Taco Bell-ch

http://terrysnotebook.blogspot.com/

It takes a lot to surprise me these days, and when I saw that Taco Bell was being sued for their potential stretch in using the word beef for something that might not qualify... Well, I thought that to be somewhat humorous, especially since I prefer the chicken products and since I have been playing with fast food for a few months on my other Blog.  It seemed humorous, until I read the full story and then checked out the ingredients page for Taco Bell products.

What first caught my eye was the "anti-dusting agent" and "maltodextrin". Hmmmmm? Of course, we all know that there are a lot of chemicals, compounds and additives going into our foods, especially into our fast foods in order to improve taste, maintain quality and preserve them for long periods of time... You did know that, didn't you?  It seems that the anti-dusting agent and maltodextrin were not the worse things that I would find in my research.


Part of the chemistry experiment that gives us Taco Bell's "Seasoned Ground Beef" includes "fiber" for our diet, in the way of silicon dioxide.  Ok, perhaps my technical understanding of the use of silicon dioxide is too limited to understand the use and safety of this chemical compound that is commonly found in nature as sand or quartz. AND, is more commonly used in the production of glass and optical "fiber"! LOL  Seriously! Check it out at this link.  

Check out the ingredients for yourself at this Taco Bell link.  

As I said at the beginning, I thought this to be humorous because I prefer the chicken products from Taco Bell... Until I read that silicon dioxide was also used in the chicken products, rice, chilli and others, but no more than 2%... Is it just me, or does 2% seem like a lot? 

I will say this for Taco Bell, they have a very detailed list of ingredients and are quite possibly more forth coming and up front than most fast food chains.  They might not be required to list all of these ingredients because of the FDA’s GRAS policy (generally recognized as safe).  A policy that is over my head!

One thing that is not over my head, is the growing trend toward creating the best tasting food that is not necessarily good for you. Looking at labels and understanding ingredients is important for my family because my daughter has Prader-Willi Syndrome.  We are the lucky ones, forced to be health conscious and we have discovered a great company to help us. Shaklee is committed to providing natural nutrition and green cleaning products, plus so much more. Over 80,000 quality tests annually, with a history of over 50 years of helping families.

Isn't it time you took a, run... from the border, and started thinking, outside the... restaurant?

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids

Have It Your Way... In 2011!

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce... "Have it your way"!  Can I get mold with mine???

I have been conducting an experiment and reporting on it in my other Blog "Terry' Notebook". It started with hamburgers 63 days ago because I saw a presentation that included as a prop, an eleven year old McDonald's hamburger. Being the skeptic that I am, I had to see for myself whether a hamburger could actually last eleven years without molding, so I started the "Terry Guinn, Hamburger Experiment".  It was soon followed by the "Terry Guinn, French Fry Experiment".  After researching the processing of these fast foods and finding no real excitement (and very little mold) in these experiments, I started the "Terry Guinn, Mold Watch Experiment".  

I spent 63 days so far, watching and waiting for 4 hamburgers to mold.

Now I have 4 hamburgers that will likely outlive me and be passed on to future generations of Guinn's... It could happen!  

I am excited to say that there is now mold to see.  What I am reminded of from this experiment is that I have had the control of the outcome all along... To "Have it my way".   I could have changed the outcome of my experiments with temperature, humidity, environment, lighting, air, ect.  We can achieve any goal with persistence, enough preparation and if we create the right circumstances. That is not to say that it will be easy.

Of course, as with anything, we can have or do anything we set our mind to. We control our own destiny and can change course anytime if we don't like the current heading. Change can be difficult at first, but in time it will become a part of our routine.  

The new year is fast approaching. Do you have the patience, drive and tenacity to do what it takes to make changes in your life? To "Have it your way"?  Sounds like a good New Year's resolution.

No one can be truly successful, who does not enjoy good health.  And good health does not come in a bottle.  It starts with proper diet, exercise and a healthy environment. Ridding your home of unhealthy toxins is a great start and Shaklee can help with many great products for the laundry, kitchen, household and they also have many other natural products, including personal items such as shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, baby care, ect. Shaklee-ize your home today.  If you need help with weight loss, wrinkles, age spots, vitamin D deficiency... The list goes on and only a visit to the Shaklee On-Line store can reveal the true opportunity available to you and your family.    

December is a great month to treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.   Several promotions available, including the "Free Membership" offer below. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

"2011" The Adventure Begins

5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy New Year!!!  Are you ready for a new adventure?  A new year means new opportunities and new goals, but perhaps there is still much life and opportunity in the current adventure.

With only 4 days remaining we need to gather our thoughts, determine our goals and create our plan of attack for the upcoming year.  What is it you intend to do differently?  What goals have you set?  Where do you want to be at the start of 2012?

Maybe we should first recognize our accomplishments for the current year, to get a better perspective on the things we can build upon in 2011.

I accomplished a lot in 2010 thanks to a friend with a lot of experience in business, marketing, internet & social media and, who also happens to be a doctor.  Thanks to my friend, who has become my mentor, one of my biggest accomplishments was in changing my eating habits and as a result, improving my health. This is not something I set out to do.  My goal was to help my daughter Kirsten, through a better understanding, get the most out of life. For all that read my Blog, you hear over and over about my daughter Kirsten who has Prader-Willi Syndrome.  Kirsten is the reason for all the research I have done on:

• the bodies chemistry and processes 
• the effect of the environment on our children 
• the way our food is processed 
• the chemicals going into our food and it's packaging
• GMO's and the FDA's GRAS stamp of approval
• proper nutrition and the supplement industry 

Looking at this kind of stuff is enough to send anyone on a lifelong fast.  I of course could not learn everything there is to know about these things in such a short time, but I did gain a better understanding than many who are not in professions associated with such things. 

For my daughter, I stopped eating most junk food.  For my daughter, I started eating a lot more fruits & vegetables. For my daughter, I gained a better understanding of how I could help her.  What started as a demonstration for my daughter, has become a good routine for both of us and I haven't felt this good in many years.

Most of my life I have been on the go, working or on call 24/7.  This year has been a wake up call. While looking for work and learning new skills, I have been able to spend more time with my family and find new ways to improve their lives.   I have also found new ways to help others and one of those ways has turned out to have great potential for building a full time income... Just by helping others, and through their success I am empowered to help many more.  

There is no secret to my new found success in health.  We have worked hard to Shaklee-ize our home by using Shaklee healthy home products, daily essentials and supplements. We also exercise more, eat more fruits & vegetables and we have cut way down on unhealthy "junk" foods.

Are you looking to be adventurous or working on an adventure of your own.  Achieving goals in life, especially those related to improved health, can be quite an adventure and having a solid base of support can be invaluable. I want to help you achieve those goals if I am able.  How can I help?

December is a great month to treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.   Several promotions available, including the "Free Membership" offer below. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

A Passing Grade for Better Health

Doctors don't have all the answers and if it takes a village to raise a child, does it also take a team of specialists to become a part of that village, to raise a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome?

Another three months have gone by and that means its time for another visit to the endocrinologist. That also means its time to work on my notes and questions, in preparation for the appointment.  Our doctors rely on blood tests, X-rays, studies, consultations with other doctors... And a parents impute.  If we fail to provide the right information, in a way that the doctors can comprehend and use this information, we may not receive a passing grade which is improved health for our children.

Twas the night before our appointment and all through the house,

everyone else was sleeping including my spouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

because the children's excitement was to much to bear.

 I at my computer typing away,

preparing my notes for the following day.

For the endo would certainly be rushing about,

no time to stop and let questions come out.

Its Kirsten's health that I'm working on here,

so I'll do what it takes... I need a beer!

This is when I get excited, because I get to see just how successful we have been with Kirsten, now seven, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome.  It has been a real struggle to manage her diet and get the right balance of medicines.  Just like in the cartoons when someone plugs a leak in a dam, we feel like we have control and then another leak develops.  We plug that one and the initial leak burst again.  Our biggest struggle has been with weight and high cholesterol. We have managed to gain control of her weight this year and her cholesterol levels have come down some (as of 8/19).

We see many doctors in our quest to manage Kirsten's health, but it is the endocrinologist that I find most valuable.  Even though his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, he is very knowledgable and I find I can work with him as long as I come prepared. These quarterly visits, for me, have become somewhat of a quest for approval, and perhaps a challenge to earn that approval. I have always tried to do what is right, and what is best for Kirsten, but until the last couple visits, there was never any good news.  Of course one could say that if you are overcoming obstacles, even with new obstacles emerging, you are headed in the right direction.

Tomorrow promises to be enlightening and with all that I have learned this year alone, I am prepared to take Kirsten to her endocrinologist appointment... To see how I'm doing!

Another thing that I am doing to earn a passing grade in Kirsten's health, is providing her with Shakleekids Increditives multivitamin/multimineral dietary supplement. I want her to achieve her maximum potential, so I want products that I can trust to help her get there.

December is a great month to treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.   Several promotions available, including the "Free Membership" offer below. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

Food Safety Modernization Bull

It won't be long now before billions of people are dying from starvation!

I couldn't help but get lost tonight in a trail of video's and interesting headlines that were fueled by the Food Safety Modernization Bill.  From "Jon Stewart tackles Food Safety Paranoia" to "3 Billion will die!!!" There was speculation about anything from outlawing gardening to making nutrients illegal, including by prescription, with the goal of world domination. 

Thats the problem with these bills, even those that write these documents that can be 100's of pages long may not clearly understand them. Whats worse is that even though they are written in such great detail, they can still be vague and open to interpretation...  Feeding those who are out to make a name for themselves by interpreting these bills for us. Bless their hearts!

I think Jon Stewart said it best "The Senate passed something!"

Now we can move on and work on the next step toward food safety which by the way, logically, would include new jobs.  Think about it... A new department in the FDA, new guidelines on food safety for companies which translates into equipment/production upgrades and perhaps increased quality control personnel, and more frequent FDA inspections.  

Perhaps this could lead to tighter controls in what actually goes into our food. If the government is now actually going to take responsibility for food safety, they now actually have to understand what goes into our food... Instead of "asking" companies to insure that the food is safe, which is as we all know based on interpretation.  I know... I live in a fantasy world. 

But wait, this can't be good!!! "Foodmakers backing $1.4 billion food-safety bill".  Maybe I better take another look at that video about 3 billion dying, which also mentioned big business taking over the world and something about nutrition being outlawed!

As long as it is still legal to get the nutrition my family needs, since I can't trust my food supply, I will get it from a company I can trust. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.  

If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Is What She Has...

Six years old... For the rest of her life thanks to modern medicine.


Has the world gone mad???  I read an article published today about a new treatment for severely disabled children... To make life easier for their parents.

The treatment is called "growth attenuation". The question is "Should parents be able to use medical means to restrict the growth of profoundly disabled children to make them easier to care for at home?"  Click here to check out the article. Having recently seen yet another child given up for adoption, simply because he had Prader-Willi Syndrome, is just another reminder of how broken our society has become. To many have gotten their priorities all screwed up and are too focused of perfection and "stuff". 


Maybe I am way off base here, but it seems to me that doctors go out of their way these days to avoid lawsuits for malpractice, in the way they treat patients. Now we want to give them another tool that, if approved, will eventually be loosely regulated and as a result of pressure from parents, will cause doctors to more frequently recommend this treatment based on expanded interpretation & opinion to benefit the parents.  Perhaps instead of exploring ways to make our lives easier, we could do research for cures or treatments that could improve quality of life for those who are disabled and perhaps lead to prevention in the future.

I don't pretend to be an expert on all disabilities and I can't imagine any disability so bad that I would lose hope for the future.

I only really know the world of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and 
despite all the negatives I had heard from doctors in the beginning who put PWS in a one size fits all box, I have met dozens of children & adults with PWS who are all different, with different levels of struggles and strengths. My daughter is not the person I would have expected her to be, based on initial doctors information. She is doing very well because the future for all of us is still in our hands. Prader-Willi Syndrome is what she has and not who she is!



Raising a special needs child is not easy, but I, like many many other parents around the world, am much stronger from it and my efforts have improved my daughters chances, and the chances for my three other children, toward living a better life.  Understanding that we are killing ourselves with all the junk food we are eating and understanding that the quality of our food is not what it used to be, is just the beginning. We need to not only insure that our children are getting the proper nutrition, but that they are as free from toxins as possible and doing their part for the future.

I am a Shaklee Independent Distributor and my family uses Shaklee products because of there high quality and for what they represent. There is no such thing as a "get healthy quick" pill.  It takes effort, exercise, proper diet and persistence.  Shaklee healthy home products and vitamin supplements are a part of our daily "effort" toward a hopeful future.

If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me through my website at www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com

SPECIAL OFFER:
December 1-31, 2010, Free Membership (a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.

Thanksgiving Day Nutrition

When I think about Thanksgiving Day, I can't help but worry a little about the family get together for food, conversation, more food, laughter and still... More food!

Many who celebrate Thanksgiving will forgo their normal diet to enjoy the many many tasty dishes & treats.  I myself can remember many Thanksgiving days that meant picking at food all day and feeling so full it hurt. Good times!  Those days are behind me as I try to set an example for my daughter who has Prader-Willi Syndrome.  For her, food is public enemy #1. Because of her limited metabolism and low muscle tone, any weight gain is extremely difficult to lose.  Also, because of her low sensitivity and high threshold for pain, she could easily overeat without any signs or indications and risk stomach rupture.

You might think that the holidays, and especially Thanksgiving, are a time of stress for my family and me.  We have our moments, but we not only have some good routines in place, even at seven years old my daughter has some understanding of the importance of moderation. In as much as my daughter enjoys food, she enjoys just as much, making mom & dad proud through her accomplishments (weight management) and good choices.

Speaking of good choices... Some may not think about it, but for many, Thanksgiving day will be a day that most eat healthier than any other day.  We may overeat... But even if we don't overeat, with the larger selection of REAL food, we are getting more of the daily nutrients that we need and quite possibly less of the processed junk that is weakening our systems.

Be very thankful for that Thanksgiving day feast and consider the difference between what you eat on Thanksgiving and what you eat any other day.  You may overeat on Thanksgiving day, but consider the quality of that wonderful food and... Enjoy!

If you are concerned about your health and the future, check out the many products that Shaklee has available.  Shaklee products always work, are always safe, and are always green.  As a Shaklee Independent Distributor, I can help.  For more information about natural nutritional, weight management, beauty and healthy home products from the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S., please vistit my website at www.ahealthieryoutoo.com

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Do You Want Fries With That?

You can only do so much... It has happened again!  I found information I wasn't looking for and as a result, I am starting a new experiment.

There are many things that knowledge and common sense will help me in, in saving time on research.  But then there is the unknown!  Knowledge of policy and common sense tells me that the government would not allow anything unsafe to be sold for consumption.  Ok, read on as soon as you stop laughing.

I can wait...

As I wrote in my last Blog, I was considering and am now conducting an experiment with hamburgers.  Four hamburgers to be exact.  A McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King and home cooked hamburger.  There are many stories of old McDonalds hamburgers, but I wanted to conduct an experiment to compare many burgers to insure fairness to McDonalds.  This includes a hamburger of my own that should provide a good control specimen.  The experiment can be followed at this link "Terry's Notebook" .

This has been a very interesting experiment for me, but my kids lost interest quickly because of the absence of excitement.  Its kind of like watching grass grow, you have to have a lot of patience.

In my research to find verifiable facts about the ingredients or processing of these burgers, I have discovered many probable myths, exaggerations and all out lies about these hamburgers.  Anything from cows eyes to human flesh to being "from" 100% Beef (the Company), not the cow.   

The search for answers has been a tough road and the journey continues, but I have come across an interesting video that has me curious about the french fries that we order with our burgers.  Check it out at this link FRENCH FRIES???

The potential of my findings, with hamburgers and especially with fries, is that we really really have no idea what we are eating. It is no wonder that so many are suffering from health issues and nutritional deficiencies. Get yourself back on track with some healthy choices.  Broccoli is a good place to start.

If you would like more information about natural nutritional, weight management, beauty and healthy home products from the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S., please vistit my website at www.ahealthieryoutoo.com

Five Second Rule... For Health

   I was reminded today of my journey as a parent... With the pacifier.  For those with two or more children, perhaps you can relate.

     As a new parent many years ago, I had trouble sleeping for the first few months.  We had our new baby next to our bed and I still had to have a monitor so I could listen to her breath (to know that she was doing so).  As she grew and became attached to her pacifier, it was a constant battle to keep it germ free.  If it hit the floor, it needed to be cleaned.

     With the birth of my son, I was now more experienced. I slept a little better and we now had a 5 second rule with the pacifier that quickly moved to 10 seconds, then oops.  

     With the birth of our third and fourth, the twins, things changed dramatically for many reasons.  First with the youngest, Juliann (by 30 minutes), there was pretty much no real rule, as long as the pacifier didn't turn up gross. She had several she alternated between as she grew and would lose one now & then, only to have it turn up days later... Back in her mouth.  This is probably a normal sequence of transitions between children in most families, but we were not a normal family as we quickly found out.

     Back to square one... With the oldest of the twins.  Kirsten was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and we were learning of new concerns that had us back in the stressful stage of child rearing, with new concerns and new experiences ahead.

     What hit me hard today was the fact that, like the pacifier evolution, a medical issue with Juliann is like the pacifier that has been under the couch for weeks.  It's fine as long as nothing is growing from it!  However with Kirsten, the same medical issue is like the pacifier with my first child.  It was cause for concern until I had experienced it enough to know that it will all be ok. Consider this:

• How many parents could picture themselves inserting a tube threw their child's nose into their stomach for feeding, at just the right length and hopefully not into their lungs. This is how we fed Kirsten for the first six months.
• How many parents would have ever imagined giving their child daily injections... And we do two daily now.  It was one injection daily for years 1 through 5.
• How many parents could stand the stress of watching their child poked and prodded in search of a good vein to draw blood from... Every three months since she was one!  

     I've also come to realize that as a parent of a child with PWS, I have a lot of experience to offer other parents who are not a part of the special needs community.  PWS has so many medical issues that are amplified creating greater concern, that our experience in battling or avoiding some of these issues is a great resource for parents fighting basic health and child rearing problems.  Here are some examples:

• What your 80 lb child can eat in a day and burn off quickly, my 100 lb daughter can only have about half of because she does not burn calories effeciently.  We have learned to eat a very controlled and healthy diet, which after a lot of hard work has become accepted as the norm in our home.
• The cold your child fights off through coughing and many over the counter medicines, my daughter struggles with because of low muscle tone (resulting in unproductive coughing) and limited access to over the counter drugs because of prescriptions she is taking.  We have helped her, not only by a healthy diet and exercise, but by removing as many toxins as possible from our home to try and limit potential breathing issues, by using organic cleaning products.  
• The quality time that many families struggle to find time for, is something that is a necessity for us because it helps keep Kirsten's mind off food.  One of the issues with PWS is that she has a constant hunger that can, unsupervised, lead to overeating to the point of stomach rupture. She will never know fullness.  We have learned to have a lot of fun and keep activities somewhat  organized with many great family options, while getting exercise at the same time. 

     The bottom line, as a special needs parent I have learned so much more about child rearing than I would have without Kirsten.  More importantly, it has benefited my whole family in their health and their future.  It has also led me to a home based business that promotes products that are good for the family and the environment.  Imagine using effective organic window, all purpose or degreaser cleaning solutions at a cost of less than 10 cents per 16oz.  How about an organic laundry soap that costs between 17 and 36 cents per load.  Then there is also their nutritional line that is second to none in quality.  And so much more!

     I would love to share my experience as a father or tips for a healthier home & family to help you. There is so much available to us that is so easily overlooked. 

     To contact me or check out the products available from the #1 natural nutritional company in the U.S. please visit my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com.

Living With Worms For Good Health

Have you ever eaten something disgusting on a dare? How about out of curiosity?  I've had my share of those glorious moments, especially while in the Army.  I also had one of those moments just recently with a cleaning product we've been using.  Don't worry, it was organic!  It did leave a bad taste for an hour or so that I couldn't get rid of.

Why would I do that? Why do we try anything that sounds or looks disgusting?  Who in their right mind really likes the taste of a cigarette, beer or coffee that first time?  I can remember trying cigarettes, but I just never could get past the coughing or taste, even in as much as I really wanted to "look cool".  When it comes to beer, that was a little easier.  It started as a game of quarters and I like a challenge, of course after enough misses and penalty drinks, taste and common sense are pretty much out the window. Coffee was the easiest to develop a taste for, especially with enough cream & sugar.

So what is it that drives us to try things that we know are bad for us, things that taste bad or things that are just to disgusting to imagine? That's easy! Weight loss, energy boosts, depression, boredom... Or a search for a "miracle cure".  The internet is full of off the wall remedies that don't sound appealing at all.  However, I believe I have come across the most unappealing cure of them all.  It involves "worm therapy".  Can you imagine allowing parasitic worms to enter your body in the name of good health?  Makes my skin crawl just thinking about it!

Believe it or not, way back in the day when we weren't as clean as we are today, it is believed that these parasitic worms were a natural form of human defenses against things like asthma, allergies and many other autoimmune diseases... Which were, by the way, a rarity by todays standards.  Check out the story behind these creepy crawlers... Click here.

I guess you could say that these parasitic worms could be a part of natural health and perhaps that earth worm your child just consumed on a dare may not be a good reason for a quick trip to the emergency room. So many "new and improved" chemical cleaners, hand sanitizers, processed foods and synthetic medicines. We are taking in so many chemicals and reengineered products, in so many ways, that our old tenants, the worms, didn't stand a chance.

Have you thought about how you can regain a more natural way of living that could perhaps extend your life as well as boost your energy levels or performance? I am not suggesting that you stop cleaning the house or start serving earth worms at meals. How about organic cleaners for laundry, dishes, windows and surface cleaning? Plain old soap and water for your hands? How about a nutritional source that is not laden with chemicals and toxins?  Perhaps if we detoxify our homes, and our bodies, the worms will return... Can that really be a good thing?

I'm not so sure that I want to "have worms", but natural nutrition and a healthy home is good for your health and for our planet. For natural products from the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S., please go to my website.  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com

Putting That Lazy Thyroid Back to Work!

     AARRRGGG!  Don't you just hate it when you've been spending money that you didn't have to!  OK, perhaps I have jumped the gun a little.  Let me explain...

     I have been taking thyroid medicine for about ten years because of a thyroid disfunction caused by treatment for hepatitis C which I likely contracted in the Army. I had looked at natural alternatives many years ago, but I was to big a coward to take the risk of changing over to something that was not backed by medical professionals. Beside that, management and balance of a dysfunctional thyroid can take months, which means months of discomfort.  

     Doctor visits, as I am sure you will agree, can seem rushed with little accomplished and you can get the feeling sometimes that the doctor doesn't want to be bothered with the what if's and the possibilities.  A few months ago I took a question of possibilities, to my doctor on an annual physical, about my thyroid and the need for continued medication.  I had found an article suggesting that it was possible that the thyroid could rebound and that any medication being taken could be acting as a crutch preventing the thyroid from being fully functional (yes, it is a little more complicated). 

     I am happy to say that after follow-up blood work that produced normal levels from a couple of months on half a dose of my medicine... I stopped taking my medicine all together.  Although I do feel a little off, that is to be expected by any change to the chemical processes of the body. Follow up for final clearance is in six weeks. 

     So many people are avoiding the "what if" possibilities in life when it comes to their health and as a result, are going through life on crutches provided by a doctor who is trying to keep them comfortable... Perhaps more so than keep them healthy.

     Of course I am not suggesting that you ignore the advice of your doctor.  What I am suggesting is that you empower yourself with knowledge and explore healthier options in everything. I would not be on this journey had I not started trying to better understand and question things.  Through a better understanding gained in my own research, I have been able to formulate better questions and communicate those questions clearly to get better results.  

     My journey to get myself off thyroid medicine is not guaranteed, nor is it yet complete.  I am taking the advice of my doctor  and being monitored in my progress. I am also supporting my efforts through a good exercise program, a healthy diet and a daily regimen of nutritional supplements that includes a very potent cellular anti-aging tonic.

     What are you doing to free yourself from the crutches that hold you prisoner?  Regular exercise, a  healthy diet and proper nutrition is a great way to start. How about freeing yourself from some of those  toxins in the air?  If you would like more information about healthy home products that are good for the environment and your health, as well as nutritional supplements information... I can help.  As a Shaklee Independent Distributor for the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U. S., I want to help you and your family on your journey to better health.  Please visit my website at www.ahealthieryoutoo.com for contact and product information. 

Prader-Willi Syndrome and You

    Today's Blog post is dedicated to the parents and their children who struggle with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).
     For someone who has never heard of PWS it is hard to understand the many issues that families and children are dealing with, because it is hard to communicate that message effectively. Today I watched a video that is the best short, yet complete, and simple description (approx. 8 min) of Prader-Willi Syndrome that I have seen and it was done by Lisa Graziano who is the Executive Director of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Foundation of California. Given the fact that an estimated 1 in 15,000 have Prader-Willi Syndrome, chances are good that you know someone with PWS or have met someone involved with it one way or another. Please take a couple minutes to check out this video to get a better understanding of why I work so hard at gaining a better understanding of good health & nutrition, especially for my daughter.



     Through the APX Alarm contest mentioned in the video, I have gained many new friends and contacts, especially in the PWS community. Being involved with the PWS community has been a godsend and thanks to Facebook, I have connected with families all around the world and I get to hear their stories, as well as learn from their experience. Through that same contest on Facebook I also came to realize that we shouldn't limit our support to just the "community" that we happen to be a part of due to a specific struggle.  I now have many new friends who, like me, have children struggling from one of hundreds of disabilities.
     We have a lot to share and learn from each other.  My daughter Kirsten has also taught me so much and has inspired me to learn even more, not only to help her, but to benefit myself, my family and anyone who will listen.  It is my hope that through my Blog, lives will be touched and changed in a positive way.  
     If your interested in seeing part one of the video above in which Julie Casey, also on the board of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Foundation of California, talks about how the $30,000 will benefit families of children with PWS... Click this link  PWCFVIDEOS on YouTube    
     For more information on Prader-Willi Syndrome and to see if there is a chapter in your state, please check out this link: PWSAUSA


Shameless Plug (to feed my family): If you would like information on natural nutritional supplements or healthy home products from the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S., please visit my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com       
For my family... My daughter has enough problems and for the future of my children & my children's children, I want the cleanest products available. I became an Independent Shaklee Distributor because I trust Shaklee and love to help others, which is what Shaklee is all about.  You too can trust in Shaklee products due to the rigorous testing that goes into each natural ingredient before it is used, the millions spent on clinical testing, research & development and the focus that this company has had for over 50 years on "Going Green", before anyone knew what going green was. 

Vitamin D for Weight Loss... Not!

It has been an exciting week full of inspiration.  For those that know me well, know that I love to attend active meetings and events. I walked out of a big event for Shaklee Independent Distributors on Tuesday with new knowledge and a lot of inspiration. One such inspiration has to do with flu season that is knocking at our door and a new product that Shaklee has introduced, their new VITA-D3.

When I get excited, I have to take a step back and gather my thoughts, otherwise this blog would be filled with ramblings and useless information.  I have always been a little on the skeptical and distrusting side... "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is", so when armed with a new idea, concept or resource that is "good for me" I research it.

We all know the importance of Vitamin D in our diets or through exposure to sunlight, but there seems to be a growing deficiency of vitamin D as the Australian Prescriber and others suggest.  You read about warnings against excessive exposure to sunlight, air pollution blocking sunlight, people spending less and less time outside at critical times of nourishing sunlight and of course there is our ever growing toxic food supply. Important note: The Australian Prescriber article stated best the risks of Vitamin D toxicity for those who take ridiculous amounts... "Stated best" because I got a chuckle out of the risks that made me wonder when someone will explore the potential for weight loss, or perhaps thats how they discovered the risks.  "Vitamin D intoxication causes hypercalcaemia and can present with symptoms of anorexia, nausea, constipation and depression."

Aside from the unhealthy weight loss potential... I discovered some very interesting information about Vitamin D, in that it has a lot of great potential that many may not be aware of and there are those that would suggest that it could even replace influenza immunization.  One such resource is The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and it also links to other references & articles. If you are a fan of Natural News they also have an article referencing the AJCN above, as well as many other sources and thoughts. Benefits, aside from the norm and the potential for fighting the flu bug, may include suppression of asthma in children.

Obviously we can find lots of resources & information on the internet and in books at the Library.  We can form our own opinions, even before research, and find a lot of information to back those opinions. That being said, for your families health, always do your own research to make educated decisions to fit your specific family needs.  If I can help you with information on natural nutrition supplements or healthy home products, please visit my website at http://www.ahealthieryoutoo.com

Even if you have no interest in my business and its products, I would love to hear from you.  I am having  a lot of fun on my journey of discovery... For my daughter Kirsten who has Prader-Willi Syndrome and for myself.  You can comment below or contact me through my website. If you enjoy my Blog posts, I would greatly appreciate it if you would officially "Follow" me.