I've taken a few months off from contributing any new content to this blog. When I started it a looooong time ago I really didn't know what I intended to do with it. My hubby writes a blog about all things fly fishing and had encouraged me to start a blog for Isagenix. So, being the good wife I am, I listened to him. My journey over the past few years has really been more than I imagined I'd get when I enrolled with Isagenix. I was just a selfish new mom who wanted to lose the last 10 pounds of pregnancy weight! I've grown so much as a leader and have worked on a lot of personal development, and become a visionary in the process. 

                                    

I just attended a leadership conference in Seattle over the weekend with the MASTER himself, David Wood. Every time I go to an event like this it reminds me why I'm doing network marketing and how this industry is the vehicle to living the life of my dreams. Seriously, no where else can you help yourself just by helping others. It's a phenomenal business model. 

Anyway, if you're in NWM, you must start listening to David Wood's podcast on iTunes. It's called Crank it Up. There's close to 100 to listen to and he interviews a different leader each time. Everyone from Les Brown to Lisa Nichols. I've only gotten through 2 this week, but such meaningful content and nothing like learning from these people!

Whole Foods vs. Nutritional Cleansing

I love this guy's story because I'm asked this question all the time. Or, someone will say they will just "watch what they eat" for a couple of months before committing to a cleanse. What is the difference between just eating whole foods and putting Isagenix in your body? Here's what Jeremy Strong has to say about his experience:

Soo.. It all began back in late October 2014 when my Brother Sterling Rawson introduced me to this wonderful companysmile emoticon Prior to Sterls telling me about his experience with Isagenix I was a 100% whole foods ONLY kinda guy. I would not hear a bar of the whole "meal replacement" world nor would I EVER succumb to trying one.... Yeahhh.... But I did.
I trust my brother hugely and when I heard his personal experience with the supplements and the potential that he saw behind the business opportunity I decided that it actually sounded pretty great and that I would put aside my skepticism and do my du-diligence.
Needless to say the results that I experienced were incredible! The stubborn belly flab (aka FAT) that I disliked how ever had never properly been able to shift began to simply melt away! Every morning I was waking up leaner than the last and before long the six pack was with me practically everyday (bar immediately post eating or drinking as per usual). Not only did I lose unwanted body fat, I also started to notice that my energy levels had skyrocketed and that I was now bouncing around at work and home, going to bed later, getting up earlier and even had people ask me "what are you on!?" haha.
Anyway I have gone on long enough but what I will say to ANYONE who is on the fence or in any way skeptical about giving this a go is, JUST DO IT. Throw caution to the wind and just do it! What is the worst that can happen??? There is a 100% no questions asked money back guarantee for ****** sake! haha This may just be the best decision you ever make.

Go forth and spread the joy of ISA

Why stress when you don't have to?

This may or not apply to you, but odds are, since you're human and reading this it most likely does....so read this entire post please...

Inflammation is the underlying cause of almost all physical challenges, illnesses, degenerative diseases, weight gain and more.

And what's the one of the #1 cause of inflammation?

That's right, STRESS.

And what are the two leading causes of stress you ask?

That's also correct...MONEY (you live paycheck to paycheck, can't keep up with bills, are drowning in debt, medical expenses, etc.) and WORK (co-worker tension, you hate your boss, your boss hates you, pressure, too many hours for not enough pay, etc.)

So, what does this mean? This means, that's it's physically impossible to be healthy while experiencing finanial stress. Can't happen.

The next two primary causes of stress? Poor health and poor nutrition.

Hmmm....if only there were a way that you could earn more money doing something fun, working with people you actually like, while getting the best nutrition in the world into your system at the same time...if only.

And of course there is...I've been using it for over 3 years...the vehicle is here for you...you just need to get in and be willing to drive it.

Why stress when you don't have to?

Isabody Challenge

Is $25,000 an incentive to get your rear in gear? That's the grand prize for winning the Isabody challenge! Pretty cool huh? Anyone can enter, whether you have 5 pounds or 100 pounds to lose. In addition to the large cash prize, the grand prize winner also receives the following:

• Personal photo shoot
• Paid trips to*:
  • 2014 and 2015 Celebration
  • 2014 IsaBody Challenge Transformation Cruise
  • 2015 New Year Kick Off
  • 2015 Top Achievers
  • Isagenix University*
  • Powerful Presentations
• Personal Trainings:
• Business Training with Isagenix Co-Founder and Executive Vice President Kathy Coover
• Personal Training with Strategic Consultant David Wood
• Product Training with a Scientific Advisory Board Member
• Fitness Training with the Coovers’ personal trainers, Jill and Scott Knight

Just for participating in the Isabody challenge you'll receive the following:

• $200 Product Certificate
• Exclusive IsaBody Challenge T-Shirt
• IsaBody Challenge Achievement Certificate
• One entry into the 2014 IsaBody Challenge Transformation Cruise Drawing
• The opportunity to have stories, and “before” and “after” photos on the Isagenix website, in company publications, and in promotional materials.

HELLO!!!! $200 in product credit!!!!! How cool is that??? I'm all registered and working on my second Isabody challenge. I encourage you to do the same...what's there to lose really?

For more contest rules and more information and to register, http://isabodychallenge.com/prizes.html

Most People

If you're like most people, you'll spend an extra $780-1500 over the holidays and gain another 3-8 pounds.

Once again, your New Years resolutions will be about money and fitness (because you overspent and overate).

Isn't that what happened last year & the year before?

Isn't this what will continue to happen until you CHOOSE to break the cycle?

This year you can either learn from your history or be doomed to repeat it.

Either way, 2015 will soon be upon us. How about choosing a way to not be "most people"?

100 cal snacks

One of the most popular questions I receive from cleansers is, "What should I eat for my snacks". The best thing is that it's so flexible that the sky is the limit really. Ideally, you'd like to eat snacks that will be alkaline for your body, since Isagenix is working at making your body more alkaline, incorporate some protein, and keep it to around 100-150 calories (depending on your daily need).

Veggies are always the best option. My favorite snack is an apple or celery and peanut butter, hard boiled egg, small handful of nuts (usually I resort to almonds). Veggies are good too. Another great option as a snack is 1/2c cottage cheese, or 1c plain greek yogurt (I sweeten with stevia). However, consuming dairy is not helping your body stay in an alkaline state, so use sparingly. Did I mention veggies are a good idea?

Here are some other 100 calorie snack ideas for your cleanse days...takes out the guess work for you!

Low-fat cottage cheese (5 oz.)

 Raisins (60 or about 1 1/4 oz.)                                                            

1 ear corn on the cob

 Celery with peanut butter (1 Tbsp)                                                                                                 

1 Cup squash (baked acorn or butternut)

 Unsweetened applesauce (1 cup)                                                                                                 

1 sweet potato

 An apple (small) with low fat cheese (1 oz.)                                                                               

1/2 Cup frozen broccoli with cheese sauce

 1 small orange                                                                                                                                    

1 roasted chicken drumstick

 1 cup watermelon                                                                                                                               

1/2 Isalean shake

 15 mini carrots                                                                                                                                     

More Great Pairings:

 2 cups blackberries                                                                                                                             

1/2 Cup strawberries with 1/2 Cup plain whole milk yogurt

2 cups cantaloupe melon, cubed                                                                                                     

small fruit salad with 1 Tablespoon toasted almonds

28 grapes                                                                                                                                              

2 TB hummus, 5 baby carrots and as many cucumber and celery sticks as you like

15 strawberries                                                                                                                                     

1/2 med. banana  with 1 TB shredded coconut for dipping

10 cashew nuts                                                                                                                                   

1 Rice cake with 2 teaspoons peanut butter

Great pairs:                                                                                                                                            

unlimited veggie sticks if they are green with 1 TB Green Goddess or other salad dressing

1/2 cup salsa, 2 tablespoons non fat sour cream, 1 small baked potato

1/2 small apple, 2 teaspoons peanut butter

an orange with a few dry raosted nuts

half an avocado with salsa

3 oz. cooked whole grain noodles with one fresh tomato and 1/2 oz. hard cheese

2 oz. lean roast beef

6 Wheat Thins crackers  with 2 teaspoons of peanut or other nut butter

5 oz. tossed salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, basil and 1/4 cup fat-free dressing or apple cider vinegar 

Another great resource is this blog: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/31/85-snacks-for-kids-and-adults/

TONS of great ideas and it's all wholesome food. Watch your portions sizes though, especially if you're trying to lose weight.

Genetic Roulette

You owe it to yourself to watch this eye-opening film about GMO's and the effect on our health and wellbeing.

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/posts/genetic-roulette-free-screening-vote-today/

I was pretty appalled at some things I learned. It's very educational and will drive home why you want to buy organic produce, meats/dairy, and Isagenix. Isagenix is non-GMO and supports the body with life giving essential nutrients as well as supports your body's natural cleansing pathways.

Two other resources I love for reducing GMOs in your home are the apps Fooducate and ShopNoGMO (they also have a website). The apps are nice because it's easy to reference foods while grocery shopping.