Photo Contest! #ShakleeEffect

Hey Everyone! I am excited to share with you my Shaklee Effect story! Some of you have heard it but today I entered it into a photo contest! I need your help with votes as it started 10 days ago so I am behind!

This is my entry. I am so technologically challenged and put this together myself, which in my opinion deserves an award by itself. lol!

I grew up with Shaklee and when my youngest, Benjamin, was born Aug. 3, 2010 at 34 weeks, we were worried. He was very sick and spent the first 7 days of his life on a ventilator to breathe. The doctors wanted to fly him down to Riley children's. He had pneumonia and was predicted to have asthma and lots of ER visits when he gets a cold that will go to the lungs.

He did have one bought of illness at 13 months and was hospitalized when I ran out of his Shaklee children's vitamins!  I didn't think much of running out of vitamins at the time since he was so healthy. But he got a cold and another infection on top of that. The doctors were surprised with his history that that wasn't more typical for him.

Since then I make sure he gets his Shaklee vitamins every day to keep his immune system strong and he also lives in a toxin-free home thanks to Shaklee's Get Clean house hold cleaners! We are thankful that both of our boys are very healthy and haven't even had an ear infection! And Benjamin does not have asthma at the age of 4, to his doctor's surprise!

After Benjamin was born, I found myself to be at my heaviest weight. I was unhealthy both mentally and physically. That is when I got serious about the Shaklee 180 program and supplements. Shaklee really helped me to turn my health around and I am grateful! (my husband is too! lol) I lost a few pant sizes and a few inches and feel better at 38 then I did in my 20s!

Now I enjoy sharing my story with many other people and help them to create better health and better income for their family through Shaklee, which is the #1 natural nutrition company in the US and started in 1956!

I would greatly appreciate your vote through the Shaklee Corporation Facebook page on their photo contest. It goes through Aug. 12, 2014. Thanks so much. You can vote through this link HERE.    Be sure to click "vote" instead of like for it to count. And you can vote every 24 hours. Thank you!

And if you have a Shaklee story to share, please enter the contest too! You could get your story out to many that it may help or inspire and also win an all expense paid trip to Shaklee Headquarters in California where you will make your own #ShakleeEffect video!

Thanks for voting and have a great day! And don't forget that our July specials are ending very soon. Don't miss out on the deals and savings!

~Rebecca~

Homemade Hummus? Yes, please!

I LOVE hummus! I have heard of people making it and to be honest, I have no good answer as to why I have not done this before. I served store bought at a gathering in my home recently and one of my friends said she makes hummus all of the time. So I thought, I should too!

I did today and I was SO easy! And healthy! And Quick! And my kiddos loved it.

There are many variations but this is what I made. I am looking forward to trying different recipes in the very near future since I have so much Tahini left! lol! So please share if you have a good one!

RECIPE:

1 can of chick peas or garbanzo beans

(reserve a little of the liquid from the can to blend in and drain the rest)

the juice of half of a lemon

1 1/2 TBS tahini

minced garlic (to taste. If you like garlic use more!)

a couple of shakes of garlic salt (I am not a measurer! I don't like to oversalt so I tend to go light here. You can always add more but can't take it away)

2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

I blended all of the ingredients in my magic bullet blender for about 2-3 minutes until smooth. You can use a regular blender too.

Serve on pita chips, crackers, fresh veggies and fruit. This is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies. My favorite is with the Shaklee 180 snack crisps which also give you 6 grams of non-GMO protein per serving! Total health and energy packed snack!

Refrigerate your left overs and they are good in the fridge for a few days. Can also freeze.

Thanks for stopping in. Would love to hear your favorite hummus recipes too!

And a reminder that July is ending soon and you can still take advantage of my JULY SPECIALS which include freebies and now also FREE Shipping! 

Have a great day!

~Rebecca~

Fitness and Health Challenge coming July 28!!!

I am in LOVE with using my new iPhone to do the BurstClub Workouts! They are intense, 15 minute, low impact workouts you can do right from your phone or computer at home that burn up to 350 calories at a time! Burst is great for people who are just starting out in an exercise routine or are veterans and looking for fun ways to change it up and work different muscle groups. It's perfect for weight loss and toning. No equipment required! I will be running a 60 day online challenge group starting July 28th. You will get the BurstClub workouts , a month's worth of clinically proven safe and effective Shaklee 180 products including nutrient dense smoothees that help to burn fat and retain muscle mass, protein bars, energizing tea all that help you with cravings and boost metabolism! as well as meal plans and healthy recipes, and SUPPORT. There will be PRIZES and giveaways to keep you motivated too. Comment or like if you're interested on my Facebook page soon!

Super excited!

~Rebecca~

Training for my first 5K

If we are friends on Facebook then you know that I am working hard to turn myself into a runner! Running isn't my go-to exercise. In fact, I usually try to avoid it. But when a 5K opportunity comes around, sometimes you just have to say OK!

That happened to me last year. My former college was having their annual 5K. I thought it would be so fun to go back and run around my old stomping grounds with some old friends. So I started my Couch to 5K training program. And was doing pretty well until I got pregnant and my doc told me no more exercise since I have a few high risk issues.

I ended up miscarrying the twins I was pregnant with. (not because of the running) And found myself with a pregnancy pouch and no baby to look forward to. I will be honest, this did not motivate me to get back to it. Did I mention I don't like to run?

I kind of wallowed in my exercise lull for awhile. Made some bad eating choices. (the emotional eater came out in force for a bit). Eventually, I made myself start doing the right things again. Making good food choices most of the time and starting my quick  Burst Club Workouts again at home.

And then another 5K opportunity came about. It is happening Saturday, August 16 in Long Beach, CA during the annual Shaklee Global Conference, which I was already going to. And it is a benefit run for Shaklee Cares, which is a non-profit organization who donates to relief efforts of communities affected by natural disasters. 

At first I wasn't sure. Could I get back on THAT horse again? Do I really want to? But everyone's doing it, the little voice in the back of my head told me. How would I feel on race day if I wasn't a part of it? And there was a free Shakee T-shirt at stake. I really wanted that T-Shirt. lol

So I signed up, laced up my running shoes and got to it. I also recently got my iPhone so I put the #c25k app on it and off I went. I figured I could skip the first week since I was already a week behind in training and had already done it. I realized pretty fast that I wished I would have started with week 1 as I wasn't in the same shape I had been in 9 months ago! lol If you're not familiar, the couch to 5k program is great for easing you into running. Perfect for a challenged runner like myself.

But I set the goal and wouldn't allow myself to fail. 

It's all about goals. When you write them down and TELL other people about it, you won't quit! I keep posting about my running adventurers on Facebook. To help motivate others who are thinking about starting an exercise program, but also to motivate myself to not quit! That is so important. Commit and you will succeed! Believe in yourself and you will achieve your goals!!!

I like to put motivational speakers from youtube on my iPhone and listen while I run. It makes the time go faster and keeps me focused. Zig Ziglar is one of my favorites lately. Some people like uplifting music. Whatever works for distraction is good by me! ;)

So here I am starting week 6 of my C25K and feeling Awesome!!!

I wasn't sure I could even do this because in high school I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. I had an inhaler and for me a good excuse to get out of PE. lol

The interesting thing is since I started on these great supplements a few years ago, I feel so much better in my (gulp) late 30s then I did in my early 20s! And this is after 2 babies! My body was unhealthy even if it didn't look it. I was lacking energy and got sick often.

Now, I am full of energy and feel great. I hardly get sick and when I do it passes fast. And I haven't used an inhaler in at least a few YEARS!! I don't need it when I run, which to be honest was one of my biggest concerns when I started this since I no longer had one. And a nice benefit from this is I have finally gotten my baby weight from my miscarriage to go down. Still have a bit to work on but it's definitely getting there!

When I am exercising, I FEEL so much better. Not just physically but also mentally! My mood is better. My outlook is better. I have more energy. Exercise makes you feel better overall because it releases endorphins into your blood that are natural mood enhancers. So even if you are not a runner, like you physically cannot run for some reason, then try walking. Or whatever your body can do now and set a goal to increase that. you can do it! you just have to have the courage to start.

Now my regiment is drinking about 8 oz of Shaklee's hydration drink Performance before my run. (really helps in the Mississippi heat and humidity!) And drinking the same after. I don't feel like I need an inhaler, and for the most part, the run isn't too bad for me. I always feel great after (it is done after all!) and have absolutely NO cramping or sloshing around during my run!!! Here is a quick illustration of why some runners and athletes may have cramping.

And it hydrates much better then water.

So there you have it. I set a goal that in the past I would never have considered. I am motivated to finish this and it feels good to meet each bench mark along the way. #C25K is great for that!

I am planning to start a running and fitness group soon, for people looking to get into an exercise or health routine or to stay on one if you already are. If you are looking for some accountability and encouragement then contact me if you would like to join us. I will have useful fitness and nutrition tips, healthy recipes and encouragement for you too! And maybe even some prizes to keep us all on track. :)

So what are you waiting for? Get off the Couch and start running! Find a race in your area or just a few friends who want to have fun and get healthier and do this! Join us in our Facebook group! The time is now.

And don't forget about our great July specials going on now! A great way to get your health on the right track and keep it there!

Thanks for reading! Have a great day!!

~Rebecca~

Basic H2 Super Organic Concentrate! 1001 uses!!!

I have been told there are 1001 uses for Shaklee's Basic H2 super cleaning concentrate. I know there are many so I thought I would share a list here. If you have more, please share them in the comments! There are several off label uses to Basic H2 but I will cover the main uses here.

If you are not familiar, Basic H2 is like the BEST house hold cleaner on the planet. (In my opinion!!) My parents have been using it since 1975! I think every house hold should have a bottle of this in their house! Especially if you have young children.

It was the very first biodegradable cleaner made and is over 50 years old! It was the first Earth Day product in 1970 and has been "Green" since the beginning, even before people cared about pollution!

Why do I love Basic H2 (and all of Shaklee's Get Clean Cleaners for that matter)?

Because Shaklee Get Clean cleaners are completely safe for my family and the environment. And when I say safe, I mean, if your child or pet accidentally ingested these products, it would not be fatal to them. Or even require a trip the ER! Basic H2 is made from corn and coconut and is completely safe. No toxic fumes what so ever!!! Which means no more headache when cleaning or dry and cracked skin after. You can throw your cleaning gloves away! I have a good friend who is very allergic to nuts, including coconut. But she uses Basic H2 with no problem at all.

Another reason why I love Shaklee's Basic H2 and the other Get Clean cleaners: They are cheap!!! Many people think that green cleaners or organic cleaners means expensive. But with Shaklee, that really is not the case!

One bottle of Basic H2 equals 5824 bottles of the leading window/glass cleaner!!!! Talk about saving money! Basic H2 costs less then a penny per GALLON when you use it as a window cleaner! And it cleans my mirrors and windows better then anything I have ever tried.

Why is it so cheap? Shaklee does not ship water to you. We just send you the cleaning concentrate and you provide your own water. So when you fill a spray bottle with 16 oz of water, you just add 1-2 DROPS of Basic H2 for an awesome window/glass/mirror cleaner!

All purpose cleaning requires 1/4 tsp of H2 to 16 oz of water!

So you get the idea of why it's so cost-effective.

We use Basic H2 every day for different things in the house and it has not once caused any respiratory issues for my 3 year old preemie who was predicted to have asthma. He is a healthy growing little boy who loves to help me clean!

And one of my most favorite reasons for loving Basic H2 is the Many, Many great uses! Here is a short list:

Basic H2 cleans so well that bacteria can't grow. It restores PH and is safe on your skin. And it works!!! Shaklee cleaners work so well! I have written several posts with before and after pics so be sure to search those on my blog.

So THAT is why I truly love this product and think everyone should have a bottle in their home! My very first blog was on how my family de-toxed our home and went from 20 plus cleaners to just THREE shaklee cleaners! you can read that HERE.

Thanks for taking the time to read. If this is interesting to you and you would like to try Shaklee's Basic H2 or other products please contact me for more info and some great specials I have going right now too. Or contact the person who shared this post with you.

Thanks and have a fantastic day!!

~Rebecca~

July Specials and Freebies for You!!!…and a free trip to MAUI too!!!

I can hardly believe it is JULY already!!! Mid summer! Hot weather! Pool time! Fun Time!!! Fireworks! BBQs! What comes to mind for you?

With the new month comes some great new Shaklee Specials for you!!! And this month we have some more great ones…

New members or distributors to Shaklee will receive a FREE bottle of Carotomax!!! What's that? It is a supplement chalk full of Carotenoids and retails over $22! Carotenoids are found in certain foods like you see in this chart here:

If you are not getting enough from your food then you should consider a good quality supplement to fill in the gaps. And you can get just that for FREE in July!

Carotenoids are important for maintaining eye, heart, skin, lungs, prostate and cervix health. And many people are deficient in these important nutrients. They also help to maintain a strong immune system.

So how do you get your Free Carotomax? New members and distributors in Shaklee can do that with a minimum 50 PV order in July!!!

 I recommend getting our awesome Vitalizer strip of whole food vitamins because you will get a Free Shaklee membership (no minimums or annual fees, just perks and discounts for you. value 19.95) 

I take this daily and noticed a considerable boost in my energy levels and overall health when I started it. You would have to eat all of this organic food to get the equivalent vitamins and nutrients in one convenient strip.

And the coolest thing about Vitalizer, IMO, is the patented SMART delivery system so you know that the vitamins are dissolving in the right place in your body for optimal benefit. If you currently take vitamins, do a quick experiment by dropping one in a glass of water (can add a little vinegar for acidity) and see how long it takes to break down. It should break down in less then 30 minutes or you know it is simply passing through your body.

And the freebies continue where you can also get a FREE canister of Shaklee 180 Mango smoothee this month with any 200PV order!! This retails at $48!! This is one of my favorites and it is part of the same weight management program that helped me to lose the baby weight and maintain for 3 years!

My Shaklee 180 turnaround:

 when you join with at least 50PV to get the Carotomax for free, and order 2 more months of at least 50 PV you will get a coupon for a FREE product of your choice up to a $100 Value!!! Such awesome deals and I love sharing them with you!

I also want to share that Shaklee is taking people to MAUI in May!!! For FREE!!! These are people like you and me who use and love Shaklee products and share them. And by sharing them to help other people create healthier lives, You are rewarded with a red carpet trip to MAUI!!! 

I honeymooned in Maui 10 years ago and it is absolutely fantastic!!! My team and I are making a plan to get there and we would love to bring you too!!! My team is growing and we are looking forward to meeting up soon at the Shaklee Global Conference in California! Contact me for the details on all of this. Here's a quick video with some exciting info about Maui:

If you don't know, Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the US and started in 1956! My parents have been using Shaklee since 1975 and my husband and I love using the products in our home and have seen so many health benefits that we cannot help but share them with you. Shaklee's science and integrity is always  at the top of the industry.

And New Members or Distributors in the Waterways group will also enjoy FREE Shipping (up to $10) on 100PV or more orders through the end of JULY!!! 

If you are already a member in my group, then check your email for a great July special for you too!!!

So many freebies to share! Let me know if I can help you take advantage of any or all of the above! Thanks for stopping in and have a terrific day!!

~Rebecca~

Zucchini Chips! & Paprika benefits

I recently saw a recipe floating around Facebook on zucchini chips. I am all about finding new and creative, not to mention yummy, ways to incorporate more veggies in my family's diet so I decided to give it a try. And the fact that there are tons of zucchini at the farmers market right now helps too. ;)

It was super easy! All I did was thinly sliced up 2 medium size green zucchini. (you could use your favorite) I tossed it with about 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil along with a little garlic salt and black pepper. 

I spread the zucchini in an even layer on my cookie sheet and then for the magic ingredient - Paprika!!! I sprinkled this over the top.

I baked them for about 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees. (You can play around with your oven temp if you have a hotter oven). They were crispy and delicious! Even my kids loved them. I did have some that were too thin and burned so watch your pan to avoid that.

The key ingredient is paprika because it adds SO many health benefits! Did you know that? And you only need a little each day to gain some great benefits from the vitamins it has as well as the antioxidants. Some of those benefits include:

Hair Health

Skin Health

Digestive Health

Helps with Sleep

Lowering blood pressure

Boosting metabolism

Helps maintain energy

And more! If there are things on this list you are looking for, consider adding some paprika to your diet regularly. It is easy to add to soups and different recipes. I also have other suggestions through supplementation that could help with those health issues as well in case you need a bigger boost. Please contact me for more ideas.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy some Zucchini chips soon and let me know what you think of them.

And remember that our June Shaklee specials are ending soon! Check them out and take advantage of the free products (Free Stress Relief complex and free Shaklee 180 Mango smoothee) AND free shipping we have going this month. Check with me for the details. There's never a better time to take charge of your health then right now and I can help you do that. :)

~Rebecca~