Which Path Will You Choose?

Once again, it's been a while since I have been here so I have a lot to catch up on. Life takes many twists and turns and health problems happen fast and furious as we get older if we are not mindful. We must pay attention to our bodies and how we feel inside and out. This is what leads us to the choices we make each day concerning what we eat and drink, physical activity we choose, career choices, and spiritual practices such as religion, yoga and meditation. I have come to realize in the last 6 years that there is a fix for everything if you just give it the time and thought process you need to come up with a viable solution. I beg you to look in the natural, alternative direction and avoid pharmaceuticals, chemicals and carcinogens in cleaners, body lotions, makeup, hair products, etc. We are living in a time and place where things are so easy to obtain, and quick fixes are the norm, but if we take the time to read labels and realize that we have and can get most of what we need to create healthy alternatives we will be moving in a much more healthy, holistic direction. I was talking to a friend the other day and she wanted to make a marinade for steak. She doesn't cook too much and found a ready made marinade with a plastic bag to shake up the steak and marinade together. Thank god she read the label of the marinade and the first and biggest ingredient was high fructose corn syrup. As she continued to read the label she noticed all the chemicals and ingredients that she didn't know. She decided to go home and make her own with good individual ingredients she had at in her kitchen. The marinade turned out great and she was so proud of herself. PLEASE READ THE LABELS!! I know life gets busy and we are always in a hurry to find the quickest fix but it is so important to know what you are eating if you are buying something processed or ready made. Always look for NON GMO so you are not getting genetically modified food that has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides and is resistant to the spray. The chemicals are in the food you are eating and causing inflammation and toxicity in your body which will eventually lead to disease and sometimes death. Also look for Organic which has been grown in clean environments and tested for harmful chemicals. I shop at Costco as they are carrying so many organic products and I can buy in bulk at good prices. I am amazed when I talk to friends who live alone and they always tell me that they don't want to buy so much and don't need to cook regular meals just for themselves. Well I say, why not? We deserve good healthy meals even if we are by ourselves. It is so easy to cook a delicious  nutritious meal in about 20-30 minutes. If you follow me on Facebook you have seen my food posts. I am proud of my creations and want to share them to show that it is not that hard and can be so satisfying and delicious. I also try to make it colorful by eating the rainbow of fruits and veggies, getting all the nutrients I need as often as possible. My body loves me for it!! When I first started my health coaching course we were tasked with making certain dishes. I have always cooked but not really gone out of my comfort zone so it was a bit intimidating. One thing I learned was if you screw it up just start again. I did screw it up but quickly realized my mistakes and the next version was pretty good. Cooking is now so much fun for me. I don't really need recipes or measurements unless it is a desert.

Organic orange yolk eggs over avocado

Avocado egg salad

Indian bison with broccoli and avocado

Pumpkin chocolate complete shake

Chicken cacciatori with spinach

Fruit Rainbow

Shrimp and broccoli

Brussel Sprouts onions and tomatoes

Usually I keep organic chicken, lamb loin chops and wild caught salmon in the freezer that I buy from Costco. You can separate them into smaller portions before freezing and they are ready to go when want them. I like fresh veggies but they do not stay good long enough to buy in bulk so I buy organic veggies in the freezer section as well. The broccoli and brussel sprouts come in 4 one pound bags inside a large bag for super cheap prices and they are organic. The benefit of buying in bulk. I have also bought cauliflower rice which is frozen and can be cooked as a rice substitute. It basically has no taste so you can create whatever flavors you desire. Spices really make the dish so don't be afraid to toss in whatever you like. I have gotten ideas just from walking thru Costco and trying the samples. One of my favorites these days is organic beets and goat cheese. I tried this at Costco and I now have it in my fridge all the time. They sell organic cooked beets in vacuumed packed that will stay good in the fridge for a few months. So easy to add to salads or just as a side dish with the goat cheese or whatever you like. I was never a beet fan but now I love them. Thank you Costco!! I should probably be a spokesperson for them. If we only had more locations as they are super crowded right now in South Florida with the season upon us. My favorite food at this time of year is pumpkin. I just found organic pumpkin in Publix and added it to my vanilla complete shake yesterday. So good!!! I will try it with the chocolate as well but will need more to overpower the chocolate flavor. I love both chocolate and pumpkin so it will be good either way.

Go out and expand your palette with some great delicious new foods you have never tried. Eat the rainbow, realizing that there are different nutrients, phytonutrients, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, etc in all, and the synergy of these working together in your body are making you thrive. I grew up with food being very important as most of us did. It has a new meaning now as it is truly thy medicine. My insurance policy is my fruit, veggie, grapes and berries, and omegas that I take everyday as whole food supplements to bridge the gap between what I should eat and what I do eat. It is virtually impossible to get this much nutrition everyday as there are over 35 different fruits, veggies and berries. I heard about these from a friend at a health fair and it made so much sense to me. I will take them for the rest of my life as I never get sick, recover quickly from physical activity, have great skin, hair, nails, and gums, and my gut is loving me for it.

Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about health and wellness, and would like to come to one of our events where doctors and mentors speak about nutrition and health. We also have great cooking parties such as Salad in a Jar and Potlucks.

We have one body and one life so make it the best it can be and realize that practicing prevention, instead of treating disease will always win in the end.

Which path will you choose?

Keep it Happy and Healthy

Susan G
Your Wellness and Nutrition Coach
www.sgeers.juiceplus.com
susangeers@gmail.com
757-352-1745

Today Is The First Day of the Rest of Your Life

It's been a while since I have been here but I am so happy to be back! My life is so different since moving to south Florida and I can hardly believe that 3 and a half years have gone by, but I must admit that it has been a positive move in the right direction for me. Being in a different location after spending your whole life somewhere else is quite an eye opener at first but you do learn to get used to it and focus on the positive, leaving the rest behind. Continuing to travel from coast to coast really puts things in prospective and life is always different visiting/vacationing as opposed to actually living somewhere else.  I tend to get so excited about the thought of possibly moving again and starting a different life in a completely new place the moment I get there, but I quickly remember how living here is a 360 from the week long vacations of the past, and it has taken some getting used to. Obstacles such as traffic, cost of living, and the dynamics of the many cultures here quickly take their place and hit you in the face! I do love the diversity of the area, from weather and tropical surroundings to the melting pot of people from all over the world. It seems that you can enjoy the life you want wherever you are as long as you have the right attitude and mindset.

Changing careers from being a CPA to a Holistic Nutrition Coach/Customer Service Manager of a Golf Clothing and Accessory Distributor has helped me move in a more heartfelt direction where I can be true to myself. In other words, my stress level has decreased significantly, eating habits changed completely, and outlook on life is much more positive. I realize the importance of taking good care of myself in order to help others embrace their happiest healthiest versions of themselves.  After finishing my health coaching course I realized that I needed to connect with like minded people in the area involved in promoting better health and wellness. I looked for local health fairs, green markets, and events that would lead me in these directions. The continuous exposure to the ever growing health industry of supplements, machines, positions, etc. was overwhelming.  I had to listen to my gut when I was exposed to the same nutritional supplement twice in 2 days. It made so much sense to include this in my arsenal of gifts that I could offer to others. I immediately jumped on board  and I must say it has been  a great ride that I will continue for the remainder of my life. My health coaching course taught me the power of eating a plant based diet, including the rainbow of fruits and veggies and the many benefits of each. Why would I not take 6 capsules with over 30 fruits, veggies, grapes and berries each day as an insurance policy for prevention of disease, and increased daily health. It made so much sense. I had been taking an array of good quality vitamins and supplements everyday but they were so expensive. When I compare what I was spending to my new regime of fruit and veggie capsules, it was a no brainer. Little did I know that this was the best decision of my life. It is hard to explain how good I feel everyday since making this change.  I also stopped eating dairy; milk and cheese, which helped my digestion and inflammation so much. Noticeably better hair, skin, nails, and gums, not to mention the increased energy.  I have always had reflux and indigestion but did not realize how bad it was until I didn't have it anymore. Occasionally I do eat good quality cheese and creamy sauces and the indigestion and stuffiness hits me like a ton of bricks.  I also notice how I crave more veggies and fruits as a result of the increased whole food nutrition intake each day. I truly believe in the power of food as medicine. I use myself as an example, and take it from me, it happens quickly once you make small changes in your diet and exercise routines.

What I am continuing to learn and practice is being present in my life. Enjoying each moment as it comes. Having my parents so close to me so that we can play golf and enjoy meals together on a weekly basis, is priceless, and I am enjoying this so much. I realize that I do want to stay close to them and no matter how many places I visit, I am here to stay as long as they are here. I have built a life in this new place that is happy, healthy, and satisfying. I continue to pursue my many interests within the health and wellness industry; alternative natural treatments for cancer, the many benefits of cannabis, the power of breathing, meditation, and yoga, and the positive results of having a good attitude. Golf is a big part of my life here and my goal is to play at least twice a week.  I must give kudos to the EWGA of Fort Lauderdale chapter for enhancing my life and introducing me to so many great new friends, not to mention all the great courses we get to play all the time.  I do miss my racquetball community back home but we are all still connected thru Facebook and I do love keeping up with everyone.  These are great memories for me and I will keep them close for the rest of my life.

My message to all is to enjoy your life now and be present where you are. I have been talking to my kids about this lately as they embark on new adventures and directions in their lives. Life is learning  to appreciate what you have and enjoy each and every moment as if it were your last. Tomorrow is not promised but we always have today, so make the most of it. Hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them every chance you get. Smile at the person walking towards you who may be frowning. Most of the time they will smile back and you could have just made their day.  For me it makes my day just to see someone smile back.  Life is so short so don't sweat the small stuff and focus on the big stuff. Remember to give back as often as you can. It will come back to you ten fold when you least expect it.

I will see you back here soon!! Love to all and go out and touch as many lives as you can today, including your own!!

Susan G now Feeing Fine After Fifty
Juice Plus

Life Is A Gift; Don't Wait For The Tragedy

Everyday there are so many stories, TV shows, ads, and reports about obesity, and the tragedies that have caused people to become healthier and take charge of their lives. I finally decided that this needs to be the subject of my next article, so here it is. Why do we have to wait for a life changing event such as death or illness to shock us into reality, and finally take charge of our  health and wellness? I think it's great that there are more and more shows such as "The Biggest Loser", and "The Revolution", and even "Dr. Oz", not to mention all the cooking shows on the Food Network to promote the importance of losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. What I don't understand is how and why we let ourselves get to the point of no return. I know that everyone is a victim of their environment. We eat the way our parents eat which is the way their parents ate. We exercise the way we were taught in school, and/or by our parents. As adults we are exposed to so many new things, however we seem to turn a blind eye to the things we know we should do in an effort to maintain the norm as we know it. Always afraid to take that new step into the unknown. How will I ever live without my cakes, cookies, chocolate, creamy sauces, satiating fried foods, etc. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to talk to people about new foods I have tried, and had them tell me; "I can't live without this", or "I can't give that up", " It doesn't taste the same", "I'd rather not eat it if I have to substitute this for that". The very next comment is; "I can't seem to get rid of this belly, and I am exercising all the time".

 My answer is if you want your body to change, you have to be willing to make changes.   The real question is how badly do you want things to change. I have learned throughout my life that you can do anything as long as you try hard enough, and want it bad enough. We all control our own destiny. What we eat, and how much we exercise is no different than what we want to be when we grow up, or what we want to do with the rest of our lives. The information is out there for the taking, but you have to go and get it, and then do something with it. I realize that change is always the hardest thing to accomplish. I found this out being an Office  Manager/CFO in my last job. I instituted many changes in my early years at the job, but this was by far the greatest challenge. People are so resistant to change. If we never take that next step into the unknown, we never improve on anything, and everything stays at a constant whether it be good, bad, or indifferent. If it's not a good change, the best  part is you can always change back to what you know to be good. What have you really lost in the long run, and you took the bigger step in an effort to find out what else was around the corner that you otherwise would have never known about. More times than not, the results of the change will be positive, and you will feel a remarkable sense of satisfaction, and accomplishment for going in the new direction. I have always felt that there is always room for improvement. 

Getting back to my point of the article; Take charge of your life now. If you wait until something tragic happens, you could be harming yourself in ways that cannot be repaired. It is a well known fact that getting rid of the belly fat, and incorporating daily exercise in your routine, can, and will reduce medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, and many other illnesses. This is different for everyone, and there is no guarantee as to what medicines you can reduce or cut out completely, but the benefits of eating more fruits, and vegetables, healthy whole grains, beans, lean meats, chicken, and seafood are becoming clearer and clearer each day. I know myself changing the way I eat has caused me to notice how badly my body feels when eating too many sweets, fried foods, and fatty foods. I actually enjoy the taste of fresh fruits, and vegetables, and cooking my own healthy meals gives me such a sense of accomplishment when the meal is complete. I was raised to enjoy my food, and I have learned to do just that thru healthy eating with fresh ingredients. Always remember to eat what you like, and be creative with your food. Once again, change is good, so try new things to enhance your choices, never depriving yourself of anything within reason. My advice is be healthy 90% of the time, and let yourself go 10% of the time.

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

Life is Precious, Don't Take It For Granted

Why Wait; Live Your Life Now

I was let go from my job in January of this year. It has now been about 6 months and I have learned so much about myself, my friends, and others I have come in contact with during that time. In February I finally joined facebook to promote this blog, and it has undoubtedly been one of the best decisions of my life. I have reconnected with so many old friends that I did not keep in touch with over the years who I really had fun with growing up. What I realized is that the connections to these friends are still very much the same now. Although our lives have changed due to careers, marriages, divorces, and locations, our personalities and likenesses have remained the same. The most ironic thing I have noticed is that we are all at that point in our lives where we just want to spread our wings and fly. What I mean is that for whatever reason; probably because of what we are taught, when you are young, we have a tendency to choose the more logical path. I know that's what I did. I always enjoyed theater in high school and started out in college somewhat going in that direction. I always knew that I wanted to be involved in some way. While working a summer job before starting at ODU I met an older woman who was very unhappy in her long time marriage, but could not leave her husband due to financial constraints. I realized that I never wanted to be in that position during my life. I knew I was good in math and english, and decided to pursue a career in accounting., knowing that it would support me financially and I would never have to depend on anyone but myself. It was by far the best decision I could have made at the time, and has been very good to me for the last 29 years. I was able to start at the bottom after graduating with a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, and ultimately became a CPA. I climbed the ladder year after year, and job after job, to finally land that job I had always hoped for. I could never have done the job without my years of experience in different positions, with different companies, and dealing with some of the most colorful characters. I had years of career, and life experiences.

I am now at a crossroads in my life. It is my time to do what I want to do. I have been divorced and single for the last 18 years. Wow, that sounds like a long time. I am in the process of selling my house as the kids are gone, and moving to Florida,where I have wanted to go for many years. I have chosen my new career path which I will start after I move, but has gone hand in hand with the premise for this blog: HEALTH AND WELLNESS. I can hardly wait. The best part of the last 6 months has been reconnecting with my old friends from this area and realizing that we have not changed inside. We all want to get back to what we want to do. One of my friends is singing in a band, while my other friend is getting ready to perform in local theater. They still have their full time jobs for now but they have reconnected with their innermost passions. I am so excited for them, and even more excited for myself. I also realize that I do not want to spend the rest of my life alone, and very much want to fall in love again, and find that special someone to spend the rest of my life with.

As part of this life transforming process, I have also opened myself up to so many new things; golf, writing, travel, and the ultimate for me: HEALTH AND WELLNESS. Feeling good inside and realizing what I need to do to enhance that is the seed of all things. I truly believe that eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, and enjoying life to the fullest is definitely the key to a long, happy life. I almost forgot to mention that I have been seeing a therapist for the last year, in an effort to help me deal with some anger issues surrounding some unforeseen circumstances. This has been such a wonderful enhancement to my life, and has taught me to look at life much more positively (the glass really is half full), as well as my approach to all people, issues, and life as a whole. I am much more accepting of others and their lives, and have learned to only deal with what I can control, and leave the rest behind. I should have done this years ago but I can only look forward at this point. If you are having issues in your life that you are not happy with, and can't figure out what direction to go in, I highly recommend finding the right professional and seeking help. It is AMAZING, and will change your life.

Check out this video and keep these lyrics in your heart.