HOLIDAY FLUFF...

So it's that time of year - the clocks are about to change, there's a chill in the air...holidays are a-coming...you may find yourself more sluggish, cozy, melancholy, joyous and everything else in between. This tends to be a very bi-polarish (as in if we were polar bears we might hibernate) time of year if I do say so myself. I say this with LOVE and sensitivity...

On a personal note, my family has experienced a lot of loss this time of year so we need to be extra loving to ourSELVES...and I know we are not the only ones so please take SWEET care of yourself and your lovebugs xo

It is not unusual for some of us to be deficient in Vitamin D as the beautiful sun makes it's way further from PlanetEarth. I myself have a "Vit D Opportunity" and it was particularly TERRIBLE when I was living in Nashville. SoCal sun is definitely helping, but I'm still teetering on low. 10 minutes a day of sunshine (with no sunscreen) is truly the best solution when possible.

FYI...most Vitamin D supplements are synthetic chemicals that contribute to a whole other set of challenges. I admit that I had to succumb to a tanning bed while in Nashvegas for a few minutes periodically because that is the second best way to get it. I know...but when the choice is skin cancer or hopeless depression from the cold, gray climate, you do what you have to.

On a bouncy note...I just got myself a bottle of Metabooster (it's been a long while) and my energy is absolutely back!! ZING. I also find my 40-something year old self kicking some serious 20-something year olds butts (energy and endurance-wise) in my newfound kickboxing class. Woot.

So back to the HOLLY-days! I myself (and my best friend) are super-excited about the holiday menu at Follow Your Heart. I salivate just thinking about it. Tis the season to add some extra FLUFF to our otherwise perfect flesh temples...the ones we work so hard on daily will be pummeled with decadent yams, mashed potatoes, animal friendly "turkey" and my personal fave vegan pumpkin pancakes. YUM.

All I can say is: I URGE you to continue your Sunrider regime...if you have fallen off track, giddy-UP!! Prices are substantially lower since last year if dinero is a problemo. If you are not drinking Calli, I suspect you may be drinking coffee.

Need I remind you that a cup of joe at Starbucks costs MORE than a Vitashake, Calli and Fortune Delight combined? And your breath SURELY stinks. Plus it's all ACID and sugar and if you are using artificial sweeteners, I beg of you to at the very least use Sunnydew (stevia in the best possible formulation).

Side note: Vitashake Strawberry is now available in 10-packs. Starting November 1st, Cocoa will be as well...so you can mix and match. If you are a choco-holic however, buy your shakes this month while you can still get a 40-pack box. You will save a few dollars and that is always a good thing!

Low in iron? Drink your greens with Evergreen...it works wonders! It is an oil-based infusion of chlorophyll and peppermint which not only oxygenates your blood and soothes the digestive tract, it eliminates body odors. Who wants to be stinky? Not I said the FLY.

In closing, let's recite our NBC's...Nourish (Vitashake), Balance (Quinary) and Cleanse (Calli and Fortune to push the fat and toxins away) with a side order of Sunnydew to regenerate the pancreas and eliminate cravings. Yes, I Sheri, former sugar addict can eat a bite or so of cake, get a nasty headache and stop the cravings in it's tracks.

You know you are healthy when you crave Kale instead of Kit Kats. Just saying.

If you need a plan of action, some help or want to join forces for a group order to save on shipping or perhaps even a jaunt down to Torrance to pick up your goodies and oooooh and aaaaah about how impressively beautiful SR headquarters is, give me a jingle. We can even try on the toxin free plant based face products and make-up if you haven't had that experience yet.

NO FUPA this year for me. My sister understands that one if nobody else does :)

I wish you all the HEALTH, LoVe and Peace in the world. Love each other all-ways. Be kind to each other, Planet Earth and all the animals that share the planet with us. We are not in charge...please do your part.

xoxo

What is REAL asked the Rabbit one day...

I will start this off by saying that the abbreviation for the Standard American Diet (SAD) says it all. So I guess I don't have to say anything ;)

Oftentimes I am asked about where vegetarians, vegans and raw foodies get their protein from. I always highly recommend that EVERYone read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell for the scientific evidence that there is more protein in plant-based foods then in animal protein (if you eat raw human flesh, that is the #1 source of protein followed by PLANT food, need I say more?) AND that Americans are under the misconception that we need exorbitant amounts of protein to thrive. Since not all of us are avid readers and just want some simple facts, I am happy to provide that for you.

I came across a very simplified FACT vs FICTION resource written by MEDICAL DOCTORS. Yes it's true...the medical community is progressing in leaps and bounds (well some of them are anyway).

So here we go:

FACT vs FICTION

From protein and oil to carbohydrates and dairy, clear up the confusion surrounding nutrition, health myths, and medical misconceptions. Sorting out fact from fiction is key to achieving success. Read on for a few of these truths revealed...

PROTEIN

Fiction: Plants do not have protein so we must eat meat to get it.
Fact: Per calorie, broccoli has more protein than beef.

Fiction: “Carbs” and vegetables do not contain protein or fat.
Fact: Foods categorized as carbohydrates are those that are high in carbohydrate, but they also contain fat and protein. Mushrooms are 50% protein and in 2000 calories of rice there is about 50 grams of protein.

Fiction: Humans need a lot of protein and need to work hard to make sure they get enough.
Fact: The average person needs less than 5% of calories from protein, which is 25 grams on a 2000 calorie-per-day diet. If you consume 2000 calories of whole plant foods, it is impossible to design a diet deficient in protein.

Fiction: Plant foods do not contain complete proteins so we need to mix and match foods to make them complete.
Fact: All starches have more than enough of each of the 8 essential amino acids. The only food that does not contain all 8 essential amino acids is an animal product: Gelatin.

OIL

Fiction: The Mediterranean diet is healthy because of the olive oil.
Fact: Studies show that the Mediterranean diet is healthy because of the high amount of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits consumed. This is despite the olive oil, not because of it.

Fiction: We need to add oil to our diet to get our essential fats.
Fact: All plants contain fat in small amounts, most of which is essential fat. Furthermore, eating a varied plant based diet will provide more than enough essential fats to our diet.

Fiction: Fish like salmon make essential fats like Omega 3 fatty acids.
Fact: Fish get essential fats from plants either directly or by eating other fish that eat plants with Omega 3 fatty acids.

Fiction: It is easy to meet daily Omega 3 essential fat requirements using olive oil.
Fact: To get enough Omega 3 from olive oil you would have to drink 8 oz of it, which is 1900 calories and 42 grams of saturated fat.

CARBOHYDRATES

Fiction: Carbohydrates make you fat.

Fact: It is very hard to turn glucose (a carbohydrate) into fat. Rather it is the fat mixed in with the carbohydrates that causes problems. As Dr. John McDougall says, “The fat you eat is the fat you wear.”

Fiction: Carbohydrates have no protein.
Fact: Carbohydrates encompass a wide range of foods (including corn, beans, vegetables, and fruits) all of which, when consumed to meet caloric need, are abundant in proteins and provide ALL of the essential amino acids.

Fiction: Carbohydrates are not the preferred source of fuel.
Fact: Our most important organ (the brain) will only run on glucose (a carbohydrate). Most organs in our body prefer glucose for fuel, as it is the cleanest fuel with only water and carbon dioxide as breakdown products.

Fiction: We don’t need to eat starches if we consume fruits and vegetables.
Fact: Fruits and vegetables do not contain enough carbohydrate to provide the calories required to meet daily energy needs. Fruits are primarily a simple sugar, fructose, and not a good source of sustained energy.

DAIRY

Fiction: We need to eat dairy to get enough calcium.
Fact: Calcium is a mineral found in the ground and absorbed by plants. Cows don’t make calcium. In fact, adult cows do not drink milk and yet they are able to maintain a much larger skeletal system than humans.

Fiction: Vegetables are low in calcium.
Fact: Dairy has 25 mg of calcium per 15 calories, whereas collards have 75 mg of calcium per 15 calories.

Fiction: Dairy is necessary to build strong bones.
Fact: Studies show that populations that consume the most calcium and dairy products have the most hip fractures and osteoporosis.

Fiction: Milk is necessary for vitamin D.
Fact: 90% of vitamin D is produced by sunlight on our skin.

MISCELLANEOUS

Fiction: Supplements (other than B12*) are important for health.
Fact: Not only are supplements unnecessary for most people, but they can also be dangerous. They cause metabolic imbalances that increase morbidity and mortality in an otherwise healthy person. On the few occasions that supplements must be used, they should be treated like medications and their risk/benefits should be thoroughly assessed.

*For people who do not eat animal products, Vitamin B12 should be supplemented at a dose of at least 10 micrograms a day.

Fiction: Treating risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure is important.
Fact: Treating risk factors (like high blood pressure and high cholesterol) is essentially just treating the symptoms of the problem rather than the problem itself (blood vessel system poisoned with fat and cholesterol from our diets). It does not work any more than would solely treating a fever with Tylenol if one has pneumonia.

Drs. Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman are licensed medical physicians practicing nutrition and lifestyle medicine in Los Angeles, California. Their clinic, Transition To Health, empowers patients to achieve and maintain their optimum health – physically, emotionally, and medically – through a comprehensive, patient-centered approach.

Since I am not a Medical Doctor, as always I make no medical claims. However, this was found on the above-mentioned doctor's website and so I get to tell you that THEY are confirming what I already knew but cannot tell you that other then stating it's my own opinion. As always, I am available as your happy, hoppy Nutritional Coach and as a friend. OH, it's a complicated life but so much FUN when you feel healthy and bouncy.

LOVE EACH OTHER...LOVE THE PLANET xo

VITASHAKE & NUPLUS...I LOVE WHAT THEY DO FOR MY BODY!

Being a RAW food Vegan, I am thoroughly convinced that my body would not get everything it needed if not for my precious Sunrider foods. I have 2 to 3 Vitashakes and 1 NuPlus EVERY day, no matter what. As I have mentioned in before, I cannot tolerate anything that is a soy ISOLATE. Vitashakes are made up of 5 different fermented (aids digestion) WHOLE soybeans which address the systems in the body and create BALANCE. My body LOVES soy in this whole food form and I know I am completely nourished on a cellular level...

Suggestion: before you write soy off, make sure you are not consuming genetically modified isolated soy protein (read your labels, particularly your "protein" shakes...soy isolate, whey isolate, ANY isolate = TROUBLE!). The body reacts as if it is a chemical and cannot properly assimilate it. This form of soy has been known to cause cancer markers in women and food intolerances thus creating a fear and controversy of soy...which based on how many soy products are GMO, is totally understandable!

Soy, in it's whole bean form is actually highly beneficial and a wonderful source of protein! Just be AWARE of where you are getting it from.

If you still have an issue, NuPlus makes a no-bean formula which I usually recommend for babies, the elderly and those with serious health opportunities or those who are TRULY allergic to soy.

Some benefits are:

1. Feeds every cell in your body
2. Helps balance blood sugar
3. Provides nutrients for calm peaceful energy
4. Diminishes cravings for foods which cause energy loss and mood swing
5. Nourishes joints and muscles
6. Nourishes defense system
7. Gives energy to brain (promoting mental and emotional stability)
8. Relaxes for better sleep
9. Helps improve muscle tone
10. Promotes healthy cholesterol levels and helps burn fat
11. Helps the body regulate metabolism
12. Contains all 5 flavors and 5 colors of food (balance)

NUPLUS recipe is over 3,000 years old. It was originally called “Angels Porridge.” It was known to be a potent body tonic for strength, longevity, and beauty. This porridge was revered by the Emperors of China for its potent strengthening and adapting properties. Nuplus comes in 5 flavors: Simply Herbs, Naturally Plain, Pina Banana, Mixed Berry, Apple-Cinnamon and "Regular" (Regular contains no beans and is used for babies under 3 months and people with extremely weak digestion).

VITASHAKE is an Americanized or "super-sized" version of Nuplus. Dr. Chen uses Nuplus and then chelates vitamins and minerals to the original formula. It also has FOS which assists the body in growing healthy probiotics (good bacteria) in the intestines. He also added more protein rich whole food and fiber to this formula. It is a bit more filling then Nuplus and stays with you longer. It comes in 2 flavors, Strawberry and Cocoa.

Consume them every day and experience positive changes in your body!!

These simple to use foods can be mixed in water or made into a decadent shake. Coconut juice, cocoa Vitashake with a little bit of banana and ice is my personal favorite!!

Don't forget to "chew" your Shake. Digestion begins in the mouth. If you do not "chew" your shake you could experience bloating as this whole food needs the alkaline saliva in your mouth to be fully digested and metabolized. Also never eat anything in a rush or under stress. Take 5-10 deep breaths before eating. You will experience better energy, digestion and metabolism of ALL of your food. This is key to fat loss!!

NuPlus

The name means nutrition plus. It is not an isolated protein powder. To the contrary, it is a very concentrated blend of Coix Lachryma-jobi, Soybean Seed, Chinese Yam, Fox Nut, Lotus Seed, Lotus Root, Waterlily Bulb, Green Bean, Red Bean, Black Bean, White Bean and Imperate Root. This is a balanced blend of complex carbohydrates that combine concentrated herbs with soybeans, other legumes, and natural freeze dried fruit. The ancient Chinese developed this as a very unique combination to feed all the body systems and keep the body healthy. It contains naturally occurring bioflavonoids, antioxidants, amino acids, and other beneficial phytochemicals. Below is some information from pharmacological research on various ingredients.

Coix Lachryma-jobi

Pharmacological research shows that Coix Fruit, reduces spasms, inhibits tumors, lowers blood sugar, stimulates general immunity, reduces inflammation, reduce muscle tension and lowers cholesterol. The components of Coix Fruit includes glycerides of palmitic acid, myriatic acid, 8-octadecenoid acid, coixenolide, and phytin, help maintain a healthy immune system, nervous system, and normal cholesterol levels. In Japan, Coix Fruit is known as a natural treatment for arthritis and joint disease.

Soybean Seed

Pharmacological research shows that Soybean decreases hot flashes during menopause, inhibits the growth of some tumors, reduces harmful cholesterols without effecting beneficial cholesterols, lowers blood pressure, and reduces fatigue, obesity, and hypoglycemia.

Chinese Yam

Pharmacological research shows that Chinese Yam exerts a general nutritive effect. The constituents of Chinese Yam – starches, proteins, choline, mucine, and allantoin, sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose, as well as amino acids such as phenylalanine-help regulate metabolism and digestion.

Lotus Seed/Root

Pharmacological research shows that Lotus Root inhibits bleeding. It also shows that Lotus Seed relaxes smooth muscles, neutralizes toxicity and inhibits infection. The seeds contain asparagin, fats, proteins and some starches, and trace elements of calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. They are taken to tonify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood. Other conditions treated with Lotus Seeds include palpitations, insomnia and irritability.

Possible benefits of eating NuPlus

Easily digestable, improved fat metabolism, help build lean muscle tissue, increase stamina and energy, promotes general feeling of well-being, reduced cravings for unwholesome food, enhanced concentration, better sleep, and many other great results!

LoveLoveLove and Optimum Health ALL-ways xo

I AM RAW

So it's that time of year for me...to be as close to 100% RaW as possible!! It's not even so much a choice anymore - when the temperature rises, my body only craves freshly squeezed green juices, avocados, zucchini, kale, tomatoes, asparagus and anything plant-based I can get from the local pesticide-free, Monsanto-free (I hate to even give this evil corporate nightmare a capital "M") farmers. Whenever possible, I URGE you to buy your produce from local Farmer's Markets or co-ops. You can also join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and have a box of seasonal veggies delivered to you during the growing season (www.localharvest.org/csa/). Unless you have your own garden of tasties, this is the next best thing!

During the cooler months, I usually maintain an 80% raw lifestyle but I do respect and listen to my body and if it wants some cooked grains, beans and steamed veggies, I oblige. Fall and winter sway me towards a more Raw/Vegan/Macrobiotic path and it works just as well for me.

I have found that since I have eliminated ALL animal products (including dairy), refined sugars and processed foods, my body very LOUDLY tells me what to put in it AND I actually listen because I trust that it loves me and wants what is best for me.

That being said, when I was not so "clean", it INSISTED I eat Twizzlers, Gummy Bears, ProMax Bars and the like...and I paid a price for that. I would have daily sugar comas and never felt good yet I would continue abusing myself because I was responding to an addiction. The additional "bonus" is that I would be on such a sugar high that I could probably run 6 miles fueled only on a "Vitamin" water (sugar content in this drink is astounding) and I'd actually lose weight! BECAUSE I WAS KILLING MYSELF!! When the crash would come, I'd turn to salt in all forms to "balance" me out and bring me down.

What a nightmare. I so desperately wanted to go to rehab for my food addictions but I couldn't fathom going cold turkey! Today I am so GRATEFUL that I am off that roller coaster. I NEVER take for granted that I could easily succumb back to that living hell if I choose to make bad choices. So I choose LIFE. And today, I eat RAW, life-giving, regenerative foods.

I am questioned about the price to be raw...my response is always that it actually costs me LESS money because I do not experience all the cravings associated with unhealthy eating patterns, thus more junk-food purchases. Need we discuss the price of Starbucks and Pinkberry? Enough said.

Yesterday I feasted on an avocado, spiraled zucchini and a farm fresh tomato for about $4.00 (I even have leftovers). I had a 16 oz fresh squeezed "Green Lemonade" from Whole Foods for $4.99 and 2 Vitashakes (Sunrider) with Coconut Juice which cost me about $3.00 each. So for $15.00 I was completely nutrient saturated, my appetite was satisfied and I woke up (or shall I say bounced out of bed) with a very flat tummy as an added bonus. Not only is that not a lot of money for a days worth of great food, it is by far more costly to eat off the highly advertised $1 dollar menus at your local fast food joints followed by a trip to pharmacy for antacids, pain killers, gas relief, etc to MASK the damage you are doing by dousing your body with acid-inducing DEAD food with ZERO nutrient value.

Start your day with a beautiful whole fruit...watermelon, oranges, grapefruits, apples (try to choose one fruit to eat as much as you want all by itself to avoid bad food combining) and feast on beautiful GREEN salads and veggies all day. You'll never have to worry about calories, ounces, fat content and all the things we waste our time on because your body knows exactly what to do with WHOLE living food. That is the simple way to begin a raw journey ...you can also dine out at the numerous raw restaurants opening more and more frequently (check out www.happycow.net for your area) or learn to make decadent raw-licious meals that would seriously shock you into submission.

This is the lifestyle that works for me. So I choose to share it with you in the hopes that it may lead you in a direction of Optimum Health. You know what is best for you and I wish you nothing but what is best for YOU!! Try it out and if you love what it does for your body like I do, you will hopefully stick to it...there's no reason to wait til dis-ease starts knocking at your temple door!!

Love Your Body, Love Your Planet, Love Each Other...

BIKINI BEACH BABY

While I am a huge advocate of making lifestyle changes to fully support both the physical and mental wellness of all earthly beings, sometimes you just want to get ripped into shape, like right NOW....

I will never use nor do I believe in the word diet, which in my opinion does not work for the long haul and quite frankly, I find completely inhumane. Notice the first three letters of said word. Add "crash" before that, and common sense will hopefully get all up in your face!

For me, eating balanced WHOLE foods that nourish and cleanse the body works EVERY time. I eat primarily RAW, VEGAN and Macrobiotic foods along with Sunrider nutrient-dense plant-based shakes and herbal beverages to insure that every part of my body is fully nourished, balanced and cleansed. Foods that REGENERATE the body...

By the way, the word "isolate" is never your friend. Check your labels on your so-called "healthy" shakes and foods.

In light of the fact that SUMMER is upon us, I would like to share with you my formula for getting into BEACH-body shape starting.....NOW.....

Start the day (always if you can) with a pot of warm Calli. One non-bleached teabag makes 8-12 cups in a coffemaker. Remember to NEVER boil the water - a coffeemaker works great. NO COFFEE but if you must, drink it AFTER Calli with Sunnydew and unsweetened, non-dairy Coconut or Soy Creamer (Silk brand uses whole soybeans last time I checked). I understand you may be addicted and don't want to cause unnecessary trauma because for today, WE LOVE OUR BODIES and want to be kind by taking baby steps. Teeccino is also a great ALKALINE coffee alternative if you are ready to kick the habit.

Why Calli? Because all night your body is naturally detoxing and Calli is ALKALINE and assists the body to further cleanse...coffee is ACIDIC and stops the cleansing process immediately and dehydrates you!

If you have leftover Calli, simply chill and drink it all day. Just do not reheat it. Calli pulls metals, toxins, parasites out of your body...gives clarity and makes your skin glow. This is one of the beautiful "side effects." I found that after drinking Calli for about a month, my morning coffee became a thing of the pass and I didn't even notice!! I simply started craving Calli. Woot.

Breakfast...pick ONE fruit and preferably buy it at Farmer's Market so we are somewhat assured it's not sprayed (no bananas, sorry charlie)...best choices:

Apples

Oranges/Grapefruits (you can eat citrus together)

Pears

These fruits aid in cleansing/detoxing...they take about 30 minutes to transit the system so you always want to eat them on an empty stomach (you can have Calli before, but no food or shakes until later). If you eat any other food before fruit, it gets trapped and causes gastric disturbances...acid is created in the body not unlike a volcanic explosion. Ever have heartburn or acid reflux? Need I say more?

You can eat 30 minutes after your fruit so it's really not a big deal. But it makes a BIG difference. Wash your fruits with Veggie Rinse to be rid of any lingering pesticides, waxy coatings, automobile fumes during transport, insects, etc...

You can eat as much fruit as you want....cut it up, sprinkle cinnamon (organic) on it if you like and have a blast. I'm serious, you can eat as much of ONE fruit alone as you want...3 will probably fill you up. Remember to CHEW. ChewChewChew.

Wait 45 minutes and make a Vitashake. Since we are on a mission, I would suggest you use 1/2 cup of chilled Calli or Fortune Delight with 1/2 cup of unsweetened rice milk or Coconut Juice (my favorite, natural weight loss and electrolytes), squirt of Sunnydew, 1 Quinary, 1 packet Vitashake, ice and if you have flax seeds, throw them in. Yummmm!! For an added treat I also use David Wolfe's Sunfood Raw Cacao (raw chocolate, very bitter but yummy with the Sunnydew) for extra chocolaty flavor...there are lots of antioxidants in raw chocolate and that is my fave brand. Let's forego the fruit as you probably understand why from the food combining explanation above.

Mid morning snack: 2 Sunbars but you MUST drink Fortune with them...push the fat out baby. Take 5 Metabooster and if you feel like you have enough food in you, 3 Metashaper...some of us lightweights get a bit zingy from said supplements so you can adjust the amount as needed.

Lunch....salad...greens (no iceburg), sprouts, cucumber, celery (if you like, it's a great natural diuretic), 1/2 avocado...any veggies you love and try to get it all at the Farmer's Market...for a dressing, organic virgin olive oil and lemon or buy a vegan dressing at Whole Foods...Galeo's Miso Dijonnaise is DELISH as is Follow Your Heart's dressings...watch out for sugar content...you can by some raw crackers at Whole Foods or other health food stores if you want a little crunch. They are pricey but in a pre-digested state so that your digestive system can focus on other things since you are being so kind to it as of now. Again, make sure they are the RAW sprouted crackers if you choose to indulge.

3 Metashaper with your lunch.

Wait at least an hour and have your second Vitashake with Quinary...if you are still hungry, add a Sunbar. Still drinking Fortune or chilled Calli or both mixed. You can do Evergreen as you wish too...your body is really happy about now.

Dinner...if you are cool with no animal protein this week, let's have another salad or lots of steamed leafy veggies...if you must have meat, make it fish only (yes, I consider that meat)...the best kind you can find. I have no suggestions in that area as I cannot stomach anything with a face at this point. If you can stick to plant foods, results will occur faster and you will feel better other than some possible detox symptoms which WILL pass.

If you'd like some brown rice, I suggest Lundgren's Organic short grain brown rice that you cook. Soak the rice for several hours before cooking to activate the enzymes. Tastes the same, but assists in the digestion process. Quinoa is also an excellent protein-rich grain, you can soak and rinse it over night and eat it sprouted or cook it like rice. You can use Organic vegetable broth instead of water, it makes it very flavorful. The microwave is not our friend. It chemically alters food and your body has not idea what it is and works hard to get rid of it. I like putting rice or Quinoa in with my salad or you can put your veggies over it. No soy sauce or any sauces that have words we don't understand. Keep it simple...Leaf makes awesome raw dressings you can use on anything if they are still available since the restaurant closed. Regardless of the calories or fat content, it pretty much goes through you so no worries. Raw food is miraculous. 3 Metashaper.

Wait about 2 hours and you can have another shake or 2 Sunbars as an evening snack.

So what you need from SR:

Vitashake (2-3 a day)

Quinary (we are doing 2 or 3 a day for this week and always if you can swing it)

Calli (1 bag a day)

Fortune (I would use 2 in a big bottle of water per day, I do every day...it is the fat flusher)

Sunnydew in everything...feeds the pancreas and gets rid of cravings...use just a little if you don't like the taste

Evergreen

Metabooster

Metashaper

Sunbars

So there you have it....

Oh, and PLEASE exercise...hike, run, yoga, dance, hula hoop, walk...find something you love so you WANT to participate and NEVER stop, have FUN with it and enjoy your life!!

I am not a doctor and I make no medical claims. I do not test on animals, only myself and the people I love who let me. If it works, I am happy to share it with you. I do not believe anything until I see results and profound changes.

Remember, you know your body best and I only urge you to do whatever it takes to heal yourself from the inside out and practice PREVENTION of dis-ease rather than fighting for your life when it's too late. Wave an avocado instead of a pink ribbon!!

Much love to you all and SEE YOU AT THE BEACH...

REPLENISH GEL TO THE RESCUE!!

So my skin here in Nashville has been DRY DRY DRY!

Razor lips and all...it's terrible considering the amount of rain that occurs here (although now it's mostly just "raining" pollen and quite beautiful)...

Anyway, I had a sealed bottle of Oi-Lin Replenish Gel that I must have ordered months and months ago and forgot about. I decided to slather it all over my eyes, face and lips about 3 nights ago and CANNOT believe what it has done for my skin...it feels like a babies behind and my lips have healed after months of trying EVERYTHING :)

This has made me a very happy camper so I thought I'd share...NO TOXINS, NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS OR TESTING, no clogging, blemishes or anything other than clear, moist (a word that freaks me out) skin!! Yipppppeeeeee!!!

Sunrider has an extensive line of skin care and I've tried them all...I have some favorites if you are a Curious George.

Keep in mind, that whatever you put in and ON your body goes into your blood stream within seconds! Sunrider has the only manufacturing plant in the US that manufactures their foods, skincare and cleaning products IN THE SAME PLANT!! Reason being that it is all FOOD GRADE and safe to ingest. Not that I'd eat my face cream, but it's nice to have options if I want a little snack and out of food :)

If you are in the skin industry or know somebody who is, Sunrider's line of skin care is AWESOME....Halle Berry's make-up artist uses it and has been a fan for many, many years. Just saying.

Stay Beautiful inside and out!! xoxo

Description Recommendation Oi-Lin® Replenish Gel Oi-Lin® Replenish Gel is designed to hydrate the delicate eye and mouth areas that are especially prone to wrinkling. It also is ideal for other areas of the face that require gentle yet intense hydration. This anhydrous gel helps moisturize and smooth the skin. The antioxidants in this advanced, rich formulation help combat the effects of free radicals, which cause fine lines and wrinkles in skin. Owner expertise produces an exclusive formula that seals in moisture in wrinkle-prone areas and provides a gentle emollient effect without a greasy feel. Wake up with the softest skin imaginable by applying a thin layer to your face at night as an intensive moisturizing mask.

FINE TUNING...

We are not our bodies.

HOWEVER, if we do not take care of our fabulous "temple" of the soul, our life here on Planet Earth may be less than divine.

I don't know about you, but I am a VERY active 40-something year youngling. I love to HIKE, take YOGA almost daily, POLE DANCE (as in class, not profession), HOOP (as in HULA...just joined) and the list goes on.

I am hard on my body and I love trying new things. For me, the highlight of EVERY day, is getting this girl's body MOVING...nothing like an endorphin high!! That being said, things start to "happen" not only as we age, but if we don't eat nutrient dense "living" foods that nourish, balance and cleanse our bodies. Every day. What do you think happens when you eat "dead" acidic food? Insert shudder.

Those who know me know that I am a fanatic of SUNRIDER plant based products. Nutrient- dense ALKALINE foods that feed the body on a cellular level based on the Philosophy of REGENERATION. Dis-ease does not like an alkaline environment, thus the body gets the rest it needs to restore itself back to health. It's that simple. It also takes time and discipline to undo the damage of decades of abuse and "unconscious" eating so when I say simple, I'm not saying easy. It does however, get VERY easy when you start feeling AWESOME and bouncy and like you can do ANYTHING!! My very first "side effect" was no more brain FOG...yuck, who needs that? CLARITY is a beautiful thing.

Most people see changes immediately and continue to get better while others stop once they feel better (I never understood this - if I feel good, please give me MORE!!) only to start up again when their symptoms start to reappear. It's like exercise my lovelies...you basically have to do it until you die. You don't get to a point where you look and feel your best, stop, and your body remains the same. Unfair I know, but that's LIFE. This is the point where commitment and discipline are your new best friend!

I am living proof that the body has the ability to HEAL itself if given proper nutrition. I had to prove it to myself as I am very skeptical of all things until I have reason not to be. I will not share something I do not believe in yet I do feel responsible for sharing things that have proven to be life-changing or FUN for that matter...

Here's a link to some more Sunrider information that focuses on FINE TUNING your gorgeous body...work it, own it!!

http://www.shelleymerkt.com/files/Fine_Tuning_with_Sunrider.pdf

And ask lots of questions!! If I can't answer, I will find out from my Naturopath who led me on this path of health and freedom...

Love, Sheri xoxo