Overfed and Undernourished

How is it that Americans today consume an average of 610 calories a day more than they did 20 years ago—yet are still falling short in getting enough of the most critical nutrients needed for a long and healthy life? Blame it on our superbusy, fast food-packed lifestyles that drive us to make compromises of convenience, which are taking a toll on our nutritional status.

More than 80% of Americans have inadequate vitamin D blood levels, and for those over 50, almost 100% do not get the recommended amount of vitamin D from their diet. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption, and a results in osteomalacia (a softening of bones in adults). About half of adults don't get enough vitamin C, which plays a role in immune function. One of the first signs of poor vitamin C status is low energy. 86% of men and 93% of women don't get enough vitamin E. This vitamin also is key to supporting a healthy immune system. 90% of teenage girls, more than 67% of women ages 19–50, and more than 90% of women over 50 fall short in reaching the recommended dietary intake for calcium from diet alone. Calcium is a mineral essential for strong and healthy bones. Iron deficiency is believed to affect up to 16% of premenopausal women in the U.S., primarily because suboptimal iron consumption and menstruation lead to negative iron balance. Two-thirds of adults don't get enough magnesium, an essential mineral needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps normal heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. American adults consume only about 15 grams of dietary fiber daily, while dietary guidelines recommend 25 to 35 grams per day. Fiber is important for healthy digestive function and for reducing the risk of heart disease. There's no question that NOW is the time to set a goal of eating more healthfully. Start by consuming healthier fast foods: fresh fruits and vegetables for some extra vitamin C, a handful of nuts for the vitamin E and magnesium you may be missing, an extra glass of low-fat or nonfat milk to get more calcium and vitamin D, and replace that white bread with a slice of whole grain toast to help boost your fiber intake. While you're working toward that goal, take a comprehensive multivitamin/multimineral supplement every day to help fill your nutrient gaps!

Seven Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

I'm stoked that it's Thursday night and I'm writing this post. It's the first time in about 6 months I've done something ahead of schedule. Whoopie!

--- 2 ---

I was fired from my job of being cook for the family. FINALLY. I think the great Burned Sausage and Pancake Debacle of 2012 is what ultimately sent hubs over the edge.

--- 3 ---

The itty bitty has croup. Poor buddy...he's been so sick this year. Way too much for such a little guy.

--- 4 ---

T minus EIGHT days til hubs and I get to leave town by ourselves! Two whole nights without the littles!

--- 5 ---

Which leads me to think about all the fun things we're going to do alone. Dinner in an adult restaurant, uninterrupted conversations, and most importantly SLEEP!

--- 6 ---

I worked out three times this week. Gosh, I've missed it so much these past TWO YEARS! Why have I waited so long to get back into it?

--- 7 ---

I'm having mommy 10pm brain. All the wonderful thoughts and quips I had earlier today have vanished.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Giving Back

My husband and I love to give. We tithe faithfully to our church, we help out with neighborhood kids fundraisers, we supported a child in Brazil through Compassion, we are forever giving away clothes and blankets to those in need.

It fills our hearts with joy to give to those who are in need. While we are not well off financially, we have so much more than others and we believe it's our calling as Christ followers to help others, whether it's with money, clothes, time, and/or prayer.

A few months ago we decided to help out another cause that is dear to us, The Wounded Warrior Project. We don't know anyone who is in the military, none of our family is, we don't have friends who are.  But for both of us, the effects of front line combat and war on our amazing troops has shook us to the core.

Personally, I think our country can and should do so much more to help our soldiers who have been at war, have been wounded, suffer from PTSD, or have been killed and left behind a family.  How unfair is it for these brave, amazing men and women (some of them are still kids, for crying out loud), to be sent overseas to witness death, violence, devastation, and things that we could never understand...then be sent back home with a pat on the back and expected to get back into their former 'normal' lives?

I have tears in my eyes just writing about this. These men and women deserve so much more! They deserve help financially, emotionally, physically...they all deserve a heroes welcome home.

Why am I so passionate about this? I really don't know. Like I said, we don't know anyone who is in the military. We don't have first-hand experience with the military life, or how war can change a person and their family.

All I know is that Matt and I have joined The Wounded Warrior Project by donating money every month in hopes that it will help at least one soldier.

With the holidays coming up, people really start thinking about giving and donating. While I think that's wonderful, why not give back year round? Choose your favorite organization and donate just a few bucks a month. I truly believe you can make a difference!

Do you support any causes? What are your favorite ways to give back? I'd love to hear!

Note: This post was written on my own accord. The WWP did not contact me about it; heck, they don't even know who I am!

Giving Up on Perfect

As a stay at home wife and mom for the past four years, I have struggled with the idea of being a perfect stay at home wife and mom.

Perfect 
adjective

1. conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type: a perfect sphere; a perfect gentleman.
2. excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement: There is no perfect legal code. The proportions of this temple are almost perfect.
3. exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose: a perfect actor to play Mr. Micawber; a perfect saw for cutting out keyholes.
4. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings: a perfect apple; the perfect crime. 5.accurate, exact, or correct in every detail: a perfect copy.

Gag.

I've begun hating this word. Why? Because I struggle with this idea every.single.day. To the point where I find myself paralyzed and just can't move forward. Sound ridiculous? Maybe to some. To others, I bet you can relate.

I know my husband can relate. He sees me struggle with the idea of perfection every day. Every day. In fact, just this morning I had a bit of a breakdown because I needed him to take some time off work today to help me take one child to an unexpected doctor appointment so I could keep my own doctor appointment that was at the same time. It totally threw a wrench in his work plans, but as usual, he graciously said he could and would help. Then he reminded me that I don't have to be perfect. He's here to help me. It's part of being a husband and father. (I do love him so!)

I hate asking him to take time off to help. He already has missed a lot of work this year because of us (vacation, baby surgery, helping his ill father, etc.) We don't have any family here, we don't have a go-to person that can help us last minute with babysitting when things like this come up. (Yeah, yeah, I need to find someone. Easier said than done!) So, it's up to him to help out when I need it. I thank God daily that his employer is a big supporter of family-work life and as long as he gets his work done, it doesn't matter whether he's at the office or doing it at home. We are so very fortunate in that respect.

Pride
noun

1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
2. the state or feeling of being proud.
3. a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.
4. pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself: civic pride. something that causes a person or persons to be proud: His art collection was the pride of the family.

Remember I mentioned that I hate asking my husband for help? In my mind, I'm the housewife/mommy and he's the one that goes to work. So I should be able to clean, shop, do laundry, take care of the boys, teach them everything they need to know, be their chauffeur to school and appointments, and still have enough energy at the end of the day to be a perfect wife to my husband. All the while doing it all by myself. 

A bit prideful, huh?


I stumbled on a blog a few months ago. What caught my eye was the title, Giving Up on Perfect.  Reading her posts is like deja vu. She could be writing the thoughts and experiences that I deal with daily.

I find great comfort in her blog and it makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone in this quest for perfection. Her blog is an eye opener for me to give up on perfect. No one expects perfection out of me, except for me. It's unrealistic. It's prideful. It's wrong.

I don't know this person. I've not been asked to review her blog or make a plug for her. I've commented on some of her posts a few times and she's graciously responded. I just enjoy reading her posts, relating to her experiences, and realizing that I'm a work in progress on a daily basis.


I invite you to check out Giving Up on Perfect if you struggle with the idea of perfectionism like I do.

Excited to Sponsor Hi, Sugarplum!

I am pumped to be a sponsor for one of my favorite blogs, Hi Sugarplum! If you haven't checked out Cassie's blog with all of her amazing DIY design, fashion, and travel ideas, then you're missing out! Plus, click on my Shaklee link on her site for a special treat!

I love to help my family and friends get their lives and homes healthier. And I would love to help YOU too! Please contact me for any questions about clean, healthy living!

Homemade Vitamin Water

Did you know that Vitamin Water has 13 grams of sugar in one serving? That makes 32.5 grams in just one bottle of supposed- to- b-e good- for- you Vitamin Water.

I happen to like flavored still water. Not flavored sparkling water. Sparkling water reminds me of Alka Seltzer.

I've had Vitamin Water many times. I like the taste, it's convenient, and it looks healthy. Sigh. Fooled by labels again!

On a search for a healthier alternative, I found a recipe for homemade vitamin water using some of our wonderful natural products.

It's been tasted and husband and kid approved and it's super easy! Added bonus, the Defend and Resist has been proven to help your body respond to seasonal challenges (preschool boogies anyone?) by upping your immune system! And we all need a little extra Vitamin C and D in our diets too!

So mix it up and drink daily as a preventative to all the junk that's sure to be coming your way with the cooler seasons. Or if you're already feeling a little puny, drink it twice a day.

3 T of Performance Orange or Lemon Lime (I prefer Orange myself)
10 Chewable Vitamin C
4 Defend and Resist
1 Vitamin D
2-3 C ice
8-12 oz water

Mix in a large pitcher and enjoy!

I would love to help you order your supplements today so you have them in stock for the upcoming cold and flu season! Contact me through this blog, via Facebook, or through my Shaklee site!

Testimonial Tuesday -Cinch Weight Loss

I met Laura in Dallas a few months ago during a Shaklee meeting. She is super nice, energetic, and loves telling her story about losing weight with Cinch! She is like most moms...takes care of everyone else before herself, didn't eat right, and before she knew it she had gained a lot of weight. Yikes!

How many of us have found ourselves in that same situation? (Raises hand). I myself tend to take care of everyone else around me and not eat right. I've put on a few pounds here and there, but drinking our yummy Cinch Shakes and eating Cinch Snack Bars (plus EXERCISING regularly) has helped me maintain my high school (yes, high school) weight!

Ya'll Cinch is the real deal. I know there are lots of other weight loss gimmicks out there. Wraps and miracle juices seem to be in right now. But common sense tells us that's not going to work in the long run.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy foods, exercise, and the help of Cinch products will let you get to the weight you want! 

Here's her wonderful Cinch story!

Laura before

 If I can do it, you can do it!  For years I have been spending time taking care of everyone else in my life – my children, my husband, my family, my friends, my job, my staff, my boss and my customers.  So it is no wonder that as my family grew and my responsibilities grew… so did I. Sure I had all the excuses and reasons why. But after watching my parents struggle thru cardiovascular disease and open heart surgery, I knew this was not how I wanted to age gracefully and not what I wanted my kids to experience.

So I took another look at the Body Mass Index chart and realized I was not at a healthy weight according to the medical data. That’s when I knew I needed to make a change. I chose Cinch® from Shaklee. I was tired of “yo-yo dieting;” I have lost and gained hundreds of pounds many times over. I wanted to lose the weight and stop the yo-yo. I knew the preliminary clinical study with real people conducted with Shaklee Cinch resulted primarily in fat loss, not muscle loss. I knew muscle helps metabolism. 

I set my goal low:  to lose 15 lbs in 90 days just like the clinical study participants had achieved. To my surprise, not only did I lose the weight, I started to change my body shape! I went from “mom look” to athletic. Something I have never been in my life!  Cinch changed my life for the better, for good!

Laura after!

Do you have a great Cinch weight loss story? I'd love to hear about it!