Changing How We Think

I'm sure you've all heard "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten" and "If "wishes" and "buts" were clusters of nuts we'd all have a bowl of granola". Catchy little saying, aren't they? They also are perfect for describing the biggest obstacles in our quest for self-improvement - ourselves.
When people want to lose weight, want to change jobs, want more money or want better relationships they generally set themselves up to fail because they want these things to happen without venturing out of their comfort zone. They will pay big money to gyms and to weight loss companies looking for instant results but won't quit drinking beer or eating dessert; won't be consistent in going for their workouts. When they want to change jobs they're too afraid to apply for other jobs or won't take the courses that may help them get a better position and a raise at the company they currently work for.
When I hear someone say, "I've tried everything but nothing works...." or "I wish I could make more money..." I am reminded of those two little quotes. Sadly, I've done it myself - we all do it because we ALL "like" comfort zones; we "like" to take the easy road; we "deserve" to enjoy the little things in life like a beer or dessert or a cigarette. And if those things are what you truly enjoy then do them but don't feel guilty about it and don't "wish" for things to change.
I think it's a shame that many of us forget that we've been blessed with only ONE life and we get caught up in just making it from day to day and never really finding out what we're all really capable of - what our potential is.

Change can only come from within and that's why we fail. When someone signs up with a Weight Loss clinic they've taken the first step but when they realize that it's not just about taking supplements or eating less but more about changing their lifestyle and the way they think and the way they've always done things that's when they begin to fail because they don't want to change - they want the supplements to work their magic and do it for them. They want the fact that they've spent a lot of money to be the guarantee of their success.

Every day is a new opportunity to improve ourselves, to achieve something, to do more than just "BE". And whether it's simply to take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and really notice it or to smile at someone and really notice them or to take the first step in moving from where you are in life to where you want to be, remember, it IS about stepping out of that comfort zone if only for a moment. Make a bucket list - change it or add to it and cross things off as you do them. It will give you such a great feeling to know that some of the things you've always wanted to do, you've actually done but don't sweat it if you don't get them all done. Life is a work in progress and not a straight line from here to there. Don't "just do what you've always done" and expect things to change. Change comes from you doing things differently so DO IT and enjoy the journey!

Olympics and McDonalds???

I'm sorry but somehow, equating the best athletes in the world with a Big Mac is oxymoronic to me. I realize that the highest bidder was probably what decided who would be one of the official sponsors of the 2010 Olympics but what were the organizers thinking? They had a fantastic opportunity that they passed over in exchange for big money.

At a time when we, as one of the richest countries in the world, also have one of the highest rates of childhood obesity; a frightening number of chronic health conditions directly related to poor eating habits and spend hundreds of millions of dollars on treating these conditions these Winter Olympics would have been a fantastic world stage on which to promote a healthy lifestyle.

I think that educating people and helping them regain their health through healthier eating and lifestyle changes is going to ultimately depend on each of us, the "little people". By taking steps ourselves to be proactive about our health, setting good examples for our children and families and sharing with others how easy it really is, we can truly make a difference. We will be like the pebble thrown into the pond - a small ripple that gets bigger and bigger. This is evident from the number of small businesses being launched that promote health ie. health food stores, naturopathic clinics, fitness centres. Word of mouth from people who have succeeded in improving and restoring their health may not garner a spot as an Olympic sponsor but it may be the "slow and steady" approach that eventually wins this race.

If you're interested about regaining your health and that of your family I invite you to consider bringing ForeverGreen products into your life. They've made a huge difference in my personal health and I feel better than I ever have. Visit www.8794548.myforevergreen.org and then contact me for more information. I'm always happy to spread the word about health!

Spring Cleaning

I was cleaning out some closets recently because it feels like Spring is on the way. It occurred to me that when we throw out the old stuff that's cluttering our lives we should also clean out our kitchen cupboards/pantries. When we're feeling that sense of renewal and optimism for nicer weather on the way it's the perfect time to "clean" out the bad eating habits that are ruining our health and vitality.
I challenge each of you to go through those pantries and toss (or donate to a food bank if you can't stand waste) all of the pre-packaged, processed items and make a new shopping list to restock your cupboards with healthier choices.

I just got myself a "HeathMaster" emulsifier and love it! It looks like a blender but is like a blender on steroids! It's a surefire way to make sure we're getting more than our daily servings of fruits and veggies. And when I combine better eating habits with taking my daily ForeverGreen www.8794548.myforevergreen.org products I can honestly say I feel better than I have for years.

My whole attitude towards eating has changed and it wasn't hard to do. I didn't make the change overnight but over a few months by gradually introducing better food choices into our home. Now it's automatic.
So, clean out those pantries! Make a new grocery list and restock with healthier choices. You'll never regret it and will be rewarded by feeling good.

Back to Basics

Recently, a few of us were having a discussion about technology and how quickly it changes our world. It used to take decades for something to become obsolete - now it takes 3 or 4 years. Items like DVD players, CDs, land-line phones, newspapers, photo film, phone books, fax machines and even personal cheques are on the brink of becoming things of the past. We have started to "expect" change, depending on technology to make our lives faster, easier, even healthier. We've become slaves to technology and it's actually doing more harm to our health than we may realize.
Fast food, probably the biggest contributor to the obesity epidemic, may appear to make our lives easier but, really, does it take that much longer to prepare a healthy meal? Or pack a lunch to take to work rather than grabbing a burger and fries? Food isn't "real" anymore. It's processed, genetically modified and preserved until there's nothing of nutritional value left in it. Even good old water has been "enhanced" to include flavours and minerals and additives that claim to be healthier for you - for a price. What was wrong with water that we had to "fix" it?

Inactivity is the other result of technology and contributor to our sad state of health. We drive everywhere. Our kids play video games, watch movies and spend all of their time "networking" with their friends on the computer or cellphones. And with all of these conveniences that claim to give us more time we still have no time.

One thing technology can't do is take away our "humaness". No matter what, we are blessed with a human body and brain that no amount of technology can replicate. But, here's the key....we have to take care of it and that means getting back to basics. For however long mankind has been around, our lifespan has been, for the most part, based on how well we fueled our bodies. Granted, at one time, it was also based on whether a sabre-toothed tiger got you but no matter how far back you go in history, health has been based on food and medicine found in nature. Plants, fruits, essential oils, spices - the nutritional and healing benefits of these are indisputable and amazing. And when you feel better you'll have the desire to be more active. You will have increased energy, mental alertness and a wonderful sense of well-being and won't be content anymore to sit in front the the T.V. and watch another rerun or "reality" show. You won't want to "waste" a minute of your renewed vitality.

That's what I find makes so much sense about the ForeverGreen products. These all-natural products work in sync with our bodies, giving them the nutritional and healing benefits of plant and fruit-derived ingredients including the amazing marine phytoplankton. Visit www.8794548.myforevergreen.org , click on any of the product brands on the left side and watch some of the video clips.
You can also visit www.team-connections.com and read testimonials from people who have enjoyed improved health and well-being by introducing these products into their daily lives.

Good, common-sense nutrition isn't rocket science and it may not be as sexy as the newest "gadget" on the market but it's been around forever and it's what we need to, not only survive but thrive.