Life's Journey and 2016

I will keep this blog short , as I have chosen to start writing  again and wanted to share a briefing on my reasons for the lapse of my writings. Overtime, I hope to post  stories to help others through life's journey and words of encouragement, as it's vital for this day and age. But at the same time…keeping it real as there is nothing fake about real life.

It's been just about 3 years since my last post and a lot has happened. Life has happened, as it has happened for all of us. The ups and down, changes, adjustments.  People coming and going and true friends and family staying onboard throughout trials and tribulations to offer support.  In it all, I managed to stay true to myself, even at times when I questioned, "who am I really?" Those moments when you think, "whats's the purpose of what I'm doing?" It's that pivotal moment when I methodically think out my circumstance and come to some  conclusions for the current state and how I can improve the future.

In closing, my thoughts are no resolutions for 2016, but how can I better understand myself and actions. What can I do to improve me as a whole and help help others. My gratification was always in helping others to the point where I would lose myself to find resolve for those who would seek my direction. No... I'm not perfect and I'm well aware…I strive for it, but it's never achieved, only improvements. That's where realizations sets in and reminds me, that I need to be realistic about what I want, where I'm going and what it will take to get there. Best wish for 2016!

Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times

Stress is all around us and the economical situation does not help. Our concerns rise about job security, finances, bills and the list goes on, while our stress level continues to grow. How can we give ourselves a peace of mind? How can we grasp certainty in uncertain times? All these questions and concerns can keep us up at night wondering what the next day will bring, as we desperately search for solutions to our problems.  Let me put some of these concerns into perspective.

First we have to find balance. Balance in physical and mental well-being. Setting aside time to exercise can be very helpful. That in itself can benefit you in many ways. In fact, the pros always out weight the cons and yet it’s the first thing people neglect for reasons that don’t truly warrant not exercising. Focusing on mental health is very important as well. This time can be spent meditating, praying for strength, guidance or not thinking about anything at all and just allowing your mind to be at rest.

Don’t set your expectations too high. Make a priority list and plug away at the things that are most important. I always tell people to make health first on their priority list. A healthy body means you can accomplish more and save on health insurance because your less likely to be under the doctors care due to an illness.

Peace and happiness belong at the top of your priority list as well. Having time to yourself and living in the present moment can help move you towards a stress free life.

Lastly, a budget is very important. That seems so foreign these days because people are living off credit cards and not within their means. Eating out too frequently can contribute to debt. Try cooking enough food over the weekend that can supply a few meals throughout the week. Also try reconfiguring your cell phone plan. I personally saved an extra $20 a month by doing this. Try reducing unnecessary car trips to the store or running errands. Do as much as you can online. The internet makes things easy, it allows you to do banking, paying bills, shopping and more all in the convenience of your home.

In closing, when my stress rises I personally spend more time in the gym to burn off the negative energy. I also make sure I’m fueling my body with what it needs to take on the extra. I also know when to let go of things I can’t control. Sometimes that may mean doing away with negative people in my surroundings. Always keep it real and be yourself because being something your not is a waste of energy and is stressing in itself.

Natural Products Expo West Product Reviews For 2013

This was another amazing year at the 2013 Natural Products Expo West! As always, the energy was running high. Comparing it with last year, this year was a little different because I had to work at the booths of the products I represent. I did enjoy my time there networking & learning more about the product lines I rep for which are: Rainbow Light, Alaffia, Vibrant Health, Vega, & Creative Bioscience. On the other hand, I did have some time to sample a few products that I'm excited to share with you. Before I share those products, I would like to say, I had an interesting visit with Silk & Soy Delicious. Both products are favorites, however due to the ingredient “Carrageenan” in some of Silk & So Delicious products, I stopped using both of their soy milk & coconut milk. But the Silk Almond milk does not contain this harmful ingredient. I did ask Silk if they plan on removing it from their other products and they said, in the future they would but could not give a date. And they did say, they were aware Carrageenan being a harmful ingredient. In contrast, when I brought this concern to Soy Delicious they were well aware and have already made changes to their formula, which should be hitting the market sometime later this Summer. I love the fact that they were proactive and I will be more than happy to buy more of their products:-)!

In regards to healthy foods that are natural, organic, filled with nutrients and gluten free, here are several you  should keep your eye out for:

• Cedar Lake has a yummy Egg White Frittata that is gluten free, 5 grams of fiber and 10-13grams of protein. They are pre-made and come in Broccoli Cheddar, Spinach & Roasted Tomato along with a Chile & Cheese. Keep in mind, these are vegetarian and not vegan products. www.cedarlanefoods.com

• Alexia has Crispy Seasoned Potato Puffs that contain 150 calories, 0.5 grams of saturated fat & 1 gram of fiber.

• Stoger makes an out of sight cherry seed oil that was simply amazing dipped in bread. www.culinary-imports.com

• Conte makes these wonderful gluten-free pizza/pasta & Pierogi’s that are full of flavor. www.contespasta.com.

• Mrs. May’s had samples again of their chocolate covered fruits that are heaven. I highly recommend the Dark Chocolate covered Blueberry’s! They also come in Strawberry & Almond Rounds, Dark Chocolate covered Strawberries & White Chocolate covered Strawberries. The calories range from 150-160 calories per serving. The ingredients are clean, meaning I know what they are;). www.mrsmays.com

• Mom Made has pre-made meatballs that are very tasty. They come in Chicken & Apple, Turkey & Beef w/cheese. I did try the Chicken & Apple and Turkey, both were good. www.mommadefoods.com

• Suzie’s Quinoa Milk Beverage was my top pick! I’m always looking for something to mix with my protein shakes and I really liked this product. It has a nice creamy taste;  it’s also vegan and gluten free. It’s enriched with antioxidants & calcium. It comes in unsweetened & vanilla. The protein content is low, so I would not use it as a sole source of protein. And the best part is…it does not contain Carrageenan! www.goodgroceries.com

• Hodgson Mill has a great line of natural, organic and gluten free whole grain mixes to bake cookies, cakes, pizza crust and more. I enjoyed several freshly baked gluten free chocolate chip cookies that probably helped me tack on 5lbs lol. www.hodgsonmill.com

Quick FYI, I did notice that Eden Soy does not contain Carrageenan. You can find Eden Soy on the shelf at most grocery stores. It’s not kept in the refrigerated section. Most of these products I recommended can be found at Clark’s Nutritional Centers, Wholefoods and Sprouts.

Do you know what Carrageenan is?

I try to be as healthy as possible. That means eating organic foods when I can. This is very important if you’re eating the outside of the fruit or vegetable. It’s also important to eat the right mix of foods meaning fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, etc…Reading food labels is vital. Before you put that product in your grocery cart, read the label. If you don’t know what the ingredient is, you should question it. Do some research and find out why it’s there. This leads me to the subject of my blog, “carrageenan.” I noticed that it’s used in soy milk, coconut milk and some almond milks. What’ disturbing is it seems to be in the foods that are healthier especially in vegan and vegetarian foods. You may think your buying a healthy food, especially if it’s organic and later find it’s not.

Carrageenan comes from a red breed of seaweeds and is used for its ability to thicken foods or “stabilizing properties.” Although its been used for centuries, there are studies that show it may cause “gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcerations, colitis, cancer and other illnesses.

Andrew Weil M.D says, that degraded forms of carrageenan  (not used in food) caused cancer of the intestinal tract and ulcerations in animal studies. Later on a researcher by the name of Joanne K. Tobacaman M.D who is now the associate professor of clinical medicine at University of Illinois College of Medicine performed a study that showed undergraded carrageenan is a threat as well. The undergraded form is found in foods such as soy, coconut, almond milk and processed foods has been linked to malignancies and other gastrointestinal problems. The difference between the two is the molecular weight. Carrageenan is considered a fiber and when processed has a jelly or tapioca texture.

Dr. Tobacman revealed the biological effects of carrageenan being a “threat to human health” published a study that was done over several years. Her findings were presented to the National Organic Standards Board in April 2012, urging them to reconsider the use of this ingredient in organic and processed foods. She also said that we ingest enough to “cause inflammation in our bodies.” Sadly enough I still find this ingredient in Silk Milk, So Delicious , Blue Diamond and I’m sure in other foods. 

When the body is in an inflamed state, it can lead to other illnesses such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other illnesses. Dr. Tobacman said, when caraageenan is processed it can speed up the harmful degraded form of caraageenan used in food. What’s really scary is the pharmaceutical industry uses low doses of carrageenan in lab mice to produce an inflamed state in their bodies to find out whether or not a drug works.

In closing, just because the product may say organic or appear to be healthy, read the ingredients carefully and if you don’t know what it is, research it. I personally switched over to the Fresh & Easy brand Almond Milk and I’m told Silk Almond Milk does not contain caraageenan.

Do Raspberry Ketones Really Work?

With all the talk about Raspberry Ketones, is it worth trying? Does it really work? Those were some questions I personally had. I of course am a guinea pig. I’m always up for trying most products so I can share an accurate opinion with others based not only on the clinical research but from my own experience. Hopefully, I will pass on enough information for you to make an informed choice as to whether or not you want to try the RK's.

Creative Bioscience makes a formula called, Raspberry Ketone 1234. You can get it with or w/o stimulants. CBS offers support to their customers 24/7 at no additional cost. This is something that impressed me most. Working in the health/natural products industry for years, I have never heard of a company that offered call in support and good customer service. They believe education is key to weight loss and for that, they're available to answer your questions regarding their products. In regards to the RK's, I used the formula without the stimulants for 60 days and noticed some changes in my body. First of all, CBS RK's comes with a little booklet to follow to help with diet and a list of other products they carry. However, I continued my regular exercise program and did not change my diet nor did I use any other products they carry. Using the RK's, I noticed that my body was leaner, meaning my weight did not really change, but my body fat went down a few points.

 According to studies, RK's are said to work by regulating a hormone called adiponectin which is a fat moderating hormone. The RK formula has other synergistic natural ingredients to help the body with fat oxidation and allowing glucose to “pass through your system without being absorbed or stored as fat.” On the other hand, this is not a “get out of jail free card” where you can eat whatever you want and not gain a pound. I can’t stress enough that you still need to be following a reasonably nutritious diet and staying active.

Are RK’s safe? According to the FDA, they have granted it “GRAS” status (generally recognized as safe). Keep in mind that the formula with the stimulants has 84mg of caffeine (less than a cup of coffee) & 123mg of green tea. CBS formula can be found at fine health food stores such as Clark’s Nutritional Centers, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Mother's Market, etc… Visit their website at www.raspberryketone1234.com

What's Your Plan For This Year?

Now that a new year has begun what’s your plan? How will you make this year better than last? Where should you begin? To me, I find these questions overwhelming when I think about all the things I would like to do to make this year better. I’ve stated this before in previous December/January blogs that I’m not a “New Years Resolution” person. As far as I’m concerned a "New Year" is every day and it’s that day or moment that you have to make a difference. So getting back to my questions…I’m not sure if this year is going to be better than last year. For one, I can’t predict what this year will bring. I know what choices I made in 2012 that I will not make in 2013 or at least not respond the same way I did if I encountered the same situation and that can make this year better than last. As far as making changes for this year and where is my starting point…well, it always starts with me and how I can improve myself. Does that mean I will not make mistakes? No, I guarantee somewhere I will make a mistake but I will learn from it and it will serve as a future reference.

As far as my plan for 2013…I don’t really have one because a “New Year” does not mean a lot to me. In other words, it’s overrated, in my opinion. A new moment means more than a "New Year" because it’s at that point in time where you can make a better choice and continue doing the right thing or go the wrong way. You don’t have to wait until a "New Year" has begun in order to do that. The way I see it is, you’re the key and at any given moment you can open whatever door you choose…no matter if it’s a “New Year," new day, the 23^rd hour in a day etc.., “New Years” begins with you. So if your “New Year” started out bad or good, it doesn’t matter. You can make this minute, hour, day, month, year, etc…whatever you choose. It’s up to you to open the right doors. Putting thought into the doors you plan on opening will serve you better in the long run. My advice to you and me is to make this moment the best point in time for you.

Suicide: Why couldn’t he see his value? “Behind my smile is a world of pain”

This morning I was reading the paper and I came across a story that stirred painful emotions and brought back memories of people whom I knew personally who considered suicide and one whose actions were successful. The incident that brought back recent memories involved Facebook. It was someone I knew who was in a relationship that fell apart and he was devastated and posted notes on FB that was disturbing. I contacted him to see what was going on and if he was ok?. Long story short, he was fine after talking with him and time healed his broken heart.

The story was different for a 21 year old  young man by the name of Antjuan Miguel Colvin. Colvin decided to take his life on Christmas day in Hughson California. He posted a note on FB thanking his friends and family for the “impact they had on his life but he could no longer take living.” When his friends and family found this out, they tried desperately calling his cell. One friend whom he grew up with tried calling him “100 times” with no luck. Some thought he was joking but he obviously was not. His girlfriend had no idea that he would do such a thing. But his former girlfriend said “he could hide doubt and depression behind his smile."

Most people who are contemplating suicide do show signs such as: anger, drug and alcohol abuse, talk about dying, withdrawing from friends and family, risky behavior, depression and no longer having pleasure in activities they use to enjoy. In Colvin’s case, he posted a note back in November on FB saying, “I hide all my problems behind my smile, behind my smile is a world of pain, you think you know me but you don’t.”

What hurts me is he never knew the value of his life and what he meant to others. People who knew him said, “ he was always smiling and knew how to make people laugh.” Colvin made an impression on many lives and people whom he did not know...such as me. Colvin won’t be forgotten and if anything his story makes me want to open my heart more to others in need and it serves as a reminder that we should never take ourselves or others for granted. I urge anyone who reads this to take the time and care more for others and to be more aware of anyone they may know who could be at risk of suicide.  It really hurts when someone you know does such an atrocious act…you can’t rewind time and bring them back. It leaves a hole in your heart that never really closes but reopens when you read about stories like this. Please value life and realize that you are a life gem and can’t be replaced. You may think you don’t matter but you do…your priceless.

If you or anyone is at risk of harming themselves, please call National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org