Probiotics, what do you know?

Does your belly ever feel like this?

Probiotics have become mainstream with companies putting them in everything, it seems. The question is how much do you need and is it really beneficial?  The media world is a tricky one to navigate.  One brand of yogurt, for example, promotes improved digestive health and even features a well-known actress as its spokesperson.  When you watch this commercial, if you notice at the bottom of the screen, you will find a disclaimer indicating that you need to consume three servings a day for two weeks.  The truth is that many yogurt’s contain live and active cultures, so what makes this one any different?   What do you do when you have a milk allergy?  Let’s get down to some facts. Do you know the difference between prebiotics and digestive enzymes?

Prebiotics - These soluble fibers ferment in the digestive tract and create the ideal environment for the probiotics to grow.  Consider them probiotic food.

It’s much better when it feels like THIS!

Probiotics - Helpful bacteria (microflora) found in the GI system of humans that help to keep the “bad” bacteria in check.   Diet, environmental pollution, medications and more can have an impact on the number of probiotics found in each person’s body.  The problem with many probiotics is that they do not survive the stomach to make it into the actual GI tract, where they are needed.

Digestive Enzymes - Enzymes are made of proteins, and they help the body break down nutrients like protein, sugars, carbohydrates and starches, lactose and other nutrients so they can be utilized by the body property.

The supplement I take contains the probiotic bacillus coagulans, in addition to prebiotics and digestive enzymes.  When asked about this strain of probiotic, Dr. Peter Matravers, PharmD answered “…bacillus coagulans (patented as BC-30) which is clinically proven through human trials to support digestive health and to survive the trip down to the intestine which can easily kill less robust strains of probiotic. It is for this reason some brands have to add such a high level of probiotic; additionally most probiotics on the market today are not supported by clinical trials as ours is, making it quite unique. Digestion Plus currently contains 74 million CFU per serving.”

After starting a regular routine of prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes I have a much more comfortable gut.  I don’t know about you, but for me this is a big deal.  I used to be on medication for GERD.  After changing to a more alkaline diet, and adding digestive supplements, I am now happy to say I am off of the meds, and feel so much better.  Now I have no bloating, no pain, more “regularity” and the added benefit of my skin looking better (yep, when you straighten up your gut, even your skin responds).  This interesting article helps explain some of the importance of maintaining good GI health.

Have you ever heard of prebiotics?  Now that you know the difference between prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes, you can protect your gut, and your immune system.  For information on what I use, contact me or visit my website.

Pure Transformation Week 8 – Balance

Welcome to my Pure Transformation 9-week Series: Healthy, Wealthy, Wise.  This is week 8.  Today continues Wise with Work/Life Balance: Commit to balancing the passion you have for your business with the demands (and desires) for time in other areas of your life.

This is probably one of the hardest topics in the 9-week series to tackle, and is certainly the most difficult for me to implement in my own life.  Balance is alluding, and I truly think we are never really in balance for very long.  In my opinion, the trick is readjusting regularly so that one is not out of balance for very long either.  An analogy of this is a teeter totter.  One side is up and the other down, then slowly it is balanced in the middle for a short period of time before tipping to the other side.  Repeat.  If one side of this teeter totter is your business life, and other is your family life, it is a constant shift between the two with brief periods of balance in the middle.  The important thing is to not let one side sit on the ground for too long.  Make sure you have some support!  After all, you can’t ride a teeter totter alone and expect to still have those times you are “up”.

I keep a calendar and schedule personal time, family time, business time and free time.  I color code them (yes, I’m a former project manager, so this suits me just fine) then I can visually see what color is dominant and make adjustments for the next week.  Planning your time must be intentional.

If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way.  If not, you’ll find an excuse.

What do you do to try to achieve a balance between business and personal priorities?

Here Comes the Sun!

“Here Comes the Sun” is one of my all-time favorite songs, and it’s that time of year again.  Spring is here and summer is just around the corner.  The days are longer and we are outside participating in sports and outdoor fun.  It’s the time of year I love to remind my friends and clients that sun protection is critical.

My little Irish babies need protection!

Do you know that your sunscreen EXPIRES?  Especially after being toted around in your sports bag, beach bag or sitting in your hot car.  Hot temperatures biodegrade the active ingredients, making your lotion less effective. So even if the date is not expired on the bottle, if you’ve been keeping it in the heat and/or it’s more than 6 months old, pitch it!  This means, folks, that last summer’s sunscreen is no longer effective to protect you and your family!  Keep everyone safe and start the season fresh.

Commercial media has pushed the idea that higher SPF is better.  The reality is that you just get more chemicals without a significant difference in protection.  The line I use provides broad spectrum SPF 30, which provides (according to WebMD) 97% protection from UVA (cancer causing, aging rays) and UVB (burning) rays.  Increasing the SPF above 30 has no effective increase in protection (SPF 60 is NOT twice as protective as SPF 30).

Also, did you know that UVA and UVB rays have different wave lengths?  UVA is a longer ray, and can penetrate clothing and glass?  That’s why I always wear sunscreen on my hands while driving!

Keep yourself safe and know your sunscreen facts.  READ your labels, and educate yourself.  It’s a media minefield to navigate and find the truth (even sites promising the “truth” about ingredient safety often times have political agendas rather than true consumer safety in mind).

The brand I use for me and my family is by a company I trust and have used for years, one that discloses 100% of their ingredients, and one I believe in the product safety, product testing and development, company policy and green commitment.

Here’s to your health and a summer of fun and sun safety!

Pure Transformation – Week 7: Learn Something New

Welcome to week 7 of my 9-week series Pure Transformation: Healthy, Wealthy, Wise.  This week starts the topic of wise with a focus on personal development.

Wise tip:  Dedicate time each day for learning. Learn something new.  Believe in the value of education and make a goal to “get smarter” on one or two topics that interest you or will benefit you in some manner. 

Do you know the saying “school is never out for the pro?”  There is always something to learn.  I’m making my goal to learn something for fun, and to learn something to benefit my business.  There are so many resources available, there is never a lack of something new to learn.

Perhaps you want to learn how to start your own compost bin, or how to plant vegetables in your own back yard?  Learn how to read music, or how to play an instrument?  Maybe you want to learn about our universe, stars or something scientific.  You can learn how to talk to people authentically or how to interview for a new job.  Learn how to start up your own business. Take a cooking class.  Learn how to hula dance.  Learn how to make something with your own hands.  Learn more about financial investing.  Learn about country you have always wanted to visit including key words from their language.  Read even just 15-20 minutes at night before bed.  Learn something, and make learning a daily habit.

I’m learning to play the ukulele because it makes me feel happy.  Additionally, I’m reading a new book on improving my business skills.   What will you challenge yourself to learn?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world“  – Nelson Mandela.  Don’t know who Nelson Mandela is?  Learn about that!

Carbon Neutral and Proud!

Reblogged from Lifestyle DIVA:

• 

I got a box of products today and for whatever reason my eye wandered to the little label to the bottom right where it said Carbon Neutral Shipment so I went off to do some research!

I love what Arbonne does to reduce its carbon footprint as a company! Certified Carbon Neutral Read about how it's partnered with UPS to fund carbon reducing projects worldwide!

I loved this blog post by my friend, Lifesyle DIVA. Thanks for sharing Niki!

Pure Transformation: Week 6 -Grow Your Business

Welcome back to week 6 of the 9-week, Pure Transformation-Healthy, Wealthy, Wise series.   This week’s topic is the last week on Wealthy: Grow Your Business.  Set specific financial goals for your business to help give you the peace of mind and freedom that comes with financial security.  Don’t have your own business?  You can still set your financial goals for money growth, and allow your money to work for you, instead of the opposite.  (Remember financial planning in week 4?)

Financial Independence or Financial Freedom are terms we hear a lot about lately.  I just read an article in the newspaper regarding individuals who plan to retire by, or before, the age of 50.  Although, instead of “retirement”, the term they used was “financial independence”.  Whether you plan to retire at 50 or much later in life, financial independence is a goal for which to strive.  I have chosen entrepreneurship to facilitate this goal.   According to Robert Kiyosaki, money doesn’t make you rich, business skills make you rich.

If you have not considered owning your own business, it’s worth looking into.  There are lots of opportunities and tax benefits for those who are willing to work, that can be accomplished alongside a full-time job.  Some require large sums of capital (such as investment in real estate properties, or other private placement investments), others do not (such as with Direct Selling and Network Marketing).  Before you snub your nose at the idea of network marketing, realize that we are networking everyday, and most of us are involved in network marketing in one way or another, we are simply not getting paid for our referrals.

Robert Kiyosaki has some great information on letting your money work for you, instead of you working to earn money.   Remember, saving money alone does not make you money.  Watch this short video by Robert Kiyosaki regarding his Rich Dad, Poor Dad concept.

Whether you chose to consider your own business, or continue working for someone else, make sure you have a plan and set financial goals.  Those goals should include growing your wealth to reach your long-term financial plan.

Next week, we will continue our series with the first week of Wise.

Pure Transformation: Week 5 – Giving

Happy Friday and welcome to week 5 of my 9-week series Pure Transformation.  This Friday is week 2 of the Wealthy part of “Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.”

Tip #5 – Incorporate charitable giving into your financial plan.

What does this have to do with your own wealth?  For me, this topic is about living in a state of abundance.  This attitude of abundance is a gratitude for what we have, even while we are striving for those things we desire to possess, the lifestyle you wish to live, or the success you wish to achieve.   My opinion is the more you live in a state of abundance, the more you attract.

Including charitable giving in your budget and financial plan shows that we have some extra to share with those less fortunate, or to support a cause in which you believe.  Even if you currently don’t have much extra after necessities in your budget, find a way to give something and share it out of a spirit of abundance.

There are so many amazing charities and causes from which to choose. Find one that makes you cry, scream or dream; one that touches some part of you that wants to make the world better.  Support a cancer research charity or cancer support center, sponsor a child in a 3rd-world country (or in the US), give to a local woman’s shelter, support your local food pantry, support a charity educating against bullying, an animal rescue or shelter, or just bake some cookies for a local convalescent home.  If you truly cannot give financially, give of your time, or your unused, unwanted or outgrown items.

Charities that speak to me are related to cancer research and support, and under-privileged children.  If you are not familiar with the following charities, check them out, or find your own local charities that speak to your heart:

www.challengeday.org - Challenge Day – goes beyond traditional anti-bullying efforts, building empathy and creating a movement of compassion and positive change

www.cupcakesforcancer.org - Cupcakes for Cancer – started by a teenager to support children with cancer (supports various other charities such as Make-A-Wish and lesser known cancer charities for children or families with children with cancer)

www.mystuffbags.org – My Stuff Bags – provides a bag of personal goods (blanket, toys, toiletries, art supplies, clothes) to children rescued from dangerous home environments without their personal belongings

www.ucaan.org  - United Cancer Advocacy Action Network – provides resources to cancer patients and survivors not provided by other charities (assistance with expenses, nutritional and support counseling, etc.), founded by a cancer survivor passionate about helping others

So whether your heart is touched by cancer support or research, animals, children, the elderly, the poor or whatever it is that fires you up, make charity a way of life and live with the spirit of abundance.  I would love it if you would share your favorite charities (true non-profits, please) as replies to this post.