live in the city and not on the farm. Factor in the many other reasons and that is why I take vitamin supplements. Notice that they are called “supplements”. Vitamins are designed to supplement a good diet, not replace it. You can’t eat donuts and drink pop exclusively and expect to be healthy.

Now, the reason I take Shaklee supplements is because in my opinion they are the best. No other company can match their extensive scientific testing and research. I believe no one can match their quality control measures and their high standard of manufacturing. To learn more on how Shaklee goes above and beyond check out their Health Sciences information page.

Watch this Shaklee Difference video, and get an inside look at Shaklee product development and delivery through the eyes of the Shaklee Scientific Advisory Board, Shaklee Independent Distributors and Dr. Jaime McManus, Dr. Carsten Smidt, Cindy Latham, Les Wong, Doug Debernardi, ingredient suppliers and more. Find out why world-class athletes turn to Shaklee for top performance.

I have come back from some pretty serious health challenges and I didn’t start to improve until I started a vitamin regimen of Shaklee’s supplements. I no longer take any pain medication and I continue to improve my health through better eating habits when I can, exercising and supplementing my diet with the best.

Everyone who has tried Shaklee’s supplements has said they noticed a dramatic improvement in their health and the way they feel. What is really great it they come with a 100% money back guarantee if the product ever fails to live up to your expectations.

When you pick Shaklee, you will know three things to be true. It is always safe. It always works. And it is always green. That's the Shaklee Difference.

I Want to Lose Weight………Now!!

2012-01-04T08:51:00.000-05:00

When it comes to weight loss how fast is fast enough for you?

In the beginning we are all “Gung Ho” aren’t we?

We make good choices about what we eat, we are exercising and we are hopeful every time we step on the scale.

But for some, like me, that number we see staring back up at us may not be going down as fast as we think it should.

For others, that number may have started out dropping fast, but has now stopped.

For some others, maybe that number hasn’t even dropped at all.

So, how fast is fast enough? I know for me, I like to see results fast, and who doesn’t, right? The hard part is watching and waiting to see the results which can take up to two weeks for some people! Ugh! It takes all the strength I have not to beat the daylights out of that scale!

How do we stay motivated when we aren’t seeing results fast enough?

One thing to remember is, you didn't put all that weight on overnight, so don't expect to lose it overnight either.

Fast weight loss rarely lasts and is really unhealthy. When you lose weight fast, it’s usually water, which means you could be de-hydrating yourself and you can also lose muscle. Losing muscle is not what you want to do. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn.

The best way to lose weight is how you put it on – one pound at a time. The average weight loss is about 2 pounds a week, give or take a pound or two.

2 pounds a week may not sound like much, but it's the surest way to keep it off.

Some weeks you will lose more and some weeks you will lose less. Women especially tend to lose weight at a slower rate than men and our weight tends to fluctuate depending on the time of the month.

So that week before your period, don’t beat yourself up too much if you see that number grow by 3-5 pounds. Just keep on what you are doing and after your period you should see a nice decrease in the scale numbers.

When it comes to weight loss, slow and steady does win the race. It may not be exciting, it can be frustrating at times, but if we shift our focus from short term to long term, then it will be easier for us to see our progress.

Remember, we put it on a pound at a time. That is exactly how we need to lose it.

Keep up the good work!

Julie

For less than $3 per meal - Lose the weight or your money back!

Keep the muscle you have. Burn the fat you don’t need. Lose the inches you don’t want.

With Cinch! Try it now for 3 months and get the 4^th month FREE!

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Happy New Year! And There are some great things on the way!

2012-01-03T07:20:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everybody!

I'm a bit belated in my wishes, but it's because I have been working on some new ideas for everyone.

We will be having some upcoming posts on easy ways to get healthier and lose weight.
Yes, it's that time of year again when many of us "Try Again" to get fit.

I, too have fallen off the wagon when it comes to losing weight and getting fit. I allowed stress, and the day to day busyness of life to creep in and wreck my schedule.
My frustration grew right along with the pounds that slowly crept back on.
If you've been there, then you know how defeated it can make you feel and how easy it is to just let things go.

But, I have a new sense of purpose, I am ready to re-start and I'm looking for others who are ready, too. I'm looking for other people who, like me, are busy beyond belief and who live in the real world.
We (let alone our families) don't eat Tofu, we don't have 3 hours a day to work out, we’re crunched for time and out of dinner ideas and we can't always afford a personal trainer to "whip" us into shape.
All we have is ourselves....and each other.

So let’s band together and share our goals and the things that work for us. We can also hold out a hand to a friend and hoist them back up if they fall off the wagon.

Studies have proven that those who seek out other people whose goals are the same, and they work together to achieve those goals are more successful than those who try and do it alone.

So, if you are looking for some easy ways to get healthier this year and are looking for some friends to help you through it, then come back often and see what we will have.

Please feel free to share your goals, your dreams of a better you and maybe some tips to help others who are right there with you.

If you are on Facebook, we now have a new group called "Time To Be Healthy"
This new group is open to anyone whose goal is to finally get healthy.
Whether it is to lose weight, kick a bad habit like smoking, or just get fit, this is the place to come.
You can state your goals, share what's working for you and find plenty of support.

Come Join Us!

Julie

Cell Phones and 3,092 People

2011-12-14T07:14:00.000-05:00

‎3,092 people died last year due to crashes involving cell phone use.

Everyone of those people was someone's child, someone's mom or dad, a loved one. Somewhere someone is grieving a senseless loss because someone just had to read that incoming text.

Was it worth it?

Next time, it could be you or your child who dies.

Now, is it worth it?

Let's put down the phones people, while driving.

No call or text is worth your life, your children's life or someone else's child's (like mine) life.

I see so many people doing this, it scares me.

Please stop!

Help a Small Child Countdown to Christmas

2011-12-07T09:43:00.000-05:00

If you have a toddler, preschooler or kindergartener then you know how hard it is for them to wait for Christmas. This tree can help little ones countdown to the big day and help them learn number recognition.

My 3 year old was always disappointed every morning he woke up and saw that Santa hadn’t been here yet. He was having a hard time understanding that he had to wait till the 25th.

To make this really simple project all you need is some green construction paper, some round white stickers and a small red stamp that has a design of a decorative ornament on it.

Cut out your tree, no need to be perfect, or if your child is old enough, have them cut it out.

Then take a sheet of circle shaped white stickers and number them from 1 to 25.

Then have your child put the stickers on himself. It’s OK if the numbers get put on upside down, it’s their project and it adds to the charm if it’s not perfect.

Then have them stamp off the numbers each day adding an ornament to the tree every time they stamp a day off. My son is quick to remind me we have to stamp off another day.

We hang ours on the refrigerator and I keep the stamp out of my son’s reach so I don’t end up with “ornament stamps” all over my house.

Try this easy project and watch your children get excited as they stamp off the days one by one.

Enjoy!

Julie

Rough Morning

2011-12-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

It has been one of those mornings.

You know the kind, where literally everything goes wrong starting with the sleepless night you had before.

Today I’m not sure if my name is Mom or Monster.

My 3 ½ year old decided this morning was a good morning to pick a fight, dig his heels in and refuse to do anything I wanted starting with breakfast and it just got worse from there.

I picked the wrong morning to pick a fight, dig my heels in and refuse to do anything my toddler wanted starting with breakfast and it just got worse from there.

These mirror images of each other set us up for World War 3.

He and I both did one thing together though – we both lost our cool.

It was ugly and I mean ugly. I’m sure you could see the mushroom cloud from space.

He screamed and threw a fit, I tried rationalizing, pleading then finally yelling and I yelled loud.

When it came to getting what I wanted done it was a disaster. I used every threat I could come up with, stopping short of any physical threat of course. I couldn’t get him to do what I wanted to do and he couldn’t get what he wanted so the battle lines were drawn.

I’m sure the Mother of the Year award is out of reach now, not that I ever thought I would even be nominated anyway.

I just believe that when you make a reasonable request, the child should follow it. At least what I believe to be reasonable. What’s reasonable to a toddler is an entirely different thing.

I just know that there are things that if you the parent, cave on, then the behavior will be that much worse the next time you make a request.

How did it get so bad? I refused to let him “win.” And he wasn’t willing to let me “win”. That’s it, plain and simple. Neither one of us was willing to budge as we both watched the clock ticking away, counting down the time for when we had to leave for school. To say we are alike would be an understatement and never as much as when we are both being too strong willed for our own good.

After the battle, we finally met in the middle, a place where both exhausted sides could compromise a little. We were still able to hold on to our dignity and feel like we both won, if just a little. But how pathetic is that? I mean, a mother and son should never go to war against each other. I should be his backup, not his enemy. How could I have been so stupid as to fight over something so insignificant? Was it really that important he do what I said for him to do? I thought about how awful it would be if something happened to him today and his last memory of me was us fighting. I literally felt sick.

When we had calmed down, I sat on the floor and held him tight in a hug. I apologized for losing my temper and yelling things I shouldn’t have and explained my reasons. I let him explain his, but I never really got any apology from him and being he is a young child I felt foolish for expecting one. He naturally did what all children do; he lost interest in the conversation and changed the subject.

We went to pre-school and I stayed while he did the first two activities. I explained to the teachers why I wanted to stay for a short time, stating we had a really rough morning. Bless them for their insight as it must have been written all over my face.

They both said they understood and said they have been there with their own children before and to not take it as being a bad mom. They said sometimes, it’s just the situation and no one can have the perfect answer all the time. They shared examples of where they “blew it” which made me feel a little better, but not much. I said I wanted to stay as a feeble attempt to make sure he knows I love him and I’m interested in what he’s doing, but it was probably more for my own selfish reasons in an effort to feel less guilty.

The fact that he was being defiant and that I was not willing to budge caused such a rift between us. I now am plagued with guilt and sit here in tears and in shame for my lack of being the parent in a bad situation.

Not only am I not Supermom, there are times like these where I don’t even feel I’m a decent mom. I want to be though. I really, really want to be a good mom! More than anything, for I know if I mess up being a mom, nothing else I ever accomplish will mean anything.

I have to stop writing now, as I only have an hour left before I have to go and pick him up. That doesn’t leave much time to finish crying and get my work done. But I am sure of one thing, I will be the first parent in line to pick him up. I can’t wait to see him, hug him and tell him how much I love him and to say I’m sorry about his luck at drawing me to be his mom.

Signed,

One bad and sad mom.