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12 Week Transformation Breakdown

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Essante Organics 12 week Transformation: Before & After

Well, this is it folks,  the end of my 1st 12 week Essante Organics Transformation Challenge!

Here are a few final thoughts I wanted to share with all of you who have followed my journey over the last few months. http://myorganictransformation.weebly.com

This challenge offered many rewards, both emotional and physical.

My most emotionally rewarding experience throughout this process was watching how my determination and perseverance effected and inspired others. My 4 year old daughter now asks to exercise with me daily. My husband and parents beam with pride as they brag to their friends about my progress. Other friends and family members tell me how I’ve inspired them to get healthy. Everyone around m has increased their activity level and/or their diet in one way or another.

Physically, my most rewarding experience has been accomplishing more than I ever believed I could. I’ve reduced my body fat by 20%. I’ve become a cyclist. I’ve become a swimmer. I’ve started attending a local boot camp. I’ve become a fitness addict!

At the start of this contest, if someone told me that I would accomplish or become any one of those things I would have laughed and reminded them of my disability and my hectic schedule with 2 small children. How on earth can a stay at home mom find time and energy to do all of that…much less a mom who happens to be a hemiplegic? Well, I not only did it, but I KILLED IT!!!

weight loss, before and after, organic, transformation

Essante Organics 12 week Transformation: Before & After

This challenge has also redefined how I define success.

“I don’t believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.” –Ken Venturi

My goal is always to be better than I was yesterday…That is success!!!

I’d LOVE to hear about your goals, challenges, successes! Please share in the comments below!

 

My 12 week Transformation

httpmyorganictransformation.weebly.com

As most of you know, I am a work from home mom of 2 small and wonderfully energetic children. I managed to lose most of my baby weight through eating healthy and breastfeeding, but I have a few pesky pounds that seem to want to hang around.

The company I work with, Essante Organics, offers a 12 week Transformation contest for a $2500 prize. Anyone can enter and any transformation can win (weight loss, weight gain, building muscle, getting healthy, etc.). So I decided to let $2500 be my motivation! I am a week in and have already lost 4 pounds!

Organic and GMO-free nutrition is already important to my family especially since my lil Bulldog  suffers from food allergies and eczema. Since I plan to continue breastfeeding throughout this challenge and beyond, I know Essante Organics pH 7.365 dairy free, gluten free, soy free, chemical free, pH balanced protein powder is the BEST choice to achieve my health goals.

As a busy mom, I often find it difficult to prepare and eat enough fruits and veggies, so I’m adding Essante Earth Greens and Super Reds to my daily regimen…they are an easy way to sneak my kids more fruits and veggies too! 😉

I have also discovered that my body won’t give up those extra pounds with diet alone, so exercise is a critical component of my journey. Honestly, In the past, I have struggled to find the motivation, time, and discipline to exercise regularly, yet I’ve committed to push my limits during this 12 week transformation and beyond.

As you know, I am differently-abled which will require me to modify all of my workouts and will make cardiovascular exercise more challenging. However, I’ve searched YouTube and found many adaptable routines (stay tuned for a link). NO EXCUSES!

With my disability, comes a lack of muscle tone and movement on the right side of my body and I’d like to change that. I may never be completely “balanced”, but there are NO EXCUSES not to give it my every effort so I am making strength training a vital part of my transformation. Essante pH 7.365 protein powder gives my muscles an alkaline boost that WILL help me reach this goal.

What is the 12 Week Transformation Contest:
Anyone can join this rolling-entry-date contest!
Contact me NOW for details!

How To Join:

  • Order Essanté Organics 7.365 pH Shake & lose weight
  • Complete entry form and submit before photos
  • Inspire others with progress posts & recipe shares on Facebook.com/EssanteOrganicsLLC & on your Facebook
  • Print the Ingredient, Recipe and Guide Book
  • At the end of 12 weeks, finish the sign up form: submit your after photos, etc. to corporate

Winners Receive:

  • 1st prize: $2500 cash  (male & female)
  • 2nd prize: $500 cash & 3 month supply of 7.365 pH SHAKE (male & female)
  • 3rd prize: 3 month supply of 7.365 pH SHAKE (male & female)
  • To win: winners must be present at the Great Green Event

My tools:
7.365 pH Shake Vanilla Ice Cream Rave Protein Shake: 100% Non-GMO Proprietary Vegan Protein Blend 22,150mg:  Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Yellow Pea Protein, Inulin, Flax Seed, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Quinoa, Organic Millet, Organic Amaranth, and Vegetable Cellulose, Vanilla, Guar Gum, Stevia Extract.
7.365 pH Shake Chocoholic Kiss Protein Shake: 100% Non-GMO Proprietary Vegan Protein Blend 22,150mg:  Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Yellow Pea Protein, Inulin, Flax Seed, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Quinoa, Organic Millet, Organic Amaranth, and Vegetable Cellulose, Cocoa, Guar Gum, Stevia Extract.
Super Reds Powder: 5.5 pounds of whole super fruit per serving
Earth Greens Powder: 5.5 lbs. of whole food, alkaline vegetation per serving
Thin & Sexy Oil Blend: A blend of Organic Lemon, Organic Juniper Berry, Organic Cypress, Organic Grapefruit, Organic Frankincense, Wild Myrrh, and Organic Lemongrass to decrease cellulite, increase circulation, aid in detoxification (toxic build up is the #1 cause of obesity), aid digestion, enhance metabolism, stimulate muscle strengthening and repair, and much more!                                                                                            Power Pops: “Eat Candy & Lose Weight” with ToxicFreeTM Power-Pops! An easy, 100% natural, tasty treat that increases energy, metabolism and weight loss.

Are you ready to Transform?

***Update: I completed the challenge an lost 10lbs, 20% body fat, and developed muscle. See next post

 

Organic Baby

Essante_Baby_Safe

I was so honored to be included in this hangout! Join ME, several of my lovely associates, and our awesome CEO as we share with you our AMAZING and baby-friendly catalog of products.

Are you aware of all of the dangerous chemicals you’re loading onto and into your babies on a daily basis? GOOD NEWS – There is an alternative!!!

*around 30 minutes listen for a top secret reveal that is yet to be released!*

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Well Rested Mama

lavender essential oil

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LINKS:

Essante Lavender Essential Oil: http://tinyurl.com/lxgssqy

Essante Green Mandarin Essential Oil: http://tinyurl.com/m5bp7v7

Essante Sweet Dreams Essential Oil Blend: http://tinyurl.com/kab4vyv

Infononline 500ml Aroma Diffuser : http://tinyurl.com/l74orz7

**The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Products  are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Allergic to the Cold?…No Really!

cold urticariaMy Story

Ever heard of cold urticaria? Well, neither had I until I was diagnosed in 2010.

When I was pregnant with my daughter in 2009, I began noticing that my hands would swell whenever I spent time outside in cold temperatures. When it was hot, I would break out in hives whenever I sweat or when the AC blew on me.

Even if I drank something cold (my biggest craving was ice cold water 24/7) I could feel my throat tightening.

At first, everyone (including myself) thought I was nuts.

It took me a while to piece everything together. Most of my symptoms could be somewhat explained by pregnancy: swollen hands, itchy skin, strange rashes.

It wasn’t until my daughter was 3 months old, and my symptoms were still persisting, that I started Googling. I know, I know…NEVER Google your own symptoms…you’ll always find that you’re “dying”, but in this instance, it proved to be helpful.

I Googled “hives + cold temperatures” and BAM! I found cold urticaria. Unfortunately, a name was really about all I found. No one really knows what causes cold urticaria, some say it’s permanent, others say it lasts 4-6 years, one can be born with it or acquire it for no known reason, pregnancy can bring it on, as well as, bee stings or fire ant bites (did, I mention that I stepped in a bed of fire ants while pregnant? Yup!), the list goes on and on.

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I scheduled an appointment with a local allergy specialist to see is she could offer me any more information. Since cold urticaria is so rare, I was met with a lot of skepticism by the doctor. She agreed to perform a “highly scientific” 3 minute ice test where a glass filled with ice water was placed on my forearm for 3 minutes, then the welt that arose was measured. This test was followed by a 1 minute test. Here were my results:

3 Minute Ice Test: Initial Diagnosis Feb. 2010

3 Minute Ice Test: Initial Diagnosis Feb. 2010

The welts or hives on my forearm were so large that nurses from all over the building stopped by to take pictures of the freak show with their phones. I was FAMOUS!

After the “freak show”, I was sent for a lot of blood work that confirmed I was highly allergic to fire ants and indeed had cold urticaria.

As far as “treatment” goes, I was given a prescription for a mild antihistamine that would not affect breastfeeding…much…and an epinephrin pen for emergencies.

Living in a mild climate, I was able to manage my symptoms well enough not to have to rely on an antihistamine every day, rather I carried the bottle in my purse and used it as a treatment rather than prevention. Fortunately, I have yet to need the epi pens.

About 2 years later I became pregnant with my second child. I must admit, I was a bit hopeful that since my cold urticaria surfaced during my 1st pregnancy that it might disappear during a 2nd pregnancy. Although I was not symptom free during my pregnancy, my symptoms were much less severe…hardly noticeable.

For me, cold urticaria seems to be linked to my hormones.  After pregnancy, my symptoms returned, but they were still lessened. I stopped taking the antihistamines and replaced them with Essante Bee Natural tabs about 4 months ago.

Bee Natural Tabs are 100% certified Toxic Free and include a wide spectrum of vital nutrients including pollen, royal jelly, honey, thousands of enzymes and coenzymes, vitamins, minerals, and hormones! Human consumption of bee pollen and royal jelly has been praised throughout history and medical and wellness practitioners, including Hippocrates and Pythagoras, have long prescribed it for its healing properties.

Bee Natural Tabs have freed me from antihistamines (and fear of their effects on my milk supply) and lessened my symptoms making daily activities in the cold safer and more comfortable.

Cold urticaria has received much more attention in the media over the last few years. My hope is that more people who suffer from this condition unidentified will recognize their symptoms, find answers, and know that they are not “crazy” or alone in their struggle.

Do you or someone you know suffers with cold urticaria? Please share your story in the comments section below.

**Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. I am an executive with Essante Organics and only receive compensation through their outlined system (sales, bonuses, commissions, etc).

***The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

 

cyber monday, Essante, organic essential oils, beauty, baby, nutrition, work at home, business, deal, 50% off, 60% off, 80% off, free, www.ThepHMama.com

Cyber Monday

cyber monday, Essante, organic essential oils, beauty, baby, nutrition, work at home, business, deal, 50% off, 60% off, 80% off, free, www.ThepHMama.com

Did you brave the madness on Black Friday or have you been patiently waiting on Cyber Monday? Maybe you are sly enough the shop both!

In either case, please check out the awesome deals I’m offering through my at home business. These savings don’t come around often and will vanish at midnight tonight!

Happy Shopping!!!

Click HERE to save 50%-80% on certified organic and toxic free products.

Juggling Act

Juggling Act

Things have been NUTS around here lately…good nuts, but nuts nonetheless.
My kids have birthday parties to attend every weekend (We refer to October-November as the birthday gauntlet…9 months after Valentines Day…go figure ;-)); my at home business is BOOMING; I’m drowning in laundry, housekeeping, blogging, Christmas shopping, church, cooking (ok, so we’ve been microwaving…a lot); I’m struggling to make time for family; and looming over me are the tasks of maintaining professional certifications and working on new ones. Whew! I’ll admit, I’ve felt the need to spike my hot coco on more than one occasion.
They say that we must find balance in life, but how in the heck am I supposed to balance all that is required of me and what does balance really look like?

“The ingredients of both darkness and light are equally present in all of us,…The madness of this planet is largely a result of the human being’s difficulty in coming to viruous balance with himself. ”
Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

“My point is, life is about balance. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows. The pina and the colada.”
Ellen DeGeneres, Seriously… I’m Kidding

Well, here’s my two cents on the matter…
Balance in life (and especially in motherhood) should look like a juggling act.

Juggling is a physical skill involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment or sport [or survival in our case]…Juggling can be the manipulation of one object or many objects at the same time, using one or many hands…-Wikipedia

This mom seems to have a great grasp on the concept 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ioJuBy58U

We must juggle family, relationships, obligations, and fun. At no point will we be able to devote equal attention across the board. Rather, at any given moment, one aspect will take priority while the others get shuffled around beneath our line of site (on autopilot). Sometimes, we may have 2 or 3 things balancing in mid air, but they won’t stay there and our only hope is that we don’t “drop the ball” and allow everything to come crashing down.

“What goes up must come down.” -Isaac Newton

These tips for performance jugglers can easily apply to “parenthood jugglers”:

  • Relax, and keep practicing.  Take time for yourself, read a book, meet with other moms, learn something new.
  • Take your time. Don’t throw the second ball until the first one peaks. Try not to take on too much at once. Limit kids activities so you still have time to connect as a family. 
  • Let the balls come to you. Don’t reach up to catch them. I LOVE this one! Sometimes we are so worried about the next thing on our to-do list that we lose site of the task at hand…guilty *hand raised*
  • Watch the point where the balls peak. This is the moment when the majority of your attention will be focused on a single task (it’s ok, I promise). This focus may last 5 minutes or a few days, but it’s worth it and will help you feel a sense of accomplishment. This is also where most mamas, including myself, feel the most off balance…and guilt.
  • Concentrate on keeping the throws close to you. Prioritize your family and keep them close.
  • Try starting with the other hand for a while. If you have a partner, ask them to take over a few tasks when you get overwhelmed.
  • Juggling is 70% mental and 30% physical. Plan, Strategize, Organize, Implement.
  • Pretend as if your hands don’t exist. Juggling becomes instinctive as you become skilled at the art form. Follow your instincts. Don’t over think and follow your heart.

Piece of cake, right 😉

So what happens when we lose our rhythm and must start over?

“I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”
Marilyn Monroe

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.”
Salvador Dalí

Simply stop, pick up the pieces, dust ourselves off, and start again. We all make mistakes. What’s important is that we recognize our short comings and learn from them. A child that watches a parent own up to their own flaws will learn to accept themselves and others.

“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” ― Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism

 “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” ― L.M. Montgomery

“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

What tasks are you currently juggling?

 

 

 

 

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories

 

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Last year, I decided to do a “Pintrest Christmas”. My son was still very small and napping a lot so it was a great way to spend some quality time with my daughter. We made enough of these dish towels (ok, so technically they’re linen napkins because I couldn’t find towels, but you get the point) to give 2 or 3 to every family member. It was NOT a task completed in one day or even one week. We just tried to utilize every free moment we had and lil Imp didn’t seem to mind all the child labor…as long as she got to squish her fingers and toes in messy paint after she finished “working”!

Of course, these designs can be used on any medium…use your imagination…plates, canvas, holiday cards, etc…this is just what we chose to use because they were small and easily stored for next year.

Supplies

  • Linen or cheese cloth dish towels (we found ours in 2 packs at Old Time Pottery far $2.50/ pack). White may work better, but red and green seemed more festive….and by all means buy EXTRAS for oopsies!
  • Nontoxic fabric paint
  • Sponge paint brushes
  • At least one set of adorably cute and small hands and feet

That’s it!

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories: Hands and Feet

We used only one body part and one color per session. Lil Imp had just turned 3 and her attention span was a bit limited. This technique required a bit more planning and organization on my part, but the last thing I wanted was an impatient toddler with painted feet stomping off in a tantrum!

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories: Feet

This craft is perfect for a parent and/or child with limited mobility. There is no cutting or building and the painting requires very passive movement.

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Homemade Christmas Memories: Hands

 I squirted paint on a paper plate, painted her hand or foot with fresh paint for each print, guided her for placement, then repeated. The planning and organization really came into play when we created the designs that required both hands, both feet, and/or all of the above. When all was printed and dry, I added the small details, names, and dates.

After each session was complete, we used the excess paint to “decorate” the paper plate. When the last towel was finished, I let her create her own “freestyle” prints on all of our “oopsies” towels.

*Remember: Don’t forget to label and date every design! If you ever repeat this craft with another, or even the same child, you’ll want to be able to tell them apart.

What are your favorite holiday crafts to make with your kids?