God's "Special Gift"

Kirsten loves soccer

Your daughter may never walk, she will likely be severely mentally challenged and she will struggle with obesity... Her whole life!  

They say God will never give you anything you can't handle.  Not very comforting to parents who have just received devastating news from the doctor who has diagnosed their brand new baby with Prader-Willi Syndrome... Or any other disabling birth defect. It also doesn't help as you work the phones looking for ongoing medical, therapeutic and financial support. Nor does it help as you lay awake at night worrying about your child who is struggling to survive. New challenges, new fears... And new strength!

What had started out, in my mind (and believe me, thats a scary place), as a post on behavior as it is influenced by our environment... Has changed direction today due to inspiration from a couple of "Moms Blogs" that I read. They reminded me of a "technique" of sorts, that has become a routine for me and was created through my experience, and those things that have been an influence on me.  

It is so simple, common sense really, but many of us overlook or forget this one strategy that can help almost anyone.  I had to re-learn it as a member of a Toastmasters club, but it has so much more adaptability to everything we do.  The Toastmasters club mission statement (what should be part of our child rearing focus) says it all: 

The mission of a Toastmasters club (or our home) is to 

provide a mutually supportive and positive learning 

environment in which every individual member has 

the opportunity to develop oral communication 

and leadership skills, which in turn foster 

self-confidence and personal growth.

A positive and supportive attitude is contagious, and can change lives! What doesn't reach out and grab you in this mission statement, does hit home with the Toastmasters Club experience. Just for starters, every individuals speech is evaluated orally by a peer, focusing on the individuals strengths and also providing a few suggestions for growth, but always in a positive and supportive manner. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! A great positive learning experience for anyone that can help in all aspects of your life.

Imagine if we didn't accept that our children had limitations. Because they don’t! Imagine if we didn't allow the doctors to label our children and put them in a one size fits all box. The box doesn’t exist! Imagine if our children, who look to us for guidance, reassurance and support, believed in themselves... Just as we believe in them!

They say God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle... But they also say that God provides everything we need. Perhaps God loved my family so much, that he saw the need to send Kirsten to help us find our way home.  Kirsten was such a blessing for me and my family... And I couldn’t imagine life without her smile, her laugh, her habits, her routines and her love. She is surprising us every day with her accomplishments. She is perfect in every way, because God doesn’t make mistakes!

We are all God’s children and some of us are extra “Special”.  Treat your extra “Special” children as the “Special Gifts” from God that they are, full of potential and love, and God will take care of their... “Special Needs”.

As I said, God provides everything we need.  When it comes to nature, natural, my family, and especially my little girl who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, I trust Shaklee products to give me added hope for the future.

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

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

Mom's Blog

Warning! Proceed with caution. Reading a mothers blog may cause heart pain and eye strain.

Roaming through the world of blogging can sometimes lead you to a blog post that really touches your heart.  I on the other hand, seek out these type of posts to face head on the stark reality of the world we live in. The posts written from the heart, about children who are struggling, hit especially hard.

Doctors, books and articles written by professionals can provide a one size fits all approach to raising children, including special needs children.  But everyone knows that our children are not all the same.  They learn at different speeds and in different ways.  They grow at different speeds and in different ways. They all encounter different obstacles... Including health issues.  

I am a part of a very large community on-line whose lives have been changed due too a child being born with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).  Doctors can tell you what they learned in books, but parents can share with you what they have learned in life. Reading some of the stories from these parents can be educational and inspiring, but can also be very emotionally draining at times.  I was reminded of this in recent days while reading blog posts by a mom sharing in words, her life with a little girl struggling with PWS.  Hugs denied and questions on being different, simple things with a big impact on the heart.

So why would I subject myself to such stress??? I am looking for inspiration and guidence.  Like many other parents of children who have special needs, I want real answers. I don't want the text book version of what “will be”.  I want to understand the struggles and pain from real world experiences so I can prepare myself. Even, perhaps, avoid those struggles and pain through a different approach. Not only that, I want to help others if I can, even if only through words of encouragement.  

As many parents would, I would do anything for my seven year old daughter.  I look for anything with potential for adding to a better “quality of life” for my daughter, now and for the future. 

This is also one of the reasons we started using Shaklee products in our home.  My daughter has enough health issues and we want to try to minimize the risk of her developing any others.  With her low muscle tone and limited ability to cough productively, should the need arise, and the rise in children developing asthma, we wanted to lessen her risk, as well as the risk to our other children, of breathing problems by removing as many toxins from the air as possible.  We did this by switching to “Green” cleaning products from Shaklee for the kitchen, laundry and the rest of the house.  As a result, a breathing problem I had for years has disappeared.

We also have a real concern for her nutrition, given the unreliability of the food supply and her very limited diet. So we use Shaklee vitamin supplements. I have used vitamin supplements most of my life, but noticed a big difference after using Shaklee multivitamins for a while. 


There is a wealth of information on the internet to help you and your loved ones. People around the world are sharing their real life stories to touch and inspire others. How can I help? 

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.

The Grinch Who Stole... My Unemployment Extension!

Imagine our government actually passing the Unemployment Extension without any catch or compromise.  Done for the people!  Yeah, right!!!  Don't let them steal your holiday spirit.

Many people have been scrambling to figure out what they were going to do, not just for the holidays but, going forward without an unemployment extension if it came to that. Many continue to stress over financial shortfalls, and as a result, are creating health issues that just compound their problems digging them deeper into a hole, all along thinking to themselves... Thank goodness they will pass the  extension, now I will try to do things differently to make sure I don't fall short again. Or, if I had just done this or that years ago...  Does this sound like you?

Can I make a suggestion... STOP waiting for the government!!!  Whether you are struggling or want to prepare for the uncertain future, today is the first day of the rest of your life.  Take action now, for your future! 

You probably can't make $1000 in the next 60 minutes as so many promise on the internet, but you can create an income over time with a little effort. The following are some thoughts to consider (and help you reprogram your thought processes) that could benefit your health and your wallet.  

• Have you ever been so excited about something or believed in something so much that you shared it with a friend and they became excited? Sharing your excitement about something is sales without pressure.  
• What if by sharing your excitement, you could make others happy? Sales is helping others get what they want and who doesn't want to feel good when we purchase something. 

I say this because there are many opportunities that scare people, simply because they don't have all the information.  

Consider this... If you were to share with just one person each month and they would decide to buy something from you on a regular basis, at the end of twelve months you would have 12 repeat customers. The commissions may not cover your daily trip to Starbucks, but it is more than you had twelve months ago. Year two, what if you did that again and some of your first year customers found customers of their own, making the same commissions, and you received a small commission for their sales also.  By now, you might be making enough in commissions to make that car payment.  What if you did this even faster.... 12 repeat customers each month?

This is what can be done with little effort as a Shaklee Independent Distributor and this is what I do.  Not everyone has the same results because all customers have different buying habits and God help you if your customers (I haven't seen this and it is highly unlikely) only buy the Basic H 16oz size for $10.35.  This concentrated solution is a great product and, mixed with water in different amounts, is a powerful all natural window cleaner, all purpose cleaner and degreaser... And it is more than a years supply for most households.  

All I'm saying here is, don't let the grinch or the government ruin your holidays. Consider checking out Shaklee products that are guaranteed and if you have an interest in checking out the Shaklee opportunity to become an Independent distributor, contact me through my website link below. I would love to answer any questions you have and if you choose to work with me, I will help you every step of the way. Your success is my success.

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 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.