‘Appy Wednesday – 180 App

Tags

app, fat, healthy weight, lose weight, shaklee 180

Every Wednesday, I will write a review on a new App that I find either necessary or that has dramatically changed the quality of my life or has made a difference in the education of our children.  Each app posted here MUST be either 1) free 2) cheaper than dirt or 3) its price is worth more than gold.

Today, I am going to talk about the new Shaklee 180 App that is FREE with either the Shaklee 180 Turnaround or Lean and Healthy Kits.  

This app contains so much that I won’t be able to cover it in one post.  So here, I will give a general review of what is inside and how it is effective.  I will go into greater depth in future posts on each area.

First and foremost, the app provides a way for you create a customized nutritional plan, serve as a food recorder.  Secondly, it also contains progress logs to keep you at your goal – but also awesome – will win you prizes!  But perhaps the coolest part, is that when viewed on either a smartphone or a tablet, you can workout LIVE, right there!  No need to turn on the t.v. and waste time or go to a gym.  Wherever you are at, you can turn it on right there and be done with a workout in 3 minutes.

Shaklee has done a great job to make this an app that you will truly use 24/7 and won’t just be an icon taking up space.  It will track eating, inspire you to reach 180 days of health, and help you get there with an exercise plan too.  What drove them to create such a tool?  Shaklee understands that a healthy life most often begins with a healthy weight.  Whether your goal is to lose weight or not, this app is for you.

 

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Protein and Preventing Heart Disease (and how to make Almond Milk!)

Tags

almond milk, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, money-saver, smoothee

Yesterday, I posted on the many ways we can maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent Heart Disease.  However, there is a little extra secret not many people know about – studies have shown that soy protein is involved in preventing heart disease.

Susan Potter, Ph.D at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found in her testing various soy products, that isolated soy protein worked best.  Her results showed that there was a 12 percent drop in total cholesterol and an 11.5 percent drop in the “bad cholesterol” (LDL).  Researchers then concluded:

The fact that a significant reduction was obtained by consuming only 50 grams a day of soy protein sets a practical and achievable goal that would be beneficial in the treatment of high blood cholesterol and coronary artery disease

Subsequent studies by Dr. Potter’s group further revealed that even 25 grams (approximately 1/2 cup) of soy protein daily “could result in significant reduction of cholesterol levels in those with elevated levels.”  In addition, The New England Journal summarized the findings of 38, well-controlled studies on soy protein and cholesterol.  They saw a nine-percent reduction of total cholesterol and nearly a 13-percent reduction of the bad LDL cholesterol.

Isn’t it refreshing that there can actually be a snack that is GOOD for you?  At the start of 2013, Shaklee launched its latest, greatest tasting soy protein shake.  This yummy drink contains all the 23 amino acids that our bodies need, but often don’t get every day.  Think of Amino Acids as links of protein on a bracelet.  They are all essential for the functions of your body.  Eight of these 23 are called Essential, because your body can not produce them on its own. You have to get them from an outside source.  These 8 are so crucial, because if you don’t get them, your body won’t make the other 15!  Our bodies NEED protein!

Make yourself a shake first thing in the morning, at lunch or for an evening snack.  Shaklee has two types of shakes to choose from: Energizing Soy Protein, or Shaklee Life Shakes.  All Shaklee shakes contain all 23 amino acids.
You might be wondering what is the best way to drink a Smoothee?  Here is a recipe for a “Wow Smoothee:”

Wow Smoothee

1/2 – 1 cup Soy or Almond Milk (I drink Silk Unsweetened Original, but I just found out you can make it yourself!  Recipe below)

1 or 2 scoops of a Shaklee Life Shake (one if having as a snack, two if a meal)

1 cup peach or pear, or 1 apple, cut into pieces (seeds removed)

1 frozen ripe banana

1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli (or kale or spinach)

Sprinkle of flax or chia seeds

Place all ingredients in a blender in the order listed, and mix until creamy.  Tip:  Serve to kids in a colored cup so they won’t be scared by the green!  The riper the banana, the more the broccoli taste is canceled.

DIY Almond Milk

This is a complete money saver and so easy!  I found this courtesy of Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine.

Serving Size:  4 cups of milk

Step 1  Soak 2 Cups of raw almonds and 5 cups of water in a bowl for at least 2 hours overnight

Step 2 Mix the almonds and water in a blender on high until frothy and smooth, about 5 minutes.  (Sounds like forever, but keep blending!)

Step 3 Line a strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth; place over a bowl.  Add half of the almond mixture; let sit 10 minutes, then squeeze out the liquid.  Discard the solids.  Repeat with second half.

It tastes great with a Smoothee, it gives me energy, and best of all the price is right.  I used to love going to Jamba Juice when I would visit California and would come back home so sad there was none where I lived.  Now I don’t have to be sad because I can make an even healthier shake for half the price – at home!

 

Preventing the No. 1 Killer in the U.S.

This February I have been researching cardiovascular disease. Did you know that in 2011, Cardiovascular Disease, according to the Center for Disease Control’s website, was the #1 leading killer in the U.S?  Not only that, but that it accounted for one-quarter of all deaths in 2011?  And since 1935, “heart disease, cancer, and stroke were among the five leading causes [of death]” up to 2010?  Sadly, in watching all of the food commercials and seeing the menus at most of the restaurants in our country, I am not surprised by these statistics.  It saddens me that people don’t realize the extra work they are placing on their heart.  But at the same time, I understand.

You see, when the body is constantly being fed excess sugar, fat, carcinogens, chemicals, and toxins regularly – it almost expects and depends on these types of foods.  The problem is… it is a horrible vicious cycle of the taste buds and stomach feeling happy for a moment.  But then later, fatigue and a general feeling of sluggishness sets in.  Which leads to weight gain.  Which leads to a more prone to illness, unhappy, you.  Today I want to talk about why the fatigue starts and how it affects your heart.

In his book The Nutrition Guarantee, Dr. Bruce Miller states that the overwhelming majority of cardiovascular disease is a result of Artherosclerosis.  It might seem like a word that makes your tongue tie up.  But it basically means that there is a blockage in the arteries.  In short, this sludge is a buildup of pulpy fat materials that become like a plugged drain in a sink with plaque.  As the arteries, or “pipes” get more narrow, less blood is able to flow to the heart muscle.  Eventually, this leads up to a heart attack, which often means death or severe handicap.  Fatigue could be one of these handicaps debilitating your body.

Today, everyone wants to know a magic pill or cure for Artherosclerosis.   A better question is why it occurs.  The reason is the development of oxidized LDL  Otherwise known as the “bad” cholesterol, this bad boy is full of free radicals and is even more dangerous for your arteries when oxidation occurs.  If we really take a hard look at it, there are some easy ways to counteract it and prevent it, period.

#1 Eat more 75% vegetables and 25% protein

It’s not about eating less (for most).  It’s about eating smart.  In fact, in 2005, the USDA decided that the old Food Pyramid wasn’t a good visual for Americans to understand what is healthy to eat.  So instead, they created a new visual of your plate and what should be put on it.  There is even a game for youngsters to play to learn what to put on your plate.  It is not perfect, but it is a great way to show kids a diet requires a variety of nutrition.  I enjoy the visual, but am not sure I agree with the visual of milk as the beverage (a topic for another day).  The good news is that when you start eating healthy, your body expects to eat healthy and will tell you immediately when it recognizes an invader that is hurting it.

#2 Exercise

You don’t have time for exercise?  How about 10 minutes?  Whether you are at a healthy weight or not, exercise is important to jumpstart the heart.  You can join me in a B.U.R.S.T.  (Body’s Ultimate Response System Training).  Learn more here.

#3 Antioxidants

Vitamins E, C, and Beta Carotene are all important components that work together to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.  As if that weren’t great enough news, these vitamins all work together to combat the aging process and protect our immune systems.  In the past, I have taken these vitamins and never felt a difference.  After taking the Vitalizer pack, however, I could tell instantly a difference.  So much so, that my doctor could too in my bloodwork.  This formulation is specially designed to be absorbed and time-released efficiently.

#4 Plant Stenols and Sterols

Plant sterols and stanols have been clinically proven by more than 80 studies to lower LDL cholesterol.   Cholesterol Reduction Complex delivers the daily 100% of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) recommendation for plant sterols and stanols.

What have you done for your heart lately?

Next Post:  Effects of Protein on the Heart

 

Heather Hirsh – Transforming Health from the Inside Out

 

Before: 143 lbs.  After:  113 lbs.

This February, one area I will be focusing on is heart health.  My friend, Heather Hirsh, is a great example of someone who cared enough to put her long-term health back on course.  She was a mom like you and I who faced days of fatigue and was frustrated not knowing how to fix it.  At the time, Heather was 143 lbs and a size 8.  She recalls feeling that “the simple act of getting dressed each day was a big hassle that always resulted in [her] entire wardrobe thrown all over [her] bed and complaining that nothing [she] owned fit or looked right.”

I think EVERY woman can identify with Heather’s plight!  I also know that no one would judge her in her situation – but probably sympathize with her – because we have all been there.  And most of us would accept it as our new life.

But not Heather.  Heather began the Shaklee 180 program along with the Vitalizer pack, included in the program.  Soon after, she stated:

I quickly noticed a remarkable difference in both my energy level and mood. Fast forward several months and I was down to 113 lbs. and wearing a size 2! I never dreamed that I could even be that size, especially after having two kids. I’m so thankful that a dear friend introduced me to this amazing program!

Her story doesn’t stop there!  Her adventure led her to be the new face of Shaklee 180.  If you see a beautiful girl in a pink dress or tank top on the products – that is my friend Heather!  And not only did she achieve her goal, other problems, like alopecia disappeared from her life.  After being scared to not attempt a 3rd child when the first two were high risk and laden with bed rest and ER visits, she is now 8 months pregnant with her third child – no bed rest or restrictions.

It can happen for you!  2013 can be your year!  Take Heather’s advice, “If you want to gain confidence, feel better about yourself, have more energy, and kick fatigue to the curb forever, I highly recommend you starting the Shaklee 180 program and BurstClub.com now!”

Heather – New Jersey

A New Year. A New Healthy You.

Tags

baby, pregnancy, shaklee, shaklee 180, weight loss

Before (March 2012) and After (November 2012)

How could I be wearing the clothes I had not worn since high school just three months after having my second baby?  People began asking me what I was doing to lose the weight so fast.  It was then I realized that health program I had been on really prepared my body to do what it should before, during, and after pregnancy.

Pregnancy with my firstborn was a different story – I gained more weight and it did not come of quickly. This time, Shaklee helped me lose 38 pounds.

I am so thankful a friend introduced me to Shaklee or my son would not be here today.  Not only was I able to manage my hypothyrodism, overcome fatigue, and become pregnant because of Shaklee, but I know that the program I used helped my baby to be nourished with nothing but health, and I gained no extra weight than what was necessary to bring him to health.

I truly see a difference in the healthy start between my children. My body is just a bonus.  They only see the doctor for well checkups.  Neither child has ever been on an antibiotic, and my oldest is six years old.

It can happen for you!  Join me! Make the New Year right!  You will lose weight, or your money back.  If you help 3 people, you get yours free!

Learn more at www.takeitoff4good.myshaklee.com.