Are you getting enough fruits and veggies?

It’s estimated that over 80% of Americans do not consume the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day necessary for good health.  If you’re like me, that does not come as a big surprise. Have you tried to actually eat that many servings of fruits and veggies during the course of a busy day?  Those are two of my favorite food groups; however, I still have major trouble getting them all into my diet. 

Even forewarned with nutrition knowledge and having the best dietary intentions, it’s pretty hard to eat right.  The good news is, we no longer have to struggle to maintain our health through diet alone thanks to today’s advancements in nutritional science and the multivitamin.   

Most people prepare meals at home far less frequently than in generations past.  Two working parents often equal a lot of take-out food.  Even if you try to order the healthiest appearing meals, restaurants and fast food establishments aren’t exactly known for their health-conscious preparation. 

Today’s jobs are often are accompanied by hectic schedules that can cause irregular meal times or even skipped meals.   Stress is also an unwelcome companion of many jobs, causing us to snack on nutritionally-empty foods and adopt poor overall eating habits. When working late in the office, it’s just more convenient to grab chips out of the vending machine than go in search of a carrot. 

Even if you are in the 20% group of diet champions, you still should consider taking a multivitamin supplement.  This is because the fruits and vegetables you are diligently consuming may not afford you the healthiest levels of certain vitamins (such as D and E).  You are likely not getting enough natural protection against diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis and cardiac disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association acknowledges that even the healthiest of pregnant women don’t take in enough folate through diet alone to help prevent birth defects. Another consideration for adding a multivitamin is the adverse affects current processing, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers have on our foods. 

The bottom line is that foods that should pack in solid nutrition may not offer the punch to your health you expect.

As with all things, not all multivitamins are the same.  It’s important to look for vitamins and minerals that are combined in a similar way to what’s found in nature to optimize their synergy.  You want their components to be supremely balanced and find vitamins that are backed by reputable clinical studies. Among the best are the Vita-Lea multivitamin supplements from Shaklee, the premier nutrition company in the US.  Along with their production, Shaklee regularly performs 349 tests on their vitamins to ensure purity and potency.  Their multivitamin offers all 23 of the recommended vitamins and minerals at proven levels for the best possible health benefits.  If you’ve decided to take a vitamin, why not choose the one that will do you the most good?

A multivitamin will bridge the diet gap for most of us.  It will help you achieve balanced nutrition, provide important immunity support, and be a catalyst for improved overall health.   I certainly recommend that you try and add as many fresh vegetables and fruits to your daily diet as you can.  If possible, look for the organic versions so you have the optimum nutritional intake for your efforts.  However, after all of that – take a multivitamin.  The practice should be as easy and considered as necessary to your body as drinking water.  If the old adage were truth about an apple a day keeping the doctor away we’d all be in good shape.  However, 5 apples???  Unless you’re working in an orchard, take the vitamin.

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For more on the Shaklee products mentioned here or on the Shaklee business opportunity, please visit our Shaklee distributor website.

The holidays are full of family, fun, and food. Along with a bit of stress and some disruptions of routine that can throw me off. Here are 3 things I try to remember to do to take care of myself so I can feel better and enjoy the season.

1. Make time for exercise.

Whatever holiday tasks are crowding your day, make time to get some movement in your day (beyond shopping and cooking, that is!). For me, it’s first thing in the morning. Even a 20 minute walk around my neighborhood is better than nothing. Exercise is a great stress reliever so don’t skip it during the holiday rush.

2. Balance the treats with substance.

OK, you’re baking cookies and if you’re like me, you eat “a few” while you’re baking. That’s fine – enjoy it. You’ll feel better if you have a snack of carrots, celery, or a piece of fruit before you start baking. That way you’ve got something good in your body to balance out the sugar. The same thing can help if you enjoy a nice glass of wine or champagne. Drink a full glass of water before each glass of wine. You’ll stay hydrated and you’re less likely to over-indulge.

3. Don’t skimp on the basics.

Two things get neglected when our daily routine is disrupted. Sleep and vitamins. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night whenever you can. You’ll feel much better. And don’t forget that a good multi-vitamin pack does wonders for your overall well-being. Might even be a good time to try a special anti-stress supplement.

If you remember these three basic ideas of self-care during the holidays, your body will handle the holiday crazies much more easily!

Happy Holidays!

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For more on the Shaklee products mentioned here or on the Shaklee business opportunity, please visit our Shaklee distributor website.

Hey, if you’re like me, this is a terrible season to get on the scales. I call the period from Halloween through Valentine’s Day “the sugar season.” It’s everywhere and I’m not too good at resisting it. Then there is the holiday stress that can trigger emotional eating.

Here are three tips that help me manage my weight during the holidays and beyond.

Sweet treats are everywhere!

1. Give it the old one-two punch.

By using an approach that combines better nutrition and increased activity, you dramatically improve the odds that you’ll lose weight. Either approach alone is way less effective. Don’t go for a starvation diet; just cut out some empty calories, reduce your portions, and focus on better nutrition.

As for activity, you don’t need to go all out there either. If you’re not active now, start with a short walk every day. If you’re already active, turn the dial up 10% - a little more time or a little more intensity can boost your metabolism.

2. Focus on inches not pounds – it’s how your jeans fit!

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