Articles archived for December 2010
Hey, y’all! Hope you had a fantabulous Christmas! 
I was so excited to receive the following “shimmery delivery” – just in time for Christmas. You may remember reading about the last arrival from this eco-friendly company. I love Lisa’s passion for “bringing out natural beauty” by using pure products on our skin. She has a strong desire to not only help us maintain, heal, and preserve our skin in a way that is safe for us, but in a way that leaves a light footprint on Mother Nature as well.
She also has a big, beautiful heart of gold and is just a pleasure to work with!
When I opened this shimmery delivery, I was delighted to find a thoughtful card, an organic lollipop, and the new ShimmerOrganics specialty soaps!
I’ve mentioned ShimmerOrganics several times before. I love the face mask, so when Lisa mentioned she’d be adding soaps to her pure skin care line, I knew I had to try ‘em out. She was kind enough to offer samples for me to review. I jumped at the chance – and here we are!
Holiday Card!!
Shimmery Soaps
All in a Row
Cocoa Mint
Moroccan Chamomile
Mandarin + Honey
(We’ve seen this combo before!)
Instruction Sheet
I recently mentioned ShimmerOrganics in my list of favorite (healthy) holiday gift ideas. Learn more about ShimmerOrganics and its owner, Lisa Ann Turkel, by reading the interview she graciously allowed me to host or by visiting her Artfire Shop HERE.
Thank you, Lisa! Can’t wait to try these lovely soaps out and share my thoughts on them – soon!
What about you? Have you tried ShimmerOrganics? Do you use eco-friendly, natural, and/or organic skin care products?
In Other News
Don’t forget about…
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Free Samples & Discounts
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(Healthy) Deals & Steals
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12 Days of Christmas Special (good through January 6!!)
Hey, y’all! Were you excited over the (Healthy) Holiday Deals & Steals I shared with you recently? Well, as if that weren’t enough to get you all revved up, you’ll really flip over the RAWsome 12 Days of Christmas Special E3Live is offering!
Here’s the latest news from E3Live – they are in the spirit of GIVING!
Dear Health Enthusiast,
Announcing our 12 Days of Christmas Special! An extra holiday bonus for you and your family.
Starting Dec. 26th, and for the 12 days following, we will put a different item on sale each day!* Our website will reflect the sale price.
Don’t delay—each item is only on sale that particular day—just for 24 hours! Each special ends at midnight each day PST.
— your E3Live® Family
• limit 3 sale items per household per day, sale prices will be already marked for each item.
• specials will begin Dec. 26th and end Jan. 6th, each item on sale for one day only, until midnight PST
• offer only good on the specific items mentioned and only on single bottle quantities for dry items
Enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas Savings, y’all – and a HUGE thank you to the generous folks at E3Live for giving the gift of health!!
Holiday shopping can be super stressful. So why not do something special for your health – and the health of those you love?
That’s why I’ve gathered up some of my all-time favorite health products and included them in this post. There are currently some awesome holiday deals running. With each product I list below, I share links to the reviews I wrote about them so you’ll be able to see WHY I am recommending them. Some of these products are currently on sale – others are a deal, regardless.
Ready, set, go!
First up is…
E3Live
I reviewed their Klamath Lake Blue-Green Algae (check it out by clicking HERE). I even hosted a giveaway for an awesome package deal of E3Live, BrainOn, and their cool shaker cup (see that HERE).
Their products are RAWmazing – and that’s why I’m so excited to share the following discount with you!
A word from the folks at E3Live:
“We are offering an end-of-the-year Thank You of 20% off (using coupon code: HOLIDAY) which can be used on any of our products except the soaps and Patented Stem Cell product. This is a great time to purchase frozen items for yourself or others – it’s a great savings and our way to say Thanks to all of you.”
Offer valid until Friday, December 31st
• 20% discount does not apply to soaps or Patented Stem Cell Enhancer
• 20% discount does not apply to Earth’s Essential Cream and E3Light Polish, as they are already 30% off
• offer valid until Dec. 31st, midnight PST
• to get the 20% off, please enter coupon code: HOLIDAY during online checkout
Don’t forget to enter HOLIDAY to get your 20% off!
Next up…
Amazing Grass
Y’all might remember that I introduced Amazing Grass during my 30-day juice fast. You may remember me raving about wheat grass during that time. (Get your Organic Wheat Grass Powder Here!) I love this stuff! It does have an earthy/green taste, I’ll be honest but I love it so much – and how it makes me feel – I don’t mind at all. Besides, if you DO mind, that taste is easily disguised in a fruity smoothie!
Or you could go for one of their other mixes that contains wheat grass but has a bunch of other flavors (like fruit or chocolate).
Look for the red sale tags, folks. Amazing Grass products are worth every penny – so give the gift of health to those you love!
Order your Amazing Grass products here!
Gotta have some entertainment, right? Why not make it healthy…
Simply Raw
If you or someone you love is battling diabetes, their weight, or even other health issues, I urge you to watch this series of films. You’ll learn about raw foods, how they can heal, and so much more!
Here’s a snippet of my thoughts on the powerful message Simply Raw provides:
Simply Raw gives you a peek into the journey of six Americans who are battling diabetes. Some of them are also battling obesity. While staying at The Tree of Life in Arizona, under the supervision of Dr. Gabriel Cousens, the six individuals (with various diabetes levels and insulin problems) were carefully monitored and cared for.Looking into the lives of these people and watching their struggles, their honest attempts, and then more struggles as they tried to make it through the 30-day program just broke my heart. I’ve been obese morbidly obese. I know the pain. I know how discouraging it can be to wake up every morning with a heavy person weighing your life down and feeling like life is hopeless and like you can never, ever achieve the healthier, slimmer body you so desire.
I also used to be on diabetic medication because my blood sugar was atrocious. I related so much to the stories these people shared in this DVD. It was almost as if I were living my own morbid obesity and blood sugar problems all over again!
So, I absolutely believe in the power of raw foods and know from personal experience and my own journey that blood sugar can stabilize. I’ve lost over 100 pounds and am now eating 100% raw food–no more diabetic medication for me!
You can read more about my thoughts on reversing diabetes with raw food by clicking HERE and/or HERE.
Time to get physical…
Exercise
I really love yoga. I’m still amazed at how much yoga grounds me, calms me. But it does. For years, I stayed away from it, was afraid to try it, and boy was I missing out! I’m still no super yogi by anyone’s standards. But yoga is a practice I plan to carry with me throughout life. I’ve been away from the mat for the past few months (although I’ve been getting plenty of exercise on this pink beauty) but yoga is still dear to my heart. And Aurorae Yoga
See my review of their products at the following links:
Aurorae Yoga Mat Review – Don’t have time to read? Hop on over and buy yourself – or your loved one! – Get an Aurorae Yoga Mat
Aurorae Yoga Sport Sweat Towel Review – Too busy to click? Rush to get your Aurorae Yoga 100% Cotton Sport Sweat Towel
Aurorae Yoga Slip-Free Rosin Bag Review – OR snatch up this awesome Aurorae Slip Free Rosin 5-Pack
And check out this awesome discount Aurorae is offering!
As a token of our appreciation, we would like to offer you a Friends & Family Discount of 15% off any of our products on Amazon.com between now and December 31, 2010. In order to redeem this discount, make sure to add Aurorae9 in the promotional code when checking out.
My favorite yoga DVDs
I alternate between the following yoga DVDs. I love them both, each for different reasons. I feel I get something different from both of them. I can’t choose a favorite so that’s why I just switch up.
Yoga Body Lean & Defined Total Body Workout DVD – Stacy McCarthy (Grab your copy HERE.
Yoga Mind & Body – Ali MacGraw ( Grab your copy HERE.
And we can’t forget about our skin, can we?! Introducing…
ShimmerOrganics
I chose this product because I love that it’s eco-friendly and works so well. And because you’ll use such a small amount each time, the price is totally reasonable.
Check out my review of the raw, organic ShimmerOrganics Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask.
Remember when I put my face out there during that review??!! 
You can also read my interview with the awesome lady who created and runs ShimmerOrganics, by clicking HERE. And see what a fantabulous job she does with her heartfelt, cheerful packaging!
Get your ShimmerOrganics products at Lisa’s Online Shop!
And… don’t forget to check out THESE FREE SAMPLES AND DISCOUNTS!
Here’s to Happy Holidays and Healthy Shopping!
Watch for another holiday post with my favorite eco-friendly products – including Bite Bags, which I recently reviewed! What are your favorite healthy products? Do you give them as gifts? Isn’t it a joy when you can buy gifts for people who are health conscious? Chime in, fantabulous people!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, but the products I’ve chosen to share are recommended from my heart. I was not approached by any of the companies I mentioned to include them on this list. I was not paid to write this post.
Disclaimer: Christine Fiske, of Bite Bags (www.sustainablebite.com), sent me two bags to try out. I was not paid to write this review.
I’m super excited about the opportunity to share my thoughts on Bite Bags with you. You know I love living an eco-friendly lifestyle. So, when Christine was kind enough to send me a couple of bags, I was ecstatic. I love the design, the thought of reusable bags, and everything about them. Let’s get to business shall we?!
About the Company
Bite is a fairly new company. The focus is walking lightly on our precious Mother Earth by “taking a Bite out of plastic.” By using – and reusing! – Bite’s produce and food storage bags, your decreased use of plastics (sandwich/snack and produce bags) will add up to a healthy dose of preserving our beautiful environment.
From the Bite site:
about bite
“Not very long ago, Bite was born with a mission to make grocery shopping and sustainable food storage more fun and eco-friendly at the same time. We believe and live by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Keep an eye on Bite’s upcoming product lines in 2010.”
Take a Bite out of plastic!
Bite reusable produce bags are durable, machine washable, and lightweight!
Consider this: The average shopper uses an estimated 260 plastic produce bags each year! We’ve made it easy to stop wasting this harmful plastic with our stylish and versatile reusable bags. Bite Reusable Produce and Snack bags are the stylish way to snack and shop in style while helping preserve the Earth!
"Be the Change You Wish to See in the World" – Ghandi
Heart & Soul of Bite
Christine Fiske seems like an amazing lady with an even more amazing passion for fighting the use of plastic by promoting reusing and recycling – not only of her products, but just in general. And she even sent me a personal, handwritten note!
From the Bite site:
about the founder, christine fiske
“Christine has always wanted to combine her interests of creating an impacting difference in the world and running her own business. It began in college when, as a business school student, she started pondering how to combine creating a meaningful business that would leave the world a better place. That dream finally came to fruition when she realized her ideas for sustainable food storage products and created Bite’s first line of Reusable Produce Bags.”
About the Bags
Bite bags are fun, versatile, eco-friendly – and so much more. You can use the smaller ones to pack snacks for lunches or just for food storage in the fridge. Take the bigger produce bags along to the farmers market and/or grocery store to cut down – or eliminate! – your use of plastic bags at the checkout line.
From the Bite site:
“Not very long ago, Bite was born with a mission to make grocery shopping and food
storage more fun and eco-friendly at the same time. Have you ever reached for a plastic produce bag at the store, or worse, a plastic baggie in your home and felt guilty that you were contributing to the endangerment of mother Earth? Well, we did, and we were determined to change that!We’ve created bags that are not only chic, but transparent, durable, lightweight, closable, machine washable (yes, really!) and versatile for a number of other uses (including lunch packing, toy organizing, toiletries toting, and snack stashing!) Past customers RAVE about their bags!”
Pros
Bite Bags have a draw string top to ensure the contents don’t fall out or roll away. They’re designed in bright, cheerful colors that reflect your personality. They are lightweight, easy to store when not in use, and will fit easily in your purse, tucked away in your car, or even in your pocket!
Check out the Frugal Prices!
- Single Produce Bags are only $5.
- Single Snack Bags are just $3.99 – the 3 pack is $11.99!
- 3-Pack Produce Bags are a cool $14.49!
Bite Bags are not only kind to Mother Earth – they’re kind to your wallet!
Cons
The only con I can (seriously!) think of, is this: I want ALL of the different styles and sizes!
Verdict/Grade?
I find Bite Bags to be absolutely smart, reusable, and eco-chic – just like Bite advertises! They’re not only fun to look at and use, but it’s great to know I won’t be wasting a crazy amount of those plastic produce bags at the store anymore. Woo hoo!
Bite Bags, I give you a big, fat…
A!!!
Keep up the fantabulous work!
More Bite
You can find Bite Bags at the following cyber locations:
Do you enjoy reusable bags? Have you tried Bite? Do you strive to live sustainably? If not, do you think it’s something you might take baby steps toward in 2011? Feel free to dive right in to the comments with some juicy, green conversation. Feel free to ask questions. I’ll do my best to answer or you can contact Christine directly here.
Be watching for some super fun holiday posts!
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
I saw this quote on a birthday card as I stood around waiting on my friend to mail some Christmas packages at the post office yesterday. The quote jumped out at me. It hit home. Loud and clear, resonated deeply within my soul.
With a new year upon us, I guess I get to thinking about could haves and what ifs, what’s to come and where I’m going. Don’t you? I thought so.
Anyway….
I always tease that people I love are going to live to be at least 110 or so. But, realistically, that isn’t going to happen. We all face death. Some fear it. Others dwell on it. And then there are some who never let the thought even cross their mind. At all.
Am I trying to be morbid? No, absolutely not! Quite the opposite, in fact.
The more I think about this quote, the more it inspires me, motivates me to make the most of not only the new year I’m facing, but all the years ahead of me – no matter how many or few they may be.
I recently shared that I’m now a wife. It’s odd to say type that out loud. I’m still getting used to it. I’ll be 36 this summer. Wow – 40 isn’t so far away. Imagine that. Strange, it is. Me? 40? Huh?
And so my mind wanders. Do I want a lot of years in my life, or do I want a lot of LIFE in my years? I believe I want more life in the years I DO have, instead of trying to plan to live to a certain age. As I realize this, stress and pressure begins to roll off my shoulders. I feel less tense – and more alive.
Abraham Lincoln was right. And not that I’m planning on making New Year’s Resolutions because I seem to be way too creative to stick to my guns on those things.
I’ve made confessions before. You can read about ‘em here. So what IS the confession I have to share? I guess what I’m confessing this time is simply this: I’m letting go and living.
Tonight my husband made a delicious meal… It consisted of sloppy joes, tator tots, and baked beans. Yeah, there were veggies involved (tomatoes, onions, bell pepper). It tasted divine. My belly feels warm and fuzzy. And I’m a happy girl.
Does that mean I’m anti-juices, smoothies, and raw food?
NO!
Gosh, no.
I still love all the things I’ve blogged about on this site. But instead of trying to crack the code to youth and health through raw foods on SUCH a grand scale, I’m letting my hair down so I can enjoy the awesome ride life has to offer me. Are you coming with me?
So whether I live to be 110 and can say I’ve been married for 50+ years or only have a few precious years left on this earth (although I’m excited for that 1st year wedding anniversary! ) I just want to LIVE.
“More life in my years.” <—- Raw Juice Girl’s new motto!
What about you? Do you think about these things as another year comes to an end? Do you think Abe was right? Do you want to live to be 110 – or do you want more LIFE in the years you DO have? Share your dreams and wishes!
And here’s a little something for y’all to check out…
Freebie & Giveaway Alerts (!!)
1) Genesis Today is having a massive giveaway for 27 winners. Click HERE to learn more!
2) Get freebies and a nice discount from NuNaturals by clicking HERE!
3) The awesome Averie at Love Veggies & Yoga is hosting a $50 iHerb Shopping Spree! Click HERE to enter.
Hey, y’all! You aren’t even going to believe this – honest!
www.NuNaturals.com has been very gracious and generous and have offered an amazing deal – group of deals, actually, for HWJ readers.
Check out this AWESOME tidbit of info, folks:
We authorize you to announce immediately our " FREE SAMPLES " program to ALL of your Continental U.S. readers where they can receive
" FREE SAMPLES " of our NuStevia Packets by sending a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED, # 10 envelope to us at the following location :NuNaturals , Inc.
2220 West 2nd. Ave. # 1
Eugene, OR 97402
How cool is that?!
And – get this! – as part of NuNaturals’ holiday appreciation, all HWJ readers can get…
Drum roll, please???
15% off your total order at www.nunaturals.com!
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Woo hoo!!!
Just enter the code BLG228 when placing your order.
AND….
When ordering from www.nunaturals.com, you’ll receive FREE SHIPPING (!!!) to the Continental U.S. on all orders totaling $35.00, and over, AFTER this special discount.
This offer is EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY and ENDS FEBRUARY 28, 2011.
And as if that isn’t enough to be excited about, you’ll flip over the surprise NuNaturals promotion that launches in January!! (Can you tell I’m excited, and that I love their products??? Just check out my review of their NuStevia NoCarbs Blend!)
Hurry, y’all. Get busy ordering and saving that hard-earned cash of yours!
Thank you, NuNaturals!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: The link to NuNaturals is NOT an affiliate link.
Hey, y’all! I know I just posted yesterday – and thank you for all the lovely feedback (via comments, social media messages, and emails!) regarding my husband and “new” pink bike. You all made me feel fantabulous! And so now I have something for you. Genesis Today is running a national contest and contacted me about letting my readers in on the sweet deal. I will be reviewing their juice in an upcoming post but to give y’all maximum time to enter their giveaway, I’m posting it now. I’m sure you’re cool with that, eh?
They sent me the following information:
GENESIS TODAY SHAKING UP THE JUICE MARKET
“Orange Juice Had A Good Run,” but now there is something better for you. Genesis Today, one of the country’s fastest growing juice brands and emerging leader in the superfood consumer category, is changing the perception of your morning glass of orange juice with a new line of superfruit juices. Now that these incredible Superfruit juices are available at Walmart, maybe it’s time you try them for yourself.
“There is a shift in tide currently under way in the beverage market. This new beverage trend is all about the ‘halo of health’ around beverages with purpose – juices created with more antioxidants and vitamins than ever before and made with unique fruits and natural compounds like Acai, Goji berry and Resveratrol,” according to Dr. Lindsey Duncan, Founder & CEO of Genesis Today.
Dr. Lindsey Duncan is a Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Nutritionist, who has been a trusted leader in the natural health products industry since 1983. After leading a successful nutrition practice in Santa Monica and logging over 40,000 hours of clinical experience, Dr. Lindsey wanted to do more. Dr. Lindsey has brought the superior, customized nutrition he had given his celebrity clients to everyone in America because he believes that no matter what your financial situation or your exercise routine, you deserve to be healthier, now.
ANTI-OXIDANTS. PRO-NUTRIENTS.
Every Genesis Today product is packed with so many nutrients, minerals and antioxidants that just one serving a day is all you need to start meeting your health goals. Genesis Today’s Superfruit juices are available in three flavors: Acai Berry, Cranberry Goji, and Pomegranate & Berries with Resveratrol. Genesis Today wants you to switch out your morning glass of orange juice for a healthier option. Try it now and feel the difference.
ENTER TODAY FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW!
Genesis Today will choose one lucky Grand Prize winner to receive the “Ask Dr. Lindsey – Prize Pack.” This will include a personal health consultation from Dr. Lindsey Duncan himself suited to your specific health and nutritional needs and will include a three (3) month supply of Genesis Today products – a $600 value. Second Place will receive a three (3) month supply of Genesis Today Superfruit juices, and 25 Runners up will receive a free bottle of Genesis Today Superfruit juices.
Enter now at: http://genesistoday.emgpromotions.com/
For more info on Genesis Today and Dr. Lindsey visit genesistoday.com
Available now at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club.
You can find more information on Genesis Today at the following links. You can even follow them on Twitter (@GenesisToday) and/or Facebook!
Genesis Today Links
Contest:
http://genesistoday.emgpromotions.com/
Videos:
Dr. Lindsey Duncan – Genesis Today on The View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6RaoipQN1s&feature=related
Dr. Lindsey Duncan – Genesis Today on Bloomberg Television
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlffewXAVuU
Dr. Lindsey Duncan – Genesis Today – Discusses Health Juice line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS-huTzjPCY
Or, visit their website: http://www.genesistoday.com/
I realize this is a little different than my usual giveaways and I normally put more of a personal spin on things but in order to get this out to you at lightening speed, I decided to go this route this time. Get yourselves busy entering. Have fun and best of luck to you!
Disclaimer: The generous folks at Genesis Today were kind enough to send me a couple of their juices to sample. However, I was not paid to write a review – or even asked to write one. And I’m not being paid to host this giveaway either. There are no affiliate links in this post.
Thank you to Genesis Today for hosting this super cool giveaway and allowing 27 people a chance to win!!
Hey, y’all! I know it’s been a super-duper long time since I posted and I’m sure many of you thought I fell off the face of the planet, never to be seen again. I apologize from the deepest depths of my heart and soul for putting y’all through that. As a blogger, I should have updated to let you know that I’ve been okay. So, please, forgive me?
It would mean a lot.
All sorts of craziness has gone on – from a cranky old laptop, to life events beyond my control. I thought of giving up. I thought of never writing or blogging again. But writing and blogging is such a part of my heart, my soul. I sometimes need extended breaks from it. But I could never, ever give it up completely. I’d wither away and die like a flower with no rain.
Am I forgiven? Do you still love me?
Thank you, kindly.
Now, on to the good stuff… 
Check out this cool, vintage Mission Bay bike I’m the proud owner of. Awesome ride, eh? More about how it came about at the end of the post (but don’t scroll down and spoil my surprise! Read through like the troopers I know y’all are, okay?)
Anyway, most of you know I love all things pink. I’m a girly girl pretty much all the way – and you know I have an old soul. I love vintage things – including my bike!
So, where have I been? I think for the most part, I needed a good, long break from blogging. There for a while, I agreed to way too many reviews and giveaways and although I wholeheartedly love doing those posts, they are very time-consuming for me as I put all of my heart and soul into them and don’t just throw up a casual “so-and-so company sent me this or that for review and I liked it or didn’t” – I go in to great detail and after a while, even though I thrive on it, it wears a girl thin, ya know?
Plus, as you all know, life happens. Things pull us away from doing what we love. And as writers, we many times put our passion for the written word on the back burner as we run here and there tending to the things life throws our way.
That’s where I’ve been. Tending. Mending. Reinventing. Rejuvenating. Recharging. Evolving. Thinking. Healing…
So… how’d the bike come about? My husband (!!) spruced it up for me. See the before picture, folks. It’s come a looooooooooong way. I’d been wanting to ride bikes forever so it’s such a blessing to have a husband who enjoys doing just that!
Yes, you read right. It took many, many years of healing from the pains of domestic violence and although there will always be bad memories, occasional nightmares, and scars, I was finally able to open my mind, heart, and soul to love again. I was scared but I made the right decision. I know – without a doubt! – that he is my soul mate.
I always wondered what people meant when they said “you’ll know when you meet Mr. Right” – now I KNOW. I do. He’s everything I ever dreamed of and hoped for!
It’s amazing how deeply he’s touched my life. And it’s amazing what he did to that vintage bike…
Before
After
And what about you? How have you been? Any plans for the New Year? News you’d like to share with me? Healthy milestones you’re bursting with? Please talk to me – I’ve MISSED you all!!!!
Also, I AM going to be posting reviews and giveaways. I just don’t plan on making them my main focus – at least for a while.
